Hyrule, a land of stunning beauty and perilous adventure, holds many dangers for the unwary traveler. Among these, lightning strikes stand out as a particularly shocking and often deadly threat in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (BotW). Understanding how lightning works within the game and mastering techniques to avoid it is crucial for any aspiring hero. This guide will provide you with the knowledge and strategies to navigate Hyrule’s storms and emerge unscathed.
Understanding Lightning Mechanics in Breath of the Wild
Lightning in Breath of the Wild isn’t just a visual effect; it’s a dynamic and dangerous game mechanic. It targets objects and Link himself based on specific criteria, primarily focusing on metallic items and elevated positions. Comprehending these mechanics is the first step in staying safe.
Metal’s Attraction
The game’s engine designates metal objects as lightning attractors. This means that any weapon, shield, or piece of armor made primarily of metal significantly increases your chances of being struck during a thunderstorm. Equipping metal gear is essentially turning yourself into a lightning rod.
It’s not just equipped items that pose a risk. Metal weapons and shields carried on your back also attract lightning. The same goes for metal objects lying on the ground nearby. Even if you’re not wearing or holding a metal weapon, standing next to one during a storm is ill-advised.
Elevation Matters
Height plays a crucial role in lightning strikes. Higher ground, naturally, presents a greater risk. Climbing towers, standing on hilltops, or simply being the tallest object in an area significantly increases your likelihood of being targeted. During a thunderstorm, seek lower ground immediately.
Proximity to Conductors
While metal is the primary conductor, other elements can influence lightning strikes. Water, although not as direct an attractor as metal, can increase the conductivity of the environment around you. Being in water, especially near metal objects, amplifies the danger.
Strategies for Avoiding Lightning Strikes
Knowing the mechanics is only half the battle. Implementing effective strategies to avoid lightning is essential for survival. These strategies revolve around minimizing your exposure to risk factors and utilizing available resources.
Unequip Metal Gear Immediately
The simplest and most effective way to avoid lightning is to unequip all metal weapons, shields, and armor during a thunderstorm. This includes swords, spears, clubs, bows, and shields. Replace them with non-metallic alternatives.
Wooden weapons and shields are readily available and provide a safe alternative during storms. Similarly, armor made from materials like rubber or monster parts offers protection without attracting lightning.
Seek Shelter
Finding shelter is another vital strategy. Look for natural formations like caves, large trees (though be mindful of falling branches), or ruins that can provide cover from the storm.
Sheikah Towers, while tempting due to their height, are extremely dangerous during storms. Avoid climbing them unless absolutely necessary. If caught on a tower during a storm, descend as quickly and safely as possible.
Utilize Fast Travel
If a storm rolls in unexpectedly and you’re in a particularly vulnerable location, consider using fast travel to teleport to a safer area. Shrines and towers that are indoors or in safer regions are ideal destinations.
Be aware that fast traveling consumes time within the game. The storm will continue even as you travel, so ensure you’re selecting a destination that is genuinely safer and that you are not traveling directly to a shrine in the middle of an open field where lightning might still strike.
The Thunder Helm: Your Ultimate Protection
The Thunder Helm, a rare and powerful piece of headgear, offers complete immunity to lightning strikes. Obtaining the Thunder Helm requires completing a specific side quest in the Gerudo region.
The Thunder Helm renders you completely immune to lightning, regardless of your equipment or location. It’s an invaluable asset for exploring storm-prone areas like the Ridgeland Tower region.
Rubber Armor Set: Lightning Proofing
The Rubber Armor set provides lightning resistance. Each piece of the set offers some protection, but equipping the entire set and upgrading it twice grants complete immunity to lightning strikes.
The Rubber Armor set, when fully upgraded, offers a reliable and readily available alternative to the Thunder Helm. It’s particularly useful for areas with frequent thunderstorms. You can acquire pieces of the set through various side quests and challenges throughout Hyrule.
