Do You Keep the Bow of Light After Beating Ganon? The Definitive Guide
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The burning question on every Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild player’s mind after facing Calamity Ganon is almost always: “Do I get to keep that amazing Bow of Light?” The short answer is no, you don’t get to keep the Bow of Light in your inventory after defeating Dark Beast Ganon. The game reverts to your last save point before the final battle. However, the truth is a bit more nuanced, and there are a few tricks and alternative bows that will help you replicate its powers.
Understanding the Bow of Light’s Role
The Bow of Light is a unique weapon granted to Link by Princess Zelda during the final confrontation with Dark Beast Ganon. It boasts an impressive attack power of 100, infinite durability, and infinite Light Arrows. It’s specifically designed to take down the corrupted beast, and its role is intrinsically tied to that final battle. Once the battle is over, the Bow of Light disappears, symbolizing the restoration of Hyrule and the end of the immediate threat.
What Happens After You Beat Ganon
After the credits roll and you return to the game, you’ll find yourself back at your last save point before entering the Sanctum to fight Ganon. This means Ganon is still there, Hyrule is still under threat, and the Bow of Light is nowhere to be found. However, your save file will now have a star icon, signifying that you’ve defeated Ganon. This unlocks a few minor changes in the game:
- Completion Percentage: The map now displays a completion percentage, tracking your progress in discovering locations, shrines, and Korok seeds.
- Kilton’s Medals: Kilton the monster merchant will offer medals for defeating specific types of monsters.
- Quest Tracking: Your quest log and map will show completion counts/percentages.
Essentially, you’re back in the world ready to complete any side quests, explore remaining areas, and generally achieve 100% completion. Unfortunately, the Bow of Light isn’t part of that journey.
The Significance of the Pre-Battle Save
This design choice—reverting to a pre-battle save—isn’t a bug, it’s a feature. It allows players to continue exploring Hyrule without the world state fundamentally changing after Ganon’s defeat. A post-Ganon world might lack the same sense of urgency and purpose.
Replicating the Bow of Light’s Power
While you can’t keep the Bow of Light itself, you can find other powerful bows that can replicate its strength, albeit not perfectly. Here are some excellent alternatives:
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Ancient Bow: Crafted at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, the Ancient Bow has excellent durability and range, making it a reliable choice for long-range combat. Use Ancient Arrows for devastating damage against most enemies.
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Twilight Bow: This bow can be obtained from a specific amiibo (Zelda – Super Smash Bros. Series), or after defeating a Blood Moon. It fires light arrows like the Bow of Light, boasts a high durability of 100 and has a base attack power of 30.
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Savage Lynel Bow: Dropped by Savage Lynels, this bow fires multiple arrows at once (typically three or five), significantly increasing your damage output. Combine it with powerful arrow types like Bomb Arrows or Ancient Arrows for maximum effect.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to address any lingering questions you might have about the Bow of Light and related topics in Breath of the Wild:
1. Is it possible to keep the Bow of Light through glitches?
While there were previously known glitches that allowed players to escape the barrier during the Dark Beast Ganon fight, they typically despawn the Bow of Light due to the game’s mechanics. Therefore, as of now, there is not a reliable glitch to keep it.
2. Can you keep the Bow of Light in Master Mode?
Master Mode doesn’t change the fundamental mechanics regarding the Bow of Light. You still can’t keep it after defeating Ganon. However, you can use memory storage or similar techniques to transfer other powerful weapons and items to a new Master Mode playthrough. For educational insights into the world of gaming and learning, explore resources from the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
3. What happens if you use Ancient Arrows on Ganon?
Using Ancient Arrows on Ganon deals significant damage, but it doesn’t instantly defeat him. While effective, it’s often considered a waste, especially in the final fight, as Ganon doesn’t drop any unique items regardless of how he’s defeated.
4. Is the Bow of Light better than the Twilight Bow?
The Bow of Light has an initial higher attack power (100), while the Twilight Bow has a base attack power of 30 and durability of 100. Bow of Light has infinite durability and range.
5. Can you get the Twilight Bow again if it breaks?
Yes, the Twilight Bow can be reacquired by purchasing it from a Bargainer Statue after it breaks, or you can reobtain it from Hyrule Castle after a Blood Moon resets the items.
6. Do Blood Moons still happen after defeating Ganon?
Yes, Blood Moons continue to occur after defeating Ganon. The game reverts to a pre-Ganon state, so the world remains “cursed” with Blood Moons and respawning monsters.
7. Can you flurry rush Ganon?
Yes, you can Flurry Rush Ganon. During the first phase of the fight, perfectly dodging his attacks to trigger a Flurry Rush is an effective strategy.
8. Does the Bow of Light have infinite arrows?
Yes, the Bow of Light fires infinite Light Arrows, making it incredibly powerful and convenient during the final battle.
9. What is the best bow in Tears of the Kingdom?
The Savage Lynel Bow is widely considered the best bow in Tears of the Kingdom due to its multi-shot capability and high damage output. The Dusk Bow can also be found by launching yourself from the Lookout Landing Skyview Tower.
10. Can you get the Twilight Bow without an amiibo?
Yes, the Twilight Bow can be found at the top of Hyrule Castle after defeating a Blood Moon.
11. Is the Dusk Bow the same as the Bow of Light?
No, The Twilight Bow shares many characteristics with the Bow of Light; they both fire Light Arrows, and both have the greatest range of any Bow. However, the Twilight Bow has a base attack power of 30 and durability of 100.
12. Does anything change after beating Ganon in Tears of the Kingdom?
The game will load the save from before Ganon, but it will remember that you beat Ganon. Your save file gets a star, Kilton offers medals, and your quest logs and map show completion count/percentage.
13. Can you still do side quests after beating Ganon?
Yes, you can continue to complete side quests after defeating Ganon. The game reverts to a pre-Ganon save, allowing you to explore and complete any unfinished tasks.
14. What is better than Bow of Light?
The Sealing Bow has the highest damage stat of any Bow in the game, and the upside is that players can also do what they wish with it.
15. Does the Bow of Light Respawn?
No, The Bow of Light only appears during the final battle against Dark Beast Ganon, and it cannot be obtained or respawned at any other time. Once the battle is over, the bow disappears.
Conclusion
While you can’t permanently add the Bow of Light to your inventory after defeating Ganon in Breath of the Wild, understanding its purpose and exploring alternative bows will enhance your gameplay experience. So, embrace the challenge, find your own favorite bows, and continue exploring the vast and beautiful world of Hyrule. Remember, the adventure never truly ends!