Divine Beast Vah Ruta stands as one of the first major dungeons many players encounter in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Located in Lanayru, this elephant-shaped mechanical titan threatens Zora's Domain with endless rainfall until Link steps in to regain control. Keeping up with daily gaming news often brings back nostalgic strategies for mastering open-world classics like this one.
Boarding Vah Ruta and Accessing the Guidance Stone
Before entering the interior, Link must ride on Sidon's back to attack the ice blocks launched by Vah Ruta. Utilizing Cryonis to shatter these airborne obstacles opens windows of opportunity to shoot Shock Arrows at the pink glowing Orbs on its shoulders. Once all four targets are hit, the entrance opens up and allows access to the inner main room.
Inside the lower chamber, defeat the Malice eyeball and clear the corruption blocking the gate. Use Cryonis to lift the underwater gate and activate the Map Terminal to obtain the dungeon controls. This map allows you to raise or lower Vah Ruta's trunk, which is essential for solving the remaining puzzles.
Solving the Water Wheel Puzzles
In the main hall, you will encounter two large water wheels powered by flowing currents. The smaller wheel requires you to cast Cryonis on the water spout to block the flow and freeze the mechanism when the orange terminal aligns with Link. This locks the terminal in place so you can interact with it safely.
The larger wheel requires trunk manipulation to start its rotation. Raise the trunk so water pours onto the upper paddles, turning the wheel and opening the central cage containing the next terminal. Time your Stasis rune to freeze the falling ball right before the gate shuts, giving you enough time to step inside and register the map node.
Reaching the Upper Terminals via Trunk Control
Head up to the top exterior balcony by moving through the upper corridors of the dungeon. Adjust Vah Ruta's trunk completely backward so that water sprays over its head and onto the burning fire in the roof opening. Extinguishing this flame grants access to the hidden terminal located directly underneath the top shell structure.
Another terminal resides on the tip of the trunk itself. Lower the trunk completely to glide onto the end platform, then gradually raise it back into the sky to keep your footing level while accessing the terminal console. Once all five main terminals are activated, return to the main control unit in the lower floor area.
Defeating Waterblight Ganon
Interacting with the main control unit summons Waterblight Ganon, a boss equipped with a long spear and ice attacks. During the first phase, maintain distance, dodge its physical thrusts, and counter with flurry rushes when possible. High-powered bows loaded with Shock Arrows can deal substantial damage from afar.
The second phase floods the arena, leaving Link with four small stone platforms. Waterblight Ganon will hurl ice blocks across the water, which you can easily destroy using Cryonis or deflect using Stasis. Keep striking the boss's eye to break its guard and claim Mipha's Grace upon victory.
