A complete detailed Alatreon guide for Lance

This is a very long guide but I hope it's well structured enough that you can jump to any section you're interested in and skip the others. It doesn't explain Alatreon's general mechanics, I feel other people have covered this very well already (like [this post from u/AggronStrong](https://www.reddit.com/r/MonsterHunter/comments/hnya5u/my_best_effort_to_explain_alatreons_elemental/) or [this one from u/Famas_1234](https://www.reddit.com/r/MonsterHunter/comments/hpt4wl/my_alatreon_combat_guide_v2_a4_printable_skimmed/)). Instead I hope to help specifically Lance players with Ala's moveset and all kinds of possible builds (builds at the end). I will be mostly talking from a single-player perspective (because that's what I know best), but I think Alatreon is also an enjoyable multiplayer fight for Lance.

# FLOW OF THE FIGHT

The goal is to get at least one "elemental DPS-check" topple and a horn break before Escaton Judgment, like for the other weapons. With your Lance, you will guard and counter, primarily targetting the head and the front legs (with a preference for the head), so you will always be positioned roughly in front of Alatreon on the ground, and under him when he's in the air. Once the Escaton Judgment comes, you'll easily outheal it with a couple of Max Potions/Astera Jerky, and rinse and repeat, hopefully no more than three times. For Lance, the horn break comes naturally, I'm here to help you get the DPS-check.

# PLAYING LANCE AGAINST ALATREON

No matter the version of the quest, you will see a mix of all his moves every time. View all the moves (almost) as opportunities to do damage, not things to run away from. I'm now going to present his moveset and what I think your possible responses are every time. For each category I'll try to sort them from easiest to hardest, and I link clips from solo hunts I recorded with an easy-to-make set.

## Dragon "physical/melee" attacks

Not going to talk too much about them, they're all easy for Lance. Mostly just a bunch of swipes, slams, charges, all moves you've seen before in other monsters. Just watch for him calmly, guard and counter to his head or forelegs. It's convenient that they're easy and familiar moves too, because they inflict dragon blight, and you DON'T want that because it suppresses your elemental damage. These attacks are kind of the "filler" of the fight, they're not threatening but they can happen all the time between actually difficult moves.

[Clip 1](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=177), [Clip 2](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=99), [Clip 3](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=191), [Clip 4](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=30)

[All attacks can come out even as his elemental attacks are still going on](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=447), which is why it's always very important to be correctly positioned (in front on him) and watch for the next attack rather than the one you've already dealt with (in the clip the "lightning dots").

Watch out for the huge pin head slam. [A simple guard will save you](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=115), and then you can use the recoil to go into your power guard, turn around, get 2 hits on the head, and face him again to be safe for the next move. If you read the move quickly, [you can go into a power guard directly](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=131) and sometimes get 3 pokes in (every poke counts with Lance :D).

## Thunder attacks

- _The double/triple bands_

Alatreon throws this from range or close quarters. Two bands when not enraged, three when enraged, so at the start of it look at your minimap for the color of the eye-con. From range it's very easy to read, you should just close the gap safely ([simply walk](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=573), guard, or [guard dash](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=785)). [From up close](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=48), I often misread it for the dragon double head swipe, the trick here is to be patient if you already went into your guard, [not release it too quickly, wait for the first strike to hit you, counter](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=486) and continue guard-countering the others from there.

Be mindful of the exploding ice pillars: [guard dash after your second counter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJifh0T2rlo&t=821s), and do it quickly or [get burned](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=284).

- _The dots_

Two versions of it, one where the dots appear close to Ala and expand away, one where it's the opposite, but for Lance it doesn't matter, the correct response is to [position yourself in front of him slightly on the side](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=34), and then poke the head 3 or 4 times. If too in front of him, be ready to guard, [not like myself here](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=50). Ideally you get 4 pokes ([Clip 1](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=280), [Clip 2](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=1067)). In a tense, hard-to-read situation with a combo of dots, ice pillars and the next dragon attack, [just play it safe and keep guarding...](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=937)

- _The advancing rows_

Alatreon takes some distance and spawns huge horizontal bands in front of him, appearing further progressively. [Charging through them](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=197) looks cool and is rewarding, [but also risky](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=512). If you're close enough [you can just simply guard them](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=548), or even power guard them IN THE OPPOSITE direction ([Clip 1](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=588), [Clip 2](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=464)). It's a very cool Lance trick, the recoil always moves you backward so you can use it to start going toward Alatreon instead of being knocked back further away. When you're just too far it might be better to [sheathe and run/roll toward him](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=647).

