What is the best way to approach Divine Beast Vah Ruta in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?
Approaching Divine Beast Vah Ruta in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild requires careful preparation, strategic thinking, and an understanding of the mechanics involved. Vah Ruta is the first Divine Beast most players encounter, and it is located in the Zora Domain. The quest to free Vah Ruta begins with speaking to Sidon, the Zora prince, who will guide you through the initial steps. Here is a detailed guide on how to approach and complete this Divine Beast quest.
First, you need to prepare for the journey. Before heading to Vah Ruta, make sure you have enough arrows, especially shock arrows. Shock arrows are crucial for the first phase of the battle against the Divine Beast. You can find shock arrows by purchasing them from shops or by defeating Lynels, which drop them. Additionally, stock up on healing items and meals that provide extra hearts or stamina. Cooking dishes with hearty ingredients like hearty radishes or durians can give you temporary bonus hearts, which are very useful in combat.
Once you are prepared, head to the Zora Domain and speak with Sidon. He will explain that Vah Ruta is causing trouble by creating endless rain, which is flooding the area. To stop this, you need to board the Divine Beast and calm it down. Sidon will guide you to the East Reservoir Lake, where Vah Ruta is located. Along the way, you will encounter enemies like Lizalfos and Octoroks, so be ready to fight or avoid them.
When you reach the East Reservoir Lake, Sidon will explain that you need to shoot shock arrows at the four glowing orbs on Vah Ruta to stop its water spouts. This is where your preparation with shock arrows comes into play. You will need to aim carefully and shoot the orbs while riding on Sidon's back as he swims around the Divine Beast. This phase can be tricky because the rain makes surfaces slippery, and the Divine Beast will attack you with ice blocks. Use your Cryonis rune to break the ice blocks and create platforms if needed.
After successfully hitting all four orbs, Vah Ruta will calm down, and you can board it. Inside, you will find a series of puzzles and enemies that you need to navigate. The main mechanic inside Vah Ruta involves using the Sheikah Slate to manipulate the Divine Beast's trunk. By rotating the trunk, you can change the flow of water, which is key to solving the puzzles. For example, you may need to rotate the trunk to fill a pool of water, allowing you to use Cryonis to create a platform and reach higher areas.
One of the most important tips for navigating Vah Ruta is to pay attention to the map. The map shows the layout of the Divine Beast and highlights the terminals you need to activate. Each terminal is a puzzle in itself, requiring you to use the trunk's water flow or other runes like Magnesis and Stasis. Take your time to explore and experiment with the mechanics. If you get stuck, try looking for clues in the environment or revisiting areas you may have missed.
Combat inside Vah Ruta is also a key aspect. You will encounter Guardian Scouts, which are smaller versions of the Guardians found throughout Hyrule. These enemies can be tough, so make sure you have strong weapons and shields. Using elemental weapons like fire or ice arrows can give you an advantage. Additionally, using the environment to your benefit, such as hiding behind cover or using the trunk's water flow to push enemies off platforms, can make combat easier.
A common mistake to avoid is rushing through the puzzles. Take your time to understand how the trunk's rotation affects the water flow and how it can be used to solve the puzzles. Another mistake is not managing your resources properly. Make sure to conserve your weapons and arrows, and use your runes effectively to avoid unnecessary damage.
Advanced techniques include using the trunk's water flow to create updrafts, which you can ride with your paraglider to reach higher areas. This can save time and make navigating the Divine Beast easier. Additionally, using Stasis on moving platforms or enemies can give you an advantage in both puzzles and combat.
In terms of alternative approaches, some players prefer to complete the Divine Beasts in a different order. While Vah Ruta is often the first, you can choose to tackle the others first if you feel more prepared. However, completing Vah Ruta early grants you Mipha's Grace, a powerful ability that revives you with extra hearts when you die, which can be very useful for the rest of the game.
