Unleash the Power of Stasis: Your Guide to the Guardian Glitch in BOTW
Hyrule is a vast and dangerous place, and few enemies strike as much fear into the hearts of adventurers as the dreaded Guardians. These ancient, mechanical monstrosities roam the land, their laser beams capable of obliterating even the most seasoned warrior. But what if you could turn their power against them? What if you could, quite literally, freeze them in their tracks and wail on them without fear of reprisal? Welcome, brave adventurer, to the world of the Guardian Glitch in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
This exploit, often referred to as the "Silent Stasis" or "Stasis+) Glitch," allows players to indefinitely freeze Guardians, making them easy targets for obliteration. It’s a game-changer for tackling tough areas and farming valuable Guardian parts. While it might sound complex, with a little practice, you'll be a Guardian-slaying master in no time. Let's break down how to perform this incredible feat.
Prerequisites: What You Need to Get Started
Before you embark on your glitching adventure, you’ll need a few essential items and abilities. Don't worry, they are all obtainable through normal gameplay, so you won't need to break the game to break the game, so to speak.
- The Stasis Rune: This is the cornerstone of the glitch. You’ll acquire this early in the game from the Oman Au Shrine on the Great Plateau.
- The Stasis+ Upgrade: This is crucial. The basic Stasis rune simply freezes objects for a short duration. The Stasis+ upgrade, obtained by completing three specific Shrines and then visiting Symin at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab, allows you to freeze enemies and gives you time to hit them to build up kinetic energy. You *must* have this upgrade for the glitch to work.
- A Melee Weapon: Any decent sword, axe, or spear will do. The stronger, the better, as you’ll be hitting the frozen Guardian multiple times.
- Patience and Practice: While not a tangible item, these are vital. The timing can be a bit tricky at first, but don't get discouraged!
The Step-by-Step Guide to Freezing Guardians
Now, let's get down to business. Here’s how you execute the Guardian Glitch:
- Locate a Guardian: Find any Guardian, whether it's a stationary Turret Guardian, a walking Guardian, or even a Skywatcher. The process is generally the same for all types.
- Get Close and Trigger its Attack: Approach the Guardian until it locks onto you and begins charging its laser beam. You want to be close enough that it’s about to fire, but not so close that you’re about to get zapped.
- Activate Stasis+ and Immediately Attack: This is the critical timing window. As soon as the Guardian starts firing its laser, *immediately* activate your Stasis+ rune. The moment the Stasis+ effect takes hold and the Guardian is frozen, start wailing on it with your melee weapon. You want to get as many hits in as possible before the Stasis effect wears off.
- Repeat Until Defeated: The Stasis+ effect will wear off, and the Guardian will likely resume its attack. Immediately repeat step 3. Keep activating Stasis+ and attacking whenever the Guardian is frozen. Each time you land hits while it’s frozen, you build up kinetic energy. When the Stasis effect finally wears off completely, the accumulated energy will be unleashed, often sending the Guardian flying or dealing massive damage, sometimes even obliterating it in one go.
Important Notes on Execution:
- The "Zap" Moment: The sweet spot for activating Stasis+ is just as the Guardian’s laser beam is fully materialized and about to fire. You'll see a distinct glow and a sound cue.
- Weapon Durability: Be mindful of your weapon’s durability. You’ll be using it quite a bit.
- Shielding is Still an Option: If you miss the timing for Stasis+, you can still use your shield to parry the laser beam. This is a separate technique but can save you in a pinch.
- Dodging: While Stasis+ is your goal, being able to dodge out of the way if you mess up the timing is also essential.
Why Does This Work? The Science Behind the Glitch
The Guardian Glitch, at its core, is a fascinating interaction between the Stasis+ rune and the game's physics engine. When you activate Stasis+ on an enemy, it freezes them in place and allows you to impart kinetic energy through your attacks. The glitch occurs because, under specific circumstances, the game doesn't properly "reset" the Guardian's state when the Stasis+ effect ends, allowing it to be re-frozen indefinitely while still retaining the accumulated kinetic energy from previous hits.
Essentially, you're tricking the game into thinking the Guardian is still subject to the Stasis+ effect, allowing you to continuously build up damage without it being able to retaliate effectively. The accumulated kinetic energy is the force that ultimately finishes the Guardian off when the Stasis effect finally breaks free.
Advanced Tactics and Variations
Once you've mastered the basic Guardian Glitch, you might want to explore some advanced techniques:
- Targeting Weak Points: While frozen, you can often target the Guardian’s glowing eye for critical hits, dealing even more damage.
- Using Explosives: While not directly part of the Stasis+ glitch, you can combine it with powerful elemental weapons or bombs to further increase your damage output.
- Guardian Scout Exploits: This glitch can even be used on Guardian Scouts within Shrines, though their rapid movement and attack patterns can make it more challenging.
Mastering the Guardian Glitch is a significant step towards becoming a true force in Hyrule. It not only makes fighting these formidable foes much easier but also allows for efficient farming of Guardian parts, which are invaluable for crafting and upgrading powerful armor and weapons. So, grab your best sword, head out into the wild, and get ready to experience the thrill of turning these mechanical menaces into inanimate statues!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How do I get the Stasis+ upgrade?
A: You need to complete three specific Shrines that offer an upgrade for the Stasis rune. After that, you must visit Purah at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab with the required materials (Ancient Core, 10 Ancient Screws, 10 Ancient Springs) to upgrade your Sheikah Slate.
Q: Why isn't the Guardian freezing for me?
A: You likely don't have the Stasis+ upgrade. The basic Stasis rune is not sufficient for freezing enemies and performing this glitch. Ensure you have Stasis+ activated on your Sheikah Slate.
Q: Can I use this glitch on any Guardian?
A: Yes, this glitch can be used on almost all types of Guardians, including Turrets, Walkers, Skywatchers, and even some Guardian Scouts. The timing might vary slightly depending on the Guardian's movement and attack patterns.
Q: How much damage can I do while the Guardian is frozen?
A: You can hit the Guardian as many times as your weapon's durability allows and as quickly as you can swing. The more hits you land, the more kinetic energy builds up, leading to a more powerful final impact when the Stasis effect wears off.

