How do I solve the "The Crowned Beast" shrine quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

The "Crowned Beast" shrine quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is one of the more unique and visually striking shrine quests in the game. It involves solving a riddle to uncover the location of a hidden shrine. The quest is located in the Tabantha region, specifically near the Tabantha Bridge Stable. To begin the quest, you need to speak to an NPC named Shai Utoh, who is standing near the stable. She will give you a riddle: "The hero who travels the land, seek the crowned beast to gain entry. The beast crowned with three horns of stone, east of the serpent's skeleton it lies, waiting for a hero to draw near."

The riddle is the key to finding the shrine. The "crowned beast" refers to a large rock formation that resembles a beast with three stone horns. This formation is located east of the skeleton of the serpent, which is the remains of the Divine Beast Vah Medoh. The shrine is hidden beneath this rock formation, and you need to perform a specific action to reveal it.

To solve the quest, follow these steps. First, head east from the Tabantha Bridge Stable towards the skeleton of the Divine Beast Vah Medoh. You will see a large rock formation that looks like a beast with three horns. This is the "crowned beast" mentioned in the riddle. Once you reach the formation, you need to use a fire-based ability or item to light the three torches located on the horns of the beast. You can use a fire arrow, a flame weapon, or even a campfire to light the torches. Once all three torches are lit, the shrine will emerge from the ground, allowing you to enter and complete it.

There are a few important tips and considerations to keep in mind while attempting this quest. First, make sure you have a reliable way to light the torches. Fire arrows are the most straightforward option, but if you don't have any, you can use a flame weapon like a Flameblade or a torch. If you don't have any fire-based items, you can create a campfire using flint and wood, then use a weapon to transfer the flame to the torches. Additionally, be aware of the weather. If it's raining, it will be difficult to light the torches, so you may need to wait for the rain to stop or use a fire-based ability that isn't affected by rain, such as a Flameblade.

Common mistakes to avoid include not having the necessary items to light the torches or not realizing that the torches need to be lit simultaneously. Some players may also mistake the location of the crowned beast, so make sure you are looking for the correct rock formation east of the Divine Beast Vah Medoh's skeleton. Another mistake is not paying attention to the weather, as rain can make it nearly impossible to light the torches with fire arrows or campfires.

Advanced techniques or optimizations for this quest include using the Revali's Gale ability to quickly reach the top of the crowned beast if you have trouble climbing. This can save time and make it easier to light the torches. Additionally, if you have the Ancient Bow or other long-range bows, you can light the torches from a distance, making the process quicker and more efficient.

Required items and preparation for this quest include fire arrows, a flame weapon, or flint and wood to create a campfire. It's also helpful to have a bow with good range and accuracy, as well as any climbing gear or abilities that can help you reach the top of the crowned beast more easily.

Alternative approaches to this quest include using the Urbosa's Fury ability to create a large explosion that can light all three torches at once. This is a more advanced technique and requires you to have completed the Divine Beast Vah Naboris quest, but it can make the process much quicker. Another alternative is to use the Stasis rune to freeze one of the torches, then hit it with a fire-based attack to light it. This can be useful if you are having trouble lighting the torches simultaneously.

Specific examples and scenarios include using a fire arrow to light the first torch, then quickly switching to a flame weapon to light the other two. Another scenario is using a campfire to light a torch, then using a weapon to transfer the flame to the other torches. These methods require quick thinking and precise timing, but they are effective ways to complete the quest.

In conclusion, the "Crowned Beast" shrine quest is a unique and rewarding challenge that requires careful observation and preparation. By following the steps outlined above and keeping the tips and considerations in mind, you can successfully uncover the hidden shrine and continue your journey through The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.