All five terminals in the Divine Beast Vah Ruta are activated. The only thing missing is the opponent who brought the Titan under Ganon’s control and defeated Mipha a hundred years ago: Waterblight Ganon. For our solution, Vah Ruta is deliberately the first titan. This not only brings Mipha’s Grace into the game particularly early, but also makes the boss a little more pleasant: the health of the four Ganon curses increases depending on how many have already been defeated. Since Water Curse is our first curse, it only has 800 life points.
After the boss fight, we collect the Heart Container, free Mipha’s spirit and completely complete the main goal “Divine Beast Vah Ruta” with King Dorephan. We then use the now dry and much easier to walk Zora area for several side and shrine tasks. Particularly important is “The Song of the Reckenfest”, as it unlocks another shrine.
Photograph Waterblight Ganon for the Hyrule Handbook
Return to the large room with the main control unit and manually save again. As soon as you activate the terminal, appears Waterblight Ganon and the fight begins immediately.
[Optional – recommended] Do not immediately draw the weapon at the beginning. Instead, briefly activate the Camera Rune and photograph Ganon’s water curse as soon as his name appears in the search frame. This will give you a rare entry for the Hyrule Manual. After this fight, the boss permanently disappears from the normal game world. Missing boss images can be added in other ways much later, but now the photo only takes you a few seconds.
Waterblight Ganon – Phase 1
Waterblight Ganon fights in the first phase with a huge lance whose range is easily underestimated. Keep him in focus with ZL and initially stay a few meters away until you recognize his attacks. He can thrust the lance straight forward, swing it horizontally, drive it vertically into the ground, or throw it directly at Link from a greater distance.
The safest melee strategy uses the fighting techniques from the Ta’loh Naeg Shrine. During a horizontal swing, you jump backwards at the last moment. You can avoid a straight lance thrust with a sideways jump. If the timing is successful, slow motion begins and you can perform a Flurry Rush. With a good one-handed weapon, just one series causes significant damage.
Don’t try to stand directly under the opponent every time. The lance’s enormous reach makes frantic attacks more dangerous than necessary. Instead, watch his movements and wait for a clearly visible push or swing. Ganon’s water curse is slow compared to the later curses – that’s exactly what you can take advantage of.
Stun Ganon’s water curse with arrows
The much safer method works via the bow. Aim at the large blue eye in the opponent’s head. Several good hits cause Ganon’s water curse to reel or knock him to the ground. Immediately run over and attack with your strongest melee weapon.
Normal arrows are completely sufficient. Electric and Bomb Arrows deal additional damage, but are not necessary for this fight. Since we can use the bomb arrows in several places later, you shouldn’t waste them if you have normal arrows available.
If you want to play particularly offensively, you can combine bow and melee combat: hit the eye, bring the opponent to the ground, land several blows and then retreat again before standing up.
Dodge the spear attacks properly
With the long straight stab, Waterblight Ganon draws the lance back significantly before he strikes. A sideways jump just before the hit triggers a Flurry Rush. When performing a wide horizontal punch, a backflip is safer. If the opponent rams his weapon vertically into the ground, a pressure wave is created. In this case, move away or jump in time.
If he throws his lance from a greater distance, he sprints sideways out of the trajectory. Even if the weapon looks far away, it has enormous range. The opponent then needs a brief moment before his lance reappears – a good opportunity for an arrow or two in the eye.
Waterblight Ganon – Phase 2
Once about half of his health is gone, the arena changes completely. Water floods the room and only four square platforms remain above the surface. Ganon’s water curse now usually floats far away on one of the sides and relies much more heavily on long-range attacks.
Stays on one platform initially. It is usually not necessary to swim through the water after your opponent. This costs stamina and makes Link virtually defenseless while swimming. Instead, position yourself so that you have a clear view of the opponent.
Waterblight Ganon now summons large blocks of ice and throws them directly at Link. Just like the attack on Vah Ruta itself, the simplest answer is: Cryomodule. Aim the crosshairs at the incoming ice block and destroy it with the same key you use to remove your own ice pillars.
Three and five ice blocks destroy
As health decreases, the boss increases the number of his projectiles. Instead of a single block, three and later even five ice blocks can appear at the same time. Don’t be tempted to shoot every block with arrows. Activate cryomodule and remove them one by one as they come into range.
After that, a short attack window is created each time. Quickly switch to the bow and shoot at Ganon’s eye. A good hit can stun him. If he is close enough to your platform, jump over or, if necessary, create a Cryonis pillar as an additional step and attack him with the melee weapon.
Elemental arrows can interrupt it particularly reliably, but are not a requirement. With normal arrows and a good bow, the entire fight can be completed without any problems.
