Revali’s Gale+ and Mipha’s Grace+ are already unlocked. Next, the Champions’ Ballad takes us back to Eldin to Daruk. His three tests are based entirely around the Death Mountain and can be solved very comfortably thanks to the progress we have made so far: We have sufficient fire protection, Revali’s Gale now charges much faster and Mipha’s Grace+ provides additional protection for the more dangerous fights.
This section is also particularly worthwhile for a complete score. One of the trials leads to the Mega Igneo Talus, a unique enemy with its own entry in the Hyrule Handbook. On the east side of Death Mountain, we can also register the easily overlooked Alper Village Ruins as a map location and collect a nearby Korok. A diamond, a fire greatsword and a rock splitter await in the three DLC shrines.
[DLC] This chapter requires DLC pack 2 “The Champions’ Ballad”, four liberated Titans and the completed trial on the Great Plateau. The three shrines of Daruk’s Trial are Kamia Omuna Shrine, Sharo Lun Shrine, and Rinu Honika Shrine. You can find an overview of all additional shrines in the ZeldaCollection guide to the Shrines of the Ballad of the Champions.
Back to Goron City and Daruk’s training diary
First teleports you to Goron City. Before we visit the monument, we complete some new DLC content directly in the village. When the Champions Ballad is active, Daruk’s Training Journal is located here.
Optional – DLC Story: Visit Yunobo’s house behind or near Goron City’s inn. Daruk’s diary is there. Yunobo can also draw your attention to the document. Read all entries before moving on.
Daruk describes his everyday life, his friendship with Link, his appointment as Champions and his thoughts about the fight against the devastation. The diary is not required for card scoring, but is one of the most important additional narrative contents of the second DLC. As with Revali and Mipha, we read it exactly when our route leads through the homeland of the respective Champions.
Then check your equipment. On the Death Mountain, Link still requires sufficient fire protection. Two levels of fire protection are the safe choice for the particularly hot areas around the crater. The anti-fire set from Goron City is ideal for this. Also take several Ice Arrows, a good bow and a strong two-handed weapon. The Ice Arrows are particularly helpful against the Mega Igneo Talus.
Daruk’s Monument on the Bunnken River
Leaves Goron City in a southwesterly direction. The monument stands on an elevated rocky area near the Bunnken River, west or southwest of the city. With Revalis Sturm+ you can overcome the lava and the height differences very comfortably. Even from a distance you can see the three high stone pillars.
Kass is waiting there again. Examine all three monument card images and listen to his song about Daruk’s trials. The clues describe three tasks: defeat a giant made of molten rock, fly through the volcano’s rings of light, and endure the heat of the lava.
The order is free. For our route we start with the unique Mega Igneo Talus at Lake Darman, then move directly to Vah Rudania and follow the rings of light to the Sharo Lun Shrine. From there we visit the Alper village ruins and conclude the tour at the Grogo pond with Rinu Honika. Afterwards we can immediately switch to the memory battle on Vah Rudania.
First test: Mega Igneo Talus at Lake Darman
Our first goal is that Darman Lake north or northeast of Death Mountain. You can teleport to Vah Rudania and from there glide over the northern mountain flank towards the lake. Revalis Sturm+ shortens the route significantly. If you have now activated a cheaper shrine in this part of Eldin, you can of course start from there.
At Lake Darman you initially only see a huge rock formation in the middle of the lava. Approach the northern bank. As soon as Link gets close enough, the Mega Igneo Talus rises from the lava lake. This particularly large variant of the Igneo Talus only exists as part of the Champions ballad.
Optional: Photograph Mega Igneo Talus for the Hyrule Manual
Optional – Hyrule Manual: Before the actual battle, be sure to pull out the Camera Rune and photograph the Mega Igneo Talus. The enemy has its own entry in the Hyrule Handbook and can only be found at this point. Although the entry can be purchased later from Symin, taking your own photo during this check is the cleaner solution for a complete score.
It is best to photograph it from the safety of the shore immediately after it appears. Wait for the enemy to be marked red before saving the image.
