Character VS Analysis: Link, Hero of the Wild

 

Before We Begin

This blog will specifically be analyzing the Hero of the Wild incarnation of the character, Link. Thus no items or specific abilities from other incarnations of the Spirit of the Hero across the Legend of Zelda will be analyzed. So no Hooks, Spinners, or magic Vacuum Cleaners will be mentioned here. The primary focus will be the following games:

• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

• Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity

• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Though it is worth noting that important details from previous entries in The Legend of Zelda franchise will be considered.

In the case of Age of Calamity, while the game is not part of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom’s connected main story and instead is technically its own timeline, it does follow a similar framework for how everything in the Zelda world is supposed to work, and has a near identical setting to Breath of the Wild. Additionally there is nothing its Hero of the Wild does that the primary one should not be capable of. Thus, it will be analyzed alongside the two main series games.

Additionally, if it was not already obvious, this blog will contain MASSIVE spoilers for Tears of the Kingdom. You have been warned.

Background

“But courage need not be remembered… For it is never forgotten.” - Zelda

One day on the Great Plateau, a young man would walk out of an ancient healing shrine, guided by a strange voice. Wielding a strange tablet known as the Sheikah Slate, he would traverse the Plateau before raising an ancient tower out of the ground and into the sky, gaining a vantage point as well as a clear view of a dangerous beast rising out of a ruined castle in the far distance. After a few interactions with a strange old man on the plateau, the young man would eventually receive all the information needed to make sense of everything. The strange man was the spirit of the previous king of Hyrule, King Rhoam, and that voice that was previously heard was his daughter, Princess Zelda. The beast seen before was Calamity Ganon, a monster born of pure hatred and malice that had nearly ended Hyrule in the past. And the young man was someone of great importance. He was Zelda’s chosen knight, who had been recovering and resting for the past one hundred years due to grievous wounds. He was the Hero of the Wild, Link.

Link originally did not have any memories of his experiences one hundred years ago due to his century long rest, but one thing that was clear was that Calamity Ganon had to be vanquished in order to stop it from bringing ruin to the world and to save Zelda. And so Link set off on a grand adventure through Hyrule, meeting many friends and foes, both who had known him in the previous century and those who did not recognize him. One of these friends would be the Sheikah Elder Impa, who would guide Link to recover his memories as well as to save the Divine Beasts, large technological marvels that Calamity Ganon had corrupted and taken over. With a more clear path, Link began getting to work on recovering his lost memories and freeing the Divine Beasts.

Through saving the Beasts, Link would liberate the spirits of Hyrule’s former Champions: the competitive and easily frustrated Rito archer Revali, the strong and joyful Goron Daruk, his childhood friend Mipha of the Zora, and the proud Gerudo leader Urbosa. He would also meet other people of different races, making new allies in a world he had not known for a century. Additionally, he would recover his memories of Zelda, learning of her struggle to live up to expectations put on her and of the sacrifice Link made to protect her before she awakened her sacred power. Eventually, with the Divine Beasts freed and his knowledge of the past restored, Link would go on to lift the Master Sword once more before heading to Hyrule Castle where he would face and weaken Calamity Ganon, giving the newly freed Zelda the opportunity needed to destroy Calamity Ganon once and for all. Link reunited with Zelda, and with the Calamity slayed, the two went on to journey together throughout Hyrule, helping the kingdom rebuild as they lived happily ever after…

Until the next game, where they would find a mysterious gloom rising out of Hyrule Castle. Upon going under the castle to investigate it, they would find a strange mummified man, a glowing arm, and a peculiar stone. The man would proceed to wake immediately and cause permanent damage to Link’s arm, as well as destroy the Master Sword. Zelda would disappear in a flash of light as Link failed to save her, and Link would then be saved by the previously mentioned glowing arm. A while later Link would wake with the strange arm now having replaced his damaged right arm. He would proceed to venture through the Great Sky Island, meeting the spirit of the first ever King of Hyrule, the Zonai Rauru, who would direct him on the path needed to descend from the island. Prior to his leave however, Link would take the damaged Master Sword and push it into a glowing light on an altar, somehow warping it to Zelda’s location. He then heard her voice once more telling him to find her, and so began the Hero of the Wild’s second grand adventure.

Link would then learn from the Sheikah Scientist Purah of regional disasters occuring around Hyrule, and also learn about the strange Geoglyphs then suddenly appeared around the nation. Visiting the regions would lead to Link stopping several threats as well as recruiting former allies once again, this time with each of his allies earning the title of sage from their ancestors. Tulin of the Rito would be the Sage of Wind, Yunobo of the Gorons would become the Sage of Fire, Sidon of the Zora would become the Sage of Water, and Riju of the Gerudo would become the Sage of Lightning. Link additionally investigated the Geoglyphs, and found the truth regarding what happened to Zelda. Upon her fall, she had accidently activated her secret power over time (what?) and had traveled to Rauru’s era, where Hyrule was in its infancy. There she would receive help from Rauru and his wife Sonai, before she encountered the fabled Demon King and aided Rauru and the current Sages in the battle against him, eventually sealing him. It was after clearing the regional disturbances that Link saw what seemed to be Zelda in Hyrule Castle but actually found a fake puppet, and found out the name of the Demon King that had previously been sealed: Ganondorf.

Afterwards, Link would seek the final sage, being the Sage of Spirit Mineru, Rauru’s sister who had aided in the battle against Ganondorf. He would soon after also find out about Zelda’s fate: after receiving the Master Sword, she ate the stone she had found before, a Zonai Secret Stone, in order to become the Light Dragon, sacrificing her sense of self in the process so she could gain the immortal life span needed to progressively charge the broken Master Sword with sacred power until Link could reclaim it in the present. Link would then find the Master Sword upon the Light Dragon, fulfilling Zelda’s desire as he set off to face Ganondorf once and for all alongside the five sages he had recruited. Together they battled Demon King Ganondorf, until all the sages got knocked out with one attack which led to Link defeating him solo. As an act of desperation, Ganondorf ate his Secret Stone that he had used to empower himself, becoming the Demon Dragon. However with the power of the Master Sword and with aid from the Light Dragon, Link was able to obliterate the beast for good. He would then receive a little bit of help from the spirits of Rauru and Sonai, using the power of Rauru’s right arm he had previously received to rewind Zelda to her normal state, though losing Rauru’s arm in the process and regaining his normal one. Link would then catch Zelda as they fell from the sky, finally saving her and Hyrule. He may have been pushed back a few times, but just like any other incarnation of the Spirit of the Hero, this knight always is able to bounce back. It does not matter if he faces technological disaster or ancient evils, Link, the Hero of the Wild, will always push back the darkness. Just like every hero before him.

Experience and Skill

“Lore accurate Link” is a common phrase in the Zelda fandom, and for damn good reason. The Hero of the Wild is commonly regarded as the greatest swordsman in all of Hyrule, able to cleave through hordes of monsters like butter and stand with and surpass the best of the best. During the events of Age of Calamity when he was still just a soldier, he was capable of marching and overwhelming Sooga, a Yiga Clan warrior capable of pushing back the Gerudo Champion Urbosa. He additionally could also fight completely evenly with the Rito Champion Revali, and likely would have defeated him if Zelda had not intervened in their fight. His performance on the battlefield was so impressive that King Rhoam would send him as a key player in an expedition through the Lost Woods to find the Master Sword, placing just as much faith in him as he did the other four Champions. To clarify, everything just mentioned was accomplished before Link had even obtained the Master Sword. He was doing everything he did with just a normal soldier’s sword and shield.

Link also has plenty of impressive feats off screen. In one of his journals, the Goron Champion Daruk wrote that he once heard that Link deflected a Guardian Laser. Not with a special device or an incredibly advanced shield, but with a pot lid. A normal, wooden, fragile pot lid. Naofumi be damned. There is further lore about Link’s skill as well, as there is mention that Link once beat a trained soldier by himself when he was only four years old. Imagine having to tell your boss you were late to work because a preschooler kicked your ass. Considering what that preschooler would go on to do, maybe it is not actually that embarrassing in actuality.

As for Link’s technique, he has a variety of charged attacks he can show off in battle. Of course there is the iconic spin attack he can do with one handed weapons, but Link can also spin around like a merry-go-round before delivering a devastating smash with two-handed weapons, or release a flurry of stabs with long-reaching weapons. Link is also efficient with canceling out attacks or deflecting projectiles with a shield bash, and can even surf on his shield for quick mobility on different surfaces. Link can also perform an attack called a Sneak Streak, delivering absurd damage to an enemy by attacking them unexpectedly from behind.

By far Link’s most impressive technique however is the Flurry Rush, where Link hyper-focuses after performing a close dodge before proceeding to deliver an incredibly fast flurry of blows. Link can also hyperfocus while midair in order to deliver unavoidable arrow shots, at the cost of stamina though. While this hyper-focus technique can be used by other characters in Age of Calamity, in the primary timeline, the only other character that can perform the Flurry Rush is Ganondorf himself. On the topic of Ganondorf, Link being able to match and defeat him in armed combat is another incredible feat of his, considering that thousands of years ago, Ganondorf was skilled enough to toy with Rauru and the six sages in their battle without even using any sort of weapon, as he could deflect their strongest blows with his bare hands. Yet Link is able to defeat an all out Ganondorf by himself, without any help at all since Ganondorf one shot the present era sages before his final phase. So much for that whole questline recruiting them I guess.

Apart from just combat and technique however, Link is a remarkable puzzle solver. While not every shrine he has visited has had puzzles involved in their challenges, he has still solved hundreds of puzzles within both Sheikah and Zonai shrines as well as through Hyrule’s Depths and Sky, having to make the most of the abilities in his arsenal to succeed. He has also completed hundreds of side quests, thinking of creative or often complicated solutions for the problems among Hyrule’s people.

To summarize, the Hero of the Wild is a remarkable warrior and puzzle solver. He has had to face thousands of problems and respond with thousands of solutions, and has proven his status as Hyrule’s greatest warrior. It is safe to say that experience and skill are the last things this hero of Hyrule is lacking.

Equipment

Master Sword

This is “The Sword that Seals the Darkness” that has appeared multiple times throughout the Legend of Zelda franchise. It is safe to say this legendary blade is Link’s go to weapon. And it is no surprise as to why, as the blade is constantly shown throughout the series to be the canonically strongest weapon in Legend of Zelda history, despite that thirty attack power in game seeming underwhelming. Alongside its pure strength, its magical nature also means it provides Link with various useful abilities. 

• Energy Blasts: Link can shoot energy beams out of the Master Sword in order to hit opponents from a distance. In Breath of the Wild, Link needed to be at full health to do this. However in Tears of the Kingdom that is no longer a necessity.

• Sealing: The Master Sword is capable of sealing evil entities after defeating them, giving Link an option for dealing with any pesky immortals.

• Healing: Through upgrading the blade in Age of Calamity, Link is able to gain a small bit of health back whenever he strikes the enemy.

• Darkness Repulsion: The Master Sword will increase its strength when faced with any foe that can be deemed as “evil”, and will naturally repel evil when faced with it. Though said increase in strength is likely the Master Sword simply revealing its true power, rather than the sword necessarily being evil’s kryptonite.

• Life Draining: Were the sword ever to come into contact with someone too weak to lift the blade, it can respond by slowly draining the person’s lifeforce. Though someone strong enough can undoubtedly get past this issue just like Link did.

• Sacred Power: The sword is fueled by sacred power, and will be strengthened when coming into contact with it. Sacred Power can even allow the Master Sword to heal after being shattered, as seen with the Light Dragon empowering the sword for thousands of years.

