The Yian Kut-Ku is back in  Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate , and it is ready to teach some new tricks to newcomers once again!

Hunting students, I present you one of your main hunting teachers: Yian Kut-Ku. This monster may not appear to be much of threat, with its goofy personality and relatively short stature, but it actually plays a big role in teaching key hunting skills to any aspiring hunter.

You see, up until you get to the Yian Kut-Ku, the monsters you hunt aren’t very dangerous. You can almost get away with focusing all your energy on attacking and not worry about defense. But the Yian Kut-Ku demands more from you, thereby teaching us one of the most important lessons in series: respect the monster.

Those fighting the Yian Kut-Ku for the first time will notice it will often ignore some of your attacks… and its response is usually an attack that deals more damage than you’re ready to receive.

This monster will also teach you about fatigue and weakened states. In  MH4U , monsters get exhausted after a while and will seek food to regain stamina. Using its large beak, the Yian Kut-Ku can scoop out chunks of dirt searching for delicious insects called Konchu . And when it is weakened (AKA almost dead and ready to be captured ), Yian Kut-Ku will not only try to limp away, but it will also lower its ears, making it super obvious of its condition.

Click the GIFs to see more GIFs 😉

The reward for learning these valuable lessons? Well, you’re now equipped to hunt pretty much any other monster in the game. And you can craft some of this gear:

Blademaster armor

Gunner armor

Dual Blades

Light Bowgun

Look out for the Yian Kut-Ku and many other monsters (that should be respected) in  Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate as it arrives on the Nintendo 3DS early next year.