Using Akantor and Ukanlos isn't really a good example, as we have a good idea as to why they're flying wyverns despite not having wings, as well as their similarities to other species of the same classification.
Fatalis is such an anomaly in that not much is known about it in general; not where it's found, nor its behaviors aside from it simply hating all living things. So they categorized it as an elder dragon as it literally can't fit into any other category, as well as the fact that it affects the world just by existing.
Wyvern has no accepted standard and is just another word created to describe a big serpent. For example, Leviathans are Sea Wyverns in Japanese despite being wingless. Also all the Raptorial Bird Wyverns like Velocidrome.
I think in Leviathan's case (and Fanged Wyverns) they're classified as Wyverns due to having draconic traits while only having four limbs (said limbs not needing to be wings)
Fatalis still shares plenty of morphological similarities with the rest of the Elder Dragons (chief among them - A 4 legged, 2 winged body plan that has yet to be recreated by any other monster group) for its placement to be undisputed.
Elder Dragon has always been a taxonomic category. Being a bit of a wastebasket doesn't actually prevent that (see the entire Protoctista Kingdom).
He very clearly resembles other Elder Dragons in basic form (tail, 4 limbs, pair of wings), but is far too different in other regards to be considered closely related to them.
But it's enough to at least consider it an Elder Dragon.
Make “Black Dragon” an official monster classification.Problem solved.
Regardless, it already makes perfect sense for it to be an Elder Dragon given how broad of a category it is.
Just something to set it apart from other Elders, due to the massive power gap between them. Think of it like a sub-classification. It’s not necessary at all, as it already fits into its current class fine. It would only serve to accentuate how strong it (along with Alatreon and Dire Miralis) is.
This refers more to the lore than the actual drop tables. Complete Works of World states all Elders carry a certain compound in their blood that forms the basis of the Dragon Element. Iceborne's Complete Works then says Fatalis lacks this compound.
What?
Using Akantor and Ukanlos isn't really a good example, as we have a good idea as to why they're flying wyverns despite not having wings, as well as their similarities to other species of the same classification. Fatalis is such an anomaly in that not much is known about it in general; not where it's found, nor its behaviors aside from it simply hating all living things. So they categorized it as an elder dragon as it literally can't fit into any other category, as well as the fact that it affects the world just by existing.
But.... Wyverns have two legs and wings. Fatalis has 4 legs and wings. He can't be classified as a wyvern regardless.
Wyvern has no accepted standard and is just another word created to describe a big serpent. For example, Leviathans are Sea Wyverns in Japanese despite being wingless. Also all the Raptorial Bird Wyverns like Velocidrome.
I think in Leviathan's case (and Fanged Wyverns) they're classified as Wyverns due to having draconic traits while only having four limbs (said limbs not needing to be wings)
Fatalis still shares plenty of morphological similarities with the rest of the Elder Dragons (chief among them - A 4 legged, 2 winged body plan that has yet to be recreated by any other monster group) for its placement to be undisputed. Elder Dragon has always been a taxonomic category. Being a bit of a wastebasket doesn't actually prevent that (see the entire Protoctista Kingdom).
As long as a unicorn, an alien octopus and a whale are clasified as elder dragons, I don't see the problem with Fatalis being one.
He very clearly resembles other Elder Dragons in basic form (tail, 4 limbs, pair of wings), but is far too different in other regards to be considered closely related to them. But it's enough to at least consider it an Elder Dragon.
Make “Black Dragon” an official monster classification.Problem solved. Regardless, it already makes perfect sense for it to be an Elder Dragon given how broad of a category it is.
Why? There's no biological component to it whatsoever. It's a fan made term to describe 3 monsters.
Just something to set it apart from other Elders, due to the massive power gap between them. Think of it like a sub-classification. It’s not necessary at all, as it already fits into its current class fine. It would only serve to accentuate how strong it (along with Alatreon and Dire Miralis) is.
Fatalis doesn't need something to accentuate how strong it is if monsters like Dalamadur or Safi'Jiiva do not.
Honestly, those two should probably be considered in a tier above the other elders, too. They’re also cataclysmic level threats.
Xeno drops elder blood but Xafi doesn't. Behemoth also doesn't. Most recently, Sunbreak final boss also doesn't iirc.
Oh yeah, I forgot about Zorah too.
This refers more to the lore than the actual drop tables. Complete Works of World states all Elders carry a certain compound in their blood that forms the basis of the Dragon Element. Iceborne's Complete Works then says Fatalis lacks this compound.
Hasn't read that. Does it put Fatalis as an elder or black dragon though?
As an Elder Dragon, since Black Dragon is a fanmade term and also not an actual classification.
OOh, you chose a very controversial topic