By Kallie Plagge on Mar 22, 2017 12:18 am
Combat in Mass Effect: Andromeda is a bit different from the previous games in the Mass Effect series. You're more vertical thanks to the jump-jets, you have less control over your squadmates, and classes aren't really a thing anymore. You also have more flexibility in how you invest your skill points and then use those skills, but it can be a little tricky to parse through all the options. Here's what you need to know to make the most of your skills in Andromeda. Mass Effect: Andromeda is out now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One; read our full review. For more on Andromeda, you can check out our behind-the-scenes documentary (don't forget to watch part two). We also have a beginner's guide with general tips.
The Basics
From the skills screen, you can acquire and equip powers for Ryder and level up your squadmates. Skills are broken up into active powers that you equip into a loadout and passive abilities that you don't equip. You can have three active powers equipped at a time. Note that you can't choose which skills your squadmates use during combat, but you can choose which skills to invest in first. There are three skill categories to choose from: combat, biotics, and tech. You can spend points on skills in any of the categories--there are no class restrictions, so you can try all sorts of combinations. While you'll be able to unlock every skill, you won't be able to fully upgrade all of them. You can preview the specific upgrades for each skill before you spend points. Powers are mapped to the bumpers on a controller and the number keys 1, 2, and 3 by default on PC. If you aren't sure which powers are mapped to what, check the icons at the bottom right of your HUD. There, you'll also be able to check whether your powers are currently recharging and therefore unavailable; most powers have a cooldown. You can also see the cooldown meters while aiming. (Note: The combined weight of your weapon loadout determines the length of your skills' cooldowns. The heavier your loadout, the longer skills take to recharge. Equip lighter weapons or invest in skills that improve recharge times.) Powers that don't have recharge times instead require power cells to use. You can get power cells from supply caches or forward stations.
Combat Skills
Combat skills aid with more guns-blazing playstyles. Options include grenade powers and passive abilities that increase your proficiency with different types of weapons. One notable skill is Combat Fitness, a passive that will give you extra weapon holsters if you invest enough points in it. It can also be upgraded to give you more carrying capacity, which will help keep your power cooldown times down. If you like carrying a greater variety of weapons, this is the skill to focus on; however, you need to have nine points invested elsewhere in the combat tree to gain access to it. Another useful combat skill--especially if you're a more traditional shooter player--is the Omni Grenade, which can be upgraded to sticky or frag grenades, among other things.
Biotic Skills
Biotic skills are sort of like a space version of the mage class in fantasy RPGs; they allow you to manipulate gravity and energy physics to shield yourself and punish your enemies. A lot of biotic skills are good for long-range combat and concentrated area-of-effect damage. You can pair the Pull power with Throw to bring an enemy in close to you before sending them flying; this can cause a lot of damage. You also don't have to invest too many skill points to pull it off, making it a good early-game loadout (paired with a third skill of your choosing) if you're into biotics.
Tech Skills
Tech skills are focused on elemental and, well, technical abilities. Powers include turrets as well as fire-, electricity-, and freeze-based attacks; passives help boost the duration and power of tech-based skill. A lot of tech skills are primers for combos--see the combos slide for more details. If you like incinerating your enemies, the Flamethrower power is for you. It's good for causing ongoing burn damage against armored enemies and groups and pairs well with the biotic Singularity. Tactical cloak allows you briefly become invisible, which can be used for both last second escapes and sneaking in closer for shotgun or melee attacks.
Profiles
In addition to skills, you can also select profiles that provide additional buffs. Again, profiles don't lock you into certain skill trees but they do provide bonuses to specific kinds of combat styles, so pick one that fits and benefits yours best. For example, the Soldier profile gives percentage bonuses to combat-related things like weapon damage; Engineer boosts offensive and defensive tech abilities; and Adept aids with biotic skills. As you invest more skill points in the applicable categories, you'll unlock new profiles and rank up. You can swap profiles at any time.
Bonus Abilities
Each profile also grants a unique bonus abilities separate from skills; you might miss them, since they're only mentioned at the very bottom of each profile's description. Engineer gives you a combat drone, for example, and Vanguard allows you to restore shields with melee attacks, in addition to replacing your jump-jet dodging with biotics. You have plenty of freedom to experiment, so try each of the profiles to see what works best for you.
