Do You Get Anything for Collecting All Korok Seeds?
The short answer is: yes, but not much that’s practically useful. In both The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and its sequel Tears of the Kingdom, collecting every single Korok Seed culminates in the reward of Hestu’s Gift, a golden pile of… well, let’s just call it “golden poo.” This item serves absolutely no practical purpose. It doesn’t unlock special abilities, grant stat boosts, or have any in-game utility beyond being a memento of your monumental effort. Think of it more as a digital badge of honor – proof that you braved every nook and cranny of Hyrule, solved every puzzle, and endured every “yahaha!” to collect them all. The true reward, as many players come to realize, lies not in Hestu’s gift but in the journey itself and the inventory upgrades you obtain along the way.
The Korok Seed Grind: It’s About the Journey, Not Just the “Gift”
For many players, the pursuit of Korok Seeds becomes an obsession. These little creatures, hidden under rocks, in flower circles, and atop mountains, present a diverse range of puzzles that test observation and problem-solving skills. In Tears of the Kingdom, you also encounter Koroks who need to be returned to their friends, adding a unique delivery challenge to the mix. While the ultimate reward is underwhelming, the process of tracking down and solving these puzzles provides a constant stream of engagement. It’s a hunt that encourages you to explore every corner of the map, discover new areas, and become intimately familiar with the geography of Hyrule. The sense of accomplishment upon finding a particularly tricky Korok is often reward enough for many.
Inventory Upgrades: The Real Prize
While the “golden poo” may seem like a joke, the primary reason for collecting Korok Seeds is to expand your inventory. These seeds aren’t just collectible trophies; they are the currency you use with the musical Korok, Hestu, to increase the number of weapons, bows, and shields Link can carry. In Tears of the Kingdom, you need 441 Korok Seeds to max out your inventory slots. That means you do not need to find all 1,000 seeds in the game. The ability to hold more items significantly impacts your gameplay experience. No longer will you be forced to abandon precious weaponry, or agonize over which shield to drop.
Here’s a breakdown of the inventory slots:
- Weapon slots: Up to 19 slots, plus 1 extra for the Master Sword.
- Bow slots: Up to 13 slots, plus 1 extra for the Bow of Light (if available).
- Shield slots: Up to 20 slots.
The expansion of these slots becomes crucial for taking on more challenging enemies and navigating the game’s complex systems. The journey of obtaining seeds, and strategically using them to enhance your carry capacity, is much more important than obtaining Hestu’s Gift.
More Than Just the Loot: A Completionist’s Pursuit
For the dedicated players, it’s not just about the utility of inventory slots. It’s about the satisfaction of a complete collection. Finding all 1000 Korok Seeds in Tears of the Kingdom, or the 900 in Breath of the Wild, is a monumental task that showcases commitment and dedication to the game. While the final reward doesn’t offer tangible benefits, it serves as an emblem of accomplishment. It solidifies the player’s mastery over the game’s world and mechanics.
Hestu’s Dance: A Minor, But Appreciated, Perk
Even though Hestu’s Gift is essentially useless, it is tied to another small bonus: Hestu will dance whenever you ask him to after you have collected every seed. This little interaction is mostly symbolic, but it adds a final flourish to the long journey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many Korok Seeds are there in Tears of the Kingdom?
There are a total of 1000 Korok Seeds hidden throughout Hyrule in Tears of the Kingdom.
2. How many Korok Seeds do I need to max out my inventory?
You only need 441 Korok Seeds to fully expand your inventory slots in Tears of the Kingdom.
3. What is Hestu’s Gift?
Hestu’s Gift is the reward you receive for finding all Korok Seeds. It’s a golden poo that has no in-game practical value but is a testament to your dedication.
4. Does Hestu’s Gift do anything?
No, Hestu’s Gift does not have any practical function in either game other than being a token of completing the collection.
5. What happens when you get all the Korok Seeds?
Besides receiving Hestu’s Gift, Hestu will dance for you whenever you want. There is no other in-game change.
6. How do I use Korok Seeds?
You give Korok Seeds to Hestu to increase the number of inventory slots you have for weapons, bows, and shields.
7. Is it worth collecting all the Korok Seeds?
For the inventory upgrades, yes. You only need 441 to max the inventory. For the final reward, it’s only worth it if you’re a completionist.
8. Does collecting Korok Seeds count towards 100% completion?
Yes, collecting all the Korok Seeds in Breath of the Wild is required to reach 100% completion. Though, this is not the case in Tears of the Kingdom.
9. Are there any other benefits to collecting Korok Seeds other than inventory slots?
No, beyond inventory upgrades, Hestu’s Gift, and Hestu’s dance, there are no other gameplay benefits associated with Korok Seed collection.
10. What happens if I don’t collect all the Korok Seeds?
You can still complete the main game and enjoy the story without collecting all the seeds. You just won’t max out your inventory and obtain Hestu’s Gift.
11. Can you sell Korok Seeds?
No, Korok Seeds cannot be sold for money. They can only be traded with Hestu for inventory upgrades.
12. How many Korok Seeds are required per inventory upgrade?
The number of seeds required for upgrades increases as you expand your inventory. The first few upgrades are cheap, but they become more expensive.
13. What should I upgrade first with my Korok Seeds?
It’s generally recommended to prioritize weapon slots first, as they are the most useful, but you should distribute the first few upgrades among all types.
14. What is a Korok Leaf?
A Korok Leaf is a large, sturdy leaf that can be used as a weapon in Breath of the Wild. It can create gusts of wind to blow objects.
15. How many shrines are there in Tears of the Kingdom?
There are a total of 152 Shrines in Tears of the Kingdom, with 120 on the surface and 32 in the Sky Islands.
In conclusion, while the reward for collecting every Korok Seed may be underwhelming, the journey, inventory upgrades, and sense of completion are the real treasures found within the Korok puzzle system of The Legend of Zelda series. So, if you see a suspiciously placed rock, flower, or pattern, it might be worth your time to check it out. You might just be one seed closer to that golden pile.