Lynel

Lynels are rare, powerful, lion-like centaur enemies that are typically found in mountainous or ruinous areas. In every game they appear in, they are among the most powerful enemies in both strength and durability. Their name seems to be a corruption of the name "Lionel."

The Legend of Zelda
In The Legend of Zelda, Lynels appear to the north, on Death Mountain, and appear in orange and blue varieties, with the blue being stronger. Both types are very strong but only of average speed, and they attack with sword beams. A single blue one guards the cave containing the White Sword, but in most other places with them, they appear in very large amounts. Their art depicts them with a sword and shield, but likely due to the graphics flipping to make them appear walking when pointing up or down, they are depicted with a pair of swords in their in-game sprite. They are the strongest overworld enemy, though some underworld enemies are of comparable strength.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
In The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Lynels are larger and even more lion-like. They only come in one color, that being orange with a white mane and green highlights and garb. They now breath fireballs and move around quickly, now actively targeting Link instead of the more random movement in the orginal. They are quite rare, with only five appearing, all in the Dark World's Death Mountain near Ganon's Tower.

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
In The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons, red and blue Lynels are found in Temple Remains, while a special golden-colored Lynel appears in Tarm Ruins as part of a quest. They attack like the ones in the first game, but never appear in large amounts. Additionally, their feet and tails are now depicted as also being more lion-like.

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
In The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages, red and blue Lynels are found in the Sea of No Return and act like the ones in Oracle of Seasons.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
In The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, Lynels look like they do in A Link to the Past, though their behavior has changed. They are slower than before, and instead of breathing long-range fireballs, they breath a continuous stream of fire a short distance in Link's direction. There is also a stronger type that is dark brown with red garb, which only appears deep within Lorule's Death Mountain and in the Treacherous Tower. This type's flames are particularly dangerous in Hero Mode, as an insufficiently-armored Link may be killed immediately regardless of health.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Lynels make their fully 3D debut and appear much more muscular than previously, as well as having huge horns. Like many advanced enemies in the transition to 3D, Lynels are made far more dangerous than they originally were, with the strongest Lynels being far more dangerous than the game's Guardian Stalkers. Unlike most monsters in the game, Lynels are intelligent, and capable of noticing Link from great distances. If one notices Link and then he leaves its line of sight before it decides Link is an enemy, the Lynel may alertly look around the area for multiple minutes, trying to find him again. Additionally, the Lynel Mask does not indefinitely fool them, only briefly confusing them. If one sees a Remote Bomb, it will purposefully kick it away, though they will not look up if Link is throwing them from a high ledge. Lynels are usually found alone, though as many as three can be found in the same general area as each other. Like other enemies, Lynels and their weaponry get stronger the more enemies Link defeats. Unlike most others, there are very few exceptions to this due to their limited numbers, and as such if photographs are not obtained before this increase happens, they will be unattainable outside of purchasing them. Aside from the normal brown and red Lynels, the colors of Lynel are the Blue-Maned Lynel, the White-Maned Lynel, and the Silver Lynel. The Master Mode DLC additionally included the even stronger Golden Lynel, as well as making Lynels in general more common to the point of one being on the Great Plateau.

In battle, Lynels can wield Lynel Bows with powerful arrow types, as well as Lynel Swords, Lynel Spears, Lynel Crushers, and Lynel Shields. Later iterations carry "mighty" versions of these, and the strongest carry "savage" versions. Lynel Bows are capable of firing multiple arrows at once that can curve through the air to reach Link. Additionally, Lynels can breath huge bursts of fire and charge quickly into Link to trample him or hit him with a melee weapon. If Link manages to evade one, it may teleport in order to catch up with him again. If one hasn't seen Link, he is capable of using him Parasail to glide onto its back and "ride" it for a few seconds before it knocks him off, thus giving Link the opportunity to attack it without it being able to directly respond. If defeated, Lynels can drop Lynel Horns, Lynel Hoofs, and Lynel Guts, with the silver types also able to drop rare gemstones.

Historically, a Lynel on Ploymus Mountain menacing Zora's Domain was defeated by a Hylian (presumably Link before the Great Calamity), an event carved into (but weathered away from) the seventh Zora Monument. In the present day, a low-armed Lynel is found on the same mountain, and is likely intended as the first Lynel the player encounters. It is not intended to be fought, but rather snuck around in order to collect the Shock Arrows littering the area in order to use them to fight Vah Ruta. This Lynel in particular stays low-level and unarmed throughout the game, but will still pose a challenge for unprepared players if it spots Link. This is the only Lynel the game actively pushes the player to face in the main plot.