Let me tell you, even in 2026, the chills I get from hearing those Gloom Hands squelch haven't faded one bit. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom truly outdid itself by introducing monsters that make the Lynels from Breath of the Wild look like cuddly puppies. I'm talking about the three-headed terror of the Gleeok and the sheer panic-inducing sight of Gloom Hands oozing from the ground. Beating those hands often feels like a hollow victory too, because bam, you're instantly thrown into a fight with Phantom Ganon. But here's the thing – this game is a sandbox of solutions, and after sinking over a thousand hours into it, I've found a trick that feels almost like cheating... in the best way possible.

I call it the "Auto-Build Barrel Bombardment." The core idea is hilariously simple yet devastatingly effective. You just stroll up to a big, scary enemy—like that poor, sleeping Youngest Hinox Brother down in the Depths—open your Purah Pad, and use the Autobuild feature to instantly materialize a whole cluster of explosive barrels right on top of them. Two detonations later, and what was once a monumental threat is now just a memory and some loot. It's the ultimate power move. The Autobuild feature, meant for saving your cool Zonai vehicle designs, has this secret, explosive potential. While everyone else is building hoverbikes, you can become an artillery commander.

Unlocking Your Personal WMD (Weapon of Monster Destruction)

Now, you might be wondering how to get this game-changing ability. Officially, you get Autobuild by completing the "A Mystery in the Depths" quest, which ties into Robbie and Josha's research. But let's be real, who has time to follow all the statues' pointing? If you're like me and want to cut to the chase, you can head straight to the source. Navigate your way to the Great Abandoned Central Mine in the Depths. Its coordinates are roughly -0781, -1886, -0523, and it's closest to the Nihcayam Lightroot. Find the Researcher and Steward Constructs there, have a chat, and they'll just hand over the Autobuild ability. No fuss, no lengthy quest chain—just pure, unadulterated creative power. Easy, right?

The Fuel for Your Firepower: Zonaite

Here's the catch, though. Autobuild isn't free. If you don't have the actual materials (like explosive barrels) physically nearby, the feature uses Zonaite to create them from thin air. This is where a little prep goes a long way. The Depths are practically swimming in Zonaite deposits. I made it a habit to farm these glowing green rocks regularly. Not only does it fuel your barrel bombs, but it also lets you upgrade your Energy Cell, making the entire game—exploration, combat, everything—feel like a breeze. Trust me, spending an hour down in the dark harvesting Zonaite saves you ten hours of frustrating fights later.

Putting the Theory into Practice: A Target List

So, which enemies should you test this on? Pretty much anything that gives you trouble. I've compiled a quick list of prime targets:

Enemy	Why It's a Great Target	Result
Hinox (All Variants)	Big, slow, and often asleep. A perfect practice dummy.	🎯 Instant vaporization.
Gloom Hands	Their group nature makes them ideal for AoE damage.	💥 Hands cleared in seconds (Phantom Ganon still awaits, though!).
Frox	That big, vulnerable mouth when it yawns.	💣 A barrel down the throat equals a quick fight.
Stone Talus	The ore deposit weak point is a magnet for explosions.	⛏️ Faster than climbing and whacking!

The beauty of Tears of the Kingdom is that there are a million ways to solve a problem. This Autobuild method is just one incredibly efficient and satisfying option. It turns terrifying encounters into manageable puzzles. You're not just fighting; you're engineering your victory. So, next time you see a Gleeok lighting up its three heads or hear that ominous piano music signaling Gloom Hands, don't panic. Just smile, open your build menu, and give them a gift they'll never forget—a bouquet of boom.

Honestly, this trick changed the game for me. It embodies the creative spirit that makes this sequel so special. From building wild vehicles to crafting instant bomb clusters, the power is literally in your hands. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date with a King Gleeok and a whole lot of Zonaite to spend. Wish me luck!