You’ve probably seen the purple fire. It’s hard to miss. In the middle of a dense thicket in the Shrine Ruins, this massive, armored tiger-thing starts glowing like a neon sign and suddenly you’re flying through the air with half your health bar gone. Monster Hunter Rise Magnamalo is exactly what Capcom wanted it to be: a total wall for new players and a persistent headache for veterans who get too comfortable.
It’s the flagship monster of Monster Hunter Rise, and honestly, it deserves that spot. While previous flagships like Nergigante were all about raw, physical aggression, Magnamalo brings this weird, supernatural element called Hellfire into the mix. It feels like fighting a samurai possessed by a grudge, which, according to the lore, isn't actually far off from the truth. The developers at Capcom explicitly designed its movements to mimic a "ghost of a fallen warrior," which explains the erratic, leaping strikes and those terrifying tail stabs.
If you’re struggling, don’t feel bad. Everyone does at first.
Understanding the Hellfire Gimmick
Most people think Hellfire is just fireblight with a purple coat of paint. It’s not. If you treat it like normal fire, you’re going to blow up. Literally. When Monster Hunter Rise Magnamalo hits you with a gas cloud or a physical strike while it’s powered up, you get the Hellfireblight status.
Look at your character. You’ll see purple flames licking at your armor. If you get hit again, or if enough time passes, that gas ignites and sends you carting back to camp. But here’s the thing: you can actually use this against him. Most players just panic and chug a Deodorant. Stop doing that.
The Wirebug Secret
Instead of using items, use your Wirebug. If you perform a Wiredash (ZL + B while your weapon is sheathed, or ZL + X/A while unsheathed for some weapons), you actually "leave" the Hellfire behind in a concentrated cloud. If Magnamalo runs into that cloud? He trips. It’s a guaranteed knockdown the first time it happens in a hunt. It’s basically a free opening that the game doesn't explicitly tell you how to optimize.
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You should also keep an eye on where the purple flames are on his body. Magnamalo has a "venting" mechanic. The flames appear on his back, his armblades, and the tip of his tail. These aren't just for show; they indicate where his hitzones are softest but also where his most dangerous attacks originate. If you deal enough damage to these glowing parts, the Hellfire backfires, causing an internal explosion that topples him for a massive window. It’s a high-risk, high-reward loop. Hit the glowing scary parts to get the big opening.
Breaking Down the Moveset
Magnamalo doesn't move like a normal wyvern. He’s more like a fanged beast on steroids. He has this "skating" animation where he slides across the ground on his forearms, covering half the map in a second.
The tail is the real killer.
In High Rank and Master Rank (Sunbreak), the tail spear becomes incredibly precise. He’ll back up, rattle his scales, and then lunge forward with a thrust that can one-shot gunners. If the tail is glowing purple, he’s likely going to follow up with a massive explosion or a spinning "somersault" move. The safest place to be is usually tucked right under his back legs, but even then, he has a hip check and a tail swipe that can catch you off guard.
When he enters his "enraged" state—where his back spikes fully extend and the purple mist becomes a thick cloud—he gains access to his ultimate move. He circles you twice at high speed, then dive-bombs the center of the arena. If you see him start that circular sprint, put your weapon away. Now. You need to be ready to Superman dive (sprinting away from the monster and dodging) to catch those i-frames.
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The Gear You Actually Need
Let’s talk builds. You don't need a specific elemental resistance to beat Monster Hunter Rise Magnamalo because Hellfire damage isn't strictly elemental—it's more like blast damage.
- Weapon Choice: Magnamalo is weakest to Water and Thunder. If you’re using a Great Sword or a Hammer, go for raw damage with a focus on the head. If you’re a Dual Blades or Bow user, the Mud Almond (Jyuratodus) or Thunder Tree weapons are your best friends early on.
- Armor Skills: Evade Extender is a life-saver here. Even just one level of it makes your rolls cover enough distance to get out of his gas clouds. Stun Resistance is also huge because his combos are fast enough to dizzy you before you can heal.
- The "Hellfire Cloak" Skill: Later in the game, you can actually craft armor (mostly from Magnamalo himself) that gives you the Hellfire Cloak skill. This makes you immune to the negative effects of Hellfire and actually increases your attack power when you’re "afflicted" by it. It’s a meta-defining way to turn his own mechanic against him.
Mistakes Everyone Makes
Stop trying to outrun him in a straight line. Magnamalo is faster than you. He thrives on punishing players who run away to heal without a plan. If you need to heal, wait for him to commit to a long animation—like the tail slam or the fire breath—and then use your Wirebug to zip up to a higher ledge or behind a rock.
Another big error? Over-committing to the head. Yes, the head takes the most damage. But his armblades are much easier to hit and breaking them causes a significant trip. If you’re a melee user, focus on the front legs first. Once he’s down, then you go for the face.
Also, pay attention to the music. The theme shifts when he enters his most dangerous state. When the choir kicks in, that’s your cue to play defensively. Magnamalo isn't a monster you can just "button mash" through. He requires a rhythm. It’s a dance where he leads, and you have to find the gaps in his footsteps.
The Magnamalo Legacy in Sunbreak
If you think the base game version is tough, Scorned Magnamalo in the Sunbreak expansion is a whole different beast. It’s a variant that has survived countless battles, losing an eye and gaining even more concentrated Hellfire.
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Scorned Magnamalo ditches the "ghostly" movements for pure, unadulterated violence. He adds extended beam attacks from his tail and more lingering explosions. The strategy remains the same—use the Wirebug to drop Hellfire—but the timing is much tighter. You’ll need to master the "Counter" mechanics of your specific weapon (like the Long Sword’s Iai Spirit Slash or the Charge Blade’s Counter Peak Performance) to survive the Master Rank version.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Hunt
To consistently clear Monster Hunter Rise Magnamalo quests, you need to change your preparation.
- Eat for Dango Defender and Dango Medic: Survival is more important than a 5% attack boost when you're learning the fight.
- Pick up Spiribirds: Don't just rush to the monster. Spend two minutes gathering the green and orange birds to max out your health and defense. It makes a massive difference in whether a tail slam kills you or leaves you with 10% HP.
- Bring a Cat with "Power Drum": The extra defense and attack from a Palico can help you hit those damage thresholds to cause trips.
- Practice the "Hellfire Drop": Go into a low-rank quest and just practice the ZL + B movement to drop the purple flame. Get used to the timing so it becomes muscle memory when you’re in a high-stakes fight.
Magnamalo is meant to be a test of everything you’ve learned in Kamura Village. He tests your Wirebug management, your positioning, and your ability to stay calm under pressure. Once you stop fearing the purple fire and start seeing it as a tool for your own combos, the hunt changes completely. You aren't just surviving; you're dominating the "Wyvern of Malice" on your own terms.
Keep your eyes on the tail, watch for the purple glow on his forearms, and never, ever stop moving. He’s fast, but you have the tools to be faster.