Warriors from the Legend of Zelda universe jump into the fray to defend the land of Hyrule against the impending doom. There are thirteen playable characters in the game in addition to other characters which are non-playable.
For more help on Hyrule Warriors, read our Pieces of Heart Locations, Gold Skulltulas Locations and Adventure Mode Map Unlocks Guide.
Hyrule Warriors Characters and Weapons Unlock
In this guide, I’ll talk about all these characters, how to unlock them, how to unlock their weapons, and different attacks at their disposal.
Link
How to Unlock: Link is unlocked by default
With a wide range of aerial and ground attacks, Link is going to be your starting warriors in the game. He is one of the most agile warriors in the game and has tons of weapons at his disposal.
Hylian Sword
This weapon comes with a shield and greatly increases Link’s agility and manoeuvrability. His aerial attacks are pretty devastating and you can press Y while in the air to initiate an aerial combo.
In addition to this, pressing X while in the air executes a drop down attack with severe damage. As soon as an attack takes your foe in the air, press Y thrice and finish off the combo with X.
- Knight’s Sword: Default weapon
- White Sword: From the sealed weapon in tenth scenario of Legend Mode
- Magical Sword: From the C-2 scenario in Adventure Mode
Magic Rod
This weapon is one of the best long-ranged weapons in the game. While attacking with this weapon, the Magic Rod will transform into different weapons with varying ranges. The best strategy to use this weapon is by mashing Y and then pressing X thrice.
- Fire Rod: From the sealed weapon in second scenario of Legend Mode
- Prism Rod: From the E-7 scenario of Adventure Mode
- Magical Rod: From the F-2 scenario of Adventure Mode
Great Fairy
This thing can be regarded as an individual character as she takes place of the Link in the battlefield. This is certainly an ideal weapon for clearing out hordes of enemies and capturing keeps. The best strategy to use this weapon is by pressing Y thrice and finishing with X.
- Great Fountain Fairy: From the H-1 scenario of Adventure Mode
- Great Forest Fairy: From the B-7 scenario of Adventure Mode
- Great Sky Fairy: You must get an A-rank in B-1 scenario of Adventure Mode
Gauntlets
This allows Link to carry heavy objects in the battlefield and throw them finish off hordes of enemies. To carry an object, approach it and press X followed by pressing X one more to throw the object.
- Silver Gauntlet: From the E-9 scenario of Adventure Mode
- Golden Gauntlets: You must get an A-rank in F-12 scenario of Adventure Mode
- Power Gloves: You must get an A-rank in G-14 scenario of Adventure Mode
Master Sword
This weapon is somewhat identical to Hylian Sword. While Link is at full hearts, this weapon will do increased damage and have sword beams at the end of some attacks.
The combo which literally makes this weapon devastating is YYX. To unlock this weapon, you must complete eleventh scenario of Legend Mode.
Impa
How to Unlock: Complete the first scenario of Legend Mode to unlock her
If I were to summarize Impa’s strong points, I would go for agility, damage, and range. Having both fire-based and water-based elemental attacks at her disposal, you’ll find Impa useful in almost every scenario. Here’s a quick rundown of weapons and combos at Impa’s disposal:
Giant Blade
Don’t let the size of this weapon fool you! It not only deals considerable damage, have great range, but is also extremely fast. In addition to this, this weapon also contains water-based elemental damage which will damage enemies over time.
- Giant’s Knife: This is unlocked by default
- Biggoron’s Knife: Complete seventh scenario of Legend Mode
- Biggoron’s Sword: You must get an A-rank in C-1 scenario of Adventure Mode
Naginata
Naginata not only improves the agility of this character, but also contains quite high damage output. The special attack of this weapon is its strongest point: it traps enemies in a cage and slashes them.
Use this attack on hordes of enemies or Captains for the most effective results. In addition to this, this weapon also contains fire-type elemental damage.
- Guardian Naginata: Complete G-9 scenario of Adventure Mode
- Scorching Naginata: Complete G-11 scenario of Adventure Mode with A-rank
- Sheikah Naginata: Complete D-15 scenario of Adventure Mode with A-rank
Lana
How to Unlock: Complete the third scenario of Legend Mode to unlock her
If there is someone who can give Link a run for his worthiness, it’s none other than Lana. This cheeky little sorceress contains powerful magic attacks and a number of weapons at her disposal.
