Massive, tunneling, and fiercely territorial, the Molduga turns the Gerudo Desert into a deadly trap for the unprepared. With the right tactics-and a bit of nerve-you can bring this sand-dwelling monster down and claim its rare spoils.
As you’re tackling “The Missing Owner” side quest or just exploring the Gerudo desert, you’re bound to stumble upon this miniboss. If you’re wondering how to defeat Molduga in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, our guide explains the step-by-step strategy, as well as a few different methods to try out depending on what you have in your inventory.
Molduga location in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Molduga only appear in the Gerudo Desert region, burrowing beneath wide stretches of open sand away from rocky terrain and cliffs. You can encounter four of them in fixed patrol areas: one near the East Barrens and Champions Gate, one around the Toruma Dunes, one southeast of Gerudo Town in the Palu Wasteland, and one near the North Gerudo Ruins. Each patrol zone is marked by a large, open sandy basin where the creature’s sand wake circles constantly, making these minibosses easy to spot from higher ground or while gliding over the desert.
Found around the Gerudo Desert in the southwestern corner of Hyrule, there are four Moldugas to fight. Unlike Breath of the Wild, there isn’t a “king” variation to hunt down. That said, you can get a Molduga Monster Medal for defeating them all.
For this, talk to Gralens in Lookout Landing’s underground base, and ask him about “big monsters” – when given the option, pick “Molduga,” and start the “Wanted: Molduga” quest. Once that’s tackled, you’ll receive 100 rupees. After fighting the remaining three Moldugas, talk to him again to receive the medal.
Below you’ll find all four Molduga locations in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom:
- Toruma Dunes Molduga: Around the coordinates (-4769, -2829, 0029), north of Miryotanog Shrine.
- East Barrens Molduga: Around the coordinates (-2375, -3285, 0021), close to Siwakama Shrine.
- Palu Westland South Molduga: Around the coordinates (-3323, -3325, 0016), southeast of Gerudo Town, and northeast of the Southern Oasis.
- Gerudo Desert Molduga: Around the coordinates (-3989, -2640, 0040), northwest of Gerudo Town – you can use the Soryotanog Shrine fast travel point to glide your way there.
How to defeat Molduga in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Position yourself on elevated rock formations near the Molduga’s sandy patrol area to avoid detection. Fire an arrow into the sand to lure it close, then shoot a Bomb Flower arrow at its path to trigger an explosion that launches the beast airborne and stuns it upon landing. Rush to its exposed head and strike repeatedly with a high-damage melee weapon before it recovers and buries itself again; repeat the bait-and-punish cycle until defeated.
Molduga is a sneaky miniboss in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. The creature spends most of the time underneath sand, cruising around until something – or someone – gets its attention. Then, it’ll quickly move toward its target and attempt to eat it.
As terrifying as it sounds, that’s also the key strategy of the encounter. In order to beat Molduga, you need to have bait. This will result in the enemy coming out of the sand, which is what you want so you can attack it once it’s exposed.
Here’s how to defeat Molduga in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom:
- If you can, find a vantage point – avoid being on the sand, as the Molduga will quickly start chasing you.
- From there, you can throw items such as food or arrows, which will act as bait. I used hydromelons, for example. The Molduga will eat whatever you’ve thrown – keep an eye for a question mark above its head, which signalizes that the object caught its attention.
- Once the Molduga is on the spot where you threw the item, it will jump into the air, giving you a window to attack with an explosive – bomb flowers, which you can find inside caves, are your best bet here.
- Alternatively, you can use Zonai’s time bombs. This act as both bait and explosive, thus being the best of both worlds. You’re most likely to find them in Zonai Dispensers – the one in North Necluda Sky Archipelago, close to Sahasra Slope Skyview Tower at the coordinates (1788, -1104, 0918), has them.
- After the explosion, Molduga will be shot off into the air and then fall to the ground. As it remains momentarily stunned, this is your chance to just smack it with everything at your disposal. Melee weapons are more than fine, but be creative – the ability you obtained after completing the Lightning Temple is fairly useful here as well.
- If you’re using food as bait, Molduga will emerge from the sand and then fall to the ground, where it’ll stay for a few seconds, giving you another chance to attack.
Depending on how much damage you’re able to inflict on Molduga, you’re likely to repeat the process a few times. Options such as the Fierce Deity Armor, Barbarian Armor, and Phantom Armor sets will do wonders here thanks to the increased attack bonus.
Where are all the Molduga locations in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom
In The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, four Molduga minibosses patrol sandy areas exclusively in the Gerudo Desert region of Hyrule. They roam within defined zones, creating visible sand humps as they move underground, and respawn after Blood Moons. Spot them from high ground or by gliding overhead for safety.
East Barrens
Found east of Gerudo Town between East Barrens and Southern Oasis, near Siwakama Shrine.
Patrols around coordinates (-2391, -3312, 0020) or (-2438, -3357, 0040).
Watch for it circling shrine edges in open sand.
Palu Wasteland
Southeast of Gerudo Town in Palu Wasteland.
Coordinates approximately (-3475, -3259, 0026) or (-3323, -3316, 0028).
Swims through wide sandy flats; use nearby ruins for cover.
Toruma Dunes
West or northwest of Gerudo Town in Toruma Dunes, above Mirotanog Shrine.
Key spots: (-4788, -2738, 0027) or (-4729, -2916, 0027).
Look for smoke plumes or a cowering Gerudo on rocks nearby.
North Gerudo Ruins
North of Gerudo Town near North Gerudo Ruins.
Patrols at (-3974, -2586, 0043) or (-3986, -2679, 0038).
Clearing before ruins with Electric Chuchus; glide from town to scout.
Where are all the Molduga locations in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom
In The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, four Molduga minibosses patrol sandy zones in the Gerudo Desert region. They create visible moving sand humps and respawn after Blood Moons, staying within their patrol areas.
East Barrens
Patrols east of Gerudo Town near Siwakama Shrine.
Coordinates: (-2391, -3312, 0020), (-2438, -3357, 0040), or (-2353, -3374, 0022).
Palu Wasteland
Southeast of Gerudo Town in open sandy flats.
Coordinates: (-3475, -3259, 0026), (-3323, -3316, 0028), or (-3219, -3337, 0015).
Toruma Dunes
West/northwest of Gerudo Town above Mirotanog Shrine; look for smoke or a cowering Gerudo.
Coordinates: (-4788, -2738, 0027), (-4729, -2916, 0027), or (-4797, -2800, 0040).
North Gerudo Ruins
North of Gerudo Town in a clearing before ruins with Electric Chuchus.
Coordinates: (-3974, -2586, 0043), (-3986, -2679, 0038), or (-4029, -2589, 0055).
