Can you BEAT Breath of the Wild using ONLY Soldier Gear??

The military may have perished 100 years ago, but one soldier still remains. Can he climb the ranks by helping the survivors of Hyrule, and clear the calamity for good? I hope you all enjoy the run!!
All the footage was taken from my Twitch playthrough of this the other week, so feel free to check out my page there for more fun playthroughs and runs!! / crotonzelda
My Discord Server!! A fun, active Zelda community!!
/ discord
Follow me on Twitter!!
/ crotonzelda
Check out all of my other challenge runs here!!
• Croton's Challenge Runs!!
Music Track List:
docs.google.com/document/d/1_...
Botw Object Map:
objmap.zeldamods.org/#/map/z3...
Use this to find soldier/knight weapons on the map!
Typing in "NPC_Attacked" shows all of the traveler packs (Ignore the travelers in the Yiga hideout as they are used in an unrelated DLC quest)
Please leave a like and subscribe if you haven't already to support the content!! :)

[@Croton]

There was a lot of avenging to be done - thank you all for watching the run!! This marks 11 themed runs completed - with another big one planned before the release of Tears of the Kingdom!! Check out the past runs here --> kzbin.info/aero/PLAjULYyNSE9b_sOPHRYmwip6WJCvKEbXO

[@Croton]

Run info/resources can be found in the description as always!! VODS will be posted to YT soon, but for now you can find them on twitch still! VOD channel: www.youtube.com/@CrotonVODS

[@literallyacartoon]

Nice

[@johnwatters1496]

Hi croton

[@Kiluchi]

@@Croton hi

[@Swagmaster69721]

Ok

[@sooperdude22]

*_"I didn't hear no bell."_* - Link, the last soldier of Hyrule's Army as he faces Calamity Ganon to finish the mission in the name of his kingdom after 100 years.

[@tf2enjoyerreal]

just imagine winning a massive war and losing to a random infantryman who didn’t know the war ended lmao

[@Chingus621]

@@tf2enjoyerreal WW2 alternate ending

[@awsmguy175]

sounds like a terry pratchett city watch plotline

[@chaineryt9211]

@@tf2enjoyerreal There was a Japanese solider in the Philippines during ww2 that didn’t know the war ended and continued to terrorize Philippine communities for around 10 years.

[@Eclipseder]

@@chaineryt9211 😂

[@kirbyx2573]

This is basicaly Link but he never became the Bodyguard of Zelda and that honestly sounds like an awsome thing! Gonna be a good watch!

[@hankschrader1960]

Link gets demoted

[@dkn2146]

​@@hankschrader1960 yes

[@shadowsnake5133]

​@@hankschrader1960 link was caught staring lol.

[@AlphaJPM]

​@@shadowsnake5133 Rhoam: Link, what are you doing? *Link who was staring at Zelda walked away* Rhoam: I give you 5 seconds to start running

[@gl1tcht4lr_gaming69]

@@hankschrader1960 yo hank from breaking bad

[@thenextdoorfriend7670]

For the last challenge run Croton does, it could be called the Retirement/Adventure’s run. The requirements are just to get the Hylian armor, buying the house in Hanato, and befriending all the dogs on the map. And if fighting is necessary, only “tools” like the axes/pot lids/laddles are allowed.

[@bernardthementalsuportskel3085]

Or only travelers gear aswell

[@sylvesterhorne6505]

YESSSSS!!!!!

[@tomohawk2177]

“Hanato”…

[@smt3]

I'll do it then. I will save clips of the run and make sure you guys get what you wanted.

[@moppycat2669]

​@@tomohawk2177shut up

[@thenitpickchannel9993]

The year is 2023. It has been like, 6 years since the release of Breath of The Wild. 6. Years. And yet, we still find all this cool stuff to do in it. Cool secrets to explore, fun challenges, wonderful environment that almost never gets old. BoTW is truly a masterpiece. This sequel better be GoTY material.

[@JBaughb]

I thought I explored every inch of this map. Like, seriously you should see my “hero’s path”, it’s stupid dense, but this is the first time I’ve ever seen that hidden room at the top of the akkala citadel. I love that there’s always something new to discover.