Specific Scenarios and Solutions
Lightning can strike at any time, often when you least expect it. Here are some common scenarios and solutions for dealing with lightning strikes in Breath of the Wild.
Climbing During a Storm
Climbing a mountain or tower during a thunderstorm is one of the most dangerous situations. The combination of height and the need to use metal climbing gear significantly increases your risk.
The best approach is to avoid climbing during storms altogether. If caught on a climb, descend as quickly as possible, unequipping metal gear as you go. Look for any ledges or overhangs that might provide temporary shelter.
Riding a Horse
Riding a horse during a thunderstorm can also be perilous, especially if you’re using metal armor or weapons. The horse itself isn’t a lightning attractor, but the gear you’re carrying is.
Unequip metal gear and dismount your horse. Lead the horse to shelter or simply wait out the storm. Alternatively, you can use a non-metallic horse like the Royal White Stallion and stick to wooden weapons.
Combat During a Storm
Engaging in combat during a thunderstorm presents unique challenges. Enemies wielding metal weapons become even more dangerous, as they can attract lightning strikes that harm both you and them.
Prioritize defeating enemies wielding metal weapons first. Use non-metallic weapons and shields to avoid attracting lightning yourself. Take advantage of the environment to find cover or create distance between you and your enemies.
Crossing Open Fields
Open fields offer little to no cover during a thunderstorm. You become the tallest object in the area, making you an easy target for lightning.
Run towards the nearest shelter, such as a tree or rock formation. Unequip metal gear and keep moving. Avoid stopping in the middle of the field, as this increases your exposure to lightning strikes.
Advanced Techniques for Lightning Safety
Beyond the basic strategies, there are some advanced techniques that can further enhance your lightning safety in Breath of the Wild.
Exploiting Enemy Behavior
Enemies carrying metal weapons are also vulnerable to lightning strikes. Use this to your advantage by positioning yourself near them during a storm. The lightning will often target the enemy, potentially defeating them outright or weakening them significantly.
Be careful not to get too close, as the lightning strike can still damage you if you’re within the blast radius.
Using Stasis
The Stasis rune can be used to temporarily freeze metal objects, preventing them from attracting lightning. While this won’t protect you directly, it can be useful for neutralizing hazards or creating a safe path.
Be mindful that Stasis has a cooldown period, so use it strategically.
Observing Weather Patterns
Pay attention to the weather patterns in Hyrule. Storms often develop gradually, giving you time to prepare and seek shelter. Look for darkening skies, increased wind, and distant thunder as warning signs.
Understanding the typical weather patterns in different regions can also help you anticipate storms and plan your travels accordingly. Some areas, like the Ridgeland Tower region, are particularly prone to thunderstorms.
Crafting and Cooking for Lightning Resistance
While not a direct solution, certain elixirs and meals can provide temporary resistance to electricity. These can be helpful in a pinch, though they don’t offer complete immunity.
Experiment with different ingredients to discover recipes that provide electricity resistance. These can be a useful supplement to other lightning safety measures.
The Importance of Observation and Adaptation
Ultimately, surviving lightning strikes in Breath of the Wild comes down to observation, adaptation, and a healthy dose of caution. Pay attention to the environment, learn from your mistakes, and be prepared to adjust your strategy as needed.
Hyrule is a dynamic and unpredictable world, and mastering its challenges requires a flexible and resourceful approach. By understanding the mechanics of lightning strikes and implementing effective safety measures, you can explore Hyrule’s storms with confidence and emerge victorious. Remember to always prioritize safety and adapt your tactics to the specific circumstances.
Armor Sets and Lightning Resistance
Several armor sets in Breath of the Wild offer varying degrees of lightning resistance. Here’s a deeper look at some key options:
| Armor Set | Lightning Resistance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rubber Armor Set | Complete Immunity (Fully Upgraded) | Acquired through side quests and challenges. Requires extensive upgrades. |
| Thunder Helm | Complete Immunity | Reward for completing the “The Search for Barta” side quest in Gerudo Town. Cannot be upgraded. |
What are the main dangers of lightning strikes in Breath of the Wild?