Combos
On top of combining certain skills like Pull and Throw, you can also pull off official combos, which set up explosions. The combo types are: fire, cryo (freeze), tech (electrical stun), and biotic (extreme force). You need primers (in the form of certain skills) to set up combos. Early-game primers include Charge in the biotic tree and Incinerate in tech. Read the descriptions to see which skills are primers. To execute the combo once an enemy has been hit with a primer, you need a detonator skill. Any detonator will work; the kind of combo you get is based on the primer you used. Early-game detonators include Concussive Shot in the combat tree, Throw in biotics, and Overload in tech. Many powers can be upgraded to become primers, detonators, or both, so keep that in mind when purchasing skills and planning your loadouts.
Favoriting A Loadout
Once you've experimented with skills and found combinations you like, you can set that loadout--profile and all--as a favorite from either the skills or profiles menu. You can have up to four favorite skill loadouts at once, and you can swap them on the fly from the weapon wheel during combat. Note that switching to a different loadout will pause the skills on cooldown, so it's not like you can constantly switch to avoid recharging skills.
How To Respec
If you're unhappy with how you spent your skill points, you can head to the Tempest's medbay to respec for a small fee. That also means that you can experiment with a lot of different skills, since you're not locked into what you choose.
By Michael Higham on Mar 21, 2017 11:30 pm
The Box and Controller
The Box and Controller
There's a fine line between nostalgia and practicality when it comes to peripherals that pay tribute to past generations. The Hyperkin X91, branded as a "90's style" gamepad, goes beyond novelty by being a fully functional wired USB controller for Xbox One and PC. Let's run down our impressions of the X91 after extended use.
Controller Face
Controller Face
Despite being a small, retro-like controller, the X91 features two joysticks, a D-pad, and four face buttons plus start/select, which reflects the Xbox One interface. A bright white LED sits at the center to indicate that the controller is on and the Xbox home button sits above.
Face Buttons
Face Buttons
The A, B, X, Y face buttons are slightly smaller than the normal Xbox One controller, but it's not entirely noticeable. The buttons on the X91 have a distinct click and feel more responsive than the original controller.
Joysticks and D-pad
Joysticks and D-pad
Both joysticks on the X91 have the full range of motion of larger controllers and protrude out of the face just the same. One difference is that the sticks feel a bit more stiff to move out of its dead zone compared to the normal Xbox One's. Though it lacks a tactile click, the D-pad is soft and responsive which we prefer.
Triggers and Bumpers
Triggers and Bumpers
The left and right bumpers on the X91 are actually an improvement over the normal controllers. Actuation of the bumpers is more consistent with a soft, yet tactile feel and offers more surface area. However, the stiff left and right triggers fall short of matching the quality of Microsoft's official controllers. They are initially soft to depress, but get progressively resistant as they bottom out. It feels like you're fighting with a piece of foam that's stuck inside the triggers.
Back of the Controller
Back of the Controller
With this being a compact throwback controller, it ditches the modern full-hand grips, which can make holding it tricky. It's also slightly harder to make precise movements with the sticks since the controller is difficult to hold completely steady. There are deep grooves to help your fingers grip underneath the controller, but it's an overall compromise with the retro-ergonomic design.
Cord
Cord
Unfortunately, the X91's cord is thick and uses a heavy rubber casing, which is a curious design choice. Wired controllers are better off with a braided cable to avoid kinks and tangling. The weight of the cable also hampers ergonomics as it anchors the otherwise lightweight controller downward. You can try to mitigate this issue by resting it on a surface that's at the same height as your hands.
Audio Jack
Audio Jack
A convenient 3.5mm audio jack for headphones and earbuds lies under the controller.
Dimensions
Dimensions
The X91 measures at about 5.8 inches wide, 2.8 inches tall, and 1.9 inches deep.
Overall Experience
Overall Experience
After spending hours using the Hyperkin X91 with several games, we feel that it works great in many cases. Any game that doesn't require precise aim or a series of quick reactions may benefit from a light, compact controller. Castle Crashers and Shovel Knight were a great fit and it worked well for a quick match of Rocket League. However, precision is important for more serious matches and it's ultimately not the best choice for comfort and accuracy as we felt when playing Doom. The Hyperkin X91 functions well overall and does some things better than regular controllers--D-pad and bumpers--but its form isn't ideal for every situation. It's available now for around $30 from several retailers. GameSpot was provided with the controller courtesy of Hyperkin.
