Zoh Shia Guide | Monster Hunter Wilds

Introduction to Zoh Shia

Zoh Shia is the Guardian Monster and final boss of Monster Hunter Wilds. This imposing creature serves as the ultimate test of your hunting skills, combining devastating attacks with multiple combat phases. As a Construct-type monster, Zoh Shia is covered in crystalline armor that must be strategically broken to deal significant damage. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to overcome this formidable challenge.

Location and Quest Information

You'll encounter Zoh Shia exclusively in the Ruins of Wyveria during the final main quest "Guardian Zoh Shia" (3★). This battle represents the culmination of your journey through Monster Hunter Wilds, so be prepared for an epic confrontation that will test everything you've learned.

Weaknesses and Resistances

Elemental Weaknesses

• Dragon: Zoh Shia's primary elemental weakness is Dragon, making weapons with this element highly effective
• Thunder: Moderate weakness
• Water: Slight weakness
• Fire/Ice: Largely resistant

Physical Damage

• Sever Damage: Most effective on the head and right wingarm
• Blunt Damage: Most effective on the head
• Shot Damage: Most effective on the head and tail

Status Ailments

Zoh Shia has varying resistances to status effects, but is particularly susceptible to Dragon Blight. It can also be affected by Poison, Paralysis, and Sleep, though with increasing resistance after each successful application.

Combat Phases

Zoh Shia's battle progresses through three distinct phases, each with unique attack patterns and vulnerabilities:

Phase 1: Fully Crystallized

In the initial phase, Zoh Shia is completely covered in protective crystals, significantly reducing damage to all parts. During this phase:

• Focus on breaking crystals on its head and forearms
• Attacks are primarily ground-based
• Use Heavy Piercing Pods (obtained from broken crystal fragments) to break more crystals

Phase 2: Head and Wings Exposed

After sustaining significant damage, Zoh Shia's head will break free from its crystalline casing, revealing a fiery core. Eventually, its wings will also become exposed. During this phase:

• The exposed head and wings become critical weak points
• Zoh Shia begins using fire-based attacks
• Crystals can regenerate on its head and wings when it's not enraged, but will break again when angered

Phase 3: Fully Revealed

In the final phase, Zoh Shia reveals its entire jet-black body. During this phase:

• All body parts become susceptible to critical attacks
• Crystals no longer regenerate
• Zoh Shia adds thunder-based attacks to its arsenal, alongside its default and fire attacks

Key Attack Patterns and Counters

Arm/Wing Swipe

Zoh Shia brings its arm toward its body before executing a sweeping attack. When enraged, it follows with a wing swipe that leaves explosive trails.

• Counter: Dodge toward the monster to avoid both attacks

Trailing Ground Explosion

Zoh Shia plunges its wing into the ground, creating a line of explosions toward your position.

• Counter: Dodge sideways as soon as you see the wing come down

Charged Ground Explosion

When Zoh Shia's wings glow before plunging into the ground, it's preparing a charged explosion.

• Counter: Dodge inward or outward when you see the wings or ground light up

Fireball Attacks

In its second phase, Zoh Shia can shoot fireballs of varying sizes. The giant fireball is particularly dangerous.

• Counter: For standard fireballs, dodge sideways. For the giant fireball, start running when it charges, then time your dodge just before impact

Extreme Inferno Breath

This devastating area-wide attack is preceded by Zoh Shia spawning giant crystals from the ground.

• Counter: Hide behind one of the crystals to avoid damage. If no cover is available, block with a shield or chain dive-evades

Thunder Attacks

In the final phase, Zoh Shia can create lightning trails that track toward you.

• Counter: Dodge forward or backward when you see the faint lightning trail appear

Effective Strategies

Environmental Advantages

• Crystal Shards: When Zoh Shia spawns crystal shards, use Thunder Pods (collected from Thundercrysts) to detonate them when the monster is nearby
• Dragon Pods: Collect these from Wyrmsbane in the area to temporarily interrupt Zoh Shia's attacks
• Shrine Fragments: Lure Zoh Shia beneath these environmental traps and trigger them to knock it down

Breaking Crystals

• Focus on breaking crystallized parts to increase damage potential
• Collect Crystal Fragments dropped when breaking parts to obtain Heavy Piercing Pods
• Use Heavy Piercing Pods to break additional crystals from a safe distance

Weapon Recommendations

• Dragon Element Weapons: Prioritize weapons with high Dragon element damage
• High Mobility Weapons: Dual Blades, Sword & Shield, or Insect Glaive allow you to quickly reposition during Zoh Shia's attacks
• Ranged Options: Bow and Bowguns can target specific parts more easily, especially during the final phase

General Tips

1. Bring a Ghillie Mantle to create opportunities for healing or sharpening
2. Use the crystals Zoh Shia spawns as both cover and offensive tools
3. Save Dragon Pod flinches for interrupting its most dangerous attacks
4. In multiplayer, coordinate to target different breakable parts
5. Bring Max Potions and materials to craft more for emergency healing

Rewards and Materials

Defeating Zoh Shia yields several valuable materials:

• Guardian Blood: Used in high-rank weapons and armor with Dragon element properties
• Guardian Scale: Essential component for Guardian-series armor
• Guardian Pelt: Used in various high-rank equipment
• Nourishing Extract: Valuable crafting material for consumables
• Tough Guardian Bone: Rare material used in powerful weapons

Conclusion

Zoh Shia represents the pinnacle challenge in Monster Hunter Wilds, requiring hunters to master positioning, timing, and resource management. By understanding its phases, exploiting environmental advantages, and targeting its weaknesses, you can overcome this formidable final boss. Remember that patience is key—rushing attacks will likely lead to carting. Take your time, learn its patterns, and claim your victory as Monster Hunter Wilds' ultimate hunter.

Happy hunting, and may your final confrontation with Zoh Shia be legendary!