Can You Kill Guardians with Arrows? A Comprehensive Guide to Guardian Takedowns in Hyrule

Yes, you absolutely can kill Guardians with arrows in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, though the effectiveness varies wildly depending on the type of arrow you use and your aiming skills. While regular arrows can stun Guardians, it’s the Ancient Arrows that offer a true one-shot kill when aimed precisely at their eye. Let’s dive into the strategies, arrow types, and essential tips to help you dominate these formidable foes.

Guardian Takedowns: Arrow Edition

The Ancient Arrow Advantage

Without a doubt, Ancient Arrows are the most effective arrow type for taking down Guardians. These special arrows are designed to deal incredible damage to Guardian enemies, often resulting in an instant kill when aimed at the Guardian’s eye. Here’s what makes them so special:

• One-Shot Kill Potential: A direct hit to the eye with an Ancient Arrow will obliterate most standard Guardians.
• Boss Battle Necessity: They are crucial during the battle against Dark Beast Ganon, acting as one of the few weapons capable of inflicting damage.
• Acquisition: You can obtain Ancient Arrows by completing Robbie’s Research side quest at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, located in the far northeast corner of the map.

However, there’s a significant drawback: Ancient Arrows completely disintegrate non-boss/non-Guardian enemies, along with any potential loot they might drop. So, if you’re farming for materials, you’ll want to avoid using them on anything other than Guardians.

Stun Tactics: Using Regular Arrows Effectively

While regular arrows won’t kill a Guardian outright, they are instrumental in creating openings for melee attacks. The key is to shoot the Guardian in the eye. Here’s how it works:

• Stunning Effect: A successful shot to the eye will stun the Guardian, momentarily halting its attacks and providing a window for approach.
• Shock Arrows: Shock Arrows are particularly effective for stunning Guardians. The electrical charge paralyzes them for an extended period, granting even more time for follow-up attacks.
• Bullet Time: Utilizing the “bullet time” ability (drawing your bow while in mid-air) significantly increases your accuracy and allows for easier targeting of the Guardian’s eye.

Mastering Guardian Combat Without Ancient Arrows

If you’re conserving Ancient Arrows or haven’t acquired them yet, don’t fret. Here are some effective alternative strategies:

• Guardian Weapons: Equip yourself with weapons of Sheikah origin, such as those crafted at the Akkala Tech Lab or found within Shrine chests. These weapons deal increased damage against Guardians.
• Cutting Off Legs: Target the legs of walking Guardians with regular arrows or melee attacks to cripple them. Once immobilized, they become stationary targets, making it easier to land precise shots or melee strikes.
• Parrying Lasers: With precise timing, you can deflect Guardian lasers with your shield. This requires mastering the timing of a “perfect block,” which is right as the Guardian’s eye flashes blue before firing. Any shield can work, even a pot lid, but be prepared for potential shield disintegration if your timing isn’t perfect.

Guardian Types and Strategies

Different types of Guardians require slightly different approaches:

• Stalker Guardians: These are the most common type and are mobile, making them harder to hit. The bullet time ability is crucial for landing Ancient Arrow eye shots. Alternatively, focus on crippling their legs to immobilize them.
• Stationary Guardians: These are easier targets for headshots and melee attacks. Parry their lasers or use Ancient Arrows for quick takedowns.
• Skywatchers (Flying Guardians): Use Magnesis on metal objects to damage them. Also, they have weak spots that arrows can hit.

FAQs: Guardian Takedowns

1. How many arrows does it take to kill a Guardian?

With regular arrows, it’s impossible to kill a Guardian outright. You can only stun them by hitting their eye. However, one Ancient Arrow to the eye will typically kill most standard Guardians.

2. Are Ancient Arrows worth using on Guardians?

Yes, Ancient Arrows are extremely effective for killing Guardians, especially if you’re struggling with other methods. However, consider the scarcity of Ancient Arrows and the potential loss of loot if you use them on non-Guardian enemies.

3. Which arrows work best against Guardians?

Ancient Arrows are the best for one-shot kills. Shock Arrows are excellent for stunning. Regular arrows are useful for stunning and crippling the legs of walking Guardians.

4. What is the best weapon to kill Guardians besides arrows?

Sheikah weapons, including Ancient and Guardian weapons, are the most effective melee options. They deal significantly more damage to Guardians than regular weapons.

5. Do Ancient Arrows kill Lynels?

Yes, Ancient Arrows will kill Lynels but will vaporize them along with any drops they might have. Consider other weapons to farm Lynels for materials.

6. Why do Lynels disappear when hit by Ancient Arrows?

Ancient Arrows are designed to obliterate non-boss/non-Guardian enemies from existence. Lynels fall into this category, hence their disappearance.

7. Do Guardian weapons work better against Guardians?

Yes, Guardian weapons get a damage boost against all Guardian enemies. Ancient weapons made at the Akkala Lab receive an even greater damage boost.

8. Can I damage my own Guardian Shield?

Guardian shields can be damaged when attacked by an enemy, which may lead to a potential explosion.

9. Can Guardians take fall damage?

Yes, Guardians can take fall damage. A fall from a sufficient height can be lethal.

10. Are ancient weapons good against Guardians?

Absolutely! Ancient weapons have a significant damage multiplier against Guardians, making them far more effective than regular weapons.

11. Do Guardians ignore armor?

No, Guardians do not directly ignore armor. However, their attacks can deal substantial damage, making armor essential for survival.

12. What shields can deflect Guardian lasers?

Any shield can deflect Guardian lasers with perfect timing. However, wooden shields are more susceptible to breaking upon impact.

13. Does the Master Sword break against Guardians?

The Master Sword won’t break in the traditional sense. It will run out of energy and need to recharge after prolonged use.

14. What is the best strategy to kill a Guardian early in the game?

Early in the game, focus on parrying Guardian lasers with a sturdy shield. If that feels too difficult, try to find Ancient Arrows and aim for the eye.

15. What is the best place to farm Guardian parts?

The Central Hyrule Field and Hyrule Castle are prime locations for finding various types of Guardians and farming their parts.

Conclusion: Mastering the Art of Guardian Takedowns

Killing Guardians with arrows is a viable and effective strategy in Breath of the Wild, especially when utilizing Ancient Arrows. However, understanding the nuances of each arrow type, mastering the timing of parries, and leveraging Sheikah weapons are all essential components of becoming a true Guardian slayer. Embrace these tactics, and you’ll transform these formidable foes into manageable challenges.

This game and the strategies within it can be discussed with others in the gaming community. You can also find resources at the Games Learning Society website, where discussions of educational topics in games often occur: GamesLearningSociety.org.