There are some additional details worth noting however. In regard to the strength of the blade when wielded by the Hero of the Wild, it is likely the strongest the Master Sword has ever been. In Breath of the Wild’s Trial of the Sword DLC, Link is able to unlock the blade’s true splendor. Additionally, in Tears of the Kingdom, the blade was shown to have been empowered after several thousand years by the Light Dragon. While part of this time was most likely devoted to the blade’s repair, it is implied the sword gained additional strength so that it could redeem itself after it failed to initially defeat Ganondorf at the start of the game.

Lastly, the Master Sword “running out of energy” in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom is more likely a game mechanic rather than an actual flaw of the weapon. As in the final boss of both games, the Master Sword does not actually lose durability when being used.

Paraglider

An invention perfect for helping Link glide through the sky, or rise up into it via updrafts. It was originally given to Link by the spirit of King Rhoam in Breath of the Wild, though he got a modern version from Purah in Tears of the Kingdom. Tears of the Kingdom also lets Link use different fabrics with different designs for his Paraglider, letting him add some style to his gliding.

One-Handed Weapons

Apart from the Master Sword, Link has access to a variety of one handed weapons that he can use in battle. There are many different variations, though weapons with clearly superior versions will not be mentioned. A weapon will be mentioned if it has a niche however, such as being made of a material more resistant to one element than another. For example, metal weapons can resist heat better than wooden ones, but wooden ones are better for electrical threats.

• Torch: A useful tool with good heat resistance meant for being lit in order to provide light in dark spaces.

• Boomerang: A simple wooden boomerang useful for hitting enemies from a distance if Link does not want to use a bow.

• Spring-Loaded Hammer: A weak whacking tool that makes up for that lack of strength with incredible bouncing properties.

• Soldier’s Broadsword: A well tuned blade that allows Link to charge up his charge attacks more quickly than normal.

• Knight’s Broadsword: A sharp blade that packs additional power when Link is low on health.

• Royal Broadsword: A strong sword that will hit with more power during Link’s Flurry Rush attack than other weapons.

• Forest Dweller’s Sword: What would seem like a normal wooden sword, the Forest Dweller’s Sword actually has a unique property in that materials attached to the sword that normally burst after one hit (like exploding fruits or Chuchu Jelly) will actually be usable for more than one attack.

• Zora Sword: A sword made by the Zora that gains additional strength when wet.

• Feathered Edge: A Rito blade that will release gusts of wind upon being used, staggering and pushing back enemies.

• Scimitar of the Seven: A blade that formerly belonged to the Gerudo Champion Urbosa that will receive double the damage increase other weapons receive from having something fused to them.

• Eightfold Blade: A Sheikah tribe sword that does bonus damage when delivering sneak attacks.

• Ancient Short Sword: An energy producing blade created by the Sheikah Scientist Robbie out of Sheikah technology, capable of impressive damage.

• Royal Guard Sword: An extremely powerful weapon that unfortunately has low durability, but makes up for that issue as its final attack before breaking will be stronger than normal.

• Flameblade: A sword that will produce large amounts of fire whenever it is swung, though too many swings will lead to it needing to recharge for a small moment before this fiery power can be reused.

• Frostblade: A sword that will produce large amounts of ice and thus completely freeze its victim whenever it hits them, though too many swings will lead to it needing to recharge for a small moment before its icy power can be reused.

• Thunderblade: A sword that will produce large amounts of electricity whenever it is swung, resulting in the victim being electrocuted, though too many swings will lead to it needing to recharge for a small moment before its electric power can be reused.

• Dragonbone Boko Club: A wooden club perfect for smacking enemies with impressive force.

• Lizal Tri-Boomerang: A metal boomerang typically used by Lizalfos which packs incredible cutting power, though can also be used well as a normal melee weapon.

• Savage Lynel Sword: The strongest one handed weapon a Lynel can wield, this absolute monstrosity of a sword is capable of shredding enemies to ribbons.

• Meteor Rod: A magic rod capable of shooting out multiple fireballs at enemies repeatedly.

• Blizzard Rod: A magic rod capable of repeatedly shooting out giant condensed blizzards that will instantly freeze enemies solid.

• Thunderstorm Rod: A magic rod capable of shooting out multiple balls of shocking electricity at enemies repeatedly.

• Demon Carver: A circle shaped blade wielded by the Yiga, perfect for cutting people down with its odd shape.

• Sword of the Hero: The sword wielded in the first Legend of Zelda game from 1986. It does not have any special properties, but its nostalgic appearance makes it worth carrying around.

• White Sword of the Sky: Seemingly a replica of the Skyward Sword the Hero of the Sky wielded at the start of their adventure. It does not have any special properties, though wielding it seems to give the feeling of a minor breeze.

• Gnarled Wooden Stick: A strong and modified wooden stick perfect for fast swings and good damage.

• Mighty Zonaite Sword: A sword made of Zonaite, that will either gain massive strength when fused with sharp Zonai objects, or increase the efficiency of attached Zonai devices. Leading to weapons like an enhanced electric sword or a laser cutter.

• Magic Rod: A magic scepter that can shoot out strong magic attacks depending on which gem is attached. A Ruby will result in fireballs, a Sapphire in giant instantly freezing ice blasts, Topaz in electric blasts, and Opal in blasts of concentrated water.

• Gloom Sword: A sword of incredible strength due to Gloom (a substance which infects and weakens people overtime), though this power will lead to the user being infected by Gloom overtime due to its usage.

Two-Handed Weapons

At the cost of speed for pure strength, Link can use many two handed weapons to strike foes with impressive force.

• Korok Leaf: A simple large leaf that does not do much damage, but is still useful for causing gusts of wind for staggering enemies or pushing sails.

• Double Axe: A two sided axe that can instantly cut down trees.

• Iron Sledgehammer: A tool perfect for breaking rocks and smashing in enemy skulls.

• Giant Boomerang: An extra large boomerang useful for hitting enemies from a distance with a slow but noticeably strong hit.

• Soldier’s Claymore: A well tuned claymore that allows Link to charge up his charge attacks more quickly than normal.

• Knight’s Claymore: A sharp claymore that packs additional power when Link is low on health.

• Royal Claymore: A strong claymore that will hit with more power during Link’s Flurry Rush attack than other weapons.

• Zora Longsword: A longsword made by the Zora that gains additional strength when wet.

• Boulder Breaker: A large weapon previously wielded by the Goron Champion, Daruk. It is easily the best hammer-based weapon Link has access to, allowing him to smash large boulders and enemy skulls with ease.

• Gerudo Claymore: A large weapon made by the Gerudo, it will double the damage increase of any item Fused to it.

• Eightfold Longblade: A Sheikah made weapon, its incredible power allows it to both cut down enemies as well as shoot out sharp gusts of wind. Think of it like the move Air Cutter from Pokemon.

• Edge of Duality: A powerful sword capable of cutting through most foes, though it lacks respectable durability.

• Ancient Bladesaw: An energy producing bladesaw produced by the Sheikah Scientist Robbie out of Sheikah technology, capable of impressive damage.

• Royal Guard’s Claymore: An extremely powerful heavy weapon that unfortunately has low durability, but makes up for that issue as its final attack before breaking will be stronger than normal.

• Great Flameblade: A large sword that will produce large amounts of fire whenever it is swung, though too many swings will lead to it needing to recharge for a small moment before its fiery power can be reused.

• Great Frostblade: A large sword that will produce large amounts of ice and thus completely freeze its victim whenever it hits them, though too many swings will lead to it needing to recharge for a small moment before its icy power can be reused.

• Great Thunderblade: A large sword that will produce large amounts of electricity whenever it is swung, resulting in the victim being electrocuted, though too many swings will lead to it needing to recharge for a small moment before its electric power can be reused.

• Dragonbone Boko Bat: A large wooden club perfect for smacking enemies with impressive force.

• Dragonbone Moblin Bat: An extra large wooden club perfect for smacking enemies with impressive force.

• Savage Lynel Crusher: A dangerous weapon that even Lynels need two hands to wield, capable of dealing ridiculous crushing damage.

• Biggorn Sword: A remarkable sword previously wielded by the Hero of Time, this blade is incredibly strong and capable of slashing through most foes without issue.

• Dusk Claymore: A large holy blade seeming to be the same as the holy sword Ganondorf wielded during the events of Twilight Princess.

• Fierce Deity Sword: An interestingly shaped weapon that was once used by the Hero of Time. While it cannot shoot energy beams like it originally could, its strength is still impressive.

• Gnarled Thick Stick: A strong and modified large wooden stick perfect for heavy swings and great damage.

• Mighty Zonaite Longsword: A longsword made of Zonaite, that will either gain massive strength when fused with sharp Zonai objects, or increase the efficiency of attached Zonai devices. Leading to stuff like an enhanced fire emitting blade or a giant spring hammer.

• Magic Scepter: A heavy magic scepter that can shoot out extremely strong magic attacks depending on which gem is attached. A Ruby will result in fireballs, a Sapphire in giant instantly freezing ice blasts, Topaz in electric blasts, and Opal in blasts of concentrated water.

• Gloom Club: A club of incredible strength due to Gloom, though this power will lead to the user being infected by Gloom overtime due to its usage.

Long Reach Weapons

If he wants to focus on range and speed, Link can use many weapons with a long reach to strike foes.

• Soldier’s Spear: A well tuned spear that allows Link to charge up his charge attacks more quickly than normal.

• Knight’s Spear: A sharp spear that packs additional power when Link is low on health.

• Royal Halberd: A strong spear that will hit with more power during Link’s Flurry Rush attack than other weapons.

• Forest Dweller’s Spear: What would seem like a normal wooden spear, the Forest Dweller’s Spear actually has a unique property in that materials attached to the sword that normally burst after one hit (like Puff Shrooms or Muddle Buds) will actually be usable for more than one attack.

• Zora Spear: A spear made by the Zora that gains additional strength when wet.

• Lightscale Trident: A spear that once belonged to the Champion Mipha. Despite her focus being her healing abilities, she still was able to be an unrivaled fighter with the Lightscale Trident, an extremely powerful weapon fitting for someone of her skill level.

• Drillshaft: A spear like tool that is normally used for mining and breaking rocks, though its toughness still makes it a strong weapon.

• Feathered Spear: A spear made by the Rito which produces a strong wind when used to attack.

• Gerudo Spear: A large weapon made by the Gerudo, it will double the damage increase of any item attached to it.

• Ancient Spear: An energy producing spear produced by the Sheikah Scientist Robbie out of Sheikah technology, capable of impressive damage.

• Royal Guard Spear: An extremely powerful slender weapon that unfortunately has low durability, but makes up for that issue as its final attack before breaking will be stronger than normal.

• Flamespear: A spear that will produce large amounts of fire whenever it is swung, though too many swings will lead to it needing to recharge for a small moment before its fiery power can be reused.

• Frostspear: A spear that will produce large amounts of ice and thus completely freeze its victim whenever it hits them, though too many swings will lead to it needing to recharge for a small moment before its icy power can be reused.

• Thunderspear: A spear that will produce large amounts of electricity whenever it is swung, resulting in the victim being electrocuted, though too many swings will lead to it needing to recharge for a small moment before its electric power can be reused.

• Dragonbone Boko Spear: A wooden spear perfect for stabbing enemies with impressive force.

• Dragonbone Moblin Spear: An extra large wooden spear perfect for stabbing enemies with impressive force.

• Savage Lynel Spear: A metal spear used by Lynels capable of piercing through almost any enemy due to its sharpness.

• Gnarled Long Stick: A strong and modified slender wooden stick perfect for very fast swings and decent damage.