Defeat Mega Igneo Talus
The Mega Igneo Talus basically works like an ordinary Igneo Talus, but stands completely in lava and radiates enormous heat. The environment constantly generates strong updrafts. This is exactly what we need for the fight.
Jump from the bank and open the Paraglider. Let an updraft carry you over your opponent and draw your bow in the air. Shoot a Ice Arrow at his body. The cold momentarily extinguishes the glowing surface, allowing Link to land safely on his back.
The large chunk of ore on its back is the weak point. Immediately after landing, switch to a strong two-handed weapon and attack the ore. A charged whirl attack does a lot of damage. The Mountain Cleaver would be ideal, but it doesn’t have to be brought from Link’s house or Goron City specifically for the fight; any good two-handed weapon will do.
As soon as the Igneo Talus begins to move strongly or its surface glows again, jump off and immediately open the Paraglider. Don’t try to force another hit. The lava around the opponent doesn’t forgive a fall.
Let the updraft carry you again, cool your body with another ice arrow and repeat the process. You can also hit the ore boulder with arrows during the flight phase, but melee attacks cause significant damage much more quickly.
Mipha’s Grace+ offers additional protection should Link get caught in the lava or be hit by an attack. Revalis Storm+ is usually not needed because the Mega Igneo Talus generates enough updrafts on its own.
After his victory, the Kamia Omuna Shrine appears on the shore. Unlike regular Igneo Talus, this special enemy does not drop normal ore materials. Our real rewards are the Hyrule Handbook entry and the new shrine.
Kamia Omuna Shrine – Moving Targets
[DLC] Shrine: Enter Kamia Omuna Shrine. Directly to the left is a large Goron-like cannon, like the one we used on the Death Mountain. This time the cannon doesn’t shoot people, but rather a bullet that is accelerated by a long-range bomb.
Place a round remote bomb in the cannon’s opening. Then hit the orange Crystal Switch to make the gun rotate. Wait until the pipe points to the orange target on the opposite wall and detonate the bomb. The explosion ejects the bullet from the cannon and activates the target.
A second target then appears or moves. Load a round bomb again. You can stop the moving mechanism with Stasis if you’re having trouble timing it. Aim the cannon and detonate the bomb at the right moment. As soon as this target has been hit, the passage to the second part of the shrine opens.
Diamond in Kamia Omuna Shrine
Optional – Treasure Chest: Don’t leave the first cannon yet. To the right of the actual target there is a Treasure Chest on a wooden stand at some distance.
Load the cannon again and this time aim it at the wooden platform under the chest. Fire the bullet against it. The bracket breaks and the chest falls into the barred area below.
Then go through the opened passage and follow the narrow path to the chest. It is made of metal and can be pulled out of the cage using the magnetic module. Inside lies a diamond. This find is significantly more valuable than ordinary Rupees, especially for the production of new warrior weapons and various armor improvements.
motion sensor and second cannon
In the second area there is another cannon and a control panel for movement control. Activates the desk. You can now rotate the large construction in front of you by tilting the controller or the Nintendo Switch.
Align the first orange target switch so that the cannonball has a clear trajectory on it. Leave the controls, place a round bomb in the cannon and fire.
After the hit, a second switch appears on or behind the same construction. Activate the motion control again and rotate the entire object so that a clear opening through the construction points exactly to the second target. Small corrections are easier than large movements of the controller.
Once the trajectory is clear, load the cannon one last time and hit the switch. The gate to the priest opens. Kamia Omuna gives Link the first Token of Rudania.
Second Trial: Light Rings of Volcano
Teleports you directly to Vah Rudania. From the titan or its fast travel point you look east over the death crater. The first blue ring shines on an elevated rock formation.
Jump over with the Paraglider and cross it. The next ring appears immediately. From now on there is a time limit. The route first leads over the high rocks on the edge of the crater, then continues down the eastern slope of Death Mountain.
