Daruk

A mountain-shaking hero whose heart is as unbreakable as his armor.

Daruk is a legendary Goron warrior and one of the four Champions chosen to pilot the Divine Beasts in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Unlike previous incarnations of his race which often featured tattoos, this design foregoes them for a "clean design" while emphasizing body fat and muscles to resemble sumo wrestlers, making him look big and powerful. His appearance is explicitly described by developer Hidemaro Fujibayashi as a "bit of a throwback" to past characters, specifically drawing inspiration from Darunia of Ocarina of Time. He reappears in the alternate timeline prequel spin-off Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, where his spirit and history are further explored alongside Link.

Quick Facts

Race: Goron
First appearance: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Lore & Background

Daruk's design was grounded in the concept of how a generic Goron member would look, yet he stands out as a specific Champion figure. He was designed with sketches based on generic race members but tailored to be reminiscent of Darunia from Ocarina of Time. In the game's backstory, set a century prior to Link's awakening, Daruk is part of the group of Champions who attempt to resist Calamity Ganon. This resistance ends in tragedy when Ganon breaks his seal, leading to the deaths of most of the Champions and leaving their Divine Beasts corrupted by Malice.

However, Daruk is not gone; he reappears as a spirit within Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. In this prequel spin-off, which takes place in an alternate timeline before the Great Calamity, his character is active, allowing players to experience his role alongside Link and the other Champions during the events leading up to the catastrophe.

Reader's Guide

However, for those seeking to experience his active participation in combat and storytelling, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is the key title. The game expands on the cast of characters found in Breath of the Wild, allowing players to control Daruk directly. His design elements, such as the "clean" look without tattoos and his sumo-wrestler-inspired physique, are faithfully represented. This game is essential for fans wishing to see how he interacts with Link and the other Champions before the Great Calamity alters history.