Breath Of The Wild, Ranked

Summary

• Breath of the Wild offers a variety of powerful weapons to take on tough enemies, with some weapons excelling in damage and durability.
• Players can strategically use different weapons for different scenarios, like using elemental weapons in specific conditions to gain an advantage.
• Some of the best weapons in the game are rare and require significant effort to obtain, making them highly valuable in tough battles.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a really fun game with a huge open world to explore. There’s so much to do and so many enemies to take on that it can suck the player in. It’s easy to put a ton of time into the game, collecting all the armor and discovering all the secrets. One thing that irritates some players is the fact that the weapons break so quickly. Luckily, there are a ton of other weapons that players can choose from.

Some of these weapons are powerful and awesome, and players will enjoy whacking enemies and bosses with numerous powerful weapons in Breath of the Wild, which are truly in a class of their own. The game’s combat shines when players use a powerful weapon to wreak havoc and take out some of the toughest enemies in this massive open world, and there’s nothing more satisfying than watching these tough enemies be knocked back from the best weapons in BotW after a perfect combo. Since the durability, damage, and usefulness of a weapon’s special traits differ quite a bit in Breath of the Wild, it’s only a given that some of these armaments fare better than others in combat.

Updated on February 3, 2025 by Stephen LaGioia: Breath of the Wild impressed fans with its blend of classic Zelda gameplay and a more cutting-edge approach with truly open-world, dynamic elements that allowed Link to experiment with different items, actions, and physics. This was outdone by the darker, multi-layered sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, which added floating islands and underground regions. Still, this Switch debut continues to shine for its charming gameplay and novel feel, encapsulated by a wide range of cool armor and weapons. With so many of these breakable yet powerful tools at Link’s disposal, it seemed fitting to revisit and flesh out this list, adding a few more of the strongest, most useful weapons.

28

Blizzard Rod

Overwhelm Enemies With This Icy Weapon

Elemental rods can be a bit dicey at times, and often rely on certain circumstances for them to be truly effective. However, this more potent evolution of the Ice Rod, which is found at Herba Peak, can really make an icy impact. Their ability to freeze many foes makes their path great in almost any scenario.

One unique feature with this weapon allows Link to fire off three flurries of ice, rather than the default action of throwing the weapon when pressing ‘R’. Players will want to choose their targets wisely, however, as the Blizzard Rod is particularly fragile. Still, being able to shoot bursts of ice at will can be useful in several ways, especially when wielded near open flames or scorching climates.

27

Bow Of Light

Light The Way To Victory

A staple bow of Zelda for many years, the Bow of Light is a particularly alluring long-range weapon, thanks to its highly impressive strength and infinite durability. It fires infinite Light Arrows and proves to be a terrific beast-slayer.

Unfortunately, it’s a highly exclusive weapon, only given to Link by Princess Zelda a bit before the final battle against Dark Beast Ganon. Still, it’s a great choice in the endgame (it’ll remain in the save file before fighting Calamity Ganon, and there is a glitch that enables use in the post-game), making Link even more powerful.

26

Royal Bow

A Royal Pain For Its Targets

Great bows can be particularly fun to use in Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and this bow of royalty is no exception. Good enough to see another appearance in Tears of the Kingdom, the Royal Bow originated as a gift from King Rhoam to the most talented archers in Hyrule.

This swift, accurate-firing bow unleashes a solid 38 strength and is very durable as well. It can be found in treasure chests or higher-tier enemies on the Tabantha Frontier and in the Hebra Mountains.

25

Forest Dweller’s Sword

A Decently Powerful Sword Forged By Koroks

Unlike most of the other weapons that players can find in Hyrule, the Forest Dweller’s Sword can’t be found just anywhere. Despite the sword looking wooden, its durability is on par with most other mid-range weapons in the game.

The sword is a reliable damage dealer that players can rely on against tougher enemies. However, by the endgame, the Forest Dweller’s Sword does become rather obsolete, which is a shame.

24

Knight’s Broadsword

The Second-Highest Tier Of Weaponry

Once players become powerful enough to challenge most of the enemies in Hyrule without worrying too much about their chances for survival, they’ll find the Knight’s Broadsword to be a perfect weapon to take out most of the pesky enemies. It’s pretty powerful and worth hoarding for Link to use against the toughest enemies he can encounter up till that point.

While some may feel like the Knight’s Broadsword outlives its usefulness after a point, this is only achieved after players reach the endgame. This takes quite some time, and this weapon will prove to be quite reliable until then. Scanning one of the many Link Amiibos will open up a chance to obtain this coveted sword in a treasure chest.

