The Ancient Arrow Dilemma: Lynels and Lost Loot in Hyrule
So, you’re staring down a Lynel, quiver full of Ancient Arrows, and wondering if you can cheese your way to some sweet, sweet loot. Let’s cut to the chase: No, Lynels do not drop weapons or materials if defeated solely by an Ancient Arrow. The Ancient Arrow is a powerful tool of oblivion, not acquisition. When struck by one, most non-Ancient enemies are simply erased from existence, taking their precious resources with them. It’s a clean kill, but a costly one if you’re after those Savage Lynel Crushers and other valuable drops.
The description of the arrows states, “To be struck with one is to be consigned to oblivion in an instant.” You can think of it like this: the Ancient Arrow doesn’t just kill the Lynel; it deletes it from the game’s memory. No body, no drops, just a puff of blue smoke and a silent “poof.”
Understanding the Ancient Arrow Mechanic
The Ancient Arrow serves a specific purpose in Breath of the Wild (BOTW) and Tears of the Kingdom (TOTK). While it’s tempting to use them as a one-shot wonder against every tough enemy, it’s crucial to understand their mechanics. They’re primarily designed for dealing massive damage to Guardians and are even essential for certain parts of the Ganon fight.
The Disintegration Effect
The key is the disintegration effect. When used on enemies other than Guardians and Bosses, the target and its equipment are completely erased. This means no Lynel Hooves, no horns, no crushers, and no satisfaction of looting a hard-earned kill. You essentially trade the challenge of combat for a quick, albeit empty, victory.
Circumventing the Ancient Arrow’s Drawbacks
So, you want to defeat a Lynel and still collect its loot? There are ways around the Ancient Arrow‘s clean sweep. One method involves a little bit of in-game trickery: save after the Lynel spawns, then reload the game. This resets the Lynel’s status, making it a “normal” enemy that will drop its gear upon defeat.
The Save and Reload Trick
- Locate a Lynel: Find a Lynel in its designated spawn area.
- Save the Game: Create a save point right before engaging the Lynel.
- Reload the Save: Load the save you just created.
- Defeat the Lynel (Without Ancient Arrows): Now, fight the Lynel using conventional weapons and tactics.
- Claim Your Loot: The Lynel should now drop its weapons and materials.
This trick exploits a quirk in the game’s programming. By saving and reloading, you essentially reset the Lynel’s “encounter state,” allowing it to adhere to the standard loot-dropping rules.
Alternative Combat Strategies
While the Ancient Arrow offers a tempting shortcut, mastering combat is far more rewarding. Lynels, despite their fearsome reputation, are susceptible to various combat tactics. Learning to parry, dodge, and exploit their weaknesses will not only net you those valuable drops but also enhance your overall gameplay experience.
Effective Combat Tips
- Perfect Parry: A well-timed parry can stagger a Lynel, opening it up for attacks.
- Mounting: If you can sneak up behind a Lynel, you can mount it and deliver a series of free hits.
- Headshots: Hitting a Lynel in the face with an arrow will stun it, giving you a brief window to attack.
- Elemental Arrows: Shock Arrows can temporarily stun Lynels, providing an opportunity for follow-up attacks.
The Ethical Question: Is It Worth It?
Ultimately, the decision to use Ancient Arrows on Lynels comes down to personal preference. Are you prioritizing speed and convenience over loot? Do you enjoy the challenge of a fair fight? There’s no right or wrong answer. However, consider the long-term benefits of mastering combat and acquiring resources through skillful gameplay.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Lynels and Ancient Arrows
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to deepen your understanding of Lynels and Ancient Arrows:
1. Are Lynels weak to Ancient Arrows?
Yes, but with a catch. Ancient Arrows will instantly defeat a Lynel, but they won’t drop any loot. It’s a quick kill with no rewards.
2. Do Ancient Arrows work on all Lynel types?
Yes, the Ancient Arrow will work on all Lynel variations, including Red-Maned, Blue-Maned, White-Maned, and Silver Lynels, resulting in their instant disappearance without dropping loot.
3. Can you make Lynels drop their weapons with other arrow types?
Yes! Using normal arrows, fire arrows, ice arrows, shock arrows, or bomb arrows to defeat a Lynel will allow them to drop their weapons and other materials. It’s all about avoiding the Ancient Arrow‘s disintegration effect.
4. What do Blue-Maned Lynels drop?
Blue-Maned Lynels drop valuable materials such as Lynel Hooves, Blue-Maned Lynel Saber Horns, and Blue-Maned Lynel Mace Horns, in addition to their weapons.
5. Do Ancient Arrows do more damage than regular arrows?
While they instantly defeat most non-Ancient enemies, on Guardians and Bosses, Ancient Arrows deal significant damage. For bosses, the arrow will deal 50 damage in addition to the attack power of the bow used. Furthermore, wearing the ★★ upgraded Ancient Set provides a bonus +80% Damage.
6. What is the strongest weapon against Lynels?
Many players find success with the combination of a shield and one-handed weapon. Executing a Perfect Parry opens up the Lynel‘s defense for follow-up attacks. Also, Savage Lynel Crushers can deal massive damage when used effectively.
7. What is the strongest Lynel weapon?
The Savage Lynel Crusher, dropped by Silver Lynels and White-Maned Lynels, is considered the most powerful of the Lynel weapons.
8. Where is a Lynel’s weak spot?
A Lynel‘s primary weak spot is its face. Hitting it with an arrow at the right time will stun it, creating an opening for attack.
9. Can you tame Lynels in Tears of the Kingdom?
No, unfortunately, you cannot tame Lynels in Tears of the Kingdom or Breath of the Wild. However, you can mount them briefly by jumping onto their backs.
10. Which color Lynel is the hardest?
Silver Lynels are the most challenging Lynel variant, featuring increased health, damage, and new moves.
11. Do Ancient Blades work on Lynels?
Yes, using an Ancient Blade will immediately defeat a Lynel. However, similar to the Ancient Arrow, it will not drop any loot.
12. What is the best arrow for Lynels (excluding Ancient Arrows)?
Shock Arrows are highly recommended because they stun Lynels more easily than normal arrows, allowing you to initiate mounting or follow-up attacks.
13. Do Ancient weapons work on Ganon?
Yes! Ganon and his blight forms take extra damage from ancient and guardian weapons. So bring your best gear made from guardian parts to take down Ganon!
14. Can you freeze Ganon?
Yes, utilizing the Stasis ability can temporarily freeze Calamity Ganon, allowing you to launch yourself into the air for strategic attacks.
15. Is Ancient armor good against Ganon?
Yes, the Ancient Armor set offers excellent defense and provides additional damage when using Ancient weapons, making it a valuable asset in the fight against Ganon. The Ancient Armor Set is one of the best armor sets, with the same defense as the knight’s armor, just more expensive to upgrade.
Exploring the Educational Side of Gaming
Video games like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom aren’t just entertainment; they offer valuable learning experiences. Problem-solving, resource management, and strategic thinking are all essential skills honed through gameplay. Organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org are dedicated to researching and promoting the educational potential of gaming. They explore how games can be used to enhance learning in various fields.
Ultimately, the Ancient Arrow and Lynel dilemma highlights the trade-offs inherent in gaming and, indeed, in life. Sometimes, the quickest solution isn’t always the most rewarding. Happy hunting, and may your inventory always be full!