Best Route in Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2024)

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has been praised for giving the player near-total autonomy. After finishing the Great Plateau, players are free to explore any nook or cranny of Hyrule they desire. As a result, it's not uncommon for players to leave the Great Plateau thinking, 'OK, what now?"

The "optimal route" of Breath of the Wild has been theorized by many Zelda fans since the game's release. This debate boils down to the order in which to hunt down Divine Beasts, as some of them give Link powerful abilities. As it turns out, players should get some of these abilities sooner rather than later — and one of them isn't as good as the others.

Updated on August 26, 2024, by Antonio Samson: Since its initial release in 2017, players have been looking for the optimal route to take in Breath of the Wild. Even though the game allows players to go in any direction from the start, there is a route that is best for efficiency. This article was updated to include more information and to meet CBR's editorial and formatting standards.

Begin Your Adventure in the Faron Woods

Train and Gather Essential Resources Early On

After clearing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's Great Plateau, players can begin seeking the Divine Beasts. However, it's best to ignore this mission for a while and simply explore the world. At this point in the game, Link is incredibly weak, with only three hearts and a small stamina bar. Fortunately, one area close to the Great Plateau is perfect for grinding: the Faron Woods. This area has loads of shrines that players can clear to get their heart count and stamina bar up. It could almost be seen as a training ground to prepare Link for the trials. With its dense, tropical atmosphere, the Faron Woods is also an excellent place for players to familiarize themselves with Breath of the Wild's various enemies and environmental hazards in Breath of the Wild. From the lurking Lizalfos to the Bokoblins hiding in tall grass, this area provides a microcosm of the challenges that await in the broader world of Hyrule.

Another reason it's good to stop at Faron first is that it's home to some of the best food in the game. In particular, players can find Mighty Bananas here, which boost Attack. Hearty Durians and Hearty Radishes can also be farmed here, which both replenish health and give extra hearts. Players will want to cook them often and stock up before any boss battle or tough area. The abundance of these hearty ingredients makes Faron Woods a place to train and a crucial resource hub for long-term survival. The ability to boost attack power with Mighty Bananas can significantly alter the difficulty of encounters, turning seemingly insurmountable foes into manageable threats.

Conquer Death Mountain for Early Resources and Power

Acquire Rare Materials and Fireproof Gear

See Also

BOTW Dragon Farming & Spawn Time Guide

After the player visits Breath of the Wild's Kakariko Village and goes through Faron, the first Divine Beast they should confront is Vah Rudania, near Death Mountain. This may seem counterproductive because Link gets burned whenever he walks by Death Mountain. However, the pros far outweigh the cons. One reason to visit Death Mountain early on is the countless rare gems to collect (Sapphires, Diamonds, etc.). If players can start collecting these early, they could end up with a great deal of money in Breath of the Wild. More money makes it easier to buy the Goron-made fireproof armor, as well as arrows, other items and even a house during the Tarrey Town side quest.

The other nice thing about clearing Death Mountain first is that the boss, Fireblight Ganon, isn't that difficult. Defeating Fireblight Ganon grants players access to a shield that can come in handy throughout the remainder of the game. Additionally, Death Mountain offers players the chance to gather other rare materials like the Stone Talus' precious minerals, which can be sold or used for upgrading armor. The extreme heat of the area also adds a new layer of challenge, requiring players to think strategically about their gear and resource management. Learning to navigate BotW's difficult and landmark areas and terrains while simultaneously reaping the rewards of rare materials and treasures is a valuable skill that will benefit players throughout their journey.

Explore Rito Village for Key Abilities and Terrain Mastery

Unlock Revali's Gale for Enhanced Exploration

Once Breath of the Wild players take care of Death Mountain's objectives, head across Hyrule to Rito Village. Clearing shrines along the way will provide valuable weapons that can be used in more difficult battles. These shrines also offer Spirit Orbs that can increase Link's heart count or stamina, which is critical for future challenges. Along the way, players will also encounter a variety of terrains and weather conditions, from the freezing temperatures near the Hebra Mountains to the windy cliffs that lead up to Rito Village.

Defeating Windblight Ganon on top of Vah Medoh triggers one of the best abilities in the game: Revali's Gale. This is essentially a boost of wind that propels Link up, allowing them to climb to higher places, which opens up the map significantly. Revali's Gale helps reach high ledges or scale mountains and serves as a quick escape tool during combat. For example, players can use it to swiftly gain elevation and rain arrows down on enemies from above, adding a new dimension to their combat strategy.

The ability to quickly ascend also makes it easier to navigate treacherous terrains across Breath of the Wild's Hyrule like the Gerudo Highlands cliffs or the Hebra Mountains' steep slopes, saving time and reducing the risk of falling into dangerous areas. The strategic advantages of Revali's Gale make it an essential tool for exploration and combat, helping players unlock more of Hyrule's secrets and tackle its challenges with greater ease.

Brave the Gerudo Desert and Overcome Its Fierce Challenges

Defeat Thunderblight Ganon and Obtain Urbosa's Fury

The Gerudo Desert is hidden behind the Gerudo Highlands, so it's a good idea to grab Revali's Gale before heading here. Players will find some tough beasts to slay in the desert, most notably the Moldugas and Thunderblight Ganon inside Vah Naboris. Thunderblight Ganon might arguably be the toughest boss in all of Breath of the Wild. Players shouldn't feel bad if they need to get more hearts or a stronger weapon before attempting this fight. It might also be a good idea to grab the Master Sword from the Lost Woods before facing Thunderblight Ganon.

All the work will be worth it since Urbosa's Fury is a phenomenal offensive ability in Breath of the Wild. It deals massive amounts of damage quickly. Link can eliminate a Hinox in seconds with Urbosa's Fury, and Lynels will go down much quicker as well. Urbosa's Fury also proves invaluable in large-scale battles or when surrounded by multiple enemies, allowing players to clear out groups quickly and efficiently. Its powerful area-of-effect damage makes it one of the most versatile abilities in the game, providing both offensive power and crowd control in one devastating package.

Save Zora's Domain for Later to Maximize Efficiency

Prioritize Offensive and Tactical Abilities First

Although many players head to this area first in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, there is little reason to rush to Vah Ruta in the Lanaryu Province. Zora's Domain is visually stunning, with its cascading waterfalls and ancient architecture, making it a tempting first destination. However, from a strategic standpoint, saving this area for later may be wiser. When the player defeats Waterblight Ganon here, they receive Mipha's Grace, which revives the player with extra hearts.

While that sounds nice, Link can already do this by cooking. Especially in Master Mode, players should be cooking Hearty Durians and Hearty Truffles to give them extra hearts anyway. The value of Mipha's Grace lies in its automatic revival capability, but for experienced players, this might not be as critical as having offensive or tactical abilities early on.

After clearing all the Divine Beasts, most players will be prepared to head to Hyrule Castle and slay Ganon. It's best to go in with cooked loads of Hearty Durians and Mighty Bananas. High-powered weapons are fine, but the Master Sword is all the player needs here. With the right food and enough shrines completed, players should have the tools they need to complete BotW, which can be surprisingly difficult at times.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Action

Adventure

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:96/100 Critics Recommend:96%

Franchise

The Legend of Zelda

Platform(s)

Wii U , Switch

Released

March 3, 2017

Developer(s)

Nintendo EPD

Publisher(s)

Nintendo

Engine

Havok

ESRB

E for Everyone: Fantasy Violence, Use of Alcohol, Mild Suggestive Themes

How Long To Beat

50 Hours

X|S Enhanced

no

Metascore

97

Steam Deck Compatibility

yes

Cross Save

no

Cross-Platform Play

no