By Mat Elfring on Mar 21, 2017 04:20 am
One of the coolest things about the Power Rangers franchise is the Megazords: the giant robots the heroes enter to fight evil giant monsters. With the new Power Rangers movie coming to theaters on March 24, we're taking a look at all the Megazords throughout the series, in chronological order. We're skipping out on the individual zords and focusing on the primary megazord combinations for each season. Check them out.
Megazord
While the Battle Mode is pictured, this zord could also transform into Tank Mode. Appearances: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Seasons 1-2
Mega Dragonzord
When the Megazord combines with the Dragonzord, it turns into the Mega Dragonzord, which usually just fires a single weapon at its opponent, destroying it. In addition, there is also a battle version. Appearances: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Seasons 1-2
Thunder Megazord
Appearances: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Seasons 2-3
Mega Tigerzord
This was a combination of the Thunder Megazord and the White Tiger Zord. Appearances: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Seasons 2-3
Ninja Megazord
Appearances: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 3 and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie.
Ninja MegaFalconzord
Appearances: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 3 and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie.
Shogun Megazord
Appearances: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 3
Zeo Megazord
This Megazord has interchangeable heads, each with its own special ability. Appearances: Power Rangers Zeo [Season 4 of the series]
Zeo Mega Battlezord
This Megazord is a combination of the Zeo Megazord and the Red Battlezord. Appearances: Power Rangers Zeo [Season 4 of the series]
Super Zeo Megazord
Appearances: Power Rangers Zeo [Season 4 of the series]
Turbo Megazord
Appearances: Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie, Power Rangers: Turbo [Season 5 of the series]
Rescue Megazord
Appearances: Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie, Power Rangers: Turbo [Season 5 of the series]
Astro Megazord
Appearances: Power Rangers in Space [Season 6 of the series]
Mega Voyager
Appearances: Power Rangers in Space [Season 6 of the series]
Astro Delta Megazord
This Zord is formed when the Astro Megazord and the Delta Megazord combine. Appearances: Power Rangers in Space [Season 6 of the series]
Galaxy Megazord
Appearances: Power Rangers Lost Galaxy and Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue [Season 7 and 8 of the series]
Lightspeed Megazord
Appearances: Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue [Season 8 of the series]
Supertrain Megazord
Appearances: Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue [Season 8 of the series]
Time Force Megazord
Appearances: Power Rangers Time Force [Season 9 of the series]
Wild Force Megazord
Appearances: Power Rangers Wild Force [Season 10 of the series]
Storm Megazord
Appearances: Power Rangers Ninja Storm [Season 11 of the series]
Thundersaurus Megazord
Appearances: Power Rangers Dino Charge [Season 12 of the series]
Delta Squad Megazord
Appearances: Power Rangers SPD [Season 13 of the series]
Titan Megazord
Appearances: Power Rangers Mystic Force [Season 14 of the series]
DriveMax Megazord
Appearances: Power Rangers Operation Overdrive [Season 15 of the series]
Jungle Pride Megazord
Appearances: Power Rangers Jungle Fury [Season 16 of the series]
High Octane Megazord
Appearances: Power Rangers RPM [Season 17 of the series]
Samurai Megazord
Appearances: Power Rangers Samurai and Power Rangers Super Samurai [Seasons 18 and 19 of the series]
Gosei Great Megazord
Appearances: Power Rangers Megaforce and Power Rangers Super Megaforce [Seasons 20 and 21 of the series]
Legendary Megazord
Appearances: Power Rangers Super Megaforce [Season 21 of the series]
Dino Charge Megazord
Appearances: Power Rangers Dino Charge and Power Rangers Dino Super Charge [Season 22 and 23 of the series]
Ninja Steel Megazord
Appearances: Power Rangers Ninja Steel [Season 24 of the series]
By Matt Espineli on Mar 21, 2017 03:37 am
Exclusives.exe
Thanks to all the independent developers set to launch their projects on Steam, the PC will get hundreds of platform exclusives this year. Rounding them up would prove unwieldy, so we've narrowed the field down to this list of some of the high-profiles games. Click ahead to check out a selection of some of the PC exclusives coming in 2017. Be sure to check back often as we update this gallery with more games and release dates as they're confirmed.