[@thenitpickchannel9993]

@@JBaughb I remember thinking I knew it all until I found that cave somewhere in/nearby the Gerudo Desert filled with loot. There is just so much stuff they put into this game it’s amazingz

[@Nat-cd5tg]

Better be GotY material? My brother in Hylia, it WILL be GotY material

[@MrOblivion94]

i aint gonna spoil for you but the art work book leak looked very promising... like it put a good chunk of my worries to rest about hyrule.

[@leodupaix7435]

Ya

[@Congele_]

One of the things I love most from these themed runs are, of course, the matching aesthetic, but also the slight lore you put into them; it really creates a good distinction between a simple challenge and a story! The additional touch of helping all travelers and not allowing yourself to use knight gear until the end makes these so much more interesting! Even the horse Jousting fit so well in the theme, that was amazingly fun to watch!

[@Croton]

I love making a whole adventure and story out of the runs, that's what makes them extra enjoyable to do!!! I'm glad you liked this, thank you Congele

[@Agent_8_eliter]

i particularly enjoyed the royal guard set challenge because of the lore that Croton made up for it, huge props to him

[@FSEThompson]

I'm obsessed with how much of a personality your horse has in this he's such a wild one. The horse is playing its own kind of challenge run beyond the ken of mortal man

[@positivelink6961]

My headcanon for this run is that here Link kept all his memories up until before his promotion to Zelda’s bodyguard and Champion. Maybe even the cutoff point being when he first obtained the Master Sword.

[@brianpstern]

400 hours in BOTW and never knew about the secret path to the Great Fairy 53:42😵 loving all the sound effects in the edit for this video!!

[@Croton]

It took me several 100 hours as well to find it!! Glad you enjoy the vid :D

[@fyra_cat2119]

that's the awesome thing about BOTW, you could have 1000 hours in the game and STILL find something new

[@LightsaberDuelz]

I really like this one compared to the others, I love seeing more of the normal gameplay, as opposed to just the divine beasts. I would love to see more videos like this one.

[@Croton]

It was really great doing it this way! Divine beasts can get repetitive after so many playthroughs so I liked this a lot too - glad you enjoyed it! 😄

[@LightsaberDuelz]

@@Croton Wow, this is one of the few times a big creator has responded to me, thank you so much! Please continue to make this content, I will keep watching it!

[@PhineasThompson]

wow your themed runs are always so cool and fun to watch.

[@Croton]

Happy you enjoy them!! Thank you

[@archivist_13]

​@@Crotonmy personal favorite was the Sheikah run you did

[@RobbieAudet]

Your loyalty to joust… a true knight of Hyrule.

[@notsiraaron4086]

It is kinda weird that even if you did managed to save each travelers from monsters, you still have somewhat of a hidden time limit whether they give you an item reward or not. Or if they did the final blow to the enemy, you won't get the reward. These things are one of the neat details I like about BotW's over world. Thanks again for the excellent challenge run Croton! 👏🏽👏🏽 👍🏽

[@alexhiind]

Rewatching these challenge runs since I'm doing my first Master mode playthrough! These videos are so fun and help me find more resources (even after years of 100%ing my first save file and doing various other runs), thank you for doing what you do Croton ❤

[@Croton]

Hope your master mode adventure goes well!! I'm happy you enjoy these runs, thank you!

[@sledgen.]

watching this on stream was awesome, the themed run videos are always so creative!

[@Croton]

Happy you enjoy them!! this one especially was a blast

[@Awesomeness-iz3dh]

I think my number one wish for Tears of the Kingdom is for its final boss to have a wide variety of different versions, with one being chosen for you to fight based on how you played the game and what you did or didn't do. It'd make challenge runs like these a lot more interesting and just generally add replayability to the one part of the game that lacks it.

