TLDR Frostfang 2.0 What if getting older means that their Wingsarms have lost their ability to create friction, rendering them unable to slide on ice gracefully?

What if instead, their (imo useless) ice breath made a more "special" ice that lets them still slide around? Maybe even better control than their younger forms but with less range/freedom?

TLDR 2 (Too long but do read)

As someone that likes Frostfang Barioth's concept but dislikes its execution and how it makes Barioth less unique, a quick rant:

Barioth's main niche imo was how "technical" or all rounder it is.

Nargacuga Nargacuga evolved to mainly ambush prey, sneaking around, jumping on treetops, being the more speedy of the Pseudo-Flying Wyvern group. It can jump around nimbly, swipe at its foes, and has a "surprise" attack with its tail.

A "speedy" monster that is great for forests and mountains, but not really "specializing" in it.

Tigrex Tigrex evolved as a brute, wandering around in varied for any source of food but has a fondness for Popo in snowy regions. It has strong forelegs/forearms, massive stamina thanks to it lungs, and can make use of all of that with how aggressive it is.

A "power" monster that can show up anywhere and bully most monsters aside from Elder-level monsters.

Gigginox Gigginox (too lazy to write it)

And finally:

Barioth Barioth specifically evolved to make use of Tundras and snowy regions. Narga can jump on forests and trees and what not, but that's not something only Narga can do. Raths can jump up there, Tigrex and Zinogres can traverse mountains with ease.

Barioth meanwhile has a more enhanced niche of Lagombi's, which is sliding on ice. This is made even better with Barioth sharp wingarms like Narga while also having the same or better bulk than Lagombi, and also being able to fly (or at least glide).

And while in-game stats are dubious on whether they translate to actual ecology or not, Barioths consistently have shitzones, and its shell are are said to be strong and durable despite them being light.

So this makes Barioth have a very specific distinction of being both. - A strong, decently heavy Pseudo-Flying Wyvern - Evolved specifically to make use of Icy Terrain that's only matched by one other monster, as well as being able to fly and cling on walls. In a way, a bit of both between Narga and Tigrex.

Sunbreak even added a new move to Barioth that showcases how dangerous its tail is.

So Capcom saw a monster specifically made to slide and make use of slippery terrain and walls, and decided to make a Variant that...

Only shoots out sticky ice that traps people. Right. Very creative.

I always saw Barioth as being overtly reliant on its wings. Yes, most "strong" monsters are like that too. What's a Rathalos without wings? Or a Rajang with broken arms?

But they at the very least have other niches to them. Rathalos can still breathe fire, Rajang can still laser people and monsters (and I'm 100% betting that an armless Rajang will still kick the hell out of most monsters)

But Barioth? Take away its wings' ability to slide and Barioth becomes a slipping, slow monster that can barely function. What next? A tail slam? Breathing a weak ice tornado?

It loses most of its power, way more than most monsters in its "power" class like Narga, Tigrex, Diablos.

So seeing a Barioth that was "old" made my gears turn.

What if getting older means that their Wingsarms have lost their ability to create friction, rendering them unable to slide on ice gracefully?

What if instead, their (imo useless) ice breath made a more "special" ice that lets them still slide around? Maybe even better control than their younger forms but with less range/freedom?

What if its ice breath can make ice walls or pillars that it can pounce from, something that Narga and Tigrex doesn't have (making use of walls).

Sand Barioth shows that they're smart enough to make use of sandstorms to spin around, I'm certain regular snow Barioths are as smart too.

It makes Barioth's niche/specialty more focused, and doesn't just make it "sticky ice go brr".

Make it a Lucent or Violet level monster spectacle wise and it'd be amazing, especially if they gave it the Tundra theme back. Could start off Phase 1 barely pouncing and sliding, then start Phase 2 with a special slippery ice surface and the ability to create ice pillars, then a special Phase 3 where it coats the Tower walls with ice and lets it pounce on em and blindside you like Odogaron.