User blog comment:Lord Loss/Monster Appreciation Week: Plesioth and Green Plesioth/@comment-5020152-20130702170950

... Plesioth...

You all know I'm a huge fan of Plesioth, and I know that some of you are wondering why. Sure, he's a shark with wings, and that's great... but that's only half the story. I have been waiting for this MAW ever since the Arzuros one to explain why Plesioth and I are such good chums (see what I did there?). At last, my true affinity for this wondrous monster will be known.

Here I go...

... I was only nine years old, and I had just been invited to my friend's house. I arrived and was told that he was downstairs playing on his Playstation. I went down into the basement to find him playing a very... unfamiliar game. I watched him as he killed a mighty, grey, dinosaur-like creature and carved meat from its corpse. I asked him what the game was, and he said, "Monster Hunter. Would you like to see what it's about?"

I said yes, and watched as he equipped a huge white blade and journeyed into a steamy, jungle-like region. There in the water was a huge fin, slowly circling in the water. He pulled out a frog and used it to fish out the monster - and when it surfaced, I could not believe my eyes.

Standing there was a huge, shark-like dragon, at least twenty feet tall from the look of it. My eyes were wide as my friend dueled the massive beast with his huge sword, and eventually won. I was left in awe at this new game, "Monster Hunter". I asked my friend what that amazing fish-like monster was called, and he said, "That was a Plesioth, the Underwater Terror."

My friend and I parted ways later that day, and eventually came a time when I seldom thought of Monster Hunter. Years passed. The game and the monsters that roamed within its code were locked up in my distant memories. It seemed that I had almost forgotten that day.

But then, just two summers ago, the Plesioth surfaced from my memories. I couldn't exactly remember what the monster itself was called, so I went on Google and typed in "Monster Hunter". I found this Wiki, immersed myself in the lore of this game - now an ongoing series - and fell in love with it all over again.

I bought Monster Hunter Tri and rapidly became an enthusiast. And the monster that first pushed me in this direction was Plesioth. He was the first monster I ever encountered in the series, and he has been my favorite ever since. And now, here I am today, with a 3DS and PS Vita, ready to slay my own Plesioths whenever it strikes my fancy.

...

History aside, there are other things besides childhood memories that bring me to love this monster. It's a SHARK with WINGS, for starters! That was what first captivated me - the sheer imagination behind this monster, for I had never played against a video game enemy/villain with such an inspired design.

This creature is amphibious, but prefers to hang out in the water. That's another thing I like about it. Sure, it was frustrating in MHFU, but now we can chase him into his underwater domain, where he only increases in difficulty as he effortlessly swims circles around us.

And then there's the Hip Check. God, I instantly grew to despise that attack when I first went up against this guy in Freedom Unite. It's not so bad now that I've accustomed myself to the Bow and the Lance, but still. That attack's a toughie to dodge and it hits like a truck.

His weapons look to have great raw damage and Water element. I'm currently using his Lance in MHFU, but its the new Hammer that I really like - it's his HEAD on a STICK! What's not to love?

Plesioth's signature screech is another awesome trait he has. For me, the noises a monster makes is half the design. While I like that screech a lot, it disappoints me that he can't belt it out to send hunters running in fear, covering their ears fruitlessly.

The new underwater attacks are awesome as well, especially the Thrash attack and his Breaching Jump. It would be great if he had a whirlpool attack as well, but I guess I don't have any say in that matter. I haven't fought him in MH3U yet, not counting the demo, but I'm looking forward to making his weapons and, well, just fighting him in general.

A goblet of Stubborn Milk to Plesioth, the monster that led me toward where I am today - a devoted enthusiast of the awesome, unequaled, and sadly underrated game franchise that is Monster Hunter.

Plesioth, Master of the Giant Lake, may your scales always shine, and may the hunters always cower in your mighty presence!


 * raises goblet, and the crowd in the background bursts into applause while a Plesioth screeches victoriously*