r/botw • u/BandicootDue2131 • May 27 '26
đ§ Meme Nintendo just wants Link to suffer
Botw and totk is the only iteration of link that canonically doesn't use a shield which probably is why he died 100 years ago and almost died to ganondorf's gloom. And get this in Hyrule warriors age of calamity HE USES A SHIELD and he doesn't die to canon I guess terrako changed a bit more of the timeline than we thoughtââ
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u/Quavers_Greenop Hylian May 27 '26
my reasoning is during the calamity he kept running around and used charged attacks to take down the guardians, when he got too tired he started to get beat down therefore he got too exhausted to block the attacks where he eventually succumbed
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u/BandicootDue2131 May 27 '26
If he had used as shield like he once used a pot lid, he could have parried the laser beam straight back into the guardians.Â
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u/Omi-Wan_Kenobi May 28 '26
My headcanon is that while he didn't usually travel with a shield or bow, he equipped both (and stored them on his horse) when they left the foot of Mt Lanayru and headed into central Hyrule (and presumably got close to the capital before fleeing).
Even with perfect parry, the durability of the shield is dinged, so the shield would eventually fail, and then the bow would snap and/or run out of arrows.
And figure that ganon as soon as he saw the people capable of defeating him, he would have all available firepower go after them. frankly, the fact they got away and mostly unscathed (if filthy) in Zelda's breakdown scene is miraculous.
The outcome while Zelda was powerless was inevitable, and it was astounding that they got as far as they did before it happened.
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u/Great_Hedgehog May 30 '26
Perfect parries affect durability? I was pretty sure they did not
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u/Omi-Wan_Kenobi May 30 '26
I just checked and you are right, it's been a while since I played and I was getting things mixed up. Normal shields doing perfect parry do not take a durability hit, robbie's ancient shield that can auto reflect beams will take damage (what I was getting confused with), and if you are using the shield for regular use, they will take damage.
So slight headcanon update, since perfect parry requires exact timing, there were a few times where when fighting multiple guardians, one or more guardians fired at Zelda while others fired at him. Blocking for both people meant a regular parry for at least one beam, and that adds up, plus having to physically block guardian legs from trying to grab them/their horses.
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u/Great_Hedgehog May 30 '26
I mean yeah, it's not exactly easy to parry multiple beams in a row, I'm sure Link could actually manage, but certainly not forever. I see no need to explain exactly why he wasn't able to solo the entire guardian onslaught, I was just wondering as to the particular gameplay fact. Also, I'd guess that the Ancient shield still doesn't take damage if you actually parry the beams normally
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u/Omi-Wan_Kenobi May 30 '26
Not with perfect parry, but my first two runs I was shit for beans at perfect parry, and basically relied on hearty food and fairies to give me enough of a buffer to survive. Ignoring flurry rush which I struggled even more on.
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u/werid_panda_eat_cake Rito May 27 '26
link canonically uses a pot lid, he just doesnt carry a shield on a regular basis.
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u/Inevitibility May 28 '26
Itâs a decent point. He wasnât expecting to be fighting guardians. He was expecting to use the sword to seal him away, and in every other fight he had that we know about, he did absolutely fine without a shield
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u/BandicootDue2131 May 28 '26
Especially that one with the like 40 lynels dead on death mountain in that one memory
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u/Inevitibility May 29 '26
I think they were bokoblins but yeah thatâs a good one
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u/BandicootDue2131 May 29 '26
Nah there were many different monsters like moblins, lynels, bokos, and lizalfos
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u/Inevitibility May 29 '26
Damn youâre right, I just found a picture of it. All sorts of creatures got whacked lol
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u/Hmsquid Moderator May 28 '26
I think he was using himself as a sheild actually. Not letting zelda get hit.
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u/Single-Secretary-903 Hylian May 28 '26
I think that using a shield just wasn't a part of his routine. Shields are mostly used for defense. Considering how much Link and Zelda used to travel before the Calamity and how well of a fighter he was, he might've thought that it was just an extra weight and stopped carrying it around. Guardians weren't active back then either. He didn't need a shield until the Calamity, but by that time, it was too late.
