Navigating Hyrule with Panache: A Shield and Weapon Guide for the Discerning Adventurer in Tears of the Kingdom
You’ve entered the vast world of Hyrule in Tears of the Kingdom. You’re facing Bokoblins and dodging Guardian lasers. You’re trying to keep your gear intact. Fear not, brave adventurer! You’re in the right place. This guide will help you learn about shields and weapons.
Your equipment is vital in Hyrule. It’s about survival and style. Do you wield a soup ladle, or a shield from the heavens? That can mean the difference between victory and defeat. One careless slip could mean a trip back to your last save point.
This guide delves into important gear, focusing on shields and notable weapons. Think of it as an armory briefing with light humor. After all, saving the world should come with a bit of flair!
The Stalwart Protectors: Shields of Hyrule
First, let’s analyze shields. They are for more than parrying attacks. They are your companions and mobile covers. Some shields break easily, others withstand powerful charges. Let’s take a look at prominent shields in Tears of the Kingdom.
Daybreaker Shield: Urbosa’s Legacy
Now, we have the Daybreaker. A name that brings thoughts of the Gerudo and desert sun. This shield comes from the legendary Urbosa. It has a base defense of 48. This makes it great for standing firm against attacks.
Durability Dilemmas: The Daybreaker has a flaw. It does not excel at extreme activities. If shield surfing is your thing, reconsider using this beauty for it. It loses durability at a fast rate. That’s 1/2 point per second while surfing. Regular shields lose at 1/4. It’s like a fancy sports car; great on smooth roads, not on rough terrain.
Acquiring the Daybreaker: Want this Gerudo treasure? You must conquer a side quest in the Gerudo Desert. It’s a test of your skills. No freebie here; earn that champion gear.
Remaking a Legend: Legendary shields can break. It’s a tough fact of Hyrule. However, if the Daybreaker shatters, it can be remade. Find Buliara in Gerudo Town. She can craft one for you if you bring a Gerudo Shield, one diamond, and five flints. It’s like a phoenix rising, albeit needing some valuable materials.
Shield Surfing and Scratches: The relationship between the Daybreaker and shield surfing isn’t perfect. Using it as a snowboard may seem stylish. But it also shortens its lifespan. Be ready for your surfing to wear it down faster than average shields. At least you’ll look good doing it.
Hylian Shield: The Unbreakable (Myth?)
Next comes the legendary Hylian Shield. This is no ordinary shield; it’s a statement piece. Unmatched in defense, it boasts a stat of 80 and 800 durability. No other shield holds a candle to it. “Unbreakable” gets tossed around often, yet nothing in Hyrule is truly indestructible, except maybe Link.
Durability Debacle (or Lack Thereof): The Hylian Shield laughs off durability fears. 800 points? Block armies of Bokoblins without worry. It is almost unfair to other shields. It’s like using overpowered tools for small tasks; still enjoyable!
Location, Location, Location: Where can you find this shield? Head to Hyrule Field docks, north of Hyrule Castle. Start at Lookout Landing Skyview Tower, launch upwards, and glide to the castle’s northeast. It takes some climbing and confronting Gloom, but you’ll discover this treasure.
Second Chances (and Cece): If lost or broken, don’t panic! Navigate Hateno Village’s politics first. Complete the “Team Cece or Team Reede” questline. Cece will sell you another Hylian Shield. It’s like buying a unique artifact at a fancy store.
Hylian Shield: Then and Now (BOTW vs. TOTK): The Hylian Shield also appeared in Breath of the Wild. In Tears of the Kingdom, it keeps its title as the best shield. It is both reliable and iconic throughout both games.
The (Almost) Unlimited Hylian Shield Exploit: For those curious about exploits, rumor has it you can duplicate the Hylian Shield. It involves some tricky methods and a dash of creativity. Whether to dabble in this trickery is up to you, but remember: great power comes with responsibility.
Can the Hylian Shield Break? The Million Rupee Question: The Hylian Shield has breakable potential, unlike the Master Sword. It’s a challenge, requiring extreme battles or circumstances. If you manage to break it, Cece awaits for another sale, for a price of course.
