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The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom FAQ
The complete The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom guide attempts to cover every aspect of what it takes to finish the main and side quests, discover all Shrines and Lightroots, find all the pieces of armor and collectibles, and tackle all boss monsters, but you may still have more questions. This page collects the questions we hear asked about Tears of the Kingdom and its content most frequently.
Content Questions
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What's the right order to beat the Temples in?
The completion order of the Temples (or Dungeons) in Tears of the Kingdom is completely up to you. The game is designed to let you play them in any order. Now, the game subtly pushes you to head to Rito Village first -- and the choice to complete the Wind Temple first is a smart one. Here, you get a crucial power that helps you traverse the world faster. The game seems to recommend going to Zora's Domain next and completing the Water Temple as it leads to the helpful power to quickly ascend waterfalls, but we recommend heading to Goron City and doing the Fire Temple second. The power you gain here will help you save on weapons as you can more effectively and quickly destroy rocks and open blocked passages. Next, head to Zora's Domain and tackle the Water Temple third. For your fourth temple, head to Gerudo Town and follow the quest leading you to the Lightning Temple.
So, IGN's recommended order for the four main Temples is this:
- Wind Temple
- Fire Temple
- Water Temple
- Lightning Temple
How many Shrines are there in Tears of the Kingdom?
There are 152 Shrines to discover in Tears of the Kingdom. A total of 120 are found on the surface of Hyrule, while 32 are up in the Sky. A total of 31 Shrines are associated with Shrine Quests.
How many Korok Seeds are there in Tears of the Kingdom?
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom contains a total of 1,000 Korok Seeds hidden across its version of Hyrule. That means Tears of the Kingdom has 100 more seeds than its predecessor, Breath of the Wild.
How many Koroks are there in Tears of the Kingdom?
The answer to that question depends on whether you're asking about hidden Koroks that you need to help to get Korok Seeds, or the total number of the little tree creatures found in the game. While there are 1,000 Korok seeds to collect, there are actually over a thousand unique Koroks to be found in the game world of Tears of the Kingdom. That's because there are a number of Korok NPCs in Hyrule Forest that you can talk to in addition to the ones hidden in the world and the pairs of Koroks you need to help reunite.
So there are 1,000 Koroks you can help in the overworld: that's 800 hidden Koroks that give you single Korok Seeds, and then 100 pairs of Koroks that give you two seeds when you reunite them. In addition to that, there are NPC Koroks in Hyrule Forest and of course Hestu and his dancing friends.
How long does it take to beat Tears of the Kingdom?
According to HowLongtoBeat, which uses playtime submissions from actual players, it takes more than 58 hours to complete the main story and its associated quests. When adding side adventures and side quests, it took players an average of 107 hours. Completionists, who want to collect everything, say it takes 218 hours to finish the game.
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Does the Master Sword break in Tears of the Kingdom?
The Master Sword is a special weapon that doesn't permanently break in Tears of the Kingdom. However, it does run out of energy with use, which will remove it temporarily from your inventory. It then takes 10 minutes (of actual playtime) to recharge, at which point it will reappear in your inventory and can be equipped once more. Note that, unlike the other weapons, the Master Sword can also be "thrown" multiple times -- you don't ever lose it. When you select it to be thrown, the weapon will instead generate a beam attack, but only when Link has full hearts.
How many dragons are there in Tears of the Kingdom?
There are four living dragons in Tears of the Kingdom: the fire dragon Dinraal, the ice dragon Naydra, the lightning dragon Farosh, and the mysterious Light Dragon. For more on that dragon, read on. But beware of spoilers.
Where is Zelda?
She is still in Hyrule. For most of the game, the question isn't "where is Zelda?" -- it's "when is Zelda?" The game starts with Link and Zelda exploring a dark dungeon together, which leads to the two being separated immediately and for most of the game. While she falls into an abyss, she has actually traveled hundreds of years into the past. As told through the memories Link uncovers from the Geoglyphs, we see Zelda's experiences in this past version of Hyrule, when she is taken in by King Rauru and his sister, Minaru. Her quest to help Link defeat Ganon in the future leads to the decision to restore the Master Sword in the past and sacrifice her human form and turn into the Light Dragon.
Once Link uncovers the eleventh Tear hidden in a Geoglyph, that crucial story moment is revealed and the Light Dragon that has been circling the skies of Hyrule descends to a lower altitude. So the answer to the question of "where is Zelda" is two-fold: she is in the past, until she transforms into the Light Dragon, when she can be seen flying through the skies of Hyrule in the present.
