Is the Trial of the Sword Worth the Plunge in Breath of the Wild?
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Absolutely, tackling the Trial of the Sword in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is unquestionably worth it for the dedicated player. It’s an arduous challenge, yes, but the permanent upgrade to the Master Sword, boosting its attack power to a constant 60 and significantly enhancing its durability, transforms it into the ultimate weapon. The sense of accomplishment alone is a reward in itself, but the gameplay benefits are immense. It allows you to cut through enemies with ease and gives you an amazing sword that is fun to use!
Diving Deep into the Trial of the Sword
The Trial of the Sword is a DLC addition to Breath of the Wild that tests a player’s skill, resourcefulness, and strategic thinking like few other challenges in the game. It is not merely a series of battles. It’s a gauntlet where you start with nothing and must scavenge, craft, and fight your way through multiple floors of increasingly difficult enemies.
The Three Trials: A Breakdown
The Trial is broken into three parts:
- Beginning Trials: Consisting of 12 floors, these trials introduce you to the core mechanics of the challenge.
- Middle Trials: Stepping up the difficulty with 16 floors, expect more challenging enemy combinations and environmental puzzles.
- Final Trials: The ultimate test, comprised of 23 floors. This is where your skills will be pushed to their absolute limit.
Why the Trial is So Challenging
The unique aspect of the Trial lies in the fact that you begin each tier stripped of all your gear. This creates a level playing field and forces you to rely on your combat skills and ability to adapt. You must locate weapons, armor, and food within the trial itself, making every decision crucial. Your success hinges on efficient resource management and clever strategies.
The Rewards: More Than Just a Sword Upgrade
The primary reward is the awakening of the Master Sword. Normally, the Master Sword has a base attack power of 30 and only hits 60 when near malice or inside dungeons. Completing the Trial permanently sets the Master Sword to 60 attack power all the time and drastically increases its durability.
More Than Just Attack Power
But the benefits extend beyond raw power:
- Enhanced Durability: While not unbreakable, the upgraded Master Sword boasts significantly increased durability. It essentially eliminates the weapon’s recharge time in most regular combat scenarios.
- Constant Power: No more waiting for enemies tainted by malice to show up; you’ll always be wielding the sword at its peak strength.
- Ultimate Satisfaction: Few things in Breath of the Wild are as rewarding as finally completing the Final Trials.
Mastering the Trial: Tips and Tricks
Preparation is key! Some tips include:
- Cooking Buffs: Before entering, cook a meal that provides either an attack up or defense up buff. The effects will carry over into the Trial, giving you a crucial advantage.
- Stealth Tactics: Embrace stealth whenever possible. Sneakstrikes deal massive damage and can significantly reduce the difficulty of certain encounters.
- Environmental Awareness: Use the environment to your advantage. Exploding barrels, metal crates, and even the terrain itself can be used to defeat your enemies.
- Ancient Arrows are Your Friend: If you have ancient arrows, use them on the Lynel. They will instantly kill it.
The Value Proposition: Time, Effort, and Reward
The Trial of the Sword is undoubtedly a time investment. A full playthrough can take several hours, and repeated attempts are common. However, the payoff is significant. The permanently upgraded Master Sword dramatically enhances your combat prowess, making subsequent encounters with even the toughest enemies much easier. This is invaluable for players who enjoy exploring Hyrule and tackling challenges. It is also rewarding in the sense that you will feel like you truly accomplished a feat that many people have not.
The Trial’s Impact on Gameplay
The impact of the upgraded Master Sword on your overall gameplay experience cannot be overstated. It transforms the sword from a useful weapon into a game-changer. You’ll be able to take on challenging enemies with greater confidence, explore dangerous areas with less fear, and generally enjoy the game on a whole new level.
The Trial of the Sword isn’t just a challenge; it’s a test of skill and perseverance. For those willing to take the plunge, the rewards are well worth the effort. It’s an unforgettable experience that solidifies your mastery of Breath of the Wild. Additionally, many of the skills required to complete the Trial of the Sword can be implemented to many other games. To learn more about how to apply learning with games visit Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the Trial of the Sword really that hard?
Yes, it is considered one of the most challenging aspects of Breath of the Wild. The fact that you start with no gear and must rely solely on your skills and resourcefulness makes it incredibly difficult. The Final Trials are arguably the hardest challenge you will face in Breath of the Wild.
2. What are the benefits of completing the Trial of the Sword?
The main benefit is the permanent upgrade to the Master Sword. It goes from 30 to 60 attack power and has significantly increased durability. It stays glowing permanently and gives you sword beams that don’t cost any durability!
3. What happens if I die during the Trial of the Sword?
If you die, you have to start the entire Trial, Beginning, Middle, or Final, over from the very beginning of that Trial. This can be frustrating, but it also encourages you to learn from your mistakes and improve your strategies.
4. Can I save my progress during the Trial of the Sword?
You can only save your progress after completing each of the three tiers: Beginning, Middle, and Final Trials.
5. How long does the Trial of the Sword take to complete?
The time it takes varies greatly depending on your skill level and experience. A full playthrough can take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours, or even longer for some players.
6. Do I need specific armor for the Trial of the Sword?
No, you start with no armor. However, you can find armor within the Trial itself, which can provide a significant advantage.
7. Why is my Master Sword only at 30 attack power?
The Master Sword’s base attack power is 30. It only reaches 60 when near malice or inside dungeons. The Trial of the Sword permanently upgrades it to 60.
8. Can I use Ancient Arrows in the Trial of the Sword?
Yes, you can find ancient arrows in the trial. These can instantly defeat certain enemies like Lynels, but keep in mind that they won’t drop any materials.
9. What is the rarest Lynel in Breath of the Wild?
Silver Lynels are the rarest and most difficult to defeat. They are the toughest variant of Lynels in the game.
10. What is the strongest weapon in Breath of the Wild besides the Master Sword?
Many weapons can rival the Master Sword in terms of raw damage, such as the Savage Lynel Crusher or the Royal Guard’s Claymore with attack buffs. However, the Master Sword’s unique properties, such as its constant power and enhanced durability after the Trial, make it one of the best weapons in the game.
11. Can the Master Sword break after completing the Trial of the Sword?
Technically, no. It still runs out of energy, but it will recharge after 10 minutes. The Trial significantly increases its durability before it needs to recharge.
12. When is the best time to attempt the Trial of the Sword?
There is no right time to attempt the Trial. It really depends on your skill level. Some players prefer to tackle it early in the game for a challenge, while others wait until they have stronger gear and more experience.
13. Can I take breaks during the Trial of the Sword?
Yes, you can take breaks between each of the three tiers: Beginning, Middle, and Final Trials.
14. How many waves are there in the Trial of the Sword?
There are a total of 51 floors, split into three tiers: 12 in the Beginning Trials, 16 in the Middle Trials, and 23 in the Final Trials.
15. Can I redo the Trial of the Sword after completing it?
Yes, you can redo the Trial of the Sword as many times as you like. Just place the Master Sword back in the pedestal.