Revalis Storm+ makes this test much easier than the original DLC progression. If a ring is significantly above Link, you simply create an updraft instead of laboriously climbing up the rock face. The ability recharges so quickly that you don’t have to use it sparingly.
Some rings hang freely over chasms or lava. Open the Paraglider early enough and correct Link’s flight path with small movements. If you fly past a ring too high, you usually lose more time returning than in a controlled descent.
Later the route leads through a narrower passage between rocks and finally much further down the eastern slope. Always stay focused on the blue glow of the next ring. You don’t have to defeat any enemies and you shouldn’t let fire slimes or other creatures stop you.
If you cross the last ring in time, the Sharo Lun Shrine appears east of the Death Crater.
Sharo Lun Shrine – In the Blind Spot
[DLC] Shrine: The Blind Spot Trial consists of several moving cubes that carry Link through fire, spikes, and past nano-guardians. Unlike many shrines, you don’t have to stand on the cubes – the safe position is often on their side.
Jump up or hang onto the first moving block. Shortly afterwards, jets of fire shoot across the track from one side. Hang on to them opposite side of the cube so that the solid block lies between Link and the flames.
During the next fire phase, the nozzles change sides. Climb around the edge of the cube in time. For the final series of flames of this section, the top of the block is safe. So climb up and wait until you reach the next solid platform.
Spikes and Nano Guardians
In the second section you hang onto a moving cube again. This time there are spikes on the track. First stay on the side that is not covered by the spikes and only climb to the top when the path is clear.
Appear on the following platforms in total three nano-guardians. If possible, kill them with arrows before your cube passes them directly. A hit at the wrong moment can knock Link off the block and send him into the abyss.
Since our regular inventory is available in these DLC shrines, strong bows, electric arrows or the Master Sword are allowed. But don’t waste ancient arrows on these little guardians.
Fire Greatsword in Sharo Lun Shrine
Optional – Treasure Chest: In the last large section, your cube moves past a wall of water. A metal chest regularly falls from top to bottom. She will disappear into the abyss if you do nothing.
Use the cryo module to create an ice block in the water wall just below the falling chest. The block catches or slows them down. Immediately switch to the magnetic module, grab the metal chest and pull it onto a safe platform.
Inside lies a Fire Greatsword. If necessary, take a photo of it for the Hyrule Handbook before pocketing it. If your weapon inventory is full, it’s better to get rid of a weaker standard weapon.
Over the water wall to the priest
As we continue, a wide wall of fire blocks the path of the moving cube. To the right or side of it, water runs down the wall. Create several cryoblocks there and climb onto the ice. So you are outside the flames.
Wait until your moving cube has passed the wall of fire and then slide back down onto it. Alternatively, you can use Stasis on the cube to gain more time for the switch.
In the last area you no longer need the moving block. Create several cryoblocks from the water as stairs and climb to the upper exit. Priest Sharo Lun gives you the second Sign of Rudania.
Optional: Discover Alper village ruins for 100%
Optional – Map Progression: Don’t teleport away immediately after the shrine. We are now in a part of Eldin that the main story practically completely ignores. To the southeast or slightly below Sharo Lun, on the eastern slope of Death Mountain, lie the Alper village ruins.
Glide southeast from the shrine and stick to the rocky eastern slope. After a short distance you will see the remains of several small buildings, burnt trees and old cars. Actually run between the ruins until the place name “Alper Village Ruins” appears on the screen.
This step is important for a true map 100% route. The Alper village ruins are one of the places that are often missing at the very end because neither the main quest nor the regular shrine task sends Link here. That’s exactly why we’re taking her with us now, while we’re on the same side of the mountain anyway.
There is a Meteo Wizzrobe hanging around the area. You can fight him or ignore him. If you don’t yet have the corresponding opponent in the Hyrule handbook, you can take advantage of the opportunity to take a photo.
Optional: Korok southwest of the Alper village ruins
Optional – Korok: From the ruins, walk a short distance southwest along the slope. Look for a noticeably cracked area of rock on the rock wall.
Blow up the brittle rocks with a remote bomb. There is a small stone behind them. Lift it and the Korok appears.
