Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom - How To Get The Master Sword

Discover the location of the Master Sword in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

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The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Master Sword, the series' iconic weapon, is lost early in the game due to storyline purposes. However, you'll be able to retrieve it soon enough. Here's our guide to help you get the Master Sword in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Likewise, it should be noted that this article contains major spoilers.

You start The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom with the Master Sword already in Link's possession. However, it gets corrupted by Ganondorf during the prologue, and Link loses the damaged version as well. This is unavoidable, but there are a few ways to learn of its location.

The normal method: Learn of its location from the Deku Tree

The normal method to obtain the Master Sword is by learning of its location from the Deku Tree. First, you'll have to cleanse Great Hyrule Forest, which isn't even noted as a main quest. Upon talking to the Deku Tree, you'll receive the Recovering the Master Sword quest. If you track the quest, you'll see that the weapon is moving.

If you go to any location where it's passing through, you'll realize why: it's on the head of the Light Dragon. To obtain it, you'll need to think of a way to reach the Light Dragon.

Find a high vantage point so you can skydive all the way to the Light Dragon.
Find a high vantage point so you can skydive all the way to the Light Dragon.

Here are some tips:

  • We saw the Light Dragon moving around the Lanayru area, though it might circle around the entirety of the world map.
  • Depending on its current location, use the nearest Skyview Tower to reach it.
  • You can land on the Light Dragon's back and run up to its head. Once you interact with the Master Sword, a minigame occurs, and you have to hold the A button until Link can pull it out.
  • This minigame requires two full stamina circles to complete. Eating stamina-boosting food will not work. If you don't have two full stamina circles, you can respec your hearts into stamina by talking to the Horned Statue.
  • Once you're done with the minigame, the Master Sword will be yours.

The accidental method: Wait, it's just... there?

Can you obtain the Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Master Sword without bothering to cleanse the Deku Tree? Yes, you certainly can. In fact, there might not be a main quest in Hyrule that's required to actually get it. We confirmed this with one of our writers who, at the time, hasn't completed the Geoglyphs/Dragon's Tears and Fifth Sage main quests. They were simply exploring the world and, once they saw the Light Dragon, they decided on fly all the way to it.

You need two full stamina circles. Since you already have one by default, you have to earn stamina segments that are the equivalent of 20 Light of Blessings. Alternatively, you can respec five hearts.
You need two full stamina circles. Since you already have one by default, you have to earn stamina segments that are the equivalent of 20 Light of Blessings. Alternatively, you can respec five hearts.

Master Sword info: Functions/attacks, weapon degradation, and the Light Dragon

Now that you have the Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Master Sword, what can you actually do with it?

  • Firstly, the Master Sword does not have a clear attack value. However, you can use the Fuse ability to attach a strong material to it.
  • If Link has full HP/hearts, you can hold the R button, which will make the Master Sword cast a beam projectile.
  • It seems that the Master Sword may deal a bit more damage to Ganondorf, at least compared to other weapons.

Does the Master Sword break?

Technically, yes. If used to strike enemies often, it will become unusable for a while (roughly five minutes or more). Think of this as the weapon being on cooldown. However, you'll retain use of it after time has passed, so it won't be gone completely.

You can shoot a beam projectile if Link's HP is full.
You can shoot a beam projectile if Link's HP is full.

Who is the Light Dragon anyway?

It's Zelda. If you complete the Geoglyphs/Dragon's Tears main quest, a 12th tear will drop in the northeastern portion of Akkala (the swirly beach area). Interact with the pool of water, and a cutscene will show that Zelda ate her own secret stone, turning her into an immortal dragon. She did this so she can continue to live for centuries, at least until she can give Link the Master Sword in the present.

And that's it. That's everything you need to know about the Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Master Sword. Whether you're using it against regular enemies or the final boss, you've finally got a weapon that can be reused periodically without being lost for good.

There are numerous mechanics and facets to learn in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. For more information, you can visit our guides hub.

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