BotW FAQ: 31 Beginner Questions Answered

Finish the Great Plateau to earn the paraglider, then head toward Kakariko Village for a guided start. These 31 questions cover common Breath of the Wild problems; skip the ending group if you want to avoid final-route and post-game details.

Starting out

1. What should I do first on the Great Plateau?

Clear its four shrines to learn the basic runes and earn the paraglider. Prepare cold resistance before the snowy part of the route. Great Plateau walkthrough.

2. Where do I go after getting the paraglider?

Follow Seek Out Impa toward Kakariko Village for the guided start. That route introduces useful services before you continue toward Hateno Village. Beginner route.

3. Which Divine Beast should I do first?

Vah Ruta is a useful first choice if you want Mipha’s automatic revival. Vah Medoh is another option when faster vertical travel matters more to you. Divine Beast order.

4. How do I get the Warm Doublet?

Before finishing the plateau, cook the Old Man a Spicy Meat and Seafood Fry or meet him on Mount Hylia’s summit. If you miss both opportunities, check his cabin after receiving the paraglider. Cold-resistance options.

Combat and survival

5. How do I reflect a Guardian beam?

Raise your shield and perform a Perfect Guard just before the beam hits. Practice with spare shields available, because mistiming the guard can still cost you equipment or health. Perfect Guard timing.

6. How do I do a Flurry Rush?

Lock on and dodge a melee attack at the last moment. Follow the Flurry Rush prompt to counter while time is slowed. Dodges and counters.

7. Must I defeat the Lynel near Zora’s Domain for Shock Arrows?

No; that part of the Vah Ruta preparation requires collecting Shock Arrows, not killing the Lynel. Sneak around the area and gather arrows without starting the fight. Vah Ruta preparation.

8. Does heat resistance protect me on Death Mountain?

No; volcanic burning requires Flame Guard, while desert heat uses Heat Resistance. Prepare the appropriate armor or elixir before entering each environment. Temperature and weather.

Equipment and upgrades

9. How many hearts do I need for the Master Sword?

Pulling the sword normally requires 13 permanent hearts. Yellow bonus hearts from food do not count toward that check. Master Sword guide.

10. Should I choose hearts or stamina?

Extra stamina helps with climbing, swimming and gliding, while hearts help you survive mistakes. If the Master Sword is your next goal, work toward its permanent-heart requirement. Hearts and stamina planning.

11. How do I carry more weapons?

Return Hestu’s maracas and trade Korok Seeds for inventory expansions. Weapon, bow and shield pouches have separate upgrade tracks. Inventory expansion.

12. Where can I strengthen armor?

Bring the required materials to an opened Great Fairy fountain. Opening more fountains raises the upgrade level available for armor that supports enhancement. Great Fairy fountains.

Exploration

13. What do towers and shrines do for travel?

Towers reveal regional maps, while activated shrines provide useful fast-travel points. Activate shrines along your route even when you plan to solve them later. Tower locations.

14. Where do I unlock the camera?

Follow the main story to Hateno Ancient Tech Lab and have Purah restore the Sheikah Slate. The camera then lets you take Album pictures and register Compendium entries. Sheikah Slate upgrades.

15. Can I keep a wild horse?

Tame a suitable wild horse, then register it at a stable. Registration lets the stable system look after the horse and makes it easier to use again later. Horse registration.

16. Which Champion ability helps with climbing?

Revali’s Gale creates an updraft that lifts you into the air with your paraglider. You obtain it by freeing Vah Medoh, so consider it when planning a long exploration route. Champion abilities.

17. Does sleeping make a Blood Moon happen faster?

Repeatedly skipping time at a bed or campfire does not advance the normal Blood Moon timer in the same way as active play. Continue adventuring instead of repeatedly waiting until night. Blood Moon rules.

Collectibles

18. How many shrines are in the base game?

The base game has 120 shrines. The Expansion Pass adds separate shrine content, so distinguish the base-game list from the DLC checklist. Base-game shrine list.

19. Do I need all 900 Korok Seeds for inventory upgrades?

No; every permanent weapon, bow and shield expansion together costs 441 seeds. Collecting all 900 is an optional completion goal. Korok rewards.

20. Does the map percentage include side quests?

No; it measures map discoveries rather than every activity in the game. Keep quests, memories and the Compendium on separate checklists. Map completion.

21. Can I return to a Divine Beast for a missed chest?

Not after completing it and activating the Main Control Unit. Open the chests you want before leaving; missing one does not prevent the ending. Missable items.

22. Can I finish the Compendium if I miss a photo?

Yes; Symin at Hateno Ancient Tech Lab sells pictures once the relevant service is unlocked. Some special enemy pictures become available after you finish the game. Compendium photo purchases.

Ending and continued play

23. Must I free every Divine Beast before Ganon?

No; the castle route is available after you leave the Great Plateau. Skipped Beasts leave their Blight bosses in the final sequence and do not contribute their opening damage against Calamity Ganon. Main quest route.

24. Do I need the Master Sword to finish?

No; you can finish using other weapons. Bring enough durable equipment and food instead of assuming the sword is a compulsory story gate. Fast-clear equipment plan.

25. Can I keep playing after defeating Ganon?

Yes; the cleared save is marked with a star and returns you to before the final battle. You can continue shrines, quests and exploration from there. Post-game guide.

26. How do I see the extra scene after the credits?

Complete Captured Memories, including the final memory Impa reveals, before finishing the game. If you missed it, complete the memories on your starred save and defeat Ganon again. Captured Memories.

27. Is Ganondorf in Breath of the Wild?

Not in his human form. The villain is Calamity Ganon: the final fight goes from Calamity Ganon in Hyrule Castle to Dark Beast Ganon on Hyrule Field. Ganondorf himself returns in Tears of the Kingdom. Final boss guide.

Switch 2 Edition

28. What does Switch 2 Edition add?

It improves performance, visuals and loading, adds a second save slot and supports Zelda Notes. The base adventure and Divine Beast structure remain the same. Edition differences.

29. Does Switch 2 Edition include the Expansion Pass?

No; the Expansion Pass is separate from the edition upgrade. An Expansion Pass you already own for the Switch game can be used on Switch 2. Expansion Pass contents.

30. Can I carry over my original save?

Yes; the original Switch save can be carried over to Switch 2 Edition. A save created in its new second slot cannot be transferred back to the original Switch version. Save transfer rules.

31. Does Zelda Notes work without Nintendo Switch Online?

Yes; Zelda Notes itself does not require that membership. It needs a compatible edition, Nintendo Account, supported phone with the Nintendo Switch App and an internet connection. Zelda Notes guide.