Riding the Beast: What Happens When You Mount a Lynel in Zelda?
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Mounting a Lynel in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild is a unique, thrilling, and surprisingly effective combat tactic. Unlike the usual taming of horses or other creatures, mounting a Lynel is a fleeting, brutal affair focused solely on dealing damage. When you successfully mount a Lynel, you’re not embarking on a leisurely ride; instead, you’re temporarily perched on a powerful, enraged beast, taking advantage of a brief window to unleash a series of attacks.
The core mechanic of mounting a Lynel revolves around sneaking or strategically landing on its back. Once mounted, Link can execute a series of melee attacks before being bucked off. These mounted attacks are crucial as they inflict no durability damage on your weapons, allowing you to conserve your precious arsenal while still inflicting substantial hurt. This is a crucial advantage, allowing you to potentially defeat even the mightiest Silver Lynel without breaking a single blade! While the ride is short-lived, it offers a tactical opportunity to interrupt the Lynel’s attacks and capitalize on a moment of vulnerability. This isn’t about taming a beast; it’s about exploiting a combat opening. This dynamic makes the Lynel encounter a lot more than just a head-on fight; it turns into a clever game of attack and retreat.
How to Mount a Lynel
There are several effective ways to initiate the mount sequence:
- Stealth Approach: The most common method is to sneak up behind a Lynel, much like you would when attempting to tame a horse. Once close enough, the “Mount” prompt appears.
- Paraglider Landing: You can also launch yourself from a high point using the paraglider and land directly on the Lynel’s back. While this is effective, it consumes stamina, potentially shortening your mount duration.
- Strategic Timing: Certain attacks, or a perfect dodge, can momentarily stun a Lynel, creating an opportune moment to mount. However, this method requires good timing and familiarity with the Lynel’s patterns.
Once mounted, the goal is simple: mash the attack button as rapidly as possible. The more hits you land, the greater the damage you’ll inflict before the Lynel throws you off. This quick, damaging series of attacks is especially useful in the later stages of a fight, allowing you to finish off a Lynel without using up more of your weapons.
Lynel Mounting: A Tactical Advantage
The key benefit of mounting a Lynel is the damage without weapon durability loss. Every attack landed while mounted is a free hit, preserving the life of your favorite weapons. This tactic becomes even more crucial when facing the stronger varieties of Lynel, like the fearsome Silver Lynel, where weapon durability can be severely tested. Understanding this mechanic allows players to approach Lynel fights with a more strategic mindset, emphasizing brief but impactful bursts of mounted attacks.
Furthermore, mounting provides a brief respite from the Lynel’s relentless attacks. This short break can allow you to reposition, heal, or formulate your next move. However, be aware of your stamina and the duration of the mount, as you will be bucked off eventually, leaving you vulnerable if not prepared.
Why You Can’t Tame Lynels
Despite the fact you can mount a Lynel, it’s impossible to tame them. Unlike horses and other rideable creatures, Lynels are too aggressive and untamable. The mounting mechanic is purely for combat advantage and doesn’t offer any form of lasting companionship. Attempting to soothe or bond with a Lynel is futile; they simply aren’t designed for such interactions. Instead, Lynels remain as formidable, challenging enemies that test your combat prowess and strategic thinking.
The inability to tame a Lynel reinforces their role as a powerful force of nature in the game world, and it ensures that each encounter remains challenging and engaging.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Mounting Lynels
1. Can you ride a Lynel like a horse?
No, you cannot ride a Lynel like a horse. Mounting a Lynel is a short-term combat tactic designed for delivering attacks, not for exploration or travel. The Lynel will buck you off after a brief time.
2. How long can you stay on a Lynel?
The duration of your ride is short and fixed, generally only lasting for a few seconds. This period depends partially on how much stamina you had before mounting. The more stamina you have remaining upon mounting, the longer you can stay on.
3. Does mounting a Lynel do damage to your weapons?
No, a key benefit of mounting a Lynel is that all attacks made while mounted do not damage your weapon durability. This makes it a useful way to save precious weapon resources.
4. What is the best way to mount a Lynel?
Sneaking up from behind is the most common and safest method. Alternatively, you can also use the paraglider to land directly on its back. Both have their advantages and challenges.
5. Does Majora’s Mask help when encountering Lynels?
Yes, Majora’s Mask can help. Lynels are less aggressive when you wear the mask, often giving you a better chance to approach and mount them, especially in the open. They will not attack you while wearing this mask.
6. Can you use a shield while mounted on a Lynel?
No, you cannot use a shield while mounted. Shield usage is reserved for ground combat. Once you mount the Lynel, your only option is to quickly mash the attack button for a flurry of attacks.
7. Does the Master Sword work well against Lynels?
Yes, the Master Sword is a powerful option against Lynels, especially when fully powered. It is also a one-handed sword which allows you to use a shield. However, no weapon has any durability loss while mounted.
8. What is the rarest Lynel type?
Silver Lynels are the rarest and the most difficult to defeat. They have the highest health and the most powerful attacks.
9. Do Lynels drop materials when killed with ancient arrows?
No, Lynels destroyed with Ancient Arrows will not drop any materials. Ancient arrows obliterate any drops that would have come from that particular monster, with the exception of bosses and Guardians.
10. Can you buy Lynel materials?
No, you cannot buy materials like the Lynel Hoof. These materials can only be obtained by defeating Lynels.
11. Do Lynels have a weakness?
Besides the vulnerability to mounted attacks, Lynels are also somewhat weak to stealth attacks and perfect parries.
12. Is it necessary to fight Lynels?
No, it is not essential to fight Lynels to complete the main storyline. They are optional mini-bosses, providing a challenging combat experience and valuable materials upon defeat.
13. What is the strongest Lynel variant?
The Silver Lynel is the strongest variant in both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. They are more durable, faster, and more aggressive.
14. Can you register deer at stables?
No, you cannot register deer at stables, and they are not rideable. Unlike horses, they can’t be kept as registered mounts.
15. Did Ganon create Lynels?
The lore suggests that the Lynels found in the Dark World were likely created by Ganon as part of his army. This doesn’t mean all Lynels were created by Ganon, but it provides some explanation for their origin and nature.
By understanding the mechanics of mounting Lynels, players can gain a crucial edge in combat and effectively conserve weapon durability. While not a tameable companion, mounting a Lynel provides an exciting and rewarding combat advantage that showcases the depth and strategy of The Legend of Zelda games.