What is the best weapon to use against Waterblight Ganon in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

Waterblight Ganon is one of the four Blight Ganons you will face in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and it serves as the boss of the Divine Beast Vah Ruta. This boss fight takes place in two phases, and understanding its mechanics and weaknesses is crucial for success. The best weapon to use against Waterblight Ganon depends on the phase of the fight, but generally, you will want to rely on a combination of ranged and melee weapons, along with strategic use of the Cryonis rune.

In the first phase of the fight, Waterblight Ganon will primarily attack you with its spear and ice blocks. The spear attacks are relatively slow and telegraphed, making them easy to dodge if you pay attention to its movements. The ice blocks, however, can be more challenging to deal with. These ice blocks will be thrown at you or created in the water to limit your movement. To counter this, you can use the Cryonis rune to break the ice blocks or create your own platforms to move around. This phase is best approached with a strong melee weapon, such as a Royal Broadsword or a Savage Lynel Sword, as you will need to get close to deal damage. However, you should also keep a bow and arrows handy for when Waterblight Ganon is out of reach.

When Waterblight Ganon is in the air, it will be difficult to hit with melee weapons, so this is where your bow comes into play. Aim for its eye, which is its weak point, to stun it and bring it back down to the ground. Once it is stunned, you can rush in and deal significant damage with your melee weapon. It is important to note that Waterblight Ganon will occasionally summon ice blocks to shield itself. You can use the Cryonis rune to destroy these blocks and create an opening for attack.

In the second phase of the fight, the water level in the arena will rise, and Waterblight Ganon will become more aggressive. It will continue to use its spear and ice block attacks, but it will also start using a new attack where it fires energy orbs at you. These orbs can be deflected back at it using a well-timed shield parry, or you can dodge them by moving quickly. This phase is more challenging because the increased water level limits your movement, making it harder to avoid attacks. You will need to rely more on your bow and arrows during this phase, as Waterblight Ganon will spend more time in the air. A strong bow, such as the Royal Bow or a Lynel Bow, combined with bomb arrows, can be very effective here. Bomb arrows deal significant damage and can help you quickly bring down Waterblight Ganon's health.

Preparation is key for this fight. Before entering the Divine Beast Vah Ruta, make sure you have plenty of arrows, especially bomb arrows, as they are very effective against Waterblight Ganon. You should also stock up on healing items, such as hearty meals or elixirs, to keep your health topped up during the fight. Wearing armor with high defense, such as the Soldier's Armor set, can also help reduce the damage you take from Waterblight Ganon's attacks.

One common mistake players make is not using the Cryonis rune effectively. This rune is essential for breaking ice blocks and creating platforms, so make sure you are comfortable using it before the fight. Another mistake is not conserving arrows. While it can be tempting to spam arrows, especially bomb arrows, you should aim carefully to make each shot count. Running out of arrows mid-fight can put you in a difficult position.

Advanced techniques include using the Stasis rune to freeze Waterblight Ganon temporarily, giving you a window to attack. This can be particularly useful in the second phase when it is more aggressive. Additionally, if you have the Master Sword, it can be a powerful weapon to use against Waterblight Ganon, especially since it deals extra damage to Ganon's minions.

In summary, the best weapon to use against Waterblight Ganon is a combination of a strong melee weapon, such as a Royal Broadsword or Savage Lynel Sword, and a powerful bow with bomb arrows. The Cryonis rune is essential for dealing with ice blocks and creating platforms, and the Stasis rune can be used to temporarily freeze Waterblight Ganon for additional attack opportunities. Preparation, including stocking up on arrows and healing items, is crucial for success. By following these strategies and avoiding common mistakes, you can defeat Waterblight Ganon and free Divine Beast Vah Ruta.