Alternative: Throw back ice block with Stasis
There is a much more offensive method. Instead of destroying an incoming ice block with a cryo module, you freeze it with Stasis. Then hit the floating block several times with a weapon. Once stasis ends, the ice with the stored energy flies back towards Waterblight Ganon.
A successful hit deals damage and can stagger the boss. The method is a little more demanding than Cryomodule, but saves arrows and is particularly useful when your quiver is almost empty.
The sentinel laser at the end of the fight
When health is low, Waterblight Ganon additionally begins to charge a concentrated red laser beam from his eye. You already know the mechanics of Guardians. As soon as the red target cross is on Link, you have several options.
The safest option is simply to avoid it. Just before the shot, sprint sideways or jump to an adjacent platform. Experienced players can reflect the beam with a perfect shield block. However, with the current level of equipment, this is unnecessarily risky – a missed timing can cost several hearts.
Better use the long charging animation and fire an arrow at the eye yourself. This often allows the attack to be interrupted completely.
Defeat Waterblight Ganon
Repeat the process of destroy ice, hit eye and use safe melee attacks. After the final hit, Ganon’s water curse disintegrates and the influence of devastation disappears from the Titan.
This defeats the first of the four Ganon curses. At the same time, you defeated Mipha’s assassins and completed a crucial part of the main objective “Free the Divine Beasts”.
Heart Container from Waterblight Ganon
After the battle, a complete Heart Container will appear in front of the main control unit. Be sure to collect it. Unlike the four Spirit Orb from shrines, this item instantly increases Link’s maximum health by one full heart.
Each of the four Titan bosses leaves behind such a Heart Container. By freeing all four Titans, you will receive a total of four additional permanent hearts – in addition to all the shrine upgrades.
Vah Ruta Main Control Unit Activate
Now examines the main control unit one last time. The game reminds you once again that you can no longer freely return to the Titan after final activation. Since we collected all the valuable Treasure Chests in Chapter 9, we can confirm.
Link uses the Sheikah Slate and Vah Ruta is finally freed from Ganon’s control. Mipha’s ghost appears. After a hundred years, she is finally free and can take over the Titan again.
Mipha’s farewell
Mipha thanks Link and admits that she has been hoping to see him again all these years. However, it is no longer possible for her to return to the village or to her father. As a ghost, her only task is to prepare Vah Ruta for the coming fight against Ganon.
Before Link leaves the Titan, Mipha transfers her special power to him. This gives you one of the most useful abilities in the entire game: Mipha’s Grace.
Mipha’s Grace – This is how the stretching power works
Mipha’s Grace works completely automatically. If Link loses all of his hearts and would normally die, Mipha’s spirit appears and instantly revives him. All normal hearts are completely refilled and Link also receives five yellow bonus hearts.
The ability does not need to be placed on a button and does not require a bottle. After using it, it will take approximately 24 minutes of real time in the normal game world until it is ready for use again. It recharges much faster in Hyrule Castle and within other Titans. You can see the charging status by the elephant symbol on the left of the screen.
Mipha’s Grace also triggers in front of a fairy in inventory. If you have several fairies and the warrior power, you have several automatic rescue options in a row. The ability can be deactivated in the important items menu, but this usually has no advantage.
[DLC] Later in the Champions’ Ballad, Mipha’s Grace can be upgraded to Mipha’s Grace +. This significantly reduces the normal charging time. This test comes much later after all four Titans have been freed.
Vah Ruta targets Ganon
After saying goodbye, Link is teleported out of the titan. Vah Ruta moves to a high position west of the springs of Lanayru and aims his massive laser beam directly at Hyrule Castle.
The Titan stays there for the rest of the game. He only fulfills his task during the final attack on the Calamity Ganon. Each freed Titan will later weaken the final boss. Whoever frees all four Titans starts the final battle with a significant advantage.
Complete main objective “Divine Beast Vah Ruta” with King Dorephan
Link will automatically be taken back to the village of the Zora. Then go back to the throne room and talk to King Dorephan. The entire people gather to thank Link and Sidon.
Muzu apologizes for his past behavior and acknowledges that Link did indeed do everything he could to help the Zora and Mipha. King Dorephan confirms that the persistent rain has disappeared and there is no longer any immediate risk of flooding.
This officially completes the main objective “Divine Beast Vah Ruta”. In the main main goal “Free the Divine Beasts” one of the four Titans has now been killed.
Obtained Lightscale Lance from Mipha
King Dorephan then allows Link to open the large stone Treasure Chest in the throne room. Inside lies the Lightscale Lance, Mipha’s personal weapon.