The seed is close enough to our DLC path that a later climb of our own to the east side of Death Mountain would be unnecessary. However, we leave other, significantly more distant Eldin Krogs for the later complete area route.
Third test: Defying the lava at Grogo Pond
Our final test area is Grogo Pond southeast of Death Mountain. The Daqa Koh Shrine at the Eldin Bridge is a good starting point, which we already activated on our previous route. Teleport there and follow the rocks towards Grogo Pond. With Revalis Sturm+ you can easily skip most of the height differences.
Several Gorons are waiting on the shore and watching a blue ring floating in the middle of the lava lake. The task initially sounds life-threatening: Link has to get into or through this ring while standing on solid ground.
Don’t just jump in. Activates the magnetic module instead. There are large metal boxes at the edge of the pond. Pull one of them and place it in the lava as precisely as possible under the blue ring.
The box sinks slightly. If the top doesn’t extend far enough out of the lava, place a second metal box on top of the first. This creates a safe little platform directly under the ring.
Now climb onto an elevated rocky area on the bank or use Revalis Sturm+. Slide the Paraglider directly over the ring and let yourself fall vertically downwards. As soon as Link crosses the ring and lands on the metal platform, the test is passed.
Don’t stay there any longer than necessary. Even with fire protection, you are directly above lava. The Rinu Honika Shrine appears on the shore.
Rinu Honika Shrine – Flame Ward
[DLC] Shrine: The Rinu Honika Shrine is all about fire traps. The solution is not to run through the flames, but to systematically neutralize their positions using ducking, bombs, magnesis, and metal blocks.
The first beams of fire run horizontally at a height that Link can pass under. Crouch down and slowly move under it. Sprinting is unnecessary and can cause Link to get up too early.
The next row of flames leaves no gap. Look to the left or below the flame pillar for a cracked stone block. Throw down a remote bomb and blow up the stone. The associated pillar collapses and takes the fire jet with it.
Shortly afterwards there is another column of flames on a metal block on the right side. Grab the block with the magnetic module and pull it out. The pillar falls down and the fire barrier disappears.
Metal cube as flame shield
Keep the metal block you just pulled out. In front of you, several side jets of flame block the entire path. Hold the cube with magnesis between Link and the nozzles and slowly move forward together with him. The massive block completely absorbs the flames.
In the next section, fire flows from top to bottom. There is a second metal block in or near the lava. Get him out with the magnetic module.
Place one cube under the fire wall and the second above it or slightly offset. The aim is for the two blocks to completely intercept the flames and at the same time create a gap for Link. If you have problems keeping the structure stable, freeze the upper block with Stasis, briefly pull the lower block away and run through the resulting opening.
Rock splitter in Rinu Honika Shrine
Optional – Treasure Chest: Directly after this firing section there is a raised platform with a Treasure Chest to the right or side. The normal way to get there is too far to jump.
Use the two metal blocks you just used to pass the fire wall. Place them with the magnetic module one after the other in the lava or across the gap and build a small bridge to the ladder of the treasure platform.
Climb over and open the chest. Inside is a rock splitter. This weapon is particularly interesting if your mountain splitter breaks at some point: a rock splitter is one of the materials that the Goron blacksmith needs to remake Daruk’s warrior weapon.
If necessary, take a photo of the weapon for the Hyrule Manual and then take it with you.
Last fire wall with motion control
Return to the main path and follow it to the last puzzle. Activates the control panel. In front of Link is a long platform with several small ledges, while streams of fire shoot across the path from both sides.
Tilts the platform with the motion controls so that its side projections are exactly between Link and the individual fire nozzles. You practically build several small protective walls for yourself.
Does not try to constantly realign the structure while running. First bring it into a position in which as many fire jets as possible are blocked by the ledges at the same time, leave the controls and then quickly run across the bridge.
The priest is waiting on the other side. You will receive the third character from Rudania.
With three characters from Rudania back to Vah Rudania
After the third test, the priest asks you to return to Vah Rudania. Before you start the memory fight, we can prepare optimally.
