Unbreakable Weapons in Breath of the Wild: A Look at Durability and Legendary Gear

Navigating Hyrule’s Weapon Rack: A Guide to Durability in Breath of the Wild

You bravely entered Hyrule in Breath of the Wild. You faced Bokoblins with a sword. But, is your broadsword breaking after a few swings? Yes, weapon durability exists. It’s an exciting yet heartbreaking mechanic, especially when your favorite blade fails mid-battle.

Each weapon will eventually break. There’s no magic blacksmith to reforge your blades in Breath of the Wild. This leads to a dilemma. Many players hoard powerful weapons. They fear using them. This cautious approach wastes inventory space. It turns your arsenal into a mere collection, rather than usable weapons.

The Untouchables: Unbreakable (Sort Of) Weapons

Fear not, adventurer! Hyrule has a few weapons that resist wear. Some put up a fight before needing a rest.

The Master Sword: The Blade of Evil’s Bane (and Recharge Breaks)

Let’s discuss the Master Sword . This iconic blade is linked to Zelda lore. It is your ultimate unbreakable weapon, mostly. The Master Sword, according to IGN, doesn’t break in a usual way. It stays in your inventory. However, it has a stamina gauge. After heavy use, it will “run out of power.” Think of it as needing a break. Once depleted, wait about 10 minutes for a recharge.

The Master Sword offers a base attack power of 30 when energized. In battles against Calamity Ganon’s minions, it spikes to 60. This makes it powerful against evil forces. For DLC content fans, you can even further enhance its durability.

A unique feature of the Master Sword is its throw ability. When at full health, throwing it unleashes a beam attack. This adds a ranged option to its capabilities. But beware of the Yiga Clan. If you drop your Master Sword near them, they will seize the chance. Those sneaky thieves love grabbing weapons if left unattended.

Bow of Light: Final Boss Exclusive

Then we have the Bow of Light . This celestial weapon has unlimited durability! Sounds fantastic, right? There’s a catch. The Bow of Light is only available during the final fight with Calamity Ganon. After the credits, it disappears. You will only have memories of its glory. Enjoy it while you can; it’s a one-time gift.

Shields: Your Defensive Backbone (Mostly Durable)

While weapons are offensive, shields defend you. Luckily, they also have durability but with unique nuances.

Hylian Shield: Legendary Defense, Not Quite Invincible

Meet the Hylian Shield . It’s the finest defensive gear in Breath of the Wild. This shield has 90 Defense, offering great protection. Even so, it’s not invincible. Yes, even this shield can break if attacked enough. It’s very durable but will eventually fail.

If your Hylian Shield does break, don’t give up hope. You initially find it in Hylian Castle Lockup, inside a chest after defeating a Stalnox. If it breaks later, it won’t return there. Instead, you must find a special vendor after a lengthy side quest. This vendor sells replacement Hylian Shields, but at a price. Respect your shield, use it wisely, and avoid unnecessary damage.

Parrying is key in this game, especially against Guardian lasers. Good news: any shield can parry Guardian attacks. Reflecting a laser deals massive damage back to Guardians. Even without a Hylian Shield, practice parrying with whatever shield you have. It will save you from many headaches and broken weapons.

Weapon Repair and Durability Enhancement: Extending the Lifespan

No true weapon repair exists in Breath of the Wild. But some clever methods can extend your gear’s lifespan, especially if you explore glitches or the sequel, Tears of the Kingdom.

Rock Octoroks (Tears of the Kingdom): The Accidental Blacksmiths

If you played Tears of the Kingdom, you know about Rock Octoroks . These rocky creatures can repair and buff your weapons and shields! Sadly, this feature doesn’t exist in Breath of the Wild. Here, they only destroy your weapons. If you’re playing Breath of the Wild, don’t feed your swords to Rock Octoroks hoping for repairs – you’ll be disappointed and out of weapons. Even in Tears of the Kingdom, the Octorok repair service has limits. Each can only repair one item once per Blood Moon.

