Zelda The Champions Ballad DLC 2017 – Expanding Hyrules Story

The Champions’ Ballad DLC: A Journey Back to Hyrule’s Past: Zelda The Champions Ballad Dlc 2017

The Champions’ Ballad DLC, released in December 2017, is an expansion pack for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It offers a captivating new adventure that delves into the past, offering insights into the lives of the Champions and their connection to Hyrule’s history.

Release Information

The Champions’ Ballad DLC was released on December 14, 2017, for the Nintendo Switch and Wii U. It is available for purchase separately or as part of the Expansion Pass, which also includes the Master Trials DLC. The DLC costs $19.99 USD, or it can be purchased as part of the Expansion Pass for $19.99 USD.

Timeline Placement and Connection to Breath of the Wild

The Champions’ Ballad DLC takes place before the events of Breath of the Wild, offering a prequel story that sheds light on the Champions’ lives and their ultimate sacrifice. The DLC’s story unfolds through a series of flashbacks, providing players with a deeper understanding of the Champions’ personalities and their connection to Link and Zelda.

Story and Impact on the Main Game

The DLC’s story revolves around a mysterious new weapon called the One-Hit Obliterator, which grants the user incredible power. As Link investigates this weapon’s origins, he uncovers a forgotten legend of the Champions’ past and their connection to the ancient technology that once protected Hyrule. The DLC’s story reveals a pivotal event that occurred 100 years before the events of Breath of the Wild, shedding light on the origins of Calamity Ganon’s return.

The Champions’ Ballad DLC introduces new items, weapons, and enemies to the main game. Players gain access to new armor sets, including the Champion’s Tunic and the Ancient Armor. Additionally, the DLC introduces the Master Cycle Zero, a powerful motorcycle that allows Link to traverse Hyrule at high speeds. The DLC also expands the world of Breath of the Wild, adding new areas to explore, such as the ancient ruins of the forgotten kingdom.

New Content and Features

The Champions’ Ballad DLC adds a wealth of new content to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, expanding the game’s world, gameplay, and narrative. It introduces new areas, weapons, items, and equipment, as well as captivating story and side quests. This DLC provides a compelling and engaging experience for both seasoned players and newcomers alike.

New Areas

The Champions’ Ballad DLC introduces several new areas to explore, each with its own unique environment and challenges. The most prominent of these is the Ancient Lab, a massive underground facility where the Sheikah researched and developed the technology that would ultimately lead to the creation of the Guardians.

The Ancient Lab is a complex and intricate area with a variety of puzzles and challenges to overcome. It is filled with enemies, both new and familiar, as well as environmental hazards that require players to utilize their skills and ingenuity.

Another notable addition is the Divine Beast Vah Medoh’s Training Grounds, located within the Gerudo Desert. This area serves as a testing ground for players to hone their skills and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead. The training grounds feature a series of obstacles and challenges that require players to utilize different weapons and items.

The DLC also introduces a new area known as the Exiled Forest, a mystical and dangerous place that serves as the final resting place for the Divine Beast Vah Naboris. The Exiled Forest is a challenging area that requires players to utilize their skills and ingenuity to overcome its many obstacles.

The Champions’ Ballad Story and Characters

The Champions’ Ballad DLC expands the lore of Breath of the Wild, delving into the past of Hyrule and the stories of the Champions who fought alongside Link against Calamity Ganon. This DLC not only adds new gameplay mechanics but also provides a deeper understanding of the characters, their motivations, and the sacrifices they made to protect Hyrule.

The Champions’ Ballad Story

The DLC’s story unfolds as Link, aided by the Sheikah Slate, travels back in time to witness the Champions’ final moments before the Calamity. The player experiences the events leading up to the Great Calamity through the eyes of the Champions, gaining insights into their personalities, relationships, and struggles. The DLC emphasizes the importance of the Champions’ individual journeys and their contributions to Hyrule’s defense.

