Enemies run rampant in Hyrule after the Great Calamity, terrorizing travelers in formations from small camps to massive colonies. They are Link's most common obstacle that he must overcome in his quest, either through stealth or combat. Enemies in this game come in a variety of forms, from intelligent humanoid beasts to hostile ancient machines.
Blood Moon[edit]
Any enemies you vanquish stay dead if you revisit the area afterward. However, every so often Ganon's dark magic will spread across the land in an event called the Blood Moon, resurrecting all of your fallen foes. On the night of the Blood Moon, you will see a full moon glowing a bright red, and the atmosphere becomes sinister, before the Blood Moon officially occurs at midnight. Blood Moons aren't all bad, as they also respawn most overworld chests and items, while enhancing any food and elixirs you cook on a Blood Moon night.
Enemy levels[edit]
Most enemies have various levels of danger denoted by their skin color. In ascending order of difficulty, these are red, blue, black, silver, and gold (DLC only). Higher leveled enemies have more health, deal more damage and have more advanced combat tactics, but drop more valuable items when killed. Enemies will get steadily stronger as you progress through the game. You will mainly encounter red enemies early on with rare blue and black enemies sprinkled in, but by the end of the game silver (and gold if you have the DLC) enemies are commonplace. However, some areas have enemies locked at a constant level, such as the Bokoblins and Moblins of the Great Plateau and around Dueling Peaks.
An enemy's difficulty also depends on the quality of their gear. A Black Bokoblin with a Royal Broadsword is going to do a lot more damage than the same Black Bokoblin holding a simple Boko Bat. Monster weapons scale differently depending on the region; in some places you'll see Black Moblins wielding simple clubs, other times you must fight elite Lizalfos with lethal boomerangs.
Monster loot[edit]
Upon killing a monster, they will often drop monster parts, as well as any weapon they were using to fight. Monster parts don't have any immediate purpose, but they have a lot of uses for recipes and equipment. The main use of monster parts are for elixirs, with the quality of parts used for elixirs determining the strength and duration of the elixir you produce. Certain parts are also needed to enhance your gear or dye them in select locations, or to complete some sidequests. Low leveled enemies usually drop horns and claws, while higher leveled enemies may drop their guts, the rarest type of monster part. Silver enemies may even drop gemstones when defeated.
In addition to individual monster loot, there are also treasure you can get from pillaging enemy camps. Any large monster encampment is a good sign that they are guarding valuable treasure, whether it's powerful weaponry or pricey gems. There is a certain type of chest that only unlocks when you defeat every monster in that camp, denoted by a skull-like shape and glowing purple eyes. Items you get from treasure chests don't scale with the enemy's strengths, so they are much more valuable to steal early in the game than later on when you're much stronger.
Elemental affinities[edit]
Certain enemeis can be empowered with one of three elements: fire, electricity, or ice. Fire enemies can burn away your wooden gear with their attacks, while ice enemies can freeze you, making you vulnerable to other enemies. These two enemy types are weak to the opposite elements and will die in one hit to said elemental attacks; fire enemies crumble from ice attacks and ice enemies get vaporized by fire. Electric enemies have no elemental weaknesses and they can make you drop your weapons with a stunning shock, and they only get stronger around water and in the rain. Fortunately, you can cook items or wear gear to reduce damage or become outright immune to specific elemental attacks.