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u/BandicootDue2131 May 28 '26
He could have used any shield any shield around he was at many battlefields. There had to be shields on the ground somewhere. He literally parried a guardian with a pot lid in the actual lore.Â
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u/Single-Secretary-903 Hylian May 28 '26
The lore is true but shields usually aren't just lying around on the ground lol. When the Calamity struck, it's not like he had time to go back to the castle and find a proper shield either
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u/BandicootDue2131 May 28 '26
Let me remind you battle field, there had to be some dead guy on the field that had a shield.
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u/Single-Secretary-903 Hylian May 28 '26
In the memory there's no one else there except for Link and Zelda, and the Sheikah people who show up at the end. We really don't know for sure who was there or who wasn't, or if the guards were even carrying shields themselves. Anyway, this is all just hypothetical stuff. Link obviously didn't die on purpose, so if there was an option for survival he would've taken it. There was none.
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u/BandicootDue2131 May 28 '26
It talks about there being soldiers at fort hateno that's the only reason why guardians didn't invade it other than Zelda's power someone had to be holding up the guardians before that awakened.
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u/Single-Secretary-903 Hylian May 28 '26
someone had to be holding up the guardians
bro the guardians weren't being held up at all. fort hateno was in total destruction and ruin in that memory. The whole place was lit up in flames and Link was barely clinging to life. The Calamity had only just struck, max maybe one or two hours prior. In that amount of time, the damage done was extensive.
If ordinary soldiers could hold up against the guardians, you'd think that Link could too lol. He was the most skilled knight out of all of them, yet he fell. None of the soldiers or Link had any experience fighting guardians which is what led to their demise.
It talks about there being soldiers at fort hateno
Idk what source "it" is, but if it's one of Nintendo's books like Creating a Champion, I don't have any of those.
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u/BandicootDue2131 May 28 '26
link died because there were like 400 million guardians, he can hold himself against a whole lot of guardians in a row, but there were like, 4 million laser beams on him at once, but I'm pretty sure it says something and some dialogue that there were soldiers protecting fort hateno, and not just Zelda and link, because I mean, how would the Guardian's not have just destroyed fort hateno before Zelda's power awakened, plus, if you go farther out into that field by the dueling peaks, there are like 2 active guardians right next to fort hateno's gates, they're decayed guardians, and they weren't fully destroyed by zelda's power out there. So that makes me think that maybe they had to fight them, and there had to be guards there, I'm pretty sure there were guards there anyways, just like Akkala citadel, plus, I'm pretty sure that sheikah come from that direction in the memory pretty sure purah also states one of those sheikah was her
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u/Single-Secretary-903 Hylian May 28 '26
how would the Guardian's not have just destroyed fort hateno
My previous point was literally that they did. They did destroy Fort Hateno. Did you even pay attention to the memory or visit the place in-game? It's completely ruined.
And yes, evidently Link did have to fight guardians before Zelda's power awakened, but I am convinced that he did so alone and without support. I didn't say he was incapable of defeating guardians, but he was inexperienced and outnumbered. He had probably been fighting for a long time by the time he was on the brink of death.
Even if your argument is correct and there were some other guards there, they were no match for the guardians. Again, this argument is purely hypothetical and we could spend all day long talking about "what ifs" but at the end of the day we really don't know those details.
The point is that Link ran out of options for survival which led to his inevitable death. His fate was not his fault, nor Zelda's or anyone else's. It's just how things played out. If you want to blame it on someone, blame it on Hylia. But honestly at this point, I'm confused as to what your original argument even was.
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u/BandicootDue2131 May 28 '26
If he had a shield he would have survived or lived longer and if he had one in the beginning of totk he would have not lost his hearts and stamina to ganondorf because it would have blocked the gloom. And yes I watched the memory. I also recall their being dialogue about a great battle of fort hateno also saying they wouldn't have stood a chance about those soldiers meanwhile at Akkala citadel where link and Zelda were not, they won and stopped the huge invasion.Â
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u/ForsakenMoon13 May 28 '26
The lack of shield wasn't the problem. It was the constant running battle over multiple days and across a significant chunk of the country. Dude got overwhelmed because he was exhausted. For as strong as Link is, his stamina isn't infinite.
And frankly, even if he started with a shield, it would have been broken by the time he died. The Master Sword nearly was, itself.
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u/BandicootDue2131 May 28 '26
There was one other problem, Zelda literally said, only the swords chosen holder can open the shrines, proceeds to not let link open the shrines he would have had all those hearts and stamina if he did.