Note that there are many sightings of Zelda that the inhabitants of Hyrule will share with Link -- most of them are from before Zelda disappeared into the past. But some are also sightings of a Zelda impostor.
Where is Ganon?
Ganon is in the Depths underneath Hyrule Castle. You catch a glimpse of a mummified Ganon in the opening minutes of the game, but you won't encounter him until the very end of the Tears of the Kingdom main quest. Now, his manifestations -- known as Phantom Ganon -- roam Hyrule and can be encountered after defeating a Gloom Hands enemy, but to meet the big bad guy himself you'll have to progress through the main story and build up your power and party of supporters until you're ready to face him. The decision of when to face off with Ganon is up to you and depends on your faith in your combat skills. When you're ready, the best way to get to Ganon is to launch yourself from Skyview Tower near Lookout Landing and float over to the castle. Or you can fast-travel to Serutabomac Shrine, the hidden shrine near the floating castle, if you've unlocked it on the map. Drop into the chasm under Hyrule Castle and keep descending into the Depths to find Gloom's Approach and, finally, Gloom's Lair, where Ganon is awaiting the final showdown.
How do you get Majora’s Mask in Tears of the Kingdom?
Majora's Mask in Tears of the Kingdom is a secret Armor piece that allows you to remain undetected by most enemies, and involves one of the toughest challenges in the game: It is a special reward for completing the challenge of the Floating Coliseum in The Depths. This coliseum is located in Central Hyrule, exactly below the Coliseum Ruins by Aquame Lake just to the north of the Great Plateau.
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Where can I find fairies in Tears of the Kingdom?
There are two types of fairy in Tears of the Kingdom. The 5 Great Fairies, which upgrade your armor, can be found in the sight of several of the stables across Hyrule: Woodland Stable in the Northeast, Dueling Peaks Stable in the Southeast, Outskirt Stable in the Southwest, and Snowfield Stable in the Northwest. To unlock them you must start the Lucky Clover Gazette side quest at the former Rito Stable east of Rito Village. After this, the first Great Fairy you can unlock involves a quest with traveling musicians found at the Woodland Stable.
Small fairies, fairies that partially restore your hearts when you lose them all, can be found in many places, but one easy spot is the Tabantha Snowfield Stable Well, which contains three small fairies. You can easily scare them away, so sneak up on them while crouching to catch them.
Are there horses in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, there are wild horses in Tears of the Kingdom you can tame to ride, including some special horses with special strengths and powers. Common horses can be found in herds near stables. After you have your paraglider, search east of Lookout Landing for the Wetland Stable. You can catch horses in the hills west or north of this. An apple in your hands can be used to lure a horse or you can freeze one with a thrown ice item to mount it, tame it, and register it at a stable.
Where is Hestu in Tears of the Kingdom?
Hestu is a Korok merchant who appears in different locations in Hyrule, but is mostly found in Lookout Landing. The large, dancing Korok increases your weapon, bow, and shield slots/inventory. He is first found east of Lookout Landing on the way to Rito Village: Taking the main road west from the Lookout Landing towards New Serenne Stable, pass the stable and go up the hill from towards the tower, you should spot the oversized Korok being menaced by a pair of angry trees. Beat them and talk to Hestu. After this, he moves to Lookout Landing (and will move there anyway if you miss him outside of the stable). While he is not always in the same spot in Lookout Landing he stays here for most of Link's adventure, so be sure to look in every corner. After this, Hestu moves to the Korok Forest northwest of Lookout Landing for good.
What's the best way to get more arrows in Tears of the Kingdom?
Arrows can be a scarce commodity if you rely on your bow to tackle enemies from afar -- or if you take on flying enemies like Gleeoks. Unlike in classic Zelda games, Tears of the Kingdom doesn't reward Link with free arrows for cutting down grass. Instead, arrows are primarily retrieved from fallen enemies, found in crates and barrels, or purchased from merchants. The best way to stock up on arrows is to head to enemy camps throughout Hyrule and destroy crates. Wooden crates and barrels can be lifted up and dropped with the Ultrahand to break them without wearing down your weapons. Or you can slash at them or use one of your Sage's powers to destroy them. Just be careful: arrows have a habit of rolling away on slopes or when hit with a gust of wind. If you have plenty of Rupees, buying arrows is a good way to stock up on them. Beedle always carries batches of 5 or single arrows, and many traveling merchants and stores around Hyrule offer them as well. Make a habit of buying them all out when you see them. They will replenish their stock over time.
