Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Must-Have Items for Ultimate Gameplay

In the early stages of Tears of the Kingdom, acquiring money can be quite challenging. Players should prioritize having enough Rupees to replenish their stock of uncommon ingredients, rare materials, and essential arrows.

Every general store in Tears of the Kingdom offers unique items for players to purchase. Additionally, there are roaming merchants near stables, and it would be beneficial for Link to explore their merchandise. Though most materials and ingredients can be obtained through farming in various locations, there are a select few exceptions.

1 Arrows

Arrows, without a doubt, hold great importance. During battles, players can easily deplete ten arrows, especially when facing formidable foes like the Gleeoks. Furthermore, arrows are essential for utilizing the Vow of Riju, as it enables players to summon lightning to strike their targets.

Fortunately, obtaining arrows in Tears of the Kingdom is much more convenient than in Breath of the Wild. Players can discover a few arrows by breaking crates and barrels. However, a faster method is purchasing them. In Tears of the Kingdom, every major town features at least one merchant who sells arrows. These arrows can be obtained in bundles of five or individually. Additionally, arrows restock relatively quickly, but for immediate needs, Beedle offers arrows, albeit at a slightly higher price compared to regular stores.

2 Armor (ex: Snowquill Set, Flamebreaker Set)

Majority of the armor found in TotK can be located in caves or The Depths. However, there are a few exceptions. Armor that provides protection against cold weather or flames can be acquired from armor shops. In TotK, having weather or flame protection is a prerequisite for the Wind Temple, Gerudo Desert, and Fire Temple. Therefore, players should aim to save up their Rupees and purchase these items when they are prepared to undertake one of the "Regional Phenomena" quests.

Typically, players will only be able to afford one piece of armor at a time. If desired, they have the option to purchase all armor pieces to complete a Set. By having a Great Fairy upgrade an Armor Set to level 2, players can unlock its Set Bonus. For instance, upgrading and wearing all pieces of the Snowquill Set will render LInk immune to freezing, making it the perfect choice of armor for farming dragon parts from Naydra or battling Ice Gleeoks.

3 Amber Earrings

In Gerudo Town, players have the option to purchase earrings that function as "head armor." However, these earrings do not contribute to any Set Bonus. Depending on the gems embedded in the earrings, they can offer protection against different weather conditions, provide resistance against electrical shocks, or enhance swimming speed. Among them, the Amber Earrings stand out with a maximum defense of 28 when upgraded to level 4. As a result, they rank amongst the top armor pieces available in TotK.

With a price of 400 Rupees, the Amber Earrings may not be cheap, but they are certainly worth the investment. Furthermore, their upgrades can be quite costly, so it is advisable for players to refrain from selling any Amber Ore. Despite not being part of a Set, the Amber Earrings can be worn alongside other high-defense armor pieces. An optimal combination for maximum defense includes fully upgraded Amber Earrings (28), Champion Leathers (32), and Trousers of the Wild (28). This combination boosts Link's defense to 88, surpassing that of level 4 armor sets and even outperforming the Ancient Hero's Aspect.

4 Fresh Milk

Fresh Milk is a scarce and valuable ingredient in Tears of the Kingdom. Obtaining it can be quite challenging, but it is necessary for various recipes. The only establishment that sells Fresh Milk is the East Wind General Store located in Hateno Village. Another option is to trade 3 acorns to Dantz at Hateno's Pasture in exchange for 1 Fresh Milk. Additionally, there is a traveling merchant who sells 5 Fresh Milk along the road between Wetland Stable and Kakariko Village. However, it is important to note that acorns are also required for upgrading the Armor of the Wild, and the traveling merchant may easily be overlooked. Therefore, it is advisable to purchase the 3 Fresh Milk from East Wind whenever it becomes available.

Fresh Milk is primarily used in recipes that enhance the abilities of horses. Therefore, it is wise to save up Fresh Milk until players have gathered all the necessary ingredients for Malanya. Furthermore, Fresh Milk is a vital component in the Sunny Veggie Porridge recipe, a meal that can counteract the effects of gloom.

5 Critters (ie: Butterflies, Darners, Frogs)

In their TotK journey, players will encounter numerous critters. These critters can be utilized for cooking elixirs, but their main purpose lies in upgrading armor and unlocking Set Bonuses. Unfortunately, these critters are quite elusive and will quickly flee at the sight of Link, posing a challenge for players who wish to farm them.

The only merchant who sells critters is Beedle. Some critters, such as the Butterflies (e.g., Smotherwing Butterflies), can be purchased for 10 Rupees each. However, others like Tireless Frogs come with a higher price tag of 100 Rupees per frog. While the cost may be steep, players who struggle with farming critters on their own should consider buying them from Beedle.

6 Hylian Rice

Hylian Rice is not very common in Tears of the Kingdom for some unknown reason. In Breath of the Wild, players could obtain it by cutting grass in West Necluda, but it is much rarer in TotK. However, there is some good news as Hylian Rice can be found near Lurelin Village. Unfortunately, this village is located far from the starting area of TotK, so players may have to wait before they can reach it.

Similar to Fresh Milk, Hylian Rice is used in several recipes for horse upgrades. Additionally, players will need 20 Hylian Rice for the "Lurelin Village Restoration Project" side quest, which is highly recommended. Those who are struggling to find Hylian Rice in the wild can purchase it at various general stores for a reasonable price. These stores include Slippery Falcon in Rito Village, East Wind in Hateno Village, Gerudo Town, and Goron Gusto Shop in Goron City.

7 Goron Spice

Goron Spice can be found exclusively in Goron City and is an essential ingredient in various curry recipes, such as Vegetable Curry and Herb Saute. Despite its flavorful contribution, this spice is reasonably priced at 16 Rupees, making it affordable for all. However, it is important to note that the general store in Goron City only carries a limited stock of 3 at a time. Unfortunately, unlike the Fresh Milk, there is no opportunity to engage in a side quest to trade items for a jar of Goron Spice.

8 Cane Sugar

Cane Sugar is a commonly found ingredient in general stores. However, it can also be obtained by farming in the wild. The average cost for a bundle of Cane Sugar is 12 Rupees, and most shops usually have 2-3 bundles available. You can purchase Cane Sugar at the following stores: Great Deku Tree's Navel in Korok Forest, Slippery Falcon in Rito Village, and Goron Gusto Shop in Goron City.

Cane Sugar cannot be prepared independently; it requires another ingredient that is compatible. When utilizing Cane Sugar in recipes, the outcome is desserts, which may not be as substantial as nourishing meals like Meat-Stuffed Pumpkins. However, they serve as a suitable choice for consumption when Link does not require a significant HP recovery.

9 Goat Butter

Goat Butter can be easily purchased from the general stores in Hateno Village and Kakariko Village. With a price of 12 Rupees, stores typically have a stock of 5 bars. The significance of buying Goat Butter lies in the numerous recipes that require this specific ingredient.

Players will need at least one bar of Goat Butter for preparing hearty meals like Salmon Meunire and Prime Meat Stew. If they wish to have a stock of meals that provide substantial heart restoration, it is recommended to make this purchase. Additionally, Goat Butter is essential for dessert recipes such as Apple Pie and Carrot Cake for players focusing on upgrading their horses. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom can be played on Nintendo Switch.