It seems like everything in Hyrule is out to get Link in Zelda: TOTK. You are especially unsafe when those dark clouds roll in, and a thunderstorm rears its ugly head while you are adventuring. In this case, the likelihood of getting zapped by lightning is nigh imminent.
When lightning lands on you in a thunderstorm, a massive explosion deals 14.5 hearts of damage. Link will often die or be left with a sliver of HP, and all his weapons will be knocked off. You can avoid it in several ways and even use it in your favor. Let us find out how you can do that.
Know the Lightning Cues in a Thunderstorm
Before reacting to a lightning strike, you must know how to identify whether it’s about to land. As soon as a thunderstorm kicks in, pay close attention to Link and his surroundings.
When lightning is about to strike, Link will start to emit a faint yellow glow, and any metallic items equipped will sparkle as they charge up. You’ll also hear a low, ominous rumble. The sparkling will get faster by the second; clear signs of lightning is about to strike, and it’s time to act fast.
On the HUD in Zelda: TotK, a weather icon forecasts what’s coming up. If you see a storm cloud, be prepared to react accordingly. If you are on top of these forecasts, you have more time to prepare and a lesser chance of getting struck by lightning.
Remove Metallic Equipment
Metallic items turn Link into a lightning rod in Zelda: TotK, so swap out or unequip metallic weapons, shields, bows, or armor pieces.
You can tell if an item is metal or is attracting lightning by opening your quick swap inventory, and if the equipment is sparking yellow electricity, it means that’s the culprit. You don’t have to drop it; you can simply unequip it until the thunderstorm blows over.
Meanwhile, equip non-metallic items, like wooden or bone-based weapons, and unequip metal gear entirely to prevent Link from getting cooked. If you’re new to the game, stocking up on non-metal gear is handy, especially in areas with frequent thunderstorms. Wooden weapons might not pack the same punch as their metal counterparts, but they’re a lifesaver when the skies turn stormy.
Find Shelter from Thunderstorm
Find safe spots like caves, densely forested areas, or other enclosed spaces like the Stable Inns when a storm starts brewing. These shelters help shield Link from getting struck. If you are not close to anything, quickly fast travel out of dodge and inside some shelter. While you wait out the storm, it is a great time to heal, reorganize your inventory, or plan your next course of action.
Avoid tall structures and trees while out in open areas since they can sometimes draw lightning in the game. Water bodies are also risky, as lightning can spread through water and harm Link even if he’s nearby.
Equip Lightning Proof Armor
There are special gear in Zelda: TotK that will render Link completely lightning-proof. One of which is the Thunder Helm. This isn’t the easiest headgear to acquire, but wearing it will remove the constant worry of getting electrocuted by lightning. Check the video guide below to get your hands on this piece of armor:
The other armor that makes you lightning-proof is the Rubber Armor Set. You must wear all the armor pieces to activate the lightning-proof armor set bonus. This armor can be found in a treasure chest inside the Whistling Hill Cave, Hyrule Field (coordinates ‘0083 – 1117 – 0002’).
Put any of these armor on when you see a thunderstorm, and you will be golden!
Carrying Shock Resistant Elixirs and Food Items
You can create food or elixirs that offer resistance to electricity or shock. While they won’t completely protect you from a direct lightning strike, they can reduce the damage taken and help you survive close calls. Just pop one when you are nearing a looming thunderstorm to cushion the blow from lightning that might hit you.
Keep these items on hand:
- Electro Elixir: Made from mixing Electric Darner or Thunderwing Butterfly, with any Monster Part in a Cooking Pot. It provides low-level resistance to all shock damage sources, including lightning.
- Shock Resistant Food: You can use electricity-based ingredients like Zapshroom, Voltfruit, Electric Safflina, Voltfin Trout, Thunderwing Butterfly, and Electric Darner to cook food items that will give you some shock resistance for some duration.
Pass the In-Game Time
To take control of thunderstorms in-game, try using campfires! Set one up and choose how much time you’d like to pass. This can reset the weather and might even end the storm. If it doesn’t work, don’t worry, change the time again, and you’ll improve your odds of clear skies.
Another option is lodging at a Stable’s Inn. You can spend the time here for a small fee, too. Like with campfires, there’s still a slight chance of thunderstorms on the new day, so consider staying twice or more if you want a better shot at avoiding stormy weather.
Using Lightning Against Enemies
Lightning isn’t just a hazard, it can also be wielded as a weapon in Zelda: TotK. When you are up against a group of enemies while a thunderstorm is brewing, chuck the sparking metallic weapon on your back toward the enemies. The lightning will still be drawn to the weapon, and if luck is on your side, the ensuing lightning strike will obliterate them entirely.
This can be the perfect strategy for dealing a lot of damage to bigger enemies/bosses or taking out a group since the lightning strike has a massive AoE.
The thunderstorms in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom are visually stunning but can be lethal if you are not vigilant and unprepared. The fear of getting struck by lightning can halt your adventure, but with our guide, you can safely roam around Hyrule even in the harshest weather.