In conclusion, approaching Divine Beast Vah Ruta requires preparation, strategic thinking, and a good understanding of the game's mechanics. By following these steps and tips, you can successfully navigate the Divine Beast, solve its puzzles, and defeat the enemies inside. This will not only advance the story but also grant you a powerful ability to aid you in your journey through Hyrule.
First, you need to prepare for the journey. Before heading to Vah Ruta, make sure you have enough arrows, especially shock arrows. Shock arrows are crucial for the first phase of the battle against the Divine Beast. You can find shock arrows by purchasing them from shops or by defeating Lynels, which drop them. Additionally, stock up on healing items and meals that provide extra hearts or stamina. Cooking dishes with hearty ingredients like hearty radishes or durians can give you temporary bonus hearts, which are very useful in combat.
Once you are prepared, head to the Zora Domain and speak with Sidon. He will explain that Vah Ruta is causing trouble by creating endless rain, which is flooding the area. To stop this, you need to board the Divine Beast and calm it down. Sidon will guide you to the East Reservoir Lake, where Vah Ruta is located. Along the way, you will encounter enemies like Lizalfos and Octoroks, so be ready to fight or avoid them.
When you reach the East Reservoir Lake, Sidon will explain that you need to shoot shock arrows at the four glowing orbs on Vah Ruta to stop its water spouts. This is where your preparation with shock arrows comes into play. You will need to aim carefully and shoot the orbs while riding on Sidon's back as he swims around the Divine Beast. This phase can be tricky because the rain makes surfaces slippery, and the Divine Beast will attack you with ice blocks. Use your Cryonis rune to break the ice blocks and create platforms if needed.
After successfully hitting all four orbs, Vah Ruta will calm down, and you can board it. Inside, you will find a series of puzzles and enemies that you need to navigate. The main mechanic inside Vah Ruta involves using the Sheikah Slate to manipulate the Divine Beast's trunk. By rotating the trunk, you can change the flow of water, which is key to solving the puzzles. For example, you may need to rotate the trunk to fill a pool of water, allowing you to use Cryonis to create a platform and reach higher areas.
One of the most important tips for navigating Vah Ruta is to pay attention to the map. The map shows the layout of the Divine Beast and highlights the terminals you need to activate. Each terminal is a puzzle in itself, requiring you to use the trunk's water flow or other runes like Magnesis and Stasis. Take your time to explore and experiment with the mechanics. If you get stuck, try looking for clues in the environment or revisiting areas you may have missed.
Combat inside Vah Ruta is also a key aspect. You will encounter Guardian Scouts, which are smaller versions of the Guardians found throughout Hyrule. These enemies can be tough, so make sure you have strong weapons and shields. Using elemental weapons like fire or ice arrows can give you an advantage. Additionally, using the environment to your benefit, such as hiding behind cover or using the trunk's water flow to push enemies off platforms, can make combat easier.
A common mistake to avoid is rushing through the puzzles. Take your time to understand how the trunk's rotation affects the water flow and how it can be used to solve the puzzles. Another mistake is not managing your resources properly. Make sure to conserve your weapons and arrows, and use your runes effectively to avoid unnecessary damage.
Advanced techniques include using the trunk's water flow to create updrafts, which you can ride with your paraglider to reach higher areas. This can save time and make navigating the Divine Beast easier. Additionally, using Stasis on moving platforms or enemies can give you an advantage in both puzzles and combat.
In terms of alternative approaches, some players prefer to complete the Divine Beasts in a different order. While Vah Ruta is often the first, you can choose to tackle the others first if you feel more prepared. However, completing Vah Ruta early grants you Mipha's Grace, a powerful ability that revives you with extra hearts when you die, which can be very useful for the rest of the game.
In conclusion, approaching Divine Beast Vah Ruta requires preparation, strategic thinking, and a good understanding of the game's mechanics. By following these steps and tips, you can successfully navigate the Divine Beast, solve its puzzles, and defeat the enemies inside. This will not only advance the story but also grant you a powerful ability to aid you in your journey through Hyrule.