[@just_v3rd4nt]

Funni moments: 2:15 Catapult 6:08 Stalkoblin plays unfairly 6:18 Stalkoblin snipes Link 7:45 FLOATING CHEST 11:05 Horse Warrior Training 19:20 Archery you say? 20:10 epic fail 21:20 Lowercase Rage 26:15 Stalkoblin Jumpscare 29:20 Knocked outta the sky 30:50 Zap-Zap egg 37:15 BREAD 38:00 death 39:05 Boink 41:45 INTO THE LAKE WITH YOU 43:05 fun slide! 45:08 Weeeeeee 46:00 rock didn't shield him :( 50:20 Slippery 51:35 NOOO JOUST 51:45 squish 52:58 W Joust 54:56 NOOO JOUST NOT AGAIN 58:35 Molduga jumpscare 1:01:35 link has a stroke 1:03:49 Jousts revenge + Double Kill 1:08:25 plop 1:32:30 Pupper 1:34:08 that's gotta hurt 1:34:30 idk what to put here but it's hilarious either way 1:35:08 Long throw sucks 1:37:00 Zappy time 1:44:58 UNDERTALE REFERENCE CONFIRMED?!?!? 🤯🤯🤯 1:46:25 crappy hitbox 1:54:25 ANOTHER UNDERTALE REFERENCE CONFIRMED?!?!!?!?!? 🤯🤯🤯

[@TheBreadPirate]

This is such a fun way of playing the game! I love the ideas you come up with Croton. :D

[@nateforlife]

Aye matey the bread pirate likes croton to love your vids man

[@dolphinboi-playmonsterranc9668]

"Stop giving me your hardest battles" Zelda: You're my strongest soldier

[@andersonrusnell3102]

Another great addition to the challenge run series. Feels weird that this is one of the last BOTW runs before TOTK comes out on May 12th. Continue to make great-quality content Croton. ❤

[@Croton]

The end of the Breath of the Wild era is near, it truly feels wild saying it 😅 TotK will be amazing though!! Glad you enjoy the runs :)

[@ruadhanmcdonagh]

@Croton, can you do a Goron run for the finale of the series, so you can use the drillshaft?

[@frydseadf3178]

@@Croton probably do a Gordon run if you got nothin planned

[@insertmetalusernamehere]

​@@Croton Will you do any more BOTW content after TOTK comes out?

[@Eevee9777]

@@ruadhanmcdonagh a Goron run is impossible, since there are no Goron bows, and he already did a Drillshaft Only run

[@KnightOwT-vw8cc]

Having recently done a run of this game in Master Mode where I rushed to the castle with the Phantom Armor and only the weapons the castle had to offer, I've really mastered to attacks of the Ganons! Anyone who hasn't tried fighting them all in a row with 3 hearts really should try it!

[@vesselling]

I watched the entire run, it was really well-made! I really appreciate the effort you put into editing and the music! This was a joy to see, it makes me very happy every time you post. Can't wait to see what you do next!

[@Croton]

It was a great time putting it all together!! 🎵 I'm happy you enjoyed this, thank you!! :)

[@achanneliguess4821]

I am shocked that this video is as long as it is. I’m glad I could stick along for the entire ride on stream!

[@YourDapper1]

Oh oh it’s finally happening

[@ruadhanmcdonagh]

These runs are always so cool, could you consider a themed elemental run as a series finale?

[@UmbraX1]

The horses have always been one of my favorite parts of this game and joust is a prime example of this

[@restricted7724]

Good work, honored soldier. May you have luck through all your battles.

[@cosygracegames]

2 hours breath of the wild challenge run? We love to see it!!

[@marcalcantara1174]

What would you think of a commoner run? Regular clothes, stuff like torches, pitchforks, pot lids (and traveler bows just to have a bow) stuff like that

[@kian1774]

I like the idea of having goals other than just beating the game, it really makes the challenge more possible and interesting. Also thanks so much for putting the effort into the music list! I thought I recognised the Layton one but didn't know which it was Also good music choices

[@crumpchump]

I like how you actually immerse us in a what if scenario instead of just using the specified gear

[@user-up2jq7bp2v]

i love these type of runs just because of the themes and lore you put it in it..please keep doing this,it really amazes me and is fun to watch.Keep it up!!!