• Mighty Zonaite Spear: A spear made of Zonaite, that will either gain massive strength when fused with sharp Zonai objects, or increase the efficiency of attached Zonai devices. Leading to stuff like an enhanced frost emitting spear or a rapid fire cannon ball launcher.

• Magic Staff: A slender magic scepter that can shoot out fast magic attacks depending on which gem is attached. A Ruby will result in fireballs, a Sapphire in giant instantly freezing ice blasts, Topaz in electric blasts, and Opal in blasts of concentrated water.

• Gloom Spear: A spear of incredible strength due to Gloom, though this power will lead to the user being infected by Gloom overtime due to its usage.

Flail

A special weapon Link gained during the events of Age of Calamity, Link’s Flail is a powerful weapon made of Sheikah tech. It has a few different variations, but he fights with all of them generally the same way. With him using the energy beam connecting the two ends of the flail to swing the ends around to smack enemies. Uniquely, Link’s flail also lets him copy enemy weapons whenever a special energy gauge is filled. The gauge will go down whenever Link attacks with his copied weapon, and the weapon will break once the gauge is fully depleted. ThIs gauge will charge naturally over time.

Bows

Link can use a variety of bows in combat, made of different materials and providing different bonuses. Most bows do not have specific gimmicks or qualities that could give them minor advantages over other bows however, so only the best of the best bows will be mentioned here.

• Royal Bow: A bow previously used by Hyrule’s royal guard, the metal composition allows for powerful shots and a good fire rate.

• Great Eagle Bow: A wooden bow wielded by the Rito Champion Revali. It has incredible power, fire rate, and can fire three arrows at once. While magically using only one, weird.

• Savage Lynel Bow: A bow used by Lynels made of metal found on Death Mountain, it fires three powerful shots at once (again, only uses up one arrow). However, stronger variants can actually fire five at a time, increasing the bow’s usefulness.

• Zonaite Bow: A strong bow that draws energy from Link’s Energy Cell, but makes up for that due to the extra charge massively increasing damage and arrow travel distance.

• Bow of Light: The strongest single shot bow in all of Hyrule, the Bow of Light comes packed with sacred power perfect for taking down powerful evils. Gifted to Link by Zelda, the Bow does not use arrows at all, instead magically shooting out beams of pure light. This means the bow does not use up Link’s arrow supply, and also has infinite ammo.

Arrows

Link has a variety of different arrows to choose from when it comes to shooting something at his enemies. 

• Arrows: Standard arrows with a sharp point.

• Fire Arrows: Arrows that pack a fiery power, resulting in a small expansion of fire upon the arrow hitting their target.

• Ice Arrows: Arrows that will instantly freeze their target upon contact.

• Shock Arrows: Arrows that will shock the target upon contact. 

• Bomb Arrows: Arrows that come packed with a dangerous explosive, leading to a big boom upon hitting a target.

• Ancient Arrows: By far the most complicated arrow type, Ancient Arrows are normal arrows attached to special ancient technology that powers them up. This power up is to the point that, upon contact with normal enemies, Ancient Arrows seem to make them completely disappear, regardless of what type of bow is used. There are some statements that state the Ancient Arrows cause the enemies they hit to be “consigned to oblivion in an instant”, though proper translations state the arrows simply make things “disappear”, and said disappearance does not occur against boss enemies or Guardians. However the former is more likely a game mechanic given some enemies stronger than weaker bosses like Lynels are still affected by the arrows, and Guardians being made of ancient technology likely provides some sort of resistance. Considering the arrows’ one shot potential the majority of the time, it is fair to say enemy health/durability really is not a factor that determines whether or not an Ancient Arrow can instantly wipe out an enemy. Thus it is fair to say the Ancient Arrows still count as “durability negation”,  though they definitely are not battlefield removal.

Shields

Link can wield multiple shields to protect himself in battle, with varying properties allowing for different applications. Though like with Bows, not every shield has a super specific perk, so only the best of the best shields will be mentioned.

• Ancient Shield: A shield made of ancient technology by the Sheikah Scientist Robbie, this shield has impressive stopping power and durability, and can withstand all manner of elemental attacks. Additionally, it can automatically deflect more energy based projectiles such as Guardian Beams without Link needing to parry to deflect the projectile.

• Mighty Zoniate Shield: A shield that once belonged to the ancient Zonai civilization, this shield, like the Ancient one, has impressive stopping power (though slightly inferior to the Ancient one) and durability, as well as the ability to withstand all manner of elemental attacks. What makes this shield unique however is due to how it is made, attached Zonai devices consume less power than they normally would. Letting Link get the most out of putting things like a flamethrower or frost emitter on his shield, keeping up an offense against enemies while playing defensively.

• Savage Lynel Shield: A shield wielded by the most fearsome Lynels one can find, this metallic defense is impressive already from a defensive standpoint, but also has offensive use due to its bladed design, allowing Link to cut enemies when performing a shield bash.

• Hylian Shield: The best defensive shield ever created throughout Hyrule’s history. It has the best durability and stopping power of any shield thanks to its strong metallic design.

Outfits

In order to adjust to any situation, be it environmental or combat related, Link carries a variety of different armor and outfits with varying effects. He has three different pieces of armor he can equip, being a helm, a shirt, and pants. With each piece offering their own benefits, with Link also gaining an additional set bonus if he wears all three pieces of a specific set of armor. For simplicity’s sake, just like with melee weapons, armors that have directly superior versions or lack any use whatsoever will not be mentioned. For a list of all the different armor designs, click here.

• Champion’s Leathers: Link’s primary shirt and one of his best armors defense wise, the Champion’s Leathers do not have any special gimmicks, though their previous version, the Champion’s Tunic, did let Link see exactly how many hit points his enemies still had, making it useful for assessing the state of battle.

• Stealth Set: A Sheikah made armor that decreases the volume of any sounds Link makes, increasing his stealth prowess. It also makes Link move faster at night when the full set is worn.

• Flamebreaker Set: An armor the Gorons made for Hylians so they could withstand the high temperatures around Death Mountain, with said temperatures being so high they cause the air itself to be lit on fire. Each piece provides a significant increase in fire resistance, with the full set offering a set bonus that makes Link completely immune to fire based damage.

• Zora Set: An armor set made for Link by the Zoras that increases his swim speed. The main armor around his chest also allows Link to quickly swim up waterfalls. As for the set bonus, it allows Link’s dashes in the water to be significantly faster.

• Snow Quill Set: An armor set made by the Rito to help other visiting races deal with the cold temperatures. Each armor piece gradually raises Link’s cold resistance, with the full set making him completely immune to being frozen as a set bonus.

• Climbing Set: A set where each piece greatly increases Link’s climbing speed, with the full set’s set bonus decreasing the stamina needed for big jumps while climbing.

• Desert Voe Set: A set sold secretly in Gerudo town (since Voe AKA men are banned from it besides Link) that increases heat resistance, with the full set’s set bonus being an additional increase in resistance to electrical damage .

• Barbarian Set: An ancient set of armor that was made by a warrior tribe, each armor piece greatly increases Link’s attack strength, with the full set’s set bonus reducing the stamina needed for charged attacks.

• Rubber Set: An armor set made of a material foreign to Hyrule that increases Link’s resistance to electricity, with the full set’s set bonus making him completely immune to electrical damage.

• Radiant Set: A skeletal looking armor set that glows in the dark, with its set bonus increases the damage done with bone based weapons and making it so skeletal enemies never attack Link unless prompted to.

• Ancient Set: An armor set made by the Sheikah Scientist Robbie that decreases damage received by Guardians. The set bonus both increases the damage Link does to Guardians, and increases the damage Link does with Ancient tech generally, like the Ancient Bladesaw to give an example.

• Hero of the Wild Set: A green tunic that seems to fit the Hero of the Wild perfectly, it is one of the stronger armors in Breath of the Wild and its set bonus increases the damage of Link’s Master Sword beams.

• Armor of the Depths Set: A special armor set Link obtained in the Depths of Hyrule, each piece increases Link’s resistance to Gloom, with the set bonus making him take less damage from Gloom enhanced enemies.

• Charged Set: A set of clothes previously used in Zonai rituals, with each piece of clothing raising Link’s attack during thunderstorms. The full set provides a set bonus that makes Link produce large amounts of electricity either when using charged attacks or at the end of an attack combo.

• Ember Set: A set of clothes previously used in Zonai rituals, with each piece of clothing raising Link’s attack in environments with hot weather. The full set provides a set bonus that makes Link produce large amounts of fire either when using charged attacks or at the end of an attack combo.

• Frostbite Set: A set of clothes previously used in Zonai rituals, with each piece of clothing raising Link’s attack in environments with cold weather. The full set provides a set bonus that makes Link produce large amounts of frost either when using charged attacks or at the end of an attack combo.

• Evil Spirit Set: An armor set resembling Phantom Ganon from Ocarina of Time, each armor piece makes Link quieter similar to the Stealth Set, though the armor’s max defense is worse. It makes up for this in that skeletal enemies will never attack Link and bone based weapons increase in power when the full set is worn.

• Froggy Set: A frog themed set of armor. Each armor piece individually raises Link’s resistance to slipping on various surfaces while climbing, with the full set’s set bonus making him completely incapable of slipping at all.

• Glide Set: A set which increases Link’s air resistance, allowing him to glide far more efficiently through the air. The set’s full set bonus makes Link completely immune to fall damage.

• Miner Set: An armor set once used by ancient miners in the Depths, each armor piece produces a small amount of light to help Link see in the dark. With the set’s set bonus causing Link to leave behind glowing footsteps wherever he walks.

• Mythic Set: A magical armor sold to Link by Koltin. Each piece offers Link additional protection against damage by making him lose rupees instead of hearts. For reference, one of the strongest enemies in the game, a Lynel, makes Link lose 360 rupees per hit when he has the full set equipped. For reference, in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Link can hold up to 999,999 rupees. This means the poor Lynel would have to hit a prepared Link over 2,777 times before being able to actually damage him.

• Zonaite Set: An ancient set of Zonaite armor, each armor piece decreases the energy needed for Zonai devices to function. Additionally, the full set’s set bonus makes Link’s Energy Cell recharge its battery twice as quickly.

• Lightning Helm: A helm Link somehow rightfully earned from the Yiga that automatically deflects all types of electricity based damage, basically making Link immune to electricity.

• Majora’s Mask: No, it is not the one you are thinking of. It still does seem to have a strange power however, as it confuses enemies and makes Link far harder to notice when equipped, somehow.

• Ravio’s Hood: A strange purple hood similar to the one worn by Ravio in A Link Between Worlds that makes Link climb faster SPECIFICALLY when climbing sideways. HOW.

• Sand Boots: Special boots that let Link walk faster on sand.

• Snow Boots: Special boots that let Link walk faster on snow.

• Vah Medoh Divine Helm: A helm modeled after the Divine Beast Vah Medoh that strengthens the power of Link’s sage summon Tulin.

• Vah Naboris Divine Helm: A helm modeled after the Divine Beast Vah Naboris that strengthens the power of Link’s sage summon Riju.

• Vah Ruta Divine Helm: A helm modeled after the Divine Beast Vah Ruta that strengthens the power of Link’s sage summon Sidon.

• Vah Rudania Divine Helm: A helm modeled after the Divine Beast Vah Rudania that strengthens the power of Link’s sage summon Yunobo.

• Zant’s Helmet: A helm similar to the one worn by the Twilight Usurper, Zant. Wearing it makes Link completely immune to being frozen.

