Breath of the Wild: Enemies & Monsters

Bokoblin

Pig-like humanoid monsters commonly found in camps across Hyrule, often armed with rudimentary clubs, spears, or bows. They attack in groups and sometimes ride horses.

Variations: Red (Weakest), Blue, Black, Silver (Strongest), Stal- (Undead).

Combat Strategy: Relatively weak and easily staggered. Aim for headshots with arrows for critical hits. Disarm them with electricity or perfect parries. Watch out for thrown rocks or explosive barrels in camps. Use bombs effectively against groups. Stal-variants crumble easily but their heads must be destroyed to prevent reassembly.

Moblin

Larger, lankier, and more powerful than Bokoblins, Moblins wield heavier weapons like clubs, spears, and large swords. They possess greater strength and resilience.

Variations: Red, Blue, Black, Silver, Stal-.

Combat Strategy: Slower than Bokoblins but hit much harder. Their long reach requires careful dodging or parrying. Headshots can stun them. Stasis+ is effective for creating attack openings. They can pick up and throw Bokoblins or environmental objects. Stal-variants are dealt with similarly to Stalkoblins.

Lizalfos

Agile, lizard-like enemies capable of swift movements, camouflage, and ranged spit attacks. Often found near water or in environments matching their elemental type.

Variations: Green, Blue, Black, Silver, Stal-, Fire-Breath, Ice-Breath, Electric.

Combat Strategy: Their erratic movements make them hard to hit; use target-lock (ZL). Parry their jump attacks or flurry rush their melee strikes. Shield block their spit projectiles. Exploit elemental weaknesses: Fire Lizalfos are vulnerable to ice, Ice Lizalfos to fire. Electric Lizalfos discharge electricity upon death and are dangerous near water – use non-metallic gear or ranged attacks. Stal-variants shatter easily but require head destruction.

Octorok

Octopus-like creatures that hide before emerging to shoot rock projectiles at Link.

Variations: Water (Water), Forest (Land), Rock (Land), Snow (Land), Sky (Flying Treasure carriers).

Combat Strategy: The easiest way to defeat most Octoroks is to shield parry their rock projectile back at them. Ground-based ones can also be defeated with bombs placed near their hiding spot. Water and Sky Octoroks usually require arrows. Sky Octoroks often carry treasure chests.

Aerocuda

Large, flying reptile-like creatures often seen circling high above certain areas, particularly Akkala and Hebra. They sometimes carry Bokoblins or valuable items in their talons.

Combat Strategy: Primarily an aerial threat. Use arrows to shoot them down; headshots are most effective. If they are carrying an enemy or item, shooting the Aerocuda will cause the payload to drop. They don’t have much health but can be hard to hit due to their altitude and speed. They drop Aerocuda Wings and Eyeballs, useful for elixirs.

Pebblit

Diminutive versions of Stone Taluses, often found disguised as small rocks in mountainous or rocky areas. They animate and charge at Link when approached.

Combat Strategy: Very weak with low health. A single hit from a Remote Bomb, an Iron Sledgehammer, or even picking them up (A button) and throwing them will destroy them instantly. They drop basic gemstones like Flint or Amber.

Guardian Stalker

The iconic, highly mobile, multi-legged Guardian that patrols large areas, most notably Hyrule Field. Locks onto targets with a laser before firing a devastating beam.

Combat Strategy: Mastering the shield parry timing to reflect their laser beam back at them is highly effective (usually takes 1-3 parries depending on shield). Alternatively, shoot an Ancient Arrow into their central eye for an instant kill. Severing their legs with ancient or powerful melee weapons immobilizes them temporarily. The Master Sword deals bonus damage against all Guardians.

Guardian Skywatcher

Flying Guardian variants equipped with propellers that patrol specific areas from above, often scanning the ground with a spotlight. Fires a laser beam when alerted.

Combat Strategy: An Ancient Arrow to the central eye is the quickest method. Alternatively, destroy their propellers one by one with regular or bomb arrows to make them crash (takes multiple hits per propeller). Parrying their beam is possible but challenging due to distance and angle.