Conan Exiles
Conan Exiles is an open-world survival game set in the universe of Conan the Barbarian. Developer: Funcom | Release Date: January 31 (Early Access) | Watch the Trailer
Warhammer 40,000: Space Wolf (Early Access)
Warhammer 40,000: Space Wolf is a turn-based tactical card game that follows the exploits of the Space Wolf faction of the Space Marines. Developer: Herocraft | Release Date: February 16 (Early Access) | Watch the Trailer
Routine
Routine is a first-person survival-horror game set on an abandoned space station that evokes the atmospheric qualities of late '70s sci-fi films. Developer: Lunar Software | Release Date: March 2017 | Watch the Trailer
Agony
Agony is a first-person horror game that forces you to survive the depths of Hell. Developer: Madmind Studio | Release Date: Q2 2017 | Watch the Trailer
Hello Neighbor
Hello Neighbor is a stealth horror game where you sneak into your neighbor's house and try to uncover the dark secrets inside. Developer: Dynamic Pixels | Release Date: Summer 2017 | Watch the Trailer
The Bard's Tale IV
The Bard's Tale IV is the latest entry in the iconic dungeon crawler series. You play as a Bard on a quest to save the land from dark forces. Developer: inXile Entertainment | Release Date: October 2017 | Watch the Trailer
Dauntless
Dauntless is a third-person action game that puts you in the role of hunter tasked with taking down Behemoths. Developer: Phoenix Labs | Release Date: Q4 2017 | Watch the Trailer
Abandon Ship
Abandon Ship is a strategy game where you command a ship and its crew, exploring a procedurally generated world while engaging enemy fleets. Developer: Fireblade Software | Release Date: TBA 2017 | Watch the Trailer
A Hat in Time
A Hat in Time is a colorful 3D platformer inspired by classic games in the genre, such as Banjo-Kazooie and Super Mario 64. Developer: Gears for Breakfast | Release Date: TBA 2017 | Watch the Trailer
Aquanox: Deep Descent
Aquanox: Deep Descent is a first-person shooter where you control a submarine through undersea caverns in the dystopian world of Aqua. Developer: Digital Arrow | Release Date: TBA 2017 | Watch the Trailer
Arktika.1
ARKTIKA.1 is a first-person VR shooter designed by 4A Games, the studio behind the well-received Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light. Developer: 4A Games | Release Date: TBA 2017 | Watch the Trailer
Chuchel
Chuchel is a puzzle game developed by Jaromir Plachy & Amanita Design, the creators of Botanicula, Machinarium, and Samorost. Developer: Amanita Design | Release Date: TBA 2017
Divinity: Original Sin II
Divinity: Original Sin II expands upon its critically acclaimed predecessor by introducing new elemental interactions, the ability to play with up to three other players, greater freedom to explore the world, and more. Developer: Larian Studios | Release Date: TBA 2017 (Early Access available now) | Watch the Trailer
Escape from Tarkov
Escape from Tarkov is an MMO that combines first-person shooter action with RPG and survival elements. Developer: Battlestate Games | Release Date: TBA 2017 | Watch the Trailer
Frostpunk
Frostpunk is the latest project by 11bit Studios, the developer behind This War of Mine. Developer: 11bit Studios | Release Date: TBA 2017 | Watch the Trailer
Frozen Synapse 2
Frozen Synapse 2 is a turn-based tactical game where you command squads through covert missions in an open, procedurally generated city. Developer: Mode 7 Limited | Release Date: TBA 2017 | Watch the Trailer
Lawbreakers
LawBreakers is a multiplayer first-person shooter developed by ex-Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski and his team at Boss Key Productions. Developer: Boss Key Productions | Release Date: TBA 2017 | Watch the Trailer
Lone Echo
Lone Echo is a sci-fi action VR game where you explore an advanced mining facility within the rings of Saturn as a sinister mystery begins to emerge. It also has a multiplayer sports mode called Echo Arena, where you and up to four other players attempt to throw rings in the opposing team's goal. Developer: Ready at Dawn | Release Date: TBA 2017 | Watch the Trailer
Overland
Overland is a squad-based survival strategy game with procedurally generated levels set in the dangerous frontier of post-apocalyptic North America. Developer: inXile Entertainment | Release Date: TBA 2017 | Watch the Trailer
Robo Recall
Robo Recall is a first-person VR shooter launching exclusively for Oculus Touch. It puts you in control an agent working for an organization tasked with eliminating rogue robots. Developer: Epic Games | Release Date: TBA 2017 | Watch the Trailer
Thimbleweed Park
Thimbleweed Park is the latest point-and-click adventure game by veteran game developers Ron Gilbert and Gary Winnick, who are primarily known for their work on Lucas Arts adventure games like Maniac Mansion and The Secret of Monkey Island. Developer: Terrible Toybox | Release Date: TBA 2017 | Watch the Trailer
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III is the latest entry in the real-time strategy series based on the universe and characters of the popular tabletop game, Warhammer 40,000. Developer: Relic Entertainment | Release Date: TBA 2017 | Watch the Trailer
Xenonauts 2
Xenonauts 2 is a strategy game where you command a multinational organization defending Cold War-era Earth from an alien invasion. Developer: Goldhawk Interactive | Release Date: TBA 2017
By Matt Espineli on Mar 21, 2017 12:37 am
Hidden In Hyrule...
