How to Beat a Lynel in Tears of the Kingdom

Learn how to defeat a Lynel in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Get tips on strategy, weaknesses, and what they drop.

Alright, so you've run into a Lynel in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, huh? Don't sweat it, these guys are tough, but totally beatable. Think of them like a really aggressive, super-powered horse that wants to stomp you into oblivion. They hit hard and they're fast, so going toe-to-toe can be a real challenge, especially if you're still getting the hang of combat. You might find yourself chugging healing items like they're going out of style.

The real trick here is to ditch the direct approach. You want to get the upper hand by being sneaky. Try to sneak up on the Lynel – yeah, like you're hunting a deer, but way more dangerous. Once you're close enough, jump onto its back. It's just like mounting a horse! When you're up there, just mash that attack button as fast as you can. This won't finish the job, but it'll do some serious damage. You'll likely need to do this a couple of times, getting back on the ground in between, to finally take it down.

Pro-tip: if you're finding it hard to sneak up on them, there are food items and armor sets that can boost your stealth. Use 'em! It makes catching that Lynel off guard a whole lot easier.

When you finally manage to defeat one, you'll get some sweet loot:

• Lynel Hoof
• Lynel Mace Horn
• Lynel Saber Horn

These materials are super important for upgrading some of the best armor sets in the game. Plus, Lynels can sometimes drop arrows, which are always handy.