The attack on the Hyrule Field takes you into the first battle with Link. Check the defeat conditions in the pause menu right at the start: Zelda is not allowed to flee and Hyrule Castle is not allowed to fall. Your route first leads via Impa and the attacking captains to the western defensive keep. You don’t have to eliminate every single soldier on the map.
Volga, bombs and the keeps
Fight your way to Volga. Dodge his blows sideways and attack when he needs to recover from an attack. Frontal attacks bounce off his guard more often. In this first encounter, he retreats before you have drained his entire life bar. Then pursue the marked Echsalfos and defeat him so that the path to the cave opens.
Open the chest with the Bomb in the cave and blow up the rocks that block the further path. Take over the Westfield Fortress by decimating its crew and defeating the Keep Boss. The goal then takes you to Zelda and the middle and east field keep. Control the southern attackers: If they are allowed through to the castle, they will endanger the entire mission.
For an optional heart detour with Link, the western rock keep is worth it: its conquest provides a Piece of Heart. A blastable rock to the north hides a Heart Container. Do the detour as early as possible, while the paths to the north are still open. After securing the important keeps, individual gates change; a later detour may then be longer.
Fairy Spring and King Dodongo
Follow Zelda’s Plan to Fairy Spring. Blow up the fragile wall in front of the entrance and activate the prepared magic circle. If the castle is currently under immediate attack, get the attacking captains out of the way first. Afterwards, return to the source instead of continuing to fight in any outpost during the important process.
King Dodongo is initially difficult to injure with normal hits. Wait until he opens his mouth wide in front of you and sucks in air. Then throw bombs inside. The explosion exposes his weak point; approach immediately and attack with your combinations. As soon as he gets up again, you create distance and wait for the next opportunity. Dodge his rolling attacks instead of trying to stop them with more sword strikes. After winning, Impa becomes playable.
If you reach 1,000 defeated enemies, the first Gold Skulltula appears in the area of the defensive keep in the south. Orient yourself by the spider web on the map and the louder noise. Get her before the end of the battle, when the castle and Zelda are safe. The second Skulltula is a separate objective for a later playthrough with special conditions.
Eldin Caves: Escort the First Bombchu
In the Eldin Caves you have to take Link and Impa to the cave exit. Find the marked Hyrule Captain in the north. A fragile wall initially blocks the path; blow them up with the bombs you just received. Behind it you can see that the lava flow can only be removed with a larger explosion.
Go back to the provided Bombchu and accompany it. Defeat the enemies directly on her route so that she continues. Take the west square to open the gate and keep the path clear to the rock pillar. After the explosion, the crossing for the Hylian troops is created. Follow them north to the Tunnel Square and capture this keep as well. Open the weapon chest: it unlocks Links Fire Rod.
From the tunnel site go east through the winding corridor to the tunnel master. Defeat him so that the further gates open. If you’re playing with Link, you can find a Piece of Heart in the northeast Crystal Cave by conquering the keep. Impas Heart Container lies beneath a blastable rock to the southeast. You don’t have to force these character rewards with an unsuitable character in the same run.
Destroy Both Stone Spires
Two Bombchus are needed for the next section. One is at the tunnel site; You can find the other one in the middle keep. Conquer this keep and accompany the mines on their separate paths. Check their health bars and eliminate the captains who immediately attack them. A mine will remain stationary if enemies block its route.
Wizzro intervenes personally. Face him and dodge his projectiles before countering with a short series of attacks. Then you clear the remaining attackers around the mines. Once the rock pillars have been blown up, follow the opened path to the exit. Link and Impa must both reach the area safely; just running ahead doesn’t end the battle.
The Skulltula for defeating 1,000 enemies is under the rock southeast of the stone square. For the special Skulltula on Hard, you will later need Impa with her large blade, the undamaged mine escort drain and the Hookshot for the raised platform. After the battle, Sheik will be at your disposal.