Bokoblins are by definition, one of the simplest enemy types you’ll encounter in Legend of Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom! Being a unit type that prefers numbers, and overwhelming force they will try to attack you as a horde at any chance they get. It’s important to note that these enemies will scale with the player as they travel across the scarred world of Hyrule. Changing colors, and tactics in order to be the biggest possible problem, as well as having more potent loot. The Bokoblin is a humble enemy, being able to be outsmarted, overpowered, and out-maneuvered, but in their simplicity, they have numbers.
Despite their simplicity, there’s a lot of variety amongst their ranks from the humble melee fighter all the way to the big boss themselves. Each can be approached in various ways and offers a refreshing take on the simple basic enemy type. Beware of the power of their armored units or the sheer strength of a Boss Bokoblin; or be amazed by their blazing speed on horseback! With a near-infinite amount of enemies across the land, it’s no wonder how these creatures have come to become such a problem; especially when the Blood Moon makes its appearance!
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Creature Colors
Though Bokoblins might be one of the basic enemy types in Tears of the Kingdom, they have a lot of variations. The typical color scale in order of difficulty goes to Red, Blue, Black, and Silver. Each classification of Bokoblin will have varying stats and strategies based on this conclusion. For instance, red Bokoblins will be significantly weaker than black or silver ones. Accordingly, they will have teeth, horns, and loot that scale with this level of difficulty. Bokoblins are one of the most abundant enemy types in Tears of the Kingdom, and besides the black ones, they are often found in groups. These Bokoblins act like a goblin or tribal society that is hell-bent on keeping outsiders away from them.
Red Bokoblins
Red Bokoblins are the most basic enemy type of these creatures. Being the weaker versions of their species, they are prone to being in large packs defending their homes. These red Bokoblins are notable for often being a mix of ranged, melee, and bomber units with the occasional cavalry or armored unit, though these are rare occurrences. Red Bokoblins typically drop Bokoblin horns, and guts along with any weapons they may be carrying. Red Bokoblins typically arm themselves with tree branches, leaf fans, or stone clubs. They may also carry basic bows, or throw fire fruit. Vastly inferior to their other colorations, red Bokoblins will be an enemy type from the beginning to the end of your playing experience.
Blue Bokoblins
While not being the most intimidating of Bokoblin colorations, Blue Bokoblins are far more aggressive and tanky. Acting similarly to red ones, they will have groups dedicated to protecting their homes and keeping outsiders out. Additionally, blue Bokoblins might scout around a location, or act like raiders whenever available. These creatures often carry high-grade horns, and have better-quality weapons. Blue Bokoblins additionally favor cavalry and group attacks, being more vicious than their red counterparts. These blue Bokoblins typically can be found close to the temples, and are meant to be far tougher. Occasionally, blue Bokoblins will join in with red ones and assume a leadership position if Boss Bokoblins are not present.
Blue Bokoblin
Black Bokoblins
Black Bokoblins are often found in areas of interest and in the gloom. These are far tougher than their blue or red counterparts and often have elemental weapons such as torches. Additionally, they may carry fused weapons such as stone clubs, or even armor themselves in rock. Black Bokoblins are extremely aggressive and hard to kill in melee combat. They are faster and slightly smarter as they seek to envelop you with group tactics. Very often they will Have a mixture of available classes from cavalry and ranged fighting to throwers and melee combatants. Black Bokoblins tend to either stay in smaller packs or wander Hyrule individually. These Bokoblins drop special horns, which are more durable than other colorations save silver. Additionally, they are the strongest Bokoblin color, only being slightly outdone by the rarer Silver coloration in terms of wit.
Silver Bokoblins
The rarest of Bokoblins colorations are easily the silver ones. These silver Bokoblins are especially potent in warfare due to using machines like pirate ships. Additionally, they can be found in colder climates, using a variety of weapons and armor options. They drop special horns which notably are different from other colorations. While the silver Bokoblins are one of the rarest enemy types to encounter, they are quick to use numbers to their advantage. Quite typically they can be found in areas that would be hard to have a fight in, be that on water or in the snowy mountains. They are far smarter than regular Bokoblins and tend to use their environment to their advantage.
Creature Variations
Bokoblins often have different professions and classes that affect their place in the hierarchy. These include basic melee fighters and ranged units that focus on bows or close-range fighting. Additionally, they may have specialized units like cavalry, or armored warriors that use mobility and durability to the highest effect. Thrower Bokoblins are special because they often have a basket of fruit dedicated to an elemental type. Finally, Boss Bokoblins act as the leader of their war bands. These bosses are incredibly durable, and tall, and use heavy weapons to keep enemies at bay. These different unit types vary from tribe to tribe and their weapons and durability scale by their coloration. Generally the more tough the opponent, the more advanced their equipment will be.
Bokoblin Classes include melee, ranged, throwers, cavalry, armored, and bosses!
Basic Bokoblins
Basic Bokoblins make up the main fighting force of a horde. These units often carry one-handed or two-handed weapons and try to rush the protagonist whenever possible. Since they have to engage from up close, their equipment and difficulty depend on the range. When swarming an enemy, Bokoblin melee units might swarm with overwhelming numbers to win. They’re considered fodder and are used to distract players from ranged units. These basic units will continuously be a threat throughout Tears of the Kingdom, being a mainstay image in the world of Hyrule. Since they are the most basic units, they are also the easiest to beat in any color type, besides pure ranged units.
