Master the Art of Defeating Hinox in Zelda

Where To Find Hinox

Link may encounter a variety of mini-bosses during his travels in Hyrule, such as Molduga in the Gerudo Desert and Talus in rocky regions. The Hinox is a recurring boss in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom that is found in various forms and locations. Despite its intimidating appearance, it is not as dangerous as it seems.

Hinoxes are identifiable by their massive size and a single giant eye that serves as an easy target for Link to strike. If players choose not to fight, they can use a classic trick in Tears of the Kingdom to silently climb onto the Hinox's hand and snatch the items around its neck without arousing it. However, it is well worth defeating these colossal adversaries to obtain the potent Elixir and Fuse materials they drop.

Hinox can be found in various locations throughout Hyrule, with a few different variations. The regular Hinox, which is typically reddish in color, tends to inhabit forests and green areas. In addition to these, there are also Blue Hinox, Black Hinox, and even Stalnox, which are skeletal versions of these massive bosses. If players are looking for a specific Hinox, they can speak with a member of the Monster-Hunting team in Lookout Landing to learn about nearby locations.

When wandering through mountainous or forested areas, it's not uncommon to stumble upon a Hinox without even realizing it due to their size. Listen for a distorted, guttural noise that can be heard over the winds, which may indicate a nearby Hinox in a slumbering state. Hinox are typically found sleeping when encountered by Link. Although they are capable of causing significant damage when awakened, they have one notable vulnerability: a massive eyeball that is perfect for Link's arrows.

To defeat a Hinox:

To defeat a Hinox, it's important to create some distance and gain the upper hand. These massive enemies take up a lot of space, making it difficult to attack them up close without getting hit. However, Hinox move slowly, allowing players to sprint away and aim with a strong Bow.

To defeat a Hinox quickly and efficiently, Link needs a Bow and plenty of arrows. The key to success is to aim for the Hinox's gigantic eyeball, which can stun the boss reliably. If Link is too close, he won't be able to hit the critical spot, but if he's too far, the Hinox will recover before Link can close the distance.

To consistently hit the Hinox's eyeball and stun it over and over again, Link should stay about five seconds away from the enemy. If the Hinox tries to protect its eye with its hand, Link should create more distance and wait for the hand to drop before aiming for the critical spot once again.

A weapon with at least 20 damage is recommended for this fight to efficiently chip away at the Hinox's health. Higher-damage weapons are even more ideal. Opt for a one-handed weapon instead of a two-handed one as it allows Link to attack faster and deal more damage before the Hinox gets back up. Repeat the strategy of shooting its eye, approaching for melee attacks while it's stunned, then retreating until it explodes into purple smoke.

What do Hinox drop?

Hinox found throughout Hyrule drop similar rewards, but their value and names vary depending on their level. For instance, defeating a Black Hinox or Stalnox yields more potent cooking ingredients and elixir materials than defeating a regular Red Hinox. However, all Hinox drop Hinox Tooth, Hinox Guts, Hinox Toenail, Hinox Horn, and various cooking and elixir-making materials.

Moreover, some Hinox carry weapons on a chain around their necks, which can also be obtained without engaging in combat. A method used in Breath of the Wild for climbing Hinox works just as well in Tears of the Kingdom to retrieve these weapons after the fight.

To successfully loot a sleeping Hinox, it's important to first boost Link's Stealth by consuming Stealth-boosting foods or wearing the Sheikah Armor. Once you've done that, head out into the world and locate a sleeping Hinox. Approach it quietly and crouch down, then make your way to its outstretched hand on the left side. If the hand is on the ground, carefully walk onto its palm and wait for a few seconds.

Eventually, the Hinox will grunt and raise its arm to its chest, allowing you to calmly walk off and onto its belly. Here you can loot the weapons around its neck, but be careful not to make too much noise when getting off its belly as the Hinox can wake up easily. It's worth noting that you won't be able to loot any body parts or cooking ingredients.

If you're playing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, you can enjoy this exciting adventure on the Nintendo Switch.