The Coral Highlands is a locale introduced in, and exclusive to, Monster Hunter: World.
It is the third locale the player has access to, and is characterized by a unique environment consisting of enormous corals that form valleys, cliffs and plateaus.
Monsters such as Paolumu and Legiana can be found here.
Description
The Coral Highlands are a unique locale characterized by massive land corals that shape the landscape. Located at the center of the New World's explored zone, this area is teeming with life. The enormous, hardened corals form the foundations for cliffs, platforms, caves and peaks, and are further strengthened by sediments such as rock and sand. This area exists in a symbiotic relationship with the Rotten Vale[1]: The corals and their abundant eggs attract various animals and their predators into these highlands, and when those animals die, they fall into the Vale below. In the Vale, an airborne bacterial amalgamation collectively called Effluvium[2] rapidly decomposes and recycles their corpses. The resulting reclaimed nutrients then naturally spread across the area and, in no small part, float back up to the Coral Highlands, where they fuel the corals anew. This cycle lies at the center of the New World's ecosystem.
The locale can be broadly separated into two zones: the Lower Levels, where small wyvern such as Shamos scuttle about, and the Highlands, which are home to numerous Flying Wyvern, such as the Legiana. As the altitude increases, the landscape becomes less colorful - as life booms in the area, more and more corals grow at the bottom of the locale, near the nutrient rich Rotten Vale. The new corals push the existing corals upwards, further away from the vale, where fewer nutrients reach them. And so, after a certain altitude, all that is left is a collection of dead grey corals, starved of life due to their distance from the Rotten Vale[3].
Area 1: The Coral Forest
In the southwest of the locale stands the Coral Forest[1]. As the name implies, this is an area full of tree-like corals, giving it the appearance of a forest. Kelbi can often be found here drinking out of the shallow pools that accumulate beneath the coral branches. Large Monsters rarely traverse this zone - only the Tzitzi-Ya-Ku is occasionally sighted here.
On a plateau above the forest sits the Coral Highlands Southern Camp(1).
Area 2: The Coral Cave
Stretching from the south to the center of the lower levels one finds the Coral Cave[1]. Despite the name, this area is not actually a cave: Rather, it is a narrow corridor situated under a canopy of corals. Little light reaches the floor here, and various hollow corals provide additional shelter. Shamos often patrol here.
Area 3: The Rock Arch
Along the western edge of the locale stand the Rock Arches [4], natural stone formations that form bridges and walkways over a white sand slope. Paolumu can often be seen flying around here, and the southern part of the area is home to numerous Wigglers.
Area 4: The Shamos Nest
Located in the center of the Coral Highlands' lower levels, the Shamos Nest[4] is a major intersection for all creatures that prowl the lowlands. Shamos congregate here, and should a fight arise, more of them will emerge from various holes in the surrounding corals. The floor of this area is actually a massive, water-storing coral. Coral Pukei-Pukei will sometimes seek it out to drink from it.
Area 5: The Giant Coral Column
In the northwest of the lower levels one finds the Giant Coral Column[5]. This clearing is home to numerous tall, column-like corals, with one massive tree coral standing in the middle. These corals are known to spew out their eggs frequently, which attracts hordes of hungry Wingdrakes and Flying Wyvern regularily. Paolumu are an especially common sight here. Sleeptoads also venture here, sitting quietly in the shade.
Area 6: The Gateway Reef
Immediately north of the Shamos Nest, hidden away behind a small hole, one finds the Gateway Reef, a collection of coral terraces that lead to the bottom of the Coral Highlands[6]. By descending from one platform to the next, one can get extremely close to the Rotten Vale, Various updrafts blow around these corals.
Area 7: The Tzitzi-Ya-Ku Nest
Above the Coral Cave rests the Tzitzi-Ya-Ku Nest, where Tzitzi-Ya-Ku go to rest[6]. This small cove is covered in shiny minerals and Flashbugs.
Area 8: The Table Coral
At the center of the highlands stands the mighty Table Coral, a massive plateau made up of overlapping coral platforms [6]. Due to its central location, it is often the place where the various inhabitants of the locale clash and fight for dominance. Most local creatures can be encountered here, such as the Legiana or Pink Rathian. Minerals can be mined at the edges of the corals, and Vigorwasps float around the open plains.