[@cuddlepaws8723]

I cannot believe you managed to kill Joust at least 3 times… Anyway great video!

[@Croton]

It's okay, Joust is immortal!! Thank you!!

[@bickson9872]

I find the aspect of “upgrading” drops soldier gear to knight gear interesting. It makes it stand out well from your other challenge plays!

[@gracemasters5145]

Thx so much for listening to my idea and doing soldier theme it means a lot to me and with the horse gear love your vids!!

[@joemama7862]

Croton always manages to make me smile

[@flyingninjafish1558]

Aaaaahhhhh! Can’t believe this run is finally being done! I remember suggesting something like this ages ago on one of these runs I swear! So glad to see it being done! Gonna be an epic movie length video to watch! Super excited!

[@Croton]

I'm glad to have done it then finally!! Hope you enjoy 😄

[@flyingninjafish1558]

@@Croton Quarter of the way through and loving it ^_^

[@dek4714]

Im glad he did this, as I have wanted a soldier run for a while

[@Lord_Vertice]

the lorule theme is still one of my favorite zelda songs. glad to hear it again~

[@connorburris4846]

"I have to save Zelda? O crap, i must be a knight! Better get my gear."

[@-the_lumberjack-]

I was literally playing BotW 2 hours ago and thought ‘it would be nice if Croton did a challenge with just soldier stuff’.

[@-the_lumberjack-]

It led to me putting on soldier armor and dropping all of my good weapons for some soldier gear to just have fun and protect the caravans. Still have yet to get the horse armor though.

[@-the_lumberjack-]

Update, got the armor, feeling like a true knight now. 👍

[@renoirrr]

this run was fun to watch stream! i wish i made it to all the streams tho cause it was around the time i got busy with college applications and school stuff but the streams i did make it to were very entertaining.

[@Croton]

Those streams were a blast!! Glad you had fun while you could make it!

[@youraverageroadrunner8787]

Wow! Great planning ahead as of always, makes a wonderful challenge run If you do have enough time for a single challenge run left can I put in an idea? Because I reckon a Lynel weapons with barbarian armour could be an interesting run. Just an idea

[@JBaughb]

He’d have to use a boulder or metal box to kill the first lynel since those weapons can’t be found in chests or laying around. Definitely doable. It’s how you kill the plateau lynel in the master mode any% speedrun.

[@true_joker2621]

I LOVE your challenge runs! I just finished binging some of your other runs right on time for this one!

[@Croton]

Ay that's awesome!! Glad you enjoy them

[@true_joker2621]

@@Croton Me too lol!

[@thesalvegedgamer1786]

I have a challenge idea. It's a yiga clan only challenge. You can only use weapons from the yiga clan. You can dye the shieka set red and use that. You must fully upgrade the armor too. And you can only heal with mighty bananas. Torches are allowed since the blade masters use torches in the hideout

[@possiblyslime]

I LOVE THIS SERIES I am not a bot I honestly loved the ancient armor one and I’m glad croton is back

[@aidanko61]

Memorable Moments of horse Joust 9:40 : Narrow Escape 6:29 : Caught 8:13 : KILLING SPREE ON HORSE BEGINS 9:26 : literally tries to runs into enemy and runs away 11:33 : Gets registered 19:20 : Begins getting horse armor 20:50 : Collects Knight Bridle 22:13 : Collects Knight Saddle 22:46 : LOOKS COOL 54:59 : Horse dies 55:14 : Leaves Joust 1:38:55 : JOUST IS BACK 1:39:53 : JUMP DODGE 1:57:22 : JOUST KICKS AND KILLS BOKOGOBLIN

[@morganowings476]

This is Link demoting himself from Princess' Escort to soldier and even then only promoting himself back to knight until defeating Ganon. Honestly a very cool story!

[@jacobcolijn4116]

Awesome run Croton, you never fail to deliver super fun content and it's always nice to watch these runs. I love them! I really wish there was a straw hat so this challenge idea I thought of was a bit more fun. But I was thinking about, beating the game as a farmer, which means only using Daily Use Goods weapons and only healing with raw vegetables, but being able to cook for bonuses like fire resistance.

