How to Conquer a Red-Maned Lynel in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The Red-Maned Lynel is often the first Lynel encounter many players have in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and it can be a terrifying one. This powerful beast, with its fierce attacks and high health, presents a significant challenge. However, with the right strategy and equipment, you can emerge victorious. The key to beating a Red Lynel is a combination of perfect parries, strategic use of arrows, mounted attacks, and understanding its attack patterns. This guide will walk you through the most effective techniques and provide answers to frequently asked questions to help you become a proficient Lynel hunter.

Effective Strategies for Defeating a Red Lynel

Here’s a breakdown of how to tackle a Red-Maned Lynel effectively:

1. The Power of Perfect Parries

The single most important technique in your arsenal against a Lynel is the Perfect Parry. Using a shield and timing your block just as a Lynel’s melee attack is about to land, will deflect the attack, stagger the beast, and leave it vulnerable to counterattacks. This can be tricky to master, but the rewards are immense. Practice on less challenging enemies, like Bokoblins, to hone your parrying skills before facing a Lynel. Remember, a single-handed weapon is necessary to effectively use a shield.

2. Utilize Bows and Arrows Strategically

Bows are not just for distance attacks. They are critical for dealing extra damage and creating opportunities for mounted attacks.

• Headshots: Aim for the Lynel’s head with your arrows. A direct hit will stun it, giving you a moment to run in closer for melee attacks.
• Ice Arrows: If you have them, Ice Arrows are exceptionally useful. A well-placed Ice Arrow will freeze the Lynel for a more extended period, providing a perfect window to mount it.
• Bomb Arrows: Bomb Arrows can also inflict significant damage, particularly when combined with headshots, but are best used in bursts to give the Lynel less time to adapt and dodge your attacks.
• Ancient Arrows: While Ancient Arrows can instantly eliminate a Lynel, they are best saved for more challenging enemies such as Guardians. They are not as rewarding to use on Lynels as they yield no materials when used.

3. Mounting and Delivering Devastating Blows

When a Lynel is stunned – whether from a headshot, an ice arrow, or after a successful Stasis+ use – you’ll be given the option to mount it. Mounting a Lynel allows you to strike it multiple times without it being able to retaliate. This can greatly reduce its health quickly. Use your strongest weapons when mounted to maximize damage. Remember, after mounting, you’ll be thrown off, so be prepared to evade its counterattack.

4. Choosing the Right Weapon

• One-Handed Weapons: These are ideal for pairing with a shield, allowing you to perform Perfect Parries. The Master Sword, when powered up, is an excellent choice due to its high durability and attack power against corrupted enemies.
• Avoid slow weapons: Weapons like claymores are less ideal against Lynels due to their slow attack speed. You need fast, multiple hits.
• Boomerangs: Are useful as you can hit a Lynel quickly and have the boomerang return to you without having to spend too much time in close proximity to the Lynel.
• Weapons with Durability: Given how much health Lynels have, you will want to use weapons with high durability as they can break very quickly.

5. Taking Advantage of Stasis+ and Urbosa’s Fury

• Stasis+: The upgraded Stasis rune is invaluable against Lynels. Using Stasis+ will freeze the Lynel, giving you a chance to get some free shots in or gain some distance to reposition. When it unfreezes, it’ll also be stunned momentarily.
• Urbosa’s Fury: If you’ve unlocked this Champion ability, it’s extremely useful for dealing AoE damage and briefly stunning the Lynel, allowing you a precious window to mount it.

6. Understanding Attack Patterns

Lynels have several attacks, including melee strikes, fireballs, and ranged attacks with their bow. Knowing how to recognize and react to these patterns is crucial:

• Melee Attacks: Learn to predict the windup and parry these attacks.
• Fireballs: These are slow-moving and easy to dodge by running sideways.
• Ranged Attacks: When at a distance, Lynels will often use a bow, and they’re pinpoint accurate. Learn to evade, take cover, or deflect the arrow with a parry.
• Charge Attack: When on all fours, the Lynel will charge straight at you, so dodge to the side quickly.

7. Patience is Key

Battling a Lynel isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. Be prepared for a lengthy battle. Don’t get frustrated if you don’t succeed on your first try. Keep practicing and learning the Lynel’s patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Red-Maned Lynels

1. What is the Health of a Red Lynel?

A Standard Red-Maned Lynel has 2000 HP, making it more durable than many other large enemies.

2. Are Red Lynels the Easiest Lynels?

Yes, Red Lynels are the most basic Lynel variant. They are easier to defeat than Blue-Maned, White-Maned, and Silver Lynels.

3. What are Red Lynels Weak Against?

Red Lynels are not weak against any specific element but are vulnerable to Stasis+ and headshots with arrows. They are also susceptible to the Perfect Parry, which stuns them and allows for counterattacks.

4. Where Can I Find Red Lynels?

Red-Maned Lynels can be found in various locations throughout Hyrule. Some notable locations include the Oseira Plains and Ploymus Mountain. Importantly, the Lynel in Ploymus Mountain remains red throughout the game.

5. Can I Use Ancient Arrows Against Lynels?

Yes, Ancient Arrows will instantly defeat a Lynel, but it will also not drop any loot. This method is often considered wasteful due to the precious nature of Ancient Arrows and the valuable materials you can gain from Lynels.

6. Do Lynels Have a Weak Spot?

Yes, the primary weak spot of a Lynel is its head. Hitting it with an arrow will stun the beast briefly.

7. Are Lynels Difficult to Defeat?

Yes, Lynels are considered one of the most challenging non-boss enemies in the game. Their powerful attacks, high HP, and speed require skill and strategy to overcome.

8. Can Red Lynels Turn Into Other Variants?

Yes, most Red Lynels throughout the overworld will level up to Blue-Maned, then White-Maned, and finally Silver Lynels as the game progresses. However, some Lynels such as the ones in Hyrule Castle and on Ploymus Mountain will remain Red-Maned throughout.

9. Do Lynels Have Elemental Resistances?

Lynels are impervious to elemental damage and normal electrical attacks. However, they will usually stop in their tracks if there is fire in their path.

10. Can I Use Majora’s Mask to Fool Lynels?

Yes, Majora’s Mask can partially fool a Lynel allowing you to get closer without it attacking you, but if you approach too close it will notice you.

11. Is It Mandatory to Fight Lynels?

No, it’s not mandatory to fight Lynels. You can complete the game without ever battling them. However, they drop valuable items that can help throughout your playthrough.

12. What is the Best Weapon Combination Against Lynels?

A shield and a one-handed weapon is the most effective combination for dealing with Lynels. The Master Sword is a good choice here, especially after it’s powered up, due to its high durability and damage output.

13. What Rewards Do You Get for Killing a Lynel?

Lynels drop valuable materials including high-level weapons, arrows, and Lynel parts. These parts can be used to upgrade certain armor sets and make powerful elixirs.

14. Is there a reward for killing all Lynels?

There is no quest or reward associated with killing all of the Lynels. The only reward that is linked to Lynels is killing the Lynel at the Floating Coliseum in the Depths, which rewards you with Majora’s Mask.

15. What Happens if I am killed by a Lynel?

You will need to reload from your last save point and you will lose any progress in the game that was not saved.

By mastering these techniques and understanding the Lynel’s behavior, you can transform the challenge of confronting a Red-Maned Lynel into a rewarding experience. Keep practicing, be patient, and soon you’ll be taking down these formidable foes with confidence.