Do You Get to Keep the Bow of Light in Breath of the Wild?

The short, bittersweet answer is: officially, no. In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the Bow of Light is a uniquely powerful weapon granted to Link specifically for the final battle against Calamity Ganon and Dark Beast Ganon. Once that epic showdown concludes and the credits roll, the Bow of Light vanishes from your inventory, becoming a cherished memory of your heroic triumph. It’s a poignant reminder that some weapons are destined for specific battles, leaving behind a sense of finality and completion.

Unraveling the Mystery: Why the Bow Disappears

The game’s narrative and programming are meticulously crafted to ensure the Bow of Light remains a climactic, one-time-use item. The reasoning behind this design choice likely stems from several factors:

• Balance: The Bow of Light’s sheer power – infinite light arrows and incredible range – would fundamentally alter the game’s balance if it were available throughout Hyrule. It would diminish the challenge and incentive to seek out and utilize other weapons.
• Narrative Significance: The Bow of Light is intrinsically linked to the final confrontation with Ganon. Keeping it would dilute its symbolic importance as a tool forged specifically to banish the darkness.
• Encouraging Exploration: Removing the Bow of Light encourages players to continue exploring Hyrule with the diverse arsenal they’ve amassed, discovering new combat strategies and enjoying the game’s varied weapon system.

However, that is the normal way the game ends. Exploiting glitches is an exception to this and as the article mentioned, players have discovered ways to preserve it but this article will not cover glitches.

FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About the Bow of Light

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further illuminate the Bow of Light and its role in Breath of the Wild:

1. How powerful is the Bow of Light?

The Bow of Light is arguably the most powerful bow in the game, boasting incredible range, accuracy, and, most importantly, the ability to fire infinite Light Arrows. It’s exceptionally effective against Ganon and Dark Beast Ganon. Its strength is what makes the game designers not letting you have access to it.

2. Can the Bow of Light break?

Despite having 100 durability, the Bow of Light is programmed to be unbreakable during the final battle. This ensures players can rely on it to defeat Ganon without the fear of it shattering at a crucial moment.

3. Can I obtain the Bow of Light before fighting Ganon?

No. The Bow of Light is only obtainable during the final battle against Calamity Ganon and Dark Beast Ganon. It’s a plot-driven item, meaning you’ll only get it when the story requires it.

4. What are Light Arrows?

Light Arrows are special arrows imbued with sacred power, capable of dealing significant damage to enemies of darkness. In Breath of the Wild, they are the only arrows that can harm Dark Beast Ganon.

5. Are Light Arrows infinite with the Bow of Light?

Yes. When wielding the Bow of Light, Link has an unlimited supply of Light Arrows, removing the need to conserve or replenish them.

6. What happens after I defeat Ganon?

After defeating Ganon, your game saves with a star icon indicating you’ve completed the main story. You’re then returned to a point before the final battle, allowing you to continue exploring Hyrule and completing side quests.

7. Can I replay the final battle?

Yes, you can replay the final battle as many times as you like. Simply load your save file with the star icon and head back to Hyrule Castle.

8. Does defeating Ganon change the world?

While defeating Ganon earns you a star on your save file, the world of Hyrule remains in its pre-Ganon state. The blights still linger around Hyrule Castle, and NPCs will still mention the ongoing threat. This allows players to continue their adventure seamlessly.

9. Is there a way to permanently change Hyrule after defeating Ganon?

Unfortunately, no, there is no way to permanently change the state of Hyrule to reflect Ganon’s defeat in the base game. Hyrule is stuck in that loop of the game before Ganon dies.

10. What other powerful bows are available in Breath of the Wild?

While the Bow of Light is unique, other powerful bows include the Ancient Bow, the Twilight Bow (obtained via Amiibo), and the various elemental bows found throughout Hyrule.

11. Can I upgrade the Bow of Light?

No. The Bow of Light cannot be upgraded at Great Fairy Fountains or through any other means. It comes as is.

12. Does the Bow of Light have any special effects besides infinite Light Arrows?

Besides infinite Light Arrows and exceptional range, the Bow of Light is renowned for its high accuracy and its ability to quickly target enemies.

13. How does the Bow of Light compare to the Twilight Bow?

The Twilight Bow is similar in terms of firing Light Arrows and having great range, but it’s a distinct item with a base attack power of 30 and a durability of 100. The Bow of Light is still the only item in the game that grants infinity light arrows, and its also the weapon that defeats the final boss of the game.

14. What is the best strategy for using the Bow of Light against Ganon?

Targeting Ganon’s glowing weak points with the Bow of Light is the most effective strategy. Utilize the slow-motion effect after dodging attacks to maximize your accuracy.

15. Where can I learn more about game design and narrative like this?

The subtleties of the game design decisions in Breath of the Wild can be deeply understood by looking at resources like the Games Learning Society. You can get more information at the GamesLearningSociety.org website, where you can learn more about games-based learning, and the design principles that make video games such engaging and effective tools for education and entertainment.

A Fond Farewell to the Bow of Light

While the departure of the Bow of Light after defeating Ganon may be disheartening, it serves as a reminder of the epic journey and the finality of Link’s triumph over darkness. The game nudges you to embrace the diverse weapons, armors, and abilities you’ve collected throughout your adventure, continuing to explore the vast and captivating world of Hyrule with newfound freedom and accomplishment. The experience is one of a kind.