Chief Botanist | Monster Hunter World Wiki

Chief Botanist
Race	Wyverian
Gender	Male
English Voice Actor:	D.C. Douglas (Unconfirmed)
Japanese Voice Actor:	?

Chief Botanist is an NPC in Monster Hunter World (MHW). NPCs are non-playable characters that interact with the Hunter during the story or optional activities in game.

You see, we Wyverians have a longer lifespan than humans. And when you live for so long, you become aware of certain things. How fleeting life can be, for instance. But plants are different. I can always count on them to be there, no matter how many years have passed."

Quests & Services

• Chief Botanist's main purpose is to access Botanical Research, which allows you to cultivate or grow plants, insects, and other useful items. You can also use research points to buy fertilizers that will enhance cultivation effects or duration.
• He is also an important character in The Witcher collaboration quest, Contract: Trouble in the Ancient Forest.

Locations

• Chief Botanist can be found in Astera at the Botanical Research Center.

Backstory

• Chief Botanist came to the New World on the 4th Fleet, a fleet largely comprising of individuals skilled in management and logistics.
• Chief Botanist says he works with plants because, "I chose to lead a life with plants so I wouldn't have to bear the pain of seeing my human companions come and go".

Personality

• An ample amount of Chief Botanist's dialogue consists of him recognizing that a lot of other characters don't care about him. After rescuing the Ecological Researcher in the quest, Sinister Shadows in the Swamp, Chief Botanist says:
  • "By the way, I hear you went out looking for that missing scholar from Ecological Research. I know it wasn't part of the mission, but was anyone worried enough to look for me while they were out there? ...N-No? Aww... O...K...".

• Another common line he says is:
  • "You don't mind calling me Chief, do you? I certainly look like one, wouldn't you agree? I wish the others would... *sigh*".

• Chief Botanist warms up to the Hunter as they progress through the game, as shown in how he greets them over time. Going from beginning to end, he greets the Hunter with:
  • "...What was it you needed again?"
  • "So, can I help you?"
  • "...Now, were you just here to chat?"
  • "...Now, are you just here because you missed me?"
  • "Here for a visit, my shining star?"

• The last line is especially interesting, as he is the only NPC in the game who refers to the Hunter as his "shining star", as opposed to the more commonly used "sapphire star" moniker for the Hunter.

• Chief Botanist has a deep appreciation for the Hunter, as shown in much of his dialogue. For example, after completing The Sapphire Star's Guidance, he says:
  • "Unbelievable! Out of this world! I hear you completed The Sapphire Star's Guidance! What are you made of, anyway? Helium? Because you are rising right to the stratosphere.
    ......
    We've talked about when you leapt off Zorah Magdaros's head, right? When you first got here?
    I was in the forest at the time and saw the whole thing. It was like watching a shooting star. But I didn't realize at the time just how bright a star you would become.
    Your time here has been an upward climb, and one day you'll probably make it all the way up to the heavens to join the other stars there.
    But until then, I hope we can continue being a team. Don't worry, I'll keep you plenty busy."

• Like many NPC's, he has special dialogue after completing the quest, Master Hunter of the New World. 
  • "Completed Master Hunter of the New World, did you? Well, aren't you just awesome! What are you gonna do now? Go back home? To be honest, if you were having thoughts of going home, I was going to set the ship on fire so you cannot leave... Of course I'm just joking, Hunter! I would never do such a thing... Never... *ahem* Uh, in any case, I'll keep working hard to ensure you get more materials."
  • While Chief states that he's just joking, Laid-Back Botanist has some dialogue pertaining to this:
    • "That Master Hunter of the New World quest must have been quite the doozy. I must mention that the young chief began acting even more peculiar than his usual self after you got back. He's been "preparing" all sorts of gunpowder and oil. I'm beginning to worry about him..."
      
      
      

Role in the Main Story

• Chief Botanist holds little importance to the main story.

Trivia

• In the Astera Gathering Hub during the Sizzling Spice fest, one of Hub Lass' dialogue is:
  • "Hmm, something's hiding in those plants... Where's that guy from Botanical Research?".
• Considering Chief Botanist is the only male in Botanical Research, it can be assumed that he's "enjoying" Hub Lass' seasonal outfit.

• Laid-Back Botanist has multiple lines of dialogue pertaining to Chief Botanist, which reveal more about his personality. Some of these are:
  • "Our chief went off into the forest to develop some sort of specialized tools. Frankly, I'm relieved. This place is much quieter without his endless blabbering. Now it's just me and my trees...ho-ho-hee!"
  • "Say, young Hunter, you haven't seen our chief around, have you? He's been away for a long while now. I hope he comes back soon......
    Well, not TOO soon. I'm enjoying the peace and quiet without his constant chatter. Is that so wrong?"
  • "When will the boss get his act together and come back?"
  • "Our boss has a habit of vanishing the moment you take your eyes off him. We've gotten used to his absence, for better or worse.
    *whispers* Mainly better..."

•  This line from her refer to the Flying Sparks: Tobi-Kadachi quest given by Chief Botanist as part of the story:
  • "Once our chief makes his mind up about something, he won't change it. Better just to hunt the Tobi-Kadachi and be done with it."

•  This line appears after returning from the quest Sinister Shadows in the Swamp:
  • "Oh dear, our boss has gotten himself all worked up into a sour mood. It's because you went searching for that missing scholar, but the boss disappears for days at a time and you never go out looking for him! Honestly, what a big baby."

• These lines of dialogue will appear throughout the main story:
  • "I caught the boss looking at the sprout and doing a happy little jig."
  • "Our chief does like to blab on...and on...and on... Of course, he does SOMETIMES say something worthwhile.
    ...sometimes."
  • "Our silly young chief didn't even notice that the Admiral returned! You see what I have to deal with? Zero attention span."
  • "Not even an elder dragon can change the way our young chief thinks. Well, he may be infuriating at times, but he does looks after our little team. I know he's worried sick that you'll journey off alone one day, and never be seen again."
  • "I'm not letting the chief go anywhere. You wouldn't believe how exacting our Ancient Tree research is. One wrong experiment and it could very well swallow up all of Astera. Not sure if the Commander would be too pleased with that...
    Though... Hm, now that I say it out loud, that could actually be rather fascinating."
  • "If there's anything at all we can do, don't you hesitate to ask. If our lump of a chief has any use at all, it's that. The boss keeps saying the whole thing's over his head, or that he can't wrap his head around the situation.
    Just between us, I'm not sure he's tried to do much with his head at all lately."
  • "You be careful. The Ancient Tree and I will be right here, rooting for you. Also, the Chief. For whatever that's worth."

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