Can You Pull the Master Sword With Temporary Hearts? The Definitive Guide
The short answer is a resounding no. In both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, temporary hearts – those golden bonus hearts you get from food and elixirs – simply do not count towards the 13 heart containers required to pull the Master Sword. You’ll need at least 10 natural heart containers in addition to the three you start with. Trying to bypass this requirement with temporary hearts will be futile, though the game is kind enough to not waste those bonus hearts in the attempt.
Understanding the Master Sword’s Requirements
The Master Sword, often referred to as the Blade of Evil’s Bane, is a crucial weapon in the Legend of Zelda series. It’s not just a powerful weapon; it’s often a key element in the story, a symbol of Link’s destiny, and a tool for defeating the ultimate evil. To wield this iconic weapon, Link must prove his strength and worthiness, which in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom translates to possessing a minimum of 13 heart containers.
Why Natural Hearts Matter
The requirement for natural heart containers highlights the importance of Link’s inherent strength and resilience. Temporary hearts are fleeting buffs, bonuses that disappear over time or when damage is taken. They represent temporary boosts, whereas heart containers are a permanent testament to Link’s growth and perseverance. The Master Sword seemingly assesses Link’s core strength, ignoring any artificial enhancements.
The Consequences of Insufficient Hearts
Attempting to draw the Master Sword without the necessary heart containers results in a painful, and often fatal, experience. Link will be repeatedly shocked and damaged by the sword’s power, rapidly depleting his health. If he doesn’t have enough natural hearts to withstand the onslaught, it’s game over. The game is merciful, however. Any temporary hearts aren’t affected when you try, and any lost hearts are immediately replenished after failing to pull the sword. This allows players to experiment without penalty and plan accordingly.
Heart Containers vs. Stamina Vessels
A crucial choice players face in both games is whether to invest their spirit orbs into heart containers or stamina vessels. While stamina is invaluable for exploration and combat, acquiring the Master Sword necessitates prioritizing hearts initially. However, once you’ve obtained the sword, you can actually respec at the Horned Statue in Hateno Village, trading heart containers for stamina vessels or vice versa, giving you the freedom to customize your build after acquiring the Master Sword.
Master Sword in Tears of the Kingdom
Tears of the Kingdom has added new layers to the Master Sword saga. The process of obtaining it isn’t always straightforward, but it remains a pivotal moment in the game. The weapon itself has undergone changes, adding to its mystique and its significance to the narrative.
Acquiring the Master Sword
Unlike Breath of the Wild, there are multiple methods to acquire the Master Sword in Tears of the Kingdom, though the main path involves:
- Cleansing the Great Deku Tree: This is similar to Breath of the Wild‘s quest, requiring you to rid the Deku Tree of the Gloom infecting it. This will point you in the right direction.
- Dragon Tears (Geoglyphs): Discovering all the Dragon Tears unlocks crucial memories that reveal Zelda’s role in the sword’s journey and provide clues to its location.
- Finding the Light Dragon: The Master Sword is embedded in the head of the Light Dragon, which flies a predictable but vast circuit of Hyrule. The Dragon Tears will provide more information to find the Dragon, but you can find it even without having completed the quest.
The Light Dragon and the Sword
Zelda transforms into the Light Dragon, imbuing the Master Sword with her power, allowing it to recover from its corrupted state. This intimate connection between Zelda and the sword adds emotional weight to the quest of obtaining it. The Light Dragon’s movements are a key factor in planning your approach to retrieve the Master Sword. You must track its path and strategically ascend to its location.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Master Sword
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Master Sword, addressing common concerns and curiosities:
FAQ 1: Can you use Mipha’s Grace to pull the Master Sword?
No. Similar to temporary hearts, Mipha’s Grace does not count towards the required 13 hearts. Mipha’s Grace, while invaluable for surviving tough battles, provides a temporary healing boost, not a permanent heart container.
FAQ 2: Are there multiple ways to get the Master Sword in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, as mentioned earlier, while the main questline provides guidance, dedicated players can locate the Light Dragon without following the intended path. Discovering all the Dragon Tears provides clues to finding the Light Dragon, but isn’t strictly required to find the Light Dragon.
FAQ 3: What is the fastest way to get the Master Sword in Tears of the Kingdom?
Technically, the fastest way is to find the Light Dragon directly. This requires exceptional paragliding skills, stamina upgrades, and a good understanding of the Light Dragon’s flight path.
FAQ 4: Can you pull the Master Sword with temporary stamina?
No. In Tears of the Kingdom, in addition to a minimum number of hearts, you’ll need two full stamina wheels to successfully pull the Master Sword. Similar to temporary hearts, bonus stamina provided by food or elixirs does not count.
FAQ 5: Can you use elixirs to pull the Master Sword?
Again, the answer is no. Elixirs and meals that provide temporary hearts or stamina will not help in pulling the Master Sword. The game specifically requires permanent heart containers and stamina wheels.
FAQ 6: What happens when you max out the Master Sword?
In Breath of the Wild, completing the Trial of the Sword permanently upgrades the Master Sword, increasing its power and eliminating its recharge time when wielded against enemies affected by corruption. Tears of the Kingdom lacks the Trial of the Sword, but you can fuse monster parts with high fuse power to increase the damage.
FAQ 7: Why is my Master Sword sometimes at 60 damage?
The Master Sword’s damage output changes based on the environment. It deals 60 damage when near Guardians, Malice, or within dungeons. Outside of these conditions, it defaults to 30 damage.
FAQ 8: How many hearts do I need to beat Ganon?
While not strictly required, having at least 13 hearts is highly recommended to beat Ganon, especially in Breath of the Wild. This allows you to withstand more attacks and makes the final battle significantly easier. In Tears of the Kingdom having even more would be advisable.
FAQ 9: Why is my Master Sword only 30 damage normally?
The Master Sword was damaged during the Great Calamity and has lost some of its original power. This explains its reduced damage output in normal circumstances.
FAQ 10: Can the Master Sword be corrupted?
Yes, in Tears of the Kingdom, there’s a Corrupted Master Sword. This variant can be upgraded further to the Deep Corrupt Master Sword, but can also be purified back to the standard Master Sword.
FAQ 11: Is the Master Sword a longsword?
The Master Sword is often depicted as a longsword. Its design and size have evolved throughout the Zelda series, but it generally fits the description of a longsword.
FAQ 12: Can you lose your Master Sword?
While the Master Sword can run out of energy and disappear temporarily, it cannot be permanently lost or broken. It will always return to Link after a recharge period.
FAQ 13: Is Zelda the Light Dragon?
Yes, the Light Dragon is, in fact, Princess Zelda. She transformed herself to ensure the Master Sword’s recovery and to aid Link in his quest.
FAQ 14: Does fusing increase Master Sword damage?
Yes, fusing monster parts and other materials to the Master Sword will increase its damage output. This is a core mechanic in Tears of the Kingdom for customizing weapon abilities and power.
FAQ 15: How do I get my Master Sword back to 60 damage?
The Master Sword automatically deals 60 damage when in proximity to Guardians, Malice, or inside dungeons. Completing the Trial of the Sword (in Breath of the Wild) permanently upgrades its base damage, though that specific mechanic isn’t present in Tears of the Kingdom.
We hope this comprehensive guide has clarified the requirements for obtaining the Master Sword and answered your burning questions. Remember, strategic planning and a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics are key to becoming a true hero of Hyrule.
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