Reaching the Lightning Temple: Prepare for the Desert Heat
The journey to the Lightning Temple begins in Gerudo Town, situated in the southwestern region of Hyrule. Access to this formidable structure is not immediate upon arrival in the desert; it is tied to the progression of the main storyline, specifically the “Riju of Gerudo Town” questline. This narrative gating ensures that players are likely to possess a certain level of experience and necessary tools before confronting the temple’s challenges.
The appearance of the Lightning Temple is not a static feature of the landscape. To make it emerge, one must solve a riddle involving red pillars scattered across the Gerudo Desert. These distinctive crimson structures serve as clues, and successfully deciphering their arrangement is the key to unveiling the temple’s location.
Navigating the Gerudo Desert presents its own set of environmental challenges. Players must contend with a persistent sandstorm and extreme heat. To mitigate the effects of these harsh conditions, it is advisable to equip heat-resistant armor or consume food and elixirs that provide heat resistance. Adequate preparation for the desert environment is crucial for survival before even reaching the temple’s entrance.
As the temple rises from the sand, an immediate threat emerges in the form of Queen Gibdo. This initial boss encounter serves as an early test of skill and introduces a primary antagonist. The recommended strategy for this first phase involves utilizing Riju’s lightning ability in conjunction with arrows to inflict damage. Typically, two successful hits with this combination will cause Queen Gibdo to retreat temporarily.
This early boss fight subverts the traditional dungeon entry sequence and highlights the importance of Riju’s unique abilities, which will be essential throughout the temple. Even after Queen Gibdo’s initial retreat, the path to the temple entrance remains obstructed. A large hive will form over the doorway, accompanied by smaller hives on either side.
The recommended approach is to eliminate the smaller side hives first, followed by using Riju’s lightning on the main hive that blocks the entrance. This act of clearing the entrance with lightning reinforces the thematic element of the dungeon and introduces a combat-oriented puzzle even before stepping inside.
Entering the Temple: First Steps Inside
Upon crossing the threshold into the Lightning Temple, the immediate surroundings offer crucial resources. To the right, players will find a Korok-Frond Guster leaning against the wall. This fan-like tool will prove invaluable for clearing piles of sand that conceal secrets and mechanisms within the temple.
Adjacent to the Korok-Frond Guster, a pile of sand hides a treasure chest containing a Flame Emitter. This early discovery of a weapon hints at potential combat encounters ahead. The first obstacle encountered is a pile of sand directly in front of the initial door. Utilizing the Korok-Frond Guster (or Tulin’s Gust if the Wind Temple has been completed ), players should clear the sand to reveal a hidden button. Stepping on this button will trigger the mechanism to open the door, granting access to the temple’s depths.
Beyond this initial door, a staircase leads down to the first basement level of the temple, designated as Lightning Temple B1. This descent signifies the beginning of the exploration through the temple’s multi-layered structure.
Floor-by-Floor Walkthrough (B1 – 6F): Navigating Puzzles and Enemies
Lightning Temple B1
The initial area of B1 features two bridges spanning pits below. While these pits contain Gibdo enemies and some items, exploring them is not essential for completing the Lightning Temple or achieving 100% completion. For those aiming for efficiency, focusing on the main path is recommended. After crossing the first section of the second bridge, players can drop into the pit below to find a treasure chest containing a Large Zonai Charge. A Gibdo will be present in this area and must be defeated before claiming the reward. Ascend can then be used to return to the bridge. In the subsequent room, a noticeable cluster of rocks blocks a passage.
Using the Ultrahand ability, these rocks can be moved to reveal a hidden room. Inside, another Gibdo awaits. Defeating it allows access to a treasure chest containing a Topaz, as well as a Gerudo Greatsword concealed within a tomb; the stone slabs covering the tomb can also be removed with Ultrahand. Progressing further, the central tile in the next room will collapse upon being stepped on, leading to a small chamber below. An Electric Keese resides here, along with a Gerudo Scimitar that can be found by lifting a slab. Ascend provides the means to return to the upper level. The next corridor presents a hazard in the form of fire jets.
Players must time their movements to run past these flames during brief periods of deactivation. Alternatively, the stone slabs acquired earlier in the blocked-off room can be strategically placed to block the flames, creating a safer passage. Following the fire hazard, a small dune of sand is located in the corner. The Korok Frond, a fan , or Tulin’s Gust can be used to clear this sand, revealing a Mirror. This mirror is crucial for solving an upcoming puzzle in the Room of Hopeful Light. In this room, a beam of light emanates from the center. The mirror should be positioned using Ultrahand to reflect this light onto the orange panel above the locked door. After a short duration, the door will unlock.
Within the Room of Hopeful Light, a Construct enemy will likely be encountered. After defeating it, another sand pile can be found to the right of the door (or by clearing the sand). This reveals another mirror. Be cautious, as a hidden Construct may also be present in the sand. To reach a valuable treasure chest containing a Mighty Construct Bow (24) , players need to utilize the movable stone platforms in this room to climb the wall in the southwest corner.
