Can You Relive the Calamity? Fighting Ganon Again and Again!
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Absolutely! Yes, you can fight Calamity Ganon again in Breath of the Wild (BotW). In fact, you can fight him as many times as your heart desires. However, there’s a catch: there’s no true post-game. After you defeat him and watch the credits roll, the game doesn’t save your victory. Instead, it places you right back before the final battle. This is a deliberate design choice by Nintendo, allowing players to experience the climactic confrontation repeatedly with different strategies and gear. The experience is the same in Tears of the Kingdom (TOTK) with Ganondorf.
This design choice emphasizes exploration and the journey over a traditional ending. Think of it as a Groundhog Day scenario, but with a monstrous pig demon instead of Bill Murray. You’re perpetually stuck on the eve of destruction, free to experiment and perfect your Ganon-slaying skills. It might seem a bit anticlimactic to some, but for others, it’s a chance to truly master the game’s combat and mechanics.
Why would you want to fight Ganon multiple times? There are several compelling reasons:
- Experimentation: Trying out different weapons, armor sets, and strategies against Ganon can be incredibly fun. Maybe you want to beat him with only a pot lid and a dream, or perhaps you want to see how fast you can take him down with a fully upgraded Master Sword.
- Practice: Ganon is a challenging fight, especially the first time. Repeated attempts allow you to learn his attack patterns, weaknesses, and vulnerabilities, ultimately making you a more skilled player.
- Completionism: Even though the game doesn’t save after you defeat Ganon, you do get a star on your save file. For some players, that’s enough to motivate them to take down the Calamity multiple times, striving for the “perfect” playthrough.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Fighting Ganon
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the mechanics and implications of fighting Ganon repeatedly:
How many times can I fight Calamity Ganon in Breath of the Wild?
As many times as you want! There’s no limit. Every time you defeat him, you’ll be placed back at the save point just before the final boss battle. The same holds true for Ganondorf in Tears of the Kingdom.
What happens after I beat Calamity Ganon?
After the credits roll, you are returned to your last save point before initiating the fight with Calamity Ganon. The game world remains unchanged, and Ganon is still alive (narratively speaking).
Is there a post-game in Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom?
No, there isn’t a true post-game in either title. You can continue exploring the world, completing side quests, and finding collectibles, but the main story effectively resets each time you defeat the final boss.
Why do I have to fight Calamity Ganon again after beating him?
This is intentional game design. It allows you to continue exploring Hyrule and completing tasks you may have missed, without being confined to a post-Ganon world. It’s your chance to tie up any loose ends and complete any side content you want to get done.
Does my game save my victory against Calamity Ganon?
Not in the traditional sense. While the game doesn’t save in a state where Ganon is defeated, your save profile will display a star icon, indicating that you have successfully completed the main story at least once.
Can you fight Ganondorf more than once in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, absolutely! Similar to Breath of the Wild, the game resets the castle after you defeat Ganondorf, allowing you to fight him again whenever you want.
Do Blood Moons still happen after defeating Ganon in Breath of the Wild?
Yes, Blood Moons will continue to occur even after you defeat Ganon. They are a fundamental part of the game’s mechanics for respawning enemies and maintaining the world’s challenge.
Can I continue playing Zelda after defeating Calamity Ganon?
Yes, but only by loading a save game from before the fight. There is no “after Ganon” state in the game world itself.
What carries over after defeating Ganon?
Your inventory, progress on side quests, completed shrines, and map completion percentage all carry over. The only thing that doesn’t carry over is the narrative state of the world – Ganon is still alive and needs defeating.
What’s the hardest Ganon to fight?
Many players find Thunderblight Ganon to be the most challenging of the Blight Ganons. His speed and electric attacks can be difficult to counter.
How many hearts should I have before fighting Calamity Ganon?
While you can fight him with very few hearts if you are skilled, it’s generally recommended to have at least 13 Heart Containers. More is always better, especially if you’re not confident in your combat abilities.
What was the Calamity Ganon 10,000 years ago?
The first Great Calamity refers to the original emergence of Calamity Ganon, a monstrous creature of pure hatred, 10,000 years before the events of Breath of the Wild. He was defeated by a princess with sealing power and advanced technology.
What is the best armor to fight Ganon?
The Ancient Armor, acquired at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, is an excellent choice. It provides a significant defense boost against Guardian and Ancient-type enemies, which are prevalent in Hyrule Castle. The fully upgraded Champion’s Tunic is also a solid choice.
Does the “Defeat Ganon” quest go away after beating him?
No, the “Defeat Ganon” quest never goes away. It remains active, prompting you to continually challenge and defeat him.
Should I play the Champion’s Ballad DLC before or after Ganon?
Chronologically, the Champion’s Ballad DLC takes place before the final battle with Ganon. It’s recommended to play it before confronting Ganon to fully appreciate the story and character development. You can also learn about the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Embrace the Loop: Reliving the Adventure
The ability to fight Ganon repeatedly is not a bug; it’s a feature that encourages experimentation, mastery, and continued exploration of Hyrule. While some may crave a traditional post-game, the endless loop allows players to craft their own unique experiences within the world, finding new challenges and enjoying the journey without the constraints of a definitive ending. So, grab your Master Sword, stock up on Ancient Arrows, and prepare to relive the Calamity as many times as you desire!