Area 9: The Coral Dome
At the western edge of the Highlands a large spherical coral called the Coral Dome dominates the landscape[7]. This hollow space offers refuge for the Paolumu, which uses the various holes in the sphere as entrances to its lair.
Area 10: The Dark Cliffs
In the north of the highlands, the towering coral structures form a dank, shaded canyon called the Dark Cliffs[8]. Vines allow for relatively easy ascent and descent. Pink Rathian is known to spend time here.
Area 11: The Waterfall Cave
Accessible through a small path that leads behind the Dark Cliffs, the Waterfall Caves is a small cavern centering around a small waterfall[8]. It is considered an excellent place to collect bugs. Venturing into and past the cave leads to the local Grimalkyne Den.
Area 12: The Dead Coral Coil
In the northeast of the highlands, right above the Table Coral, stands the Dead Coral Coil, a slope of coral skeletons that form a small clearing[9]. Various creatures are seen here from time to time, from Gajalaka to Kelbi. Legiana are known to stop by and rest here as well.
In a small hole near this clearing sits the Coral Highlands Northeast Camp(12).
Area 13: The Coral Pillars
As one ascends into the cloud layer of the highlands, one encounters the Coral Pillars[9]. These towers of dead coral mark the path of the peak, and can be climbed using both vines and Wedge Beetles. Various resources, such as Toadstools, are found on the tops of these pillars.
Area 14: The Vertical Cave
Underneath the Coral Pillars, hidden away in the dead coral mass, lies the Vertical Cave[3]. This small cavern holds a shallow pool of water, which is a hotbed for various critters and endemic life. Out of that pool, a big pillar rises, which can be climbed using vines.
Area 15: The Legiana Nest
At the very top of the locale, overlooking a sea of clouds, stands the peak of the Coral Highlands - the Legiana Nest[10]. Here, the Legiana makes its lair, and few creatures ever venture up here. Various air streams emerge from the cracked ground. Only Elder Dragons, such as Kirin and Namielle are known to be able to chase off the resident Legiana.
Monsters
Small Monsters
Large Monsters
Game Data
Items that can be gathered by hand while moving. Note that in Monster Hunter: World, these spots do not have a % chance to drop various items. They will always give the player the same item every time. They also are not affected by which Rank (Low, High or Master) the locale is visited at.
| Item |
Areas
|
 Herb |
1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 12, 15
|
 Honey |
2, 9, 11, 14
|
 Antidote Herb |
13
|
 Fire Herb |
3
|
 Ivy |
6
|
 Sleep Herb |
5
|
 Flowfern |
6
|
 Snow Herb |
1
|
 Nulberry |
2, 8, 12, 13
|
 Needleberry |
8, 10
|
 Latchberry |
1, 2, 3, 4, 9
|
 Slashberry |
12, 13, 15
|
 Bomberry |
12
|
 Adamant Seed |
11, 10
|
 Smokenut |
8
|
 Flamenut |
6, 10
|
 Blastnut |
9
|
 Blazenut |
14
|
| Dragonstrike Nut |
6
|
 Blue Mushroom |
3, 4, 6, 7, 8
|
 Toadstool |
13
|
 Parashroom |
13
|
 Devil's Blight |
6
|
 Mandragora |
14
|
 Bitterbug |
11
|
 Flashbug |
4, 7
|
| Thunderbug |
2, 10, 11
|
 Spiderweb |
6
|
Development
Notes
- The air in the Coral Highlands has been noted to smell sweet due to the coral eggs floating around[2].
Sources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Monster Hunter: World Complete Works, pg.134
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Monster Hunter: World Complete Works, pg.148
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Monster Hunter: World Complete Works, pg.143
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Monster Hunter: World Complete Works, pg.135
- ↑ Monster Hunter: World Complete Works, pg.136
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Monster Hunter: World Complete Works, pg.137
- ↑ Monster Hunter: World Complete Works, pg.139
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Monster Hunter: World Complete Works, pg.138
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Monster Hunter: World Complete Works, pg.142
- ↑ Monster Hunter: World Complete Works, pg.144
See also
