When Should You Start Fighting Divine Beasts in Breath of the Wild?
The question of when to tackle the Divine Beasts in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (BOTW) is a common one among new and seasoned players alike. There isn’t a single “right” answer, as the game’s open world encourages player freedom. However, understanding the implications of tackling them early versus later can help you make the best choice for your playstyle.
Essentially, you can start fighting the Divine Beasts whenever you feel ready. The game’s forgiving save system allows you to experiment without significant penalties. You can attempt a Divine Beast early, see how it goes, and then reload if you need to prepare more. But for those looking for a more specific guideline, here’s a breakdown:
Immediate Gratification vs. Gradual Power:
- Early Divine Beast Runs: If you choose to tackle a Divine Beast earlier in the game, even with a limited number of hearts and basic gear, you’ll receive a powerful Champion ability. These abilities—Mipha’s Grace, Revali’s Gale, Daruk’s Protection, and Urbosa’s Fury—can significantly aid you in combat and exploration. The sooner you acquire these, the more you’ll be able to benefit from them throughout your adventure.
- Later Divine Beast Runs: Waiting to tackle the Divine Beasts allows you to amass more hearts, obtain better equipment, and improve your combat skills. This might result in a smoother overall experience inside the Divine Beasts themselves, as you’ll be better equipped to handle the puzzles and boss fights. However, you’ll also miss out on the benefits of the Champion abilities for a more considerable portion of the game.
The Master Sword Factor:
The Master Sword, obtained after acquiring 13 heart containers, dramatically changes the game’s difficulty. With the Master Sword in hand, and its increased power against corrupted enemies, even the Divine Beasts can become much easier. However, aiming for the 13 hearts required for the Master Sword before starting the Divine Beasts can be a good goal for players who want a smoother experience.
Considering the Difficulty:
The Divine Beasts themselves vary in difficulty. Many players find Vah Medoh the easiest, followed by Vah Ruta, then Vah Rudania, and finally Vah Naboris as the most challenging. This isn’t universally true, but it provides a general guide. Tackling the Divine Beasts in this order, or similar, could be beneficial if you are early on.
Ultimately, the decision boils down to your playstyle and preferences. Do you prefer tackling challenges head-on early to gain powerful tools that will help you throughout the game? Or would you rather gather as many tools and hearts as possible before taking on the challenges? The beauty of BOTW is that either choice is valid. If you are eager for a challenge, there’s no need to wait. Just remember to prepare accordingly and save frequently!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Divine Beasts in Breath of the Wild
How Many Hearts Do I Need Before Fighting a Divine Beast?
You can technically attempt a Divine Beast with any number of hearts. The game doesn’t lock you out based on your health. However, 13 hearts and the Master Sword are generally considered sufficient for a much smoother experience. If you don’t have the Master Sword, focusing on gaining 6-10 hearts before starting the Divine Beasts can provide a good base.
In What Order Should I Defeat the Divine Beasts?
While BOTW offers the freedom to choose the order, the generally recommended progression for ease is:
- Vah Ruta (Zora’s Domain)
- Vah Rudania (Death Mountain)
- Vah Medoh (Hebra Mountains)
- Vah Naboris (Gerudo Desert)
Many find that Vah Medoh is the easiest, making it a good first choice, but if you follow the story quest, you will naturally encounter Zora’s Domain first.
Is Vah Ruta or Vah Medoh Easier to Start With?
Many players consider Vah Medoh to be the easiest Divine Beast overall due to its simpler puzzles and boss fight. However, Vah Ruta is often a better starting point from a story perspective as it’s generally the first location the game directs you to. If you’re looking for the easiest early Divine Beast, Vah Medoh might be your best bet.
Which Divine Beast is the Hardest to Complete?
Vah Naboris is widely considered the most difficult Divine Beast. Both the internal puzzles and the Thunderblight Ganon boss fight are significantly more challenging than the other three. Plan your preparation accordingly if you intend to tackle this one first.
Which Champion Ability Is the Most Useful?
The Champion ability you get from Vah Medoh, Revali’s Gale, is often cited as the most useful due to its incredible exploration potential. It allows you to create a powerful upward gust of wind, enabling easy access to high areas. However, all of the abilities offer unique benefits, and their utility largely depends on individual playstyle.
Should I Prioritize Hearts or Stamina Before Fighting Divine Beasts?
While hearts are important for surviving enemy encounters, stamina is also very valuable for exploration and combat. For many players, stamina offers more long-term benefits, especially in the early game, where you’re more likely to make mistakes and need to flee, climb, or glide. The Master Sword requires 13 hearts, but stamina allows you to pull it from the ground.
What Happens If I Visit the Divine Beasts Before Finding Impa?
The game’s storyline is designed to be flexible. If you visit a Divine Beast before going to see Impa, you will still be able to continue on. Princess Zelda will telepathically communicate about the Divine Beast situation. The story beats will adjust to your actions, and Impa will still be a part of your journey.
Do I Need to Complete All Four Divine Beasts?
Completing all four Divine Beasts is not mandatory, but it does provide some significant benefits. Specifically, freeing all four Divine Beasts will greatly reduce the final boss’ health, and will unlock the game’s secret ending. You can technically go straight to fight Calamity Ganon, but it would be much harder without the aid of the divine beasts.
Do the Divine Beasts Help Me Fight Ganon?
Yes! Completing all four Divine Beasts will make the final battle with Calamity Ganon much easier. Not only will the fight start with half health, but you will also be given the opportunity to use each champion ability to help reduce the HP even further.
Does the Master Sword Break?
The Master Sword is unique and does not break in the same way other weapons do. It has limited energy and will disappear temporarily after a certain number of hits. However, it will recharge and be usable again after a short time.
Is the Hylian Shield Unbreakable?
The Hylian Shield, while incredibly durable, is not unbreakable. If it breaks, you can reacquire it through a specific quest later in the game, or even from a special vendor after a particular point.
How Many Shrines Are Needed for 13 Hearts?
You need to complete 40 Shrines in total to acquire enough spirit orbs to increase your heart count to 13. Each shrine gives one spirit orb, and four orbs give you the option to increase heart or stamina. You start with three hearts, meaning you need 10 additional heart upgrades.
How Much Stamina Do I Need to Pull Out the Master Sword?
You need two full Stamina Wheels to draw the Master Sword. This means you must acquire five additional stamina vessels to supplement the one you begin the game with.
How Many Hearts Should I Have Before Fighting Calamity Ganon?
While you can technically challenge Ganon at any time, you will find the fight significantly easier with 30 hearts or at least 13 hearts if you want to use the Master Sword. It depends on your combat prowess and what type of challenge you’re looking for.
Is There a 5th Divine Beast?
While there are only four Divine Beasts in the game that are directly tied to the plot, some players have speculated that the Moon could be a 5th Divine Beast built by the Sheikah. This is largely a theory and not confirmed canon.
By understanding these aspects of the Divine Beasts, you can make informed decisions on when and how to tackle them, ensuring an engaging and fulfilling experience in the world of Hyrule. Whether you choose to start the Divine Beast challenges early or wait until you’ve built up your strength, the game will provide you with a unique adventure all your own.