[@Croton]

I'm happy you enjoy these, thank you!! 😄 That run sounds super fun! I like all of the farming/tool weapons in the game a lot, so an excuse to use them all in a run would be cool!

[@jacobcolijn4116]

@@Croton i love using them too! Its like nerfing yourself for fun. Same reason why i use the traveler sword. You feel like a starting adventurer. I am so happy that you like my idea! Im sorry I cannot say what armor a farmer might wear. But if you do make a run like this, please make a map of all the Daily Use Goods. That way everyone can channel their inner farmer 😂. Your response has really made my year. Thank you so much! ❤

[@firegamer2783]

Thank you!!! I have been waiting for this video

[@MaxLvlDm]

Yes sir let’s get it. FOR HYRULES KINGDOM BABY!!!

[@ThePhilosophicalOpossum]

Wow! I was just rewatching some of your old challenge runs! I am so pleased to see a new one! (On the very same day even!)

[@ipway9511]

Link is now, quite literally, a one man army.

[@thejungledragonyharon4854]

YES! So exited for this and future runs. Keep it up!

[@nikifallen93]

Might be my favourite so far. Was glued to the screen the entire time. Fantastic vid!

[@bradynbrunson6038]

You forgot the soldier's final test (the Stalnox in HC for Hylian Shield)

[@Lovelyclarii]

I’ve been waiting for this once for a while!! Amazing run

[@ImGeeeee]

This is so far my favorite run! Great job Croton!!!! This is very entertaining! :)

[@Croton]

Glad you enjoyed it!! Thank you so much 😄

[@Link-ho8yq]

Using the Rescue Operation music fir Akkala Citadel was a really nice touch.

[@aggiemoon3208]

I love these videos! They always make me happy because I find them very soothing. I usually use them to wind down to sleep for the night. Your voice/personality and the botw gameplay is great for relaxing. Thank you so much!

[@kakarikokage2514]

Funny thing is, that's exactly how I first died when I started playing. 🤣 Also, isn't obtaining the Hylian Shield the ultimate test to become a knight?

[@Connor_McKinnon]

That moment with the bomb hinox was crazy! I didn't realize they could do that!

[@Croton]

It caught me very off guard, I think it has something to do with being on horseback haha

[@danielsutherland624]

How can they do that is my question

[@thijsvos1852]

@@Croton it is their long range attack, kind of like how bokoblins throw little rocks at you.

[@ThunderB347]

I'm watching your killing all enemy's Playlist and you mentioned this run in it so, happy to see it

[@Shawn-hg2fo]

Hi Croton I have been waiting for this!

[@dhubios8962]

I love these types of challenges! So fun to watch

[@jacobbaird1180]

I’ve been hoping for this one for a while! Great to see this!

[@hypnosilliness]

Watched this run and all others many times love your content Croton!

[@CT--oc8pm]

Honestly the spiders armor is one of the nicest looking gear in the base game.

[@austria-hungary7680]

the what now?

[@zoroarkeon]

@@austria-hungary7680 probably got solider autocorrected to spider

[@bowser_the_flamingshell]

spiders? is that autocorrected soldiers or something?

[@numm-nutts1237]

@@zoroarkeon no, isn’t the spider armor the one you get after finding 100 gold skulltulas.

[@_bumpchicken]

Amazing video, It's clear how much effort you put into this. Hopefully you will do a GORON run at some point? (that was a JOKE). Anyways, always fun to watch!

[@OakWarriorCats]

I’ve been waiting for this run! Woohoo!

[@slmgts4443]

Okay, this was a lot of patience but amazing to watch!! And the music choices at the end!!! I lost my mind when Apex of the World started!!

[@stephenaulin8298]

Let’s go!!! Been waiting for this for a while now. And it’s a feature length film!!!

[@GalaxyFalcon1]

Another themed run, another great day! Love it!

[@shiitakiaandqwsad3859]

A new Croton video always makes my day brighter! I’m also a fan of longer videos, they’re like movies to me :)

[@sabrinadomingue1708]

SAME!

