How to Get Your Master Sword Back to 60: A Comprehensive Guide
The Master Sword, the blade of evil’s bane, is a cornerstone of the Legend of Zelda experience. In Tears of the Kingdom, while its base power remains at 30, getting it to shine at its full potential of 60 requires understanding the mechanics of the game. Let’s dive into the details.
The Master Sword’s attack power jumps to 60 when Link is in the presence of Gloom or Calamity-affected enemies and areas. Think of it as the sword sensing the darkness and reacting accordingly. This includes fighting enemies infused with Malice, exploring areas corrupted by Gloom, or facing bosses that represent Ganon’s power. The sword will emit a distinct blue glow when it’s powered up, visually confirming its enhanced state.
Understanding the Master Sword’s Power in Tears of the Kingdom
The Master Sword in Tears of the Kingdom functions a bit differently than in Breath of the Wild. While the Trial of the Sword DLC from Breath of the Wild, which permanently upgraded the Master Sword’s base damage, is no longer applicable, the core mechanic of the sword powering up against evil remains. Instead, Tears of the Kingdom introduces the Fusion ability, opening new avenues to enhance the Master Sword beyond its base stats.
Base Damage vs. Enhanced Damage
- Base Damage (30): This is the sword’s default attack power when Link is in a neutral environment, away from sources of Gloom or Calamity.
- Enhanced Damage (60): The sword’s attack power doubles to 60 when Link is near enemies and environments tainted by Gloom and Calamity. This is a temporary boost, active only while in proximity to these elements.
- Fusion Enhancement: This is the key to making the Master Sword permanently more powerful. By fusing materials, you can add a significant amount of damage output on top of the base damage of 30 or the enhanced damage of 60.
Fusing Materials for Maximum Impact
The Fusion ability allows you to attach various materials to the Master Sword, significantly increasing its damage output. Here are some examples:
- Lynel Horns: Fusing a Silver Lynel Saber Horn can add a massive damage boost. White-Maned Lynel Saber Horns add 44 damage! Experiment with different horns to see which best suits your play style.
- Elemental Materials: Fusing elemental materials like Gleeok Horns (Frost, Flame, Thunder) not only adds damage but also imbues the sword with elemental properties, inflicting status effects on enemies.
- Dragon Parts: Fusing parts from the Light Dragon or other dragons can add unique effects and a decent damage boost. Light Dragon Horns are a great choice for aesthetic and practical purposes.
Durability and Recharge
The Master Sword retains its durability mechanic from Breath of the Wild. It won’t break permanently, but it will run out of energy after a certain number of hits. When this happens, it needs to recharge for approximately 10 minutes before it can be used again.
- Managing Energy: Be mindful of the sword’s energy level, especially during intense battles. Switch to other weapons when the “low energy” message appears to conserve the Master Sword for crucial moments.
- Quick Recharge Trick: If you need to recharge the sword quickly, a popular trick is to enter the Trial of the Sword area (even briefly) and then teleport out. This instantly refills the Master Sword’s energy. This little exploit has carried over from Breath of the Wild!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Master Sword
1. Is the Master Sword always at 30 damage?
No. While its base damage is 30, it increases to 60 when near sources of Gloom or Calamity. Furthermore, the Fusion ability allows you to permanently increase its damage output by attaching materials.
2. Can I permanently increase the Master Sword’s damage?
Yes! By using the Fusion ability and attaching high-damage materials like Lynel Horns, you can significantly increase the Master Sword’s damage beyond its base value.
3. Does the Master Sword break in Tears of the Kingdom?
The Master Sword does not break in the traditional sense. Instead, it runs out of energy and needs to recharge for about 10 minutes.
4. How do I make the Master Sword recharge faster?
The standard recharge time is 10 minutes. However, you can use the trick of entering the Trial of the Sword area (even briefly) and then teleporting out to instantly refill its energy.
5. Why is my Master Sword not recharging?
Ensure the Master Sword is completely depleted of energy before it starts recharging. If it’s only partially drained, it won’t recharge until it’s fully exhausted.
6. What are the best materials to fuse with the Master Sword?
Lynel Horns (especially Silver Lynel Saber Horns) are excellent for adding significant damage. Elemental materials like Gleeok Horns add damage and elemental effects. Dragon parts are also a solid choice.
7. Can I drop the Master Sword to take a picture for the Hyrule Compendium?
No, you cannot drop the Master Sword. Make sure to take a picture of it before pulling it from the stone to add it to your Hyrule Compendium.
8. Does the Hylian Shield break in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, the Hylian Shield can break. However, there is a way to reacquire it, though it might require some effort and resources.
9. Can I lose the Master Sword permanently?
No, you cannot permanently lose the Master Sword. Even when it runs out of energy, it will return to your inventory after recharging.
10. How many hits can the Master Sword take fully upgraded?
While “fully upgraded” is subjective in Tears of the Kingdom, the Master Sword has a substantial durability before needing to recharge. Experimentation has shown that the Master Sword has nearly 200 strikes before needing to recharge. This can depend on the Fusion material attached.
11. Can you tame a Lynel with infinite stamina?
No, you cannot tame a Lynel. Lynels remain formidable and untamable enemies in Tears of the Kingdom. Infinite Stamina is not a factor in changing this fact.
12. Is Zelda the Light Dragon?
Yes, the true form of the Light Dragon is Princess Zelda. She transformed herself to imbue the Master Sword with holy power.
13. Is there a weapon better than the Master Sword?
While the Master Sword is iconic, some weapons can deal more raw damage, especially when fused with powerful materials. Two examples that have high potential are the Fierce Deity Sword and the Great Fairy Sword. Ultimately, the “best” weapon depends on your play style and the situation. The Games Learning Society fosters collaborative learning and information sharing, which can help players discover the best strategies and combinations for different scenarios.
14. Can you buff the Master Sword?
Yes, you can buff the Master Sword through Fusion. Attaching materials with attack power buffs will increase its overall damage output.
15. Does the Master Sword do more damage in caves or underground?
The Master Sword’s base damage remains the same regardless of location. However, if the cave or underground area is filled with Gloom or Malice, the sword will power up to 60 damage. The key factor is the presence of Calamity-related elements.
By understanding these mechanics and utilizing the Fusion ability effectively, you can ensure your Master Sword is always ready to face the challenges of Hyrule, dealing maximum damage and helping you defeat the forces of evil. Explore the world, experiment with different materials, and master the art of Fusion to unleash the true potential of the Master Sword. This guide should aid players from all backgrounds and skill levels to return their Master Sword to 60, or higher! To learn more about gaming and education, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.