So, you’re wandering through the Highlands, the music suddenly shifts into that airy, tinkling flute melody, and then you see it. A massive, scales-glistening spirit snaking through the clouds. It’s easily one of the most jaw-dropping moments in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. But honestly? Dragons in Zelda Breath of the Wild are kind of a pain if you don’t know their schedules.
They aren't bosses. Not really. You can’t kill them, and they won't go out of their way to hunt you down, which is a bit of a subversion if you're coming from Skyrim. Instead, Dinraal, Farosh, and Naydra are more like natural disasters with a loot table. They represent the three core elements—fire, electricity, and ice—and they serve as the ultimate gatekeepers for upgrading your best armor.
If you've spent three nights standing on a bridge waiting for a glow that never comes, you aren't alone. The game’s internal clock and weather system can be finicky.
The Three Spirits: Who Are They?
Basically, these three are servants of the Springs of Power, Courage, and Wisdom. You’ve got Dinraal, the red spirit associated with the Eldin region. Then there’s Farosh, the green one that loves lightning and hangs out near Lake Hylia or Faron. Lastly, Naydra, the blue ice dragon, starts out corrupted by Malice on top of Mount Lanayru.
Freeing Naydra is probably the best "mini-quest" in the game. You have to chase it down the mountain, popping Malice eyeballs while paragliding through freezing updrafts. It’s peak Zelda gameplay. Once you’ve done that, all three dragons just... exist. They follow set paths through Hyrule, appearing at specific times of the day, usually around midnight or early morning.
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Why Farosh is the Easiest Farm (and Why You Need Parts)
Farosh is the one you’ll see the most. If you’ve ever stood on the Bridge of Hylia at night, you’ve seen that green glow emerging from the water. Honestly, if you need money or armor upgrades, Farosh is your best friend.
Most people want dragon parts for two reasons. First, the "Barbarian Armor" and the "Champion's Tunic" require them for final upgrades. Second, cooking. If you drop a dragon horn into a pot with four "mighty" or "tough" ingredients, you get a 30-minute buff. Thirty minutes! You can basically clear the entire Trial of the Sword or a Divine Beast with a single meal.
To get what you want, you have to hit a specific spot on the dragon’s body with an arrow:
- Horn: Hit the glowing antlers.
- Scale: Hit the body anywhere else.
- Claw: Hit the feet/talons.
- Shard of Farosh's Fang: Hit the mouth/snout.
It’s harder than it looks because of the elemental orbs they spit out. If Farosh hits you with a lightning ball, you’re dropping your bow and falling a hundred feet. Wear the Thunder Helm or the Rubber Suit. Seriously.
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Where to Actually Find Dinraal and Naydra
Dinraal is a bit of a trek. Most players camp out at the Tabantha Great Bridge. If you sit by a fire until morning, Dinraal usually comes floating through the canyon around 9:00 AM or 10:00 AM. It’s a spectacular sight, seeing this massive fire serpent framed by the canyon walls. Bring fireproof elixir or the Flamebreaker armor, though, because the updrafts Dinraal creates are literally scorching.
Naydra is the elusive one. Even after you save it from Ganon's sludge, it tends to stick to the Lanayru Promenade. The best spot to wait is the Lanayru Bay area or the hills overlooking the promenade.
The "Dragon Glitch" and Spawning Issues
Sometimes, they just don't show up. It’s frustrating. You sit by the fire, wait for morning, and... nothing. This usually happens because you’re standing too close to the spawn point. The game's engine won't "pop" a dragon into existence if you're staring right at its exit hole.
Move further back. Also, if you’ve been farming for hours, the game’s memory can get a bit clogged. Teleporting to a completely different region and then coming back usually resets the world state. Another pro tip: dragons in Zelda Breath of the Wild won't spawn if there's a heavy thunderstorm or if you have a campfire too close to a "traveler" NPC path.
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The Lore Most People Miss
The game doesn't explicitly tell you this, but these dragons are likely named after the Golden Goddesses: Din, Farore, and Nayru. They’ve been around since the beginning of Hyrule's history. Unlike the dragons in Tears of the Kingdom (no spoilers here, but the mechanics change slightly), the ones in Breath of the Wild are truly ethereal. They don’t have a physical "collision" box in the way enemies do. You can’t land on them. You’ll just phase through and take elemental damage.
It's also worth noting that they aren't immortal in the way you'd think. They are "spirits" taking the form of dragons. They are the guardians of the natural order.
Getting the Most Out of Your Hunt
If you’re looking to max out your inventory, don't just hunt one. Create a loop. Start at Riola Spring for Farosh (it’s the fastest spawn in the game—he comes out of the water at 5:00 AM sharp), then warp to the Tabantha Bridge for Dinraal.
The physics are key. When you hit a dragon, the part flies off and glows with a bright light. It won't despawn even if it falls far away, but try to keep your eye on it. In the Faron region, the parts often end up in the water or buried in thick jungle brush.
If you’re struggling with aim, use a Long Range bow. The Golden Bow (found in the Gerudo barracks) or the Phrenic Bow (common in Sheikah chests) has a "zoom" feature that makes hitting the horn much easier from a distance. The Ancient Bow is also great because it fires in a near-perfectly straight line.
Quick Reference for Upgrades
- Scales: Needed for the "Spring" quests to unlock shrines.
- Horns: The most valuable. Sell for 300 Rupees or use for the 30-minute cook time.
- Fangs/Claws: Specific armor tiers, like the Fierce Deity set (if you have the amiibo).
Actionable Next Steps for Dragon Hunters
- Grab the right gear: Before you head out, make sure you have the Flamebreaker set for Dinraal, the Rubber set for Farosh, and the Snowquill set for Naydra. You cannot farm effectively if you are constantly being frozen or shocked out of the air.
- Unlock the Riola Spring Cave: This is the ultimate "pro" tip. Go to the cave behind the waterfall at Riola Spring in Faron. Build a fire. Sit until morning. Farosh spawns instantly. You can farm 30 horns in 30 minutes.
- Use the "Zoom" bows: Stop wasting normal arrows. Get a Golden Bow or an Ancient Bow to negate the gravity arc.
- Don't Forget the Springs: Make sure you actually take one scale from each dragon to the Spring of Power, Spring of Wisdom, and Spring of Courage. This unlocks the "hidden" shrines and completes that part of the map's completion percentage.