Is Every Shrine a Lightroot in Tears of the Kingdom? A Comprehensive Guide
The vast and interconnected world of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (TotK) presents players with numerous mysteries, and the relationship between shrines and lightroots is a significant one. The short answer is no, not every shrine is a lightroot, but the connection between the two is incredibly fascinating and pivotal to exploring the game. While every surface shrine has a corresponding lightroot in the Depths, sky shrines do not.
The Shrine and Lightroot Connection Explained
The world of Hyrule in TotK is divided into three main layers: the surface, the Sky Islands, and the Depths. Shrines are primarily found on the surface and the Sky Islands, serving as trials that Link must complete to gain Spirit Orbs and Heart Containers or Stamina Vessels. Lightroots, on the other hand, are located exclusively in the Depths, the dark, subterranean expanse beneath Hyrule.
Here’s the crucial connection: every surface shrine has a corresponding lightroot directly beneath it in the Depths. This means if you pinpoint a shrine on the surface map, you can find the corresponding lightroot in the Depths below, and vice versa. This connection is not just spatial; the names of these paired structures are the same, with the lightroot’s name being the shrine’s name spelled backwards. For example, the Sepapa Shrine has the Apapes Lightroot below it.
However, the shrines located in the Sky Islands do not have corresponding lightroots in the Depths. This is a crucial detail to remember when navigating and exploring the Depths. There are only 120 Lightroots and 152 Shrines in the game, which signifies that the Sky Shrines are not connected to any lightroots.
The Importance of Lightroots
Lightroots serve more than just as markers in the Depths. Activating them illuminates the dark environment, making exploration significantly easier. Each lightroot emits a large radius of light, revealing paths, enemy locations, and key resources. Furthermore, finding all 120 Lightroots grants players the Dispelling Darkness Medal, which further enhances illumination in the Depths, providing a clear view of the surroundings. This medal is essential for players who want to fully explore and conquer the mysteries hidden beneath Hyrule.
Why Aren’t There Lightroots Under Sky Shrines?
The absence of lightroots under sky shrines is not explicitly explained in the game, but it is likely a design choice. The Sky Islands are intended to be distinct areas, separate from the Depths, with their own unique puzzles, atmosphere, and resources. The lack of lightroots in the Depths for sky shrines maintains this separation. It also guides players to explore the Depths based on the Surface shrines, as many players may explore the Sky islands first before going down to the Depths.
The Design Rationale
This deliberate connection and distinction between shrines and lightroots encourage players to explore each layer of the world in TotK. They encourage players to find all the surface shrines to also find all of the lightroots, and to search for the rest of the shrines in the sky, which will not lead to any more lightroots.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the relationship between shrines and lightroots, and other related mechanics in Tears of the Kingdom:
1. How many shrines are there in TotK?
There are a total of 152 shrines in Tears of the Kingdom. Of those, 120 are on the surface of Hyrule, and the other 32 are located in the Sky Islands.
2. How many lightroots are there in TotK?
There are a total of 120 lightroots in Tears of the Kingdom, all of which are located in the Depths.
3. What is the reward for finding all 120 lightroots?
Finding and activating all 120 lightroots in TotK grants players the Dispelling Darkness Medal, which slightly illuminates The Depths and provides a clearer view of the surroundings.
4. What is the reward for completing all 152 shrines?
Completing all 152 shrines in Tears of the Kingdom unlocks the Ancient Hero’s Aspect, an armor set that spans head, body, and leg gear.
5. Do lightroot names correspond to shrine names?
Yes, each lightroot’s name is the same as its corresponding surface shrine, but spelled backwards.
6. Are there lightroots under all shrines?
No, there are only lightroots under the 120 shrines on the surface. Sky shrines do not have corresponding lightroots in the Depths.
7. How do I find missing lightroots?
Missing lightroots are in the same location as missing surface shrines. To find them, use your map to identify areas of darkness in the Depths that correspond to areas on the surface where you haven’t yet discovered shrines.
8. Is it easier to find lightroots or shrines first?
While it depends on personal preference, it can be easier to find lightroots first because they illuminate the surrounding Depths, providing a clearer path to other lightroots. You can then easily find the corresponding surface shrines.
9. How do I access the lightroot under Sepapa Shrine?
The Apapes Lightroot (underneath Sepapa Shrine) is located in a cave entrance that is found in the water in the Hyrule Castle Moat area. The cave leads underground to the lightroot.
10. Can you max out both hearts and stamina in TotK?
No, similar to Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom does not allow players to max out both hearts and stamina. Choosing to upgrade one stat will leave the others slightly short of their maximum. The maximum hearts you can obtain is 40 with 2 and a half stamina wheels. And 38 with 3 stamina wheels.
11. Is the Tunic of the Wild in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, the Tunic of the Wild is a returning armor piece in Tears of the Kingdom, and it can be found by exploring the Depths.
12. How many hearts do you need to get the Master Sword?
You need a total of 13 hearts to obtain the Master Sword. Since you start with three heart containers, you need to gain 10 more heart containers from shrines or other sources. This is the same as completing 40 shrines.
13. Are there DLC shrines in Tears of the Kingdom?
According to Nintendo, there will not be any DLC for Tears of the Kingdom. This also means that there will be no additional shrines, lightroots, or other content.
14. Is the Sheikah Slate in Tears of the Kingdom?
No, the Sheikah Slate does not appear in Tears of the Kingdom. Link uses his new arm and Purah Pad to access various abilities, replacing the functions of the Sheikah Slate from Breath of the Wild.
15. Are there caves in the Depths?
No, there are 147 caves scattered throughout the Hyrule surface and Sky, but there are no caves in the Depths. This is intentional, as the Depths has a unique design that is not focused on caves.
Conclusion
While not every shrine is directly paired with a lightroot, the relationship between the 120 surface shrines and their corresponding lightroots in Tears of the Kingdom is a crucial aspect of exploration and world-building. This connection makes traversing the Depths more manageable and rewarding, encouraging players to fully explore both the surface and the subterranean areas of Hyrule. Understanding this dynamic is essential for any player looking to truly master the game.