In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, there are myriad important mechanics and concepts that the game never explains outright. At times the game alludes to them, but the majority of the time, you're left to figure them out on your own, either by experimenting or completing a sidequest that introduces a particular mechanic. With so many veiled secrets, we've compiled 14 useful things to know to help you on your journey. Be wary, there are potential spoilers ahead. Check back often as we update this feature with more secrets. Breath of the Wild out now for both Nintendo Switch and Wii U. And even after you finish the game, there'll be more to play: Nintendo has announced a $20 DLC Pass for Breath of the Wild. For more details about the game, check out our feature covering everything you need to know about it. Otherwise, you can read all our written coverage and watch every video here. Nintendo Switch is officially out now, priced at US $300/£280/AU $470. For all the games confirmed to be coming to Switch--but not necessarily at launch--take a look at our roundup. You can also check out the console's main peripherals, as well as our in-depth feature of its menus and UI (user interface). And if you're curious how the Switch compares to other consoles in terms of size, check out our size comparison.
How To Perform A Perfect Dodge, Parry, And Charged Attack
Against a tough enemy, there are three advanced and essential combat techniques: Perfect Dodge, Parry, and the Charged Attack. Perfect Dodge allows you to slow down time after a precise dodge and inflict a devastating flurry attack upon an enemy. To execute a Perfect Dodge, jump out of the way of an attack right before it's about to hit you, and then press Y to perform the attack flurry. Parry allows you to use your shield to deflect an enemy's blow, leaving it vulnerable to an immediate counterattack. To Parry, lock onto an enemy and press A right before their attack connects. The Charged Attack allows you to perform a powerful offensive maneuver. Each weapon type sports a different Charged Attack. For instance, the sword has a 360-degree attack that covers you on all sides, while the spear has a flurry of stabs. To use a Charged Attack, simply hold the Y button in combat.
Using Your Final Breath While Climbing
While climbing, if you jump when your stamina wheel is in the red, you'll propel yourself upward twice the usual distance. This is a handy last resort technique that can be a life saver when you're just about to reach the top of a mountain, but can't make it by climbing alone.
You Can Retrieve Lost Arrows
If you miss an enemy with an arrow, don't worry; it's possible to pick it back up. The same works for enemy arrows, which you can pick up when they land at your feet. You can even retrieve the arrows that get stuck to your shield by putting it away. This is a great way to farm hundreds of arrows. Regardless, when a battle is over, make sure to mine the battlefield for all the arrows that missed their mark.
How To Shieldboard
It's possible to use your shield to slide down hills and steep inclines. To do so, hold ZL to bring up your shield, then jump forward and press A. As you slide on your shield, you can shoot arrows or press the Y button to perform tricks. Note that sliding on your shield wears down its durability, so use this ability wisely.
How To Catch A Horse
If you want to travel faster through Hyrule, you should find and tame a horse. The best place to get a horse early on is at the Blatchery Plain (after the Dueling Peaks), where there are several roaming free. There are two types of horses to discover: spotted and one-color. Spotted horses are great for beginners, as they're easier to tame and aren't as ill-tempered. One-color horses more are difficult to tame and are often unwilling to follow your directions, but their higher stamina and speed more than make up for the grief. To tame a horse, sneak up to one and hop onto its back, and then mash the L button to soothe it before it kicks you off. After you've earned the horse's respect, take it to the nearest stable to register it. This allows you to summon it whichever stable you're at if you ever get separated. If you want your horse to perform at its very best, you need to be attentive to its performance. When it cooperates, make sure to reward it by soothing it or feeding it an apple. But keep in mind, it's imperative to soothe your horse when it's panicked or stressed.
