What's the key to defeating Lynels in BoTW?

I never got to where I could do it consistently.

I mostly avoided them.

Target them. Hold L1 like a madman.

When it charges you to swipe you with its sword, backflip to avoid. When it charges you without its sword drawn, side-jump to avoid. If you time those just right, you get the slow-mo counter for free hits.

Always keep up your shield out.

When it gets close, it does two attacks: first is a 3-swing attack. Do shield out and backflip each to avoid. Odds are you will activate slow-mo. The second type attack is a double-sword attack. Shield out, backflip to avoid.

When he does either attack, I always backup and backflip. Then I break out my bow and shoot him in the face. He gets stunned and I climb on his back for 5 free hits. Doing this does not degrade your weapon. That hells extend the life of your weapons so you don't wear them all out killing it.

When it breathes fire, I just run sideways then shoot it in the face with a bow, stun it, climb on its back and beat its arse. You can try to parry attacks, but I found it annoying to time it right and actually kinda unnecessary.

The Lynels with the big clubs or spears require slightly different tactics, but the premise is the same as above. There are plenty of vids on YouTube to assist. Good luck.

Stasis is your friend (might need the upgraded one) done lynels won't stay frozen too long, but it should be long enough. I always move in with a big 2hs and spin into stamina is nearly out. That should cause it to fall to its knees, repeat the attack until its up and run away until stasis is ready to go again. Ezpz

Learn to counter strike. They're tough motherfrickers before you master it, but once you do, you should be able to take them down easily.

If you have ever player any of the Ninja Gaiden games (Black to current time) or Metal Gear Revengeance, the Lynels should be a piece of cake. Bomb arrows and parries are key.

My strat was to always glide in from above and land as many headshots as I could before landing. When he's down, start the charged swing with your strongest two-handed weapon. After that, it's all a matter of parrying/dodging their attacks. When they launch fireballs, if you've got grass or plants nearby, that'll create another updraft to jump and glide again for another round of headshots and another spin attack. On silver-lynels, usually ends them quickly. Golden Lynels, a bit more time. With the golden lynels, I've started avoiding the ones with the clubs completely.

Stasis, arrows, attack boost armor, attack boost meals (cook 4 bananas), and arrows. It’s so much fun to wreck their shite.

LINK

Not Lynels but I thought it was funny