Lightning Temple 1F
Upon reaching the central room on the first floor, players will find a Zonai Pedestal. Interacting with this pedestal will activate a fast travel point for the temple and unveil the primary objective: powering an elevator by charging four scattered batteries. The first battery is located to the northeast, behind the Zonai Pedestal. To access it, move the two sandstone blocks on the right using Ultrahand. With the path clear, charge the battery by using Riju’s lightning and shooting it with a lightning arrow. If the treasure chest containing the Flame Emitter near the entrance was missed earlier, it can still be collected on this floor from a pile of sand.
Lightning Temple 2F
Access to the second floor is typically gained as part of the puzzle for Battery #3. This involves gliding down through a fiery chamber , so careful paragliding is required to avoid damage. The landing point is an enclosed chamber. A switch on the floor will open the door. Two Constructs will be present in this room and must be defeated. Following the completion of the steps for Battery #3, players will return to 2F to charge it with Riju’s lightning.
Lightning Temple 3F
The third floor is accessed during the puzzle for Battery #2. This involves manipulating light beams in the Room of Natural Light on 5F. After directing the light correctly, a door on 3F will open, leading to the Room of Offered Light. This room presents a significant enemy encounter, featuring both Gibdos and Constructs. The immediate priority is to use Riju’s lightning to destroy the Gibdo Hive, followed by eliminating the remaining enemies with elemental attacks and focusing on the Constructs. To simplify the fight, players can temporarily deactivate the Hover Stones occupied by archer Constructs. The puzzle for Battery #2 is located in this room.
A central light source is present, along with components to construct a hot air balloon with a mirror. Using Ultrahand, attach the balloon to a metal grate and then affix the mirror to the front, ensuring it faces upwards. Position this contraption above the beam of light. Light a torch using the nearby candles and stand under the balloon. The rising hot air will lift the balloon, directing the light beam to a lamp on the ceiling. This action will open a door on the floor below (2F), where the battery can be charged with Riju’s lightning.
Lightning Temple 4F
To reach the fourth floor, return to the central room on 1F and locate the wind geyser in the corner. If a rock obstructs it, use Ultrahand to remove it. Ride the updraft to the fifth floor , then glide north towards a small gap on the 4th floor marked by an orange torchlight. A Soldier Construct will be waiting around the corner. Proceed past the stairs to a room with two misaligned fans. Use Recall on one of the fans to synchronize their rotation, creating a consistent opening. Next, glide to the southwest part of the room, where spiked walls attempt to crush you. Use Ultrahand to place a boulder between the spikes to create a safe passage.
In the following area, spikes will fall from the ceiling. Detach the nearby boulder from the wall using Ultrahand and place it vertically to prevent the spikes from hitting the ground. Continue to the Room of Light and Shade and defeat the Soldier Constructs. Finally, drop through the cracks in the floor to the spinning chamber below. Use Ultrahand to grab a Stake. Observe the designs on the wall and, when they are fully visible, quickly use the Stake to stop the room’s rotation. A green wall will be revealed. Use a nearby mirror to shine light on this wall, creating an upward beam. Ascend and use another mirror to direct the light down the spiked ceiling hallway, turning a block vertically if necessary. The light should hit a green switch, opening a gate. Proceed through the gate and use Riju’s lightning to charge the fourth battery.
Lightning Temple 5F
The fifth floor is primarily accessed during the Battery #2 puzzle, using the updraft in the central room. The Room of Natural Light is located here, which is essential for solving the Battery #2 puzzle by manipulating mirrors to direct sunlight.
Lightning Temple 6F
The sixth floor is reached as part of the Battery #3 puzzle. After correctly aligning the light beams on 5F and activating a switch on 3F, an updraft in the central room will become active, allowing access to 6F. The main objective here is to locate and step on the newly activated switch , which will open a door and allow further progress towards charging Battery #3 on 2F.
Boss Encounter: Queen Gibdo’s Final Stand (7F)
After successfully charging all four batteries, the final confrontation awaits on the seventh floor. Return to the Room of Ascension on 1F and interact with the Zonai terminal to ascend to the Room of Glorious Light. Queen Gibdo’s attacks in the first phase include mud streams, tornadoes, and charge attacks. The recommended strategy remains to use Riju’s lightning ability and lightning arrows to break her outer armor.
Once vulnerable, another lightning arrow will stun her, allowing for melee attacks with strong weapons. As Queen Gibdo’s health depletes to around half, the second phase begins with the activation of dormant Gibdo hives that spawn numerous smaller Gibdos. The immediate priority is to destroy these hives using Riju’s lightning arrows. Destroyed hives create pillars of light that damage Gibdos and provide safe havens. Queen Gibdo’s attacks become more aggressive, and she will fly more frequently, possibly using a diving attack.
Players should continue to use lightning arrows and melee attacks while utilizing the light pillars for protection. Alternative strategies include using a mirror shield to reflect light at Queen Gibdo for faster stunning and using bomb flowers fused to arrows to quickly eliminate the Gibdo hives. Defeating Queen Gibdo rewards players with a Heart Container and the Vow of Riju, Sage of Lightning, granting the ability to use her lightning power outside the temple. Additionally, Gerudo Town will be saved, and the sandstorm will dissipate.