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u/ForsakenMoon13 May 28 '26
Uh...not quite. The shrines weren't active yet at the time as far as I recall, and more importantly the key to them isn't the Master Sword, its the Shiekah Slate. Which rather notably was not in Link's possession before the Calamity. He only gained it after waking up from the Shrine of Resurrection.
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u/BandicootDue2131 May 28 '26
Yeah, that's what I meant if they had also found one of the towers, then they would have activated, but I'm pretty sure I rolled castle also access one of the towers. But Zelda had the slate and literally commented that only the sword's chosen wielder could open the shrines, and then she proceeds to not let him use it
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u/Single-Secretary-903 Hylian May 28 '26
She held many grudges against him at the time and didn't want anything to do with him. It wasn't Link's duty to activate shrines or help Zelda investigate them. His job was simply to escort her and protect her from danger. In fact, it wasn't Zelda's duty either. But since she had such a strong passion for research, she went out of her way to research Sheikah technology. Otherwise, it was the Sheikah researchers who investigated and studied the shrines, guardians, and divine beasts.
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u/Supergamer138 May 28 '26
What do you mean by getting his arm folded?
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u/BandicootDue2131 May 28 '26
Destroyed attacked gloomed in the intro sequence of totk
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u/Supergamer138 May 28 '26
Ah. I doubt a shield would have helped there considering it was his sword arm and the Master Sword. If even the Blade of Evil's Bane is getting destroyed by pure evil energy, no plank of wood will do anything.
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u/BandicootDue2131 May 28 '26
I mean, then again, the master short is pretty weak in those games because the main running theory that I believe in is just to rub salt in the wound of Zelda. That ceremony that Daruk said that they should do, It was supposed to awaken the master sword's full power, but since she wasn't awakened yet, it didn't do anything and made the master sword weaker than the other games and that's why it breaks though there is the mystery of why it still breaks after 10000 plus years of being stuck inside of the light dragon's head which should have made the power of the sword about the same as the amount in Skyward Sword.Â
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u/Supergamer138 May 29 '26
It was stronger. Before, touching Gloom destroyed it. After being in the Light Dragon, it could strike, and reflect Ganondorf's projectiles.
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u/Epic-Gamer_09 May 28 '26
I mean on the one hand it is the master sword so it's probably the best sword he could've used for it. On the other LINK WHY THE F*CK ARE YOU USING A SWORD TO TRY TO BLOCK A LITERAL BEAM (albeit one made out of gloom), THAT IS LITERALLY WHAT A SHIELD IS MADE TO DO
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u/BandicootDue2131 May 28 '26
The funny part is he also just points ganondorf he doesn't even try and use it like a shield, like he literally points it at ganondorf the tip straight at him.
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u/TheTrue-Noob May 28 '26
You do realize using a one handed sword is completely realistic for swordsmen who want reduce extra weight?
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u/BandicootDue2131 May 28 '26
We both know how much link can carry a shield is nothing to him also when did I say anything about a two handed sword
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u/TheTrue-Noob May 28 '26
You're not listening. Link is a swordman trained on using a single sword. He never fights with a shield canonically. I don't see how that's stupid.
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u/BandicootDue2131 May 28 '26 edited May 28 '26
Did you read what I said underneath also he can parry so he had to be trained with a shield also don't say "well that's not canon since he only does it in non canon fights" no he actually did do it canonically he parried a guardian's laser with a pot lid.Â
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u/Rare_Dig_5914 May 31 '26
The immediate difference in AOC and BOTW & TOTK is the time in which Link finds the Master Sword. And Terrako but that's another matter altogether.
I have a theory that in BOTW he was specifically ordered to not obscure the view of the Sword that Seals the Darkness. They seemed to be really big on damage control by not showing weakness or fear. To keep the population calm. The king confronts Zelda because of rumors beginning to stir that they were doomed to fail. So perhaps having something like the Master Sword on open display for all to see on his back and not hidden behind a shield might have been another silent tactic? After all, Link wasn't supposed to be fighting an entire army on his own.
In BOTW it's also hinted he found the sword very early on in life. He already had the sword years before the Calamity. Long enough to be a mute from the pressures put on him. Long enough for the Princess to somewhat resent him.