It has very good attack power, long range and excellent durability. Photograph them before using them for the first time for the Hyrule Compendium. Anyone who has already purchased Link’s house in Hateno Village and installed a weapon holder can permanently keep the light scale lance there as a memento.
However, you don’t have to be afraid to use the lance in battle. If it breaks, the Zora blacksmith Dento can make a new one. To do this he needs a Zora Lance, a diamond and five flints. As long as the original still exists somewhere – for example on a gun rack in Link’s house – he won’t make a second copy.
Side Quest “Fresh Frog Rain”
[Optional] Look for young Zora during the day Tumbo near the Ne’ez Yohma Shrine and the Mipha statue. After Vah Ruta’s liberation, he asks Link in the Side Quest “Fresh rain of frogs” at five Track toads.
If you have collected animals regularly during our journey so far, you probably already have enough. Spur toads appear particularly often near bodies of water and when it rains. You can find several around the Ralis pond or in wet areas of Lanayru. Thanks to Sheikah Sensor+ you can also specifically search for a photographed spur toad.
Give five copies to Tumbo and you will get a Broom Grass. The plant increases Link’s defense when cooked and later becomes interesting for various armor improvements.
Side Quest “The Luminous Quarry”
[Optional – recommended] Works in the lower area of the village Ledo to the damage caused by Vah Ruta. After the continuous rain has stopped, he asks in the Side Quest “The Luminous Quarry” at ten Luminous stones.
If you followed our route, you may already have several in your inventory. Otherwise, climb over the northern waterfalls into Zorana Highlands with the Zora armor. There are numerous dark ore deposits that glow blue at night. Smash them with the iron hammer or bombs and collect ten glow stones.
Give it to Ledo. You will receive your first delivery straight away two diamonds. This is an excellent exchange and at the same time provides material for a later re-production of the lightscale lance.
After completing the quest, Ledo continues to accept ten glow stones in exchange for one diamond. However, this repeatable trade is economically significantly worse than simply selling the luminous stones individually. Therefore, only use it if you specifically need a diamond as a material.
Shrine task “The Song of the Warrior Festival”
[Optional – required for all shrines] After Vah Ruta’s liberation, the young one stands in front of the large Mipha statue Laruta and sings an old song. Talk to her. This begins the shrine task “The song of the warrior festival”.
The lyrics describe a lance and a waterfall. Laruta refers you to Trello, who is responsible for the Reckenfest. You can find him on the western bridge of the village. He explains that he dropped the ceremonial lance into the water.
Find the ceremonial lance under the bridge
Stand on the western bridge and look down with the magnetic module activated. Deep beneath the surface of the water you can see the metal ceremonial lance. Don’t just jump after it – the weapon is too deep to grab it directly while swimming.
Use the cryo module to create several ice blocks on the water below the bridge and climb onto one of the pillars. From there, activate Magnesis and pull the lance out of the water. Save them and don’t use them for normal battles for the time being. We’ll need them for the shrine puzzle right away.
If the Ceremonial Lance ever breaks, Dento can recreate it using a Zora Lance and five Flints. The lightscale lance also works for the shrine task, but the ceremonial lance is the much more sensible choice.
Unlock Dagah Keek Shrine at Veil Falls
Go to the Veil Falls west or southwest of the village. At the base of the waterfall lies an orange Sheikah platform in the water. Put on the Zora armor and swim up the waterfall to the top.
Jump off the edge, open the Paraglider and glide directly over the orange platform. Equip the Ceremonial Lance. Just before you reach the ground, press Y. Link performs a vertical lance thrust downwards and hits the platform.
If timed correctly, the platform will glow blue and the Dagah Keek Shrine will rise from the ground. This completes the shrine task “The Song of the Reckenfest”.
Dagah Keek Shrine – Dagah Keek’s Blessing
No further testing awaits in the shrine itself. The song, the lost ceremonial lance and the jump at the waterfall were the real mystery. Open the Treasure Chest inside and take the silver Rupee worth 100 Rupees.
Then talk to the priest and get another Spirit Orb. The Dagah Keek Shrine is one of the shrines in the Lanayru region; If required, you can also find all Locations in our special guide to the shrines at the Lanayru Tower.
Side Quest “A little giant problem”
[Optional] Speak to the armed Zora in the village Torfeau. After Link defeats Waterblight Ganon, Torfeau deems him strong enough to face another challenge. This starts the Side Quest “A little giant problem”.
The target is a blue Hinox at Ralis Pond, southwest of the village. Teleport to Ne’ez Yohma Shrine and exit the village to the west. The pond is clearly marked on the map and can be reached quickly with the Paraglider.
