How Many Shrines for 13 Hearts in Breath of the Wild? A Completionist’s Guide
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The short answer is: to get 13 hearts in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you need to complete 40 shrines if you haven’t obtained any heart containers from defeating Divine Beasts. Each shrine grants you a Spirit Orb, and you need four Spirit Orbs to exchange for either a heart container or a stamina vessel. Because you start with three hearts, you need 10 additional heart containers, requiring 40 Spirit Orbs in total. This number decreases by four shrines for each Divine Beast you conquer, as each Divine Beast awards a heart container.
Understanding the Heart Container System
The heart container system in Breath of the Wild is integral to progressing through the game. It’s also central to player decisions regarding gameplay, allowing flexibility in how you wish to approach the land of Hyrule. Players have to figure out whether to prioritize increasing health or stamina. With careful thought and consideration, the player can make Link even more powerful, while also experiencing what the world has to offer. Let’s delve a little deeper into how to get those valuable hearts.
Spirit Orbs: Your Currency for Strength
Spirit Orbs serve as the currency for upgrading your character’s core attributes: health and stamina. After completing a shrine, you receive one Spirit Orb. These orbs can then be exchanged at Great Fairy Statues found throughout Hyrule.
Trading Spirit Orbs for Heart Containers or Stamina Vessels
At these statues, you can trade four Spirit Orbs for either one heart container (permanently increasing your maximum health by one heart) or one stamina vessel (permanently increasing your stamina wheel). Because of this tradeoff, choosing between health and stamina upgrades becomes a crucial strategic decision.
Divine Beasts: A Shortcut to More Hearts
One thing players might overlook when planning is that Divine Beasts provide an opportunity to cut down on grinding out all the Spirit Orbs to achieve a heart threshold. The player can gain one heart container after completing each of the four Divine Beasts. This reduces the number of shrines players need to complete. If the player completes all the Divine Beasts, they only need to collect 24 spirit orbs instead of 40.
Choosing Between Hearts and Stamina
The choice between heart containers and stamina vessels is a pivotal decision in Breath of the Wild. Both offer significant advantages:
- Heart Containers: Increase your survivability by allowing you to withstand more damage from enemies and environmental hazards. Having 13 hearts is a prerequisite for drawing the Master Sword.
- Stamina Vessels: Enhance your exploration capabilities by allowing you to climb higher, swim further, and glide for longer distances.
Many players find that prioritizing stamina early in the game makes traversing the vast open world much easier. Later, once you have enough stamina to comfortably explore, you can shift your focus to collecting heart containers to meet the Master Sword requirement and increase your overall resilience. Some would say that stamina is more important because it’s so easy to cook meals that offer temporary hearts, or fairy revivals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about shrines, heart containers, and stamina vessels in Breath of the Wild:
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How many shrines are there in the base game of Breath of the Wild?
There are a total of 120 shrines in the base game of Breath of the Wild. Each shrine offers a unique challenge and rewards you with a Spirit Orb upon completion.
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Can I get more than 13 hearts in Breath of the Wild?
Yes, you can obtain a maximum of 30 hearts in Breath of the Wild. However, only 27 of these can be permanently obtained through shrine completions and Divine Beasts. The remaining hearts can be gained through temporary buffs from food.
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Is it possible to get both maximum hearts and maximum stamina in Breath of the Wild?
No, it is not possible to obtain both maximum hearts (30) and maximum stamina (three full wheels) simultaneously. There are a finite number of Spirit Orbs, so you must choose which attribute to prioritize.
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Do shrines respawn in Breath of the Wild?
No, shrines do not respawn in Breath of the Wild. Once you complete a shrine, it remains completed for the duration of your playthrough.
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What happens if I complete all 120 shrines?
Completing all 120 shrines allows you to maximize either your heart containers or stamina vessels, depending on your choices at the Great Fairy Statues. There is no additional reward for completing all shrines beyond the upgrades you receive.
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Do DLC shrines count towards map completion?
Yes, discovering the DLC shrines increases the map completion percentage. However, the Champion’s Ballad DLC adds additional story content and a new Divine Beast-style challenge, which also contributes to map completion. So doing shrines contributes, but the final dungeon is what gets you to 100% map completion.
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How do I find shrines in Breath of the Wild?
Shrines are often hidden or require solving puzzles to reveal their entrances. Use the Sheikah Slate’s sensor to detect nearby shrines, and explore the environment thoroughly. Talking to NPCs can also provide clues to shrine locations.
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What is the reward for completing all 152 shrines in Tears of the Kingdom?
Completing all 152 shrines in Tears of the Kingdom unlocks the Ancient Hero’s Aspect, an armor item that spans head, body, and leg gear. You’ll receive a message that tells you to head to the Temple of Time for your reward.
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Is it better to get heart containers or stamina early in the game?
Many players recommend prioritizing stamina vessels early in the game. This makes exploration easier and allows you to access more areas sooner. You can always switch to heart containers later once you have sufficient stamina.
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Can I reset my heart containers and stamina vessels in Breath of the Wild?
Yes, you can reset your heart containers and stamina vessels by speaking to a specific statue found in Hateno Village. This allows you to redistribute your upgrades if you change your mind about your initial choices.
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What is the significance of the Master Sword?
The Master Sword is a powerful weapon that is essential for defeating Calamity Ganon. It also has the unique ability to recharge after a period of use, making it a reliable weapon throughout the game. In order to wield it, the player must achieve a health threshold of 13 hearts.
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Can I lose the Master Sword?
The Master Sword cannot break due to its unique nature. However, it does lose energy as it is used to damage foes and will require a recharge period before it can be used again.
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Are there always chests in shrines?
Every shrine in Breath of the Wild contains at least one chest. Collecting the chest is not required to complete the shrine, but it often contains valuable items or weapons.
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What happens after defeating Calamity Ganon?
After defeating Calamity Ganon, you receive a star on your save file, indicating that you have completed the main story. You can also receive Medals of Honor from Kilton for defeating specific sub-bosses. There are 3 medals that signify defeating every iteration of Taluses, Hinoxes/Stalnoxes, and Moldugas in the game.
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What contributes to 100% completion in Breath of the Wild?
To achieve 100% completion in Breath of the Wild, you must complete all four Divine Beasts, all 120 Ancient Shrines, acquire all 900 Korok Seeds, and visit every named location on the map. Note that there is no tangible reward for achieving 100% completion; it’s purely for bragging rights.
Conclusion: Mastering the Shrines and Stats of Hyrule
Achieving 13 hearts in Breath of the Wild requires careful planning and strategic shrine completion. By understanding the heart container system, prioritizing stamina early on, and utilizing Divine Beasts, you can efficiently reach the required number of hearts to draw the Master Sword and face the challenges of Hyrule. Remember to explore thoroughly, talk to NPCs, and enjoy the journey!
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