Mastering the Champions’ Ballad: A Definitive Guide to the Order of Challenges
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The Champions’ Ballad DLC for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a fantastic addition, offering a substantial new questline, enriching the lore, and ultimately granting you the coveted Master Cycle Zero. However, the structure of the DLC can leave players wondering about the optimal order to tackle its various challenges. The core of the Champion’s Ballad follows a specific sequence: First, you must complete all four Divine Beasts. Then you unlock the One-Hit Obliterator trials on the Great Plateau. Upon completion of this opening act, you will be directed to the Champions themselves, and then the order you tackle those trials is up to you. There’s no significant advantage or disadvantage to completing them in a particular order, but I recommend prioritizing based on which Champion’s abilities you find most useful or which region you enjoy exploring the most. After completing all Champion’s trials, you will complete the Divine Trial which unlocks the Master Cycle Zero.
Diving Deep: A Step-by-Step Progression
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the suggested order, keeping in mind that flexibility is key:
-
Prerequisites: Conquer the Divine Beasts. This is non-negotiable. You must defeat Vah Ruta, Vah Rudania, Vah Medoh, and Vah Naboris before the Champions’ Ballad becomes accessible.
-
The Great Plateau: One-Hit Obliterator. Return to the Shrine of Resurrection. You will get the Obliterator, which forces you to take on a new set of enemies with extreme limitations. This serves as an intense tutorial for the challenges to come.
-
Champion Trials: Choose Your Path. After completing the Great Plateau section, you unlock the trials associated with each Champion:
- Mipha’s Song (Zora’s Domain): These trials often focus on water-based combat and agility.
- Daruk’s Song (Death Mountain): Expect strength-based challenges and fire-resistant gear requirements.
- Revali’s Song (Hebra Mountains): Aerial challenges and navigating the cold are prominent.
- Urbosa’s Song (Gerudo Desert): Combat against powerful foes and desert survival are key.
Recommendation: Consider your playstyle and the abilities you want to enhance. Do you rely heavily on Mipha’s Grace? Then perhaps tackling her trials first is beneficial. Do you enjoy exploring colder environments? Then Revali’s trials might be a good starting point.
-
Divine Trial and Master Cycle Zero: After completing all four Champion trials, you unlock the final Divine Trial. Completing this will net you the Master Cycle Zero, a unique and incredibly useful vehicle.
Champions’ Ballad: Why Order Matters (And Why It Doesn’t)
While the Champions’ Ballad allows for a largely flexible order, some considerations might influence your decision:
- Difficulty Scaling: The difficulty of each Champion’s trials is relatively balanced. However, players who struggle with aerial combat might find Revali’s trials more challenging early on.
- Environmental Preferences: If you prefer a specific environment (e.g., the Gerudo Desert or the Hebra Mountains), starting with the corresponding Champion’s trials can make the overall experience more enjoyable.
- Story Immersion: Although the order doesn’t dramatically alter the narrative, some players prefer to tackle the trials in the order the Champions originally fell during the Great Calamity.
- Utility: Some players may find a particular champion’s reward to be more helpful than others.
Ultimately, the best order for the Champions’ Ballad is the one that suits your preferences and playstyle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions that provide even more clarity on the Champions’ Ballad.
1. Should I do Champions ballad before or after Ganon?
It’s a matter of preference! The game world doesn’t change after defeating Ganon. However, from a narrative perspective, the Champions’ Ballad makes more sense before facing Ganon.
2. Do you have to beat Ganon to play the Champions ballad?
No, you do not have to beat Ganon. You only need to have completed the four Divine Beasts.
3. Can you do Champions ballad before Divine Beasts?
Normally, no. However, through glitches like wrong warping, it is technically possible, but it’s not the intended way to play and can lead to unforeseen issues.
4. In what order should I get the Divine Beasts?
There is no strict order, but for simplicity, the easiest progression path is: Vah Ruta, Vah Rudania, Vah Medoh, Vah Naboris. Vah Ruta is usually considered the easiest.
5. What is the 5th divine beast?
The moon is sometimes jokingly referred to as the fifth divine beast but that isn’t confirmed in the lore.
6. Can you get the One-Hit Obliterator back?
No, you cannot. The One-Hit Obliterator is only available for the initial Great Plateau trials.
7. Can you Flurry Rush Ganon?
Yes, you can. The first phase of the Ganon fight involves dodging attacks to trigger a Flurry Rush, which deals significant damage.
8. Is the champions ballad easy?
The Champions’ Ballad presents a significant challenge, with tougher enemies and more demanding puzzles than the main game. It requires you to utilize all your skills and knowledge of Breath of the Wild to succeed. The Games Learning Society knows the importance of growing your skill set and being adaptive.
9. How many hours is the Champions ballad?
The Champions’ Ballad takes about 10 hours to complete if you focus on the main objectives. For 100% completion, expect to spend around 13 hours.
10. Is Champions Ballad fun?
Most players find the Champions’ Ballad to be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. It offers fresh challenges, expands the game’s lore, and provides a satisfying conclusion to the Champions’ stories.
11. Can you play TotK after beating Ganon?
Tears of the Kingdom functions similarly to Breath of the Wild in that the game does not continue past the final boss. You revert to a save prior to the final encounter.
12. What happens if you fight Ganon again?
Nothing changes during the Calamity Ganon fight. If you completed all Divine Beasts, there’s a bonus cutscene where they weaken Calamity Ganon.
13. Can you get Mipha’s grace back?
Yes, Mipha’s Grace recharges every 24 minutes after use.
14. What is the most annoying Divine Beast?
Opinions vary, but many players find Vah Rudania to be the most annoying due to its interior layout and the Fireblight Ganon boss fight.
15. Where can I buy a one hit obliterator?
You can’t buy it. You can only get it by returning to the Shrine of Resurrection after activating the Champions’ Ballad DLC.
By understanding the structure of the Champions’ Ballad and considering your own playstyle, you can choose an order that maximizes your enjoyment and enhances your experience in Breath of the Wild.