Whilst players are exploring the world of The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom, they're bound to come across Hyrule's plethora of enemies. The game features some truly impressive set pieces, with plenty of deadly boss battles and mini-bosses dotted throughout the land for players to take on. However, there are many other enemies players will come across, on a much more regular basis - some of which are even more difficult than the game's main bosses.
Players will first come across Solider Constructs on the Sky Islands, and whilst they can be a small challenge for poorly equipped players getting to grips with the game, it's clear that Tears Of The Kingdom has plenty more to offer. With various strengths and weaknesses, and differing abilities, some enemies can be more difficult or annoying to take down than others.
5 Lizalfos
Whilst Lizalfos are one of the more common enemy types in Tears Of The Kingdom, they can really trip up players who underestimate them. Lizalfos are incredibly versatile and can be found throughout all of Hyrule. They come in different variations, each with its own unique elemental attacks that often work at a range. Lizalfos are also remarkably quick and can jump around players who misjudge them. Lizalfos are quite intelligent too; they know how important positioning is, and can really mess with players caught off-guard.
Some cheesy fighting techniques won't work against Lizalfos, as they're one of the few enemy types that can swim underwater, making them all the more dangerous to players relying on such techniques. Players who aren't paying attention to their surroundings can find themselves victim to an ambush - Lizalfos are incredibly sneaky and can camouflage with their environment almost anywhere. Despite their low-health and less than intimating demeanor, players would be wise to at least stay on their toes whilst dealing with Lizalfos.
4 Boss Bokoblin
The name may sound a little misleading, but Boss Bokoblins aren't actually bosses. However, they can be a pretty terrifying sight for a player roaming around Hyrule for the first time, due to their towering size and army of Bokoblins, which will no doubt not be far behind. Players can most often find these enemies roaming around Bokoblin Camps, ready to sound their horn at the first sign of intruders.
They have a lot more health, and power, than their smaller Bokoblin counterparts. Earlier in Tears Of The Kingdom, when Link doesn't have many hearts, players need to be especially careful fighting the Boss Bokoblins, as they can wipe Link out in a single hit. The best way to take them out is to deal with their minions first, then the player can focus all of their power into taking out the leader. One of the best points to aim for is its big, pink nose. Whilst relatively simple to beat once players know their way around them, Boss Bokoblins can be a truly threatening encounter for newer players.
3 Gibdo
Gibdos can be found throughout the Gerudo Desert. The first time players encounter them, it might seem like they're unkillable, as they seemingly don't take any sort of damage. This can result in the fight ending pretty quickly. However, Gibdos do have a weakness and can be killed using fire and lightning elements. Players can do this by fusing their weapons with Topaz and Ruby, or attaching a Flame-Emitter to their melee items. Either that, or if they prefer to use a bow, they can fuse elemental items with their arrows to hit them from afar.
Once the Gibdo changes color, players will be able to continue damaging it with their regular weapons. However, this can be pretty difficult to manage if a player is trying to deal with a large group of them, making them particularly dangerous.
2 Gloom Spawn
Players coming across Gloom Spawn (also known as Gloom Hands) for the first time will be in for a really nasty surprise. Mainly dwelling in The Depths, or near pools of Gloom, these terrifying enemies can chase down the player and remove some of Link's hearts permanently by damaging him. The only way players can get these hearts back is by returning to the surface, or consuming a meal made with materials that remove Gloom-effects, such as Sundelions. Sundelions are most commonly found around the Sky Islands, so it's best for players to stock up on some if they're planning on fighting some Gloom Hands.
Due to their unpredictability and incredibly powerful attacks, Gloom Spawn can be one of the most dangerous enemies Link will come across. Whilst it's advisable to avoid these creatures, players can defeat them by aiming for their weak point - their eyes. However, players should be aware that if they don't kill each of the five Hands quickly enough, they will eventually respawn. Another factor that makes the Hands so dangerous, is that it can actually grab Link in its grasp. Players will have to wriggle themselves out to avoid losing all of their hearts.
1 Lynel
The first encounter a player has with a Lynel is certainly always going to be a memorable one. Despite Lynels not being a boss, they're certainly more difficult than a lot of them that players will come across. Lynels are centaur-like creatures, and they have a wide range of attacks that can easily wipe out Link in just a few hits. If players want to take one of these creatures on, they need to come prepared. Players should make sure they have lots of stamina, the best equipment they can find, and plenty of dodging and parrying practice.
The strongest Lynel variant is the Armored Gloom Lynel that can be found in The Depths, as its attacks will permanently take away Link's hearts, making healing during the fight incredibly difficult, without some Gloom-removing meals. Players who are looking to take on this challenge can find it South West of the Kohsustu Lightroot. These Lynels are certainly worth the fight. It's fair enough that the best loot is protected by the most difficult enemies. They will drop all sorts of goodies, such as Lynel Guts and Lynel Hooves, as well as some powerful weapons. Once players can defeat these beasts, they'll know they can take on anything.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available for Nintendo Switch.