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

To free Divine Beast Vah Ruta in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you must complete a series of tasks that involve solving puzzles, defeating enemies, and navigating the Divine Beast's interior. This quest is part of the main story and is essential for weakening Calamity Ganon. Here is a detailed guide to help you complete this quest.

First, you need to start the quest by speaking with Prince Sidon at Zora's Domain. He will explain that Vah Ruta is causing heavy rainfall and flooding in the area, and he needs your help to stop it. To begin, you must collect Shock Arrows, which are necessary to calm Vah Ruta. Prince Sidon will direct you to Ploymus Mountain, where you can find Shock Arrows scattered around the area. Be cautious, as a Lynel roams this mountain. You can either defeat the Lynel or stealthily collect the arrows without engaging it. Collect at least 20 Shock Arrows to proceed.

Once you have the Shock Arrows, return to Prince Sidon at East Reservoir Lake. He will explain that you need to use the Shock Arrows to hit the four glowing orbs on Vah Ruta. These orbs are located on the Divine Beast's trunk and legs. You will need to use your bow and aim carefully to hit the orbs while riding on Sidon's back. This part of the quest requires precise timing and aim, as the orbs are moving targets. Use the Cryonis rune to create ice blocks to shield yourself from Vah Ruta's water attacks.

After hitting all four orbs, Vah Ruta will calm down, and you can enter the Divine Beast. Inside, you will need to solve a series of puzzles to activate five terminals. These puzzles involve manipulating the Divine Beast's trunk and using the Cryonis rune to create ice blocks to reach higher areas. Pay attention to the map of Vah Ruta, which shows the location of the terminals and the trunk's position. Rotating the trunk can help you access different parts of the Divine Beast.

One of the key puzzles involves using the trunk to fill a water channel, allowing you to float a metal block to a higher platform. Another puzzle requires you to create ice blocks to block water jets and redirect the flow of water. Take your time to explore each area and experiment with the trunk's rotation to find the best solution for each puzzle.

Once all five terminals are activated, you will face Waterblight Ganon, the boss of Vah Ruta. This boss has two phases. In the first phase, it uses a spear to attack and creates ice blocks that you can destroy with Cryonis or arrows. Use your bow to target its eye, which is its weak point. In the second phase, Waterblight Ganon will teleport and throw ice blocks at you. Use Cryonis to destroy the ice blocks and continue targeting its eye with arrows. Be sure to have plenty of arrows and healing items, as this fight can be challenging.

After defeating Waterblight Ganon, you will free Vah Ruta and receive Mipha's Grace, a powerful ability that revives you with full health when you die. This ability is invaluable for the rest of your journey. Additionally, you will receive a Heart Container and a cutscene that provides more backstory about Mipha and her connection to Link.

Some important tips for this quest include preparing enough arrows and healing items before starting. The fight with Waterblight Ganon can be tough, so having a strong bow and plenty of arrows is crucial. Also, make sure to upgrade your stamina and health as much as possible before attempting this quest. Using the Zora Armor set, which increases your swimming speed and allows you to climb waterfalls, can be very helpful during this quest.

Common mistakes to avoid include not collecting enough Shock Arrows before attempting to calm Vah Ruta and not using the Cryonis rune effectively during the boss fight. Make sure to take your time and plan your moves carefully, especially during the puzzles inside Vah Ruta.

Advanced techniques include using the environment to your advantage during the boss fight. For example, you can use Cryonis to create ice blocks that block Waterblight Ganon's attacks or to reach higher platforms. Additionally, using elemental arrows, such as Fire or Ice Arrows, can deal extra damage to the boss.

In summary, freeing Divine Beast Vah Ruta involves collecting Shock Arrows, calming the Divine Beast, solving puzzles inside it, and defeating Waterblight Ganon. Preparation, careful planning, and effective use of your abilities are key to completing this quest successfully. By following these steps and tips, you can free Vah Ruta and gain a powerful ability to aid you in your journey.