Her damage output and range is certainly one of the best in the game. With her magic, she is able to summon different minions to do her bidding and even cause environmental attacks.
Book of Sorcery
This thing sure gives Lana amazing speed, attack power, damage, and insane special attack, but her combos are completely unmatchable. The first thing that you need to do is to purchase Kokiri Badge from the market to gain some additional attacks in her combos.
Lana creates magic walls to attack her enemies which create a massive blast – when Lana attacks them – that damages all nearby enemies. This is quite useful while clearing out keeps since the blast radius is very large.
YYYXX is one of her best combinations and using it on a boss will reveal its weak points.
- Spirit’s Tome: This is unlocked by default
- Sealing Tome: From a sealed weapon in sixth scenario of Legend Mode
- Sorceress Tome: Complete the A-11 scenario of Adventure Mode with an A-rank
Spear
I’m not very fond of this weapon when it comes to damage output or other attributes, but this certainly has a nostalgic and fun appeal to it. It allows Lana to have increased mobility and summon Deku Scrubs to Deku Tree into the battlefield.
- Deku Spear: From a sealed weapon in fourth scenario of Legend Mode
- Kokiri Spear: Complete the F-7 scenario of Adventure Mode with an A-rank
- Faron Spear: Complete H-12 scenario of Adventure Mode with an A-rank
The Summoning Gate
Once again, I wouldn’t recommend using this weapon in heated battles, but it’s exceedingly fun to use. With this weapon, Lana summons smaller versions of the game’s bosses that attack the foes. These bosses don’t have insane damage output, but it’s fun to see them fighting at your side.
- Gate of Time: Complete C-16 scenario of Adventure Mode with an A-rank
- Guardian’s Gate: Complete B-4 scenario of Adventure Mode with an A-rank
- Gate of Souls: Complete A-16 scenario of Adventure Mode with an A-rank
Princess Zelda
How to Unlock: Complete the eleventh scenario of Legend Mode to unlock her
Princess Zelda is a fine woman, but don’t let her graceful looks fool you. She is one of the fiercest fighters in the game with her lengthy combos and light elemental attacks. In addition to this, she’s extremely agile and has increased manoeuvrability.
Rapier
The best thing about this weapon is its ability to accumulate charges of light. You can store up to three charges of light at any time and each of these charges of light will extend your combo with one additional attack. To fill these charges, keep on executing normal combos or press X.
- Polished Rapier: This is unlocked by default
- Glittering Rapier: From the sealed weapon in eleventh scenario of Legend Mode
- Gleaming Rapier: Complete the A-9 scenario of Adventure Mode with an A-rank
Baton
It allows Zelda to call upon the power of wind and lightning and cause havoc on the battlefield. With this weapon, you won’t enjoy the perks of increased speed and agility, but the damage will be devastating.
Press X with this weapon and a tornado shall appear near your location. Zelda will be able to control this tornado which will consume enemies and grow in its size.
- Wind Waker: Complete E-12 scenario of Adventure Mode to unlock this weapon
- Sacred Baton: Complete H-2 scenario of Adventure Mode with an A-rank
- Glorious Baton: Complete A-2 scenario of Adventure Mode with an A-rank to unlock this weapon
Sheik
How to Unlock: Complete the second scenario of Legend Mode to unlock her
I wouldn’t be wrong in saying that Sheik is one of the fastest warriors in Hyrule Warriors. Whether it’s dodging enemy attacks or running around the battlefield, she is lightning fast.
Not only this, but she is also capable of creating a shield around herself which protects her from every kind of damage for a small amount of time.
Harp
Sheik is able to control different elements with her combos. YX creates a water tornado and provides her with water-based elemental damage. You can press X once again to create a water-shield around her.
You can press X after YYYX combo to create a tornado of lightning which damages all nearby enemies.
With YYYYX combo, she receives dark elemental power and pressing X once again creates a dark vacuum which pulls enemies towards it and damages them.
With YYYYYX and pressing X after it, you’ll create a small highlighted area on the ground which will fill up your special meter. And lastly, pressing X after YYX creates a fiery pillar that damages all nearby enemies.