• Ancient Hero’s Aspect: By far the best armor in the game when it comes to pure defense, the Ancient Hero’s Aspect is a special item that counts as three armor pieces and also completely changes Link’s appearance to resemble that of the Ancient Hero who defeated Calamity Ganon ten thousand years before Ganon reappeared prior to the events of Breath of the Wild.

Materials

Link has access to a gigantic assortment of materials. Some he can consume to heal himself or cook to make food for better health recovery, others he can throw to damage enemies, some he can combine with various weapons for various effects (details later), etc. He can carry up to 99,999 of each item, and since technically all of them can have use due to Tears of the Kingdom’s mechanics (many can either heal Link or be used to power up weapons or arrows, or straight up be thrown like a football at enemies), every single material that can be found in the Hyrule Compendium will be mentioned. With the exception being monster parts with directly superior versions. Note that apart from the materials listed below, there are plenty of other items Link can use such as different types of meat, fish, and crabs that he can eat. A few notable non-compendium items will be listed though. To get exact damage and health recovery numbers for the listed materials, check the link here.

• Apple: A common fruit eaten by people since ancient times.

• Golden Apple: A rare, very sweet fruit that seems to have an extra sparkle to it. 

• Palm Fruit: Fruit from palm trees that grow near the ocean. It does not offer any special effects, but will increase Link’s heart recovery when used as an ingredient.

• Wildberry: A fruit that grows in cold, snowy regions known for its tangy, sweet flavor. It does not offer any special effects, but it is a popular cooking ingredient in Hyrule.

• Hylian Tomato: A fruit found widely from cold areas to warm climates. Full of nutrition, using it in cooking recovers more hearts.

• Hydromelon: This resilient fruit can flourish even in the heat of the desert. The hydrating liquid inside provides a cooling effect that, when cooked, increases Link’s heat resistance.

• Spicy Pepper: A pepper exploding with spice. Cooking with it creates dishes that will raise Link’s body temperature and help him withstand the cold.

• Volt Fruit: Cacti found in the Gerudo Desert bear this sweet fruit. It is naturally insulated, so when cooked into a dish, it provides resistance against electricity.

• Fleet Lotus Seeds: The plant that bears these seeds grows near deep water. The roots draw nutrients from the water, which boosts Link’s movement speed when the seeds are cooked into a dish.

• Might Bananas: This fruit grows mainly in tropical forests of the Faron region. When it is used as an ingredient, the resulting dish will temporarily increase Link’s attack power.

• Fire Fruit: A fruit that generates fire when struck. Cooked correctly, its heating properties improve blood flow and stimulate muscles to raise attack power in high temperatures. Its heat also lets it be used as a small projectile that bursts into fire when striking an enemy.

• Ice Fruit: A fruit that generates cold when struck. Cooked correctly, it gives off an effect that strengthens muscles and increases attack power in cold temperatures. Its coldness also lets it be used as a small projectile that bursts into freezing ice when striking an enemy.

• Splash Fruit: A fruit that contains pressurized water. Cooking it brings out its ability to enhance swim speed when ingested. Its composition also lets it be used as a small projectile that bursts into a splash of water like a water balloon when striking an enemy.

• Shock Fruit: When cooked correctly, this shockingly tasty fruit stimulates the consumer's muscles and grants increased attack power during thunderstorms. Its composition also lets it be used as a small projectile that bursts into electricity when striking an enemy.

• Dazzle Fruit: A fruit charged with powerful light. Breaking unleashes dazzling sparkles that blind any enemies nearby.

• Hylian Shroom: A common mushroom found near trees around Hyrule. 

• Sky Shroom: A common mushroom that grows near trees on sky islands.

• Endura Shroom: A rare yellowish-orange mushroom. Cooking it before eating it temporarily increases Link’s  stamina limit.

• Stamella Shroom: A nutritious mushroom chock-full of natural energy. Cooking it  releases its stamina-restoring properties.

• Hearty Truffle: This rare mushroom has a rich scent. It will restore all of Link’s hearts and temporarily increase his maximum hearts when used in cooking.

• Big Hearty Truffle: Years of going unpicked have allowed this hearty truffle to grow quite large. When cooked into a dish, it will restore all hearts and temporarily increase your maximum hearts by a larger amount than normal Hearty Truffles.

• Chillshroom: Often found at the base of pine trees in cold climates, these mushrooms are cool to the touch and can be used to cook dishes that allow Link to stay cool even in arid regions.

• Sunshroom: A bright-red mushroom that grows in hot climates. Imbued with the power of heat, it can be used to cook dishes that will allow Link to endure the bitter cold.

• Zapshroom: This mushroom grows wild in the Gerudo region. The cap is naturally insulated, so when used in cooking, it will offer protection against electricity.

• Rushroom: A mushroom that can grow almost anywhere but prefers ceilings and sheer cliffs. Cooking it before eating it temporarily increases Link’s movement speed.

• Razorshroom: This mushroom is known for the natural slice in its cap. Using it when cooking prepares a dish that will increase Link’s strength.

• Ironshroom: The cap of this mushroom is very hard. Using it when cooking prepares a dish that increases Link’s defense.

• Silent Shroom: A strange mushroom that glows softly in the forest at night. Cooking it into a dish unlocks the nutrients in its cap, resulting in a meal that will allow Link to move stealthily.

• Brightcap: A mushroom that grows in caves and contains luminescent enzymes. Cooking it into a dish gives a glowing effect to anyone who eats it.

• Puffshroom: A mushroom that spreads a cloud of fine spores when a stimulus is applied, creating a smokescreen. The bitter powder makes them inedible.

• Hyrule Herb: A healthy herb that can be cooked into health recovering dishes.

• Stambulb: A wild plant with bulging roots often found in cooler climates. It contains nutrients that increase endurance. Cooking it makes a meal that restores stamina.

• Hearty Radish: A rare radish that grows best in sunny plains. Cooking it before eating it makes a dish that restores all of Link’s hearts and temporarily increases his maximum hearts.

• Big Hearty Radish: An extra large Hearty Radish that will give more maximum hearts when cooked than a normal radish.

• Cool Safflina: This medicinal plant grows in high elevations, such as mountains in the Hebra or Gerudo regions. When cooked into a dish, it will temporarily increase Link’s heat resistance.

• Warm Safflina: This medicinal plant grows in hot regions, such as the Gerudo Desert. It is warm to the touch and increases Link’s cold resistance when cooked into a dish.

• Electric Safflina: This medicinal plant grows abundantly in the Gerudo Desert. Its peculiar fibers conduct electricity, which will increase your electricity resistance when cooked into a dish.

• Swift Carrot: This carrot is cultivated extensively in villages. It strengthens the legs and hips when cooked into a dish, which helps increase Link’s movement speed.

• Endura Carrot: Highly valued as a medicinal plant, this carrot contains large amounts of nourishing energy. When cooked into a dish, it boosts Link’s stamina beyond its maximum limit. No it is not steroids.

• Fortified Pumpkin: An extremely tough pumpkin raised for food. When cooked, that toughness manifests itself by considerably upping defense.

• Sun Pumpkin: A new variety of pumpkin that soaks up the sunshine in Hateno Village. Baked into a dish, it can help heal the effects of exposure to gloom.

• Swift Violet: This vitality-rich flower blooms mainly on cliffsides. When cooked into a dish, the nourishing compounds increase movement speed.

• Mighty Thistle: This medicinal plant is known for its sharp thorns and for the fruit it bears. The fruit contains a compound that increases attack power when cooked into a dish.

• Armoranth: This tough medicinal plant cannot be broken, but it can be cooked. Its durable yet flexible fibers raise Link’s defense when cooked into a dish.

• Blue Nightshade: A plant that grows in quieter areas of Hyrule. At night, it gives off a soft glow. Cooking with it increases Link’s stealth.

• Sundelion: A wild plant that grows in the sun at high altitudes. Soaked in sunlight, its petals can restore health depleted by gloom when used in cooking.

• Brightbloom Seed: A seed that's often found in caves or wells. When struck, it will take root and bloom, giving off faint light from a small flower.

• Giant Brightbloom Seed: An extra large Brightbloom Seed that will produce even more light than the normal variant.

• Muddle Bud: A wildflower with a powerful odor that can disorient and confuse, making it difficult to tell friend from foe, resulting in enemies that have come into contact with one attacking other enemies rather than Link.

• Bombflower: A dangerous flower that contains explosive elements. It does not mix well with fire or electricity, unless the goal is to blow things up.

• Courser Bee Honey: Honey straight from the hive is chock-full of nutrients. Cooking this into a meal unlocks the potential of these nutrients and provides a stamina-recovery effect.

• Hylian Pine Cone: A cone that grows on trees found all over Hyrule. It contains oil and burns well. Throwing it into a fire increases the intensity of the flame.

• Korok Frond: A mysterious leaf that looks like it might be hiding something behind it. It has some medicinal value. Attached to a stick or other tool, it can be used as a fan, similar to a Korok Leaf.

• Chuchu Jelly: A gelatinous substance that came from a Chuchu, that will cause a large expansion of water when struck.

• Red Chuchu Jelly: A jiggly substance that normally comes from a Fire Chuchu. It consistently gives off heat. If struck, it will explode in a ball of flame.

• White Chuchu Jelly: A jiggly substance that came from an Ice Chuchu. It's cool to the touch, and squeezing it seems to relieve stress. If struck, it will explode in a cold mist that will instantly coat anyone it touches in ice.

• Yellow Chuchu Jelly: A jiggly substance that came from an Electric Chuchu. Electricity pulses through its gelatinous mass. If struck, it will explode in a burst of electricity.

• Keese Eyeball: These mysterious orbs scan their surroundings. Link can take advantage of their glaring awareness, and attach one to an arrow to grant a homing quality to the arrow.

• Fire Keese Eyeball: A Keese Eyeball that will cause a small fiery explosion when struck.

• Ice Keese Eyeball: A Keese Eyeball that will cause a small icy explosion when struck.

• Electric Keese Eyeball: A Keese Eyeball that will cause a small electric explosion when struck.

• Like Like Stone: A strange round stone from a Like Like, made of crystallized inner fluids. It's a good ingredient for elixirs and will release water when struck.

• Fire Like Stone: A stomach stone that persists even at high temperatures. It retains heat even outside the body of the creature that contained it, which makes it a useful elixir ingredient, along with a small fiery explosive.

• Ice Like Stone: A stomach stone kept cold inside a very low-temperature body. It stays cold, even outside the body of the creature that contained it, making it a small icy explosive.

• Shock Like Stone: A stomach stone exposed to high voltage inside the body of a Shock Like. It maintains some charge even outside the creature, making it a small electric explosive.

• Aerocuda Eyeball: This eyeball is constantly trying to focus on its targets. Link can cook it with a critter to make an elixir, or attach it to an arrow to grant a homing quality to the arrow.

• Gibdo Bone: A creepy bone with multiple sharp tips. Link, attach it to a weapon to greatly increase its attack power. Though it tends to break easily due to its odd shape, making it better for arrows.

• Silver Bokoblin Horn: A large, blade-like horn with a unique flourish on the tip. It is sharper than it looks. Link can attach it to a weapon to vastly increase attack power, or cook it with a critter to make an elixir.

• Silver Boss Bokoblin Horn: A circular, serrated horn. The neatly tied strap contains arcane power. Link can attach it to a weapon to vastly increase attack power, or cook it with a critter to make an elixir.

• Silver Moblin Horn: A nasty-looking, rock-hard horn. Link can attach it to a weapon to vastly increase its attack power, or cook it with a critter to make an elixir.

• Fire-Breathing Lizalfos Horn: A horn that glows red with the power of fire. Link can cook it with a critter to make an elixir or use its fiery properties in combat.