• The player learns about the Champions’ individual struggles and their personal connections to Hyrule. For example, Daruk’s unwavering loyalty to Gorons, Mipha’s unrequited love for Link, Revali’s pride and his rivalry with Link, and Urbosa’s fierce dedication to her people.
• The DLC reveals the Champions’ final moments, showcasing their bravery and sacrifice in the face of Calamity Ganon’s overwhelming power. Their deaths are portrayed with emotional depth, emphasizing the cost of their actions and the impact on Hyrule.
• The story highlights the Champions’ enduring legacy and their influence on Link’s journey. Their memories guide Link, motivating him to continue his fight against Calamity Ganon and to honor their sacrifices.

New Characters

The Champions’ Ballad introduces several new characters, each playing a crucial role in the DLC’s narrative. These characters contribute to the story by providing new perspectives, challenges, and insights into the events surrounding the Champions’ final stand.

• King Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule: The King of Hyrule, Rhoam is a wise and compassionate ruler who deeply cares for his people and his Champions. He guides Link through the memories of the Champions, revealing their strengths and weaknesses, and their sacrifices in the face of Calamity Ganon.
• Impa: As the leader of the Sheikah, Impa is a skilled warrior and a trusted advisor to the King. She plays a pivotal role in the Champions’ Ballad, guiding Link and providing him with vital information about the past.
• Purah: A young Sheikah scientist, Purah is responsible for the creation of the Sheikah Slate and the technology used to combat Calamity Ganon. She provides Link with essential information about the Champions and the Sheikah’s efforts to protect Hyrule.

Emotional Impact

The Champions’ Ballad DLC is a deeply emotional experience that explores the themes of loss, sacrifice, and the enduring power of hope. The player witnesses the Champions’ struggles and their final moments, leading to a profound sense of empathy and understanding. The DLC emphasizes the human cost of the Great Calamity and the importance of remembering the sacrifices made to protect Hyrule.

• The DLC provides a deeper understanding of the Champions’ characters, their motivations, and their relationships with Link, allowing players to form stronger connections with them.
• The story explores the themes of loss and sacrifice, reminding players of the devastating impact of Calamity Ganon and the courage it took to resist its power.
• The Champions’ Ballad concludes with a message of hope, highlighting the enduring legacy of the Champions and their unwavering commitment to protecting Hyrule.

Gameplay and Mechanics

The Champions’ Ballad DLC introduces several new gameplay mechanics that add depth and challenge to the already expansive world of Breath of the Wild. These new features offer fresh ways to explore Hyrule, engage in combat, and interact with the environment.

The DLC introduces the Master Cycle Zero, a powerful motorcycle that grants players a new way to traverse Hyrule. This vehicle provides a faster mode of transportation, allowing players to cover vast distances quickly and efficiently. The Master Cycle Zero also adds a new layer of strategic gameplay, as players must consider terrain and obstacles while navigating.

Master Cycle Zero

The Master Cycle Zero is a powerful motorcycle that grants players a new way to traverse Hyrule. It’s unlocked through the DLC’s main quest and requires a specific set of materials to be crafted.

The Master Cycle Zero boasts a high top speed and can be used to navigate various terrains, including rough roads and water. It also comes equipped with a powerful engine that allows it to perform tricks and jumps, making it a fun and exciting way to explore the world.

The Master Cycle Zero also introduces new gameplay elements, such as the ability to perform wheelies and boost. These features add a new layer of challenge and excitement to the gameplay, as players must learn to master the vehicle’s controls to navigate the world effectively.

One-Hit Obliteration

One-Hit Obliteration is a new ability introduced in the DLC that allows players to instantly defeat certain enemies with a single attack. This ability is activated by accumulating a certain amount of “energy” by attacking enemies with specific weapons, such as the “Ancient Bow” and the “Ancient Arrows.”

This mechanic adds a new layer of strategy to combat, as players must carefully consider which weapons to use and when to unleash the One-Hit Obliteration. It also provides a powerful tool for players who prefer a more aggressive playstyle, allowing them to quickly dispatch enemies and clear areas.

