Do Blood Moons Stop After Defeating Ganon? The Definitive Answer
No, blood moons do not stop after defeating Ganon in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Even after watching the credits roll, the game will reload to your last save point before the final battle. Ganon remains undefeated in that save, and the world is still in its “cursed” state, meaning blood moons will continue to occur. This is a deliberate design choice that allows players to continue exploring Hyrule and completing side quests, shrines, and other activities without any significant changes to the game world after the main storyline is “finished.” It also aligns with the series’ tradition of allowing players to return to the world before the final encounter to complete unfinished business.
Understanding the Blood Moon Mechanic
The blood moon is a recurring event in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom where the moon turns red, and a beam of crimson light illuminates Hyrule. This phenomenon causes all defeated enemies (with some exceptions) to respawn, allowing players to continue farming for materials, challenging themselves against powerful foes, and generally extending the gameplay experience.
The primary purpose of the blood moon mechanic is to refresh the game world and maintain a sense of challenge and dynamism. Without it, the world would eventually become barren as players clear out enemy camps and defeat bosses. Furthermore, it helps prevent performance issues. The game needs to “clean up” the corpses of slain enemies to avoid memory overload. Think of it like Hyrule’s periodic hard drive defrag!
Post-Ganon Gameplay: A World Unchanged
While defeating Ganon is a significant achievement, it doesn’t fundamentally alter the game world. There is no post-game world in the traditional sense. Townsfolk will still speak of Ganon as a threat, quests remain active, and the overall atmosphere persists. Your save file, however, will have a star symbol indicating that you’ve conquered Ganon at least once.
This design choice has been debated among players. Some appreciate the ability to continue exploring and completing tasks without the world changing, while others would have preferred a more significant post-game experience reflecting their victory. Ultimately, Nintendo opted for a system that prioritizes continued gameplay and the ability to revisit the final boss battle repeatedly, as well as providing a logical way to continue the game as though the threat of Ganon is imminent. GamesLearningSociety.org offers more perspectives on such design choices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ganon and Blood Moons
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the mechanics of Ganon, blood moons, and post-game gameplay in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
How long does a blood moon last?
The blood moon cinematic event itself typically lasts from 11:30 PM to 12:00 AM in-game time. During this time, there’s a cooking bonus as well.
What unlocks after beating Ganon?
After defeating Calamity Ganon in Breath of the Wild, you unlock the ability to receive Medals of Honor from Kilton. These medals are awarded for defeating all of a specific type of overworld boss: 40 Taluses, 40 Hinoxes/Stalnoxes, and 4 Moldugas. In both games, your save file will also be marked with a star.
Is “Destroy Ganondorf” the last quest?
Yes, “Destroy Ganondorf” is the final main quest in Tears of the Kingdom. Completing it triggers the ending sequence.
Can I still do quests after defeating Ganon?
Yes, you can absolutely continue doing side quests and shrine quests. The game loads your save file from right before the final fight, allowing you to continue as if Ganon is still a looming threat.
Can you keep playing Breath of the Wild after beating Ganon?
Yes, you can keep playing. The game world remains largely unchanged, allowing you to continue exploring, completing quests, and discovering secrets.
Do you get to keep the Bow of Light after defeating Ganon?
No, the Bow of Light disappears after the final battle. It is a weapon specifically designed for defeating Ganon and is not available for use in the post-game world.
Do you get anything for beating Phantom Ganon in Tears of the Kingdom?
If you defeat Phantom Ganon, he will drop a Demon King’s Bow and a Gloom Spear. These are powerful weapons that can be useful throughout the game.
What happens if you beat Calamity Ganon twice?
Nothing changes. The game reloads to the save before the fight, and you can battle Ganon again as many times as you like, but the world will not reflect his defeat.
What happens if you beat Ganon early?
The game simply puts a star next to your save file to indicate you’ve beaten Ganon, allowing you to continue exploring and completing the game’s content.
Should I play the Champion’s Ballad DLC before or after Ganon?
Chronologically, the Champion’s Ballad takes place before the final battle with Ganon. Therefore, it is generally recommended to play it before facing Ganon for the first time.
Do blood moons revive Lynels?
Yes, blood moons revive all regular enemies and overworld bosses, including Lynels, Taluses, and Constructs.
Can you trigger a blood moon in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom?
While blood moons typically occur on a set schedule, they can sometimes be triggered prematurely if the game’s memory becomes overloaded. There are methods to intentionally overload the Switch’s memory to force a blood moon. You can also try waiting by a campfire and skipping to night.
Do ancient arrows hurt Ganon?
Ancient arrows do increased damage to Ganon and the Blights, but they do not instantly defeat them. Ancient weapons (bows, swords, etc.) also deal bonus damage.
Did the Yiga Clan work for Ganon?
Yes, in Breath of the Wild, the Yiga Clan consists of Sheikah who betrayed the Royal Family of Hyrule and allied themselves with Calamity Ganon.
How many hearts should you have before defeating Ganon?
It is generally recommended to have at least 10-13 hearts before facing Ganon, as some of his attacks can inflict significant damage.
In conclusion, the blood moon mechanic is an integral part of the gameplay loop in both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, and it continues to function after defeating Ganon. This ensures that the game world remains dynamic and challenging, allowing players to enjoy the vast open world of Hyrule long after the final boss has fallen. Consider exploring the Games Learning Society for more in-depth analysis of game mechanics and design.