Scimitar of the Seven: A Dance of Blades and Lightning
Shifting focus to weapons, let’s discuss the Scimitar of the Seven. This weapon connects to Urbosa’s narrative, possessing elegance and lethality. You can only acquire it by doing a side quest in the Gerudo Desert called “The Missing Owner.”
Repairing the Irreparable (Almost): Legendary weapon repairs are usually tricky. Octoroks like to help with repairs, but they won’t do so for legendary items. However, creativity can solve your dilemma.
The Octorok Ruse: To convince an Octorok to repair the Scimitar, fuse it with a common weapon. Feed this creation to an Octorok, which will repair the fused item. After two trips to Tarrey Town, your Scimitar of the Seven is mostly back to normal. It’s odd, yet clever.
The Buliara Backup Plan: Prefer an official route during repairs? Buliara in Gerudo Town is ready to help! Bring a Gerudo Scimitar, a diamond, and five flints. She will remake your Scimitar of the Seven. It takes resources; diamonds don’t grow freely.
Master Sword: The Blade of Evil’s Bane
In every weapon discussion in
Hyrule is not complete without the Master Sword. This legendary blade is the bane of evil. It represents Zelda weaponry.
Durability? What Durability?: Unlike other weapons, the Master Sword does not break. It lacks a durability stat. Instead, it runs low on energy. Think of it as needing a battery recharge.
Recharge and Ready: When energy is gone, the Master Sword becomes unusable. It shows a fading visual cue. The sword is not lost; just wait about 10 minutes. After that, it will be ready to fight evil once more. Patience is key, young hero.
Heart Requirement: The Price of Power: You must prove your worth to wield the Master Sword. In Breath of the Wild, you need 13 full heart containers. Temporary hearts from food do not count. You must have solid, permanent heart containers. It’s a steep price, but worth it.
Yiga Clan and Sword Snatchers: The Yiga Clan might try to disarm you. They may attempt to steal your Master Sword. But worry not; they can’t keep it permanently. If they “take” it in a scene, restart your game. The Master Sword returns to its pedestal. They are bold but not clever.
Power Unleashed: The Master Sword is powerful and rechargeable. Its base attack power is 30. However, against Calamity foes, its power doubles to 60. The sword has a built-in radar for evil. To maximize its power, complete the Trial of the Sword in the DLC for an upgrade to a “super charged” state at 60 power. Now that’s an upgrade.
Shields: The Broader Picture
Let’s discuss shields in Hyrule beyond the legendary ones.
Shield Durability: A Harsh Reality
The rule for shields is simple: every hit chips away at durability. Enough hits will break a shield. It’s the cycle of shield life. Each shield has its own limit; some better than others.
Unbreakable Illusions: Is there an unbreakable shield? Technically, no. Even the Hylian Shield can break. Yet, with 800 points of durability, it feels nearly unbreakable. It’s practically invincible for most players.
Best Shields in the Business (BOTW & TOTK): The Hylian Shield is the best shield in the game. Its defense and durability are unmatched. The description reads, “A shield passed down through the Hylian royal family.” It truly outshines all others, roughly 40 times better than many shields.
Shield Repair? A Mythical Power: Do shields repair like in traditional sense? No, once most shields break, they are gone. However, the Sacred Shield is said to repair itself over time. But it has low durability and breaks easily. A glass jaw with self-healing powers.
Shield Fusion: Hyrulean Engineering at its Finest: Tears of the Kingdom introduces shield fusion. You can combine materials and Zonai devices for various effects. Want elemental attacks? Fuse an elemental item. Better shield surfing? Fuse something slick. Shield fusion adds strategy and customization.
Other Shields of Note (and a Few Weapons on the Side)
Hyrule’s armory has much to offer. Let’s touch upon other noteworthy shields and weapons.
Shield Spotlights:
- Royal Guard’s Shield: The second-best shield, with 70 defense. It uses ancient Sheikah technology and has high stopping power. Think of it as the Hylian Shield’s less durable cousin.
- Ordon Shield: A wooden shield easily burned. It’s not special and replaced by the Hylian Shield. A starter shield, functional but quickly outdated.
- Sacred Shield: Self-repairing but low durability. It deflects fire, electric, and curse attacks for situational use.
- Lynel Shields: Used by Lynels; known for offense and defense. They deflect and deal slash damage; a shield that also acts like a sword.
