What is the best way to defeat a Water Ganon in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

Defeating Waterblight Ganon, the boss of the Divine Beast Vah Ruta, requires a combination of preparation, strategy, and understanding of the boss's mechanics. Waterblight Ganon is one of the four Blight Ganons Link must face to free the Divine Beasts, and it is a challenging fight, especially for players early in the game. Here is a detailed guide to help you defeat Waterblight Ganon effectively.

First, preparation is key. Before entering the Divine Beast, ensure you have a good supply of weapons, arrows, and healing items. Waterblight Ganon has two phases, and both require different approaches. For weapons, prioritize having a strong bow, such as a Royal Bow or a Lynel Bow, as ranged attacks are crucial in this fight. Stock up on arrows, especially Shock Arrows, as they are highly effective against Waterblight Ganon. Additionally, bring plenty of food or elixirs to restore health. Dishes that provide extra hearts or temporary boosts to defense or attack power can be very helpful. For example, cooking five Hearty Durians will give you a dish that fully restores your health and grants extra temporary hearts.

The fight against Waterblight Ganon is divided into two phases. In the first phase, Waterblight Ganon will attack with a spear and create ice blocks that it will throw at you. The key to this phase is to use Cryonis, one of the Runes you obtained earlier in the game. When Waterblight Ganon creates ice blocks, use Cryonis to shatter them before they can be thrown at you. This will prevent damage and give you an opening to attack. After destroying the ice blocks, aim for Waterblight Ganon's eye with arrows. A well-placed shot will stun it, allowing you to close the distance and deal melee damage with your weapon. Repeat this process until the first phase is complete.

In the second phase, Waterblight Ganon will move to the center of the arena and summon a large pool of water. It will also create more ice blocks and attack with its spear from a distance. The water makes it difficult to move around, so use Cryonis to create pillars of ice to stand on. This will give you a stable platform to shoot arrows from. Focus on using Shock Arrows during this phase, as they deal significant damage to Waterblight Ganon. Aim for its eye to stun it, then switch to a melee weapon to deal damage. Be mindful of your stamina, as you will need to swim or climb onto the ice pillars to avoid attacks.

One common mistake is not managing your resources effectively. It is easy to run out of arrows or healing items during the fight, so make sure to conserve them. Use your bow sparingly and only when you have a clear shot. Additionally, avoid wasting Cryonis uses by creating unnecessary ice blocks. Only create them when needed to avoid attacks or to gain a better vantage point.

Advanced techniques can make the fight easier. For example, if you have the Stasis Rune upgraded, you can use it to freeze Waterblight Ganon temporarily, giving you more time to attack. Additionally, using Urbosa's Fury, a power granted by defeating Thunderblight Ganon, can deal massive damage and stun Waterblight Ganon, making the fight much quicker.

Alternative approaches include using elemental weapons or abilities. If you have access to weapons that deal fire or electric damage, they can be very effective against Waterblight Ganon. For example, a Flameblade or a Thunderblade can deal extra damage and potentially stun the boss. Additionally, using the Master Sword, if you have it, can be very effective, as it deals extra damage to Ganon and his minions.

In summary, defeating Waterblight Ganon requires preparation, strategy, and effective use of your abilities. Stock up on arrows, especially Shock Arrows, and bring plenty of healing items. Use Cryonis to counter its ice attacks and create platforms in the second phase. Aim for its eye to stun it and deal melee damage. Manage your resources carefully and consider using advanced techniques or elemental weapons to make the fight easier. With these strategies, you should be able to defeat Waterblight Ganon and free Divine Beast Vah Ruta.