• Ice-Breathing Lizalfos Horn: The freezing power embedded in this horn's crystal tip can be used to Link’s advantage to freeze foes. Otherwise, he can cook it with a critter to make an elixir.

• Electric Lizalfos Horn: A horn charged with as much electricity as a bolt of lightning. Link can cook it with a critter to make an elixir. Notably, it will discharge electricity when stimulated.

• Silver Lizalfos Horn: A sickle-shaped horn that looks like it could slice anything it touches. Link can attach it to a weapon to vastly increase its attack power, or cook it with a critter to make an elixir.

• Silver Horroblin Horn: A curved horn with an extremely hard tip. Link can attach it to a weapon to vastly increase its attack power, or cook it with a critter to make an elixir.

• Silver-Maned Lynel Saber Horn: This piercing horn is sharpened to a point for maximum poking. Link can attach it to a weapon to vastly increase its attack power or cook it with a critter to make an elixir.

• Silver-Maned Lynel Mace Horn: This wickedly barbed Silver Lynel horn is as hard as a diamond. Link can attach to a weapon to vastly increase its attack power or use it as a precious elixir ingredient.

• Soldier Construct IV Horn: A horn embedded with a sharp disk. The disk spins mysteriously and can slice through almost anything. Link can attach the horn to a weapon and vastly increase its attack power.

• Captain Construct IV Horn: A mean-looking, branching, blade-like horn. Its edges and tips are extremely sharp. Link can attach it to a weapon to vastly increase its attack power.

• Stalnox Horn: The impaled skulls should serve as a warning. But if Link does obtain one, he can attach it to a weapon to vastly increase its attack power, or cook it with a critter to make an elixir.

• Molduga Jaw: A hard jawbone. Its shape allows a Molduga some maneuverability in the sand. Link can attach it to a weapon to greatly increase its attack power or cook it with a critter to make an elixir.

• Gleeok Flame Horn: A crown-like, fire-imbued horn of a Gleeok. Link can attach it to a weapon to vastly increase its attack power and give the weapon a permanent fire effect with no consequence or cook it with a critter to make an elixir.

• Gleeok Frost Horn: A crown-like, frost-imbued horn of a Gleeok. Link can attach it to a weapon to vastly increase its attack power and give the weapon a permanent freezing effect with no consequence or cook it with a critter to make an elixir.

• Gleeok Thunder Horn: A crown-like, lightning-imbued horn of a Gleeok. Link can attach it to a weapon to vastly increase its attack power and give the weapon a permanent electric effect with no consequence or cook it with a critter to make an elixir.

• Blue-White Frox Fang: A giant fang that can easily dig through solid bedrock. Link can attach it to a weapon to vastly increase its attack power, or cook it with a critter to make an elixir.

• Dinraal’s Horn: A sharp horn of the red spirit, Dinraal. It is said to be the crystallized power of fire itself. Attaching the blade-shaped horn to a weapon vastly increases attack power.

• Shard of Dinraal’s Spike: An incredibly hard stone mined from a spike on Dinraal's back. It is very destructive when fused to a weapon, and it also imbues that weapon with the power of flame.

• Naydra’s Horn: A sharp horn of the blue spirit, Naydra. It is said to be the crystallized power of ice itself. Attaching the blade-shaped horn to a weapon vastly increases attack power.

• Shard of Naydra’s Horn: An incredibly hard stone mined from a spike on Naydra's back. It is very destructive when fused to a weapon, and it also imbues that weapon with the power of ice.

• Farosh’s Horn: A sharp horn of the golden spirit, Farosh. It is said to be the crystallized power of electricity itself. Attaching the blade-shaped horn to a weapon vastly increases attack power.

• Shard of Farosh’s Spike: An incredibly hard stone mined from a spike on Farosh's back. It is very destructive when fused to a weapon, and it also imbues that weapon with the power to shock.

• Light Dragon Horn: A horn chipped off the Light Dragon. Its gentle glow has a calming effect, and it has a mysterious healing power when attached to a weapon that recovers Link’s health.

• Shard of Light Dragon’s Spike: An incredibly hard stone mined from a spike on the Light Dragon's back. It is very destructive when fused to a weapon, and it also imbues that weapon with healing power that recovers Link’s health.

• Ancient Blade: A small sharp blade that can be attached to melee weapons and arrows that has the exact same properties as Ancient Arrows, letting Link erase someone unexpectedly with a sword or spear instead of just with his arrows. Though the Blade will also break after a single use, so it is best saved reserved for arrows anyways.

• Fairies: A rare creature that will heal Link back to five hearts upon his death. It is worth noting that once Link has obtained four, they will no longer spawn in the overworld, meaning that four fairies could be the limit that Link can have access to in a fight. Though technically he could have more if this spawning restriction was not present.

Food & Elixirs

One of the Hero of the Wild’s greatest talents would be his culinary skills, as with the right ingredients Link can cook anything from a full-heal salad to actual Pizza, yes, Tears of the Kingdom lets you cook Pizza. Game of the Year 2023. Other different foods can provide a large variety of effects, including increases to attack strength, speed, durability, stealth, heat resistance, cold resistance, electricity resistance, max stamina, stamina recovery, slipping resistance (fuck rain), and swim speed. Link can also make himself glow to help light up dark spaces, recover from the effects of Gloom which normally prevents traditional healing, and gain additional bonus health all with the help of a good meal. Link can only carry sixty meals at a time however, so it is good to pick a well-rounded variety of meals that increase different stats.

Or you know, just have sixty full-heal meals if you want to be boring.

Sheikah Slate

An ancient super enhanced Wii-U Gamepad that Link borrowed from Zelda during the events of Breath of the Wild. With it Link has access to a variety of runes, a full map of Hyrule, and a full compendium detailing every item and enemy that he has ever encountered prior to Tears of the Kingdom. Additionally, Link can use the slate to teleport to any Shrines or Towers he has previously visited, and can also teleport other people as well even without their consent. The slate also comes with a sensor that can detect any documented objects if Link needs to search for something specific. It is worth noting that Link and co were able to use the slate’s runes in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity without having the slate on-hand, though the slate is still useful regardless. With its power, Link can utilize the following abilities:

• Magnesis: Link can use this rune to lift and move around anything metallic, ranging from metal weapons to giant crates.

• Bombs: A rune that allows Link to create small explosives. This rune also provides two different bomb types, being spherical bombs that can roll around, and cube shaped bombs that will stay in place when thrown or put down.

• Stasis: By targeting a physical object, Link can freeze it in time. This can have basic applications like freezing something in the air to use as a platform, but can also be used to apply a large amount of built up kinetic energy to a target by hitting the object while it is frozen. Think about Booster Gold hitting Cable “like a girl” in that one Death Battle episode. Stasis was eventually also upgraded to the point where it could be used on sentient beings, further expanding its use for combat.

• Crynosis: This ability allows Link to create platforms of ice by freezing a water source. The platform can be made on both lakes and waterfalls, with a limit of three being made at a time. Crynosis can additionally be used to instantly destroy structures or objects made of ice, both ones that Link made and ones that he did not.

• Camera: A simple camera function Link can use to take pictures and add whatever he documents to his Hyrule Compendium.

• Master Cycle Zero: A final ability added to the slate after the Champion’s Ballad DLC, the Master Cycle Zero is a special ancient motorcycle that Link can ride around Hyrule to his heart’s content. As long as he is able to properly fuel it with ancient materials of course.

Purah Pad

A device created by Purah and (mainly) Robbie that emulates most of the Sheikah Slate’s features. While it does not have the same runes the other device did, it comes packed with an improved map, camera, and compendium. Additionally the Purah Pad can set up to three different warp points that Link can teleport to at any given time, allowing Link to set up getaway points on the battlefield. Zelda used a similar tactic before with the Pad when her and Rauru were cornered by Ganondorf. This scene also showcases the Pad’s ability to teleport people other than the user. 

Energy Cell

A special Zonai device that Link received in order to power Zonai Devices. The battery will automatically replenish when not in use, and has been upgraded to have a full set of forty-eight energy wells. The battery can also be replenished with Zonai Charges recovering half a well at a time, or the Cell can be fully replenished all at once with a Large Zonai Charge that will also provide additional energy for a short period of time. Keep in mind, just like with other materials, Link can hold up to 99,999 Zonai Charges or Large Zonai Charges, so running out of battery is not really an actual issue for Link.

Zonai Devices

The Zonai left behind a gigantic assortment of devices before their departure, all of which Link has access to and knows how to use perfectly, would it be using the device by itself or with another device to accomplish some other goal. Similar to his various materials, Link can carry numerous capsules carrying each device, so running out of them is not really a problem.

• Fan: A simple fan capable of blowing winds strong enough to push forward vehicles.

• Wing: An aerial device which Link can use to glide through the air. Unfortunately, extensive use will eventually cause the Wing to disappear.

• Cart: A simple four wheeled device meant for rolling around whatever Link puts on top of it.

• Balloon: A miniature air balloon that Link can cause to go into the sky by putting fire under it, and rise with it by attaching something to stand on under the balloon. Just like with the Wing however, extensive use will make the Balloon disappear.

• Rocket: A miniature rocket that can push whatever it is attached to a far distance. They can be used to blast anything around in all directions depending on how they are placed, and can also be attached to arrows to make high speed rocket arrows, or to a shield to give Link what I can only describe as an arm-attached jetpack.

• Time Bomb: As the name implies, these are powerful energetic explosives that will not activate initially, rather only boom after a small period of time. A strong enough impact should be able to make them explode early however.

• Portable Pot: In case Link needs to cook mid-fight, he can pull out a portable pot to whip up a useful meal. The pot he pulls out will disappear after making one meal, but since he has more in his back pocket, it is not an issue really.

• Flame Emitter: A portable flamethrower capable of spewing out flames as long as it has enough battery to draw from. Link can attach one to various objects, making things like a shield that constantly shoots out fire when Link is blocking, or a car that will burn anything in front of it.

• Frost Emitter: A portable freezing machine capable of spewing out gusts of cold that instantly freeze what they touch as long as it has enough battery to draw from. Link can attach one to various objects, making things like a shield that constantly shoots out frost when Link is blocking, or a car that will turn anything in front of it to ice.

• Shock Emitter: A portable electric spike that will shock whatever it touches as long as it has enough battery to draw from. Link can attach one to various objects, making things like a shield that shocks anyone on the offensive when Link is blocking, or a car that will electrocute anything trying to touch its front.

• Beam Emitter: A portable offensive machine that will shoot out an actual light speed laser beam, harming anything that comes into contact because well, it is a laser. Putting a lot of them together can create a strong offensive weapon, to say the least.

• Hydrant: A portable fire hydrant that will release refreshing water when activated.

• Steering Stick: A simple device that Link can use to control the positioning of other Zonai devices when the Stick and said devices are connected to one another, would it be them being directly on top of one another, or them being part of the same machine.

• Big Wheel: A large wheel that will accelerate when activated, meant for being attached to platforms to form various mobile vehicles.

• Small Wheel: A small wheel that serves the same purpose as a large one, except it is smaller for convenience. This does result in a slower speed however.

• Sled: Literally a sled.

• Battery: A small container filled with energy that can power other Zonai devices, letting Link preserve his Energy Cell’s battery for a short period of time.

• Big Battery: A larger Battery that contains four times as much energy.

• Spring: A device involving a platform connected to a spring that Link can use to launch himself into the air.

• Cannon: An offensively oriented device that shoots out exploding cannonballs. When activated, it will keep firing regardless of if there is an enemy or not.

