Are Opals Useful in Breath of the Wild?

Yes, Opals are useful in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, though perhaps not as dramatically as some other gems. While they don’t have the high sell value of Diamonds or the specific armor upgrade utility of Luminous Stones, Opals serve several purposes that make them valuable to collect throughout your adventures in Hyrule. Their primary use comes in crafting, primarily for Opal Earrings that boost swim speed and for armor upgrades at Great Fairy Fountains. They also have some value when sold, offering a reasonable amount of Rupees, and can be used to create elemental weapons through fusing in Tears of the Kingdom, although this functionality is not present in Breath of the Wild.

Uses for Opals in Breath of the Wild

Opals are more than just pretty rocks; they have specific functions that enhance your gameplay:

Opal Earrings

The most significant use of Opals is in creating Opal Earrings. These are available at the Gerudo Town jewelry shop and are key to increasing Link’s swim speed. This makes traversing bodies of water much faster and less tiring, which is invaluable when exploring Hyrule’s rivers and lakes. The ability to swim faster can mean the difference between making it to the next shore before your stamina runs out, and finding a hidden treasure chest underwater.

Armor Upgrades

Opals are among the many resources needed to upgrade your armor at Great Fairy Fountains. Each piece of armor has a number of stars that represent their level of upgrade, and these upgrades will increase a particular armor’s defense. Each Great Fairy Fountain requires a different set of materials, and Opals are often one of those requirements. This makes them essential for maximizing your defenses throughout the game. While they aren’t as commonly required as other gems, it’s still important to hold onto a few for when you encounter an armor set that does require them.

Selling for Rupees

While not as profitable as some rarer gems, Opals can be sold for 60 Rupees each. If you’re ever in a pinch for money, a good stockpile of Opals can certainly help. This is especially useful in the early game when you need to purchase crucial supplies or upgrade your gear.

A Note on Fusing

It’s worth mentioning that Tears of the Kingdom introduced the mechanic of fusing materials to weapons, allowing you to attach Opals to weapons for a water-based attack boost. This functionality is not available in Breath of the Wild. Therefore, in Breath of the Wild, Opals only have the aforementioned uses, not for weapon infusions.

FAQs About Opals in Breath of the Wild

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the uses of Opals and other related items in Breath of the Wild:

1. Where Can I Find Opals?

Opals are relatively common and can be found in several ways. They are often found in:

• Ore deposits: Breakable mineral deposits scattered throughout Hyrule, particularly in mountainous regions.
• Chests: Found within treasure chests, especially in shrines and hidden areas.
• Enemy drops: Some enemies may drop Opals upon defeat, though not as consistently as other materials.
• Purchasing: Opals can also be purchased from specific merchants, notably the Goron in Tarrey Town.

2. How Much are Opals Worth When Sold?

Opals sell for 60 Rupees each, making them a reliable but not extremely lucrative source of income.

3. Are Opal Earrings Worth Getting?

Absolutely. The swim speed boost provided by Opal Earrings makes water traversal much more efficient. This is particularly useful in areas like Zora’s Domain, or when trying to reach specific islands or underwater chests.

4. Do Opals Have Any Combat Uses in Breath of the Wild?

No, unlike Tears of the Kingdom, Opals do not have any direct combat uses in Breath of the Wild. They cannot be fused to weapons or arrows for elemental effects.

5. What Other Gems are Used for Armor Upgrades?

Besides Opals, several other gems are needed for armor upgrades, including Amber, Flint, Luminous Stone, and Diamonds. Each gem is used for specific pieces of armor and at different Great Fairy Fountains.

6. How Do I Upgrade Armor with Great Fairies?

To upgrade armor, you’ll need to first unlock Great Fairy Fountains by completing their associated quests. Then, you need to pay them a one-time fee, ranging from 100 to 10,000 rupees, followed by materials, which include gems, to upgrade armor pieces.

7. What are the Most Valuable Gems to Sell in Breath of the Wild?

The most valuable gems for selling are Diamonds and Sapphires. These sell for the most Rupees compared to other gems, making them an efficient way to earn money.

8. Can I Farm Opals?

While you can’t farm them infinitely, you can revisit areas where ore deposits are common. They will respawn after a certain amount of in-game time has passed. Breaking a lot of ore deposits in one area increases your chances to find more, which helps when farming Opals.

9. Should I Save or Sell my Opals?

This is a balancing act. Initially, it is recommended to save Opals for crafting Opal Earrings and upgrades. Once you have obtained these items and fully upgraded your most-used armor pieces, selling excess Opals is a reasonable way to gain Rupees.

10. Where Can I Get the Most Rupees Quickly in Breath of the Wild?

One of the best ways to earn Rupees is by hunting prime meat in South Tabantha Snowfield. The quality meats can be cooked into dishes that sell for high prices.

11. What Other Items Should I Sell for Rupees?

Besides gems, common monster parts and cooked dishes are good options. Meat skewers and cooked apples can also be sold, although gems and meat are more profitable. Rare monster parts are better to keep for armor upgrades and elixirs.

12. Do I Need Diamonds in Breath of the Wild?

Yes, Diamonds are very useful. They are necessary for crafting the Diamond Circlet at Starlight Memories, upgrading and repairing Champions’ weapons, and can be sold for a large number of Rupees, making them highly valuable.

13. What is the Difference Between Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom for Opals?

The major difference lies in the ability to fuse Opals to weapons in Tears of the Kingdom, which gives them a combat application. This is not available in Breath of the Wild, where they are primarily used for swim speed, armor upgrades, and selling.

14. Are There Unbreakable Weapons in Breath of the Wild?

No. However, The Master Sword does not break, it simply enters a recharge state. Certain weapons, like the Champions’ weapons, can be repaired with specific resources, notably with diamonds.

15. Why Are Great Fairy Fountains Important?

Great Fairy Fountains are essential for upgrading armor. Upgrading armor significantly increases defense, making you more resilient against enemy attacks. Certain armor sets can unlock bonuses when fully upgraded, further enhancing your capabilities.

Conclusion

Opals are indeed useful in Breath of the Wild. They provide a much-needed swim speed increase through the Opal Earrings, are necessary for some armor upgrades, and offer a decent sell value if you need Rupees. While not as impactful as some other gems in Breath of the Wild, their versatility makes them a valuable resource. So the next time you find one, remember its various uses and decide if you need the rupees or if you need that water speed.