In Zelda: Breath of the Wild, many players like to challenge themselves by attempting to defeat Ganon before fighting any other boss in the game. Even bolder, some players head straight to the castle, unarmed and barely strong enough to beat a Bokoblin. That's not exactly how this will be approached in this list. Here, you'll find tips and tricks to destroy Ganon through preparation and tactics.
There are actually a decent amount of available options, upgrades, and food items that can help Link fight Ganon from the very beginning. It's still not going to be an easy feat, though. This list of 10 tips on how to take on Hyrule Castle immediately will make the daunting task a bit more doable.
10 Sneak In!
There are many different routes that players take when sneaking into Hyrule Castle. Ultimately, some paths are easier than others, so taking the easiest route options is best when tackling the castle head-on. One of the main problems with sneaking in here is how many guardians surround the castle. There are also many inside the castle as well.
With low health, this obviously isn't ideal since Guardian hits take a hard blow. So, it's best to be as silent as possible. There are many ways to do this that are too detailed to note here. Additionally, there are plenty of guides on YouTube and other websites for those who want to attempt sneaking in.
9 Cook Foods That Supply Extra Hearts
This is almost necessary for players who decide to tackle Hyrule Castle with only having around three hearts. That's definitely not going to go too well. The best thing to do is go in prepared, which isn't as easy in the beginning. However, cooking does make this doable. Players will want to go in with as many yellow heart food items as possible.
Temporary Maximum Hearts are incredibly helpful in preventing game overs. However, it's important to have many dishes. Once Link gets hit hard enough, the hearts disappear. There are many different recipes that produce this effect, so research up before storming into the castle.
8 Gather Lots Of Iron Shrooms
These tough little shrooms are easy to find, and they pack a mean punch. It doesn't take many to produce a long-lasting defense increase. Ironshrooms can be found in the East and West Necluda. It's helpful to explore the forest by Batrea Lake for a quick stock-up.
Don't forget to use the Sheika Slate's sensor to help find these mushrooms. Additionally, it's not necessary to get fancy with these. Simply using five Ironshrooms will create around four minutes of boosted defense. Tough Mushroom Skewers it is, folks! The simpler, the better!
7 Use Amiibos
This one is of course limited since not everyone has Amiibos. Even when someone has Amiibos, there is still plenty to collect, and some are more useful for this venture than others. However, those who have Amiibos that spawn weapons are in luck. These can be very handy when starting out with next to nothing.
Most Amiibos will spawn chests that contain different weapons. Sadly, it's only possible to use an individual Amiibo one time per day. Most items are good, but may not be beneficial in this case. So, it's not a sure-fire method, but it's definitely one worth exploring. Additionally, certain Amiibos contain actual gear, which is beneficial no matter what. Those are worth looking into!
6 Find The Royal Guard Gear
This is only possible for those who have the Breath of the Wild DLC. The suit's pieces are scattered throughout Hyrule Castle. There's a uniform, a cap, and boots. The uniform is located close to the Dining Hall, the cap is in the Sanctum, and the boots are in the Guard's Chamber.
This uniform is more powerful than the gear Link is equipped with from the start. So, it's definitely going to help him survive the castle and Ganon alike. It may not be as helpful as fairy-upgraded gear, but it's better than nothing.
5 Use The Dining Hall For Last Minute Meal Prep
It's very likely that Link will come across more food items throughout his exploration of the castle. In this event, the Dining Hall serves as a last-minute gateway for Chef Link to cook up some fuel. Simply take whatever food has been collected and turn it into a meal. It doesn't really matter what kind of meal, since anything is better than leaving these items uncooked.
However, it won't hurt to take a look at recipes and see if any items can be made into extra helpful dishes. The Dining Hall itself contains plenty of food items that Link can take from the evil castle dwellers. This alone should give players enough to work with.
4 Use Majora's Mask
Again, this is another option that's only available to Breath of the Wild DLC players. Is anyone sold on the DLC yet? Majora's Mask is pretty easy to find, and it can help Link sneak by many enemies. Link's foes will assume he is a part of their team and will be more reluctant to attack him.
Majora's Mask is located in the Outpost Ruins section of Hyrule. This mask is often sought out for its nostalgic effects, but it actually comes in handy for tasks like this one. Those who are brave enough to go into the castle as a weakling will find comfort by wearing this mask.
3 Visit the Docks, The Library, and the Observation Room
There are three major locations within the castle that are essential for getting prepared. First, players should visit The Docks. There is a shrine at the docks which Link can use to warp in and out of the castle if he needs more supplies and whatnot. There are also lots of items here, and most importantly, there’s a great Flameblade. Additionally, from here, The Library contains a good shield and other useful items.
Second, it's important to visit The Observation Room. Here, you’ll find some important items, including the incredibly powerful Thunderblade. You’ll also come across a royal bow and other helpful items. These don’t come super easily, however. You’ll have to fight some giant Moblins for that thick lightning stick.
2 Use Runes
Link may not have all those fancy Guardian Powers yet, but that doesn't stop him from accessing Runes. These helpful tools can make Hyrule Castle a bit less daunting. The Crynosis (or ice) Rune can help Link pick up useful treasure chests, at The Docks, for example.
Additionally, Magnesis is especially helpful during the fight with Ganon. Since players don’t have a lot of weapons to choose from, they'll want to recycle all that they can. After getting hit, weapons often fly off into the distance or fall to the ground. By using Magnesis, players can recollect their weapons much easier.
1 Visit The Armory
This place is perfect for obtaining high-quality weapons without foraging the entirety of Hyrule. As its name suggests, The Armory has many royal items to take advantage of. These include a Royal Bow, a Royal Claymore, a Royal Halberd, a Royal Guard's Shield, some rusty weapons, and a Royal Guards Bow.
This is a simple way to quickly collect weapons without a ton of combat. This shield will benefit Link greatly when fighting Ganon. While initially sneaking into the castle with little to go on is not ideal, players can quickly collect helpful items throughout Hyrule Castle when done carefully and tactically.