Welcome to Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment! If you’re diving in for the first time, this game can feel overwhelming — massive battles, dozens of playable heroes, and a flood of enemies filling every corner of the map. But once you understand its rhythm, it becomes one of the most satisfying and strategic Zelda experiences ever made. In this guide, we’ll cover ten essential beginner tips to help you survive your first battles, master each character’s abilities, and take control of the chaos across Hyrule. Whether you’re here for the story, the spectacle, or just the thrill of mowing down armies with your favorite hero, these tips will get you off to the perfect start.

Learn Each Character

One of the best things about Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is its huge roster of heroes, each with their own unique fighting style, weapon type, and special abilities. Early on, take the time to try out everyone you unlock — from Zelda’s magical attacks to Rauru’s devastating light-based combos. Some characters are better for clearing crowds, while others shine in one-on-one boss fights. Experimenting helps you understand which heroes fit your playstyle and which ones to level up first. Don’t be afraid to switch things up — learning how each character moves and attacks will make later missions much easier and far more fun.

Don’t Button-Mash

It’s tempting to just mash your attack buttons and watch enemies fly — but Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment rewards precision over chaos. Instead of spamming combos, learn to dodge, block, and counter at the right moments. Many stronger enemies telegraph their attacks, giving you a window to evade and strike back for massive damage. Watch for their weak-point gauges — once exposed, unleash a powerful finishing move to take them down quickly. Mastering timing and defense not only keeps you alive longer but also makes your attacks feel more deliberate and satisfying. Remember: smart play beats frantic button-mashing every time.

Master Sync Strikes (Team Attacks)

One of the coolest new mechanics in Age of Imprisonment is the Sync Strike, a powerful team attack that lets two heroes combine their strength for devastating results. When your characters fight close together and build up their Sync gauge, you can trigger a synchronized assault that wipes out enemies and chunks down boss health. Each pairing has its own flair and impact, so it’s worth experimenting to see which duos suit your playstyle best. Sync Strikes aren’t just flashy—they’re tactical, too. Use them to interrupt enemy attacks, clear crowded zones, or finish off weakened foes in style. Coordinating these moves can turn the tide of a tough battle in seconds.

Follow Map Objectives

In the heat of battle, it’s easy to get lost slashing through waves of Bokoblins, but Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is all about focusing on objectives. Each mission gives you specific goals—capturing outposts, defending allies, or defeating key enemies—and completing them quickly can make the difference between victory and defeat. Keep an eye on your minimap for new alerts or changing priorities, and don’t waste time fighting endless hordes that don’t contribute to the mission. Capturing strategic points often spawns reinforcements or weakens enemy forces, helping you stay in control of the battlefield. Think of the map as your command center: knowing where to go and when is just as important as knowing how to fight.

Switch Characters Often

One of the most useful mechanics in Age of Imprisonment is the ability to switch between characters mid-battle, and it’s something new players often forget to use. Swapping heroes lets you respond to threats all over the map, cover objectives faster, and take advantage of different playstyles. If one character is stuck in a tough fight or far from an important target, switch to another who’s closer or better suited for the job. Some heroes are great at crowd control, while others excel at single-target damage or defense — using the right one at the right moment can turn the tide of a mission. Managing multiple heroes keeps the action dynamic and ensures you’re always where you’re needed most on the battlefield.

Complete Side Quests & Challenges

Between major story missions, take some time to explore the game’s side quests, challenges, and optional battles. These smaller missions might seem secondary, but they’re key to building strength early on. They reward you with valuable resources, rupees, upgrade materials, and sometimes even new weapons or abilities. Completing them also helps you level up your characters faster, making the main story much smoother. Many side quests introduce unique objectives or enemy types that sharpen your combat skills, too. Think of these as your training grounds — every extra battle you take on outside the main campaign pays off later when the difficulty ramps up.

Prioritize Big Enemies

When hundreds of smaller enemies flood the screen, it’s tempting to mow them all down — but the real threats in Age of Imprisonment are the stronger captains and bosses leading them. These powerful foes can capture outposts, deal heavy damage, and disrupt your objectives if left unchecked. Focus on taking them out first to keep the battlefield under control. Watch for their weak-point gauges during combat; breaking them allows you to unleash a critical attack that deals massive damage. Clearing out these elite enemies not only stabilizes the fight but also boosts morale and makes it easier to clean up the remaining mobs. Remember: it’s smarter to remove the leaders than to get lost fighting their endless minions.

Use Gadgets & the Environment

Age of Imprisonment introduces a variety of Zonai devices and environmental tools that add depth to every battle. Instead of relying solely on sword swings, use gadgets like flame emitters, time bombs, or fans to trap enemies, control space, and exploit elemental weaknesses. Many battlefields also feature destructible terrain or interactive objects that can be turned into strategic advantages — like explosive barrels or chokepoints. Learning how to combine your abilities with the environment makes fights faster, flashier, and far more efficient. Don’t ignore these tools; mastering them turns tough encounters into creative victories and makes you feel like a true battlefield tactician.

Upgrade Between Missions

Between battles, take the time to visit menus and upgrade your characters, weapons, and abilities — it makes a huge difference as missions get tougher. Spend your earned materials and rupees to enhance weapon strength, unlock new combos, and boost key stats like defense or attack speed. You can also adjust each hero’s loadout, choosing gadgets or items that complement their fighting style or suit the next mission’s objectives. This downtime is your chance to prepare strategically, not just power up blindly. A few minutes of preparation before heading out can save you from frustrating defeats later — think of it as sharpening your sword before every war.

Try Co-Op Mode

If you’re struggling with tougher missions or just want to make the chaos more fun, Age of Imprisonment’s two-player co-op mode is a fantastic option. Playing with a friend lets you split objectives, cover different parts of the map, and unleash devastating Sync Strikes together. It also adds a layer of strategy — one player can defend a base while the other pushes the offensive. Co-op makes learning the game easier too, since you can experiment with different character pairings and share tips in real time. Whether you’re teaming up locally or online, it’s one of the best ways to experience the game’s massive battles and enjoy Hyrule’s war-torn landscapes together.

And that’s it — ten essential tips to help you get started in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. Once you understand the flow of battle, the importance of switching heroes, and how to use Sync Strikes and gadgets effectively, the chaos of the battlefield starts to feel completely under your control. Remember, this game rewards smart play and experimentation — so don’t be afraid to try new characters, explore side quests, and mix up your strategy as you go. Whether you’re here for the epic story or just the thrill of cutting through armies, these habits will carry you from rookie to champion in no time. Thanks for watching, and may your battles across Hyrule always end in victory!