Should I Fight Lynel on Ploymus Mountain? A Comprehensive Guide
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The age-old question that plagues every Breath of the Wild adventurer embarking on the Ploymus Mountain quest: To fight, or not to fight, the Lynel? The definitive answer is: it depends. Specifically, it depends on your current skill level, available resources, and desired outcome. While not mandatory for obtaining the Shock Arrows needed to soothe Divine Beast Vah Ruta, engaging the Lynel presents a significant challenge and a valuable opportunity. Weigh the risks and rewards carefully. If you’re confident in your combat prowess and prepared for a tough battle, go for it. If you’re a novice or low on resources, stealth tactics and avoidance are perfectly viable.
Evaluating the Ploymus Mountain Lynel Encounter
Assessing Your Current State
Before even considering engaging the Lynel on Ploymus Mountain, conduct a thorough self-assessment. Ask yourself the following:
- How many hearts do I have? A minimum of five hearts is advisable, preferably more. Remember, Lynels hit hard.
- What armor do I possess, and is it upgraded? Armor that provides electric resistance is extremely helpful, minimizing damage from Shock Arrows. Upgraded armor provides significantly greater defense. The Rubber Armor set fully upgraded will provide complete shock immunity.
- What weapons and shields are in my inventory? High-damage weapons are essential. A reliable shield capable of performing perfect parries is a game-changer. Consider bringing multiple shields, as they will break.
- Do I have a sufficient supply of food and elixirs? Healing items are crucial. Attack-boosting elixirs can significantly shorten the fight. Defense-boosting elixirs offer a buffer against damage.
- Am I comfortable with the combat mechanics? Can you reliably perform perfect parries and flurry rushes? These are vital for defeating a Lynel.
Considering the Rewards
Why should you fight the Lynel? The potential rewards are considerable:
- Powerful Weapons: Lynels drop some of the best weapons in the game, including Savage Lynel Swords, Savage Lynel Crushers, and Savage Lynel Spears.
- Lynel Bows: These bows fire multiple arrows at once, dramatically increasing your damage output.
- Upgrade Materials: Lynel Horns, Lynel Hooves, and Lynel Guts are essential for upgrading certain armor sets, most notably the Barbarian Armor which dramatically boosts your attack power.
- Shock Arrows: While you can collect Shock Arrows from the environment, defeating the Lynel yields a significant bonus.
- Experience: Defeating a Lynel is a significant accomplishment, boosting your confidence and honing your combat skills.
- Star Fragment: Lynels have a rare chance to drop Star Fragments.
Weighing the Risks
The risks of engaging the Lynel are equally significant:
- Death: The most obvious risk. Lynels can easily one-shot unprepared players.
- Resource Depletion: Wasting valuable weapons, shields, and healing items with nothing to show for it can set you back considerably.
- Frustration: Repeatedly dying can be incredibly frustrating and discourage you from progressing.
- Time Consumption: Fighting a Lynel takes time and concentration. If you’re short on time or patience, avoidance might be a better option.
Strategies for Fighting (or Avoiding) the Ploymus Mountain Lynel
The Aggressive Approach: Direct Confrontation
If you choose to fight the Lynel, preparation is key. Here’s a breakdown of effective combat strategies:
- Armor and Elixirs: Equip armor that provides electric resistance or high defense. Consume an attack-boosting elixir before engaging.
- Perfect Parries: Mastering perfect parries is crucial. Time your shield use precisely as the Lynel attacks to deflect its blow and create an opening.
- Flurry Rushes: Dodge the Lynel’s attacks at the last moment to trigger a flurry rush, allowing you to unleash a series of rapid strikes.
- Headshots: Stun the Lynel with a well-aimed arrow to the face. This creates an opportunity to mount it.
- Mounting: When stunned, run to the Lynel and mount it. You can attack repeatedly while mounted without depleting weapon durability.
- Weapon Choice: Use a one-handed weapon and shield for the safest approach. A powerful two-handed weapon can deal massive damage but leaves you vulnerable. Experiment to find what works best for you.
The Stealthy Approach: Evasion and Environment Exploitation
If you prefer to avoid confrontation, use stealth and the environment to your advantage:
- Stay Out of Sight: The Lynel has a large aggro range, but staying behind cover can prevent it from spotting you.
- Use Stealth Armor/Elixirs: Armor that improves your stealth helps you sneak around the Lynel. Stealth elixirs have the same effect.
- Collect Arrows at Night: The Lynel sleeps at night, making arrow collection easier and safer. However, be wary, it has an acute sense of hearing.
