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Conquering the Gathering Pirates on the High SeasThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has brought about significant changes to the world of Hyrule. Even the familiar locations have been revamped with new content, making them feel entirely new. One such quest can be found near the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, where players are tasked with taking down a group of pirates on the high seas.
Amidst the various side missions that Link can undertake in Tears of the Kingdom, players can now encounter multiple groups of Bokoblin pirates raiding and plundering the shores of Hyrule. The quest, The Gathering Pirates, involves reaching three ships that can only be accessed by boat or paraglider. To start the quest, players must speak to an NPC at the East Akkala Stable.
Located on the road just below the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab in northeastern Hyrule, the East Akkala Stable proves to be an important stop for players due to the presence of the Horse God Malanya. This deity can be found just behind the stable, offering Link the opportunity to revive or upgrade his horses even if they have passed away. To make frequent visits here easier, players can hit up the Shrine on the hill for a quick teleport back, and seek out an NPC named Aya within the stable area.
At the East Akkala Stable, Aya can be spotted sweeping or wandering around. She expresses her concerns to Link about the possibility of a pirate attack from a nearby band that might come up the cliff anytime. However, her statement about them coming from the North Akkala beach is only partially true. The pirate vessels are actually moored quite far offshore, making it better to either paraglide down from the cliffs above or construct a boat to travel by water. The fleet of pirates can be found around the coordinates (4739, 2783, 0067).
How To Defeat the Gathering Pirates
Upon entering the area, the Bokoblins, Moblins, and Boss Bokoblins will immediately spot Link unless he is using a disguise to blend in. If he chooses to arrive by air, his best bet is to aim for the top of one of the ships' masts, where explosive barrels and ranged attacks can be used to thin out the enemy forces. Don't forget to keep an eye out for
opportunities as well.
To board a pirate ship by sea, look for the distinctive skull attached to the front of each vessel. By standing on one and using Ascend, Link can easily reach the deck. However, it's important to survey the area before accepting the Ascend location, as accidentally jumping into a group of Bokoblins armed with flaming weapons can be disastrous. A useful tactic for defeating pirates on board is to aim for headshots with a bow. When hit, enemies will be launched into the air and backward. If they fall off the edge of the boat and into the ocean, they will perish without putting up a fight. For increased accuracy, jump from the top of a mast to activate slow-motion.
Players will encounter different types of enemies on each of the three ships, such as Bokoblins with varying levels of strength and equipment, Moblins, and a Boss Bokoblin. To defeat the Boss Bokoblin, players can use the Muddle Bud strategy, which involves striking them with one to cause them to attack other monsters. By fusing one of the Depths-exclusive materials to an arrow, players can unleash chaos from within.
If you're having trouble defeating the pirate monsters in large numbers, an effective strategy involves using Autobuild and explosive barrels. First, ensure that you have unlocked Autobuild and have some extra Zonaite at your disposal. Then, attach two explosive barrels to the first ship. This trick can make a significant difference in your gameplay.
Using Autobuild's history and the low cost of six Zonaite for material costs, players are able to summon a duplicate of the two barrels on other ships. When dropped near enemy monsters, this bomb will send them flying overboard. It is important to ensure Link is at a safe distance when the explosion occurs to prevent him from taking an unexpected swim.
Inside the unlocked chest of the third pirate ship, which is guarded by the Boss Bokoblin, lies a powerful Blue Hinox Hammer. This weapon may be slow in its swings, but it deals massive damage and can also be utilized to break through rocks and other materials with ease. Don't miss the chance to add this formidable tool to your arsenal.
Once all the materials and fish have been gathered from the three ships, return to Aya at the East Akkala Stable. Link is awarded two Pony Points and an Endura Carrot for his bravery in defeating the monsters. Although it may not seem like a grand hero's reward, it's worth noting that the Endura Carrot is highly sought after by the Horse God, Malanya, and can aid Link in his journey. Don't forget, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is now available on the Nintendo Switch.