Monster species[edit]
Chuchus[edit]
| Name | HP (Small) | HP (Medium) | HP (Large) | Rank | Common Locations | Item Drops |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chuchu | 3 | 20 | 48 | 1 | Hyrule Field, West Necluda | Chuchu Jelly |
| Fire Chuchu | 12 | 20 | 48 | 1 | Eldin Canyon, Eldin Mountains | Red Chuchu Jelly |
| Ice Chuchu | 12 | 20 | 48 | 1 | Hebra Mountains, Gerudo Highlands | White Chuchu Jelly |
| Electric Chuchu | 12 | 20 | 48 | 1 | Gerudo Highlands, East Necluda | Yellow Chuchu Jelly |
- Strategy
Chuchus exist in three sizes (small, medium, large) though they pose little to no challenge. These enemies are mere nuisances. They are weak, slow and can usually only sustain a single hit. The only problem you may face while fighting them is if they are elemental. When they hit you, they will infuse you with their element, and when they die, they will explode in a sphere of their element. To avoid said blast, either take them out with an arrow, or use a long weapon such as a spear. Remote bombs also work well. When Chuchus die, they drop the jelly of their element. This jelly is very useful, as it can reproduce the very same explosion that Chuchus employ when they die if the jelly is attacked. You can use the red jelly to start fires, the normal jelly to extinguish fires, freeze enemies with white jelly, or electrocute enemies with yellow jelly. Note that normal Chuchu jelly can be transformed into any other type of Chuchu jelly if exposed to the corresponding element.
Keese[edit]
| Name | HP | Rank | Common Locations | Item Drops |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keese | 1 | 2 | Hyrule Field, East Necluda | Keese Wing, Keese Eyeball |
| Fire Keese | 1 | 2 | Eldin Canyon, Eldin Mountains | Fire Keese Wing, Keese Eyeball |
| Ice Keese | 1 | 2 | Hebra Mountains, Gerudo Highlands | Ice Keese Wing, Keese Eyeball |
| Electric Keese | 1 | 2 | Lanayaru Great Spring, East Necluda | Electric Keese Wing, Keese Eyeball |
- Strategy
Though the species look nothing alike, Keese are effectively flying Chuchus. They pose little threat on their own; however, they can be hard to hit as they can fly. The easiest way to eliminate them is by locking on to them and striking once they get within range. Against the elemental versions, which can burn, freeze, and electrify you, the best tactic is to use a weapon with reach to remain unscathed. Occasionally during your travels, swarms of Keese will swoop down from the skies to attack you. Despite their large numbers, these swarms pose little threat. Have a bomb ready for when they fly in your direction; you can throw it at the center of the swarm to take them all out in one go. This is an easy strategy to amass large quantities of Keese wings and eyeballs quickly.
Octoroks[edit]
| Name | HP | Rank | Common Locations | Item Drops |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Octorok | 8 | 5 | West Necluda, Hyrule Field | Octorok Tentacle, Octo Balloon, Octorok Eyeball |
| Forest Octorok | 8 | 5 | Hyrule Ridge, Deep Akkala | Octorok Tentacle, Octo Balloon, Octorok Eyeball |
| Rock Octorok | 8 | 5 | Eldin Canyon, Gerudo Highlands | Octorok Tentacle, Octo Balloon, Octorok Eyeball |
| Snow Octorok | 8 | 5 | Gerudo Highlands, Tabantha Frontier | Octorok Tentacle, Octo Balloon, Octorok Eyeball |
| Treasure Octorok | 8 | 5 | Gerudo Highlands, Gerudo Desert | Octorok Tentacle, Octo Balloon, Octorok Eyeball, Rupees (green to silver) |
- Strategy
Octoroks are octopus-like creatures that briefly jump out of the water of the ground to spit a rock at you, then dive back into their hidey-hole. They are very weak, and will perish to virtually any attack. However, hitting them with a melee attack can prove a little difficult. Arrows and bombs are usually the best tactic for hitting them in the brief window available. One creative way to defeat them is to use their own projectiles against them. Hold your shield aloft to automatically knock the rock back at the Octorok. If they're a little farther away, perfect block with 
to send the rock back at an even greater speed. Treasure Octoroks act a little differently than normal Octoroks. If you see a treasure chest lying in the sand in the Gerudo Desert or Gerudo Highlands, stay wary. It could very well be a Treasure Octorok in disguise, lying in wait for you or some other hapless traveler to come up to them. An easy way to tell if the chest is real or a decoy, equip your Magnesis rune and look at the chest. If it's really a Treasure Octorok, it will not be able to be picked up. All Octoroks have one thing in common; they drop Octo Balloons when killed. These useful items can be attacked to heavy items to lift them. It's always handy to keep many Octo Balloons on hand, as they can simplify many puzzles and rid paths of obstructions that cannot be moved with Magnesis.
