Mastering the Hyrule Compendium in Tears of the Kingdom: A Completionist’s Guide

The Hyrule Compendium in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (TOTK) is your comprehensive encyclopedia of Hyrule’s flora, fauna, weapons, monsters, and more. Acquiring it, and more importantly, filling it, is a cornerstone of the game for completionists. Here’s how to unlock and utilize this invaluable tool:

To obtain the Hyrule Compendium in Tears of the Kingdom, you must first advance through the main story until you reach the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab. Begin by activating the Camera functionality for your Purah Pad. You’ll do this by initiating and completing the “Hateno Village Research Lab” side quest. Once the Camera is active, interact with Robbie’s Hyrule Compendium which you’ll find on a table inside the lab. Talking to him and examining the compendium initiates the quest, granting you access to the Hyrule Compendium on your Purah Pad.

Unlocking and Utilizing the Hyrule Compendium

The Compendium starts mostly empty, urging you to explore Hyrule and capture photos of everything you encounter using the Purah Pad’s Camera. This is the primary method of filling the Compendium. Every time you photograph a new item, creature, or weapon, its entry is automatically added.

The Compendium is organized into categories, making it easy to find specific entries. This is invaluable for tracking down materials needed for cooking recipes, identifying enemy weaknesses, and generally understanding the world around you.

Key Steps to Getting Started

1. Advance the Main Story: Progress far enough to reach Hateno Village and unlock the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab.
2. Complete the “Hateno Village Research Lab” Side Quest: This unlocks the Camera function on your Purah Pad.
3. Interact with Robbie’s Hyrule Compendium: Find it in the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab to officially start the Compendium quest.
4. Photograph Everything! Start taking photos of all items, enemies, and equipment to populate your Hyrule Compendium!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Hyrule Compendium

Here are some of the most common questions about the Hyrule Compendium, answered to help you on your journey to 100% completion:

1. Can I buy pictures for the Hyrule Compendium? Yes! Once you have the Compendium, you can purchase pictures from Robbie at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab. This is a crucial feature for obtaining photos of rare items, enemies, or those you might have missed.

2. How much does it cost to buy pictures for the Hyrule Compendium? Each picture purchased from Robbie costs 100 Rupees. While it can be expensive to fill the entire Compendium this way, it’s a convenient option for completionists.

3. Where do I find Robbie after he leaves Hateno Ancient Tech Lab? After Robbie relocates, you can typically find him at the Lookout Landing. He is a key character in the main storyline, and his location will change as you progress.

4. What is the reward for completing the Hyrule Compendium? The main reward for completing the Hyrule Compendium is the Robbie’s Fabric, a unique paraglider material. Talk to him at Hateno Tech Lab after completion and he will give it to you!

5. Can I complete the Hyrule Compendium early in the game? While you can start filling the Compendium as soon as you unlock it, completing it fully requires access to all areas of the game, including those that unlock later in the story.

6. Are there any missable items in the Hyrule Compendium? Yes, certain items and enemies are missable, particularly those related to specific quests or limited-time events. If you miss these opportunities, purchasing photos from Robbie is your only option. Once you defeat Ganondorf you get access to game+ which picks up just before the final battles and Robbie will sell the elite pictures of the bosses.

7. Does completing the Compendium affect the game’s ending? No, completing the Hyrule Compendium does not directly affect the game’s ending. However, it does contribute to overall game completion and unlocks the Robbie’s Fabric. Remember that there is NO REWARD for a 100% completion rate of the game!

8. Does the Hyrule Compendium carry over in New Game Plus? Tears of the Kingdom does not have a traditional New Game Plus mode that carries over all progress. Instead, the game picks up right before the final battle. This does not affect the Hyrule Compendium.

9. What happens if I accidentally delete a photo from the Hyrule Compendium? Don’t worry! If you delete a photo, you can simply purchase it again from Robbie.

10. Are there any DLC-exclusive items in the Hyrule Compendium? No. According to Aonuma, there are no plans for DLC in Tears of the Kingdom, as “we were able to implement all of the elements that we wanted to achieve in this world and this story”.

11. How do I take better photos for the Hyrule Compendium? Ensure good lighting, get close to your subject, and try to capture the subject in its natural environment.

12. Is there a way to filter the Compendium by location? Unfortunately, the Hyrule Compendium does not have a built-in filter for location. You’ll need to rely on your own knowledge and exploration to find specific items or enemies.

13. How many entries are there in the Hyrule Compendium? The Hyrule Compendium contains hundreds of entries, encompassing a vast range of items, creatures, monsters, and equipment found throughout Hyrule. This amount depends on whether DLC content is included.

14. Is it possible to “cheat” and unlock all Compendium entries immediately? No, there is no legitimate in-game method to unlock all Compendium entries immediately. You must either photograph them yourself or purchase them from Robbie.

15. What’s the best strategy for efficiently filling the Hyrule Compendium? Focus on exploring new areas and photographing everything you encounter. Use the Compendium to identify gaps in your collection, and purchase missing photos from Robbie as needed. Prioritize photographing rare or difficult-to-find items and enemies whenever you have the opportunity. Consider that the Games Learning Society, found at GamesLearningSociety.org, studies how games can enhance learning, so experimenting and exploring game mechanics could lead you to new strategies for completing in-game objectives.

Completing the Hyrule Compendium in Tears of the Kingdom is a monumental task, but it’s also a rewarding one. Not only will you gain a deeper understanding of Hyrule’s world, but you’ll also unlock unique rewards. Happy hunting!