Durability Transfer (Breath of the Wild – Glitch): A Risky Maneuver

For adventurous players, a glitch called durability transfer allows transferring durability from one item to another. This method is tricky and not an intended game mechanic. However, it can effectively “repair” weapons by moving durability from a weak weapon to a near-broken strong one. Glitches can be unpredictable; use this one carefully.

Fusing (Tears of the Kingdom): Durability Boost and More

The fusing mechanic in Tears of the Kingdom offers a way to boost weapon durability. By fusing items to your weapons and shields, you also increase their durability. Fusing a shield with another shield can double its durability, creating a powerful defensive tool. This mechanic encourages experimentation and resourcefulness in the game.

Most Durable Weapons: The Long-Lasting Arsenal

Most weapons will break eventually, but some are built tougher than others. If you want long-lasting weapons in Breath of the Wild (and Tears of the Kingdom for comparison), here are some durable options:

• Master Sword: Offers 198/203 durability; it’s more about recharge than breaking.
• Lightscale Trident (Tears of
• the Kingdom): This spear boasts impressive base durability at 70.
• Royal Guard’s Claymore: A fierce two-handed sword with a solid base durability of 60.

These weapons last longer during battles. You gain more swings for your effort.

Specific Weapons and Enemies: Know Your Tools, Know Your Foes

Now, let’s explore specific weapons and the tough enemies in Hyrule.

Savage Lynel Sword: Brute Force in Blade Form

The Savage Lynel Sword is a valuable weapon. It has a base power of 58. You can earn these swords by defeating White-Maned Lynels or formidable Silver Lynels. They patrol areas like the Coliseum Ruins. These Lynels are hard to defeat, but their Savage Lynel Swords show their power.

Lynels: Hyrule’s Apex Predators

Lynels rank among the toughest enemies in Breath of the Wild. Game Rant shares tricks for disarming Lynels, especially near Gerudo Town. Silver Lynels are the most challenging and rarest variant, with a large health pool and damaging hits. Do not underestimate these beasts.

Still, Lynels have weaknesses. They are weak against Stasis+, an ability that freezes enemies. This gives you a moment to escape or attack. Using Stasis+ can make a Silver Lynel fight easier.

Hinox, Stone Talus, Guardian Turrets: Tough Titans

Hyrule features other tough foes like Hinox , Stone Talus , and Guardian Turrets . These enemies are tough and need strategy and strong weapons. Guardian Turrets, with their laser attacks, test your parrying skills.

Other Considerations: The Little Things That Matter

Beyond durability and weapon types, some other details matter in Breath of the Wild’s weapon system.

• Champion Weapons: Unique weapons from Divine Beasts are powerful but not repairable. You can replace them for a high cost. They serve as heirlooms showing each region’s sage’s power. You can recreate them if they break.
• Amiibo Weapons: Weapons from amiibo are unique and powerful but cannot be repaired by Rock Octoroks—even if they were in Breath of the Wild. So, be cautious with amiibo weapons.
• Yiga Clan and Stealth: The Yiga Clan , those banana-loving ninjas working for Ganon, are always in Hyrule. I suspect the “out and about” Yiga s magic to look like normal Hylian travelers. To enter their hideout for the Lightning Helm, you must complete sparring sessions, showing your ninja skills (or lack thereof). About stealth gear…
• Majora’s Mask and Phantom Ganon Armor: Majora’s Mask grants +1 defense and lessens enemy detection chances. It won’t fool named foes like Hinoxes or Gleeoks but gives time before a Lynel attacks. Defeating five Lynels in a row earns you Majora’s Mask – a tough feat! The Phantom Ganon Armor , unique to The Champions’ Ballad DLC Pack, may reflect ancient technology that once helped defeat Calamity Ganon. This armor symbolizes Hyrule’s tech-reliant history, intentionally dismantled by the King fearing misuse.

Weapon durability in Breath of the Wild is key mechanics guiding gameplay. This system urges experimentation with varying weapons, adapting to fight situations, and scavenging for gear. Frustration arises when favorite swords break unexpectedly, yet this brings engaging combat. Accept fragility, learn to parry, and that even broken weapons can lead to victory—or quick escapes.