With Breath of the Wild 2 expected to be released this year, Nintendo has an opportunity to expand on the first game's already-excellent combat with a selection of new weapons for Link to use. The several weapons that Link could use in Breath of the Wild were one of the game's best features, and the sequel should seek to expand on that. A few good additions to Link's arsenal could be the little extra twist that BOTW 2 needs to stand out from its predecessor.
Experimenting with new weapons not only let players in BOTW fine-tune Link's combat performance to their preferences, but added plenty of replay value. Although many fans loathed BOTW's weapon durability feature, the vast arsenal available to Link kept combat fun and exciting throughout the game. Because a sequel should always aim to improve on the original, it is fair to expect some new weapons for Link to wield. Perhaps a new fighting style could come out that even challenges Link's classic sword and shield.
One of the most glaring omissions from the first game was knives and daggers. Daggers are a classic fantasy weapon, so for them to be absent from BOTW seems like an odd oversight. Daggers would likely be lacking in strength and range, but could make up for it with incredible speed, allowing Link to repeatedly slash enemies before they could respond. BOTW allowed players to perform impressive combos with enough finesse, so a weapon designed around combos would be a perfect addition. A dagger's small size could also permit Link to be more nimble, granting him the ability to dodge in the middle of a combo. A dagger could make for a fun change of pace for Link, who rarely gets a chance to show his agility in a fight.
More Weapons In BOTW 2 Will Give Link More Freedom In Combat
A staff is another solid weapon that could be added into BOTW 2. Armed with a seemingly humble pole, Link could take on a fighting style reminiscent of those seen in martial arts films, mixing decent range with stylish combo attacks. In addition, in lieu of a shield, the staff could be used to parry enemy attacks with proper timing, throwing them off balance and allowing Link to land some hits while they're stunned. It could provide a unique method of combat compared to most available weapons. Plus, considering BOTW's love of Easter Eggs, Link could find all sorts of potential staff weapons hidden in plain sight, such as a laundry pole or an iron rod.
Another excellent weapon idea would be gauntlets and other fist-based weapons. They would have the shortest range in the game due to being fist coverings, but they would grant Link a boxing fighting style. He could bob and weave to avoid attacks as he unleashes a barrage of jabs and hooks. They may be a bit stronger than daggers in exchange for being slower and having less efficient dodges. Of course, the main draw of fist weapons would be the sight of Link punching Ganon's minions in the face, or perhaps even Ganon himself. Boxing as a fighting style may sound anachronistic for the setting, but seeing as BOTW already features the Master Cycle, boxing should fit in without a problem.
Seeing Link use all sorts of weapons in BOTW was great, and hopefully the sequel can build on that. New weapons can open the way for new challenges and playstyles in the next game. When Breath of the Wild 2 releases later in 2022, it would be wise to keep a sharp eye out for new ways to fight.