How do I solve the shrine with the windmill puzzles in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

The shrine with the windmill puzzles in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is called the "Tahno O'ah Shrine," located in the Lanayru region. This shrine is part of the "Trial of Power" questline and involves using wind currents and careful timing to solve its puzzles. The shrine's primary mechanic revolves around manipulating windmills to create or stop wind currents, which are essential for moving platforms and solving the shrine's challenges. Below is a detailed guide to help you navigate and complete this shrine.

The shrine begins with a central room featuring a large windmill and a series of platforms that move when the windmill is active. The windmill generates wind currents that push the platforms, allowing you to cross gaps or reach higher areas. To interact with the windmill, you need to use a weapon or an arrow to strike the glowing blue switch on the windmill. This will activate or deactivate the windmill, depending on its current state. Timing is crucial here, as you need to strike the switch at the right moment to align the platforms for your movement.

The first step is to activate the windmill by hitting the switch. This will cause the platforms to move, creating a path for you to cross. Once you reach the other side, you will encounter a chest containing a valuable item. To access the chest, you may need to deactivate the windmill temporarily to stop the platforms from moving. This allows you to climb onto the platform and open the chest. After collecting the item, reactivate the windmill to continue progressing through the shrine.

The next section of the shrine introduces a more complex puzzle involving multiple windmills and moving platforms. Here, you will need to coordinate the activation and deactivation of the windmills to create a path forward. One common strategy is to activate the first windmill to move a platform into position, then quickly deactivate it to stop the platform at the desired location. This allows you to jump onto the platform and proceed to the next area. Repeat this process for the remaining windmills, carefully timing your strikes to control the movement of the platforms.

One important tip is to use a bow and arrow for precise control over the windmills. This allows you to hit the switches from a distance, giving you more time to react and adjust your movements. Additionally, make sure to conserve your arrows, as you may need them for later sections of the shrine. If you run out of arrows, you can use melee weapons to strike the switches, but this requires you to be closer to the windmills, which can be more challenging.

A common mistake players make is not paying attention to the timing of the windmill activations. If you activate the windmill too early or too late, the platforms may not align correctly, making it difficult or impossible to progress. To avoid this, take your time and observe the movement of the platforms before striking the switch. Another mistake is forgetting to deactivate the windmill after crossing a platform, which can cause the platform to move out of position and block your path.

For advanced players, there are optimizations you can use to speed up the shrine completion. One technique is to use the paraglider to glide across gaps instead of relying solely on the moving platforms. This can save time and reduce the need to activate and deactivate the windmills multiple times. Additionally, you can use the Stasis rune to freeze the windmill temporarily, giving you more control over the platform movements. This requires precise timing and practice but can be a useful tool for experienced players.

Preparation for this shrine is relatively straightforward. Make sure you have a bow and a sufficient number of arrows, as well as a few melee weapons in case you run out of arrows. It is also helpful to have some stamina-restoring food or elixirs, as you may need to perform multiple jumps or glides to navigate the shrine. If you have the Champion's Tunic or other armor that increases your stamina, this can be beneficial for the more challenging sections of the shrine.

An alternative approach to solving the shrine is to use the Cryonis rune to create ice blocks in the water sections. This can provide additional platforms for you to stand on, allowing you to bypass some of the windmill puzzles. However, this method requires careful placement of the ice blocks and may not be as efficient as using the windmills.

In summary, the Tahno O'ah Shrine requires careful observation, precise timing, and strategic use of the windmill mechanics to solve its puzzles. By following the steps outlined above and keeping the tips and considerations in mind, you should be able to navigate the shrine successfully and claim your Spirit Orb. Remember to take your time, conserve your resources, and experiment with different strategies to find the approach that works best for you.