You’re standing on the edge of the Great Plateau. The wind is howling. You’ve got a tree branch, some tattered clothes, and absolutely zero idea how you're going to survive a Guardian encounter. Then, you remember that little plastic figure sitting on your shelf.
Basically, using amiibo on breath of the wild feels like calling in a tactical supply drop from the heavens. It’s a bit like cheating, but Nintendo made it, so we call it a "feature." Honestly, even years after the game launched, these little NFC-chipped toys are the best way to bypass the early-game grind.
Getting Started (The Part Everyone Forgets)
You can’t just tap a figure and expect loot. I’ve seen so many people frustrated because "nothing happened." You actually have to enable it in the system settings first. Go to the Options menu and toggle "use amiibo."
Once that's done, it shows up as a Rune on your Sheikah Slate. Select it, aim the reticle at a flat piece of ground, and then tap the figure to your controller. If you're on a Switch, touch it to the right joystick. On a Pro Controller, it’s the Nintendo logo in the middle.
The Heavy Hitters: What to Actually Look For
Not all amiibo are created equal. Some give you a pile of raw meat and a rusty claymore. Others give you the best horse in gaming history.
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- Smash Bros. Link / Twilight Princess Link: These are the holy grail. The first time you scan them, Epona spawns. She has maxed-out stats. Just make sure you’re near a stable when you do it, or you’ll be walking for miles trying to register her.
- Wolf Link: This is the only one that actually changes how you play. It summons a literal wolf companion. If you played Twilight Princess HD on the Wii U and saved your progress, he can have up to 20 hearts. If not? He’s stuck with three, and he'll die the second a Bokoblin looks at him funny.
- The Guardian: This thing is huge. It drops ancient parts—screws, shafts, and occasionally an Ancient Core. If you’re trying to upgrade your Ancient Armor set without hunting real Guardians, this is your best friend.
- Majora's Mask Link: You want the Fierce Deity armor. It looks terrifying and gives you a massive attack boost. It’s arguably better than the Barbarian set because the sword that comes with it, the Fierce Deity Sword, looks incredible on Link’s back.
The Math Behind the Loot
Google is full of people asking why they can't get the Twilight Bow. It's because the drop rates are low. Kinda brutal, actually.
Most of the "exclusive" gear, like the Biggoron's Sword or the Wind Waker outfits, is tucked away in a "Great Hit" loot table. Usually, you only have about a 20% chance of hitting that table. From there, the actual item you want might only have a 2% or 10% chance of appearing.
There’s a trick, though. The game tracks your "Big Hits." If you scan an amiibo four times and get garbage, the fifth scan is often hard-coded to be a "Great Hit."
The Divine Beast Hack
Did you know your progress in the game changes what the amiibo give you? It's true. Most of the really cool stuff—like the Twilight Bow or the Divine Beast masks from the Champion amiibo—won't even drop until you've cleared at least one Divine Beast.
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If you’re scanning your amiibo on breath of the wild right after leaving the Shrine of Resurrection, you’re mostly going to get basic swords and shields. Save the "save-scumming" for later in the game.
Speaking of save-scumming, it's the only way to keep your sanity. Save the game before you scan. Don't like the chest? Reload the save. Repeat until you get that Cape of the Wind. You can only scan each figure once per real-life day, so unless you want to mess with your system clock, reloading is the way to go.
Why You Shouldn't Overpay
Look, collecting the figures is fun. They look great on a desk. But some of these, like the Ocarina of Time Link, fetch ridiculous prices on eBay.
If you just want the in-game items, just get the NFC cards. You can find packs on Amazon or Etsy that have all 20+ Zelda-related amiibo on small plastic cards for the price of one single figure. They work exactly the same. The game can't tell the difference between a $100 plastic statue and a $0.50 piece of cardboard.
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Surprising Non-Zelda Rewards
You aren't limited to Zelda figures. Pretty much any amiibo works. Tap a Mario or a Kirby figure, and you'll get a shower of random materials. It’s usually fruit, mushrooms, or meat.
It sounds useless, but early on, those extra apples and mushrooms are the difference between surviving a cold mountain and freezing to death. Plus, you can sell the raw ingredients for easy Rupees if you're struggling to buy the Stealth Set in Kakariko Village.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Session
- Always scan near a stable if you're using a Link amiibo for the first time. Epona is a one-time "guaranteed" spawn, and if she dies or gets lost before you register her, getting her back is a nightmare of RNG.
- Complete one Divine Beast before you start hunting for the legendary weapons. The loot tables literally won't let you have the best stuff until then.
- Use the Guardian amiibo near metal boxes. It often drops metal crates along with the chest. Use Magnesis to smash those crates for extra loot—sometimes they contain extra arrows or gems.
- Pair the Divine Beast Helms with the Ancient Armor. Even though the helms are amiibo-exclusive, they still trigger the "Ancient Proficiency" set bonus, which makes your ancient weapons do 80% more damage.
- Save-scum at 11:59 PM. If you scan just before midnight, you can reload your save if you fail, then scan again immediately at 12:01 AM for a second "natural" attempt.
The beauty of amiibo on breath of the wild isn't just the gear. It’s the flavor. Wearing the classic green tunic while riding Epona through the fields of Hyrule makes the game feel like a true celebration of the series' history. Just don't let the low drop rates get to you; persistence is a virtue in Hyrule.