Wizzrobes[edit]
| Name | HP | Rank | Common Locations | Item Drops |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Wizzrobe | 150 (Weak to ice) | 10 | Hyrule Field, Great Hyrule Forest | Fire Rod |
| Ice Wizzrobe | 150 (Weak to fire) | 10 | Gerudo Highlands, Hyrule Field | Ice Rod |
| Electric Wizzrobe | 150 | 10 | Hyrule Ridge, West Necluda | Lightning Rod |
| Meteo Wizzrobe | 300 (Weak to ice) | 18 | Hyrule Field, Eldin Canyon | Meteor Rod |
| Blizzrobe | 300 (Weak to fire) | 18 | Hyrule Field, Hebra Mountains | Blizzard Rod |
| Thunder Wizzrobe | 300 | 18 | Hyrule Field, Tabantha Frontier | Thunderstorm Rod |
- Strategy
Wizzrobes can be very dangerous opponents. They walk on the air, a few meters above the ground, and vanish for a few seconds once they spot you, making them very elusive. They can attack you with a rain of projectiles, and summon Keese and Chuchus of their element to assist them in battle. Ideally, your best option is to take them out before they notice Link. If this is not possible, then speed is key. Fire and Meteo Wizzrobes can be killed instantly with an ice arrow, while Ice Wizzrobes and Blizzrobes can be killed with a single fire arrow. Electric and Thunder Wizzrobes can be troublesome as they have no environmental weakness, your best bet is to just attack with your strongest bow. If you are able to get below a Wizzrobe, a spear has enough reach to attack and follow up with a flurry of strikes, allowing you to deal a large amount of damage very quickly. You can also knock down Wizzrobes by shooting them in the head with an arrow, before finishing them with melee attacks.
Bokoblins[edit]
| Name | HP | Rank | Common Locations | Item Drops |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bokoblin | 13 | 6 | Great Plateau, Hyrule Field | Bokoblin Horn, Bokoblin Fang |
| Blue Bokoblin | 72 | 12 | Gerudo Highlands, Gerudo Desert | Bokoblin Horn, Bokoblin Fang, Bokoblin Guts |
| Black Bokoblin | 240 | 20 | Hyrule Field, Gerudo Highlands | Bokoblin Horn, Bokoblin Fang, Bokoblin Guts |
| Stalkoblin | 1 | 12 | Hyrule Field, Great Hyrule Forest | Bokoblin Horn, Bokoblin Fang |
| Silver Bokoblin | 720 | 30 | Greater Hyrule | Bokoblin Horn, Bokoblin Fang, Bokoblin Guts, Amber, Opal, Topaz, Ruby, Sapphire, Diamond |
- Strategy
Bokoblins are very basic enemies with a basic strategy. When alerted to your presence, they will grab the closest weapon to them and attack at close range. If you are above them, however, the Bokoblins will throw rocks at you, dealing small amounts of damage. The Bokoblin's most dangerous attack, however, is its charged attack; the Bokoblin will attack, and if it hits, it will do a large amount of damage. This can be countered with a block if you are unable to dodge.
Moblins[edit]
| Name | HP | Rank | Common Locations | Item Drops |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moblin | 56 | 12 | Hyrule Field, East Necluda | Moblin Horn, Moblin Fang |
| Blue Moblin | 144 | 24 | Hyrule Field, Deep Akkala | Moblin Horn, Moblin Fang, Moblin Guts |
| Black Moblin | 360 | 28 | Hyrule Field, Eldin Canyon | Moblin Horn, Moblin Fang, Moblin Guts |
| Stalmoblin | 2 | 24 | Great Hyrule Forest, Gerudo Highlands | Moblin Horn, Moblin Fang |
| Silver Moblin | 1,080 | 34 | Greater Hyrule | Moblin Horn, Moblin Fang, Moblin Guts, Amber, Opal, Topaz, Ruby, Sapphire, Diamond |
- Strategy
Moblins are similar to Bokoblins, they just have greater reach and power due to their reach and height. They are very slow and clumsy, and use very basic attacks. Try to perfect dodge their strikes to counter and defeat them. Because Moblins are so slow, they are susceptible to charged attacks. If you perform a charged attack with a two-handed weapon in the middle of a group of Moblins, the spinning attack can decimate the entire group. Your weapon will obviously lose a lot of durability as a consequence, but this is an easy way to remove entire groups at once.
