Does the Master Sword Work on Lynels? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, the Master Sword absolutely works on Lynels in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. However, it’s crucial to understand its limitations and how to maximize its effectiveness against these formidable foes. While not always the best weapon choice, it’s a viable and satisfying one, especially when strategically employed.

Understanding the Master Sword’s Capabilities

The Master Sword is iconic for a reason. It’s a legendary blade that has appeared in countless Zelda titles, always holding a significant place in the hero’s arsenal. In Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, the Master Sword boasts unique properties. When in its “dormant” state, it has a base damage of 30 and a durability of 40. It can be used against any enemy but, unlike other weapons, it doesn’t actually “break.” Instead, it expends its energy and needs to recharge for 10 minutes before it can be used again.

However, its true power shines when facing enemies corrupted by Malice, like those found around Hyrule Castle or Guardians. In these situations, the Master Sword awakens, doubling its damage to 60 and dramatically increasing its durability.

Lynels: Hyrule’s Toughest Non-Boss Enemies

Lynels are among the most challenging regular enemies in both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. These centaur-like beasts possess immense strength, speed, and a variety of deadly attacks. They can wield powerful weapons, breathe fire, and even manipulate the elements. Their difficulty scales with the game’s progression, evolving from Red-Maned Lynels to the incredibly powerful Silver-Maned versions. This means, as you progress, Lynels become more resilient and deal increasingly devastating damage.

How to Use the Master Sword Effectively Against Lynels

While the Master Sword isn’t necessarily the most efficient weapon for taking down a Lynel, it’s still a strong choice especially against Gloom Lynels as Gloom counts as Malice. Here’s how to optimize its use:

• Attack Buffs: Before engaging a Lynel, consume food or elixirs that boost your attack power. A 50% attack boost from dishes like those made with Mighty Bananas or Mighty Porgy can significantly reduce the number of hits required to defeat the beast.
• Perfect Parries and Flurry Rushes: Mastering the art of perfectly parrying a Lynel’s attacks or executing a Flurry Rush after a well-timed dodge is crucial. These techniques allow you to deal significant damage while minimizing the risk of taking damage yourself.
• Headshots: Aim for headshots with your bow. Hitting a Lynel in the face with an arrow will stun it, allowing you to approach and unleash a series of attacks with the Master Sword.
• Mounting: After a successful headshot, you can often mount the Lynel by pressing A near its back. While mounted, you can repeatedly strike the Lynel without consuming weapon durability.
• Strategic Use of Environment: Utilize the environment to your advantage. Create distance to bait the Lynel into charging, giving you opportunities to dodge and counterattack.
• Knowing When to Switch: Be prepared to switch to other weapons if the Master Sword’s energy is running low. Having a backup weapon with high damage output is always a good idea.
• Remember the Awoken Master Sword: While Lynels are not directly Malice-based, the Master Sword will remain at its fully charged state if you have recently faced an enemy that is considered Malice. Gloom Lynels are Malice based.

Alternative Strategies and Weapon Choices

While the Master Sword is a solid option, several other weapons and strategies can be more effective against Lynels:

• Savage Lynel Crusher: Lynels drop weapons upon defeat, and the Savage Lynel Crusher is one of the best. Its high damage output, especially when fused with powerful materials, can quickly decimate a Lynel’s health.
• Royal Guard’s Claymore: This two-handed weapon has impressive damage, but low durability.
• Ancient Proficiency: Armor sets like the Ancient Armor set, when upgraded by Robbie to level 2, provide an Ancient Proficiency bonus. This significantly boosts the damage dealt by Ancient weapons, like the Ancient Battle Axe or Ancient Bladesaw, making them highly effective against Lynels.
• Fusing: Experiment with fusing different materials to your weapons. Silver Lynel Saber Horns, Molduga Jaws, or Gibdo Bones can greatly increase a weapon’s damage output.
• Elemental Weapons: While Lynels aren’t explicitly weak to any element, using ice weapons can freeze them temporarily, creating openings for attacks.

The Psychological Advantage

Ultimately, using the Master Sword against a Lynel is not just about efficiency; it’s about the experience. Wielding the legendary blade against such a powerful foe feels epic and rewarding. Successfully defeating a Lynel with the Master Sword is a testament to your skill and mastery of the game’s combat mechanics. You can learn more about the mechanics of gaming at the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does the Master Sword break when fighting Lynels?

No, the Master Sword doesn’t break. It runs out of energy and needs to recharge for 10 minutes before you can use it again.

2. Is the Master Sword’s damage boosted against Lynels?

Normally, no. The Master Sword’s damage is only boosted against enemies corrupted by Malice. Gloom Lynels are an exception to this.

3. What’s the best way to stun a Lynel?

The most reliable way is to shoot it in the face with an arrow. This will stun it for a few seconds, allowing you to approach and attack or mount it.

4. Can I mount a Lynel?

Yes, you can mount a Lynel after stunning it with a headshot. While mounted, you can attack it repeatedly without consuming weapon durability.

5. Are there different types of Lynels, and does it affect the Master Sword’s effectiveness?

Yes, there are different types of Lynels (Red, Blue, White-Maned, Silver). The Master Sword’s base damage remains the same, but the Lynel’s health and attack power increase with each tier.

6. Does armor affect the Master Sword’s performance against Lynels?

Armor with attack-boosting properties (like the Barbarian Armor or Fierce Deity Armor) can enhance the Master Sword’s damage output.

7. Can I use Ancient Arrows against Lynels?

Yes, but using an Ancient Arrow will instantly defeat the Lynel without yielding any drops. This is generally not recommended if you want to collect Lynel parts.

8. What are the best materials to fuse with weapons to fight Lynels?

Silver Lynel Saber Horns, Molduga Jaws, and Gibdo Bones are excellent choices for increasing a weapon’s damage output.

9. Does Majora’s Mask work on Lynels?

Yes, Majora’s Mask can sometimes fool Lynels, preventing them from attacking you. However, it’s not always reliable, especially if you get too close.

10. Where can I find Lynels in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom?

Lynels can be found in various locations throughout Hyrule, including the North Hyrule Field, the Lanayru Wetlands, and the coliseum in the Depths. Their locations often remain consistent between games.

11. What’s the reward for defeating a Lynel?

Lynels drop valuable weapons, shields, bows, and crafting materials, including Lynel Hooves, Lynel Horns, and Lynel Guts.

12. Are Lynels harder than Divine Beasts?

Generally, yes. Lynels are considered more challenging than most of the Divine Beasts.

13. Can Lynels be disarmed?

Once players have brought Lynels within sight of Gerudo Town, they will be able to successfully disarm them.

14. What are some good strategies for dodging Lynel attacks?

Learn the timing of their attacks and use the jump button to execute a perfect dodge, which will trigger a Flurry Rush. Alternatively, a perfect parry can deflect their attacks and create an opening.

15. How does the Master Sword compare to other weapons against Lynels?

The Master Sword is a reliable option, especially against Gloom Lynels. However, weapons with higher base damage and fused with powerful materials can often be more efficient for dispatching Lynels quickly. Consider using the Savage Lynel Crusher, or maximizing damage by using armor such as the Barbarian Armor, and Ancient Proficiency bonuses. You can read up on the education through games at GamesLearningSociety.org.