How Long Does it Really Take to Defeat Ganon?
So, you’re staring down the barrel of Hyrule’s impending doom and wondering just how long you need to dedicate to kicking Ganon’s posterior. The honest answer? It varies wildly. You could theoretically rush to Hyrule Castle from the Great Plateau and fell Calamity Ganon in a matter of minutes – reports of 11-second victories circulate, though these require extreme skill and pre-planning. Or, you could spend hundreds of hours meticulously exploring every nook and cranny of Hyrule, mastering every skill, and collecting every item before even thinking about facing the final boss. It all boils down to your playstyle and goals.
The Speedrunner’s Dream: A Lightning-Fast Assault
For the dedicated speedrunner, Ganon is merely an obstacle to be overcome with ruthless efficiency. These players utilize glitches, optimized routes, and a mastery of combat mechanics like Flurry Rush and Parrying to minimize their time. If you’re solely focused on beating the game as quickly as possible, you can expect a Ganon takedown in under an hour, maybe even significantly less depending on your skill and the specific strategies employed. Some have even managed to complete the game, including defeating Ganon, without ever picking up a weapon!
Rushing Ganon: The Bare Minimum Approach
For the average player looking to expedite the ending, a straight shot to Hyrule Castle is possible after completing the Great Plateau. Equipping the Zora Armor allows you to scale waterfalls, bypassing many obstacles. This “speed-lite” approach could see you facing Ganon within 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your familiarity with the castle layout and enemy placements. However, be warned: you’ll likely face a significantly more challenging fight without the upgrades and experience gained through exploration.
The Completionist’s Journey: A Hundred Hours Well Spent
On the other end of the spectrum are the players who treat Hyrule as a living, breathing world to be savored. They delve into every shrine, complete every side quest, upgrade every piece of armor, and collect every Korok seed (all 900 of them!). For these players, the fight with Ganon is often the last thing they do, a final punctuation mark on an epic journey. A playthrough of this nature can easily stretch into 100+ hours, even approaching 200 hours for the truly dedicated.
The “Legit” Approach: Exploring Hyrule Castle
Even if you’re not aiming for 100% completion, taking the time to explore Hyrule Castle and its surrounding areas before facing Ganon is highly recommended. This allows you to gather valuable resources, powerful weapons, and ancient armor that will make the final battle significantly easier. A “legit” exploration of the castle, learning enemy patterns and finding hidden chests, could add an hour or two to your playthrough time, but it’s time well spent.
Ganon’s Difficulty: A Matter of Preparation
The perceived difficulty of the Ganon fight is directly proportional to your level of preparation. A poorly equipped Link, fresh off the Great Plateau, will likely find the battle incredibly challenging, even frustrating. Conversely, a fully kitted-out Link with maxed-out hearts, upgraded armor, and a stockpile of powerful weapons will likely find Ganon relatively easy, bordering on anticlimactic.
The Divine Beasts: A Crucial Advantage
Completing the Divine Beasts is a significant factor in reducing Ganon’s difficulty. Not only do they weaken Ganon at the start of the final battle, but they also grant you powerful abilities that can be used throughout the fight. Each Divine Beast’s power adds a new layer of strategy and damage potential to your arsenal.
Final Thoughts: Embrace Your Own Journey
Ultimately, the “correct” amount of time to spend defeating Ganon is entirely subjective. There’s no right or wrong way to play The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom. Whether you choose to rush headlong into Hyrule Castle or meticulously explore every corner of the map, the most important thing is to enjoy the journey. After all, it’s the experiences you have along the way, not just the final victory, that make these games so special. The Games Learning Society explores how games like these influence learning and development. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions related to the Ganon fight and playthrough length in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom:
1. Can you beat Ganon immediately in Breath of the Wild?
Yes, it’s possible to defeat Ganon immediately after completing the Great Plateau, although it’s extremely challenging and requires skilled gameplay and strategic planning.
2. How hard is it to defeat Ganon in Breath of the Wild?
The difficulty varies based on preparation. A well-equipped Link with completed Divine Beasts will find Ganon easier than a rushed Link with minimal gear. Mastering combat techniques like Flurry Rush and Parrying also significantly impacts the fight.
3. How long does it take to reach Ganon in Breath of the Wild if you rush?
You can reach Ganon in as little as 5 minutes if you use the Zora Armor to quickly ascend waterfalls leading to Hyrule Castle. A more “legit” rushed approach might take around 20 minutes.
4. When is the best time to defeat Ganon in Breath of the Wild?
There’s no “best” time, but it’s recommended to explore Hyrule, complete shrines, and upgrade your equipment before facing Ganon. This will make the fight easier and more enjoyable.
5. Does beating Ganon unlock anything in Breath of the Wild?
After defeating Ganon, Kilton offers Link the opportunity to earn Medals of Honor by defeating specific sub-bosses throughout Hyrule. You also unlock a star on your save file to indicate you’ve completed the game.
6. What is the best armor to fight Ganon in Breath of the Wild?
The Ancient Armor is a good choice as it provides resistance to ancient attacks, which Ganon frequently uses.
7. How many hearts should you have before fighting Ganon in Breath of the Wild?
While you can technically beat Ganon with any number of hearts, it’s recommended to have at least 13 to comfortably withstand his attacks. More hearts provide a greater margin for error.
8. Can you use Flurry Rush on Ganon in Breath of the Wild?
Yes, you can use Flurry Rush on Calamity Ganon. Successfully dodging his attacks allows you to perform this powerful counter-attack.
9. Do the Divine Beasts weaken Ganon in Breath of the Wild?
Yes, completing the Divine Beasts significantly weakens Ganon at the start of the final battle, making the fight easier.
10. Does the Master Sword break against Ganon in Breath of the Wild?
The Master Sword does not break during the final battle with Calamity Ganon. It will, however, need to recharge after prolonged use like when fighting other enemies.
11. Do ancient weapons do more damage to Ganon in Breath of the Wild?
Yes, ancient weapons and those with guardian proficiency deal increased damage to Ganon due to his reliance on ancient technology.
12. Is the Master Sword required to beat Ganon in Breath of the Wild?
No, the Master Sword is not required to beat Ganon, although it does provide a damage bonus. Skilled players can defeat Ganon using conventional weapons found in Hyrule Castle.
13. Which Ganon is the easiest to beat in Breath of the Wild?
Dark Beast Ganon is generally considered the easiest form of Ganon to defeat, as he is vulnerable to light arrows and has predictable attack patterns.
14. How long does it take to complete Tears of the Kingdom?
A standard playthrough of Tears of the Kingdom takes roughly 55 hours, but completionists can easily spend 100+ hours exploring the vast world and completing all the side content.
15. What is the hardest enemy in Tears of the Kingdom?
Demon King Ganondorf is considered the hardest enemy in Tears of the Kingdom, offering a challenging and multi-phase final boss fight.