• Stabilizer: A strange device that will always stand up straight when activated regardless of what it is attached to, would it be another Zonai Device or a ginormous boulder. This can help Link make some very specific inventions like one wheel motorcycles or giant robots.

• Hover Stone: A platform that when activated is completely immune to the effects of gravity, and thus will stay suspended in the air allowing for airborne turrets and bombings.

• Light: A simple device that will shine light in front of it.

• Stake: A device with a spike that will sink into the ground, allowing it to maintain its position regardless of what weight is attached to it, making it effective for helping Link build various machines. Also, they can be used to do this.

• Mirror: A device that reflects light directed towards it.

• Homing Cart: An extremely useful device that will automatically move towards enemies. By itself it does not do much as it will merely annoyingly bump into them, but if one were to attach a laser emitter, cannon, or other offensive device, said device will now also face the enemy and provide a significant threat. Though the issue is the device can still only attack in one direction even if it is mobile. This issue is covered however thanks to…

• Construct Head: A device that will automatically face enemies thanks to it being capable of turning 360 degrees. Combined with the various emitters and cannons Link has, he can easily set up turrets around the battlefield, and in conjunction with a Homing Cart, can make a moving device that can move in one direction and shoot an enemy with a laser in another.

Abilities

Revali’s Gale

An ability gifted to Link by the spirit of the Rito Champion Revali, Revali’s Gale allows Link to create a massive updraft, letting him soar into the skies and gain remarkable height. The ability can be used three times before having to undergo a two minute cooldown.

Daruk’s Protection

The ability gifted to Link by the spirit of the Goron Champion Daruk, by using Daruk’s Protection Link can create a spherical barrier around himself for completing blocking attacks and deflecting projectiles. The ability can be used three times before having to undergo a six minute cooldown.

Mipha’s Grace

Gifted to Link by the spirit of the Zora Champion Mipha, Mipha’s Grace is an ability that will completely revitalize Link upon him dying in battle, restoring him with full health as well as some additional hearts. The ability has an eight minute recharge time in between uses.

Urbosa’s Fury

Bestowed upon Link by the spirit of the Gerudo Champion Urbosa, Urbosa’s Fury lets Link ready a field of expanding energy around himself before performing a charged attack, causing a powerful lightning strike to hit any poor enemy that was in the energy field. The ability can be used three times before having to undergo a four minute cooldown.

Ultra Hand

An ability Link was able to use via gaining the right arm of the former king of Hyrule, Rauru. With Ultrahand, Link can telekinetically lift anything similar to magnesis, but without the metallic restriction. Additionally, Link can stick any non-living object to any other non-living object, gluing them together. This can allow him to fix broken vehicles or machines, but more notably create his own special machines with Zonai tech. Turrets, planes with laser cannons, cars with flamethrowers, Jeremy, hovering platforms, a frost emitting sled, the possibilities are quite literally endless as long as Link has access to the proper materials, allowing for a level of versatility and unpredictability that no previous incarnation of the hero has ever had access to.

Fuse

Another ability of Rauru’s arm, Fuse allows Link to fuse any non-living object with either his weapons, shields, or arrows. This can lead to a massive increase to the strength of his attacks, but can also lead to some special properties, such as elemental damage. His fusing prowess also extends to other weapons and shields, letting Link put a shield on a shield for extra defense and durability, or a sword on a sword for extra reach and cutting power. He can also fuse Zonai Devices to his weapons and shields, letting him do things like have a shield that shoots out fire whenever he guards, or a spear that shoots out cannonballs whenever he swings it. 

Ascend

Ascend is another former ability of Rauru’s that allows Link to well, ascend, through any surface above him. This is performed by Link leaping towards said surface, phasing through it by seemingly going into some other sort of space (it is weird), then popping out the other side. Link can also go back down if he does not like where he ends up, or straight up stop his ascension mid trip to go back under whatever surface he leaped into. There does seem to be a limit to this ability however, as if a surface is too high for Link to jump to, he cannot ascend through it. He still has good range regardless though.

Recall

An ability foreign to the hand of Raura that Zelda bestowed upon Link, somehow, it is not explained how she gave it to him really. Recall allows Link to rewind any object he desires, shifting the object in the opposite direction it recently traveled. The person who taught the technique to Zelda, Queen Sonia, described it as drawing out an object’s memory. Asking the object where it was, how it arrived to where it is now, and then leading it back to that original moment in time.

There is more to the ability than just rewinding objects however. When Link activates Recall, he basically freezes time around himself. While he cannot move himself when this is happening, the frozen time still allows him to analyze his surroundings and is thus useful regardless. Additionally we know this is not just a simple gameplay mechanic, as it is an occurrence exclusive to the Recall ability that is not seen with any of Link’s other arm-related shenanigans like Ultra Hand or Fuse.

Recall also does not seem to truly be limited to objects, as we see after the defeat of Ganondorf, Link is able to rewind Zelda’s draconic being and return her to her normal state. This scene is rather complicated however, and will be discussed in more detail later. 

Autobuild

An ability Link obtained in the depths of Hyrule, Autobuild allows Link to instantly build anything without the need of Ultrahand, as long as either the build was recent or he has a specific schematic. If he does not have access to the materials needed to recreate the creation Link wants to make, Autobuild will instead consume three pieces of Zonite from Link’s inventory in order to replicate the missing piece. Autobuild has allowed players of Tears of the Kingdom to deploy things such as trucks, tanks, and X-Wings whenever they want. Though for simplicity’s sake, only all the schematics given in game will be listed here instead of the Tears of the Kingdom playerbase’s endless creativity. For images of the Yiga Schematics (everything before the Fanplane), click here.

Note, if I label something as “controllable”, it means that creation has a control stick attached and thus Link can effect how the creation works.

• Shock Trap: What seems to be a platform held up by four planks, with a shock emitter at the bottom of the platform. The purpose of the machine seems to be a shocking trap, though it does not seem too effective.

• Beam Spinner: A hover platform that has a wheel attached to it. Attached to this wheel is a beam emitter, resulting in a hovering spinning laser beam when the machine is activated.

• Instant Kitchen: A large platform that has a cooking pot and roof in one corner, perfect for making a meal whenever it happens to be raining.

• Fishing Trawler: A controllable boat with some planks attached in a specific way akin to an open box to catch fish, that happen to be electrocuted when they enter the planks’ space.

• Flamethrower Balloon: A balloon connected to a wheel that when activated will spin alongside three flame emitters attached to the wheel, resulting in a hovering 360 aiming flamethrower perfect for hitting airborne enemies.

• Super Spring: Three connected springs (held to the ground by a steak) that, when activated, will launch Link far higher into the sky than a single spring would.

• Excavator: a controllable two wheel device that uses a stabilizer to stand up straight while it has a third wheel spin spikes at the front of the vehicle, perfect for tearing enemies and rocks to shreds.

• Floodlights: A simple board on top of a pole that has lights for lighting up nearby dark spaces.

• Water Freezer: A platform that can be placed in the water that has frost emitters placed on a poll that shoot in all directions, perfect for creating platforms made of ice.

• Monocycle: A controllable one wheel vehicle that stands up straight thanks to a stabilizer.

• Liftoff Glider: A controllable wing with rockets attached so it can easily get into the air.

• Raiding Plane: A wing with fans attached for propulsion, that also has a flame emitter at the front that aims at the ground in order to burn enemies.

• Fanboat: A simple controllable boat with fans attached for propulsion.

• Beam Turret: A construct head with a beam emitter attached for hitting enemies, that also uses a construct head to ensure it will always be in the proper position.

• Smoke Rocket: A rocket with a timed bomb and Puffshroom that can be launched at enemies to both blow them away and obscure their vision with smoke.

• Vertical Escape: A device meant for, well, escaping, that will launch Link with a spring before using timed bombs to explode.

• Whirling Basher: A spinning device made with wheels and boulders that Link can put into the ground with a steak, perfect for knocking enemies into.

• All-Purpose Raft: A simple raft with a sail and cooking pot.

• Instant Scaffold: Several stone platforms connected to one another that use a steak to connect to a wall, in order to make an “instant scaffold”.

• Sprinkler System: A machine made of logs that has fire hydrants attached all over it in order to make water go everywhere.

• Rainmaker: A hover platform that uses a wheel to spin two fire hydrants, making water go everywhere.

• Aerial Cannon: A hover platform with a cannon attached that Link can set up to hit enemies from above.

• Bomb Bouquet: Multiple bomb flowers that are stuck together that can be used as a surprise explosive.

• Cargo Carrier: A controllable sled with a large platform on top for cargo to go on.

• Three Wheeler: A tall vehicle with three wheels and a light, fitting for rougher terrain.

• Charged Charger: A homing cart that has a fire hydrant that shoots a large amount of water forward, and a shock emitter to electrify all of the water.

• Big Rig: A large vehicle with spikes at the front, making the vehicle good both offensively and defensively.

• Headlight Raft: A fan propelled raft with lights at the front for seeing in dark areas.

• Assault Cart: A cart with spikes at the front and a rocket at the back, perfect for ramming into enemies.

• Wagon: A wagon. Yeah, it is just a wagon.

• Triple Cannon: A platform with three cannons meant to hit airborne enemies.

• Icebreaker: A homing cart that has a Frost Emitter at the top of a pole that first freezes enemies to make them vulnerable, and a spike ball at the bottom of the pole that will then heavily damage the frozen enemies.

• Tank: It may not be an actual tank, but this large convertible with a cannon at the front is certainly useful for both getting around and blasting away enemies.

• Scatter: A spiky foot trap that will certainly be more unpleasant to step in than Legos.

• Fanplane: A controllable plane with fans attached, allowing for quick movement and flight through the air.

• Hot Air Balloon: An air balloon attached to a platform, fit for gaining height via heat.

• Dirigible: A platform with two air balloons attached to two opposite corners, allowing for balanced ascension.

• Beam Cycle: A motorcycle that has a beam emitter attached to its front for offensive use.

• Bridge: Literally a bridge.

• Bolt Boat: A wind propelled controllable boat with a shock emitter that will shock anything in the water in front of it.

• Rocket Platform: A hoverstone attached to a rocket that will let Link instantly ascend into the air and gain the high ground.

• Automated Ally: A self moving cart with a Construct Head that will target any nearby enemies with a flamethrower.

• Hovercraft: A cart pushed by a fan that can be steered across flat surfaces at fast speeds.

Yiga Secret Earthquake Technique

Clearly, by far the most powerful ability in Link’s arsenal, capable of blowing a hole in the universe. Glory to Master Kohga.

In all seriousness, the Earthquake Technique is a special move Link learned after infiltrating the main Yiga headquarters. By slamming his fist into the ground, Link is able to create an air releasing geyser that he can push around the area. Upon releasing control, the geyser will explode as rocks rise out of the ground to smash Link’s target, akin to a mini earthquake.

Resistances

• Corruption: The Master Sword will automatically repel any evil inflictions on its user, like when it pushed back a piece of Twilight Magic Zant had forced into the Hero of Twilight.

• Extreme Temperatures: Link has various outfits, Potions, and food that lets him resist extreme temperatures.

• Mental Manipulation: Can be struck with Muddle Buds and endure no side effects, while normal enemies end up mentally confused and attacking each other due to the strange flower.

• Power Draining: While not a complete resistance, Link can interact with smaller clumps of Gloom without severe consequence, whereas other Hylains merely stepping on Gloom can leave them completely drained and bedridden for weeks.

• Possible Power Nullification: Ganondorf’s mere presence was able to suppress the power of the rings Link received from the sages (details later), preventing him from summoning their avatars. However, Link himself as well as the Master Sword were completely unaffected. However this could just be due to Link being far stronger than the sages, as seen with him being able to beat Ganondorf who could one shot all five sages at once with a strong attack.