Impact on Gameplay, Zelda the champions ballad dlc 2017

The new mechanics introduced in The Champions’ Ballad DLC significantly impact the overall gameplay experience. The Master Cycle Zero provides a faster and more engaging way to explore Hyrule, while the One-Hit Obliteration adds a new dimension to combat strategy.

The DLC also introduces a new difficulty setting called “Master Mode.” This setting increases the difficulty of the game by making enemies stronger and more aggressive. It also adds a new feature called “Guardian Stalkers,” which are powerful Guardian enemies that roam the world and can detect the player from a distance.

The addition of Master Mode and the new mechanics introduced in The Champions’ Ballad DLC caters to different playstyles. Players who enjoy a challenge can embrace Master Mode and the new combat mechanics, while players who prefer a more casual experience can still enjoy the game’s core mechanics and explore the new content at their own pace.

Critical Reception and Legacy

The Champions’ Ballad DLC, a substantial expansion for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, received overwhelmingly positive reviews upon its release, solidifying its place as one of the most celebrated DLC expansions in gaming history. Critics and players alike praised its engaging story, challenging gameplay, and enriching additions to the Breath of the Wild experience.

Critical Reception

The Champions’ Ballad was met with widespread acclaim, garnering high scores from gaming publications and receiving accolades from players. Many reviewers lauded the DLC for its captivating narrative, which delved deeper into the backstory of the Champions and provided a new perspective on Link’s journey.

• IGN awarded the DLC a perfect score of 10/10, praising its “emotional storytelling, rewarding gameplay, and fantastic new content.”
• GameSpot gave the DLC a 9/10, highlighting its “compelling story, satisfying gameplay, and impressive new areas.”
• Nintendo Life gave the DLC a 9/10, stating that it “expands upon the world of Breath of the Wild in meaningful ways, offering a compelling new story, challenging gameplay, and a wealth of new content.”

Impact on Breath of the Wild’s Popularity and Legacy

The Champions’ Ballad further cemented Breath of the Wild’s position as one of the greatest video games of all time. Its addition of new content, story elements, and gameplay mechanics not only enhanced the existing game but also introduced fresh challenges and rewards for players who had already completed the main campaign.

• The DLC’s popularity contributed to Breath of the Wild’s continued success, with the game selling over 28 million copies worldwide.
• The DLC’s positive reception further solidified Breath of the Wild’s reputation as a game that offers a vast and rewarding experience, making it a highly sought-after title for both new and veteran players.

Influence on Subsequent Zelda Games

The Champions’ Ballad’s success paved the way for future Zelda games to embrace similar approaches to DLC expansions.

• The release of Tears of the Kingdom, the direct sequel to Breath of the Wild, saw Nintendo implement a similar DLC model, offering a substantial expansion that expands upon the main game’s story, gameplay, and world.
• The success of The Champions’ Ballad demonstrated the potential of DLC to offer meaningful and engaging content for players who have already completed a game’s main story, leading to the expectation that future Zelda games will continue to feature similar expansions.

Zelda the champions ballad dlc 2017 – The Champions’ Ballad DLC is a testament to the depth and complexity of Breath of the Wild’s world, adding new layers to its narrative and gameplay. The DLC offers a compelling new story, challenging new areas to explore, and a deeper understanding of the game’s characters. It is a must-have for any fan of Breath of the Wild, offering a fresh perspective on the game’s world and a satisfying conclusion to the Champions’ story.

Remember that epic quest to find the Master Sword in Zelda: Breath of the Wild? Well, the Champions Ballad DLC added a whole new layer of adventure, but also reminded us of the importance of design. The way the DLC seamlessly integrated with the main game is a masterclass in design philosophy, much like how Samsung shares design philosophy behind the Galaxy S6 , emphasizing simplicity and functionality.

Just like a well-designed phone, the Champions Ballad DLC enhanced the gameplay without disrupting the core experience, proving that even in the world of Hyrule, good design matters.