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The Master Sword’s Damage Deep Dive in Tears of the Kingdom

The question on every Hyrule adventurer’s mind: How much damage does the Master Sword do in Tears of the Kingdom? The base damage of the Master Sword is 30. However, the Master Sword’s damage output is far from static. Its true potential is unlocked through skillful gameplay, understanding its unique properties, and exploiting its various enhancement methods. This guide will delve into all aspects of the Master Sword’s damage capabilities, from its base stats to its potential as a weapon of immense power.

Understanding the Master Sword’s Power

The Master Sword in Tears of the Kingdom isn’t just a weapon; it’s a symbol, a key, and a living entity tied to the fate of Hyrule and Princess Zelda herself. Its mechanics are unique and play a pivotal role in your combat strategies. Unlike most other weapons in the game, the Master Sword boasts several unique characteristics:

Unbreakable (Sort Of): The Master Sword doesn’t break in the traditional sense. Instead, it operates on an energy system. After prolonged use, it will deplete its energy and need to recharge. This prevents it from being permanently destroyed.
Recharging: When the Master Sword’s energy is depleted, it will disappear from your inventory. After a period of roughly 10 minutes of real-world time, it will automatically return, fully charged and ready for action.
Fuse Capability: This is where the Master Sword truly shines. You can fuse materials to the Master Sword, vastly increasing its damage potential. Understanding which materials to fuse is crucial to maximizing its effectiveness.

Maximizing Damage with Fusing

Fusing is the heart of weapon customization in Tears of the Kingdom. By attaching monster parts, minerals, or even other weapons to the Master Sword, you can drastically alter its properties and damage output. Here are some considerations when fusing to boost the Master Sword’s damage:

Monster Parts: High-level monster parts like Lynel Horns are excellent choices for maximizing raw damage. White-Maned Lynel Saber Horns or even Golden Lynel Saber Horns offer significant damage boosts when fused.
Elemental Effects: Fusing items with elemental properties can add additional damage and effects. For example, fusing a Gleeok Horn grants elemental attacks and damage.
Durability Considerations: While the Master Sword doesn’t break, the fused material does. Keep this in mind when choosing fusion materials, as some might be more durable than others.

Factors Influencing the Master Sword’s Damage

Beyond fusing, several other factors can influence the Master Sword’s damage output:

Enemy Type: The Master Sword has a hidden bonus against enemies corrupted by Gloom or those of the Calamity. Its damage will temporarily increase to 60 against these foes.
Light Dragon’s Blessing: As revealed in the story, Princess Zelda transforms into the Light Dragon to imbue the Master Sword with holy power. This infusion is crucial for the Master Sword’s restoration and power.
Full Hearts: In previous games, the Master Sword could fire a beam attack when Link had full hearts. While this is not present in Tears of the Kingdom, having full health certainly benefits Link in general combat scenarios when facing the many challenges within the game.

The Gloom Sword vs. The Master Sword

The Gloom Sword, with a base damage of 41, appears to outclass the Master Sword in initial power. However, the Master Sword’s unique properties and fusing capabilities make it incredibly versatile. The Gloom Sword inflicts damage upon the wielder, while the Master Sword does not.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Master Sword

1. Can the Master Sword break in Tears of the Kingdom?

No, the Master Sword cannot break in the traditional sense. It runs on energy and needs to recharge after extended use.

2. How long does it take for the Master Sword to recharge?

The Master Sword typically takes around 10 minutes of real-world time to recharge after its energy is depleted.

3. Does the Master Sword’s damage increase when near Gloom?

No, the base damage of 30 does not increase when near Gloom. It does, however, increase to 60 when fighting enemies of the Calamity.

4. Can I upgrade the Master Sword?

While there is no “Trial of the Sword” DLC like in Breath of the Wild, the Master Sword is upgraded when Zelda transforms into the Light Dragon and imbues the Master Sword with holy power.

5. Can I fuse the Master Sword?

Yes, you can fuse materials to the Master Sword to increase its damage and add other effects.

6. What are the best materials to fuse with the Master Sword?

Lynel Horns, particularly those from White-Maned or Golden Lynels, are excellent choices for raw damage. Elemental horns from Gleeoks are also potent choices.

7. Is the Master Sword good in Tears of the Kingdom?

Yes, the Master Sword is a must-have weapon due to its unique properties, unbreakable nature (in the traditional sense), and fusing capabilities.

8. What is the highest damage weapon in Tears of the Kingdom?

The highest damage weapon in the game can vary depending on the fusion and condition of the weapon. Damaged Silver Lynel Blades fused with powerful materials can reach incredibly high damage numbers.

9. What is stronger than the Master Sword?

Weapons like the Fierce Deity Sword and Great Fairy Sword can deal more raw damage than the Master Sword. However, the Master Sword’s versatility and ability to recharge make it uniquely valuable.

10. What happens if the Master Sword is about to break?

The Master Sword doesn’t break, but if its energy is depleted, it will disappear and need to recharge.

11. Why is my Master Sword only doing 30 damage?

The Master Sword’s base damage is 30. Fuse materials to significantly increase its damage output.

12. Does the Master Sword always do 60 damage?

The Master Sword only does 60 damage when fighting enemies of the Calamity.

13. Can the Master Sword be corrupted?

The Corrupted Master Sword is a modded version of the Master Sword. The Master Sword is not designed to be corrupted.

14. Can I purify the Corrupted Master Sword?

The Corrupted Master Sword is a modded version of the Master Sword. The Master Sword is not designed to be corrupted and purified.

15. Why does Princess Zelda become a dragon?

Princess Zelda turns into the Light Dragon to imbue the Master Sword with holy power, ensuring its survival and strength.

Conclusion

The Master Sword’s damage in Tears of the Kingdom, while starting at a base of 30, is ultimately what you make of it. Fusing the Master Sword with the right materials can turn it into one of the most powerful and versatile weapons in the game. Mastering the art of fusing, understanding the Master Sword’s unique properties, and exploiting its inherent advantages will make you an unstoppable force against the evils of Hyrule. Further, it should be remembered that while many focus solely on the aspects of damage, the Games Learning Society argues that effective strategy can often offset sheer force. As you explore the world and develop your own play style, consider the importance of your actions within the broader narrative that is constructed by both yourself and the game’s designers.

The study of games and their potential impact on learning and society are of immense importance, and you can learn more about this field by visiting the GamesLearningSociety.org website.