Armored Bokoblins
Armored Bokoblins are a specialized unit among their species that often covers themselves in bone or rock armor. They are incredibly durable and require a smashing weapon in order to defeat. These armored units work fundamentally like ore deposits do, except they are able to attack you. Very often, armored Bokoblins will be a singular unit among a group, or roving Hyrule by themselves. The armor they wear is destructible and cannot be salvaged since it must be destroyed to harm them. Of all the Bokoblins types, only bosses can be more difficult than armored Bokoblins. This comes in part because of their added durability but also because of their utter ferocity. Generally, armored Bokoblins will not be red, instead being blue as the minimal color.
Ranged Bokoblins
Ranged Bokoblins are the basic archery units of any Bokoblin group. They are as common as melee units and often try to pick you apart while the melee fighters close in. Very often, these units will find themselves in high places such as a Battle Talus or scaffolding. While they may be annoying to initially deal with due to their ranged attacks, they are great for collecting arrows. Ranged Bokoblins have an infinite amount of arrows they can use and often drop a bundle of arrows along with their bows.
Bokoblin Mask allows you to befriend your Bokoblin allies.
It’s notable that blue and black Bokoblins have been known to use elemental arrows by attaching fruit to their arrows similar to how Link does. Arrows shot by these Bokoblins can be picked up off the ground, making them perfect for farming arrows without spending any precious rupees. It’s important to note that more powerful colorations are often more accurate than basic red Bokoblins.
Thrower Bokoblins
Some classes that are a particular annoyance are those of the thrower class. These units typically have a basket of certain fruit of an elemental damage type. Using their throwing skills to act as a mid-range attacker, they can easily cause elemental damage early on that’s deadly. Like the ranged Bokoblins, these units can be an excellent source of free items such as firefruit, making them worth the hassle. Thrower Bokoblins are especially potent in areas such as fortifications or anywhere a boss Bokoblin might be located.
Despite how dangerous they are to Link himself, they are also a danger to themselves. Because of the nature of their weapons, they tend to set off explosive barrels or hit on their own for chaotic effects. The important thing to remember when fighting these specific Bokoblins types is that they are incredibly weak to archery shots. When these units try to throw fruit at you, a well-placed headshot will knock them off and spill their basket.
Bokoblin Scan with Description and loot drops
Cavalry Bokoblins
Cavalry units are a unique classification of their species which tend to capture carts and horses. These units are especially agile and usually require a well-placed headshot in order to knock them off their mounts. In this way, they can be a catch twenty-two if you’re a good shot they’re easy, if not, they can be increasingly difficult. Additionally, due to their increased mobility, These units will often carry spears or staffs to act like a lancer unit.
They are meant to act as roving harassment units that pillage and maraud whatever they come across. In addition to being mounted, these units act like melee Bokoblins when knocked off their mounts. Generally speaking, the horses captured by Bokoblins don’t have great stats, but Link can easily tame them. It is also notable that sometimes these units will have a cart with others of their kind on them who act like a mobile bandit party.
Boss Bokoblins
Boss Bokoblins are at the top of the hierarchy for Bokoblin species; as such being a potent combatant and leader. They are significantly larger than your standard member of their species; and carry a large weapon. Occasionally, these units will pick up explosive barrels and smaller fighters to throw at Link; making them deadly at range and up close. These units are incredibly powerful and tough, even in a simple red variety; for that reason, it’s best to use your environment against them. Often they can be found in areas like fortifications or ruins; even on occasion, in caves. Boss Bokoblins are vulnerable to headshots, and explosive damage and thus can be easily dealt with via elemental fruit.
Boss Bokoblin (Blue)
Environments Found
There are a number of places where Bokoblins can be found throughout Hyrule. The most basic areas include outposts, fortifications, caves, and ruins where they tend to seek shelter. When in these locations, they are often in large numbers, or patrolling and roving the area to maintain a parameter. Additionally, they can be found in the gloom, where they become even more deadly than their average counterparts. One place that they love to be is on top of a Battle Talus; a giant rock-like construct that attempts to smash Link at any given time. Finally, these goblin-like creatures can be found on specialized constructions like pirate ships, carts, and rafts. Depending on where you are in Hyrule, you may encounter these enemies in varying numbers and strengths. They prefer group tactics or roam the land as a marauding group.
Tactics
There are two main methods of dealing with Bokoblins; extreme aggression, or passive co-existence. The first method is incredibly easy, focusing on ranged explosives, headshots, and overwhelming odds. The second method requires a fair amount of stealth, or using the Bokoblin mask as a method of co-existing with these creatures. Either way is a sound way of dealing with these menaces, however, there is one other very entertaining way of dealing with them. By shooting Muddlebuds at a group of them, they will enter a frenzy and start attacking each other. These methods can be entertaining at worst, and quick and simple at best seeing as these units can be overwhelming in high quantities.
-source: Boko Club Gaming
Humble Bandits
Though the Bokoblin may be one of the simplest enemy types, they’re stout and hardy in their ability to find homes among the ruins of Hyrule. It’s almost a marvel that these creatures have been able to spread about the entirety of the world, and still compete against some of the other more potent enemy types. Compared to the Lazarpho, or the Stahl units you’ll come across, these units are simple and humble; and offer a thankless service of supplying Link with weapons and arrows. When traveling around TOTK, these loveable marauders can be found by the sound of the shriek and the weight of their clubs!