Your normal weapons, armor pieces, arrows and dishes are replaced by a set selection in the illusion world. Already active Food or medicine effects however, remain intact. It is therefore worth eating a dish with attack power level 3 and lasting as long as possible before the fight. A defense bonus also works, but Ganon’s fire curse can be removed much faster with more attack power.
Also wait until Mipha’s Grace+, Revali’s Gale+ and Urbosa’s Fury are fully available. Daruk’s own shield is also available, although Link does not receive a normal shield in the Memory Battle.
If you would like to read the original strategy against Fireblight Ganon again, you can find it in the ZeldaCollection chapter on Vah Rudania and Fireblight Ganon.
Fireblight Ganon in the Illusion World
Approach Vah Rudania. The three characters are exchanged and Link enters the world of his memories again. Fireblight Ganon appears a second time on the Titan’s back.
This time the test determines your equipment. Link only receives the mountain splitter, a knight’s bow and 5 Ice Arrows. He also carries the complete anti-fire set. The only food available is a grilled steak, a roasted iron mushroom and a baked apple.
A normal shield is not part of the equipment. This sounds dangerous at first, but it is less problematic than it seems. Daruk’s Shield can intercept attacks even without a physical shield as long as the ability is active. In addition, perfect evasive maneuvers against Ganon’s large, comparatively slow weapon are very possible.
The most important resource is the mountain splitter. It has high attack power and durability, but should not be wasted on unnecessary air strikes. We use the five Ice Arrows specifically for safe anesthesia.
Fireblight Ganon – Phase 1
Fireblight Ganon begins with large sword attacks like the original fight. If he swings out horizontally, you backflip out of range. A vertical punch causes you to jump sideways. A well-timed dodge starts the slow-motion counterattack.
The Mountain Cleaver is a two-handed weapon and deals very high damage during a Flurry Rush. Make full use of safe counterattacks, but then retreat again.
The charged whirl attack is even more effective. When Fireblight Ganon falls after a hit to the eye or Urbosa’s Fury, hold down the attack button and spin around him with the Mountain Cleaver. Just pay attention to your stamina and finish the attack before the boss stands up again.
The five Ice Arrows cause particularly effective damage against the fire opponent. Don’t waste it on difficult long-range shots. Wait for Fireblight Ganon to pause briefly or finish an attack and aim for his black eye. A hit will stagger him and open another melee phase.
Urbosa’s Fury is also excellent. Start a charged attack with the Mountain Cleaver near the boss. The lightning causes massive damage and additionally stuns Fireblight Ganon. On our route, Urbosa’s Fury still has its normal recharge time, but the three charges available are more than enough for this fight.
Fireblight Ganon – Phase 2 with Ranged Bombs
At approximately half health, Fireblight Ganon once again surrounds himself with his large flame shield. At the same time, he begins to suck in air and builds a massive fireball over his head.
Instantly switches to a round ranged bomb. Throw them into the airstream. The suction automatically pulls the bomb directly to the boss. Once it reaches his barrier, detonate it.
The explosion destroys the flame guard and throws Ganon’s fire curse to the ground. Sprint to him and immediately attack with the Mountain Cleaver. A whirl attack does a lot of damage here.
The remote bombs are part of the Sheikah modules and are not affected by the limited equipment of the illusionary world. You can therefore repeat this technique as often as you like as soon as the boss builds up his flame shield again.
Exploit fire areas and updrafts
In the second phase, Fireblight Ganon sets his blade on fire. A few hits will leave fire on the platform. Don’t just walk through it. At the same time, the flames create updrafts that we can use to our advantage.
Open the Paraglider over such an updraft and allow yourself to be carried a few meters up. Draw the knight’s bow. The slow motion makes it much easier to get a precise ice arrow into the eye. Due to the small number of only five arrows, every shot should be as accurate as possible.
If the Ice Arrows are used up, that’s no problem. Most of the fight can be easily completed with ranged bombs, mountain splitters and the warrior abilities.