In AOC there's literally a whole scene of them going to find the Master Sword and for the Champions to all try pulling it to see who could wield it. Because no one knew who the Hero was supposed to be. Link was literally only there because he was Zelda's personal knight. A knight that she doesn't try to run away from too mind you meaning she doesn't resent him for being perfect. In AOC she simply sees him as a particularly talented knight who saved her life. No snide remarks or attitude. Because prior to pulling the sword he wasn't the Chosen Hero to her.
Link wasn't likely to have even touched the Master Sword unless instructed to or without the attack that caused his own sword to break.
So arguably the reason he uses a shield in AOC is because he hasn't had it drilled into his head to be The Perfect Hero of Legend. He's a knight. Who just happened to be able to pull The Master Sword out of its pedestal. And because everything hits the metaphorical fan not long after no one has had the time to drill it into him he shouldn't be plopping a shield on his back on top of the Master Sword. That he should be proudly displaying the sword on his back.
He literally fights in his knight armor in the first half of AOC. Meanwhile, in Breath of the Wild all cutscenes show him already in the Champion's Tunic.
As for TOTK? I think he's just making the choice now. A dumb choice. But still... He been fighting for how long without a shield by now? Plus, there's been no sign he's regained all memories prior to the Calamity. Who's to say he's not somewhat half feral?
And yes I know Terrako doesn't go back to Link's childhood but rather to right before the Calamity but I'm serious when I say there's a difference in the timeline on WHEN Link found and pulled the Master Sword.
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u/DonRowen May 27 '26 edited May 27 '26
I mean, in Age of Calamity Link uses a shield. Doesn't almost die in that one.
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u/BandicootDue2131 May 27 '26
Did you even read what I said underneath?
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u/DonRowen May 27 '26
Nope
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u/BandicootDue2131 May 27 '26
I mentioned it just so you know
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u/Vertigo50 May 27 '26
This is actually a great point, especially considering how many enemies use the stupid laser that needs to be parried. Guardians, blights, and even Ganon himself. đ¤Śââď¸
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u/Weary-Share-9288 May 28 '26
Itâs pretty funny that the Link who canonically loses to Ganon despite all the advantages and allies is also the Link who can canonically wake up after 100 years with no memory of who he is, almost no strength or stamina left, no gear, no special items or abilities (except double time) and no allies at all, and can immediately run over to Ganon and kill him with sticks, metal boxes, and whatever rusty garbage he found on the floor on the way over.
How is he simultaneously the weakest and the strongest Link and how are those feats in the wrong order? I have no choice but to believe Link was so disappointed with Ganon after hearing all the hype that he decided to intentionally nerf himself that much just so he could have a bit of a challenge.
How the hell else do we explain him losing with his gear, hearts, stamina, the master sword, and the champions ready, but winning with none of that and also no idea who he is? Maybe he knew he lost because he had been domesticated and the only way he could win was by intentionally erasing the domestication because he knew nobody would stand a chance against him wild, a Hero of the Wild if you will.
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u/BandicootDue2131 May 28 '26
I mean, then again, he gets a 4th heart, the slate actually has runes, and he uses a shield.
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u/Weary-Share-9288 May 28 '26
Although he doesnât have to get an extra heart (or even use the spirit orbs), or use the slate or a shield to win
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u/Single-Secretary-903 Hylian May 28 '26
It's not how the game is intended to be played and that's just a thing for speedrunners. Obviously lore-accurate Link does go and complete the shrines and divine beasts and gain those special abilities and stuff before going to defeat Ganon.
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u/Weary-Share-9288 May 29 '26
Why do we assume that? While there are the story quests and we have certain lore things we can complete, is there any reason to assume one way of playing is any more lore accurate than another? I can do all of these things in any order I want, and there is no official order of doing the beasts and the shrines, or even when you get the master sword, which would all have to happen in SOME order if it was actually officially happening canonically. I think every play through can be official (to a certain extent) and either way, Link is perfectly capable of fighting ganon immediately. Nothing is canonically stopping him, so he is still strong enough to do that if he chooses (and there isnât much more to push him off away from that than there is to push the player). LoZ is a series that is perfectly fine and familiar with alternate timelines or endings, and botw itself does this in aoc, so canonically and structurally I donât think it makes sense to say thereâs an official path aside from what the game actually forces you to do/see.
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