- Use the Paraglider: Glide around the mountain to reach areas inaccessible on foot, avoiding the Lynel’s patrol routes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the easiest way to defeat a Lynel?
The “easiest” way depends on your skill level. Early game, perfect parries and flurry rushes are essential. Later on, maximizing your attack power with Barbarian Armor and powerful weapons allows for quicker takedowns. Many players use the stasis ability (from the Stasis rune) to freeze the Lynel briefly, giving them time to plan their next move.
2. What kind of damage does the Ploymus Mountain Lynel do?
The Lynel on Ploymus Mountain primarily deals physical damage and electric damage through its Shock Arrows. Wearing armor with high defense or electric resistance is crucial.
3. How many Shock Arrows can I find on Ploymus Mountain without fighting the Lynel?
You can find approximately 31 Shock Arrows scattered around Ploymus Mountain. Remember to look on trees, in the ground, and even embedded in rocks.
4. Can I tame a Lynel in Breath of the Wild?
No, you cannot tame a Lynel in Breath of the Wild. You can mount them briefly after stunning them with a headshot, but this is for attacking, not taming.
5. What is the Lynel’s weak spot?
The Lynel’s primary weak spot is its face. Hitting it with an arrow to the face will stun it briefly, allowing you to mount it or follow up with more attacks.
6. Is there a shrine near Ploymus Mountain?
Yes, the Ihen-a Shrine is located on Ploymus Mountain in Mipha Court. It’s a blessing shrine, so you’ll receive the rewards immediately upon entering.
7. Can I one-shot a Lynel with an Ancient Arrow?
Yes, you can one-shot a Lynel with an Ancient Arrow. However, using an Ancient Arrow obliterates the Lynel and prevents it from dropping any loot, including weapons and upgrade materials. This is generally not recommended unless you’re simply trying to clear a path.
8. Which Divine Beast should I tackle before Ploymus Mountain?
While the order is up to you, many players recommend completing Vah Medoh first. Its Champion Ability, Revali’s Gale, provides valuable vertical mobility, making navigating Ploymus Mountain and avoiding the Lynel easier. Also, it’s generally regarded as the easiest of the Divine Beasts to complete.
9. Do Shock Arrows affect Lynels?
Yes, Shock Arrows affect Lynels. While they don’t deal significant damage, they can stun the Lynel, creating an opening for attack.
10. Does Majora’s Mask fool Lynels?
Majora’s Mask does have an effect on Lynels. It will prevent them from immediately attacking you, allowing you to get closer or even pass by unnoticed. However, they will still become aggressive if you get too close or attack them.
11. How many hearts should I have before fighting a Lynel?
While skilled players can defeat Lynels with as few as three hearts, it’s generally recommended to have at least five hearts before attempting the fight. More hearts will significantly increase your survivability.
12. Can I cheese the Lynel?
Yes, there are several ways to “cheese” a Lynel. Using elemental arrows (especially ice arrows) can knock it down, creating an opening for attack. You can also use arrows to manipulate its position, luring it into traps or off cliffs.
13. What is the reward for killing all Lynels in Breath of the Wild?
There’s no specific in-game reward for killing all Lynels. However, you’ll accumulate a vast amount of powerful weapons, upgrade materials, and experience. The real reward is the satisfaction of overcoming such a challenging enemy. The Lynel Floating Coliseum in the Depths in Tears of the Kingdom provides Majora’s Mask upon completion.
14. What weapons are best against Lynels?
High-damage weapons are essential. Savage Lynel Swords, Savage Lynel Crushers, and Ancient Proficiency weapons (paired with the Ancient Armor set) are excellent choices. A one-handed weapon and shield is the safest approach, allowing for perfect parries.
15. Does difficulty affect lynels?
The difficulty of a Lynel increases as you progress through the game, through the hidden experience system that determines which enemies spawn in the game. In general, Red Lynels are the easiest, followed by Blue-Maned, White-Maned, and then Silver Lynels.
Conclusion: Make an Informed Decision
Ultimately, the decision of whether to fight the Lynel on Ploymus Mountain is a personal one. Weigh the risks and rewards, assess your current capabilities, and choose the approach that best suits your playstyle. Whether you choose to confront the beast head-on or sneak past it, remember to have fun and embrace the challenge that Breath of the Wild offers. Remember that learning is a core element of playing games, so do not be afraid to experiment and try new approaches to the encounter. You may even be able to use research about games and learning from sites like the Games Learning Society to help improve your skills. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more insights on how games enhance learning. Good luck, adventurer!