Daruk’s Protection and the laser attack
Near the end of the fight, Fireblight Ganon can lock Link with a red aiming beam and prepare an energy shot. Since you don’t have a normal shield, you can’t parry the beam in the usual way with an equipped shield.
If a charge of Daruk’s Protection is available, hold down ZL. The warrior ability automatically intercepts the attack. Alternatively, you can sprint across the line of fire or place a massive structure in the arena between Link and the boss.
Revalis Sturm+ also offers a safe emergency solution: creates an updraft before the shot is fired and leaves the original target altitude.
Miphas Prayer+ is available as a final safeguard. Due to the already shortened recharge time, there is a much greater chance that the ability will become available again after an early mistake in a longer fight.
Stick to the familiar strategy: hit the eye or dodge the attack perfectly, exploit the melee window with the mountain splitter and break the flame shield with long-range bombs. Ganon’s fire curse should fall much faster than during our first visit to Vah Rudania.
Reminder: Daruk’s Ballad
After the victory, the illusionary world disappears and Kass waits with Vah Rudania again. His research into the Goron Knight gave him enough material to complete the Ballad of Daruk.
The music evokes another memory from 100 years ago. Zelda visits Daruk in Eldin and asks him to pilot Vah Rudania as one of the four Champions. Daruk agrees and shortly afterwards shows why he is considered an exceptional fighter among the Gorons.
A group Bokoblins attacks nearby. Daruk jumps into battle without hesitation and defeats the monsters. Afterwards, however, it turns out that they had threatened a small Hylian dog. The powerful Goron hero suddenly reacts completely differently: Daruk has Fear of dogs and even protects himself from the harmless animal with his own umbrella.
The scene shows an unusually vulnerable and humorous side of the Champions and is one of the additional DLC sequences in the overview of the memories in Breath of the Wild.
Get Daruk’s Protection+
After the memory, Daruk’s spirit speaks up. Link has passed his old friend’s three trials and defeated the Fire Curse once again. As a reward, Daruk’s Protection will be upgraded to Daruk’s Protection+.
The functionality remains unchanged. As long as you hold down ZL and a charge is available, Daruk’s shield will automatically form a protective barrier around Link. It blocks practically every direct attack and can, among other things, reflect sentinel beams.
Continue to stand three loads available. The crucial difference is regeneration. The normal version takes approximately after all charges have been used up 18 minutes to fully recharge. Daruk’s Protection+ reduces this time to just six minutes.
In Hyrule Castle the recharge is even faster: there it drops to around two minutes with the Plus version. Daruk’s Protection+ is therefore extremely useful, especially for later full exploration of the castle.
The ability does not have to be consumed with every simple Bokoblin. You can turn them off in the Important Items menu if you want to save charges for a specific battle. On our normal route we leave it on; Due to the now significantly shorter charging time, thrift is required much less often.
Daruk’s Ballad completed
This concludes the third warrior ballad. We photographed and defeated the unique Mega Igneo Talus, fully solved Kamia Omuna, Sharo Lun and Rinu Honika and collected all three shrine chests. In addition, Daruk’s training diary is read, the easily overlooked Alper village ruins are registered for the map scoring and a Korok that makes sense on the route is completed.
We do not artificially prefer the other shrines and Koroks of Eldin at this point. Several are well outside of the three DLC trials and can later be connected much more efficiently with the northern Eldin area, the open mini-bosses and the full Korok route. You can find an overview of the normal hero trials in the ZeldaCollection guide to the shrines at Eldin Tower.
All we’re missing is a warrior ballad. In the next chapter we return to the Gerudo region for [DLC] Urbosa’s Ballad. Three more tests and shrines await there, including a fight against a Molduga and a particularly demanding electrical test. After dueling Thunderblight Ganon again, Urbosa’s Fury is improved.
Once Urbosa’s Ballad is completed, all four warrior abilities are boosted. Then the final test of the Champions’ Ballad opens under the Shrine of Resurrection, at the end of which the Master Cycle Zero awaits.