The Path to Zora's Domain
After acquiring the Paraglider, Impa in Kakariko Village will suggest you investigate the four Divine Beasts. The closest and easiest one for new players is Vah Ruta, located in the Lanayru region to the east.
Follow the river east until you meet Prince Sidon at the Inogo Bridge. Because of the endless rain caused by Vah Ruta, you cannot climb the mountains, meaning you must traverse the dangerous Zora River path on foot. Bring plenty of arrows to deal with the Lizalfos camps along the way.
Once in Zora's Domain, speak with King Dorephan. You will be gifted the Zora Armor, which grants you the ability to swim up waterfalls.
Ploymus Mountain & Shock Arrows
To appease Vah Ruta, you need 20 Shock Arrows. Sidon directs you to Ploymus Mountain. Equip your Zora Armor and swim up the waterfalls to reach the peak.
At the top, you will encounter a terrifying Lynel. Do not fight it! At this stage in the game, the Lynel will likely one-shot you. Instead, use stealth. Crouch, drink a stealth elixir if you have one, and quietly collect the Shock Arrows embedded in the trees and rocks around the Lynel's territory. Once you have 20, leap off the cliff to the reservoir below where Sidon is waiting.
Boarding Vah Ruta
Ride on Sidon's back as he swims around the mechanical elephant. Use Cryonis to shatter the ice blocks Vah Ruta throws at you. When Sidon swims close to the waterfalls pouring from Ruta's sides, equip the Zora Armor, swim up the waterfall, launch into the air, and shoot a Shock Arrow into one of the glowing pink orbs on its back. Repeat this four times to calm the beast and board it.
Vah Ruta Puzzles
Your goal inside is to activate 5 terminals. You will need to manipulate the elephant's trunk using your Sheikah Slate map (acquired at the Guidance Stone near the entrance).
Terminal 1 (Bottom Floor)
Look at the water submerged in the first room. Use Magnesis to turn the handle on the wall, raising the terminal out of the water.
Terminal 2 (Second Floor Water Wheel)
Head upstairs to the room with the two water wheels. The smaller wheel is spinning constantly. Wait for the terminal inside it to reach the bottom, then use Cryonis to plug the water spout pouring onto the wheel. This freezes the wheel, allowing you to access the terminal.
Terminal 3 (Giant Water Wheel)
Open your map and move Vah Ruta's trunk to the highest position. The water from the trunk will pour onto the giant wheel, causing it to spin. Observe the core of the wheel—there is a terminal behind a locked gate, and an orange ball that moves when the wheel spins. Wait for the orange ball to fall into its socket to open the gate, then quickly use Stasis on the ball to lock the gate open while you ride the wheel up and access the terminal.
Terminal 4 (The Trunk)
Ride the giant wheel all the way up to the platform near the ceiling and head outside to the trunk. Lower the trunk completely so you can paraglide to the tip. Once on the tip, slowly raise the trunk back up. As the trunk curls inwards, stay on the platform near the spout. When it is fully raised, you will be right next to the 4th terminal.
Terminal 5 (The Head)
From the raised trunk, paraglide down onto the elephant's head. Drop through the hole in the roof to enter the room above the giant wheel. Use Magnesis to turn the crank, opening the skylight. Now, move the trunk so that it pours water down through the skylight onto the flames below, extinguishing them and revealing the final terminal.
Boss: Waterblight Ganon
Activate the main control unit to summon Waterblight Ganon.
Phase 1: He wields a massive spear with incredible range. Stay close to his legs to avoid the sweeping attacks, or practice your Perfect Dodge (backflip) to trigger Flurry Rushes. Shoot him in the eye with arrows to stun him, then close in for melee damage.
Phase 2: At 50% health, he will flood the room, leaving only four small platforms. He will hang from the ceiling and throw deadly ice blocks at you. You have two options here: either shoot the ice blocks with arrows to shatter them, or use Cryonis to instantly break them for free! Once the blocks are gone, shoot him in the eye to make him fall to the ground, then swim over and attack him.
Defeating him grants you a Heart Container and Mipha's Grace, an incredibly powerful ability that automatically resurrects you with full health when you die.
💬 Community Strategies & Discussion
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