On WiiU & Switch: Whether it’s searing heat or freezing cold, there are multiple ways to protect Link from the deadly elements in Breath of the Wild.
Bad weather can be killer in Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Keeping warm in the frozen mountains or staying cool in the desert are big problems for Link right at the start of the game. Getting the best possible gear to avoid a slow death should be Link’s first priority.
Like any good freeform, open-world adventure, there are multiple ways to solve Link’s weather-related problems. It isn’t just about getting the right set of gear (although that does help) — you can also cook food to protect yourself, or use special elemental items to stay warm. We’ll go into all the details below.
How to Survive All Extreme Weather Conditions
Here, we’ll cover five types of deadly weather conditions; Level 1 Cold, Level 2 Cold, Level 1 Heat, Level 2 Heat, and Lightning Storms.
Cold / Heat weather conditions are localized to specific areas in-game. Usually, the higher up a snowy mountain you travel, the colder it gets. Any snow-topped mountain works this way — started out at Level 1 Cold before transitioning into Level 2 Cold as you climb higher. The only other area where cold appears is the Gerudo Desert, which follows its own rules.
Heat is a little different. Level 1 Heat is exclusive to the Gerudo Desert, and only appears during the day-time. Once you step onto the sandy dunes, you’ll begin falling under the effects of Level 1 Heat. The Gerudo Desert can also reach Level 1 Cold temperatures at night.
Level 2 Heat is an entirely different beast. The deadly ambient heat literally burns Link alive. The air itself is so hot, Link will burn while near the Eldin Mountain region — that’s Death Mountain, the giant volcano area. Heat Protection food won’t work in this area, instead, you’ll need the Fireproof Status to survive.
The last weather condition is lightning. Any area where it rains, a lightning storm might also pass through. Periodically, lightning will crash near Link. Stay underneath a roof, inside a cave, or below an overhang to stay safe. If you need to travel through lightning, you can also unequip anything metal to avoid a killer strike.
- Level 1 Cold – How to Survive
- Unlock the “Warm Doublet” by talking to the Old Man in the Great Plateau. He’s near a shack. Cook a meal for him to earn this warm clothing — combine raw meat, Hylian fish, and a spicy pepper.
- Cook food with a spicy pepper for one level of cold protection.
- Fire Element weapons will keep Link warm, even if they’re on his back.
- A lit torch will protect Link, as will standing near a campfire or lit cooking pot.
- Level 2 Cold – How to Survive
- Level 2 Cold requires doubling the effects of other cold resistance items.
- Example: Wear the Warm Doublet + eat spicy recipes / hold a torch or fire-based weapon.
- For permanent Level 2 Cold protection, purchase the Snowquill set from Rito Village.
- Level 2 Cold requires doubling the effects of other cold resistance items.
- Level 1 Heat– How to Survive
- To stay cool in the heat, eat “Chilly” items. Items with the chilly effect include Hydromelons, which are common in the Gerudo Desert, or dropped by cold-weather animals.
- Drop meat or other “neutral” cooking items in Level 2 Cold areas and they will become chilly.
- Complete the quest “Forbidden City Entry” to purchase a set of Gerudo gear. It allows you to enter the city and provides heat protection.
- Inside the Gerudo Secret Club, you can purchase Desert Voe armor. This set also protects against the heat. Get the secret password by listening to the women in the bar through a neighboring window.
- Level 2 Heat– How to Survive
- Level 2 heat is exclusive to the Eldin Region, near Death Mountain. Purchase Fireproof Elixirs from the Foothills Stable, then travel to the Southern Mine.
- NOTE: Level 2 Heat does NOT stack with Level 1 Heat.
- At the Southern Mine, talk to Kima and complete his fireproof lizard side quest to earn a piece of the Flamebreaker Armor for free. The rest (or all) of the Flamebreaker Set can be purchased in Goron City.
- Level 2 heat is exclusive to the Eldin Region, near Death Mountain. Purchase Fireproof Elixirs from the Foothills Stable, then travel to the Southern Mine.
- Lightning Storm– How to Survive
- When a lightning storm appears, check you inventory menu. Any metal items that attract lightning will feature an animated electricity icon. Unequip any of these items to avoid a lightning strike.
- While travelling with metal items equipped in a lightning storm, electricity will slowly accumulate around Link, signifying that a lightning strike is imminent.
- Link can also avoid lightning by hiding underneath a roof, or inside a cave.
- For full protection, Link can “borrow” the Thunder Helm after completing Divine Beast Vah Naboris.
- The Rubber Armor Set also provides complete lightning protection. Get it from chests in the following ways:
- Helmet: Thunder Magnet Side Quest
- Talk to Cima at the Lakeside Stable to begin this quest.
- Armor: Toh Yahso Shrine
- Tights: Qukah Nata Shrine
- Helmet: Thunder Magnet Side Quest
- When a lightning storm appears, check you inventory menu. Any metal items that attract lightning will feature an animated electricity icon. Unequip any of these items to avoid a lightning strike.
That’s basically everything! Found your own ways to keep Link safe in extreme weather conditions? Let us know in the comments!
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