Riding Wild Animals
It's actually possible to ride wild animals, such as bears and deer, like you would a horse, so long as you approach it carefully and with stealth bonuses activated. Unfortunately, wild animals aren't the most useful or reliable mounts, as they're far less compliant than horses. You also can't register them at stables for future travels. Despite these limitations, riding wild animals is a fun novelty well worth taking advantage of when the opportunity presents itself.
Slow-Motion Archer
It's possible to slow down time to shoot an arrow, which is an effective technique for picking off multiple enemies at time. To do so, simply pull out your bow while high up in the air (preferably from a glide). You can also execute the maneuver after jumping forward on horseback. Keep in mind, the slow-motion only lasts as long as the amount of stamina you have, so if your stamina fully depletes in air, time will resume as normal.
Talk To Wandering Merchants, Especially When It Rains
When you're travelling in-between towns, you'll encounter travelling merchants, who can sell you various equipment or cooking ingredients. Be sure to browse their wares when possible for supplies you might need. However, when it rains, merchants bust out their rare items. For example, a merchant that typically sells the Raw Meat ingredient during sunny weather will list the better, more effective Raw Prime Meat ingredient when it rains. If storm clouds start to appear, seek out merchants in the area; you never know what rare items you might be able to purchase.
Elemental Weapons Affect Your Body Temperature
Often in your journey, you'll work hard to figure out how to survive some of the world's more extreme weather conditions. There are a few specialized clothing options and elixirs that can help keep your body temperature in check, but there's actually a little known alternative: elemental weapons. Elemental weapons affect your body temperature; depending on which you choose, your body temperature will either increase or decrease. For example, if you're in the hot, arid Gerudo desert, equipping an Ice Rod or a Great Frostblade will lower your body temperature. This is a handy technique to use in your travels, as it lets you keep your stronger armor equipped while in extreme climates. It's also a great option if you simply lack the other survival options available to you.
Reawaken The Great Fairy To Upgrade Your Armor
If you go up the hill from the Tal'oh Neag Shrine in Kakariko Village, you'll find a plant pod in a forest clearing. Hidden inside the pod is the Great Fairy Cotera, who requests 100 Rupees from you to reawaken her power. If you oblige, she can upgrade your armor using components you find out in the world. For example, to enhance the Hylian Tunic, you need to give her Bokoblin Horns. It's important to note that an armor set gains a special bonus after Cotera enhances each part twice.
Dogs Lead You To Treasure
If you find a dog in any of the towns or stables, don't just crouch down and nuzzle it. Feed the pup three pieces of meat or fruit to show it you care. After doing so, it'll lead you to a treasure chest hidden in the surrounding area. For example, if you feed the dog in Hateno Village, it takes you to a chest containing a Silver Rupee. Make sure to feed all the pups in Hyrule to acquire all sorts of secret treasure.
You Can Reassign Your Essence
In Hateno Village, you can find a mopey-looking statue at the bottom of the hill on the other side of the village entrance. If you talk to it, you'll initiate a sidequest where the statue steals some of your essence (either a Heart Container or a Stamina Vessel); speak to it again to reclaim what was taken from you. The statue offers you a deal where you can sell it one of your Heart Containers or Stamina Vessels for 100 Rupees. This might sound like a bad trade-off at first, but you're actually able to talk to it again and pay 120 rupees to acquire either a Heart Container or a Stamina Vessel in return. This is a handy resource, as you're essentially paying 20 Rupees to reassign the upgrades you've acquired throughout your journey.
Grab Fairies To Get Revives
It's possible to grab small fairies floating in the air. Doing so turns them into a usable item, which can revive you when your health fully depletes. As a result, fairies are a precious commodity that shouldn't be wasted. You can typically find fairies near any of the three Great Fairy fountains or hiding in tall grass.
