You're wandering through the Faron Woods, minding your own business, when suddenly the music shifts. It gets deep. Thumping. You look up and realize that "hill" you were about to climb is actually the ribcage of a sleeping giant.
Welcome to the club.
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Most players stumble into their first Hinox fight completely by accident. These one-eyed behemoths are basically Hyrule’s version of a nap-happy landlord, and finding all Hinox locations in BotW is one of the most satisfying (and lucrative) grinds in the game. Honestly, it’s not just about the loot. If you want that shiny Medal of Honor from Kilton, you’ve got to hunt down every single one of them. All 40.
The Hunt for 40: Why Geography Matters
Hyrule is big. Like, "I’ve been playing for 200 hours and just found a new stable" big. Hinoxes aren't just randomly scattered; they tend to guard specific choke points or hide in clearings that look a little too peaceful.
There are 40 Hinoxes in total. This count includes the standard Red, Blue, and Black varieties, plus the skeletal Stalnox that only wake up after the clock hits 9:00 PM.
Red ones? They're the lightweights. You’ll mostly find them in "starter" areas like West Necluda or near the Great Plateau. Black Hinoxes, on the other hand, are the tanks. They’ve got more health, better weapons around their necks, and they usually wear metal leg guards so you can’t just cheese them with fire arrows or basic sword slashes to the shins.
The Central Hyrule and Ridgeland Stash
Let's talk about the heart of the map. Central Hyrule feels like it should be empty because of the Guardians, but Hinoxes love the ruins there.
- Applean Forest: Just southeast of Hyrule Castle. It’s a classic spot.
- Giant’s Forest: North of Mount Daphnes. This guy is a Black Hinox, so don't go in with sticks.
- Digdogg Suspension Bridge: This Red Hinox is practically a rite of passage. Most people kill him on their way to the Wasteland Tower.
- Seres Scablands: Way over in the Ridgeland area.
The Faron and Necluda Giants
Faron is the Hinox capital of the world. Seriously, there are so many of them tucked away in the rainforest and the cliffs that you'll start seeing them in your sleep.
The Three Brothers (Mount Taran) are the ones everyone remembers. They’re part of a specific Shrine Quest where you have to steal orbs from a Red (Youngest), Blue (Middle), and Black (Oldest) brother. It’s a great way to see the power scaling in real-time.
Then there's the Eventide Island Hinox. This is the ultimate test. You’re stripped of all your gear, standing there in your underwear with a soup ladle, and you have to take down a Blue Hinox. Pro tip: you don't actually have to kill him. You can glide onto his belly while he's sleeping, grab the orb, and bolt. But honestly, where’s the fun in that?
Stalnox Locations: The Night Shift
You can't talk about all Hinox locations in BotW without mentioning the ones that don't have skin. Stalnoxes are a different beast. If you find a pile of giant bones during the day, mark it on your map. That’s a Stalnox.
- Hickaly Woods: Just south of Dueling Peaks Stable.
- Satori Mountain: On the southeast slopes. This area is creepy enough as it is.
- Hyrule Castle: Down in the East Passage/Lockup area. This one is legendary because it guards the Hylian Shield.
- Eastern Daval Peak: Way down south near the edge of the world.
To kill these guys, you have to knock their health down until their eye pops out. Then you whale on the eye. If you don't kill the eye, the body just keeps rebuilding itself. It’s annoying. It’s metal. It’s Zelda.
How to Actually Win (Without Breaking All Your Swords)
Look, we've all been there. You see the Hinox, you get excited, you jump in, and three minutes later you're out of weapons and the thing still has half its health.
Stop doing that.
The eye is the key. Use a 1x or 3x bow and aim for the iris. When he covers his eye with his hand, wait. He’ll eventually peek. That’s your window.
Stasis+ is your best friend here. If you've upgraded your Sheikah Slate at the Hateno Lab, you can freeze the Hinox in place. This makes hitting the eye 100% easier. Once he’s down, use a heavy weapon (a claymore or a club) and do the "spin to win" charge attack.
Stealing Before the Fight
Did you know you can sneak onto a Hinox's hand while he's sleeping? He’ll eventually lift his hand to scratch his belly, depositing you right on top of his treasure necklace. You can grab the Royal Broadsword or the Knight's Bow right off his chest without him even waking up. It’s a total pro move.
Completing the Kilton Challenge
If you’re going for 100% completion, you need the Medal of Honor: Hinox. To get it, you have to talk to Kilton at the Fang and Bone after you’ve defeated Calamity Ganon at least once.
He’ll tell you how many you’ve killed. The catch? You have to kill all 40 unique individuals. If you kill the same Red Hinox at the Bridge 50 times, it only counts as one. You’ll know you’ve already "ticked off" a specific location because a little star and the word "Defeated" will appear next to the boss’s health bar when you engage them.
A Quick List of Hard-to-Find Spots
I’ve noticed people always miss these three:
- Thyphlo Ruins: It’s pitch black in there. You basically have to fight a Hinox by torchlight. It’s terrifying.
- Talus Plateau: Way out east in Lanayru. It’s a long walk for one giant.
- Hebra North Crest: It’s freezing, it’s steep, and there’s a Blue Hinox just chilling in the snow.
Finding every single Hinox is a journey through Hyrule’s weirdest corners. You'll find them in the marshes of Lanayru, the scorched earth of Eldin (near Gut Check Rock), and the frozen peaks of Hebra.
The best way to track your progress is to use the stamps on your in-game map. Use the "Skull" icon for Hinoxes you haven't fought yet and the "Star" for ones you have. Once you get that medal from Kilton, you can officially call yourself the apex predator of Hyrule.
Now that you've got the lay of the land, head over to the Hickaly Woods first if you want an easy Stalnox kill tonight. Or, if you’re feeling brave, paraglide into the Hyrule Castle Lockup and take that Hylian Shield from the skeleton's cold, dead hands. Just make sure you bring enough arrows; you're going to need them.