Guardian Turret

Stationary Guardian cannons often found atop structures, particularly within Hyrule Castle. Possess multiple health points and fire powerful laser beams.

Combat Strategy: Shield parrying their beams is very effective. Ancient Arrows to the eye work instantly. Can also be destroyed with multiple hits from powerful weapons or bomb arrows, often requiring use of cover.

Guardian Scout (I-IV)

Smaller, more agile Guardians found primarily within Ancient Shrines (‘Test of Strength’ trials) and Divine Beasts. Come in increasing levels of difficulty (I to IV).

Combat Strategy: Utilize flurry rushes and parries against their melee weapon attacks (swords, spears, axes). Use pillars for cover when they charge their powerful spinning laser beam. They can sometimes be disarmed with electricity or parries. Higher levels (III & IV) have significantly more health and deal more damage. Ancient weapons are effective.

Decayed Guardian

Immobile, broken-down remnants of Guardian Stalkers found scattered across Hyrule. Most are inactive, but some can still target Link and fire a weaker laser beam.

Combat Strategy: Much weaker than Stalkers. Their laser beam timing is easier to parry (usually one parry destroys them). Can also be quickly destroyed with melee weapons (Master Sword recommended) or an Ancient Arrow to the eye.

Stone Talus

Giant monsters disguised as large boulders or rock formations that animate when Link approaches. They attack by throwing their rock arms or slamming their bodies.

Variations: Stone Talus (Normal), Luminous Talus (Drops luminous stones), Igneo Talus (Volcanic, requires fire resistance/Ice Arrows), Frost Talus (Icy, requires cold resistance/Fire Arrows).

Combat Strategy: Their weak point is an ore deposit usually located on their back or shoulder. Climb onto the Talus after it slams down and strike the deposit repeatedly with a strong mining weapon (like an Iron Sledgehammer or Cobble Crusher). Alternatively, shoot the deposit with arrows (especially Bomb Arrows). Use Remote Bombs to destroy their arms temporarily. For Igneo Talus, cool it with Ice Arrows before climbing; for Frost Talus, melt its ice with Fire Arrows.

Hinox

Enormous, cyclopean giants often found sleeping in fields or forests, typically guarding valuable weapons or Shrine Orbs around their necks.

Variations: Red (Youngest), Blue, Black (Strongest), Stalnox (Undead).

Combat Strategy: Their primary weak point is their single large eye. Shoot it with an arrow to stun them, providing a large opening for attack. Use powerful two-handed weapons or rapid one-handed strikes while they are down. Be wary of their ground pounds, charges, and ability to uproot trees to use as clubs. Some Hinox wear leg guards that must be destroyed (often with fire or bombs) before dealing significant damage there. Stalnoxes are fought similarly at night, but their eye must be attacked separately after falling out to destroy them completely before sunrise.

Molduga

Colossal whale-like monsters that “swim” beneath the sands of the Gerudo Desert, sensing vibrations on the surface.

Combat Strategy: Moldugas are blind but highly sensitive to sound/vibrations. Throw a Remote Bomb onto the sand to lure one; when it leaps up to swallow the bomb, detonate it mid-air to stun the Molduga, causing it to crash onto the sand. While it’s stunned and vulnerable, attack its belly weak point with powerful weapons. Urbosa’s Fury is also highly effective when it’s stunned. Repeat the process. Bomb Arrows are also effective against its body when exposed.

Lynel

Fierce, centaur-like beasts considered among the toughest non-boss enemies in Hyrule. They wield powerful swords, spears, or crushers, along with strong bows capable of firing elemental or multiple arrows.

Variations: Red-Maned, Blue-Maned, White-Maned, Silver, Gold (Master Mode DLC).

Combat Strategy: Lynels require mastery of combat mechanics. Learn the timing to flurry rush their various melee attacks (weapon swings, charges) and parry their charges or projectile attacks. Headshots with a bow can stun them, providing an opportunity to mount their back and land several weapon strikes without using durability. Stasis+ offers a brief window for attack or landing a headshot. Urbosa’s Fury is useful for stunning. High-level food/elixirs for attack/defense buffs are recommended. Each weapon type (sword/shield, spear, crusher) has different attack patterns to learn. They also have a powerful fire breath attack and an explosive area-of-effect roar at higher levels. Be prepared for a challenging fight; they drop powerful weapons and materials.

