Trial of the Sword: Can You Save After the Beginning Trials?

Yes, absolutely! After conquering the first 12 floors of the Trial of the Sword, known as the Beginning Trials, you can indeed save your progress. This acts as a crucial checkpoint, allowing you to take a breather and return to the challenge later without having to start all over again. This save point appears upon completing the Beginning Trials, before you delve into the Middle Trials.

Understanding the Trial of the Sword’s Structure

The Trial of the Sword, a challenging DLC addition to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, is divided into three distinct segments:

• Beginning Trials: Comprising 12 floors.
• Middle Trials: Consisting of 16 floors.
• Final Trials: The most grueling, spanning 23 floors.

Each set of trials demands strategic combat, resource management, and a keen understanding of enemy weaknesses. You enter the trial stripped of your equipment, relying on what you can scavenge and create within each level. The reward for completing all three sets of trials is a permanently powered-up Master Sword, making it an invaluable asset in your adventures across Hyrule.

Saving and Checkpoints: Your Lifelines in the Trial

The ability to save after completing each set of trials is paramount. Without these checkpoints, a single mistake in the later stages could erase hours of progress. Here’s what you need to know about saving:

• Automatic Save: The game automatically saves upon successful completion of the Beginning, Middle, and Final Trials.
• No Manual Saving: You cannot manually save your progress within any of the individual trial sections. This adds to the tension and necessitates careful gameplay.
• Pausing is Possible: While you can’t save mid-trial, you can pause the game and put your Nintendo Switch into sleep mode. This allows you to take breaks without losing your progress, provided you don’t close the game entirely.

Why Saving is Crucial

The Trial of the Sword is notoriously difficult, especially on Master Mode. Enemies are tougher, regenerate health, and possess a greater awareness of your presence. Having the opportunity to save after each set of trials allows you to:

• Learn from Mistakes: Analyze your performance in each set of trials and adjust your strategy for the next.
• Take Breaks: Prevent burnout and maintain focus by taking breaks between trial segments.
• Manage Resources: Conserve valuable items and plan your approach to the more challenging floors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Trial of the Sword

Here are 15 frequently asked questions regarding the Trial of the Sword:

1. Can you save progress in Trial of the Sword? You can only save after completing each round (Beginning, Middle, and Final). There are no save points within each individual trial.

2. Can you leave and come back to Trial of the Sword? You cannot leave mid-trial and retain progress. However, you can pause the game and put your console in sleep mode to resume later from the same floor.

3. Do you need to complete the trial of the sword in one sitting? No, you don’t need to complete it in one sitting, thanks to the save points after each trial segment.

4. Is there checkpoints in the Master Sword trials? Yes, three checkpoints exist in total: after the Beginning Trials, the Middle Trials, and the Final Trials.

5. What happens after you beat Trial of the Sword? The Master Sword is permanently powered up, eliminating the need for recharge time and increasing its base damage.

6. Why is my Master Sword only 30? The Master Sword initially deals 30 damage due to its weakened state from the Great Calamity. Completing the Trial of the Sword will increase its power.

7. What is the reward for beating Trial of the Sword? The primary reward is the awakened Master Sword, boasting a base damage of 60 and no recharge time.

8. Can the Master Sword break after Master trials? The Master Sword cannot break in the traditional sense. After extended use, it will “run out of energy” and require a short recharge, however, after the Master Trials, it is permanently powered up and does not run out of energy.

9. How strong is the Master Sword after trials? The Master Sword’s damage increases incrementally with each Trial completed, ultimately reaching a base damage of 60 after the Final Trials. Its durability is significantly enhanced.

10. When should I pull out the Master Sword? You can attempt to pull the Master Sword when you have 13 Heart Pieces (or equivalent stamina vessels).

11. Is there a lynel in the Trial of the Sword? Yes, Lynels appear in the Trial of the Sword, demanding careful combat strategies.

12. How long does each Trial of the Sword take? Each trial’s duration varies based on skill, but expect to spend several hours completing all three segments.

13. How hard is the final Trial of the Sword? The Final Trials are considered the most challenging due to the increased difficulty and resource constraints.

14. Should I do the Trial of the Sword before or after Ganon? This is a matter of preference. Some players prefer to tackle Ganon first, while others seek the enhanced Master Sword beforehand. Both options are viable.

15. How many times can you do the Trial of the Sword? You can repeat the Trial of the Sword as many times as you wish, by re-inserting the Master Sword into its pedestal.

By understanding the structure, save mechanics, and challenges of the Trial of the Sword, you can better prepare yourself for this demanding yet rewarding experience. Good luck, and may your Master Sword shine brightly! You may also want to consider researching the cognitive skills that games, like Breath of the Wild, help to develop. More information can be found on websites such as the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.