- Goddess’ Harp: This is unlocked by default
- Typhoon Harp: Complete the eighth scenario of Legend Mode and collect the sealed weapon to unlock this weapon
- Triforce Harp: Complete the B-15 scenario of Adventure Mode with an A-rank to unlock this weapon
Ganondorf
How to Unlock: Complete the thirteenth scenario of Legend Mode to unlock him
If by any chance, you have some darkness inside of you or you don’t like Link, Ganondorf is the perfect warrior for you. Equipped with his Great Swords, Ganondorf likes to take his time and doesn’t prefer rushing his adversaries.
Great Swords
These weapons can accumulate dark powers within them and then unleash it by pressing X. The only drawback of these weapons is their slow attack speed.
Due to this drawback, you’ll have difficulty in building up a long combo because your opponents will be able to break it with their own attacks. You can go with YYX and YYYYX combos as these provide a decent range.
- Swords of Despair: These are unlocked by default
- Swords of Darkness: You need to complete F-15 scenario of Adventure Mode with an A-rank to unlock this weapon
- Swords of Demise: You need to complete B-8 scenario of Adventure Mode with an A-rank to unlock this weapon
Darunia
How to Unlock: Complete the seventh scenario of Legend Mode to unlock this character
Quite similar to Ganondorf, this dude lacks speed and agility, but he can bring utter destruction to all things. His attacks are not too good when it comes to range, but when used in combos, they’re pretty insane.
Hammer
Whether you’re going for solo attacks or using them in a combo, the attacks from hammer hit hard and have pretty high damage output. There isn’t any technique involved in using this weapon as it’s fairly straightforward hard hitting weapon.
- Magic Hammer: This is unlocked as the default weapon
- Igneous Hammer: You need to complete C-13 of Adventure Mode with an A-rank
- Megaton Hammer: You need to complete A-14 of Adventure Mode with an A-rank to unlock this weapon
Ruto
How to Unlock: You need to complete E-10 scenario of Adventure Mode to unlock this character
Ruto is another warrior who comes close to Link when it comes to clearing out hordes of enemies and controlling keeps. In addition to this, Ruto is quite agile and capable of launching swift attacks.
All in all, she is a pretty nice addition to your arsenal of characters.
Zora Scale
This weapon at Ruto’s disposal can come in really handy when clearing out hordes of enemies in any area. By simply pressing X, she can throw in bursts of water at insane long ranges that damages all nearby enemies.
By continuously executing combos, you will fill in Ruto’s Special Meter. After filling it, press X twice and Ruto will execute the water-burst attack.
Immediately after this attack, she will lunge into the air and will come down to damage any remaining enemies. This attack is quite useful when it comes to clearing out keeps and hordes of enemies in any location.
- Silver Scale: This weapon is unlocked by default
- Golden Scale: You need to complete E-15 scenario of Adventure Mode with an A-rank to unlock this weapon
- Water Dragon Scale: You need to complete F-16 scenario of Adventure Mode with an A-rank to unlock this weapon
Agitha
How to Unlock: You need to complete D-7 scenario of Adventure Mode to unlock this character
Agitha is a friend of every insect known to mankind and use this to her advantage while in a fight. She is able to summon her arthropod buddies to aid her while fighting.
She has some pretty decent stats, but the only times I opt of Agitha is when I need something different than my other warriors.
Parasol
Agitha is able to perform a wide variety of combos using this weapon and almost all of these combos vary greatly in not only damage and attack power, but also in range.
Going with YYX combo creates a highlighted area on the ground and our warrior calls in a giant beetle to aid her during the battle. Do note that this process takes up a lot time and Agitha becomes vulnerable during this whole time.
Going with YYYX makes her lunge into the air and come down on a butterfly under her command. With this butterfly, she gets a little speed boost and is almost impossible to hard due to her constant motion.
Lastly, with YYYYX, she is able to call a large stag beetle which crushes pretty much everyone in its path. In addition to this, the giant butterfly also appears along with the large beetle.
