IMAGES AND DETAILS on the Final Boss, and Xu Wu + Details on Guardians (MASSIVE SPOILERS)
Today was a wild day (ha) but shit has settled a bit and I've been given the go-ahead to just share at least some stuff I have, since it seems it might be starting to come out. Unfortunately I do not have all the images I wanted, such as nothing for Guardian Doshaguma or Fulgur Anjanath due to the earlier fiasco and particular wishes from my source, but I have been given the all-clear for what was already shared and more on Zoh Shia and Xu Wu.
First I want to think everyone for the kind words following what happened - I truly think that despite how it appears sometimes, the subreddit here is just a bunch of passionate MH fans. I made some mistakes with stuff, but now I know better, and stuff can hopefully work out more going forward. Now, apologies in advance because these are VERY slightly edited for somewhat improved clarity (requested by my source) and I didn't want to like AI upscale them.
First we'll start with Xu Wu, the Guardian Hunter since everyone got a taste of that already.
Slightly different than the one going around, for slightly better clarity.
Unfortunately this one is a bit more shit but is cropped, this appears to be from the front or top of the head during a pin.
It seems to be very heavily inspired by Lovecraftian imagery. It reminds me a lot of a Bloodborne Winter Lantern as well as Aldia from Dark Souls 2. It apparently covers itself in a watery mucus, and uses it to make blades of some kind? Unfortunately did not get a pic of this in action. I believe our "Trunk" Part is for the midsection, around here its top half connects to its bottom - in this case, a literal "Tree trunk".
DETAILS ON THE FINAL AREA:
It is in fact called "WOUNDED HOLLOW" and we were right all along. The area we fight Zoh Shia seems to be called "The Torch" and is an inaccessible area outside of its fight, for now. It DOES NOT seem to have any inclemency.
Now, for Zoh Shia itself
This is with its face mask which definitely evokes the Equal Dragon Weapon. However, this mask falls away to reveal...
...Somult...? it's SUPER avian even in its alien-ness. Our theory that Zoh Shia is Somult seems to be correct. This pic especially looks bird like to me. It appears to be able to breathe super powerful plumes of fire... much like Fatalis.
Now this one was used for that fake picture earlier by Nadei but this appears to be for Phase 2, where the face armor melts away. Looks almost like Black Dragon Kalameet from DS1. This is probably the "Revival Head".
Now not to be the bearer of too much bad news but it is true - Zoh Shia has no equipment, it cannot be re-fought either, outside of SOS from what I am aware. It is very likely intended to be a title update monster, with a new form. WE ALSO DO KILL ZOH SHIA. It doesn't fall into a hole or anything, meaning that it coming back means it resurrects and comes back to life - it's a Phoenix Dragon Bioweapon.
For some other stuff about Zoh Shia:
Guardian Seikrets ARE real. I unfortunately did not receive any images. Zoh Shia is also controlling them in in some way, from what I've read? Zoh Shia may act as a hive mind for the Guardians, and once is it is dead, they go and expand into the other maps, living more as natural creatures. This also makes Zoh Shia tragic, as it's only doing what it was made to do.
The meteors ARE real. Zoh Shia can also do lightning and fire attacks. It seems to have mechanics inspired by every Black Dragon, Fatalis, Alatreon, Dire, and Safi. It is truly a modern interpretation of the Equal Dragon Weapon.
GUARDIAN STUFF:
Unfortunately I cannot share the image I have of Guardian Ebony Odogaron as they proved too difficult to edit within the specifications and thus it was decided to wait until we can get more clean images), but I'll do my best to describe everything from what I saw. I had a source who provided the images as well as the text info I'm about to share here (2 separately);
Guardian Ebony is spattered black and white, and the head VERY prominently glows red-orange, like it's burning too hot. The black and white is almost like streaked, jagged racing stripes of white around a black body, and inside those white stripes are the guardian veins. It is "extremely fast" according to the source.
Guardian Rathalos is in fact more colorful than the trailer indicated, being more prominently red in its red parts, and the white parts are lighter. It apparently "fights like a Kushala, but less annoying", whatever the hell that means? Seems like an oxymoron.
Guardian Doshaguma fights on its hind legs more (like Goss Harag?) and is capable of spitting up Defense Down acid, like Deviljho. It apparently is also capable of creating a powerful explosion, and it seems ALL guardians can do this? Maybe like the Afflicted monster nova? It is described as being similar to Doshaguma but its back half is white, I did not receive an image to verify this myself.
Guardian Fulgur Anjanath is the most mysterious presently, as I never got to get a description or image, aside from that it's a lot more difficult than its Iceborne iteration.
Guardian Arkveld seems to use the moveset of the beta Arkveld, but with additional moves, leading me (and the source - who has not reached FW Ark yet) to believe that the beta Arkveld is basically Guardian Ark with FW Ark's skin while lacking the special moves exclusive to Guardian(Aberrant state?) Arkveld.
While it's unfortunate I can't share these specific images (just my source's wishes, I had actually put them in while writing this but then removed them). However, within 24 hours the review embargo is lifting, and my source has said that once he is able he will get me HD images of monsters that I can share freely in the coming days, so I will be sure to do so. So, if I have anything else to report, I will when it's time to.
Thanks again to all those that reached out to me to say they appreciate what I do, it does REALLY mean a lot especially after the shit earlier. I would like to take a moment to apologize if anyone feels like I'm specifically trying to hoard info or gatekeep or want to just be the "sole one" leaking/sharing stuff - none of that is the case. The reason I wanted to keep stuff hidden earlier was both to build up some suspense for a 'reveal' as well as because we were gathering stuff. I clearly made a mistake by sharing stuff even if in a private server (and it really, really sucks that whoever it was violated my trust there, even if I only shared the images for a few seconds), and that won't be repeated. If I have anything else to share, I will share it, if I can't, I won't as to not 'dangle' info as some have put it. That was never my intention and I'm not doing it for attention/clout chasing/whatever, I just like to share info and share in my excitement and love for Monster Hunter, but I'm only human, and I'm also neurodivergent, and I'm also not used to being in a position of being the 'face' of some place as some have put it. I have not handled it as well as I could have, and will be doing better in the future.
Anyway, I think that is all from me for now, I will be sure to share more if I can when I can. Just 5 days left, everyone, plus embargo lifts tomorrow and IGN reveal. Shit's gonna go crazy.