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How to Get the Hylian Shield
The Hylian Shield in Tears of the Kingdom is the best shield in the game with unparalleled defense and durability. However, since Link has apparently parted with it since the events of the last game, you'll need to find it again. This page contains exactly where you can find the Hylian Shield in TotK in the Hyrule Castle Docks and how to solve light the four flaming torch puzzle to get it, and even how to bypass its formidable guardian.
Hylian Shield Stats
"A shield passed down through the Hyrulean royal family, along with the legend of the hero who wielded it. Its defensive capabilities and durability outshine all other shields."
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- Hyrule Compendium number: 471
- Base Protection: 90
How to Find the Hylian Shield Location in TotK
The Hylian Shield can be found in the Hyrule Castle Docks, which remain on the Surface, below the floating Hyrule Castle, just north of Lookout Landing. You will need a fire elemental item like a Fire Fruit before attemtping this.
In Breath of the Wild, you could find this ultimate shield deep within Hyrule Castle, in the Lockup Prison deep in the west side of its outskirts, and guarded by a giant Stalnox. This time around, returning to the area you'll find a Paraglider Fabric instead, but luckily the shield hasn't been moved too far away.
The Hylian Shield has been secretly placed in the Hyrule Castle Docks in Tears of the Kingdom, which are still accessible even with half the castle up in the air. There are two main points of entry, depending how you want to approach:
The first method of approach is by water. The easiest way to do this is by way of the Castle Town Prison, on the western island next to the castle itself. Look for a dock on the far north tip with a raft, and you can either add some Zonai Devices like fans and steering sticks to help navigate, or use fuse a Korok Leaf to your weapon.
Guide the boat around to the north side where you can find the exit to the Hyrule Castle Lockup with another dock, and then look along the northern moat for a small cave entry into the docks themselves.
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Inside the large cave, you can spot inner docks along the water, with a path along the left leading up the stairs to a higher path, up to the highest platform above the docks where the shield is kept.
The second method is by dropping down from the ruins of the castle itself to find the hole left behind from a secret passage. In Breath of the Wild, there was a secret bookcase in the Library that revealed a tunnel down to the docks -- but with the library a hundred feet in the air, you'll have to find the passage on the side of the chasm wall.
Luckily if you know where to look, it's not too hard. Run along the eastern side of the chasm exterior just a bit west of the ramparts, and look for a large flat piece of ground with a smallest hint of a cobblestone path leading to the chasm edge. Just below this patch is a small cave opening that leads down to the docks.
Be warned - A fearsome foe guards the docks. As you approach from the water, a group of Gloom Spawn Hands will rise up from one of the upper landings and quickly race over to attack you, but they can also follow you if you are coming from the upper passage (though they may not notice you as fast).
You can either choose to fight or run, and luckily if you can keep away from them by getting to high ground or finding something to float on the water, they will eventually despawn and leave behind a Dark Clump. However, if you wish to engage them directly for the prize, you'll need to destroy the hands quickly with explosives, and prepare for the evil that truly lies within them...
How to Solve the Unlit Torch Puzzle for the Hylian Shield
Once the area is clear, head up to the highest landing above the Docks, and you'll find a group of torches with a larger unlit one between them. In Breath of the Wild, lighting all of them prompted a Sheikah Shrine to appear, but since they are all gone, a different rewards awaits.
Toss a Fire Fruit or similar fire elemental item like a Red Chu Chu Jelly into the large unlit brazier to solve the puzzle. This will cause a chest to reveal itself, and inside you'll find the legendary Hylian Shield, which sports a whopping 90 Defense! It will last far longer than any other shield in the game -- but it's not exactly unbreakable.
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How to Repair the Hylian Shield
If your Hylian Shield breaks, all is not lost, but it will cost you to get a new one.
To do so, you must first travel to Hateno Village and complete the Mayoral Race Election Side Adventure by helping out both Cece and the incumbent mayor decide the election. Once all of the smaller quests have been completed and the winner is announced, Cece will go back to selling regular clothing at her shop.
In addition to this, Cece will offer to sell you "rare outfits" meaning ones you've already found and may have sold in your adventures. Luckily, this extends to the Hylian Shield too, but it will cost 3000 rupees to buy again. You also cannot buy more than one, as her menu will say she is "out of stock".
Now that you have the classic Hylian Shield, you'll defintiely need the Master Sword to complete the vintage Link look!