What is the best way to defeat Waterblight Ganon in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

Defeating Waterblight Ganon in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild requires a combination of preparation, strategy, and understanding of the boss's mechanics. Waterblight Ganon is the boss of the Divine Beast Vah Ruta, and it is one of the four Blight Ganons you must defeat to weaken Calamity Ganon. This fight takes place in two phases, each with unique challenges. Here is a detailed guide to help you defeat Waterblight Ganon effectively.

First, preparation is key. Before entering the Divine Beast Vah Ruta, ensure you have a good supply of weapons, arrows, and healing items. Waterblight Ganon is weak to shock and ice attacks, so having weapons or arrows with these elemental effects can be very helpful. The Lightning Rod or any shock-based weapon is particularly effective. Additionally, stock up on food that provides extra hearts, stamina, or defense. Dishes made with hearty ingredients like Hearty Radishes or Durians are excellent for restoring health. Armor with high defense or elemental resistance, such as the Zora Armor set, can also be beneficial.

The fight against Waterblight Ganon is divided into two phases. In the first phase, Waterblight Ganon will use a spear to attack you. It has a few main attacks: a thrust, a sweeping attack, and a ranged attack where it throws ice blocks at you. The key to this phase is to stay mobile and avoid its attacks. Use your shield to block the spear thrusts and sweeps, and dodge the ice blocks. When Waterblight Ganon throws ice blocks, you can use Cryonis to break them before they hit you. This not only protects you but also creates openings for counterattacks.

To deal damage, wait for Waterblight Ganon to expose itself after an attack. Use your bow to shoot arrows at its eye, which is its weak point. Aiming for the eye will stun it, allowing you to get in close and attack with your melee weapons. Repeat this process until its health is depleted, and the second phase begins.

In the second phase, Waterblight Ganon will move to the center of the arena and start using water-based attacks. It will summon large blocks of ice and throw them at you. This is where Cryonis becomes essential. Use Cryonis to break the ice blocks before they hit you. Waterblight Ganon will also create a water spout to lift itself into the air, making it harder to hit. When it does this, use your bow to shoot arrows at its eye. Stunning it will bring it back down to the ground, allowing you to attack with your melee weapons.

One common mistake is not managing your resources effectively. Make sure to conserve your arrows and weapons, especially in the second phase where you will need to use your bow frequently. Another mistake is not using Cryonis to break the ice blocks, which can lead to unnecessary damage. Always be ready to switch between your weapons and runes to adapt to the situation.

Advanced techniques include using shock arrows to deal extra damage. If you have the Master Sword, it will be particularly effective against Waterblight Ganon, as it deals extra damage to Ganon's minions. Additionally, using Urbosa's Fury, a power granted by defeating Thunderblight Ganon, can stun Waterblight Ganon and deal significant damage.

Alternative approaches include using bomb arrows or other elemental arrows if you run out of shock arrows. You can also use the environment to your advantage by staying near the edges of the arena to avoid some of Waterblight Ganon's attacks. If you have the Zora Armor set, its swim speed boost can help you move quickly if you need to dodge attacks.

In summary, defeating Waterblight Ganon requires preparation, strategy, and adaptability. Stock up on weapons, arrows, and healing items, and use Cryonis to break ice blocks. Aim for Waterblight Ganon's eye to stun it and deal damage. Manage your resources carefully and use advanced techniques like shock arrows and Urbosa's Fury to gain an advantage. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can defeat Waterblight Ganon and free Divine Beast Vah Ruta.