Unveiling the Ultimate Secret: Acquire the Legendary Hylian Shield in Zelda

The Legend of Zelda franchise is widely recognized for the iconic equipment used by its protagonist, Link, in every game. In The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, the introduction of the fascinating Zonai Devices brings new abilities to the table. However, amidst all the new additions, there are two items that continue to overshadow everything else in the series: the Master Sword and the Hylian Shield. These legendary items have become just as integral to the franchise as the beloved characters themselves.

Update as of June 16th, 2023, by Christopher Norman Worcester: It has now been confirmed that in TotK, Link has the ability to replace a lost or damaged Hylian Shield. This comprehensive guide has been revised to include step-by-step instructions on how Link can obtain a new copy of Tears of the Kingdom's ultimate defensive tool. Completing the mayoral election quest line in Hateno Village is a necessary prerequisite for this task, as it grants Link access to a specialized merchant who will be available for the remainder of the game.

While the Master Sword may take a significant amount of time to obtain in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, players can acquire the Hylian Shield - widely regarded as the game's best shield - early on in Link's journey. This comprehensive guide will provide step-by-step instructions on how to navigate through the depths of Hyrule Castle, retrieve the shield, and safely exit the castle grounds.

How to Find TotK's Hylian Shield

In order to acquire the Hylian Shield in Tears of the Kingdom, Link needs to navigate his way to the floating island that once housed Hyrule Castle. Fortunately, if he approaches this task correctly, the journey will pose minimal danger, allowing him to obtain this immensely powerful shield at an early stage. There are only a handful of essential items that Link must bring along for this expedition.

Paraglider: The paraglider is essential for this part. While there may be alternative paths to the castle that open up later in the game, using the glider is necessary to reach the Hylian Shield.

Stamina Boosting Food/Potions: Link will need to glide a considerable distance, so it's advisable to carry multiple items that can replenish his Stamina Wheel. Prepare dishes using ingredients like Stamella Shroom, Endura Carrots and Shrooms, Staminoka Bass, Stambulb, and similar items that are known to boost stamina or energy.

Link can choose to seek assistance from the Sage of Wind for a particular jump in the Complete Wind Temple, although it is not essential. To obtain the Vow of Tulin, Link needs to complete the Rito missions in the "Regional Phenomena" main quest. The subsequent sections will provide a detailed guide on how to navigate through the Docks section of Hyrule Castle to accomplish this task.

Head to Lookout Landing Skyview Tower:

Link will start his journey from the tower at Lookout Landing, positioned at a considerable height that enables him to glide effortlessly all the way to Hyrule Castle. Although it is technically possible for Link to float directly to the Docks without any interruptions, it would be wise for him to utilize the Serutabomac Shrine as a fast-travel point for added safety. This strategic move will allow Link to attempt his jumps to the Docks multiple times without the need to backtrack to Lookout Landing.

Landing at Serutabomac Shrine:

Located on the northeastern side of the castle, near the island's summit, lies this sacred shrine. To reach it from Lookout Landing, Link will need to exert a significant amount of stamina. It is advisable for him to carry an ample supply of meals or potions to replenish his gauge.

As Link makes his way over the steeple, he'll see the tell-tale green spiral that marks a shrine. See the map above for the exact location (coordinates -0179, 1170, 0280).

This location serves as an ideal hub for Link to execute his jumps down to the dock. Its simplicity lies in the reliance on Tears of the Kingdom's newly acquired Ascend ability. Even if Link fails to complete the task, merely registering his hand at the entrance will activate the fast-travel point.

Making the Jump to the Docks:

From the shrine, follow the edge of the cliff west until coming to a cave. Do not go inside the cave, as there are several high-level Horriblins.

Instead, take a leap off the edge of the cliff just before reaching the cave. Glide away from the cliff until the entire map comes back into view. Keep an eye out for a distinct break in the terrain along the cliff (refer to the image for specific details). This fracture marks the entrance of the cave that will lead Link to the Docks.

As Link approaches the water level, he will come across a hidden cave that may be difficult to spot from a distance. It is crucial for Link to navigate through the channel between the break in the land to ensure he doesn't miss it. This is where the Vow of Tulin can be of great help. Once inside the cave, Link will find it to be rather small, but the strong gust of wind present will allow him to swiftly reach the land. However, if he doesn't have the vow, he will need to ensure that he has enough stamina to make the journey. Look out for a specific section within the cave that features two small braziers (-0269, 1153, 0024); this section will be the easiest to access.

How to Get the Hylian Shield in TotK

Swim Across Water:

From the two small braziers, Link must navigate his way to the opposite end of the chamber. Positioned above a gray brick wall adorned with a large stone shield carving, there lies a significantly larger brazier (coordinates: -0175, 1156, 0037) that Link needs to reach. It is crucial for Link to avoid the steps as they lead to a perilous encounter with a Gloom Spawn (known as Gloom Hands), especially if he is ill-equipped. Alternatively, Link should opt to swim across the water and ascend the wall to ensure his safety.

Light Large Brazier:

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After reaching the summit, Link's gaze will be drawn to a sizable brazier. Devoted fans of Breath of the Wild will immediately identify this brazier as the one featured in the solitary shrine puzzle located within Hyrule Castle. However, this time, by igniting the brazier using either a torch or a fire-fused arrow, a modest stone treasure chest will emerge from beneath the earth's surface. Within this chest lies the coveted Hylian Shield.

Now armed with the Hylian Shield, Link's final task is to procure the Master Sword, thus attaining the revered duo of legendary equipment.

How to Replace a Lost or Broken Hylian Shield in TotK

Even though the Hylian Shield in TotK is known for its incredible durability, there may still be instances when it eventually shatters. Additionally, Link can also find himself separated from his trusty shield in certain intense combat scenarios, such as being subjected to electrical attacks. However, players need not fret if they find themselves without this legendary shield. In Tears of the Kingdom, a unique merchant becomes accessible upon the completion of a specific set of quests.

After locating Cece, the renowned fashion designer of Hateno Village, Link embarks on a political journey. This journey unfolds when Link encounters Cece at her shop coordinates (3359, -2138, 0120), leading to a heated political dispute that can only be resolved through a new mayoral election. This pivotal event serves as the catalyst for Tears of the Kingdom's mayoral election quest line.

The initial quest, titled "Team Cece or Team Reede?", commences as Link engages with Cece and her sister, Sophie. Subsequently, Link must undertake two additional side quests, namely "Reede's Secret" and "Cece's Secret," before concluding with "The Mayoral Election." These quests present relatively straightforward tasks that can be efficiently accomplished.