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 several forms, including stationary, walking, and flying types. During the Divine Beast quests, youÔÇÖll primarily encounter stationary and walking Guardians. They attack with powerful laser beams that can deal massive damage if not avoided or countered. Guardians have a weak point: their eye. Hitting the eye with an arrow or a well-timed attack can stagger them, giving you an opportunity to deal more damage.

Preparation is key. Before engaging a Guardian, ensure you have the right equipment. Ancient weapons, such as the Ancient Short Sword or Ancient Bladesaw, are highly effective against Guardians because they deal extra damage to them. These can be obtained by trading Ancient Materials with the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. Additionally, having a strong shield, like the Ancient Shield, is crucial. The Ancient Shield can automatically deflect Guardian lasers if you hold it up, making it a valuable tool for countering their attacks. If you donÔÇÖt have access to Ancient gear, high-damage weapons and shields with high durability will suffice.

Next, stock up on healing items and elixirs. Cooking hearty meals or using elixirs that boost your defense or attack can give you an edge in battle. For example, a dish made with Hearty Radishes or Durians can fully restore your health and provide extra hearts, while an elixir made with Ironshrooms or Armored Carp can increase your defense. Having a few fairies in your inventory is also a good idea, as they can revive you if you fall in battle.

When facing a stationary Guardian, the strategy is relatively straightforward. Approach cautiously and use the environment to your advantage. If youÔÇÖre close enough, you can use the terrain to break the GuardianÔÇÖs line of sight, forcing it to reposition and giving you time to attack. Aim for the eye with arrows to stagger it, then rush in and attack with your strongest weapon. Repeat this process until the Guardian is defeated. If you have the Ancient Shield, you can simply hold it up to deflect the laser back at the Guardian, dealing significant damage.

Walking Guardians are more challenging due to their mobility. They can move around and adjust their aim, making it harder to avoid their attacks. The key here is to stay mobile yourself. Use your shield to parry their laser attacks. Timing is crucial: wait for the Guardian to lock onto you, and just as it fires, press the A button to perform a perfect parry. This will reflect the laser back at the Guardian, often destroying it in one hit. If youÔÇÖre not confident in your parrying skills, you can use Stasis+ to freeze the Guardian temporarily, giving you a window to attack its legs. Destroying its legs will immobilize it, making it easier to target the eye.

Common mistakes to avoid include rushing into battle unprepared and underestimating the GuardianÔÇÖs range and damage output. Always ensure you have enough health and resources before engaging. Another mistake is panicking when the Guardian locks onto you. Stay calm, focus on your timing, and use your shield or terrain to your advantage.

Advanced techniques include using the Master Sword, which deals extra damage to Guardians when itÔÇÖs glowing. This happens when youÔÇÖre near a Divine Beast or in Hyrule Castle. Additionally, using UrbosaÔÇÖs Fury, a power granted by defeating the Divine Beast Vah Naboris, can deal massive damage to Guardians and stun them, giving you an opportunity to attack.

In summary, defeating Guardians during the Divine Beast quests requires preparation, strategy, and practice. Equip yourself with strong weapons and shields, stock up on healing items, and use the environment to your advantage. Aim for the eye, parry their laser attacks, and stay mobile. With these tips, youÔÇÖll be able to overcome the Guardians and progress through the Divine Beast quests successfully.