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. Once you arrive, youÔÇÖll meet Prince Sidon, who will explain that Vah Ruta is causing a massive flood by endlessly producing water. He will ask for your help to calm the Divine Beast.

The first step in the quest is to collect Shock Arrows. YouÔÇÖll need at least 20 Shock Arrows to proceed, and these can be obtained by defeating the Lynel on Ploymus Mountain or by finding them scattered around the area. The Lynel is a tough enemy, but you can avoid combat by sneaking around and collecting the arrows stuck in trees. Once you have the Shock Arrows, return to Prince Sidon, and he will take you to the East Reservoir Lake, where Vah Ruta is located.

At the lake, youÔÇÖll need to use the Shock Arrows to hit the four glowing orbs on Vah Ruta. These orbs are located on the Divine BeastÔÇÖs shoulders and back. YouÔÇÖll need to aim carefully, as the orbs are moving, and the rain in the area makes it harder to aim. Once all four orbs are hit, Vah Ruta will calm down, and youÔÇÖll be able to board the Divine Beast.

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 trunk to control water flow, which can be used to rotate wheels, fill pools, and activate switches. For example, one puzzle requires you to raise the water level in a room to reach a higher platform, while another involves using the trunk to rotate a wheel and open a gate.

Combat inside Vah Ruta is minimal, but you will face a few Guardian Scouts. These enemies are relatively easy to defeat if you have decent weapons and shields. The final challenge is the boss fight against Waterblight Ganon. This boss has two phases: in the first phase, it will attack you with a spear and ice blocks. You can use Cryonis to break the ice blocks and create platforms to reach higher ground. In the second phase, Waterblight Ganon will teleport around the arena and shoot energy orbs at you. Use your bow to hit its eye and deal damage.

After defeating Waterblight Ganon, youÔÇÖll free Vah Ruta from GanonÔÇÖs control and receive MiphaÔÇÖs Grace, a powerful ability that revives you with full health if 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 making sure you have enough arrows and weapons before starting the quest. The Lynel fight can be tough, so itÔÇÖs a good idea to have some healing items and armor with high defense. Additionally, the rain in the Zora Domain makes climbing difficult, so plan your route carefully.

Common mistakes to avoid include not having enough Shock Arrows or trying to fight the Lynel without proper preparation. The Lynel is one of the toughest enemies in the game, and itÔÇÖs often better to avoid combat if youÔÇÖre not ready. Another mistake is not using Cryonis effectively during the Waterblight Ganon fight, as this ability is key to breaking the ice blocks and creating platforms.

Advanced techniques include using Stasis to freeze enemies and give yourself time to attack or reposition. You can also use the environment to your advantage, such as hiding behind pillars to avoid Waterblight GanonÔÇÖs attacks.

Required items and preparation include a good supply of arrows, especially Shock Arrows, as well as strong weapons and shields. ItÔÇÖs also a good idea to have some healing items and armor with high defense. The Zora Armor set is particularly useful, as it increases your swimming speed and allows you to climb waterfalls.

Alternative approaches include using stealth to avoid the Lynel and collect the Shock Arrows without fighting. You can also use the environment to your advantage, such as hiding behind rocks and trees to avoid detection.

In summary, Vah Ruta is the easiest Divine Beast to tackle first due to its straightforward questline and the powerful ability you gain from completing it. By following these strategies and tips, you can successfully free Vah Ruta and gain MiphaÔÇÖs Grace, which will be a valuable asset in your journey through Hyrule.