• Fire: The Flamebreaker Armor and certain Potions let Link endure the heat inside Death Mountain and various caves around the Eldin region. The heat there is so hot that the air will automatically catch on fire, yet Link can stay in this fire filled climate just fine. The Flamebreaker armor’s set bonus also makes Link immune to fire based damage.

• Electricity: The Lightning Helm automatically deflects all types of electrical damage.

• Freezing: Zant’s helmet prevents Link from having his body frozen solid.

Support

Horses

Link has tamed a variety of horses during his adventures, and is not restricted to just one. Epona was only a single of many of Hyrule’s steeds after all. These horses can vary in stats, with some being faster than others, some being physically stronger and thus more durable and better at being used as a battering ram, some have more stamina, etc. One constant however is Link’s ability to jump off any horse for a free boost, giving him the opportunity to land a bullet time arrow shot.

Wolf Link

Thanks to a little help from a certain collectable figure, Link can summon a being similar to the Wolf form that the Hero of Twilight assumed during the events of Twilight Princess. Wolf Link is not too particularly strong, only being able to attack with bites and scratches despite being capable of impressive running speeds, but he is also the best boy. If he is ever low on health, Link can heal him by giving him raw meat or fish.

The Sages

In the effort to defeat the Demon King and save Hyrule, the five sages swore to fight by Link’s side and aid him in the battles to come. While the sages jumping in themselves would obviously be outside help, they each gave Link a ring via the power of their Zonai Secret Stones, with said ring allowing him to instantly summon what is basically an exact duplicate of them, just in the form of a weird glowing spiritual avatar. The exception being Mineru who is directly summoned instead of having an avatar, but more details on that later. Despite their occasional inefficiency in gameplay (gameplay moment), the copies Link can summon should be just as capable as the actual sages themselves lore wise, and thus just as skilled and powerful. This aligns with the fact that they are also capable of replicating the abilities the sages show off.

Tulin

Tulin of the Rito is a prodigy warrior and master of archery. He was rather overconfident upon first being met in Tears of the Kingdom, though working with Link helped him mature. He is regarded by his father, Teba, as the greatest warrior among the Rito, even greater than himself, despite the fact he was able to aid Link in an assault on a corrupted Divine Beast Medoh years prior. That is not too surprising however, considering that Tulin is able to take down threats as large as the beast known as Colgera. Apart from his combat skills, Tulin has also shown mastery of the wind, being able to propel Link through the air or blow enemies off their feet with nothing more than a strong flap of his wings, earning him the title as the Sage of Wind.

Yunobo

The owner of YunoboCo, Yunobo was originally a timid but potent Goron worker. His first adventure with Link however would allow him to mature into a respectable hero, capable of aiding Goron City. But it would not be until after a second adventure involving being kind controlled and a dive into Death Mountain that Yunobo would become the Sage of Fire and swear to fight by Link’s side against the Demon King. As the Sage of Fire, Yunobo is capable of manipulating the element, as well as rolling around the battlefield at ridiculous speeds as a devastating literal fireball. While he did not show the ability in Tears of the Kingdom, he, like Link, is able to use Daruk’s Protection to defend himself and deflect projectiles. Logically, his sage avatar should also be capable of the ability.

Sidon

Younger brother of the Zora Champion Mipha, Sidon is Link’s best friend and the most capable warrior in Zora’s Domain. Originally helping Link combat Divine Beast Ruta, Sidon went on to work with Link in saving Zora’s Domain from a poisonous toxic sludge, earning the title of Sage of Water and inheriting the role as the King of the Zora from his father, King Dorephan. Sidon’s Zora physiology makes him extremely fast and capable within the water, but he is still a remarkable fighter out of it. Both due to his excellent spearmanship as well as his control over the flow of water, letting him use it for attacks and barriers. He can additionally coat Link in a barrier of water, giving Link a guaranteed defense against a single attack before dispersing. Said barrier also lets Link infuse his attacks with the power of water, delivering a powerful watery wave in the process when he decides to attack.

Riju

The chief of the Gerudo, Riju is a young but incredible fighter, putting all other Gerudo soldiers to shame. Previously, she aided Link in the battle against the Divine Beast Naboris, with the help of the Thunder Helm, an ancient Gerudo helmet that deflects all electric attacks. Riju could also use this helm in conjunction with her own abilities to expand the protective effects of the Thunder Helm, letting her create a large barrier which Link could be inside. Riju’s efforts to defend her people would not stop there however, as she would go on to further develop her electrical abilities, though not quite gaining the hang of them. Luckily, Link is able to direct her shots by having her hit the exact spot Link hits with an arrow, compensating for Riju’s imperfect talent. The duo went on to save Gerudo Desert by defeating the Gibdo Queen during the events of Tears of the Kingdom, resulting in Riju inheriting the role of Sage of Lightning.

Mineru

One of the original Sages who aided in the battle against the Demon King thousands of years ago, Mineru of the Zonai holds the title of Sage of Spirit. With her powers, Mineru is able to separate her spirit from her body, though it is unclear what benefit this offers in combat. The benefit it does offer however was allowing her to stay in the mortal world for the thousands of years following the sealing of the Demon King, allowing her to hide in and then re-emerge from the Purah Pad to help Link in the struggle against evil by possessing an ancient Zonai construct. Said construct is incredibly strong, able to keep up with the other Sages. The Construct’s main ability is its power to fuse objects to its arm and back, allowing for all the benefits that Link would get from fusing various objects to his own tools. This includes flamethrower arms, rockets being able to be used for gaining height, laser gun arms, spike ball arms, sword arms, rock arms, bigger rock arms, even bigger rock arms, and so on and so forth. Link can also ride on top of the Construct, allowing him to better traverse over hazardous environments, as the Construct is freely able to walk through issues like lava or Gloom. Lastly, unlike the other sages, Link is able to directly summon Mineru to the battlefield, rather than some specific avatar that Link summons with the power of the other Sages.

Feats

Overall

• Defeated the Blights, Calamity Ganon, and Master Kohga.

• Defeated Ganondorf, who previously in their fight had one shot all five sages with one big attack.

• This is consistent with Ganondorf easily defeating Raura, Zelda, and the previous five sages several thousands of years ago.

• This feat of Link’s is made even MORE impressive given the fact Link was the only person involved in both fights against Ganondorf who did not wield a Zonai Secret Stone, a magical artifact that greatly enhances someone’s abilities. He won in the end with just his own strength. 

• Was shown to be equal to all the Champions of Hyrule even before he obtained the Master Sword.

• Was deemed worthy of wielding the Master Sword, and later unlocked its true power through the Trials of the Sword.

• Freed all four Divine Beasts.

• Overcame the trials of all 120 Sheikah Shrines, earning the Tunic of the Wild.

• In Tears of the Kingdom Link would also overcome all 152 Zonai Shrines, earning the Ancient Hero’s Aspect.

• Explored the entirety of the Depths and Sky.

• Obtained a PHD in mechanical engineering.

• GOTY 2023 Zelda bros we SWEEP!!!

Power

• Can lift large metal crates with his various telekinetic abilities.

• Comparable to Daruk, who can shatter boulders.

• Can push back falling rubble with his shield.

• Defeated Calamity Ganon, who survived a massively charged united blast from the Divine Beasts, who have their own impressive feats:

• Vah Rudania can cause Death Mountain to erupt by casually smacking it with its tail.

• Vah Ruta can create enough water to cause a storm in seconds.

• Vah Naboris can cause a large sand shroud.

• Defeated Colgera by skydiving through it. Colgera can create a devastating blizzard across the entire Hebra region despite being locked away in the Stormwind Arc.

• Defeated the Gibdo Queen, who covered the entirety of Gerudo Desert in a hot sand shroud.

• Is able to defeat Phantom Ganons. A single Phantom Ganon disguised as Zelda was able to force a Blood Moon (67 Zettatons).

• Fought and defeated Ganondorf, who:

• Can effortlessly and instantly create monsters capable of previously mentioned impressive feats, such as Colgera, Queen Gibdo, and the Phantom Ganons

• His mere existence upon obtaining the Secret Stone moved the moon (13.712 zettatons)

• As the Demon Dragon moved the moon again, except this time he clearly moved the moon closer to the Earth. This would mean the distance the moon covered is far greater than in Ganondorf’s other feats, and thus the speed is higher, meaning higher kinetic energy and thus a far higher result in terms of joules.

• Deleted Queen Sonia’s spine.

Speed

• Sub 24 fr.

• Can dodge arrows.

• Able to react to Guardian blasts and deflect them.

• Using Zora Armor, can swim up waterfalls in seconds.

• Can keep up with Urbosa, who can precisely aim lightning.

• Thunderblight Ganon, a creation of Calamity Ganon who Link later defeated, can also both create lightning and dodge Urbosa’s

• Can dodge Yunobo’s fiery roll attack.

• When hyperfocusing, can see the movement of a beam of light and shoot an arrow faster than said beam.

• Scales to Ganondorf, who moved the moon at high speeds as mentioned before

Durability

• Endured multiple blows from an extensive battle with Guardians.

• Can survive attacks from all of the Divine Beasts.

• Able to survive being crushed under the weight of Talus and Hinoxes.

• Can survive being hit by Colgera’s tornados, Armored Gohma’s explosive boulders, being directly rammed into by Mucktorok, and a concentrated blast of sand from the Gibdo Queen.

• Can survive blasts of Gloom from a full power Ganondorf, who could lift Hyrule castle into the air with a massive pillar pushed by a blast of Gloom just after awakening from Rauru’s seal.

• Above boss fight feats assume a run where the player actually gets hit, keep that in mind.

• Daruk’s group hug.

Weaknesses

Despite his efficiency, the Hero of the Wild does have his shortcomings. His healing options, while stupidly bountiful, are by no means limitless. His Champion abilities have limits before needing to be recharged, and the Sages’ are by no means invincible despite their lack of an in-game health bar. His stamina also has limits, and Link cannot hyper focus properly to do things like perform Flurry Rushes if he lacks the stamina. Lastly, Link has a canonical tendency to always go against the odds, even if he is outmatched. This drive resulted in his “death” one hundred years before the events of Breath of the Wild, even if it did result in the safety of Zelda.

Questions & Answers

Did Ganondorf actually move the moon?

Previously in Breath of the Wild, the argument could be made that whenever a Blood Moon appeared, that was due to Calamity Ganon moving the moon itself. However this argument lacked clear enough proof and thus was not solid. Tears of the Kingdom on the other hand is very transparent about the Demon King’s lunar shenanigans.

When Ganondorf first obtains the Secret Stone, he seems to force a Blood Moon to happen, despite the fact there was no hint of one at that point during the night. Ganondorf’s Puppet Zelda (Which was actually a Phantom Ganon) also forces one to occur with no prior indication of one, with said Blood Moon occuring in the cutscene even if the current time is day with no Moon in sight. As for the most significant Moon feat in Tears of the Kingdom, we can visibly see the Moon change positions and get closer to the planet once the Demon Dragon enters its final phase. Once again, despite the fact that there was no hint of a Blood Moon whatsoever prior to its appearance.

In conclusion, it is clear that the movement of the Moon in these feats was not a natural occurrence and was forced by Ganondorf, Phantom Ganon, and the Demon Dragon, and thus its movement can be used to calculate the level of attack potency Link would scale to.

Why are Master Sword abilities the Hero of the Wild never used being mentioned?