What Are the Best Weapons in Tears of the Kingdom?
There are many types of weapons to find in Tears of the Kingdom, and while certain types of weapons can be more useful in specific situations, the highest damage weapons include the Gloom Sword, Gloom Club, and Gloom Spear which deal 40 to 50 damage and sap your health, the untarnished Royal Guard Weapons that deal 25 to 39 damage, the Fierce Deity Sword and Biggoron Sword that deal 36 to 38 damage.
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What are the Strongest Fuse Items in Tears of the Kingdom?
You can combine the best weapons in Tears of the Kingdom with powerful fusion materials to make even better weapons. The best weapon fuse materials include monster parts from Lynels, which include the Silver Lynel Mace Horns and Saber Horns that add 51 to 55 damage, the White-Maned Lynel Mace Horns and Saber Horns that add 40 to 44 damage. You can also fuse Gibdo Bones that add 40 damage for one hit.
What's the best armor in Tears of the Kingdom?
Armor comes in many different helpful forms, and you might find yourself changing outfits a lot. Here are some of the most helpful:
- Glide Armor Set - Lets you maneuver more as you fall from the sky.
- Fierce Diety Armor Set - Increases your attack power.
- Climber Armor Set - Increases your climbing speed.
- Depths Armor Set - Increases your resistance to Gloom effects.
- Evil Spirit Armor Set - Increases your stealth.
- Froggy Armor Armor Set - Lets you climb wet walls faster.
- Zonaite Armor Armor Set - Increases the length of your Zonaite device charge.
What Are the Best Meals to Make?
Cooking meals can serve many purposes in Tears of the Kingdom depending on what you need. Here are the most helpful meals to make:
- Meat Skewers - made with Raw Gourmet Meat can restore the most health
- Mighty Simmered Fruit - made with Mighty Bananas increases your attack power
- Hearty Mushroom Skewers - made with Hearty Truffles restores full health with extra temporary hearts
- Energizing Mushroom Skewers - made with Stamella Shrooms restores a lot of stamina
- Spicy Sauteed Peppers - made with Spicy Peppers increases your cold resistance
- Sunny Fried Wild Greens - made with Sundelions restores hearts damaged by Gloom
Production and Release Questions
When Did Tears of the Kingdom Come Out
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the 20th main game installment in the Zelda series (not counting side games and spin-offs) and it was released on Mary 12 at 12:00 am midnight, US Eastern Time.
Is Tears of the Kingdom $70?
Yes, if you pay full price for a new or digital copy of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, it cost just under $70 upon release. The game launched at an MSRP of $69.99 in the US and ?59.99 in the UK -- the first Nintendo-made Switch game at that price point. As always, games go on sale and you're likely to find it for a cheaper price at various retailers.
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Who voices Ganon in Tears of the Kingdom?
If the voice sounds familiar, that's because the voice actor for Ganondorf/Ganon in Tears of the Kingdom is Matthew Mercer. You may recognize him as the Dungeon Master from Critical Role, the popular D&D web series. Mercer also voiced Cole Cassidy in Overwatch, Chrom in Fire Emblem, and characters in major anime series like Dragon Ball Super, One Piece, and Attack on Titan.
Will there be another Zelda after Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes there will be more The Legend of Zelda Games, and at least one Zelda game like Tears of the Kingdom is already in development: In an interview with Game Informer, Zelda Tears of the Kingdom producer Eiji Aonuma and director Hidemaro Fujibayashi confirmed that "open air," or open world format, will be the foundation for future games.
Technical Questions
What frame rate does Tears of the Kingdom run at?
Tears of the Kingdom is designed to run at 30 frames-per-second (FPS) in both docked and handheld modes. However, there are many instances where the game's frame rate drops. Things that cause the frame rate to drop are moments where many enemies or characters move around on screen, triggering major explosions, or using Ultrahand to assemble vehicles or contraptions.
How big is Tears of the Kingdom's file size?
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom takes up slightly more than 16GB of space. Though initial reports suggested Tears of the Kingdom would take up over 18 gigabytes of space on the Nintendo Switch memory card, the actual file size, with patches and updates as of July 2023 is 16.3 gigabytes. Players' individual save data sizes vary, but you can expect it to take up an additional 100MB on the console and/or in the cloud.