Arenaea

Arenaea (Japanese: レーナクモ, Rēnakumo) are Temnocerans distinguished by their black scales.

Physiology
Arenaea are massive bluish centaur-esque arthropods with a distinctive vest of black scales covering their torso. Their bodies are covered with grooves between sections of exoskeleton. They have six large legs, oddly thin for the beast's size and weight, and their three-toed feet are prehensile and tipped with sharp claws. Their hindquarters have an odd ring of flat rectangular scales, resembling a pleated skirt, whose alignment depends on their mood. The center of their chest has a strange ribbon-like marking, which constantly glows with reddish energy. Their lanky arms have a unique "armblade" structure on their forearm, shaped like a wyvern's wing, which unfurl when fighting. Their heads are human-like in shape, but have four large eyes and a cap of black scales. Four large whiskers, which resemble braids of black hair, hang from the sides of their heads. They have thin black circular markings under their lower eyes that resemble glasses.

Male and female Areanea have slightly different designs, but are otherwise the same. Males have very short, triangular skirt scales, the head scales face away from the head (giving the appearance of a crown), and their whiskers point upwards. Females have longer rectangular skirt scales, the head scales face towards the head (giving the appearance of hair), and their whiskers droop.

Ecology
Arenaea are high-level predators that continually patrol their territories in search of prey or potential threats. If they sense a disturbance in their territory, they will search for it until they find the problem and resolve it. Arenaea warn smaller, non-prey monsters to leave their territory by scraping their armblades together. Researchers and Hunters are advised to listen for that scraping sound when exploring areas where Arenaea are common. While Arenaea are slow, they can move fast when they need to, and their energy blade attacks allow them to take down fast monsters like Kelbi and Yian Kut-Ku that would normally outrun them. Skilled Arenaea can even take down monsters in flight.

Arenaea are solitary creatures and rarely come into contact with other Arenaea. Contact typically results in a territorial standoff. Most conflicts are resolved without a fight, but if not, the resulting battle can be fierce. In the event that two Arenaea of the opposite sex come into contact and are of breeding age, they will mate after establishing peace. The female lays her eggs in a burrow and guards them while the male brings food. After the eggs hatch, the parents part ways. The young follow their mother until they can survive on their own. The mother does not actively take care of her young once they are mobile. Young Arenaea resemble adults, but their scales start a pastel blue before turning black and their whiskers always point up.

Although powerful, Arenaea have trouble dealing with apex predators like Rathalos, Deviljho, Tigrex, Rajang, Zinogre, Lagiacrus, Brachydios, Redhelm Arzuros, Glavenus, and Elder Dragons. An Arenaea in top shape can take one of these monsters down, but it often comes at a high price. However, the rumored "Ironclad" variant is said to be easily able to fight them off.

Behavior
Arenaea are extremely territorial and will attack offenders on sight. They especially do not tolerate those who attempt to steal their food, alter their turf, or try to avoid them. In addition to their territoriality, Arenaea are also incredibly proud creatures. Anything that causes damage to their pride, such as taunting, hitting them with filth, or deliberately avoiding them, often results in a violent outburst. They also hate losing, which is why they activate their aura when low on health.

Abilities
Arenaea produce Dragon Element energy within their bodies. They discharge this energy from their armblades in defense or to attack faraway enemies. When enraged, their bodies surge with energy, which causes the grooves on their bodies to glow red. Their energy blades become larger and more powerful, and can inflict Dragonblight.

When up against an enemy that will not yield, Arenaea may activate their aura. When in this state, their markings glow at maximum intensity and their chest scales and whiskers stand up and release energy. When the aura is active, Hunters in its range deal greatly reduced elemental damage and positive Affinity is set to 0%.

Habitat
Arenaea primarily inhabit forested areas and jungles.

Attacks
Slash

Arenaea slashes with its left or right claw in an arc.

Double Kick

Arenaea kicks out with its rear legs to attack those behind it.

Energy Blade

Arenaea swings its armblade to fling an energy blade. The tilt of the energy blade depends on the arm used. In rage mode, the energy blades inflict Dragonblight unless that armblade is wounded. If exhausted, the energy blades fizzle out.

Triple Blade Volley

Arenaea swings both its arms quickly in succession before leaping back and swinging both arms out, flinging a huge energy blade.

Armblade Swing

Arenaea brings down its armblade on the target. Inflicts bleeding if hit several times in succession.

Charging Slice

Rage mode only. Arenaea charges at the target with its arms held in front. When it comes close to the target, it swings its arms out, releasing energy blades outward.

Pin

Arenaea rears up on its hind legs and crashes down with its weight. If it succeeds, it then holds the helpless Hunter with one foot while slashing them with its armblade.

Hipcheck

Arenaea turns to the side, lifts up its front legs, leans back, and slams its body forward. If exhausted, Arenaea will fall over.

Aura

Only used when in rage mode and at under half health. Arenaea stands with its arms stretched out as its body surges with energy. Elemental damage is reduced and positive Affinity is set to 0% while in its radius. Can be negated by poison or mounting.

Body Slam

G Rank only. Arenaea takes a running start and then leaps up and onto the target.

Claw Combo

G Rank only. Arenaea swipes and slashes with its claws and armblades repeatedly before ending with the Triple Blade Volley.

Weapons
Arenaea weapons include Great Sword, Long Sword, Sword and Shield, Lance, Gunlance, Charge Blade, and Heavy Bowgun. These weapons typically have great Sharpness levels with slightly below-average raw, decent Dragon element, and a Defense boost, but no slots.

Low-Rank
Defense:130-440

Elemental Resistances:
 * Fire -15
 * Water 0
 * Thunder -10
 * Ice 5
 * Dragon +20
 * Earth +10
 * Wind 0

Skills: Defense Up (M), Dragon Atk +1, Constitution -1

High-Rank
Defense:330-640

Elemental Resistances:
 * Fire -15
 * Water 0
 * Thunder -10
 * Ice 5
 * Dragon +20
 * Earth +10
 * Wind 0

Skills: Defense Up (M), Dragon Atk +2

G-Rank
Defense: 620-810

Elemental Resistances:
 * Fire -15
 * Water 0
 * Thunder -10
 * Ice 5
 * Dragon +20
 * Earth +10
 * Wind 0

Skills: Defense Up (L), Dragon Atk +2, Razor Sharp

Low-Rank
Defense:65-220

Elemental Resistances:
 * Fire -15
 * Water 5
 * Thunder -10
 * Ice 5
 * Dragon +20
 * Earth +10
 * Wind 5

Skills: Defense Up (M), Dragon Atk +1, Constitution -1

High-Rank
Defense: 165-320

Elemental Resistances:
 * Fire -15
 * Water 5
 * Thunder -10
 * Ice 5
 * Dragon +20
 * Earth +10
 * Wind +5

Skills: Defense Up (M), Dragon Atk +2

G-Rank
Defense: 310-405

Elemental Resistances:
 * Fire -15
 * Water 5
 * Thunder -10
 * Ice 5
 * Dragon +20
 * Earth +10
 * Wind +5

Skills: Defense Up (L), Dragon Atk +2, Shot Booster

Breakable Parts
Head - Left front whisker becomes unravelled and scar across lower left eye. Rewards Whiskers, Scales, or rare drops.

Chest - Large gash across chest, exposing blue shell. Rewards Scales, Shells, or rare drops.

Armblade - Tattered edge. Rewards Armblades or Claws. Each arm yields one reward.

Skirt - Ripped and broken scales. Rewards Skirts or Scales.