Yiga Footsoldier

The most common members of the Yiga Clan, often appearing disguised as ordinary travelers before revealing their allegiance and attacking. They are agile and utilize teleportation.

Combat Strategy: They attack quickly with Sickles or fire multiple shots with Duplex Bows. Parry their lunging attacks or flurry rush their combos. Headshots can briefly stun them. They drop Rupees and Mighty Bananas upon defeat.

Yiga Blademaster

Larger, tougher members of the Yiga Clan who wield powerful Windcleavers capable of creating vacuum slice projectiles. They also utilize teleportation and a powerful ground stab attack.

Combat Strategy: More health and damage than Footsoldiers. Bait their ground stab attack, dodge, and counter. Parry their Windcleaver swings or flurry rush. Stasis+ can provide an opening. They drop Rupees, Mighty Bananas, and sometimes their Windcleaver.

Keese

Small, bat-like creatures that often attack in swarms, especially at night or in caves.

Variations: Normal, Fire, Ice, Electric.

Combat Strategy: Easily defeated with arrows, bombs, or wide-swinging melee weapons. Elemental Keese inflict corresponding status effects (burning, freezing, shocking) on contact or if their element hits Link. Use appropriate elemental counters (ice on fire, fire on ice) or simply avoid direct contact. They drop Keese Wings and Eyeballs, elemental variants drop corresponding elemental wings.

Chuchu

Gelatinous, blob-like enemies that hop towards Link.

Variations: Small/Large, Normal (Blue), Fire, Ice, Electric.

Combat Strategy: Very weak and easily defeated with any weapon. Upon death, elemental Chuchus explode, dealing area damage and inflicting their status effect. Shoot elemental Chuchus with an opposing element (fire arrow at ice, ice arrow at fire, normal arrow at electric) to trigger their explosion safely from a distance, potentially damaging other nearby enemies. They drop Chuchu Jelly, which takes on the element they were killed by.

Wizzrobe

Annoying, dancing mages that teleport around the battlefield, casting powerful elemental spells and changing the local weather.

Variations: Fire, Ice, Electric (Basic); Meteo, Blizz, Thunder (Advanced).

Combat Strategy: Their primary weakness is the opposing element: hit Fire/Meteo Wizzrobes with ice attacks/arrows, Ice/Blizz Wizzrobes with fire attacks/arrows. Electric/Thunder Wizzrobes are vulnerable to bombs or arrows (especially headshots). A single hit with the opposing element usually kills them instantly. Headshots with regular arrows can also stun them briefly. Ancient Arrows are also a one-hit kill. They drop elemental magic rods.

Malice (Eyes, Mouths, Puddles)

Sentient concentrations of Ganon’s corrupting influence found coating areas within Divine Beasts, Hyrule Castle, and other blighted locations. Contact with Malice puddles rapidly drains Link’s health. Malice often generates monstrous mouths that spawn Cursed Heads or features glowing orange eyes that act as weak points.

Combat Strategy: Malice puddles cannot be defeated directly, only avoided or sometimes cleared by destroying nearby Malice Eyes. Locate the glowing orange eye(s) embedded within or near the Malice infestation. Shooting an eye with an arrow (any type) will usually destroy it, causing the associated Malice substance to temporarily recede or disappear, often clearing paths or activating mechanisms. Malice Mouths continuously spawn Cursed Heads until their corresponding eye is destroyed.

Cursed Heads (Bokoblin, Moblin, Lizalfos)

Floating, disembodied skulls engulfed in Malice, resembling skeletal versions of common monsters. They are typically spawned continuously from Malice Mouths within Divine Beasts and Hyrule Castle, slowly drifting towards Link.

Combat Strategy: These enemies have very low health and are primarily a nuisance. They can be destroyed easily with arrows, melee strikes, or even Remote Bombs. They respawn infinitely as long as their source Malice Mouth (and its corresponding Eye) remains active. Dealing with the source Malice Eye is the only way to stop them permanently.

