Decoding the Crimson Skies: Can You Witness a Blood Moon on the Great Plateau in Breath of the Wild?
The Blood Moon in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is more than just a visual spectacle; it’s a core mechanic that significantly impacts gameplay. The burning question for many embarking on their Hyrulean adventure is: Can you experience a Blood Moon while still confined to the Great Plateau? The answer is a resounding no. While technically the Blood Moon can occur on the Great Plateau if the game’s internal timer triggers it, the cutscene and the full effects of the Blood Moon will not be activated until Link leaves the Great Plateau. Therefore, you won’t be able to experience a Blood Moon respawning enemies or activating its gameplay changes on the Great Plateau.
Understanding the Blood Moon
The Blood Moon is a recurring event in Breath of the Wild triggered by an internal game timer, roughly every 2 hours and 48 minutes of real-time gameplay (equivalent to seven in-game days). Its primary function is to respawn defeated enemies, including Bokoblins, Moblins, Lizalfos, and even some mini-bosses like Stone Taluses. This keeps the world consistently challenging and provides a steady source of resources and combat opportunities. The event is heralded by a chilling cutscene featuring Princess Zelda warning Link of the impending danger, accompanied by an ominous red glow enveloping Hyrule.
Why No Blood Moon on the Great Plateau Initially?
The game is carefully structured. The Great Plateau serves as an extended tutorial, guiding players through the core mechanics and encouraging exploration in a controlled environment. Allowing the Blood Moon to fully function within this area would disrupt the intended learning curve. It introduces complexity too early in the game that players may not be ready to handle. It also makes the beginning enemies more of a challenge than intended.
The Great Plateau as a Controlled Environment
The Great Plateau’s design is deliberate. Enemies are relatively weak, and resources are abundant. It’s a safe haven for players to experiment with combat, cooking, and puzzle-solving without the constant threat of overwhelming encounters. The Blood Moon’s respawning mechanic would contradict this purpose, making it less of an early training zone and more difficult for the first-time player.
When Does the Blood Moon Become Active?
The Blood Moon becomes an active element of gameplay only after Link leaves the Great Plateau. This is when the cutscene will play and when enemies will begin to respawn when the Blood Moon rises. Once Link descends from the Plateau, whether by paragliding or other means, the full cycle of Hyrule’s world, including the Blood Moon, begins in earnest. You’ll then experience the chilling cutscene, witness the red glow, and face the resurrected enemies.
Preparing for Your Departure
Since the Blood Moon won’t be a factor until you leave, focus your time on the Great Plateau on mastering the game’s basics. Complete all four shrines, obtain the paraglider, gather resources, and familiarize yourself with combat techniques. Collecting the Knight’s Bow from the Temple of Time and defeating the Stone Talus are excellent goals before venturing into the wider world. The GamesLearningSociety.org emphasizes that understanding game design and mechanics can enhance your gameplay experience. Learning how systems like the Blood Moon work adds to the complexity and beauty of Breath of the Wild.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Blood Moon
1. What exactly does the Blood Moon do in Breath of the Wild?
The Blood Moon respawns nearly all defeated enemies in the game world, excluding those specifically tied to quests or certain locations. This includes standard enemies like Bokoblins, Moblins, Lizalfos, Stalfos, and Stal enemies, as well as mini-bosses like Stone Taluses and Hinoxes.
2. How often does the Blood Moon occur?
The Blood Moon happens approximately every 2 hours and 48 minutes of real-time gameplay, which translates to about seven in-game days.
3. Can I skip the Blood Moon cutscene?
Yes, you can skip the Blood Moon cutscene by pressing the ‘+’ button. However, the Blood Moon will still occur regardless.
4. Does the Blood Moon respawn chests?
No, the Blood Moon does not respawn treasure chests that you’ve already opened. Once a chest is looted, it remains open for the duration of your playthrough.
5. Can the Blood Moon be delayed?
Yes, the Blood Moon can be delayed by entering a shrine or Hyrule Castle right before it’s scheduled to occur. However, the game will continue to attempt to trigger the event on subsequent nights until it succeeds.
6. Is there a way to force a Blood Moon?
While there isn’t an official in-game mechanic to force a Blood Moon in Breath of the Wild , glitches and exploits have been discovered to trigger it under specific circumstances. These methods are inconsistent and not recommended for standard gameplay. In Tears of the Kingdom, the Blood Moon is linked to accumulated “stale data,” and it can be manually triggered.
7. Does weather affect the Blood Moon?
No, the weather conditions (rain, snow, sunshine) do not affect the Blood Moon’s occurrence. It will happen regardless of the prevailing weather.
8. Does the Blood Moon respawn weapons?
No, the Blood Moon does not directly respawn weapons found in the overworld. However, it does respawn enemies who may be carrying weapons, indirectly providing a new source of armaments.
9. Does the Blood Moon affect animals?
No, the Blood Moon does not affect animals in the game. They will continue to behave as usual, regardless of the event.
10. Does the Blood Moon impact crafting or cooking?
No, the Blood Moon does not directly impact crafting or cooking mechanics. The effects of elixirs and meals remain consistent regardless of whether a Blood Moon is occurring.
11. Why does the Blood Moon sometimes occur more frequently?
Sometimes, a “panic Blood Moon” can occur outside the regular schedule if the game encounters memory or performance issues. This is a failsafe to clear the game world and prevent crashes.
12. Does difficulty affect the Blood Moon?
No, the Blood Moon occurs at the same frequency and has the same effects regardless of the game’s difficulty setting.
13. What happens if I’m in a Divine Beast during a Blood Moon?
If you are inside a Divine Beast when the Blood Moon occurs, the event will be postponed until you exit the Divine Beast and the game has an opportunity to trigger the cutscene and respawn enemies.
14. Does the Blood Moon respawn Lynels?
Yes, the Blood Moon does respawn Lynels. If you’re wanting to keep farming Lynels for their rewards, you’ll need to wait until after a Blood Moon for the Lynel to respawn in the same location.
15. Does the Blood Moon respawn Guardians?
Decayed Guardians will respawn during a Blood Moon, allowing you to farm them for parts and arrows.
Conclusion
While you won’t experience the full impact of the Blood Moon while still on the Great Plateau, understanding its mechanics is crucial for your adventure in Hyrule. Focus on mastering the basics, gathering resources, and preparing for the challenges that await beyond the Plateau’s borders. Once you take that leap of faith, the Blood Moon will become a constant companion, shaping your encounters and testing your skills. Remember that gaming is about more than just playing; it’s about understanding the systems at play. Organizations like the Games Learning Society encourage exploration of these intricacies, transforming gameplay into a learning experience.