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Taming the Skies: A Comprehensive Guide to Dragons in Zelda Games

What to do with the dragons in Zelda? In the vast, breathtaking landscapes of the Zelda universe, particularly in Breath of the Wild (BOTW) and Tears of the Kingdom (TOTK), dragons aren’t just majestic creatures soaring through the sky – they’re living, breathing resource hubs! Striking specific parts of their bodies yields valuable materials like scales, horns, fangs, and claws, each crucial for upgrading armor, enhancing weapons, and even creating powerful elixirs. In TOTK, you can even ride the dragons for extended periods, offering stunning views and access to the Depths. Knowing how to effectively interact with these mythical beasts is key to unlocking some of the game’s most significant upgrades and experiences.

Understanding the Dragons

Dragons in Breath of the Wild

In Breath of the Wild, three elemental dragons roam Hyrule:

Dinraal (Fire): Flies through the Eldin region.
Farosh (Lightning): Appears around Lake Hylia and the Gerudo region.
Naydra (Ice): Found initially corrupted on Mount Lanayru, requiring Link to cleanse it.

Each dragon drops specific materials when struck with an arrow:

Scale: Hit the body.
Horn Shard: Hit the horn.
Fang Shard: Hit the mouth.
Claw: Hit the foot.

Dragons in Tears of the Kingdom

Tears of the Kingdom builds upon this system, featuring the same elemental dragons, but with a significant addition:

Dinraal (Fire)
Farosh (Lightning)
Naydra (Ice)
The Light Dragon (Zelda)

The Light Dragon is particularly significant as it embodies Princess Zelda herself, having transformed to ensure the Master Sword’s recovery. The material drops remain similar to BOTW but with the addition of Spikes that fall from the body or horns:

Horn: Hit the horn.
Fang: Hit the head/mouth.
Spike: Hit horns/body spikes.
Scale: Hit the body.
Claw: Hit the feet.

Farming Dragon Parts: A Strategic Approach

Farming dragon parts efficiently requires understanding their flight paths and spawn times. Each dragon has a predictable route, allowing you to position yourself strategically. Here’s a breakdown:

Locate the Dragon: Research their flight paths online or through in-game observations.
Set Up Camp: Find a high vantage point near their path.
Wait for the Dragon: Use a campfire or the in-game time progression to advance time to the dragon’s expected arrival.
Prepare Your Bow: Equip a bow with good range and accuracy. Consider using bomb flowers for easier aiming.
Aim and Shoot: Target the desired body part.
Collect the Part: The part will fall to the ground (or into the Depths!), so be ready to glide down and retrieve it.

Important Tips for Farming:

Ten-Minute Rule: You can only get one part per dragon every ten in-game minutes (except spikes), indicated by the dragon glowing.
Altitude Matters: Use the updrafts created by the dragons to maintain altitude and easily target different body parts.
Depths Consideration: If a dragon flies through the Depths, be prepared for a potentially more dangerous retrieval.
Riding the Dragons: In Tears of the Kingdom, you can land on the dragons and ride them, allowing for extended farming sessions and incredible views. This is especially useful for collecting spikes, as they appear on the dragon’s back periodically.

Uses for Dragon Parts

Dragon parts have a multitude of uses, making them invaluable resources.

Armor Upgrades

Many powerful armor sets require dragon parts for upgrades at the Great Fairy Fountains. Notable examples include:

Fierce Deity Armor: Requires various dragon parts to reach its full potential.
Wild Armor: Another set needing dragon materials for enhanced stats.
Charged Set: Requires Farosh materials
Flamebreaker Set: Requires Dinraal materials
Snowquill Set: Requires Naydra materials

These upgrades significantly boost your defense and provide unique abilities.

Weapon Fusion (Tears of the Kingdom)

In Tears of the Kingdom, dragon parts can be fused to weapons to add elemental damage.

Horn Shards: Create powerful elemental attacks.
Fangs: Add significant attack power and elemental effects.

Experiment to discover the most effective combinations for different combat situations.

Elixirs and Recipes

Adding dragon parts to elixirs increases the duration of their effects. This is particularly useful for buffs like attack power, defense, and stealth. Dragon parts can also be added to food recipes for similar effects.

FAQs About Dragons in Zelda

1. What are the different types of dragon parts?

Scales: Dropped when hitting the body.
Horns: Dropped when hitting the horns (Horn Shards in BOTW).
Fangs: Dropped when hitting the mouth or head (Fang Shards in BOTW).
Claws: Dropped when hitting the feet.
Spikes (TOTK only): Dropped from the body or horns.

2. How often can I farm dragon parts?

You can farm one part per dragon every ten in-game minutes (except for spikes in TOTK, which can drop more frequently).

3. Can I ride the dragons?

Yes, in Tears of the Kingdom, you can ride the dragons.

4. How do I find the dragons?

Research their flight paths and use in-game time progression to locate them. High vantage points are helpful.

5. What are dragon parts used for?

Armor upgrades, weapon fusion (TOTK), and enhancing elixirs and recipes.

6. How many dragons are there in Tears of the Kingdom?

There are four: Dinraal, Farosh, Naydra, and the Light Dragon (Zelda).

7. Is Zelda the Light Dragon?

Yes, Princess Zelda transformed into the Light Dragon to heal the Master Sword.

8. What happens if I shoot a dragon in the wrong spot?

You will not receive the desired part. Aim carefully for the specific body part you need.

9. Can I kill the dragons?

No, the dragons are immortal and cannot be killed. You can only collect parts from them.

10. What’s the best way to aim at a dragon while flying?

Use the updrafts created by the dragons, activate slow-motion while aiming in mid-air, and equip a bow with good range and accuracy.

11. How do I free Naydra in Breath of the Wild?

You must purify Naydra from the corruption by shooting the eyeballs on its body.

12. Do dragon parts sell for a lot of money?

While you can sell dragon parts, their value is much greater for upgrades and fusion. It’s generally better to save them.

13. What is the “true ending” of Tears of the Kingdom?

The true ending involves completing all main story quests, obtaining the Master Sword, and viewing all the memories.

14. Where can I learn more about game design and the educational aspects of games?

You can visit the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to explore research and resources on game-based learning. The Games Learning Society explores how games can be used for educational purposes.

15. How do I use the Dragon Tears in Tears of the Kingdom?

Dragon Tears are a special item used to learn the story of Zelda becoming the Light Dragon. Finding all the Dragon Tears is necessary to view all the memories and get the “True Ending”. While the Tears themselves do not get used to craft an Artisan Table, the tears help unlock the ability to rebuild Hyrule.

Conclusion

Dragons in the Zelda games are more than just impressive creatures; they are vital components to enhancing your gameplay experience. By understanding their behavior, mastering farming techniques, and utilizing their parts wisely, you can unlock the full potential of Link’s abilities and conquer Hyrule’s toughest challenges. So, grab your bow, take to the skies, and embrace the power of the dragons!