After the disappointing performance of the Wii U, it was clear that Nintendo needed to hit the ground running with the Nintendo Switch. This entailed having a good launch lineup that would compel people to purchase the console, and Nintendo definitely managed to knock it out of the park in this regard with the release ofThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
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After numerous delays, the latestZeldatitle ended up blowing everyone out of the water when it was released — something that was very much required given the numerous delays the title had faced.Link’s latest adventures in the world of Hyruleended up being revolutionary when it came to revamping the open-world formula and allowing people to enjoy what is easily one of the most innovative open-world games ever made.
For people who wish to get into this sublime title, here are ten common mistakes that most people make — and one should avoid — inBreath of the Wild.
Updated on May 31, 2025 by Ritwik Mitra:Breath of the Wildis arguably the greatest Nintendo Switch game of all time and is a fitting candidate for being one of the best open-world titles ever made as well. The game takes a really hands-off approach and lets players do whatever they want from the very moment they’re dropped into the meat of the campaign. Breath of the Wild can also be a really challenging experience, and there are certain mistakes that new players generally commit. A few moreBOTW mistakesto avoid have been added to this article.
15Delaying A Visit To Korok Forest
Players should make it a priority to get as many hearts as possible early on so that they can takethe Master Swordout of its pedestal in Korok Forest. It’s a great and reliable weapon that can absolutely destroy Ancient enemies with ease.
However, some players might get so invested in the act of exploringBreath of the Wild’s open-world that they’d forget about the importance of Korok Forest. This would be a shame since the benefits of the Master Sword should be utilized sooner rather than later.
14Ignoring The Loot Dropped By Enemies
There are many enemies present in the world ofBreath of the Wild, and players will have to deal with them sooner or later. Once these enemies are defeated, looting their drops is an important part of the adventure.
However, some people might tire of having to face the same enemies over and over again. While certain basic foes can be ignored later in a playthrough, players should go out of their way to defeat thetougher enemies inBOTWdue to how rare and useful their loot is.
13Failing To Keep Items, Weapons, And Armor That Provide Temperature Resistances
Breath of the Wilddabbles in survival mechanics a bit, with Link’s temperature resistances governing whether he can stay in an area without losing health. For a mechanic that should be annoying, managing Link’s temperature is actually a ton of fun.
However, some players might find this aspect of the game to be somewhat challenging due to a lack of preparedness. So, it’s important to keep someequipment on Linkthat can help him deal with the extreme temperatures ofBreath of the Wild’s world.
12Not Unlocking Great Fairy Fountains All Over The Map
TheGreat Fairy Fountainspresent all across the map ofBreath of the Wildare vital to Link’s quest. After all, these Fairies have the power to upgrade Link’s equipment, which is integral to surviving the harsh landscape of the game.
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Players need to prioritize finding these Great Fairy Fountains as soon as possible. Failing to do so means that they’ll soon become mincemeat at the hands of most enemies in the game after a point.
The dragons are another striking visual element ofBreath of the Wild. Removing the corruption on Naydra and uncovering the secrets of the other dragons is surprisingly engaging.
However, some players might just gaze at these dragons and not really interact with them. This is a mistake since players can hit different body parts of the dragon to get a valuable drop every day.
10Trying To Fight Lynels Early On
Taking on a Lynelis easily one of the hardest challenges inBreath of the Wild, given the fact that they’reone of the hardest normal enemiesto fight in the game.
Trying to fell one of these foes early on whenLink can barely take a few blows from a Bokoblinis not recommended in the slightest, and will definitely send the player to the Game Over screen in record time.
9Barely Saving Up On Arrows
Ranged combat is definitely one of the best and easiest ways to dispatch most foes inBreath of the Wild… but keep in mind that arrows aren’t as plentiful in the game as one might’ve been led to believe.
This applies even more for special arrows, with some of the elemental arrows being critical in certain shrines and the like when it comes to achieving a solution in a simpler and faster manner.
8Saving The Best Equipment For Later
The integration of weapon durability inBreath of the Wildwas mainly done to encourage experimentation with different weapons and not have players stick to the same powerful weapon over and over again.
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Given the fact that Link will get powerful weapons over time as he progresses in the game, it would be wise of the player to not hoard weapons and shields but freely use them in battle without a care in the world.
7Picking Up Every Weapon Possible
The player should be wary of the fact that not all weapons inBreath of the Wildare worth picking up, especially after a point in the game whenthe scaled weapons themselves are way better than anything else that the player might getin their travels.
The arms dropped by the skeleton enemies are a great example of this — while fairly useful early on, these weapons end up being nothing more than a nuisance as Link ends up finding better (and definitely more durable) weapons over time.
6Not Using Runes In Battle
The runes that Link uses inBreath of the Wildaren’t just used for solving puzzles — they can also help out in a pinch during combat as well.
Magnesis can be used to manipulate objects and disarm enemies with metallic weapons. Meanwhile, upgrading the Statis rune can even allow the play to freeze enemies in their tracks as well, which can definitely allow for some breathing room while simultaneously allowing for a few extra hits as well.
