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Unlocking Hyrule’s Secrets: A Comprehensive Guide to Shrines in Zelda

Across the vast landscapes of Hyrule, shimmering structures dot the horizon, beckoning adventurers with promises of trials, tribulations, and ultimately, triumphant rewards. These are the Shrines, intricate puzzle boxes designed to test the cunning and skill of the hero, Link. But just how many of these sacred sites are there? This article provides a comprehensive exploration of the total number of Shrines across the most recent Legend of Zelda titles, along with answers to frequently asked questions about these crucial gameplay elements.

The Shrine Count: A Tale of Two Games

The answer to the question, “How many shrines total?” depends on which Zelda game you’re playing.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild: This game features a grand total of 120 Shrines of Trials scattered throughout Hyrule. Furthermore, with the DLC expansions (“The Master Trials” and “Champions’ Ballad”), an additional 16 Sheikah Monk Shrines and 2 special Shrines become available, bringing the grand total in Breath of the Wild to 136 Shrines.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom: This game features a total of 152 Shrines .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Shrines

Let’s delve into some of the most common questions regarding Shrines, their purpose, and their significance within the Zelda universe:

What is the reward for completing all 152 Shrines in Tears of the Kingdom?

The ultimate reward for conquering every Shrine in Tears of the Kingdom is the Ancient Hero’s Aspect. This unique armor piece encompasses headgear, body armor, and legwear, offering impressive defensive capabilities and a distinctive aesthetic. After completing the final shrine, the game prompts you to visit the Temple of Time to claim this reward.

Are there always Treasure Chests in Shrines?

Yes, every Shrine in both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom contains at least one Treasure Chest. Collecting the chest is not mandatory for completing the Shrine, but it offers valuable resources, weapons, or armor. You can always revisit a Shrine later if you missed the chest initially. The map even indicates whether you’ve already collected the chest within a specific Shrine.

What happens if you get all the Shrines in Breath of the Wild?

Completing all 120 Shrines in Breath of the Wild without DLC rewards you with the completion mark on your save file and access to the Forgotten Temple. Inside the Forgotten Temple is a Shrine Quest, which allows you to complete a Shrine and receive the “Wild” armor set.

How many Shrines do I need to get the Master Sword?

To acquire the Master Sword in Breath of the Wild, you need a minimum of 13 Heart Containers in total. Since Link starts with three, you need an additional 10. Each Shrine completion grants you a Spirit Orb, and collecting four Spirit Orbs allows you to exchange them for either a Heart Container or a Stamina Vessel. Therefore, you need to complete 40 Shrines to obtain the necessary hearts.

Is there a reward for completing all the Lightroots?

While not directly related to Shrines, Lightroots are important for exploring the Depths in Tears of the Kingdom. After activating all 120 Lightroots, you’ll receive the Dispelling Darkness Medal. Although this medal has no immediate function in the game, it serves as a symbol of your exploration and may potentially have future uses in updates or DLC. As you may already know, all 120 Lightroots match the location of shrines on the surface.

Can I continue playing Zelda after beating Ganon?

Yes, you can continue exploring Hyrule after defeating Calamity Ganon (in Breath of the Wild) or Ganondorf (in Tears of the Kingdom). Your save file will even indicate that you’ve successfully completed the main storyline. However, the world state remains unchanged – defeated enemies will respawn, and questlines can be replayed, giving you ample opportunity to tackle any remaining Shrines or side quests.

Can I get all 120 Shrines before fighting Ganon?

Absolutely. Completing all 120 Shrines before challenging Ganon in Breath of the Wild is a common goal for players seeking to maximize Link’s strength and prepare thoroughly for the final battle. This strategy allows you to obtain more Heart Containers, Stamina Vessels, and powerful equipment.

What unlocks after beating Ganon in Breath of the Wild?

Defeating Ganon in Breath of the Wild unlocks several new features and challenges, including Kilton’s medals. Kilton, a peculiar monster enthusiast, will offer you medals for defeating all Hinox, Stone Talus, and Molduga monsters throughout Hyrule. These medals are bragging rights for completionists.

Are there “Forgotten Shrines” in Ghost of Tsushima?

The article you provided mentions “Forgotten Shrines,” but these are actually found in the Iki Island expansion for Ghost of Tsushima, not in Zelda. These shrines present unique puzzle challenges that reward you with cosmetic items based on other PlayStation games.

What are the hardest Shrines in Breath of the Wild?

While difficulty is subjective, some Shrines in Breath of the Wild are widely considered challenging. Some common contenders include:

Shee Venath & Shee Vaneer Shrines (Twin Memories)
Kah Okeo Shrine (Wind Guide)
Tamaka Shiri Shrine (Dual Purpose)
Dako Tah Shrine (Electric Path)
Mogg Latan Shrine (Synched Swing)
Mirro Shaz Shrine (Tempered Power)

These Shrines often require intricate puzzle-solving, precise timing, and creative use of Link’s abilities.

Do Shrines reset after a Blood Moon?

Enemy strength levels get reset after a Blood Moon. Shrine enemies, including those in “Test of Strength” challenges, will respawn, allowing you to battle them again. However, Shrine chests and completed puzzles do not reset. Once you’ve obtained a chest from a Shrine, it will not reappear.

Do Lightroots count as Shrines?

No, Lightroots do not count as Shrines. They are separate entities found in the Depths beneath Hyrule. However, there is a direct correlation: the location of every Lightroot corresponds to the location of a Shrine on the surface. This connection makes finding Lightroots easier by using Shrines as navigational markers, and vice versa.

Can the Master Sword break?

The Master Sword in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom has a unique characteristic: it cannot truly break. Instead, after prolonged use, it will run out of energy and become temporarily unusable. After a cooldown period, it will recharge and become available again. This ensures that the Master Sword is always accessible, even if you need to wait before wielding it once more.

Does Zelda turn back from a dragon?

In Tears of the Kingdom, Zelda transforms into a dragon. She is able to become human again after Link defeats Ganondorf.

Can you do Shrines twice?

Yes, but it is not possible to get a Spirit Orb from that Shrine again. If you are revisiting the Shrine for combat practice, for example, you are able to do so as long as it is not a Test of Strength. Test of Strength Shrines get reset after a blood moon.

Ultimately, the number of Shrines within Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom provides a wealth of challenging and rewarding content for players to explore. Whether you’re seeking to bolster Link’s abilities, uncover hidden secrets, or simply test your puzzle-solving skills, Shrines are an integral part of the Zelda experience. Happy exploring!

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