Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity has landed, and for many, it’s more than just another Zelda spin-off. Set as a prequel to Breath of the Wild, it delivers high-octane Musou-style combat layered with strategy, character swapping, and a surprisingly deep world full of secrets. Whether you’re brand new to the genre or a returning warrior, diving into the battlefield without some essential know-how can leave you overwhelmed. Let’s break down seven core tips that will help you carve a path through legions of enemies and emerge victorious.
1. Master the Art of Character Switching and Strategic Placement
From the very beginning, Age of Calamity gives you control over multiple characters within a mission. This isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a fundamental part of gameplay strategy. With a simple tap, you can swap between heroes on the battlefield, but what elevates this feature is the tactical map overlay. Pause the action, assign each hero to a specific location, and turn the tide of battle without micromanaging every skirmish.
Picture this: Link engaging a horde of Bokoblins on the west side while Impa is dashing toward a time-sensitive objective on the east. You’re not just controlling characters—you’re coordinating a small army. When heavy hitters like Moblins or elemental enemies show up, don’t hesitate to regroup and focus your power. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, and learning to spread out your forces and collapse them when needed will define your success.
2. Korok Seeds Are Hidden Treasures Worth the Hunt
They’re back—and no, you’re not hallucinating. Korok seeds make a triumphant (and still cheeky) return in Age of Calamity. While they may not be tied to puzzles in the same way as Breath of the Wild, they still lurk behind suspicious scenery, odd placements, or blink-and-you-miss-it structures. And yes, they serve a purpose: expanding your weapon inventory.
The pace of the game may push you toward objectives, but smart players take their time. Explore. Walk off the beaten path. A small diversion to investigate a weird tree stump or glittering leaf pile can reward you with precious seeds. Over time, these will drastically improve your quality of life by reducing the need to constantly purge your arsenal.
3. Break Everything—And Reap the Rewards
If you’ve ever smashed pots for rupees or sliced grass for hearts, you already know the drill. In Age of Calamity, the rule of destruction applies on an even larger scale. Crates, barrels, and boxes litter the landscape, practically begging to be annihilated. Why? Because they’re filled with crafting materials, health pickups, and yes—rupees.
Unlike traditional Zelda games, loot in Age of Calamity comes flying to you as soon as it drops, making item collection seamless and fast. These materials serve many purposes: from food recipes that buff your stats before a mission to unlocking side quests, upgrades, and leveling up characters without grinding. Every shattered crate is a potential upgrade waiting to happen.
4. Don’t Button Mash—Use Tactics and Timing
It’s tempting. The chaos, the crowd, the sense of urgency. But blindly smashing attack buttons won’t get you far. Characters like Impa thrive on precision, stacking clones through specific attacks. Others benefit from well-timed runes and dodges. The key? Observation.
Watch enemy movements. Mini-bosses, in particular, have telltale signs—telegraphed attacks and elemental charges that signal a moment to strike. Perfect dodges grant you that cinematic slow-motion flurry attack that devastates foes and leaves them wide open. Rune abilities like Remote Bombs or Cryonis can thin crowds or interrupt key attacks. It’s not just about dealing damage—it’s about doing it smartly.
5. Engage With the Environment Like a Warrior Scholar
The battlefield isn’t just a stage—it’s a weapon. Every area in Hyrule hides more than meets the eye. Sure, there are the usual crates and barrels, but deeper exploration reveals destructible trees (which yield wood), hidden chests with rare weapons, and enemy encampments far from your objective that offer bonus loot and XP.
Sheikah Slate abilities tie into this environmental awareness. Use Cryonis to freeze enemies in water. Magnesis can turn metallic boxes into projectiles of pain. Lure mini-bosses toward explosive barrels for quick work. And when things get too hot? Pull out the paraglider and launch off a wall to reposition or escape. Every element of the terrain is a tool—if you know how to use it.
6. Do Those Side Quests—Seriously
Once the full map of Hyrule becomes accessible, you’ll be flooded with icons. It can feel overwhelming. But those little yellow side quest markers? Goldmines. They aren’t just filler—they offer stat boosts, unlock new shops, and even provide combo extensions or extra hearts for your characters.
Many quests only ask for the materials you’ve already gathered from previous missions. When you’re missing something, the Sheikah Radar—unlocked from the “Needed Researchers” quest in Chapter 2—helps track what missions drop what. Pay close attention to these early on, especially as the difficulty ramps up fast. A few extra hearts or a new attack string can mean the difference between dominating and barely surviving.
7. Optimize Your Team and Loadouts Between Missions
Preparation is half the battle. The menus in Age of Calamity are your command center. Here, you’ll manage character loadouts, switch weapons, and—perhaps most importantly—consume meals that grant powerful buffs.
Heading into a Guardian fight? Consider a speed-boosting recipe to help with evasions. Need extra punch? Go for attack-buffing meals. Before each mission, also take the time to review which characters are best suited to the upcoming threats. Different missions yield different rewards, so knowing what materials are available can help you plan your upgrades.
Even better—review each character’s unique moves and combo chains. Swapping weapons isn’t just about damage numbers—it’s about enhancing a character’s strengths and playstyle. Knowledge is power, and in Age of Calamity, menu time is prep time.
These seven tips should set you on a solid foundation for your journey through the war-torn Hyrule of Age of Calamity. While chaos reigns on the battlefield, a sharp mind and thoughtful planning will always rise above the fray. Good luck out there—and may your combos never be interrupted!
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