A muse for Wild MR
Many a monster is considered for Monster Hunter Wilds Master Rank. Myself have much a hope for Najarala to return and revitalise the snake wyverns, or a dramatic retelling of the Shen Gaoren conflict or even the grand rising of Plesioth. But one monster I think could well do as a potent adversary? Vespoid Queen.
Something more of a gimmick monster, only appearing after the hunter slays a certian number of Vespoids, the Queen nevertheless has ripe potential for expanding on her present abilities. With the East as a whole different ballpark, with justifications for greater power with the overarching influence of the Dragontorch, bolstering the original Neopteran boss would make a neat sentiment. Since Vespoids themselves inhabit about every map, the Queen can easily make an Everywhere type of monster in a similar vein to the principle invaders and chaps like Tigrex or BANBARO. As before, the primary means to summon her is to kill plentiful Vespoids or otherwise be marked for ire by the bugs, in a similar vein to how World Bazelgeuse infamously locked in on aggressive behaviour. The Queen already has the nasty paralyzing stings of her kin, and adds Defence Down with spits of acidic bile, and these can be expanded on further alongside direct attacks to enhance her moveset. A physical revamp to invoke a stronger and more dangerous wasp form, as well as a buff in ranking, more comparable to the likes of Doshaguma or Blangonga in terms of threat. Even if she might may not be quite as big and strong as such beasts, the Queen makes up for it with her abilities and command of fauna. It's mentioned in one description she uses her wings and unique flight patterns to direct commands, which could also befuddle hunters and inflict the Confusion status as well. So already looking good as a nasty challenger, but further potential lays in her command of her subjects. The Queen can command Vespoids and summon more, making it a nasty game of trying to avoid her subjects rushing you or otherwise forcing to react to them, which only opens you up to attack from the Queen herself. Indeed, she could also emulate the pheromone potency of the Seltas Queen and perhaps assert control over other neopterans. Whereas Seltas only needs to command her male counterparts, Vespoid could invoke how some actual insects trick other species with chemical signals and so call upon Bulaqchi / Comaqchi / Dark Hornets, etc, to join in on the swarm. Of course, a queen needs a hive, and similar to how Lagiacrus introduced a new zone in the Forest that accommodates an underwater battle, the Vespoid Queen could have a hive tucked away in each locale. Inside a hive, she is at her most powerful, with all her minions on hand and the construction itself benefitting her, and perhaps as much of the hunt is a rush to take her down before she can retreat to it. A lot of banter to a more obscure monster than most, but honestly with neopteran rep in need of prominence, I genuinely think a hefty rework of their original big boss could make a dynamic and memorable opponent.