The Hinox usually sleeps on the bank. Photograph him for the Hyrule Handbook if you miss the entry. Then shoot his big eye. A direct hit causes him to fall to the ground and allows multiple free melee attacks.
If you already own Stasis+, you can freeze the Hinox briefly and easily put an arrow in the eye. Otherwise, stay between his legs or to the side behind him and retreat as soon as he starts a ground strike.
After victory, collect Hinox teeth, nails and other monster parts. Return to Torfeau and you will get a silver Rupee.
Side Quest “Memorial stones”
[Optional – extensive Zora side quest] Below the throne room, old Zora investigates Jiahto a large stone tablet. Speak to him after freeing Vah Ruta. He wants to fully document the history of his people and asks Link for ten more Memorial stones to find and read in the region.
Most of these plaques are located along the route that you have already taken on the way to the Zora village. Since the constant rain has now disappeared, the surrounding rock faces are now much more pleasant to climb.
Memorial stones around Ruto Mountain and Zora Street
Starts at Great Zora Bridge. To the west on the shore of Lake Ruto there is a plaque near the rock face. You can find another one right on the old path just before the natural rock bridge over the lake.
Then follow the previous route back over the Ruto mountain. Several memorial stones are located directly on the path or on rocky outcrops above and below the road. One stands southwest of the southern end of the Larth Bridge, another directly on the path over Ruto Mountain. Between Ruto Mountain and the Luzida Dam lies another tablet on a deeper ledge.
You will find more stones on the section between Larth Bridge and Oreen Bridge. One is clearly visible right on the main road, another is on a ledge above the north end of the Oreen Bridge. South of it towards the Debon Mountains is another plaque off the path.
Memorial stones at Zorana Highlands and Thunderhorn
The last two more remote memorial stones are located north and east of the village. Leave the village via the northern bridge and look for a narrow ledge on the rock face below the Zorana Highlands. There is the tablet with the notes of the talented stonemason.
For the last stone you use the Zora armor again. Swim up the waterfalls towards Ploymus Mountain. Shortly before the last waterfall south of Lulu Lake there is another memorial stone on the rock wall. You are practically back on the route on which we previously collected the electric arrows.
Once you have read all ten tablets, return to Jiahto. As a thank you for the complete documentation of the Zora story, he gives you a diamond.
Side Quest “Express delivery”
[Optional] On the Bank of Dreams on the Zora River, after Vah Ruta’s liberation, you will meet the young Zora girl Finley. She wants to float a letter down the river in a floating container and asks Link to follow it to the recipient. This begins the Side Quest “express delivery”.
The container is fragile. Stay as close to him as possible throughout the route. If it hits obstacles or is destroyed by enemies, you have to return to Finley and try again.
Follow the letter downstream. Wooden barricades block the path in several places. Swim ahead, place a bomb next to it and blow it up before the letter arrives. You should also eliminate Octoroks and Lizalfos early on. The cryomodule can be used to quickly move Link from one side of the river to the other without losing sight of the container for long.
Find Sasan on the island of Mercay Island
The letter eventually drifts to a small bay near the island of Mercay Island. Waiting there is the Hylian Sasan, who has already received messages from Finley. Talk to him and tell him where the letter came from.
Sasan then decides to personally visit Finley in the Zora village. You don’t have to accompany him the entire way. Simply teleport to Ne’ez Yohma Shrine and find Finley again.
Finley and Sasan have now arrived in the village together. Talk to them and you will receive a gold Rupee worth 300 Rupees for your help. This concludes “expedited delivery”.
Mipha’s Grace changes the further solution
With Mipha’s Grace we now have a permanent automatic protection against a fatal hit. This is one of the main reasons why Vah Ruta is the first Titan on our route. Difficult tests of strength, Hinox fights, Lynels and the later Titans become much more forgiving.
At the same time, the Zora area is much more pleasant to explore after the continuous rain has stopped. Climbing is back to normal and Vah Ruta no longer threatens the region. The next big detour takes us to the Mount Lanayru, where the shrine task around the source of wisdom awaits.
Continue to Mount Lanayru and Naydra
In the next chapter we will focus on the main area around the Lanayru Mountains. At the highest peak awaits Naydra, one of the three holy dragons Hyrule’s, who has been afflicted by Ganon’s corruption. We free the dragon, open the shrine at the source of wisdom and collect targeted dragon materials for the first time.
The encounter is also part of the shrine task “Treasure of the Mount Lanayru” that was already started in Hateno Village. With Mipha’s Grace, more hearts and better equipment, we are now excellently prepared for the climb.