[@saturnfilleddonut]

croton, i found your videos a few weeks ago and im happy to have come across such a quality channel! youve reignited my interest in botw and i am now working on 100%ing the my save file before totk comes out :) one thing im very thankful for is the link to the tracklist in the description!! i recently had to make sure i was hearing the great canyon theme from pmd in one of your vids!

[@Croton]

Awesome to hear you've been reinvested in Breath of the Wild, I hope your adventure goes well! And I'm really glad you enjoy my videos here, thank you! 😄

[@TheKaz95]

I've been waiting for this one for so long! I'll excitedly watch this

[@zumo9440]

I think a run where you can only use the barbarian gear and lynel weapons would be awesome

[@jacoborwhatev1]

It’d be awesome if it could actually work

[@zumo9440]

@@jacoborwhatev1 It would if you could use monster weapons only to farm lynels

[@eyald.8252]

​@@zumo9440 you can kill lynels with big metal boxes It's hard but doable Also, in master mode, some regular enemies have lynel weapons

[@Swagmaster69721]

I love your content bro keep it up!

[@CrimsonOpinion]

As someone who never bothers buying the Soldier's Gear, this is a new experience for me.

[@DatBoiChucklez]

Watching this makes me kinda wish that helping people enough times would allow them to join you in taking back Hyrule Castle. It would be cool to assemble your own army that you can equip. Just imagine a squad of Gorons equipped with Savage Lynel Crushers.

[@CreamandPearlOfficial]

Could you do a lynel themed run using the barbarian set? i feel like it would be a cakewalk after getting the equipment, but getting it in itself is a real challenge.

[@admiraloscar3320]

There are some master mode enemies with lynel stuff

[@promitrius]

Amazing to see this finally happen! :)

[@josiahbiglands1964]

Yes! I love these chalenge runs. So glad your still going. These litterally enspired me to keep on playing botw.

[@angryvaporeon1121]

Croton, this was the perfect video to use hive knight's theme. Still one on the greatest videos I've watched in a while!

[@idontknowwhatimdoing4792]

Why did I never find out about knight horse armor it looks so cool

[@meelonsquid]

he'll definitely get promoted to royal guard for this

[@TheKingofkrypton]

That wind bomb at 50:56 at the exact moment of a lightning strike was an insanely cool visual. Also, shortly thereafter, Croton language: groin = leg pit.

[@agentwaffle6476]

Its finally here!

[@SHiO_EDiTZ]

I love this series 😁

[@lyhoneejil6494]

Yet another amazing challenge! Thank you for the consistent quality content Croton!

[@minaashido518]

Agreed

[@joejoerolltheweed]

​@@minaashido518 wut

[@minaashido518]

@@joejoerolltheweed mama

[@joejoerolltheweed]

@@minaashido518 mina ahihoe

[@joejoerolltheweed]

Sorry too far

[@txr_red]

love the new videos always croton, keep it up.

[@skippster_5610]

This is if Legend Of Zelda was a soulsborne game. Great work, I loved this vid!

[@rockinggamerdude]

These runs are so cool and deserve more credit. I’m not trying to be those weird commenters being like this. Deserves my credit just to get attention no seriously these are the coolest challenges ever.

[@Minorityhunterzoro59]

He should have became a knight by killing the stalnox at hyrule castle just like in the lore

[@jaxorisit1447]

I have been waiting for more themed runs, hope you can do more. Or mabye an all kilton metals challenge

[@djoctobeat5204]

It took me 3 sittings but I finished this video and adored it!!! Joust deserves several medals of honor

[@amalthomas4367]

Croton! Its time to do a goron only run! You can finally use the DRILLSHAFT too!

[@camille8887]

I was very amazed by this run, your skills are good !🎉

[@b.clarenc9517]

40:19 Yes, Hinoxes can dig up bomb barrel from the ground, especially if you are high up. For instance, if you are standing on top of the giant bones close to one of the 3 Hinox brothers and taunt it, it will probably try to attack you with bomb barrels.

[@cardcollector8878]

Man I have been watching all of these and I love them thanks for your hard work