What is the best way to defeat the Guardians during the Divine Beast quests in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

Defeating Guardians during the Divine Beast quests in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild requires a combination of preparation, strategy, and understanding of their mechanics. Guardians are formidable enemies, but with the right approach, you can overcome them efficiently. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you succeed.

First, itÔÇÖs important to understand the mechanics of Guardians. Guardians are ancient machines corrupted by Ganon, and they come in different forms, such as stationary, walking, and flying. During the Divine Beast quests, youÔÇÖll encounter stationary Guardians that are often part of the puzzles or obstacles you need to overcome. These Guardians have a laser attack that can deal massive damage if not avoided or countered. They also have a weak point: their eye. Hitting the eye with an arrow or a well-timed attack can stun them temporarily.

Preparation is key. Before engaging Guardians, ensure you have the right equipment. A strong bow, such as the Ancient Bow or a high-damage bow like the Royal Bow, is essential for targeting their eye. Arrows, especially Ancient Arrows, are highly effective against Guardians. Ancient Arrows can one-shot a Guardian if you hit its eye, but they are rare and expensive, so use them wisely. Additionally, having a shield with the ability to parry, such as the Ancient Shield or a well-timed parry with any shield, can deflect their laser attacks back at them, dealing significant damage.

Step-by-step, hereÔÇÖs how to defeat a Guardian. First, approach cautiously and observe their behavior. Stationary Guardians will lock onto you with a laser targeting system. When you see the red laser targeting you, prepare to either dodge or parry. If you choose to dodge, move quickly to the side or behind cover to avoid the laser. If you prefer to parry, equip your shield and wait for the moment the laser is about to hit. Press the A button to perform a perfect parry, which will reflect the laser back at the Guardian, often destroying it in one hit.

If youÔÇÖre using arrows, aim for the GuardianÔÇÖs eye. A well-placed arrow will stun the Guardian, giving you a moment to attack its legs or body. If youÔÇÖre using melee weapons, focus on its legs to disable its movement, then attack its body. Ancient weapons, such as the Ancient Short Sword or Ancient Bladesaw, are particularly effective due to their bonus damage against Guardians.

Important tips and considerations include managing your stamina and health. Guardians can deal massive damage, so ensure you have plenty of healing items, such as hearty meals or elixirs. Cooking dishes with hearty ingredients, like Hearty Radishes or Durians, can provide extra hearts and temporary health boosts. Additionally, wearing armor with high defense, such as the Ancient Armor set, can reduce the damage you take. The Ancient Armor set also provides a bonus against Guardian attacks when fully upgraded.

Common mistakes to avoid include panicking when the laser targets you. Stay calm and time your dodge or parry correctly. Another mistake is wasting Ancient Arrows on non-essential targets. Save them for tougher Guardians or situations where you need a quick kill. Also, avoid engaging multiple Guardians at once unless youÔÇÖre confident in your abilities. Focus on one at a time to reduce the risk of being overwhelmed.

Advanced techniques include using the environment to your advantage. Hide behind cover to avoid laser attacks and plan your movements carefully. If youÔÇÖre skilled with the bow, you can use bullet time by jumping off a high surface and slowing down time to land multiple shots on the GuardianÔÇÖs eye. This can be particularly effective in taking down flying Guardians.

Required items and preparation include a strong bow, plenty of arrows, a good shield, and healing items. Ancient weapons and armor are highly recommended but not mandatory. If you donÔÇÖt have access to Ancient gear, high-damage weapons and high-defense armor will suffice. Cooking meals that boost your defense or provide extra hearts can also be beneficial.

Alternative approaches include using stealth to avoid Guardians altogether. If youÔÇÖre not confident in your combat skills, you can use stealth armor, such as the Sheikah Set, to sneak past them. Additionally, using runes like Stasis+ can freeze a Guardian temporarily, giving you time to attack or escape.

Specific examples and scenarios include the Divine Beast Vah Rudania quest, where youÔÇÖll encounter stationary Guardians on Death Mountain. These Guardians are surrounded by lava, so use your bow to target their eyes from a safe distance. In the Divine Beast Vah Medoh quest, youÔÇÖll face flying Guardians. Use bullet time to land multiple shots on their eyes while gliding.

In conclusion, defeating Guardians during the Divine Beast quests requires preparation, strategy, and understanding of their mechanics. By using the right equipment, managing your resources, and employing effective combat techniques, you can overcome these formidable enemies and progress through the gameÔÇÖs main story. Remember to stay calm, use the environment to your advantage, and focus on their weak points to achieve victory.