You Can Stealth Kill Enemies
If you sneak up directly behind an enemy without them noticing, a prompt appears that allows you to deliver a devastating blow. This is an incredibly useful maneuver, as it nearly kills enemies in one blow, regardless of their level of health and defense.
You Can Parry Guardian Laser Shots
Guardians are a tremendous threat early on, mostly because of their incredibly destructive laser blasts. But if you have decent reflexes, you can actually parry a Guardian's laser blast with your shield, and send it straight back at them. To do so, get close to a Guardian and wait for it to charge up a shot. When you hear a beep, that's your cue to press A. Do this three times to make a standard Guardian explode; though, a stationary Guardian can be destroyed with one shot. Once you've mastered parrying Guardian shots, these once dangerous foes become much less threatening. It's also one of the most efficient ways to defeat a Guardian, as it doesn't require any weapon use, nor does it wear down your shield's durability. Be wary, this tactic is incredibly ineffective against multiple Guardians, as it can only be implemented while locking onto one of them, so once again: don't push your luck!
Lighting Grass On Fire Creates An Updraft
Lighting grass on fire creates a temporary updraft that you can use to skyrocket yourself up into the air with your glider. This has a variety of applications, such as creating height between you and an approaching Guardian or propelling yourself upward to give you more time in the air.
You Can Plow Through Guardians With Your Horse
It's possible to use your horse to charge straight through a Guaridan. Simply spur your horse in the direction of an approaching Guardian and watch as it tumbles over the both of you. It's worth noting that if you don't charge through the Guardian's center base, it might not flinch much from your charge, so be careful in your approach and make sure to keep spurring your horse on to maximize your force of impact. This technique can also be used repeatedly to tear off a Guardian's legs, drastically hindering its movement.
You Can Buy A House
When you enter Hateno, you can find a group of construction workers attempting to tear down a house near the Myahm Agana Shrine. If you talk to their head foreman Bolson, he'll ask you if you want to purchase the house. Accept his offer to strike a deal to acquire the house for a sum of 3,000 Rupees and 30 bundles of wood. After buying the house, Bolson can furnish it with various upgrades. For example, you can ask him to install a door or to make you a bed you can use to rest overnight. However, each upgrade is going to cost you 100 Rupees.
Talk To The Giant Korok To Expand Your Inventory Space
On your way to Kakariko Village, you encounter a giant Korok named Hestu, who pleads with you to retrieve its maracas from a pack of Bokoblins. Completing this task earns you the ability to upgrade your inventory space, but at a cost. Hestu asks that you supply him with Korok seeds he can use to fix his now-broken maracas. These special seeds can only be acquired by finding Korok hidden in the environment. For example, you can find one hidden beneath a rock on top of one of the Pillars of Levia. For every Korok seed you bring Hestu, he'll upgrade the space of an inventory category of your choice. Keep an eye out for anything that seems out of place in the environment. If something seems amiss, chances are that there's a Korok hiding there.
Upgrading Your Sheikah Slate's Functionality, And The Sheikah Sensor+
It's possible to enhance functionality of the Sheikah Slate's abilities by talking to Purah at the Ancient Tech Lab in Hateno Village. But make it a priority of upgrading the Sheikah Sensor, which requires three Ancient Springs. Doing so allows you to use it to sense the presence of specific objects in the world, just as long as you take a picture of it first. For example, you can set the Sheikah Sensor to go off whenever a Sunshroom is nearby. This expanded functionality proves useful when you're trying to pinpoint the location of specific weapons, ingredients, or animals you need to track.
Amiibo Net You Classic Rewards
It's made apparent early on that you can scan amiibo to get new weapons and items. But if you scan amiibo of classic Zelda characters, you can get special armor and weapons from past games. For example, when you scan the Toon Link amiibo, you have a chance of acquiring Wind Waker-inspired armor pieces. You can even obtain new mounts, like the iconic Epona, which you can get when you scan the Super Smash Bros. series Link amiibo. It's worth noting that each amiibo can only be scanned once per day, and that items are randomized. In addition, certain items are only available to its respective amiibo, so don't expect to get Sheik's Mask from the Ganondorf amiibo. If you're interested in donning on the classic Link outfits from past games, be sure to take advantage of Breath of the Wild's amiibo functionality.
