12 Must-Experience Activities in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Zelda: Breath of the Wild introduces a variety of fresh activities absent in previous games. You can engage in shrine challenges, tame wild horses, explore Sheikah Towers, curate your wardrobe, and so much more. Additionally, the quest for the legendary Master Sword, a staple of the Zelda franchise, is also part of your adventure.

With the game’s innovative mechanics, you can also embrace your inner stuntman by launching Link across the map using a makeshift catapult. Plus, you can glide through the beautiful landscapes of Hyrule with your parachute and hang glider.

1. Tame a Horse

Given Hyrule’s vastness and Link’s slow pace, navigating from one area to another can become tiresome after a while. Thus, one of the most effective travel methods in Zelda: BOTW is by horse. Start your journey by finding and taming a horse to speed up your exploration of Hyrule’s expansive plains.

2. Activate Sheikah Towers

The Sheikah Towers serve as strategic vantage points in Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Climbing and activating these towers unveils parts of the map, as well as locations of interest and shrine entries within each area.

3. Complete Shrines and Their Trials

With a total of 120 main shrines scattered throughout Hyrule, each shrine presents a unique trial. Completing these challenges rewards you with spirit orbs, allowing you to enhance Link’s heart containers or stamina at the Goddess statues.

Since Link begins with limited health and stamina, tackling formidable foes or scaling steep terrains can be incredibly challenging. Therefore, completing shrines is imperative in Zelda: BOTW.

4. Get Improved Attire

In the freezing climates of the Hebra and Tabantha regions, Link can suffer from frostbite. To combat this, search for a warm outfit at Woodcutter’s Hut situated in the southeast of the Great Plateau, where you can find a treasure chest containing a cozy outfit along with a heartfelt message.

You should also seek the Climber’s Bandana to enhance Link’s climbing speed. This essential item is found within a treasure chest located in the Ree Dahee Shrine.

5. Locate Korok Seeds and Hetsu

Throughout Hyrule, you can locate Korok seeds. On your journey to Kakariko Village, Link will meet a wandering Korok named Hetsu. This giant Korok acts as a merchant who can enhance your inventory slots in exchange for the Korok seeds you’ve collected.

6. Experiment with Weapons

Many players find it frustrating when weapons break in the heat of battle in Zelda: Breath of the Wild. But never fear—plenty of weapons are scattered throughout the game. You can chop down trees for branches, which can serve as makeshift clubs when needed, or defeat Bokoblins for weapons that will come in handy.

It’s recommended to try out every weapon you come across to familiarize yourself with the game’s combat mechanics. While better versions will present themselves soon, having spare weapons is one of the smartest strategies in BOTW.

7. Seek Out the Master Sword

The Master Sword is one of the most powerful and indestructible weapons within the game, ideal for confronting the final boss, Calamity Ganon. In addition, it’s the only weapon in Zelda: Breath of the Wild that can be enhanced by completing specific trials. Finding and wielding this iconic weapon is truly one of the game’s highlights.

8. Activate Tech Labs

To strengthen your arsenal and enhance your Sheikah Slate, one essential task in BOTW is activating the tech labs in Akkala and Hateno. The Akkala Tech Lab provides access to ancient weapons in exchange for ancient components obtained from defeated ancient guardians. Additionally, you can gather more ancient materials by taking down the remaining active guardians.

9. Discover Great Fairy Fountains

Unlike weapons, armor pieces in Zelda: Breath of the Wild can be upgraded. For Link to boost his armor, he must locate and unlock Great Fairy Fountains. The more fountains Link discovers, the higher the level of armor upgrades that become available.

10. Explore Hyrule Castle at Least Once

Although initially appearing to be impenetrable, Hyrule Castle holds great significance. Heavily fortified with ancient machines that can easily take down Link, the castle also conceals some of the game’s most exceptional weapons, including the Royal Guard Bows and Royal Guard Claymore. Therefore, an early visit to Hyrule Castle in Zelda: Breath of the Wild is well worth the effort.

11. Launch Link Into the Air

By using his paraglider and jumping off elevated places, Link can glide through the skies and appreciate his surroundings. To extend your gliding distance, set grass aflame to produce thermal updrafts for you to ride on. This technique can allow Link to launch a surprise attack from the air against foes.

For airborne launches, Link can utilize his Magnesis rune to balance a metallic plank on treasure chests, creating a catapult effect. Stand on one end and drop a heavy object, like a boulder, on the opposite end to soar into the air.

12. Catapult Link with a Rock

One of the most entertaining activities in BOTW is using massive boulders as makeshift catapults to launch Link across vast areas. Employ the stasis ability on a rock, then strike it vigorously with a powerful weapon to build momentum. Hop onto the rock and watch as Link soars to astonishing heights. For additional distance, consider planting an upgraded remote bomb and detonating it just before the stasis effect wears off.