The primary danger of lightning strikes in Breath of the Wild is instant death. If Link is struck while holding metallic equipment or wearing conductive armor, a powerful bolt of lightning will obliterate him. This can lead to significant frustration, especially when exploring dangerous areas or battling challenging enemies, causing loss of progress and resources.
Beyond instant death, lightning strikes can also set the environment ablaze. This can quickly spread to wooden structures, grass, and even Link himself if he’s standing in flammable areas. The resulting fire can deal continuous damage and restrict movement, adding another layer of danger beyond the initial shock.
How does the game determine if Link is a target for lightning?
The game utilizes a system that analyzes Link’s equipped items and location to determine his likelihood of being struck. Specifically, metallic items, such as swords, shields, and certain armor pieces, significantly increase the chance of attracting lightning. The closer Link is to a thunderstorm, the higher the probability of being targeted becomes.
Furthermore, elevation plays a role. Being on a high peak during a thunderstorm makes Link an especially attractive target for lightning. The game seems to prioritize players in elevated positions within the storm’s radius, creating a more perilous experience for mountain climbers during inclement weather.
What are some non-metallic armor and weapon options to use during thunderstorms?
For armor, consider the Rubber Armor set, which provides complete lightning immunity when fully upgraded. Other viable options include clothing items like the stealth armor, gerudo armor, or the warm doublet, none of which are conductive and won’t attract lightning. These provide various defensive and utility benefits without the risk of attracting lightning.
When it comes to weapons, focus on using wooden or elemental weapons like the Leaf or the Fire Rod. Wooden shields are also safe to use. These options allow Link to defend himself and attack enemies without the danger of being struck by lightning, ensuring his safety during thunderstorms.
How can I use lightning strikes to my advantage?
Lightning strikes can be strategically used to defeat enemies. Dropping metallic weapons near enemies during a thunderstorm can lure lightning strikes, inflicting significant damage to any creature caught in the blast radius. This is especially effective against groups of enemies or those with high health.
Additionally, certain puzzles require the use of lightning to activate switches or destroy obstacles. By carefully positioning metallic objects near these mechanisms during a storm, you can harness the power of lightning to solve challenges and progress through the game. This can offer a unique and powerful approach to overcoming obstacles.
What should I do if caught in a thunderstorm with metallic equipment?
The safest course of action is to immediately unequip all metallic items, including weapons, shields, and armor. These items can then be stowed in your inventory, preventing them from attracting lightning. Find a safe place to wait out the storm or continue exploring cautiously.
Alternatively, seek shelter under a natural overhang, inside a building, or behind a large, non-metallic object. These locations offer a degree of protection from direct strikes, reducing the risk of being hit. Prioritizing shelter and equipment management are key to surviving in a storm.
How does the Rubber Armor set completely protect Link from lightning?
The Rubber Armor set’s complete protection from lightning comes from its special set bonus, achieved by upgrading each piece twice at a Great Fairy Fountain. This bonus grants full immunity to electrical damage, rendering lightning strikes harmless.
When fully upgraded and worn as a set, the Rubber Armor effectively grounds the electrical energy, preventing it from harming Link. This allows you to freely traverse thunderstorms and even use lightning to your advantage without fear of electrocution. This set is invaluable for tackling challenging areas prone to storms.
Are there any safe zones or areas where lightning strikes are less frequent?
While lightning can strike anywhere during a thunderstorm, enclosed structures and areas with significant overhead cover offer a relative degree of safety. Buildings, caves, and heavily wooded areas reduce the likelihood of direct lightning strikes.
Additionally, lower elevations generally experience fewer lightning strikes compared to mountaintops. While not entirely immune, descending to lower altitudes can slightly decrease the chance of being targeted. Prioritize seeking shelter in these areas to minimize risk during stormy weather.