If you paid attention to previous sections, you likely noticed some Master Sword abilities were mentioned that the Hero of the Wild has never shown himself. That being Sealing, which has only been showcased by the Hero of the Sky, and the resistance to Corruption, only shown by the Hero of Twilight. The reason it makes sense for the Hero of the Wild to be capable of these abilities despite him never using them, is due to the context in which the other Heroes used those abilities.

The sealing and resistance to corruption were abilities mainly performed through the power of the Master Sword alone, they were not specific skills that the other heroes needed to learn. They are natural things the Master Sword is capable of. While you could argue that the Master Sword’s sealing ability was because of Fi, which there is no indication she was the direct cause of the sealing, it has been shown that Fi's spirit still resides within the Master Sword during the Hero of the Wild’s adventures, and can still act. As we saw it communicate to Zelda on multiple occasions. In fact, Fi’s spirit even somewhat interacts with Link after the Trials of the Sword quest in Breath of the Wild. Thus even if the sealing application was locked behind Fi, the current games seem to make it clear she can still have influence. So, it is logical the Hero of the Wild can perform Sealing with the Master Sword despite never doing so himself.

Look I needed to rant about TOTK Shrines

This section is not actually important. I am just mad and felt the need to rant about the Shrines in Tears of the Kingdom. Feel free to skip to the next section of the pre-summary portion of this blog.

In Tears of the Kingdom, instead of the Sheikah made shrines that we saw in the previous game, we have new shrines themed around the Zonai. The implication is that the Zonai created these shrines. These shrines also seem to, instead of containing elevators to an underground room, reveal a magical door that leads to some sort of alternate dimension of sorts. 

And that is all we know.

We do not know exactly how big the space inside these shrines are, nor do we know how they were made, nor do we know if the space inside each shrine is connected to the other shrines, nor if the shrines are simply some sort of pocket dimension. We do not have any further context whatsoever on the properties and lore of the Zonai shrines.

This is also annoying because Tears of the Kingdom goes out of its way to explain other details. For example, through a Side Adventure you can find on the Great Sky Island later in the game, you can find out that the reason the Sky Islands exist is that the four remaining Sages after the sealing of Ganondorf combined their power to raise many pieces of land into the sky so that he could not immediately reach them when he reawakened. It is a nice bit of exposition that doubles as a neat feat for Link to scale to, since Ganondorf was able to beat all six stages alongside Rauru at once without much effort. Now if only shrines had a similar Side Adventure explanation.

To make things even more confusing, the Zonai shrines existed before Ganondorf started his conflict with Hyrule. We can see in one of the memories that they were present in Hyrule all along. Which makes things even MORE confusing.

Rant over.

The Light Dragon Reversal Scene

After the best final boss in the franchise, there is a cutscene in which Link, seemingly with the help of Rauru and Sonia, the former rulers of Hyrule, use their powers on the Light Dragon. This results in the Dragon reverting back to Zelda, and Link regaining his normal arm that he had lost to Ganondorf. What I just gave was a very simple summary of that scene. This ending is very complicated, so there is a lot to actually go over.

First off, let's explain the whole situation with Zelda being a Dragon. See at the start of Tears of the Kingdom when Zelda fell into the depths and disappeared into a shining light, what actually happened is that she accidentally ported himself back in time. This is due to the fact that she not only inherited the power of Light through the first king of Hyrule Raura, as the ancestry of Hyrule’s royal family traces back thousands of years, but she also inherited power over time, due to the first Queen of Hyrule, Sonia’s, control over it.

After going through roughly fifteen memory cutscenes and tons of offscreen conflict in ancient Hyrule, Zelda would eventually receive the Master Sword from Link, who was thousands of years in the future. Because time powers always are consistent and make sense. The problem at hand however was the Master Sword being broken, as Ganondorf had shattered it by weakening it via Gloom at the beginning of the game. Upon seeing this, Zelda knew what she had to do. She knew that the Master Sword could be repaired via sacred power, as she had been told by the Great Deku Tree. She also knew that she naturally possessed sacred power due to her lineage. And lastly, she knew about a process called Draconification, where at the cost of someone’s being and character, they would transform into an immortal dragon of great strength by eating a Zonai Secret Stone.

Thus, while holding onto the Master Sword, Zelda ate her Sacred Stone, becoming the Light Dragon and flying into the sky to hide for thousands of years, carrying the currently repairing Master Sword and the hope that Link would eventually find the blade in the present so that he could put a stop to Ganondorf once and for all with its power.

Cutting back to the end of the game after Ganondorf’s defeat, Link’s arm he received from Rauru suddenly starts acting by itself, touching the Light Dragon with a mysterious golden light. The spirits of King Rauru and Queen Sonia then appeared, and as the light grew stronger, they went on to touch Link’s arm, covering it with a special greenish light. Link looks at them before putting effort himself into producing the light, resulting in the Light Dragon being entirely showered by it and thus, becoming Zelda again. And again, Link regains his normal arm, as Rauru’s special arm disappears. Rauru and Sonia vanish right before the screen goes white as Link seems to pass out for a moment.

So, what exactly happened? Well, given the facts at hand, we can safely assume this was done via a final usage of the Recall ability. The golden glow from Link’s hand appeared in the exact same spot he received the Recall ability from Zelda. Zelda also states that she has no memory of her time as the Light Dragon, seeming to imply she lost them due to being reversed back into her human form. Though this could also be due to the lore behind Draconification, with the Dragons people transform into basically being their own person due to the loss of character involved in the transformation. Another piece of evidence leading to Recall being the ability at play here would be a theory by Mineru on the matter, with her stating “This is only a theory, but… Rauru’s power of light, and Sonia’s time power… For Zelda to transform back, they both must have channeled their abilities through you, Link.”. Given the fact Time Power was involved, that is another point towards Recall being used here. But by far the biggest piece of evidence is not a statement at all, but rather Zelda’s appearance after returning to her human form. When she does so, we see her Secret Stone back on her necklace. The same stone that she took off right before transforming into a dragon. So what likely happened was that Zelda’s body and mind were rewinded to the point right before she took off her necklace and consumed her Secret Stone. This makes sense considering she does seem to remember the start of the ritual and her plan to actually become a dragon in the game’s final cutscene.

To get an idea of how impressive this showing of Recall is, we would have to try and find out how old the Light Dragon was when the Recall was performed. Unfortunately, the past era of Hyrule we are shown is rather weird timeline wise. It had to have happened before the age of the Sheikah that was detailed in Breath of the Wild, as Rauru was the first king of Hyrule in the current era’s recorded history, and Hyrule existed during the Sheikah’s era. Given the Sheikah’s era occurred ten thousand years prior to the time of the Champions, and the time of the Champions occurred one hundred years before the events of Breath of the Wild, and the events of Tears of the Kingdom seem to take place a few years after Breath of the Wild, this means that Link rewinded Zelda’s existence by at least 10,100 years. This number could be far higher by an indeterminable amount though, as we do not know if the Zonai era took place right after the events of Skyward Sword as it having the first king of Hyrule would imply, or if it for some reason took place during another period in the Zelda timeline. As details of the Zonai era contradict the setting of Skyward Sword, with the Zonai being something of no relation to Skyward Sword, and there being no mention of the Triforce, Demise, etc, to be found in the Zonai era. And it is not like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom somehow take place within a new continuity either, as previous games are referenced through things like the Divine Beasts being anagrams of previous Legend of Zelda heroes (for example, Rudania is an anagram that can be converted to Darunia, with Darunia being the Goron leader during Ocarina of Time), or Zelda mentioning previous heroes in the first memory in Breath of the Wild (she mentions adventures through Time, Twilight, and Sky, obvious references to the heroes of Time, Twilight, and Sky). Regardless of all the timeline mumbo jumbo, if nothing else, we have a clear bare minimum for how much Link can rewind something at his peak.

This ability is very impressive, as it means in a fight, Link could potentially rewind someone’s existence by thousands of years, undoubtedly resulting in them likely just being rewinded out of existence. There is one problem to address however, being the participation of Rauru and Sonia in the scene. Going by what we see with them interacting with Link right before the rewind, and Mineru’s theory of their involvement in Zelda’s restoration, one could argue that this big rewind is something Link is not capable of by himself. As he would need the aid of Rauru and Sonia to rewind the existence of a living being by so much. The counter argument however is that A, Link already possesses the light and time power in his arm needed to perform the rewind, and B, he was visibly contributing himself to the rewind later during the process, and it is that contribution that caused the biggest increase in the glow of the light that rewinded Zelda. Considering that in a VS Situation we would be using Link at the end of the adventure, as in after the events of Tears of the Kingdom, while also using him at his peak, meaning he gets to have Rauru’s arm, it is logical that Link would be capable of replicating this rewind by himself without Rauru and Sonia needing to direct him.

Summary

“Years from now, someone will appear with the sword that seals the darkness. A swordsman with the power to defeat you–Link. Remember… this name.” - Rauru

• Planet level AP at minimum, likely far higher.

• Has a direct faster than light feat.

• More skilled than any other warrior in Hyrule, and probably the most combat efficient version of the character across the franchise.

• Absurd amount of healing items making him very hard to kill with traditional damage, and that is ignoring his equally crazy list of defenses.

• Multiple offensive options besides his huge list of traditional weaponry, including abilities that can get past big AP disadvantages.

• Sages offer a good supporting team making it easier to handle crowds. His battlefield control is further supported by the potential of Zonai devices, letting him make things like turrets.

• Good resistances to some basic hax, as well as elemental immunities, make him harder to put down.

• Short king.

• Tears of the Kingdom’s Master Sword pull is tied for best Master Sword pull in the series.

• Go play Twilight Princess I beg.

Possible Opponents

Cuz you know VS Shows are fun and stuff.

Link Battle Royale

Very easy to understand idea, have all the Links from all the eras in one room and have them beat the crap out of each other. Would be a cool fight with a lot of shenanigans flying around. Definitely would be overcrowded with the full roster, though from what I have seen when people think of this idea, they use only six specific Links:

The Hero of Legend, Hero of Time, Hero of Wind, Hero of Twilight, Hero of the Sky, and of course, the Hero of the Wild.

Still a lot of Links but it makes things a lot easier to manage. Really I cannot call the idea of the Link Battle Royale bad. My only real issue is I would be more interested in the different incarnations of the hero having their own match up ideas, which is why this is not my favorite for the Hero of the Wild. But being honest, the Link Battle Royale really is just harmless fun.

Aang (Avatar)

Hero of the Wild VS Aang sucks lol.

Aloy (Horizon)

Find this to be ok, I guess? I like the technological focus of the match up, it is something specific other Hero of the Wild matchups do not really have. From what I can tell the fight dynamic would be okay with Link just getting stuff from Breath of the Wild since Aloy would not get overwhelmed by Link’s Champion Abilities and other shenanigans, but now with Tears of the Kingdom there is definitely way too many of those other shenanigans for me to enjoy this idea.

Tarnished (Eldin Ring)

You can tell it is my favorite match up here because it’s the one I actually made a thumbnail for

This idea is not too interesting thematically, they are both heroes who rise up to greet a ruined land and work to defeat evil in a breathtaking open world experience through a fantasy land. Zelda and Eldin Ring as a franchise pairing is also pretty cool. The main appeal is the music and fight dynamic which, should I even have to explain?

Music: Zelda music and FromSoftware music combined. Moving on.

Fight dynamic: ok, so Death Battle’s Dragonborn VS Chosen Undead was a pretty cool fight right? That but with laser turrets and more summons flying around. Works well.

Overall pretty simple but also pretty fun match up. Would not be surprised if I found something that appealed more to me for Hero of the Wild in the future, but for now I am perfectly content with this pairing.