Stal Enemies (Stalkoblin, Stalmoblin, Stalizalfos)

The reanimated skeletal remains of common monsters that typically emerge from the ground only during nighttime hours across Hyrule. They possess very low health but can reassemble if their detached head is not destroyed.

Combat Strategy: Any initial hit will usually cause their bodies to collapse into a pile of bones, leaving the skull separate. The key to defeating them permanently is to destroy the detached skull quickly before the body reforms around it. A single strike on the head is usually sufficient. Bombs are effective against groups. They crumble and disappear automatically at sunrise (5:00 AM game time).

Waterblight Ganon (Vah Ruta)

Wields a long spear and utilizes ice attacks. Fought within Divine Beast Vah Ruta.

Combat Strategy: Phase 1: Use Cryonis to destroy its thrown ice blocks or shoot its eye with arrows. Attack with melee weapons (spears are effective due to range) or arrows when it’s vulnerable. Phase 2 (arena floods): Use Cryonis to break the ice blocks it summons. Use Stasis+ on an ice block just before it hits you, then shoot its eye with arrows. Swim close and attack with melee weapons (Master Sword deals extra damage) when it falls.

Fireblight Ganon (Vah Rudania)

Uses a massive flaming sword and fire-based attacks. Fought within Divine Beast Vah Rudania.

Combat Strategy: Phase 1: Keep distance, shoot its eye with arrows (ice arrows are effective). Attack with melee weapons when it falls. Phase 2: When it creates a flaming shield and prepares a massive fireball, throw a Remote Bomb towards it as it inhales; detonate the bomb to stun it. Attack vigorously while it’s down.

Windblight Ganon (Vah Medoh)

Attacks with a cannon arm and summons tornadoes. Fought within Divine Beast Vah Medoh.

Combat Strategy: Utilize updrafts within the arena for slow-motion archery. Aim for its eye with arrows (Bomb Arrows are effective). When it falls to the ground, attack with strong melee weapons. Dodge its tornado attacks and laser shots. Repeat eye shots and melee attacks. Stasis+ can briefly halt its movement.

Thunderblight Ganon (Vah Naboris)

Moves with blinding speed, uses electric attacks, and wields a sword and shield. Fought within Divine Beast Vah Naboris. Often considered the most challenging Blight.

Combat Strategy: Phase 1: Requires precise timing for flurry rushes or perfect parries against its incredibly fast zig-zag attacks. Breaking its shield creates an opening. Rubber Armor or electric resistance elixirs help mitigate damage. Phase 2: It electrifies metal pillars and drops them. Use Magnesis to lift one of these pillars near Thunderblight as it charges its lightning, causing the lightning to strike itself and stun it. Attack furiously while it’s down.

Calamity Ganon

Ganon’s monstrous, incomplete form encountered within Hyrule Castle’s Sanctum. A chaotic amalgamation of Malice and corrupted Sheikah technology, resembling a giant spider.

Combat Strategy: Phase 1: Utilizes attacks mimicking the Blight Ganons. Use perfect parries against its Guardian laser, flurry rushes against its melee attacks (if you get close), and arrows against its body or when climbing walls. The Champion abilities (especially Daruk’s Protection and Urbosa’s Fury) are extremely helpful. Phase 2 (Orange Shield): Its shield becomes nearly impenetrable. Reflect its laser beam with a perfect parry or land a perfect flurry rush to break the shield temporarily, then attack its main body. The Master Sword deals significant bonus damage.

Dark Beast Ganon

Ganon’s final form, a colossal beast of pure Malice resembling a giant boar, faced on horseback across Hyrule Field.

Combat Strategy: This battle is largely cinematic. Ride your horse around Dark Beast Ganon, avoiding its massive laser beam. Princess Zelda will use her power to create glowing weak points on Ganon’s body. Shoot these weak points using the Bow of Light she provides (which has infinite arrows). After hitting several weak points, a final large weak point appears on its forehead. Land the final arrow there to defeat Ganon once and for all.