Can You Ride a Lynel Like a Horse in Zelda?
The short answer, and the one that many Zelda enthusiasts are eager to know, is: no, you cannot ride a Lynel like a horse in either The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. While you can mount a Lynel, it’s a far cry from a peaceful ride through Hyrule. Think of it more like a brief, volatile rodeo than a casual trot. This distinction is key to understanding the interactions with these formidable creatures. While the idea of taming and riding a Lynel like a majestic steed is certainly appealing, the game mechanics firmly establish them as wild, untameable beasts, primarily meant to be fought, not befriended.
Mounting vs. Taming: The Crucial Difference
The core of the confusion lies in the difference between mounting and taming. In both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Link can mount a variety of creatures. Mounting, in this context, simply means getting on top of the animal’s back. However, taming involves a deeper interaction: soothing the creature, bonding with it, and ultimately controlling it as a mount. Lynels can be mounted but are never tamed.
Mounting a Lynel
You can mount a Lynel in two primary ways:
- Sneaking: If you manage to approach a Lynel from behind without alerting it, you can jump on its back. This requires stealth and patience.
- Paragliding: After stunning a Lynel, or if you can time it perfectly after an attack, you can use your Paraglider to land on its back. This often requires a bit of precision and some well-aimed shots.
Once mounted, however, your interaction is limited to a series of quick attacks. Instead of guiding the Lynel, you are simply trying to exploit a temporary opportunity. The Lynel will buck you off after a short time, often violently. The time you get on its back serves more as an opportunity to deal damage without taking any damage on your own weapon, a helpful strategy that can be used for some serious battles.
Why Can’t Lynels Be Tamed?
The reasons why Lynels can’t be tamed are rooted in their design. They are some of the most powerful and aggressive enemies in the Zelda universe. Taming them would undermine their intimidating presence and the challenges they pose.
- Lore and Design: Lynels are depicted as incredibly fierce and untamable beings, not meant to be docile companions. Their aggressive behavior is a core element of their character in the game.
- Gameplay Balance: Allowing players to tame Lynels would significantly alter the game’s balance, as having such a powerful ally would diminish the difficulty and challenges set in place throughout the games. They are meant to be challenging enemies, encouraging players to hone their combat skills and strategic thinking.
- Mechanical Restrictions: The game mechanics don’t allow for taming of Lynels. The interactions you have with them are designed for combat, not companionship.
In short, Lynels are intended to be formidable foes, not docile mounts. This design choice is crucial to maintaining their role within the game’s ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Lynels and Riding
Here are some common questions about Lynels and the possibilities (or impossibilities) of riding them, to provide a broader understanding for players.
1. Can you tame any other wild creatures besides horses?
Yes, in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, you can tame and ride other wild creatures, such as deer, bears, and sand seals. However, these taming methods differ and are specific to each creature type.
2. What other animals can Link ride in Tears of the Kingdom?
Besides the usual horses, you can also ride deer, bears, sand seals, and Stalhorses (skeletal horses) in Tears of the Kingdom. You can briefly mount Lynels, too, though they can’t be tamed.
3. Can I ride a dragon in Zelda?
While you cannot fully “ride” a dragon in the sense of controlling it, you can ride on the backs of the dragons in Tears of the Kingdom, allowing you to gather materials from them as they fly through the sky and into the Depths.
4. Is Epona available in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, Epona can be obtained in Tears of the Kingdom, but she is not found in the world like other horses. She can only be brought into the game by scanning an appropriate Amiibo.
5. Can I ride the “black horse” in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, the Giant Horse, also referred to as Ganon’s Horse, can be ridden. It is a unique horse with a black coat and orange mane, and is notably larger than normal horses.
6. How does the Lynel Mask work?
The Lynel Mask, obtained from Koltin after exchanging 37 Bubbul Gems, allows you to blend in with Lynels. However, it only works for a short period, and if you pull out your weapon or use a rune, you are likely to be attacked.
7. What are Lynel Hoofs used for?
Lynel Hoofs are a rare monster part used to upgrade the Soldier’s Armor set, and they can be fused with weapons and arrows to increase damage and armor-breaking capabilities.
8. What happens if I use an Ancient Arrow on a Lynel?
Using an Ancient Arrow on a Lynel will make it disappear completely, including the materials that would have dropped from it. Therefore, it’s generally advised not to use this arrow on Lynels if you wish to gather any of their drops.
9. Does the Majora’s Mask work on Lynels?
Yes, Majora’s Mask will work on Lynels indefinitely, provided you do not pull out your weapon or a rune, in which case you will be attacked. It offers a better disguise than the Lynel Mask.
10. Were Lynels created by Ganon?
There is speculation that Lynels found in the Dark World were created by Ganon to be part of his army. In either case, they’re a formidable foe.
11. What is the rarest Lynel type?
The rarest and most challenging Lynel is the Silver Lynel.
12. Can you ride a deer in Zelda?
Yes, you can ride deer in both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom by sneaking up to them and soothing them, much like taming a horse.
13. Why can’t you ride a Tabantha Moose?
The Tabantha Moose is the only species of deer that cannot be mounted or ridden in Breath of the Wild.
14. Can you tame a dog in Breath of the Wild?
You cannot “tame” dogs in the sense that they follow you on a journey, but you can befriend dogs by feeding them meat or apples. They will help lead you to treasure and engage in fetch with you once befriended.
15. Does Link have a romantic interest in Zelda?
The relationship between Link and Zelda is complex, often debated and open to player interpretation. Given clues from the story and characters’ interactions, it’s widely believed that there is at least a possibility of romantic feelings between them.
Final Thoughts
While the prospect of riding a Lynel like a horse is an exciting fantasy, the gameplay of both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom firmly establishes that it’s not an option. Lynels are powerful enemies, designed to be formidable challenges rather than mounts. Understanding the distinction between mounting and taming is key to appreciating the various creature interactions in these games. So, while you might not get to gallop across Hyrule on a Lynel’s back, you can certainly enjoy the thrill of mounting one briefly and engaging in thrilling, albeit short-lived, combat.