23

Meteor Rod

Unleashes Three Balls Of Fire

The Meteor Rod is an upgraded version of the Fire Rod that shoots out three balls of fire that hit for serious damage. What makes this weapon great is its spread effect and the fact that most enemies will panic and stop attacking if they catch fire.

This means that players can use the Meteor Rod to set enemies ablaze before hitting them with a flurry of attacks without expecting any serious retaliation. It’s a simple weapon, but an effective one regardless. Find this weapon on Meteo Wizzrobes, and, at times, Fire Wizzrobes and Blue Bokoblins.

22

Dragonbone Boko Bat

A Weapon Reinforced With Dragonbone

Most people would assume that weapons carried by Bokoblins aren’t all that powerful, but this changes once more powerful variants of this enemy join the fray. Soon enough, players who take out these enemies will get their hands on the Dragonbone Boko Bat, a powerful (if somewhat fragile) weapon.

Players can use this weapon against a wealth of powerful enemies to turn the tide of battle in a flash, but it’s imperative to avoid relying on this weapon too much. This bat can break at a moment’s notice. Players are better off using it against stronger enemies or during thunderstorms since Link won’t be at risk of being struck by lightning with this wooden bat.

21

Dragonbone Moblin Club

Hits Like A Truck But Is Pretty Fragile

Moblins can be a pain to deal with. Their annoying kicks have the potential to send Link tumbling to his death if the player isn’t careful. This is especially true in the case of tougher Moblins that hit harder and take longer to defeat. However, the weapon they drop is useful.

The Dragonbone Moblin Club is a powerful weapon that hits like a truck and can decimate most enemies in no time. Sure, it may be fragile, but that’s a small price to pay for what is otherwise a wonderful weapon. Players will love to whip it out when they’re up against the ropes and need a big hitter to knock enemies back.

20

Great Thunderblade

A Heavy Thunder-Infused Blade

The elemental weapons in Breath of the Wild can help the player in a myriad of situations. Not only can players use the raw damage of these weapons to strike for some serious damage, but their elemental properties mean that players can wield these weapons in the appropriate conditions to accomplish some great things.

The Great Thunderblade is one such heavy weapon that hits for some serious damage, and its effectiveness is enhanced when players use the weapon during rainy conditions. The fact that this weapon shocks enemies and forces them to drop their weapons makes this Thunderblade a blast to use. Annihilating waves of enemies with this weapon becomes a cinch.

The Thunderblade can be found mainly on the Tabantha Frontier in Hyrule Field. The jutted rocks of Cuho Mountain’s summit also holds one, as does a Black Moblin of the Coliseum Ruins.

19

Great Flameblade

A Massive Blade Imbued With Flame

One notable elemental blade that players can use to great effect in Breath of the Wild is the Great Flameblade. It’s a massive blade wreathed in fire that can set enemies ablaze while also keeping Link toasty if he’s exploring the colder areas of the map. Of course, most people love this weapon for the sheer carnage it can cause the moment players swing their weapon and annihilate most enemies in the game.

There’s something oddly cathartic about many enemies flailing in panic as they realize they’ve been set on fire with a single swing of this weapon. It’s a high-damage elemental blade that can destroy enemies before they have any time to react, making it one of the most effective weapons that players should always have in their arsenal while roaming around the dangerous world of Hyrule.

This fiery weapon can be found at the Ancient Tree Stump, Lomei Labyrinth Island, Eldin Great Skeleton, or the Docks of Hyrule Castle.

18

Mighty Lynel Crusher

The Second Best Two-Handed Lynel Weapon

Lynels are some of the toughest enemies in Breath of the Wild. Players must do everything in their power to ensure that they aren’t taken out by these powerful monsters if they suffer a lapse in focus. These monsters will waste no time in laying waste to Link if they catch him in a vulnerable position. However, players are still encouraged to take out these enemies whenever possible to loot the sweet items they drop.

The second-toughest tier of Lynels can sometimes wield the Mighty Lynel Crusher, which is one of the best two-handed weapons players can get their hands on at that stage in the game. Using this weapon to show enemies whose boss never ceases to be entertaining.

17

Boulder Breaker

Daruk’s Iconic Weapon

Daruk is one of the champions in Breath of the Wild who loses his life when Ganon manipulates the Divine Beasts to accomplish his bidding. He’s a jovial man, and seeing his character in the flashbacks makes it even sadder that he’s succumbed to such a wasteful demise. Regardless, fans can still interact with him while defeating Fireblight Ganon, and Link gets access to this weapon after placating this particular Divine Beast.

The Boulder Breaker is one of the hardest-hitting weapons in the game, capable of smashing ores and sending enemies flying in one fell swoop. It’s a great weapon that players can always reforge after it’s broken, making it one of the most reliable things that players can pluck out in battle if they’re struggling against a particularly tough enemy.