Lizalfos[edit]
| Name | HP | Rank | Common Locations | Item Drops |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lizalfos | 50 | 10 | Lanayaru Great Spring, Gerudo Desert | Lizalfos Horn, Lizalfos Talon |
| Blue Lizalfos | 120 | 22 | Tabantha Frontier, Gerudo Desert | Lizalfos Horn, Lizalfos Talon, Lizalfos Tail |
| Black Lizalfos | 288 | 26 | Hyrule Field, Hebra Mountains | Lizalfos Horn, Lizalfos Talon, Lizalfos Tail |
| Stalizalfos | 1 | 22 | Gerudo Desert, Hyrule Ridge | Lizalfos Horn, Lizalfos Talon |
| Fire-Breath Lizalfos | 160 (Weak to ice) | 26 | Eldin Canyon, Gerudo Desert | Lizalfos Horn, Lizalfos Talon, Red Lizalfos Tail |
| Ice-Breath Lizalfos | 288 (Weak to fire) | 26 | Gerudo Highlands, Hebra Mountains | Lizalfos Horn, Lizalfos Talon, Icy Lizalfos Tail |
| Electric Lizalfos | 288 | 26 | Gerudo Desert, Hyrule Ridge | Lizalfos Horn, Lizalfos Talon, Yellow Lizalfos Talon |
| Silver Lizalfos | 864 | 32 | Greater Hyrule | Lizalfos Horn, Lizalfos Talon, Lizalfos Tail, Amber, Opal, Topaz, Ruby, Sapphire, Diamond |
- Strategy
The Lizalfos is a very agile opponent. They dash towards you to attack, then withdraw, giving you little time to attack with melee blows. The best strategy for defeating a Lizalfos is letting is attack, and then blocking and counter-attacking. The Lizalfos also has a weak spot: its horn. If you hit a Lizalfos's horn with an arrow, you will cause critical damage and knock the Lizalfos down. If you hit an Electric Lizalfos on the horn, this will also create a spherical blast around the Lizalfos. In close proximity, a multi-arrow bow can cause enormous amounts of damage, and make it easy to follow up with a melee combo.
Yiga Clan[edit]
| Name | HP | Rank | Common Locations | Item Drops |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yiga Footsoldier | 64 (The melee variant of Yiga Footsoldiers has 72 HP) | 12 | Karusa Valley, surprise attacks in various locations | Rupees (Green, Blue, Red, Purple), Mighty Bananas |
| Yiga Blademaster | 400 | 22 | Surprise Attacks in various locations | Amber, Opal, Topaz, Ruby, Sapphire, Mighty Bananas |
- Strategy
Most Yiga Footsoldiers are predictable as they have only one attack; they warp into the air and fire an arrow at Link. They can be a little hard to follow, but they have audio clues that betray their location. After their attack, they land on the ground directly below where they shot an arrow at you. Therefore your best plan of attack is to run towards them as they are in the air, and then hit with a flurry of melee attacks as they touch down on the ground. Occasionally, you will fight a Yiga Footsoldier that can use a melee attack. These are usually disguised as travelers on the side of the road that mention a few words about Yiga Clan before fighting Link. Blademasters are significantly more dangerous as they can receive a large amount of hits while also dealing out some of their own. They regularly unleash a swift beam that can hit you from afar; when they raise their weapons above their head, side hop to avoid the blast. Their most effective attack, however, is when a small crater appears beneath Link's feet, and follows him around. After a few seconds, a rock spike is thrusted from the ground, damaging Link and knocking him down if he is nearby. The best way to avoid this is leap straight up and open your paraglider, while letting the updraft carry you up into the sky. You can then glide to the Yiga Blademaster to launch your own attack.