Breath of the Wild. Just the name conjures up images of vast landscapes, thrilling adventures, and… a whole lot of running. At the start, Link is pretty limited in his traversal options. You’re probably itching to explore every nook and cranny of Hyrule, but those mountains look awfully daunting on foot, right? Well, fear not, intrepid adventurer! The paraglider is your ticket to freedom, and here’s exactly how to snag it.
Getting Started: The Great Plateau and the Paraglider
Your journey to acquire the paraglider begins on the Great Plateau, the starting area of the game. Think of it as a tutorial zone, designed to teach you the ropes of survival in Hyrule. You’ll wake up with amnesia (classic Link!), and quickly realize you need to figure out what’s going on. The Old Man will be your guide, at least initially.
Meeting the Old Man and the Paraglider Quest
The Old Man will task you with completing four shrines scattered across the Great Plateau. These shrines introduce you to the core mechanics of the game: combat, puzzles, and using your Sheikah Slate. Each shrine contains a “Spirit Orb.”
Important! Don’t try to leave the Great Plateau before completing this quest. You’ll be met with an invisible barrier!
Conquering the Shrines for the Paraglider
There are four shrines you need to complete. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Oman Au Shrine: Located near the Temple of Time. Teaches you the Magnesis Rune.
- Ja Baij Shrine: Located in the eastern part of the plateau. Teaches you the Bomb Rune.
- Owa Daim Shrine: Located in the southwestern part of the plateau. Teaches you the Stasis Rune.
- Keh Namut Shrine: Located in the northern part of the plateau. Teaches you the Cryonis Rune.
Each shrine presents a unique challenge, but don’t worry, they’re designed to be manageable even for new players. Experiment with your runes, and don’t be afraid to try different approaches!
Pro Tip: Pay attention to the environment! Often, the solution to a shrine puzzle is hidden in plain sight.
Claiming Your Spirit Orbs and the Paraglider
Once you’ve completed all four shrines, return to the Temple of Time and speak to the Old Man. He’ll reveal his true identity (no spoilers here!) and reward you with the paraglider. Finally! You’re ready to leave the Great Plateau and explore the vast world of Hyrule.
Using the Paraglider Effectively
Now that you have the paraglider, it’s time to learn how to use it effectively. It’s not just about jumping off cliffs and hoping for the best! Stamina management is key.
Stamina and the Paraglider: A Crucial Combination
Gliding consumes stamina. If your stamina runs out mid-air, Link will plummet to the ground. Ouch! Keep an eye on your stamina wheel and plan your glides accordingly. You can increase your maximum stamina by exchanging Spirit Orbs at Goddess Statues found in various locations.
- Look for updrafts to gain altitude.
- Use the paraglider to cross gaps and reach new areas.
- Experiment with different angles to maximize your glide distance.
Interesting Fact: You can use the paraglider to slow down your descent, allowing you to aim your landing more precisely. This is especially useful when exploring high places.
Upgrading the Paraglider
While you can’t directly upgrade the paraglider itself, you can upgrade your stamina, which indirectly improves its effectiveness. Also, keep an eye out for armor that provides bonuses to gliding, such as the Rito Set.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Paraglider
Can I get the paraglider before completing all four shrines?
No, you must complete all four shrines on the Great Plateau and speak to the Old Man at the Temple of Time to receive the paraglider.
What happens if my stamina runs out while gliding?
Link will fall to the ground, taking damage. Be careful and manage your stamina wisely!
Can I upgrade the paraglider itself?
No, the paraglider cannot be directly upgraded. However, you can increase your stamina and find armor that enhances gliding abilities.
Is there a faster way to get the paraglider?
Unfortunately, no. The quest is linear and requires completing all four shrines.
And there you have it! Getting the paraglider in Breath of the Wild is a rite of passage, a symbol of your newfound freedom in Hyrule. It opens up a world of possibilities, allowing you to explore the land in ways you never thought possible. So, go forth, brave adventurer, and take to the skies! The world awaits.
The acquisition of the paraglider represents a pivotal moment in the Breath of the Wild narrative, transitioning the player from a constrained tutorial environment to the expansive and largely unscripted world of Hyrule. Mastering its mechanics is not merely advantageous, but fundamentally necessary for efficient traversal and strategic engagement with the game’s numerous challenges.
Advanced Paragliding Techniques and Considerations
Beyond the basic mechanics of deployment and stamina management, a nuanced understanding of the paraglider’s capabilities unlocks a range of advanced techniques that significantly enhance the player’s mobility and tactical options.
Exploiting Environmental Factors for Optimal Gliding
The dynamic weather system and varied topography of Hyrule present opportunities to leverage environmental factors for extended and more efficient gliding. Updrafts generated by thermal activity, particularly prevalent in warmer regions or near active volcanoes, can provide significant vertical lift, allowing for prolonged aerial navigation. Similarly, utilizing the momentum gained from launching from elevated positions, such as mountain peaks or Sheikah Towers, maximizes initial velocity and extends glide distance.
- Observe wind direction indicators (represented by particles in the air) to optimize glide paths.
- Employ the paraglider in conjunction with Cryonis pillars to create artificial updrafts in aquatic environments.
- Consider the impact of rain on gliding performance; precipitation can slightly reduce lift and increase stamina consumption.
Strategic Insight: Mastering the art of “paraglide hopping,” which involves briefly retracting and redeploying the paraglider to maintain momentum, allows for traversal across extended distances with minimal stamina expenditure. This technique requires precise timing and a thorough understanding of Link’s aerial physics.
Combat Applications of the Paraglider
While primarily a tool for traversal, the paraglider also possesses utility in combat scenarios. Executing a mid-air bow shot, known as “bullet time,” allows for a brief period of slowed time, enabling precise targeting of enemies. Furthermore, the paraglider can be used to evade ground-based attacks or to reposition strategically during engagements.
Optimizing Stamina Management for Extended Exploration
Given the direct correlation between stamina and paragliding duration, optimizing stamina management is paramount for efficient exploration. Several strategies can be employed to mitigate stamina depletion and maximize aerial endurance.
Consumables and Armor Enhancements
Consuming stamina-restoring elixirs and meals provides a temporary boost to Link’s stamina gauge, allowing for extended gliding sessions. Ingredients such as Stamella Shrooms and Endura Carrots, when cooked into dishes, offer significant stamina recovery and temporary overfill, respectively. Furthermore, certain armor sets, such as the Climbing Set, provide bonuses to climbing speed and reduced stamina consumption, indirectly benefiting paragliding by facilitating access to higher launch points.
- Prioritize the acquisition of stamina-restoring ingredients early in the game.
- Experiment with different cooking recipes to discover optimal stamina-boosting combinations.
- Consider investing in armor sets that provide stamina-related benefits.
Advanced Tip: The “Enduring” effect, obtained from cooking with Endura Carrots or Endura Shrooms, provides temporary stamina overfill, allowing Link to exceed his maximum stamina capacity. This is particularly useful for tackling challenging gliding segments or reaching distant locations.
Strategic Stamina Conservation Techniques
Beyond consumables and armor, employing strategic stamina conservation techniques can significantly extend paragliding duration. Briefly retracting the paraglider during descent allows for a short period of stamina regeneration, albeit at the cost of altitude. Furthermore, utilizing updrafts and wind currents effectively minimizes the need for constant stamina expenditure.
