How do I activate the Divine Beast Vah Ruta quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

To activate the Divine Beast Vah Ruta quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you need to follow a series of steps that involve interacting with key NPCs, completing specific tasks, and preparing for a challenging battle. This quest is one of the four main Divine Beast quests and is essential for progressing the game's story. Here is a detailed guide on how to activate and complete the quest.

First, you need to reach Zora's Domain, which is located in the Lanayru region. To get there, you can follow the path from Kakariko Village or travel directly if you have already explored the area. Along the way, you will encounter Sidon, the Zora prince, who will ask for your help in dealing with Divine Beast Vah Ruta. He will explain that the Divine Beast is causing heavy rainfall in the region, which is threatening to flood Zora's Domain. This is your introduction to the quest.

Once you reach Zora's Domain, you will need to speak with King Dorephan, the Zora king. He will provide more details about the situation and formally ask for your assistance. At this point, the quest "Divine Beast Vah Ruta" will be added to your quest log. The next step is to meet with Sidon again, who will guide you to the East Reservoir Lake, where Vah Ruta is located.

Before heading to the lake, it is important to prepare for the upcoming challenges. You will need a good supply of arrows, especially shock arrows, as they are crucial for the battle with the Divine Beast. You can find shock arrows by defeating Lynels or purchasing them from shops. Additionally, make sure you have a decent weapon and armor set, as you will face tough enemies along the way.

When you arrive at the East Reservoir Lake, Sidon will explain that you need to stop the water flowing from Vah Ruta by targeting its water spouts. To do this, you will need to use shock arrows to hit the glowing targets on the Divine Beast. This requires precise aiming and timing, as the targets are moving and can be difficult to hit. Sidon will assist you by creating a water spout that you can ride to get a better vantage point.

After successfully stopping the water flow, you will need to board Vah Ruta. Inside, you will encounter a series of puzzles and enemies that you must overcome to gain control of the Divine Beast. The puzzles involve manipulating the trunk of Vah Ruta to change the water flow and access different areas. Pay close attention to the map and use the Sheikah Slate to interact with the control terminals.

Once you have activated all the control terminals, you will face Waterblight Ganon, the boss of Vah Ruta. This boss has two phases. In the first phase, it will attack you with a spear and create ice blocks that you can destroy with arrows or cryonis. In the second phase, it will summon more ice blocks and attack from a distance. Use your arrows and cryonis to defeat it.

After defeating Waterblight Ganon, you will gain control of Vah Ruta and receive Mipha's Grace, a powerful ability that revives you with full health when you die. This ability is extremely useful for the rest of the game. Finally, return to Zora's Domain to complete the quest and receive your reward.

Some important tips and considerations include making sure you have enough arrows and weapons before starting the quest, as running out of resources can make the battle much harder. Additionally, practice your aiming skills to hit the moving targets on Vah Ruta. Common mistakes to avoid include not preparing adequately and underestimating the difficulty of the puzzles and boss fight.

Advanced techniques include using the environment to your advantage, such as using cryonis to create platforms or block attacks. You can also use elixirs and food to boost your stats and make the battle easier. Alternative approaches include completing other quests and shrines to increase your health and stamina before attempting the Divine Beast.

In summary, activating and completing the Divine Beast Vah Ruta quest involves interacting with key NPCs, preparing for a challenging battle, solving puzzles, and defeating a tough boss. By following these steps and tips, you can successfully complete the quest and gain a powerful ability to aid you in your journey.