You Can Dye Your Clothes
In Hateno village, the second shop to the right allows you to dye your clothes various colors for the cost of 20 rupees. You also need five items that share in the dye color you wish to use. These can be any materials you find out in the wild. For example, items like the Bokoblin Horn and Moblin Fang can be used to dye your clothes grey. Keep in mind the shopkeeper dyes your entire outfit the color you choose, so it's best to mix and match what you want colored for more efficient use of your money. But if you change your mind about the colors you choose, you can always revert back to the original color scheme for another 20 Rupees.
You Can Take Selfies
Similar to The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD, you can take selfies in Breath of the Wild with your Sheikah Slate's camera. Simply turn on the camera with the L button, and then press X to activate "Self-Portrait" mode. Moving the left stick in different directions changes Link's pose, maximizing the photo's social media effectiveness.
You Can Customize Your Horse
After spending hours traveling across Hyrule on horseback, do you ever find yourself wishing you could customize the appearance of your trusty steed? Well, Breath of the Wild makes it possible. Simply go to the Outskirt Stable, which lies to the North of the Great Plateau and West of the Coliseum Ruins. When you reach the stable, talk to Canni, the lady tending the horses outside. She offers to change out your horse's saddle or bridle with any new ones you've found. She also lets you alter the mane of your horse. Looking to style your horse's mane with some sweet french-braids? Or maybe you'd like to give it a long, flowing green mane? Canni can make it happen. Keep in mind, Canni only offers her services to horses that are raised with lots of love, so if you don't have a max bond with your horse, she'll reject you.
How To Refresh Rusty Weapons
You'll often encounter a fair amount of rusty weapons, which while useful at first, eventually become obsolete as you find stronger weapons to add to your arsenal. But don't just ignore every rusty weapon you find. Make sure to keep a couple in your inventory for the inevitable moment you encounter a Rock Octorok in the Death Mountain region. This might seem strange, but try tossing a rusty weapon onto the ground for the little critter to suck up. After it does so, wait a few seconds and it'll spit out the weapon in brand-new condition. Keep in mind, the weapon it spews out is randomized based on the weapon type. For example, if you toss it a Rusty Broadsword, you might get a Traveller's Sword, while another time, you'll get the more powerful Royal Broadsword. Take advantage of this refurbishment technique to nab some decently powered weapons.
You Can Bring A Horse Back From The Dead
Have you ever recklessly let your trusty steed die in the middle of a battle, and spent the rest of your journey in depressed? Don't worry, it's actually possible to bring your horse back to life. But you can't do it with the help of folks at the stable. Rather, you need to seek out the help of Malanya, the Great Horse Fairy. To find her, head to the Lake Tower region to the south and find the Highland Stable. From there, head southeast towards the Horse God bridge. When you reach the end of the path you'll find what looks like a Great Fairy Fountain. Examine it and pay Malanya the flat fee of 1,000 rupees to access her services. Talk to her again, and she'll work her magic to bring your steed back from the grave. Note that you can do this as many times as you'd like at no additional rupee cost to you.
Weaponized Cucco Swarm
Like in past Zelda games, if you use excessive force against a Cucco, it'll call upon a swarm of its friends to attack you. While triggering a Cucco swarm isn't in your best interest, it's possible to make it work in your favor. Simply grab a Cucco and bring it with you into battle, and whichever unfortunate enemy happens to hit you will be swarmed and pecked to death. It's important to note that a Cucco swarm only does minimal damage against higher-leveled enemies, like Guardians and Lynels, so don't push your luck.
Kilton's Monster Shop
Hidden in the outskirts of Hyrule is a mysterious merchant named Kilton. To find this eccentric peddler, wait until nighttime, and then head to the left "eye" of Skull Lake, which is located northwest of Death Mountain. When you talk to Kilton, he tells you he's going to set up shop at various villages across the land before disappearing to do just that. To find him, search the outskirts of any of the main villages and towns between 8 P.M. to 4 A.M. Kilton's shop is relatively easy to identify; it appears as a patchwork hot-air balloon from a distance. Once you find him, Kilton sells an assortment of useful and quirky monster-related items, such as the much sought-after Monster Extract cooking ingredient, or a Moblin Mask, which allows you to blend in with Moblins. However, you can only purchase these items using a special currency known as Mon, which you can acquire by trading in monster parts to Kilton. Make sure to visit Kilton's shop often, as he frequently stocks up on a variety of new and useful items.
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