Strategies to Overcome Zoh Shia

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The ultimate challenge in the main storyline of Monster Hunter Wilds is a formidable beast known as Zoh Shia. This ancient Guardian has been drawing power from the Dragontorch for centuries and is responsible for numerous troubles in the Forbidden Lands, as revealed to the Hunters’ Guild at the conclusion of Monster Hunter Wilds. Determined to restore balance to the region’s ecosystem, the guild prepares for an epic hunt against Zoh Shia, aiming to put an end to its dominion over the other creatures.

Taking down Zoh Shia is no easy feat; while it’s a challenging encounter, it may not be the hardest in the game (I found Arkveld to be a bit more difficult). Defeating Zoh Shia wraps up the narrative of Monster Hunter Wilds and marks your transition to High Rank. This advancement opens the door to postgame content, which includes tackling tougher versions of existing monsters as well as facing entirely new species—something the Monster Hunter series refers to as High Rank. Nevertheless, success against Zoh Shia is a significant hurdle and can be fatal for unprepared players.

Preparation for Zoh Shia

Essential Gear

The Zoh Shia hunt may arrive faster than expected, coming right after cutscenes that follow your mission to take down Arkveld. If you have time to gear up, you’ll want to prepare for the various status effects Zoh Shia can inflict. It possesses a powerful roar, so acquiring the Earplugs ability will be beneficial. Stock up on Nulberries to counter Fireblight and Thunderblight, and any items that provide resistance to these elements will also be advantageous.

You can cleanse Fireblight (and shorten the duration of Thunderblight) by rolling to dodge attacks.

During each quest, your Seikret will usually have consumables ready in its pouch. Press left on the D-Pad to call your Seikret and check its inventory. You may also find your supplies replenished during the hunt—your companions will let you know via voice lines when this occurs.

Zoh Shia’s Weaknesses

Below is a breakdown of Zoh Shia’s damage resistance and weaknesses by body part. Similar to Jin Dahaad, Zoh Shia has a breakable exoskeleton, which you can chip away to reveal greater weaknesses and inflict more damage.

Thus, Zoh Shia’s primary weak spots are its wings and head. Elemental damage isn’t crucial here; however, if you choose to use an elemental weapon, opt for Dragon damage, which offers slight bonuses against some body parts.

The following table shows Zoh Shia’s vulnerabilities to status effects:

Feel free to leave any items that cause Exhaust at camp—Stun items are optional. Unfortunately, Flash Pods, Sonic Bombs, Shock Traps, and Pitfall Traps are all ineffective against Zoh Shia.

Zoh Shia’s Weak Points and Tactics

While Zoh Shia doesn’t have a singular “weak point,” its head and wingarms sustain greater damage from most elemental attacks than other parts of its body. Zoh Shia has four parts that can be broken:

Keep in mind that Zoh Shia is encased in a tough layer of crystals, which you can break to enhance your attacks’ effectiveness. Refer to the earlier weakness table for insights on the differences between crystalized and non-crystalized parts. Using Heavy Piercing Pods that may drop once you break the crystal layer will further weaken its defenses. Note that Wounds can only be inflicted on non-crystalized areas of Zoh Shia.

To tackle Zoh Shia effectively, adopt strategies similar to those used for any other large monster: target its forelegs to knock it down, then repeatedly strike its head. While it stands, take any opportunity to attack its wings as well. Always ensure you’re healed up, address any status effects promptly, and be wary of the following moves.

Zoh Shia’s Action Patterns

Zoh Shia transitions through three phases, each altering its attack patterns and damage resistance. In the first phase, its body will be especially resistant while it mainly employs melee attacks. After some time, it will start breathing fire and collapse some of its crystal layers, permanently revealing its head and wings. In the final phase, it will summon red lightning, shatter the remaining crystals, unleash powerful Thunder and Fire attacks, and become more vulnerable in the process.

When approaching Zoh Shia, position yourself close to its forelegs and wings. Watch for its slam attack; it will rear up on its hind legs before slamming down. The monster may also launch fireballs or use its wings and tail for traditional melee strikes. Maintaining distance during these melee attacks is crucial, as many cause explosions after the fact.

Zoh Shia has a devastating arena-wide ability. It braces itself against the ground and emits a roar while summoning a row of crystals around it, followed by a fiery breath attack. When this happens, it’s best to hop on your Seikret and flee as far as you can, then wait for the firestorm to pass.

Additionally, Zoh Shia’s attacks can produce small white crystals. Attacking these with elemental damage will trigger an explosion after a brief delay. You can strategically encourage Zoh Shia to stand next to these crystals for added damage.

Be attentive to the Shrine Fragments hanging from the ceiling. Shooting one with your slinger while Zoh Shia is directly beneath it will inflict significant damage and topple the creature, leaving it open for follow-up strikes.

Zoh Shia Materials and Rewards

Once Zoh Shia is defeated, you’ll have the chance to carve materials from it. Below is a table that lists all potential drops from Zoh Shia along with their occurrence rates.

These materials are quite versatile and can be used to craft various Guardian-type weapons and armor, which are among the top-tier High Rank gear available in Monster Hunter Wilds. Be sure to revisit the Smithy after the conclusion of the story for crafting opportunities!

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