How Many Shrines Before Master Sword?
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
To wield the legendary Master Sword in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you don’t just need to find it. You need to prove you are worthy, and that worthiness is measured by your maximum heart containers. The Master Sword requires a minimum of 13 heart containers, which can be achieved through a combination of natural hearts and temporary heart boosts. This translates to completing a minimum of either 10 Heart Containers or 4 Spirit Orbs + 3 Heart Containers, or any combination that grants the player 13 Heart Containers.
Understanding Heart Containers and Stamina Vessels
Before diving deeper, it’s essential to understand the mechanics of heart containers and stamina vessels in Breath of the Wild. Shrines, scattered across Hyrule, are the key to acquiring these vital upgrades. Each shrine you complete rewards you with a Spirit Orb. Four Spirit Orbs can be exchanged at any Goddess Statue for either a Heart Container (permanently increasing your maximum health by one heart) or a Stamina Vessel (permanently increasing your stamina wheel).
Calculating Your Path to the Master Sword
The simplest route is to collect 10 Heart Containers. This means completing 40 shrines and exchanging all 40 Spirit Orbs for heart containers. However, many players prefer to increase their stamina early on for traversal and combat, which complicates the calculation.
Since the Master Sword requires a minimum of 13 heart containers, you can also use temporary heart boosts. These temporary heart boosts do not allow you to pull the Master Sword, with the exception of the trick involving the Trial of the Sword. If you opt to use a combination of heart containers and temporary boosts, you need to have at least 10 Heart Containers. This allows players to allocate some Spirit Orbs to stamina vessels and still acquire the Master Sword.
Using Temporary Heart Boosts (Food)
Consuming food with a heart-boosting effect can temporarily increase your maximum heart containers. These buffs can grant you extra hearts beyond your base total. For example, dishes made with hearty radishes or big hearty radishes can grant temporary heart containers. While this may seem like an easy way to circumvent shrine completion, it won’t work. The game specifically requires permanent Heart Containers.
The Exception: The Trial of the Sword
There is one exception to the 13 heart container rule: completing the Trial of the Sword DLC. Progressing through this challenging trial automatically upgrades the Master Sword and removes the heart container requirement. Once the Master Sword is upgraded, it doesn’t need to recharge and is significantly more powerful.
Efficient Shrine Hunting Strategies
Efficiently locating and completing shrines will speed up your journey to wielding the Master Sword. Here are some tips:
- Use the Sheikah Slate: The Sheikah Slate’s shrine sensor is invaluable for locating nearby shrines. Equip it in areas you suspect a shrine might be, and it will alert you to its presence.
- Explore High Vantage Points: Climbing towers and mountains provides excellent vantage points for spotting undiscovered shrines.
- Talk to NPCs: Non-player characters often provide hints about shrine locations, sometimes even offering shrine quests that lead you directly to them.
- Solve Shrine Quests: Many shrines are hidden and require completing a specific quest to reveal them. These quests add depth and challenge to the exploration process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I Use Hearty Food to Get the Master Sword?
No, you cannot use temporary heart boosts from food to satisfy the 13 heart container requirement for the Master Sword (outside of the Trial of the Sword). The game specifically requires permanent heart containers gained from exchanging Spirit Orbs at Goddess Statues.
2. Does Stamina Affect My Ability to Get the Master Sword?
No, stamina vessels do not affect your ability to acquire the Master Sword. The requirement is solely based on the number of heart containers you possess.
3. Is It Possible to Get the Master Sword Without Completing Any Shrines?
No, you cannot get the Master Sword without completing shrines (unless you complete the Trial of the Sword). You need the Spirit Orbs rewarded by shrines to acquire the necessary heart containers.
4. What Happens if I Try to Pull the Master Sword with Insufficient Hearts?
If you attempt to pull the Master Sword without 13 heart containers, Link will take damage. The sword will drain his health, and he will eventually be forced to stop.
5. How Many Shrines Are There in Total in Breath of the Wild?
There are a total of 120 shrines in Breath of the Wild without DLC.
6. Can I Respec My Heart Containers and Stamina Vessels?
Yes, you can respec your Heart Containers and Stamina Vessels by completing a side quest for a character named the Horned Statue at Hateno Village. Be warned that doing so comes at a cost, but allows for a full re-allocation of your stats.
7. Is the Master Sword Worth the Effort of Completing Shrines?
Yes, the Master Sword is generally considered worth the effort. While it does have a recharge time (unless upgraded in the Trial of the Sword), it is a powerful weapon that is effective against many enemies, especially those corrupted by malice.
8. Do I Need the DLC to Get the Master Sword?
No, you do not need the DLC to obtain the Master Sword. The Master Sword is accessible in the base game. The Trial of the Sword, which permanently upgrades the Master Sword, is a DLC feature.
9. What Is the Easiest Way to Find Shrines?
The easiest way to find shrines is to climb Sheikah Towers and use the Sheikah Slate’s shrine sensor. Towers provide a wide vantage point, and the shrine sensor will alert you to any nearby shrines.
10. Can I Sell Heart Containers or Stamina Vessels?
No, you cannot sell heart containers or stamina vessels. They are permanent upgrades that cannot be traded or sold.
11. What Are Shrine Quests?
Shrine quests are optional side quests that lead you to hidden shrines. These quests often involve solving puzzles, defeating enemies, or exploring specific areas.
12. Does the Master Sword Break?
The Master Sword does not break, but it does require recharging. After extended use, the Master Sword will run out of energy and need to recharge for 10 minutes. If you complete the Trial of the Sword (DLC), the Master Sword will be permanently upgraded and will not require recharging.
13. Are All Shrines Equal in Difficulty?
No, shrines vary in difficulty. Some shrines are simple puzzle rooms, while others involve challenging combat scenarios or complex mechanics.
14. What’s the Fastest Way to Get 13 Hearts?
The fastest way is to focus on getting only Heart Containers from your Spirit Orbs and prioritize shrines that are easily accessible and quick to complete.
15. Does the Master Sword Get Stronger?
Yes, completing the Trial of the Sword makes the Master Sword stronger. The trials will permanently upgrade the Master Sword by increasing its base attack power and removing the need to recharge.