How Many Dragon Tears Are There in Tears of the Kingdom?
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There are a total of 12 Dragon Tears to be found in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. These are not simply collectible items; they’re crucial to understanding the game’s intricate narrative. While there are 11 Geoglyphs scattered across Hyrule that guide you toward the locations of the first 11 tears, the 12th Dragon Tear is hidden in a separate location and unlocked only after you’ve found all the others. This final tear provides a crucial piece of the puzzle, revealing the culmination of the memories you’ve collected.
The Significance of Dragon Tears
The Dragon Tears are not just collectibles; they are pivotal to unlocking the memories of Hyrule’s past. These memories offer insights into the events that transpired before the game’s main storyline and are essential to fully grasping the narrative. Each time you locate and interact with a Dragon Tear, you’ll witness a cutscene that reveals a piece of the larger story. These cutscenes are linked and help players understand the fate of Princess Zelda and her crucial role in the past and present of the game.
Finding the Dragon Tears
While there are 12 Dragon Tears, only 11 are directly associated with specific Geoglyphs, large land art pieces you’ll find etched across Hyrule. These Geoglyphs serve as markers for the Dragon Tears related to the memories you are seeking. You cannot start hunting for the geoglyphs until you have completed the Forgotten Temple part of The Dragon’s Tears quest. Once the Temple is complete, all the Geoglyphs will be added to your map.
Geoglyphs and Their Corresponding Tears
The Geoglyphs are not numbered in the game. They unlock memories in a specific order. Here’s how you’ll generally encounter the associated Tears:
- First Geoglyph: Found in the Hyrule Field, this reveals the first memory you unlock.
- Following Geoglyphs 2-11: The following 10 Geoglyphs are located across Hyrule. Each one you discover leads you to the corresponding Dragon Tear and its memory.
- Dragon Tear 5 is located at Sapphia’s Table in the Gerudo Highlands, specifically on a snowy shelf below the main plateau.
- Dragon Tear 9 is found near the northern tip of its geoglyph, best reached by gliding from the Mount Lanayru Skyview Tower.
- Dragon Tear 10 can be found on the western cliff of Lake Hylia in the Popla Foothills, at the top of the left flower section of the geoglyph.
- Dragon Tear 8 is located in the North Tabantha Snowfield, on the “shoulder” of the Demon King Geoglyph.
The 12th Dragon Tear – Rist Peninsula
The 12th Dragon Tear is unique. It has no associated geoglyph and is only revealed on your map after you have collected the first 11 tears. This final tear can be found on the Rist Peninsula on the east side of the map, specifically near the Gemmick Shrine. This final memory reveals whose memories you have been watching, the culmination of your journey collecting Dragon Tears.
Why Find All the Dragon Tears?
Finding all the Dragon Tears is essential for unlocking the full story of Tears of the Kingdom. Collecting them all allows you to witness the full series of memories and provides context for the main quest line. Furthermore, after collecting all 12 Dragon Tears, the final cutscene you unlock will point you towards the location of the Master Sword. This is another major goal for many players in Tears of the Kingdom.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What happens when you collect all the Dragon Tears?
Collecting all 12 Dragon Tears unlocks a final memory that reveals whose memories you’ve been witnessing, and leads to the location of the Master Sword. It is a capstone moment for your memory quest throughout Hyrule.
2. How do I start the Dragon Tears quest?
The Dragon Tears quest is started by completing the Forgotten Temple. After this location has been completed, the Geoglyphs will be added to your map and you can start to find the Dragon Tears.
3. How can I easily find the Geoglyphs?
Once you have completed the Forgotten Temple, the Geoglyphs will be marked on your map. Explore different areas of Hyrule, and you should encounter them. They are quite large and easy to see once you are in the area of one.
4. Can I rewatch the memories after collecting the Dragon Tears?
Yes, you can rewatch all the memories you have unlocked by going to the Memories tab in the game’s menu. This allows you to revisit key moments in the story.
5. Where is the Ganondorf geoglyph located?
The geoglyph of Ganondorf is found in the Gerudo Highlands, along the northern edge of the Gerudo Desert. It’s situated roughly halfway between the Gerudo Canyon and Gerudo Highlands Skyview Towers.
6. Is there a specific order in which I need to find the Dragon Tears?
The Geoglyphs reveal memories in a specific order. This order is consistent and is part of the game’s design to tell the story effectively. You don’t have to find them in a strict order, but the memories will play back in a set sequence.
7. How do the Dragon Tears relate to the Light Dragon?
The Light Dragon is the form Princess Zelda takes after consuming her Secret Stone. The Dragon Tears are part of a series of events that help explain her transformations and the power she wields in the game.
8. What are the Secret Stones, and how do they relate to the dragons?
Secret Stones are powerful artifacts that can grant immense power. In the lore, dragons and other characters can ingest them to gain great abilities or achieve immortality. Zelda herself uses this method to transform into the Light Dragon.
9. Are the dragons in Tears of the Kingdom the same as in Breath of the Wild?
Yes, Tears of the Kingdom features the same three dragons from Breath of the Wild – Dinraal, Naydra, and Farosh. However, there’s a fourth dragon, the Light Dragon, which is new to the series and holds significant importance in the plot.
10. What are Gleeoks?
Gleeoks are three-headed dragons that serve as mini-bosses in Tears of the Kingdom. There are four types: Flame Gleeok, Ice Gleeok, Thunder Gleeok, and King Gleeok. They are involved in a side quest called “Unknown Three-Headed Monster.”
11. Does Zelda turn into a dragon permanently?
While Zelda does initially turn into a dragon and is told the change is irreversible, she eventually reverts back to human form after Link defeats Ganondorf.
12. Why can’t I find the Light Dragon?
The Light Dragon is more difficult to see until you make progress through the game. Completing the Korok Forest quest will make the Light Dragon fly lower, allowing for easier access to it.
13. Can the Master Sword break in Tears of the Kingdom?
No, the Master Sword cannot break. However, it does have limitations on its usage, and it is not the strongest weapon in the game, despite it being essential to the game’s plot.
14. Where can I find the Rubber Armor?
The Rubber Armor set can be found in the Whistling Hill Cave in Hyrule Field, just north of the Teniten Shrine.
15. What is Majora’s Mask, and where is it located?
Majora’s Mask is one of several special helmets that can be found in the Depths. It is specifically located in the Floating Coliseum, near the Mu-ustust Lightroot.
By locating all 12 Dragon Tears, players will gain a deeper understanding of Hyrule’s past, the motivations of its key characters, and the path to defeating the ultimate evil in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. It is a crucial part of understanding the full story of this epic game.