The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is only a few months away. With little information drip-fed by Nintendo over the years, fans have been going over each trailer put out with a fine-toothed comb. One feature that is instantly noticeable is the increase in enemy variety coming off Breath of the Wild. While it was always assumed that Bokoblins would make a return, they didn't seem so intimidating before Ganon's new strain of malice took effect.
Around halfway through the trailer released during the February 2023 Nintendo Direct is a massive Bokoblin wearing a necklace of skulls and a crown of bones. The Japanese Twitter page for The Legend of Zelda confirms this is a Boss Bokoblin, a monster able to control other Bokoblins with the sound of its horn. While it is currently unknown what effects the worsening blood moon will have on enemies in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, players should keep an eye on what has been shown of Bokoblins generally to get some idea of what to expect.
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom's Bokoblins Look Like a Force to Be Reckoned With
Organizing into formidable forces doesn't seem to be the only new trick that Bokoblins have learned: they can also fly with the help of a new monster. Amphibian creatures with bat-like wings are seen carrying Bokoblins through the air, reminiscent of The Wind Waker where Kargarocs were used as transport by both Bokoblins and Moblins. Players can easily imagine the Bokoblins dropping on an unsuspecting Link, or chasing him from the air with a hail of arrows.
While the new encounters present a challenge, like groups of Bokoblins riding Talos, it appears that even normal encounters will be more difficult compared to Breath of the Wild. Link can be seen in the latest trailer facing off against a trio of Moblins - two red, one black. They seem to require different tactics to defeat, as the black Moblin has a sword and shield, while the two red ones are barehanded or carrying a club.
New Bokoblin Tactics Might Leave Link Strapped for Parts
Tears of the Kingdom also appears to take the upgrade system a step further by introducing a new element to the game, with Link riding mechanical constructs made from various parts held together by a green substance. While some speculate that the sticky substance could be a new monster part, the machinery used to create the constructs can be seen being guarded by monsters at various points in the trailer.
The monster camps in Tears of the Kingdom seem to be more varied when compared to its predecessor. In the beginning of the February 2023 trailer, three Lizalfos are seen guarding a wooden platform as a Bokoblin with a backpack chips away at a chunk of stone. Another camp of note consists of a platform on the side of a cliff that Link is seen shield-surfing on rails to reach. Here, Bokoblins guard a strange painted stone with boxes, carts, and construct parts, while a Moblin keeps watch on a platform. They also appear to have constructed a barrier on the rails, either to prevent Link from passing or to knock him off his shield for an easy ambush.
Tears of the Kingdom will offer many new challenges. Between enemies infected with malice and a three-headed dragon blocking the Bridge of Hylia, Link will certainly have his hands full. While there's no word if Lynels will be returning in greater forces yet, a swarm of Molduga offers some food for thought.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is scheduled to release on May 12 for Nintendo Switch.