Get Ready To Be Surprised By Botw Number Of Shrines
Get Ready To Be Surprised By BotW: A Shrine Guide for Beginners
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (BotW) is a sprawling adventure, and one of its most defining features is its abundance of Shrines. These bite-sized dungeons offer puzzles, combat challenges, and ultimately, a valuable Spirit Orb that contributes to Link's strength. If you're new to Hyrule, the sheer number of Shrines – 120 in total – can feel overwhelming. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Shrines, helping you discover them, conquer them, and reap their rewards.
What are Shrines, and Why Should You Care?
Imagine Shrines as mini-dungeons scattered across the vast landscape of Hyrule. Each Shrine presents a unique challenge, often involving physics-based puzzles, combat scenarios, or a combination of both. Completing a Shrine earns you a Spirit Orb. Collecting four Spirit Orbs allows you to visit one of the Goddess Statues found in villages and temples, where you can exchange them for either an increase to Link's maximum hearts (health) or his stamina wheel (allowing you to climb, swim, and glide for longer).
In short, Shrines are the primary way to upgrade Link's core stats, making him stronger and more resilient in the face of Hyrule's dangers. Ignoring them means facing Calamity Ganon significantly underpowered.
Finding the Elusive Shrines: A Beginner's Toolkit
Discovering Shrines is a puzzle in itself. Here are some reliable methods to locate these hidden sanctuaries:
- Sheikah Towers: Activating Sheikah Towers reveals large portions of the map. Crucially, they also mark the locations of nearby Shrines with a distinct orange symbol. After activating a Tower, zoom in on the map and look for these symbols.
- Shrine Quests: Many Shrines are hidden behind Shrine Quests. These quests, typically given by NPCs in villages or found written on stone tablets, provide clues and objectives that lead you directly to a hidden Shrine. Pay attention to what people tell you and explore areas they mention.
- The Sheikah Slate's Shrine Sensor: This is your best friend! Once you've activated the first Sheikah Tower, the Shrine Sensor will be unlocked. When you're near a Shrine, the sensor will beep and the indicator on the bottom right of your screen will light up and pulse. The closer you get to the Shrine, the faster the beeping and pulsing become. Use this to pinpoint the Shrine's location, even if it's hidden underground or behind a waterfall.
- Observation and Exploration: Sometimes, the best way to find Shrines is simply to explore! Keep an eye out for unusual rock formations, suspiciously placed torches, or anything that seems out of place. Many Shrines are cleverly hidden in plain sight.
- Ignoring the Tutorial: The Great Plateau serves as a tutorial area. Pay close attention to the lessons learned there, as they introduce core mechanics you'll use throughout the game, including Shrine puzzles.
- Rushing Through Shrines: Take your time! BotW's puzzles are designed to be thoughtful. Experiment with your abilities, observe the environment, and don't be afraid to try different solutions.
- Underestimating Combat Shrines: Some Shrines focus on combat. Don't underestimate them! Make sure you have decent weapons, armor, and know how to dodge and parry. If you’re struggling, consider temporarily leaving the Shrine and returning later with better equipment.
- Forgetting about Runes: Link's Sheikah Slate runes (Magnesis, Stasis, Cryonis, and Remote Bombs) are essential for solving many Shrine puzzles. Remember to experiment with them and think creatively.
- Ignoring Optional Chests: Many Shrines contain hidden chests that offer valuable items like weapons, armor, or resources. Take the time to explore thoroughly and find these hidden treasures.
- Trial of Strength Shrines: These pit you against a Guardian Scout – a mini-boss. There are different tiers of Scouts (Weak, Moderate, and Major), indicated by the Shrine's name. Practice your parrying skills to deflect the Guardian's laser beams, and use your Stasis rune to temporarily freeze them, allowing you to attack.
- Puzzle Shrines (e.g., "Shai Utoh Shrine" - Stasis): These often involve manipulating objects using your runes. In the "Shai Utoh Shrine," you use Stasis to freeze a large gear, allowing you to climb across it. The key is to observe the environment and identify which object needs to be frozen at the right time.
- Blessing Shrines: Sometimes, you'll find a Shrine already completed. These are usually the reward for completing a Shrine Quest. These Shrines simply contain a chest with a powerful item and the monk who grants you the Spirit Orb.
- Experiment with your abilities: Don't be afraid to try different combinations of runes and weapons. The game encourages creative problem-solving.
- Use your environment: Look for clues in the environment. Are there levers to pull, platforms to climb, or objects to manipulate?
- Consult online resources (sparingly): If you're completely stuck, there's no shame in looking up a hint online. However, try to solve the puzzles yourself first, as it's much more rewarding.
- Upgrade your Sheikah Slate: Completing certain side quests will allow you to upgrade your Sheikah Slate runes, making them more powerful and versatile. For example, upgrading your Remote Bombs reduces the cooldown time.
- Cook food for buffs: Before tackling a challenging Shrine, cook up some food that provides useful buffs, such as attack power, defense, or heat resistance.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them:
Examples of Shrine Types and Strategies:
Practical Tips for Conquering Shrines:
Beyond Spirit Orbs: The Satisfaction of Discovery
While Spirit Orbs are the primary reward for completing Shrines, the real satisfaction comes from the sense of discovery and accomplishment. BotW's Shrines are cleverly designed and offer a wide variety of challenges. By embracing the spirit of exploration and experimentation, you'll find yourself surprised and delighted by the ingenuity of these hidden sanctuaries. So, grab your Sheikah Slate, venture forth, and prepare to be amazed by the sheer number and variety of Shrines waiting to be discovered in the world of Hyrule! Good luck, and have fun!
