How to find and beat Black Horriblins in Tears of the Kingdom (TotK)

In The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, you’ll venture into portions of Hyrule that didn’t exist in Breath of the Wild. There is a sprawling network of caves, and their denizens take a dim view of your presence. This guide tells you how to find and beat Black Horriblins in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

Tears of the Kingdom – how to find and beat Black Horriblins

Black Horriblins are, as their name suggests, darker varieties of standard red and blue Horriblins. You find them in numerous caves throughout Hyrule. To find Black Horriblins, enter and explore some of the most treacherous caves and underground regions available. Likely spots include a few caves in Hyrule and the Gerudo Desert Depths. If you’re having trouble finding caves, read up on how to find the Satori. That creature points the way to nearby entrances.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

You won’t encounter many Black Horriblins in the game. The above map screenshot shows one reliable location: Mount Dunsel Cave, to the northeast of Lurelin Village in the Faron region. Enter that cave to encounter some vines. Remove them carefully. The Horriblin waits on the ceiling just past them. It rushes you as you approach. I’ve heard that some players find a White Horriblin in this cave instead, which I haven’t seen personally. Outside factors seem to determine which version spawns.

To defeat a Black Horriblin, deal as much damage as possible from a distance. If you can, use Arrows fused with Bomb Flowers. Projectile shots prompt them to drop them from the ceiling and continue toward you. Then you can finish them off with more arrows or melee weapons. Up close, dodge attacks and counter with flurry strikes (if your timing is good). Equip a weapon with strong offensive capabilities to cut through their defenses. Otherwise, the fight drags on a bit. That increases the likelihood of errors and cheap hits.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

Black Horriblins drop monster parts when defeated. They are your source for the Black Horriblin Horn, a strong elixir ingredient. Alternately, fuse it with a weapon for a nice physical damage boost.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available for purchase from the Nintendo Store.