## Ice ground attacks

I'm not even going to dignify the projectiles attacks, very easy to guard through but you cannot retaliate, just try to close the gap with guard dashes. There are two breath attacks though that will require your full attention.

- _The ground air ice breath_

Alatreon takes up to the air, fires an unblockable (without Guard Up) ice breath on the ground which inflicts rapid ticks of damage and ice blight. The safest method to beat it is to just clutch claw on Alatreon and tenderize him ([Clip 1](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=61), [Clip 2](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=600)). With practice you'll come to love that one, it's a free, completely safe tenderize and even an opportunity to proc Coalescence.

- _The ground cone ice breath_

Much more dangerous. Alatreon stays on the ground and fires a large cone of the same ticking and blighting ice. If you're close enough you can just [ignore it and charge toward him to attack](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=79). If you're in range this is also an opportunity to claw claw and tenderize ([Clip 1](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=88), [Clip 2](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=121), [Clip 3](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=247)). Be decisive but do not back away, or you'll die like me [here](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=360), always go either toward him or completely to the side, not away. Even [charging through berserk-style](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=329) is better. The safe response when you're very far is to just [charge to the side](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=557). You can jump to avoid damage ticks.

## Fire ground attacks

- _Fire trident_

Alatreon's way of taking to the air in fire mode, but he can also stay on the ground after. Easy to react to, just guard. I usually just [guard dash](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=863) because I'm afraid of the fire beam.

- _Fire beam_

A sneaky dangerous attack even when you know the monster well, comes out [insanely fast](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=490). It's an "easy" [guard and counter](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=478) but you have to be very quick or anticipate it.

- _Triple fire circles_

A difficult one to handle at first. The exploding circles have huge damage and knockback through guard, and if you guard from the wrong position you end up eating all three of them, which might outright kill you. The reflexive response might be to use some combo of guard dash and power guard, which is what I do in panic-mode ([Clip 1](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=417), [Clip 2](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=106)). It works alright but if you're not in a perfect position you can end up eating all 3 circles with the knockback. Instead, the safest response is to read the move, put yourself in a simple guard position (hold RT, don't try to counter), and only then guard counter the second hit (not guard, nor guard dash, nor power guard, which all knock you back). Use the recoil on the guard counter to do a power guard finisher ([Clip 1](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=435), [Clip 2](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=753), [Clip 3](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=799)).

- _Teostra-style fire breath_

One of the most dangerous of all Alatreon moves, because it's unblockable without Guard Up, and Lance has the slowest sheathe time. You have to react very quickly and be very decisive, be too late and you'll just cart. When close enough you can [charge Alatreon](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=291). But when far away, your only option is to sheathe and dodge/superman-dive([Clip 1](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=400), [Clip 2](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=868)). Small margin of error. It's the only moment of the hunt where Guard Up is actually useful. If you're dying non-stop to this move, equip Guard Up.

## Air play

When Alatreon takes to the air, the fight becomes very boring for Lance. I won't even talk about the moves themselves (a bunch of projectiles, beams, charges, all easily guardable). Your goal here is to stick to Alatreon as much as possible, close the gap, and use every opportunity to attack his legs from underneath him. There is one dangerous iconic move he has, which is the double/triple ground smash (also a pin). Double when not enraged, triple when enraged, so once it starts, look at your minimap for the eye-con and [counter the right amount of times, for some damage at the end of the chain](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJifh0T2rlo&feature=youtu.be&t=177). Imo his air mode is hard to master (as in: it's hard to feel useful), it's something you'll just get a feel for and improve over time.