16

Savage Lynel Sword

A Powerful Weapon Wielded By The Game’s Strongest Foe

The Lynels carry some of the best weapons in BotW. This is especially true for certain high-level Lynels that carry the most powerful variants of the weapons this species wields in Breath of the Wild. The Savage Lynel Sword makes a strong case for being the strongest single-handed sword in the entire game.

It hits for a ton of damage and can easily decimate the strongest enemies around. Sure, getting this weapon can be a huge pain, but this struggle is worthwhile just to see enemies falling left and right after a single blow from this powerful blade.

15

Royal Broadsword

A High-Level Heavy Weapon Obtained Later In The Game

The Royal set of weapons is the highest-level set of weapons, wielded by both Silver and Gold variants of enemies in the open world. These weapons look cool and are extremely powerful to boot.

The Royal Broadsword is one such two-handed weapon that can send enemies flying with ease. It might take a while before players get their hands on this weapon, but this wait is more than worth it. Flinging enemies away with this strong weapon is immensely satisfying, even if the drops become more frequent over time.

14

Edge Of Duality

A Sheikah Blade That Hits Like A Truck

The Edge of Duality is easily one of the best two-handed swords in the game. Link can use this Sheikah blade to great effect in battle and decimate most foes with the greatest of ease.

While finding this weapon can be a pain at times due to its inherent rarity, players who end up attaining this weapon should treasure it and use the blade in only the direst combat situation around. The sheer damage of this weapon itself is immense and goes to show why players treasure this weapon for the game’s toughest encounters.

13

Biggoron’s Sword

Can Be Obtained By Scanning The Ocarina Of Time Amiibo

There are many Amiibos that players can collect if they love everything that Nintendo has to offer. Not only are these figurines quite premium, but they also have the added gameplay benefit of providing unique effects and items in certain first-party Nintendo games. Breath of the Wild is no exception to this golden rule, and players who have the Ocarina of Time Amiibo have the chance to spawn a legendary weapon from the series’ past.

The Biggoron Sword is massive, hits like a truck, and is pretty durable to boot. Players must rescue a Divine Beast before the Amiibo starts spawning this weapon, giving players a chance to wield a weapon forged by the Gorons to cleave their enemies into two. It’s easily one of the best weapons in BotW, and players can find this weapon organically in the Depths of Tears of the Kingdom too.

12

Royal Claymore

One Of The Best Two-Handed Weapons In The Game

The Royal weapons that players can find in Breath of the Wild spawn pretty late into the game after players have defeated enough enemies and made sufficient progress in the game. They can often be found on necklaces of Hinoaxes. The weapons that Link can find increase in quality as the game uses hidden parameters to gauge his prowess, eventually letting him collect some of the best BotW weapons that can decimate foes in no time.

The Royal Claymore is one such weapon that looks great in Links’ hands as he wallops enemies to kingdom come. However, players should also be wary of the high-level enemies who wield this weapon and make it a priority to disarm them if they don’t want Link’s hearts to disappear after a single swipe of this sword.

11

Master Sword

Link’s Iconic Sword Recharges Periodically

Of all the weapons in Breath of the Wild, the Master Sword is by far the best. This weapon is a special one because it doesn’t actually break, it just needs to be recharged after being used for a while. But this powerful weapon and its special properties don’t come without some sacrifices.

To get their hands on this iconic weapon, players must make their way through the Lost Woods. After getting through the Lost Woods, Link will find himself in the Korok Forest. There, the Great Deku Tree will talk to Link and, if players have enough hearts, they can take the Master Sword.

10

Savage Lynel Crusher

A Ridiculously Strong Weapon Wielded By Lynels

This two-handed weapon is difficult to obtain, but it’s worth it. This is one of the three Lynel weapons and is the most powerful of them. The Savage Lynel Crusher is dropped by Silver Lynels and White-Maned Lynels, two of the most powerful Lynels in the game.

This weapon has some serious attack power and does quite a bit of damage. If it’s paired with a set of armor like the Barbarian Set, then the damage boost makes it among the best weapons in Breath of the Wild. It’s definitely worth facing off against that White-Maned Lynel to get.

9

Guardian Spear++

A Reward For Beating The Strongest Guardian In Shrine Combat Trials

The Guardian Spear is a tough weapon that hits for serious damage. The highest upgraded variant of this weapon can decimate most enemies with ease while letting Link maintain a healthy distance from his enemies.

Players need to head to tougher combat shrines and battle the tough enemies there to get this weapon. It’s always a great weapon to have in anyone’s arsenal (like most Guardian weapons) and hits harder against the many Guardian enemies in the game. The quick flurries enabled by this weapon make it a ton of fun to use in battle, too!