- Butterfly Parasol: This is unlocked as a default weapon
- Luna Parasol: You need to complete E-1 scenario of Adventure Mode with an A-rank to unlock this weapon
- Princess Parasol: You need to complete A-4 scenario of Adventure Mode with an A-rank to unlock this weapon
Midna
How to Unlock: You need to complete the sixth scenario of Legend Mode to unlock her
This warrior rides on a wolf while attacking with her strong magical attacks. Some of her attacks involve attacks from her wolf and her long golden hair which transform into a hand and grab enemies, even from a distance.
Her attacks are certainly one of the best in the game and upgrading them can bring about the utter doom of the enemies of Hyrule.
Shackle
Both solo and combination attacks from this weapon enjoy decent range and good attack speed, but when it comes to damage, it’s lagging behind other warriors. In addition to this, you need to buy all her Kokiri Sword Badges from the Badge Market to bring out her true potential.
One of the most amazing combos at this warrior’s disposal is her YYXXX. With this combo, she is able to summon two wolves into the battlefield who run around the entire area and damage all nearby enemies.
Once again, to bring out the true potential of these wolves, you need to buy all her Kokiri Sword Badges.
- Cursed Shackle: This weapon is unlocked by default
- Twilight Shackle: You need to complete C-9 scenario of Adventure Mode with an A-rank to unlock this weapon
- Sol Shackle: You need to complete H-15 scenario of Adventure Mode with an A-rank to unlock this weapon
Zant
How to Unlock: You need to complete C-3 scenario of Adventure Mode to unlock this character
This guy uses his temper tantrums to attack his opponents in the battleground. These attacks have pretty high damage output, once you get the hang of things. He’s no less than the best warriors of the game, and is exceedingly fun to use.
Scimitar
There are not many attacks at this warrior’s disposal, but whatever he does; does it elegantly. In addition to his temper tantrums, he is also capable of producing a giant helmet of his head and creates a totem pole.
He stands atop this tantem pole and attack his foes using the fire balls. You can also keep on pressing X while he is atop the pole to increase the range/time of the fireballs. Here’s a quick rundown of all his weapons in the game:
- Usurper’s Scimitar: This is unlocked by default
- Shadow Scimitar: You need to complete D-1 scenario of Adventure Mode to unlock this weapon
- Scimitar of Twilight: You need to complete B-3 scenario of Adventure Mode to unlock this weapon
Fi
How to Unlock: You need to complete the ninth scenario of Legend Mode to unlock this character
When we talk about agility and beauty, Fi tends to provide the best of both worlds. She is most certainly one of the most agile characters in the game, and is capable of coming out of heated engagements with no difficulty at all.
In addition to this, she is also capable of transforming the Goddess Sword to empower her attacks with light-based element. Sure, you won’t enjoy an insane damage output or range, but her agility is one of her strong points.
Goddess Sword
If you still have any doubts – yes, Fi is herself the Goddess Sword. She is able to transform into the sword at any given moment and vanquish all her adversaries with multiple blows.
In addition to this, she is also capable of powering up the Skyword Sword by points towards the sky while in the sword form. Doing so increases her attack power and makes using her all the more worthwhile.
In order to do so, simply press X and as soon as you see the special meter draining, press X again to refill it.
- Goddess Sword: This is unlocked by default
- Goddess Longsword: You need to complete F-5 scenario of Adventure Mode to unlock this weapon
- True Goddess Blade: You need to complete H-14 scenario of Adventure Mode to unlock this weapon
Ghirahim
How to Unlock: You need to complete G-3 scenario of Adventure Mode to unlock the final playable character of the game
This is one warrior that you should unlock as quickly as possible. This dude is capable of clearing fields of enemies faster than any other warrior in the game. He uses his Demon Sword which is easily the best long-ranged weapon in the game.
Demon Sword
Like I have mentioned above, this is one of the best weapons in the game when we talk about range and damage output. In addition to this, his Special Attack is pretty devastating and shows the true potential of this deadly warrior.
The only drawback of this weapon is that its regular/solo attacks are not that good, but they get better in combos.
- Demon Tribe Sword: This is unlocked by default
- Demon Longsword: Complete D-5 scenario of Adventure Mode to unlock this weapon
- True Demon Blade: Complete B-9 scenario of Adventure Mode to unlock this weapon
If you have any questions, throw them in the comments below and I’ll get back to you!