## Air ice/fire breath attacks

I separate these attacks from the general air play because they're actually super dangerous for Lance, which cannot run or sheathe easily. He tends to use them at the end of the air phase, sometimes using one to come down. The key here is again, be ready for it (you'll get a feel for when it's coming, at the end of the air play), be decisive, choose your response quickly and go through with it. Here I just [stand dumbly in it, don't do that](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=184). When I'm ready for it I backhop to safety([Clip 1](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=638), [Clip 2](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=725)). Learn to combine backhops and backward guard dashes to quickly back away indefinitely. You can also [forward guard dash](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=340) if you're facing away from him. Your safest, most consistent option might be to [power guard through it](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=1052). You get the Guard Up effect after a while and it won't hurt too much.

## Escaton Judgement

If you've applied the guide so far and have managed to pass your DPS-check (the topple), this step is very easy. You'll sense Alatreon moving away from you to go to the center of the room (it looks very distinct from his attacks), just sheathe, sharpen, then as soon as your health starts decreasing pop a Max Potion or an Astera Jerky (Max Potion preferred if you're already low on health), roll-cancel the end lag, and Astera Jerky again. As you heal you can move toward the center yourself to get in position to tenderize or start doing damage again.

[Clip 1](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=761), [Clip 2](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=836)

It's very important that you're ready to heal when your health starts decreasing (be quick to sheathe/sharpen/buff/whatever, there actually isn't that much time). If you're unsure of the timing at first, just sheathe, wait and focus on your health bar.

## When to sharpen for non Master Touch builds

When we come to the build section you'll see that quite a few good builds don't have Master Touch and rely on lances with good amount of good sharpness to carry you for a while. But eventually you need to sharpen. As mentioned above, [Escaton Judgement](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=761) is a free sharpen. The [elemental DPS-check topple](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=141) is another free sharpen if you need it (otherwise obviously go ham on the head). [Claw staggers](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=357) are another free sharpen (prioritize sharpening over tenderizing if you're low on sharpness). Another notable free sharpen is when Alatreon takes to the air in ice mode ([Clip 1](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=593), [Clip 2](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=914)). You'll spot other opportunities to sharpen as you get more experience, but these alone should get you through the fight. And obviously in multiplayer you can more safely YOLO-sharpen.

## When to tenderize parts

Free tenderizes outside of claw staggers are easy to come by when you're doing the Ice Event ([Clip 1](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJifh0T2rlo&feature=youtu.be&t=61), [Clip 2](https://youtu.be/eJifh0T2rlo?t=613)) but I found them much more difficult to find in the Fire Event. [Escaton](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=775) is a free tenderize. [Your opening at the start of the hunt](https://youtu.be/sIbWdQY4tqk?t=16) can give you one, mine is: guard (proc offensive guard preferably), claw the head, slap 3 times (Alatreon will enrage), tenderize. Only the lightning dots will knock you down (but for very little damage so it's a good risk to take). You might think of clutch counters, where you grab the monster as you guard an attack. There are some reliable opportunities, but if you can't slap the head you won't be safe from the next attack. I only use a clutch counter if I can triple-slap the monster to re-enrage (and tenderize). Also you might get dragon blighted (all of the clutch-counterable attacks will be dragon attacks).

## Multi-specific advice

It's an enjoyable hunt for Lance overall. Equip Flinch Free of course, also Health Boost 3 is recommended because as usual the monster becomes harder to predict than in single player. You'll find yourself using a lot more charges to stick to him (because he doesn't target you anymore so all the responses above are not actually applicable that often). Of course be careful not knocking down your teammates, but it's a good way to get good elemental damage on the legs.

## Last words before talking about builds

Don't hesitate to use all kinds of things I know exist but don't use too much myself here. Wall-bangs (hard to pull off in this map but good in the air when unenraged), flash pods, mantles, mounts with the jump attack, palicos etc. In solo I would recommend not playing with a palico, you lose more than you gain.

## Video links of full solo Lance hunts