- “ As Thresher nests become more gregarious and populated, a shift in their behaviour takes place, with the males growing in size and competing with one another. [...] This escalates into an undefeated 'King' emerging, standing at a stature far above its kin and leading the pack. Threshers led by a King are emboldened and may be found scouting far beyond their nest in order to expand their territories. ”
Description[]
The King Thresher (also colloquially known as Big/King Croc, Mother/Mama Thresher, etc) is a larger and usually older male Thresher that is found in the Starswept Valley and The Depths. Sometimes, it can be found with another Thresher.
King Threshers, as its name suggests are similar to an Alpha Megalodaunt in terms of social hierarchy; a dominant Thresher leading their own pack. They are a result of male Threshers competing with each other in populated nests, where behavioral shifts sink in. Their growth is derived from an organ in their necks which can be significantly cut short if a competing Thresher's teeth is lodged into an opposing Thresher, thus leading into a Thresher emerging as a king. These Threshers have distinct features from their lesser counterparts, such as its large size, purple body, and a unique ability to breathe purple flames.[1]
A King Thresher is required to be killed to complete Jessamine's Quest, granting the Thresher Scales Echo Talent, which repairs the player's Armor while resting at a campfire. This quest can be completed/recompleted to get a hand of cards if you already have the Talent.
Attacks[]
| Name | Description | Media |
|---|---|---|
(★☆☆) |
The King Thresher stands on its hind legs and swipes twice. Deals moderate damage.
𓆩✧𓆪 Parryable ⛊ Blockable § Dodgeable |
|
(★☆☆) |
The King Thresher bites 3 times in quick succession. Deals moderate damage.
𓆩✧𓆪 Parryable ⛊ Blockable § Dodgeable |
|
(★★☆) |
The King Thresher brings its tail back and flicks around to deliver a powerful blow that deals a tremendous amount of posture damage. Deals moderate damage. Attacks following this move come out sooner.
𓆩✧𓆪 Parryable ⛊ Blockable § Dodgeable ↑ Jump-Avoidable ⤻ Ragdoll |
|
(★★☆) |
The King Thresher burrows underground to avoid being hit and digs towards the player, jumping out and dealing moderate damage.
Uses Telegraph  ☣ Unparryable ⛊ Blockable § Dodgeable ⤻ Ragdoll |
|
(★★★) |
The King Thresher turns its head to the side before rapidly turning the other direction and breathing out purple flames. Starts with a sound cue and the sound of the King Thresher roaring.
Uses Telegraph  ⚠︎ Unparryable ⛉ Unblockable § Dodgeable |
|
(★★☆) |
The King Thresher stands on its hind legs for a moment before slamming its body into the ground.
Uses Telegraph  ☣ Unparryable ⛊ Blockable ↻ Undodgeable ↑ Jump-Avoidable ⤻ Ragdoll |
|
Passives[]
- Serrated Claws - King Threshers have 100% PEN and inflict Bleed on hit.
- Thresher Scales - King Threshers have 40% physical attack resistance.
- Thick Hide - King Threshers automatically extinguish burn.
Finisher[]
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Circus Trick | Flings the victim vertically into the air with its mouth, then catches it to eat them whole. |
Tips[]
- Its attacks behave very similarly if not identical to the attacks of its smaller counterpart, the Thresher, meaning knowledge learned from it can be re-applied to the King Thresher, except for its exclusive attacks, that being Royal Breath and Body Slam.
- Though, the Burrow attack works somewhat differently from a Thresher's. The timing is much more strict due to the King Thresher being quicker to react to getting in its larger range, as well as having a larger rising hitbox, meaning you will have to pay more attention.
- The Royal Breath attack has a very small window before it actually damages you, though its damage is relatively low. Be wary for this attack if you wish to avoid taking damage.
- If you get hit by its Tail Swipe attack, press M2 to quickly get back up. It is recommended that you do this as it will allow you to defend yourself if it decides to use Royal Breath afterwards, which happens often.
- It is one of the most dangerous Monsters to encounter Corrupted in The Depths, second to only the Mudskipper Broodlord. This is due to its already high damage and health being amplified further due to being Corrupted, as well as its chasing ability being even more prominent due to the nature of Monsters in The Depths.
- Avoid fighting it on sloped ground as it will keep moving back and forth, thus making it more difficult to avoid/parry it's attacks. If possible try to bring it towards flatter ground.
- This is one of the Monsters that benefits the most from being in a horde alongside other Monsters as well as being in a chase regardless of the situation, due to its fast movement speed, its attacks having a large reach and from being able to shut down your movement, either from hitstun or from ragdolling.
- If you are not confident enough in your fighting ability against the King Thresher, then be aware of your surroundings and have an escape route planned as it might save your life. If you are in The Depths, be wary for other monsters.
- A safe way to practice fighting a King Thresher would be to head to the Lightkeeper Temple located on the far right side of the Starswept Valley. Once you enter, on the right you will see a King Thresher in a room full of books. This method will allow you to escape through the small doorway whenever you get low on health, but do be wary as there are other Threshers in the area.
Gallery[]
Old Model Renders
Trivia[]
- Despite having flame visuals, Royal Breath is not flame and has never been flame.
- The King Thresher, alongside the Thresher and the Deep Owl were one of the 3 Pathfinder gamemode Monsters that received the new Highlight telegraphs and mechanics from the Vow of Iron gamemode in the December 13th, 2025 "Ironsworn" update.
- ↑ King Thresher Spine description