Decimating the Skies: How Ancient Arrows Handle Flying Guardians in Breath of the Wild
Yes, Ancient Arrows are exceptionally effective against Flying Guardians (Guardian Skywatchers) in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. A direct hit to the eye with an Ancient Arrow will instantly destroy a Guardian Skywatcher. This makes them a valuable asset for players looking to efficiently clear out these formidable foes, especially in areas like Hyrule Field, where they can pose a significant threat. Let’s delve into the mechanics, strategies, and additional tips surrounding Ancient Arrows and their effectiveness against these aerial adversaries.
The Power of Ancient Tech: Why Ancient Arrows Work
The effectiveness of Ancient Arrows stems from their origins. Forged using ancient Sheikah technology, these arrows are specifically designed to combat the ancient machines that plague Hyrule. While standard arrows and even bomb arrows can chip away at a Guardian’s health or destroy its propellers, Ancient Arrows offer a swift and decisive solution, bypassing traditional defenses with their unique properties.
Target Acquisition: The Key to Success
While Ancient Arrows pack a punch, accuracy is paramount. A direct hit to the Guardian Skywatcher’s eye is the most reliable way to achieve an instant kill. However, the propellers are also viable targets, particularly if you’re skilled with archery. Destroying all propellers will send the Guardian crashing to the ground.
Utilizing Stasis: Enhancing Accuracy
To maximize your chances of landing a critical hit, consider using the Stasis rune. Freezing the Guardian Skywatcher in mid-air provides a stationary target, allowing you to carefully aim your Ancient Arrow at the eye or propellers. This strategy is especially useful when dealing with multiple Guardians or when facing them in challenging environments.
Mastering the Skies: Advanced Strategies
Beyond the basics, several advanced strategies can further enhance your effectiveness when using Ancient Arrows against Flying Guardians.
Ancient Armor Set: A Damage Boost
Wearing the Ancient Armor set, upgraded to at least ★★, provides a significant damage boost to Ancient weapons, including arrows. This amplifies the already impressive power of Ancient Arrows, making them even more devastating.
Ancient Proficiency: The Stackable Bonus
The Ancient Armor set not only increases overall damage but also grants the “Ancient Proficiency” set bonus when fully upgraded. This further enhances the damage dealt by Ancient weapons, making you a formidable opponent against Guardians of all types.
Guardian Down: The Aftermath
While Ancient Arrows offer a quick kill, it’s important to remember that enemies defeated with Ancient Arrows do not drop any materials or components. This means you’ll miss out on valuable Ancient Parts, which are essential for crafting and upgrading Ancient weapons and armor. Therefore, consider using alternative methods to defeat Guardians if you need to farm resources.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ancient Arrows and Flying Guardians
Here are 15 frequently asked questions regarding the use of Ancient Arrows against Flying Guardians in Breath of the Wild:
- Do Ancient Arrows work on flying guardians even if I don’t hit the eye? Yes, hitting the propellers with an Ancient Arrow will destroy them, but a shot to the body will not deal significant damage.
- How do I acquire Ancient Arrows? Ancient Arrows can be purchased from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab after completing Robbie’s Research side-quest. You’ll need Ancient Parts, arrows, and rupees.
- Are there any alternatives to using Ancient Arrows against Guardian Skywatchers? Yes, you can use bomb arrows to destroy the propellers, deflect the laser beam back at the Guardian with a perfect shield parry, or use Ancient or Guardian weapons to damage it.
- Can I use the Master Sword against Flying Guardians? Yes, the Master Sword is effective against all types of Guardians, including Flying Guardians. It deals increased damage to these enemies.
- How much damage do Ancient Arrows do to Guardians? Against Guardians, Ancient Arrows offer one of the highest damage outputs, instantly killing with a headshot.
- Do Flying Guardians drop ancient cores? Yes, Flying Guardians can drop Ancient Cores and even Giant Ancient Cores, although the drop rate is relatively low.
- What is the best bow to use with Ancient Arrows? The best bow is subjective to the player, but the Ancient Bow is ideal. The Ancient Bow is specifically designed to be paired with ancient arrows.
- Can I reflect the Guardian Skywatcher’s laser with any shield? Yes, you can reflect the laser with any shield, but a perfect parry is required. Using an Ancient Shield will automatically deflect the laser.
- How many hits does it take to destroy a Flying Guardian’s propeller with a bomb arrow? It typically takes one or two bomb arrows to destroy a single propeller.
- Do Ancient Arrows work on other enemies besides Guardians? Yes, but using ancient arrows on normal enemies will cause them to disappear and not drop any materials.
- Can I use Ancient Arrows on bosses? Yes, Ancient Arrows can be used on bosses, but they deal significant damage and do not instantly kill them.
- Does the difficulty level affect the effectiveness of Ancient Arrows? No, the effectiveness of Ancient Arrows remains the same regardless of the difficulty level.
- Is it worth using Ancient Arrows on Flying Guardians, considering their cost? If you prioritize speed and efficiency, Ancient Arrows are worth it. If you need Ancient Parts, consider using alternative methods.
- What happens if I miss the Guardian’s eye with an Ancient Arrow? If you miss the eye and hit the body, the Ancient Arrow will deal minimal damage, but if you destroy the propellers, the damage would be significant.
- Where can I find Robbie in Breath of the Wild? Robbie is located at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab in the far northeast corner of the map.
Conclusion: Ancient Arrows – A Skywatcher’s Bane
Ancient Arrows offer a highly effective method for dispatching Flying Guardians in Breath of the Wild. While resource management is a factor, their ability to instantly eliminate these formidable foes makes them a valuable tool in any player’s arsenal. By mastering the art of archery, utilizing Stasis, and considering the Ancient Armor set, you can dominate the skies of Hyrule and conquer these ancient threats. As you explore the vast world of Breath of the Wild, consider how game mechanics can influence learning and problem-solving skills, similar to the principles studied at the Games Learning Society, found at GamesLearningSociety.org, who explore learning through game play and mechanics.