A terrifying mechanic in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the Blood Moon, which appears during full moon nights throughout the duration of the game. At first glance, the Blood Moon appears to be a great danger to players by reviving all monsters previously defeated. The Blood Moon's revival applies to Guardians and enemies within BOTW's many Shrines, ensuring that players will never experience a shortage of powerful enemies to face or monster parts to collect. Aside from the Blood Moon's dangers, there is also a hidden benefit to brave players who don't flee to the nearest inn when the sky goes red.
Cooking is vital to Breath of the Wild's gameplay, providing a multitude of buffs to Link upon consumption of meals. Ingredients appear throughout the game's massive open world, with dozens of different recipes offering different effects. Cooking during a Blood Moon, however, ensures that Link is doubly rewarded for the player's efforts. Beginning at 11:30 (23:30 with the in-game clock), players will be able to receive additional benefits to the meals they cook. Saving ingredients for the most dangerous time of the month can reward players with meals that will turn the tide of any battle.
One of the effects players can gain in their dishes by cooking under the Blood Moon is an additional 5:00 duration to the effects granted by whatever meal they make. Certain recipes will grant resistances to many different damage types, preventing powerful enemies from dealing elemental damage. This can be particularly useful when activating Sheikah Towers and exploring dangerous new areas, such as Death Mountain, which will continuously damage Link if he is not equipped with the proper armor set. Being able to make the most of the resources available in-game, and taking advantage of an additional 5:00 of buffs, can only help players navigate through Breath of the Wild's dangerous world and quests.
Breath Of The Wild's Blood Moon Will Make Dishes More Potent And Valuable
Perhaps the most common uses of Breath of the Wild's meals are the restoration of hearts, which can come in handy when facing powerful enemies such as Lynels or even Calamity Ganon. Crafting a health-restoring meal under a Blood Moon can grant up to three additional hearts for players to regain. Seeing as there is no limit to where players can eat, meals cooked under the Blood Moon can ensure victory during the most dangerous of fights. One of the most effective heart restoration recipes is known as the Glazed Meat meal, which is made with the Hearty Truffle, Raw Meat, and Courser Bee Honey. The Glazed Meat meal restores ten hearts, but can restore additional health with more fish or meat.
Crafting recipes in Breath of the Wild can be improved through many ways, such as the addition of more ingredients or a greater quality of ingredients. The effectiveness of different recipes is determined by its level, which grades the overall benefits granted to players on consumption. Under the Blood Moon, recipes have the potential to gain +1 Level to the effect present in the dish. These dishes also become more valuable to shopkeepers, and can be sold for more Rupees. This is extremely valuable to players during BOTW's early game, where Rupees are in shorter supply.
While Breath of the Wild's Blood Moon has many dangers to players, the buffs applied while cooking can be one of the most crucial benefits to players throughout the game's campaign and side quests. The increased benefits of meals cooked during the Blood Moon can equip players with more Rupees during the early game, while also increasing the effectiveness of Link during combat. Those brave enough to face their resurrected opponents to reach a cooking pot will be handsomely rewarded for their efforts in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.