What is the easiest Divine Beast to tackle first in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

The easiest Divine Beast to tackle first in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is generally considered to be Vah Ruta, the elephant-shaped Divine Beast located in the Zora Domain. This is because the questline leading to Vah Ruta is relatively straightforward, and the abilities you gain from completing it are highly useful for the rest of the game. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to approach this Divine Beast, including mechanics, strategies, and tips.

To begin, you need to head to the Zora Domain, which is located in the Lanayru region. The path to the Zora Domain is marked by a series of glowing shrines and Zora NPCs who will guide you. Along the way, youÔÇÖll encounter rain, which makes climbing difficult, so itÔÇÖs advisable to follow the main path and avoid unnecessary detours. Once you reach the Zora Domain, youÔÇÖll meet Prince Sidon, who will explain the situation with Vah Ruta and ask for your help.

The main quest involves calming Vah Ruta, which is causing heavy rainfall and flooding in the area. To do this, youÔÇÖll need to use Shock Arrows to hit the four terminals on Vah RutaÔÇÖs body. These terminals are located on the Divine BeastÔÇÖs shoulders and back. You can obtain Shock Arrows by purchasing them from shops or by defeating the Lynel on Ploymus Mountain, which is a challenging but optional task. If you choose to fight the Lynel, make sure to prepare with strong weapons, armor, and healing items.

Once you have the Shock Arrows, youÔÇÖll need to approach Vah Ruta. Prince Sidon will assist you by creating water spouts that you can use to glide closer to the Divine Beast. Use your bow to aim and shoot the Shock Arrows at the terminals. Be mindful of the timing, as Vah Ruta will periodically rotate and move, making it harder to hit the targets. After hitting all four terminals, Vah Ruta will calm down, and youÔÇÖll gain access to its interior.

Inside Vah Ruta, youÔÇÖll encounter a series of puzzles that involve manipulating the Divine BeastÔÇÖs trunk and internal mechanisms. The main mechanic here is using the Sheikah SlateÔÇÖs Cryonis rune to create ice blocks in water. These blocks can be used to stop water flow, create platforms, or redirect water to activate switches. Pay attention to the map of Vah Ruta, which shows the layout and the locations of the terminals you need to activate.

One of the key puzzles involves using Cryonis to block water jets and create a path to a terminal. Another puzzle requires you to rotate the trunk to align it with a water channel, allowing water to flow and activate a switch. Take your time to observe the environment and experiment with different Cryonis placements. If you get stuck, remember that you can always leave the Divine Beast and return later with more resources or better equipment.

After activating all the terminals, youÔÇÖll face Waterblight Ganon, the boss of Vah Ruta. This boss has two phases. In the first phase, it will attack with a spear and create ice blocks that you can destroy with Cryonis or arrows. Use your bow to target its eye, which is its weak point. In the second phase, Waterblight Ganon will summon floating platforms and continue to attack with ice blocks. Use Cryonis to create platforms and get closer to the boss. Aim for its eye with arrows or melee attacks when itÔÇÖs vulnerable.

Defeating Waterblight Ganon will free Vah Ruta from GanonÔÇÖs control, and youÔÇÖll receive MiphaÔÇÖs Grace, a powerful ability that revives you with full health when you die. This ability is incredibly useful for the rest of the game, making Vah Ruta a great first Divine Beast to tackle.

Some important tips and considerations include preparing with plenty of arrows, especially Shock Arrows, and having a good supply of healing items. Make sure your weapons and armor are in good condition, as the Lynel fight and the boss battle can be challenging. Additionally, take your time to explore Vah Ruta thoroughly, as there are hidden chests containing valuable items.

Common mistakes to avoid include rushing through the puzzles without understanding the mechanics, which can lead to frustration. Also, donÔÇÖt underestimate the Lynel if you choose to fight it. Advanced techniques include using stealth to avoid the Lynel or using environmental elements to your advantage during the boss fight.

In summary, Vah Ruta is the easiest Divine Beast to tackle first due to its straightforward questline and the useful ability you gain from completing it. By following the steps outlined above, you can successfully calm Vah Ruta, solve its puzzles, and defeat Waterblight Ganon, setting yourself up for success in the rest of the game.