The Ultimate Guide to Defeating Lynels in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Lynels in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom are back and they are not to be underestimated. These fierce lion-centaur hybrids are the toughest non-boss adversaries that players will encounter in the game. With their powerful weapons and deadly fire, only the bravest of players have dared to take on the challenge of facing all 34 Lynels scattered throughout the vast fields of Hyrule.

Fighting Lynels in TotK

In Tears of the Kingdom, Lynels behave similarly to how they do in Breath of the Wild. When a Lynel catches sight of Link, it will move swiftly around him, making attempts to hit him with its weapon or charge at him using its body.

If Link is able to avoid the Lynel's close combat attacks, the enemy will resort to using its Lynel Bow to attack from a distance. Even if the arrows are shot into the air, they will still track Link and rain down on him after a short while. Players should remain vigilant and keep an eye out for any incoming projectiles.

Close

Lynels possess the ability to unleash a formidable burst of flames at their discretion. In cases where the Lynel is in close proximity to Link, it will jump backwards to prepare for its fiery attack. Additionally, the beast can emit a deafening roar from its mouth that can obliterate any Zonai Devices that players may employ during the encounter.

Sword and Shield

Many Lynels will carry a sword and shield into battle, allowing them to attack and defend. These types of Lynel will rely heavily on circling and slashing.

Two-Handed Weapon

Halberd

Lynels are equipped with formidable weapons, including large two-handed claymores that enable them to execute devastating spin attacks. These attacks are particularly effective when Link gets too close, as the Lynel can strike its immediate surroundings with great force.

Unlike some Lynels who wield swords, other Lynels prefer to use a halberd or spear-type weapon, allowing them to attack from a distance. These Lynels are also capable of leaping high into the air and creating a fiery shockwave upon slamming back down.

How to Beat Lynels TotK

When facing a Lynel, players should aim for a critical hit to its head in order to make it vulnerable. Once the Lynel drops to its knee, players can take advantage of this opportunity to mount its back and attack multiple times before being thrown off. This method of attacking not only inflicts damage but also preserves the durability of players' weapons.

Using Puffshrooms as a defense mechanism is a clever way to limit a Lynel's sight and avoid detection. Since Lynels are immune to other stun mechanics like freezing or shocking, this strategy can provide players with enough time to strategize their next move or just take a breather. These mushrooms can be easily found throughout The Depths, mostly near the trees' base. Once thrown or attached to arrows, they burst on impact, creating a massive smokescreen of spores.

For players who find themselves struggling against the formidable Lynel, there is a secret weapon in the form of an Ancient Blade. This powerful item allows players to defeat a Lynel instantly with just one strike. However, it should be noted that using the Ancient Blade means missing out on any potential drops from the Lynel, just like with any other non-boss monster. So, players must weigh the risks and rewards before deciding to use this game-changing tool.

How to Get the Lynel Mask in TotK

Players can acquire a Lynel Mask in Tears of the Kingdom by trading Bubbul Gems with an eccentric character named Koltin, similar to how players obtain a hand-crafted Lynel mask in Breath of the Wild. To obtain the helmet, players must collect 38 Bubbul Gems. Once equipped, the Lynel Mask allows players to approach Lynels without fear of immediate attack. However, the intelligent Lynels may eventually detect that Link is not one of their own and engage in combat. In some cases, the Lynel may even target Link's companions before realizing the deception.

TotK Lynel Locations on Hyrule's Surface

There are a total of 15 locations on the surface of Hyrule where Lynels can be encountered. The map and coordinates provided below indicate the minimum level of Lynels that can be found at each spot. As players advance further in the game and their world level increases, they may come across more formidable versions of Lynels, including the powerful Silver Lynel.

Red-Maned Lynel // Lake Illumeni (-3379, 0020, 0092)

Red-Maned Lynel // Tabantha Hills (-2150, 1537, 0218)

Red-Maned Lynel // Lindor's Brow (-2150, 1537, 0218)

Red-Maned Lynel // West Hyrule Plains (-1544, 0127, 0107)

Red-Maned Lynel // North Akkala Valley (3681, 2941, 0028)

Blue-Maned Lynel // Hebra West Summit (-4523, 2675, 0228)

Blue-Maned Lynel // Stalry Plateau (-1541, -2698, 0156)

Blue-Maned Lynel // Nautelle Wetlands (-0568, -3854, 0050)

Blue-Maned Lynel // Harfin Valley (0105, -3379, 0005)

Blue-Maned Lynel // Millennio Sandbar (1993, -0320, 0009)

Blue-Maned Lynel // Rabia Plain (2496, -0538, 0114)

Blue-Maned Lynel // Lanayru Heights (2653, -0927, 0227)

White-Maned Lynel // Risoka Snowfield (-4445, -1001, 0507)

White-Maned Lynel // Kamah Plateau (1472, -3053, 0205)

White-Maned Lynel // Ukuku Plains (3868, 0965, 0248)

TotK Lynel Locations in The Depths

Lynels can also be found in The Depths beneath Hyrule, with a total of 15 locations where they can spawn. The coordinates provided indicate the minimum level of Lynel that can be encountered in each of these areas. It's worth noting that like all monsters in The Depths, Lynels will be Gloom-Wreathed, which means they can deal significant amounts of Gloom Damage to the player.

All Lynels, except for the one under Hyrule Castle and those in the Floating Coliseum, are equipped with durable stone armor that renders them impervious to damage. To defeat these formidable beasts, players must first break away their armor using heavy weapons like hammers or explosives such as Bomb Flowers, time bombs, or cannons. Additionally, players can use the presence of Lynels lurking beneath each Stable (with the exception of Tabantha Bridge Stable) in The Depths to better navigate unexplored areas yet to be illuminated by Lightroots.

White-Maned Lynel // Beneath Hyrule Castle (-0244, 0795, -1090)

Armored Red-Maned Lynel // Mu-ustust Lightroot (-1417, 1271, -0485)

Armored Red-Maned Lynel // Stakijat Lightroot (0254, -1182, -0472)

Armored Blue-Maned Lynel // Kimakarut Lightroot (-2801, -2241, -0482)

Armored Blue-Maned Lynel // U-u-ujoj Lightroot (1564, -3496, -0512)

Armored Blue-Maned Lynel // Anonisik Lightroot (2592, 1152, -0597)

Armored Blue-Maned Lynel // Gedihcayam Lightroot (3150, 1677, -0650)

Armored Blue-Maned Lynel // Ui-ihcoj Lightroot (4227, 2712, -0573)

Armored White-Maned Lynel // Muihcoro Lightroot (-1582, 2514,-0685)

Armored White-Maned Lynel // Kawakanis Lightroot (-1208, 0775, -0555)

Armored White-Maned Lynel // Kohsustu Lightroot (0483, -3464, -0500)

Armored White-Maned Lynel // Uihcoke Lightroot (1020, 1127, -0474)

Armored White-Maned Lynel // Korakut Lightroot (1063, -0288, -0466)

Armored White-Maned Lynel // Sohse Lightroot (1743, -1924, -0463)

Floating Coliseum (-1152, -1263, -0499)

Defeat the five Lynels in the Floating Coliseum in the order of Red-Maned, Blue-Maned, White-Maned, Silver, and Armored Silver to unlock a rare and potent armor piece. Simply approach the chest in the center of the coliseum to initiate a series of challenging 1v1 battles. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is now playable on the Nintendo Switch.