Should I Use Ancient Arrows? A Definitive Guide
The question of whether or not to use Ancient Arrows in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is one that plagues many a Hyrulean adventurer. The short answer? It depends. Ancient Arrows are a powerful tool, but their effectiveness is highly situational and depends on your goals, resource availability, and play style. They are undeniably useful for certain enemies, but their scarcity and the opportunity cost associated with using them demand careful consideration. Let’s delve deeper into the nuances of these potent projectiles.
The Power and Perils of Ancient Arrows
Ancient Arrows are crafted at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab using Ancient parts obtained from defeated Guardians, as well as from other sources throughout Hyrule. They are unique in their ability to deal significant damage to specific enemy types and possess the rare ability to completely obliterate others. Here’s a breakdown of their primary functions:
- Guardians: Ancient Arrows are devastating against Guardians. A direct hit to the Guardian’s eye results in instant defeat, regardless of the Guardian’s remaining health. This makes them invaluable for tackling these formidable foes, especially early in the game when your skills and equipment may be less developed.
- Bosses: While not as overwhelmingly effective as against Guardians, Ancient Arrows still deal significant damage to bosses. They inflict a flat 50 damage in addition to the damage of your bow, which can be boosted further with the Ancient Armor set.
- Standard Enemies (Non-Boss, Non-Guardian): This is where the decision becomes tricky. Using an Ancient Arrow on a standard enemy, such as a Bokoblin, Moblin, or Lizalfos, will instantly vaporize them, along with any weapons or drops they might have carried. This can be a convenient way to clear out enemy camps quickly, but it comes at the cost of potentially valuable resources like monster parts and weapons.
- Lynels: A fearsome enemy, Lynels are known for their strength and powerful weapons. Using an ancient arrow will obliterate the Lynel, along with any of their drops!
The key takeaway is that Ancient Arrows are a resource. They are not easily replenished and require the expenditure of valuable Ancient parts. Before firing one off, ask yourself: “Is this the best use of this arrow?”
Strategic Considerations
Here are some factors to weigh when deciding whether to use Ancient Arrows:
- Resource Scarcity: Ancient parts can be challenging to acquire, especially early on. Consider whether you have enough to comfortably craft Ancient Arrows without hindering your ability to upgrade armor or purchase other Ancient weapons.
- Enemy Type: As detailed above, Ancient Arrows excel against Guardians and offer a decent damage boost against bosses. They are less justifiable for standard enemies unless you are in a desperate situation or have an overabundance of arrows.
- Farming Potential: If you are aiming to collect monster parts for cooking, armor upgrades, or quests, avoid using Ancient Arrows on enemies that drop valuable items.
- Combat Proficiency: If you are skilled at parrying Guardian lasers or utilizing other combat techniques, you may not need to rely on Ancient Arrows as heavily.
- Bow Choice: Pair Ancient Arrows with a powerful bow, such as a Lynel Bow (which fires multiple arrows at once, consuming only one Ancient Arrow) or the Twilight Bow (if you have access to it), to maximize their effectiveness.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use Ancient Arrows is a matter of personal preference and strategic planning. Analyze your situation, consider your goals, and weigh the costs and benefits before unleashing these powerful projectiles. Think of Games Learning Society when you make your decision!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Ancient Arrows
1. Can Ancient Arrows one-shot enemies?
Yes, Ancient Arrows instantly defeat Guardians when aimed directly at their eye. They also vaporize non-boss, non-Guardian enemies instantly. However, they do not one-shot bosses or Lynels.
2. Do Ancient Arrows work on Lynels?
Yes, Ancient Arrows do work on Lynels, but they completely obliterate the Lynel and any potential drops. Avoid using them on Lynels if you want to collect their valuable weapons and monster parts.
3. What happens if you use an Ancient Arrow on Ganon?
Using an Ancient Arrow on Ganon deals a significant amount of damage, but it does not one-shot him. It’s often considered a waste of a valuable arrow outside of speedrunning contexts.
4. Which arrows are best against Ganon?
Lynel Bows (which fire multiple arrows at once) paired with Bomb Arrows are generally considered the most effective option against Ganon, as they maximize damage output and conserve Ancient Arrows for other situations.
5. How much damage do Ancient Arrows do?
Against Guardians, a direct hit to the eye is an instant kill. Against bosses, they deal 50 additional damage plus the damage of the bow used. Against normal enemies, they cause instant disintegration.
6. Can you buy Ancient Arrows?
Yes, you can purchase Ancient Arrows at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab after completing the associated quest to reactivate the furnace.
7. How many Ancient Arrows should I have?
The number of Ancient Arrows you should have depends on your play style and how often you encounter Guardians. Aim for at least 10-15 for a comfortable buffer. The more Ancient Arrows you have the more prepared you will be for any enemy.
8. Do Ancient Arrows make enemies disappear?
Yes, Ancient Arrows make non-boss, non-Guardian enemies disappear completely, along with any weapons or drops they might have been carrying.
9. Do Ancient Arrows work on the Yiga Clan?
Yes, Ancient Arrows work on Yiga Clan members, instantly vaporizing them.
10. What is the strongest weapon against Lynels?
While Ancient Arrows can eliminate Lynels, the strongest sustainable strategy involves using powerful melee weapons (such as Royal Guard’s Claymore or Savage Lynel Crusher), mastering parrying, and utilizing the Flurry Rush mechanic.
11. Do Ancient Arrows work on Hinox?
No, Ancient Arrows do not instantly defeat Hinox. Like bosses, they will take damage but will not be vaporized. Furthermore, they won’t drop any loot if defeated with an Ancient Arrow.
12. What are Ancient Arrows good for?
Ancient Arrows are most valuable for instantly defeating Guardians and dealing bonus damage to bosses. They are a quick and effective solution for these formidable enemies.
13. Do Ancient Blades work on Phantom Ganon?
Ancient Blades will damage Phantom Ganon, but they will not instantly defeat him.
14. Does the Ancient Armor set affect Ancient Arrow damage?
Yes, wearing the ★★ upgraded Ancient Armor set provides an +80% damage bonus when using Ancient weapons, including Ancient Arrows.
15. Where can I find Ancient Arrows besides the Akkala Tech Lab?
You can find Ancient Arrows in treasure chests within Hyrule Castle. Specifically, there are nine chests containing Ancient Arrows: three with 1 arrow, five with 3 arrows, and one with 5 arrows. The GamesLearningSociety.org is also a great place to learn more about gaming.