- Mighty Zonaite Shield: Found in chests or as quest rewards. Zonaite gear has unique properties related to energy and Zonai devices.
- Royal Shield: Reliable and solid; found under Sarjon Bridge or beneath Hyrule Castle staircase. A good mid-tier option.
- Carian Knight Shield: Wait, that sounds like it belongs in Elden Ring! This mention may indicate a mix-up in provided data about odds.
Weapon Quick Takes:
- Boulder Breaker: Daruk’s legendary tool against rocks and ore. Rohan can recreate it in Goron City with a Cobble Crusher, flint, and diamond.
- Galaxy Sword: Seems to come from a different game (Stardew Valley?). Not a Zelda weapon, likely data mix-up.
- Gerudo Scimitar: High durability for one-handed weapons. Gerudo weapons are known for sharpness and style.
- One-Hit Obliterator: A powerful DLC weapon from Breath of the Wild. It becomes unusable after the quest unless glitches are exploited. Great power fades quickly.
Riot Shields: A Real-World Detour (and a Game Counter)
Let’s take an absurd detour into real-world riot shields. Why? The term “shield” evokes law enforcement gear. Surprisingly, there are parallels to Hyrule’s shields.
Riot Shield Realities:
- Durability in the Real World: Like games, riot shields are not indestructible. Excessive strikes will damage them over time. Edges can be vulnerable from drops. Hyrulean shields have magic but wear and tear applies everywhere.
- Bullet Resistance: The Crucial Distinction: Riot shields are NOT bulletproof. For that, ballistic shields are needed, built from stronger materials like Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE). Useful against monsters, not bullets.
- Countering Riot Shields (in… Call of Duty?): In games like Call of Duty MW3, riot shields are tactical elements with counters. The Soulrender weapon is effective against them, triggering “killing animations.” Even Link could learn about weaknesses from modern games.
- tactics?
Mastering the Shield: Techniques and Tricks
Owning a great shield is half the battle. Knowing how to use it is crucial. Let’s discuss techniques.
Perfect Guard: The Art of Deflection
The Perfect Guard is your shield’s ultimate move. Time your block just as an enemy attack hits for a Perfect Guard. The benefits are immense: negates shield damage, stuns enemies, and deflects projectiles. Mastering this move changes the game. Avoid Guardian lasers until confident; they can obliterate shields.
Octorok Repair: The Cheaty Method
We discussed the Octorok repair trick with the Scimitar of the Seven. This trick is broader. Fuse any damaged weapon or shield to a cheap weapon. Feed it to an Octorok and retrieve the repaired item. It’s an exploit but part of Hyrulean tradition. Embrace the jank; save your rupees.
Game Glitches and Exploits: Use at Your Own Risk
Hyrule is vast and complex. With this complexity come glitches. One example is the Hylian Shield duplication exploit. The One-Hit Obliterator glitch is another. These can offer shortcuts or advantages. Be warned: they may be patched out, or destabilize your game. Use at your own risk.
Hylians, Lore, and Trials
A few final lore points to round things out.
Hylian Heritage: Pointed Ears and Heroic Deeds
The Hylian race, the pointy-eared people, are central to the Zelda universe. Link and Zelda are Hylians in most games. They have large, pointed ears. This is excellent for hearing enemies. They often get caught up in world-saving adventures.
Trial of the Sword: Master Sword Enhancement
The Trial of the Sword is a challenging gauntlet in Breath of the Wild’s DLC. It is key to powering up the Master Sword. Completing it unlocks the sword’s “super charged” state. This boosts its attack power to 60 permanently. Expect challenges in Tears of the Kingdom that reward you with enhanced gear.
Zelda Lore: The Goddess and the Dragon
The Hylian Shield’s origins are steeped in lore. In Skyward Sword, it is described as “a magical artifact enchanted by the Thunder Dragon with the power of Goddess Hylia.” Zelda lore is rich. It provides backstories and deeper meaning to items and locations. Digging into lore enriches your appreciation for Hyrule.
So, there you have it. A deep dive into shields and weapons in Tears of the Kingdom. Arm yourself with this knowledge. Venture forth. May your shields be strong and blades sharp. Remember, in Hyrule, a well-placed parry can go a long way.
