The Master Sword in Tears of the Kingdom: A Deep Dive

Yes, the Master Sword makes a dramatic return in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, but its journey is far from simple. From its initial corrupted state to the player’s quest to restore it, the Master Sword’s presence is integral to the game’s narrative and gameplay. This isn’t just about wielding a legendary blade; it’s about understanding its significance and the trials you must overcome to reclaim it.

The Master Sword’s Corrupted State and Initial Loss

At the very beginning of Tears of the Kingdom, Link finds the Master Sword, but it’s not the pristine weapon of legend. It’s corrupted by the Gloom unleashed by Ganondorf, leaving it in a decayed state. This corruption also injures Link, necessitating the powerful new prosthetic arm that grants him his innovative abilities. The initial loss of the Master Sword sets the stage for one of the game’s core objectives: restoring its power and reclaiming it.

How to Obtain the Master Sword

There are primarily two paths to reclaiming the Master Sword in Tears of the Kingdom:

• Following the Main Quest: The game’s storyline naturally guides you towards recovering the Master Sword through quests like the “Trail of the Master Sword” and “Recovering the Hero’s Sword.” This path involves a linear progression through the main narrative.

• The Dragon’s Tears: A more exploratory route involves collecting all of the Dragon’s Tears. These Tears reveal memories that piece together Zelda’s journey and ultimately lead you to the Light Dragon, who is carrying the Master Sword. Completing this side objective will allow you to get the sword earlier in the game.

The Master Sword’s Power and Abilities

The Master Sword in Tears of the Kingdom possesses unique characteristics:

• Base Damage: It starts with a base damage of 30.
• Gloom Enhancement: Unlike in previous games, its damage does not increase simply by being near Gloom,
• Fusion Potential: The most significant way to enhance its power is through fusing monster parts and other materials to it. This allows for customizable damage output.

Master Sword’s Durability

The Master Sword cannot truly break in the traditional sense. It has limited energy. When its energy is depleted, it does not shatter; rather, it temporarily loses its power and requires a recharge period. It takes 10 minutes to recharge. This ensures the player never truly loses the Master Sword permanently. The exception is the Ganondorf fight, where the Master Sword is unbreakable.

The Light Dragon and Zelda’s Role

A significant reveal in Tears of the Kingdom is that Princess Zelda transforms into the Light Dragon. She makes this sacrifice by swallowing her Secret Stone to become a powerful, immortal dragon. Her purpose is to imbue the damaged Master Sword with holy power, allowing it to recover and regain its strength.

Is the Master Sword Worth it?

While you can complete Tears of the Kingdom without the Master Sword, obtaining it significantly enhances your combat capabilities, particularly against Gloom-infused enemies. You can explore the Games Learning Society website GamesLearningSociety.org to find related research on the impact of game elements like the Master Sword on player motivation and engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Master Sword in Tears of the Kingdom, providing further insights into its mechanics and significance:

1. Can I get the Master Sword early in Tears of the Kingdom?

Yes, you can obtain the Master Sword early by collecting all of The Dragon’s Tears. This allows you to bypass the main questline’s progression to acquire the blade.

2. How powerful is the Master Sword in Tears of the Kingdom initially?

The Master Sword initially does 30 damage. You can increase this by fusing materials to it.

3. Can the Master Sword break during the Ganondorf fight?

No, the Master Sword is unbreakable during the final battle against Ganondorf. This ensures you have a reliable weapon for the climactic confrontation.

4. Can Ganondorf be killed without the Master Sword?

Yes, Ganondorf can be defeated without the Master Sword. While the Master Sword deals extra damage, skilled players and speedrunners have demonstrated that conventional weapons found in Hyrule Castle can suffice.

5. Can the Master Sword be upgraded in Tears of the Kingdom?

While you can’t use traditional upgrade methods, fusing materials to it acts as an upgrade. The fused material determines the increased damage and any added effects.

6. What weapon is stronger than the Master Sword in Tears of the Kingdom?

Some contenders for stronger weapons include the Fierce Deity Sword and the Great Fairy Sword, both of which can deal more raw damage when properly utilized, but neither holds the same reputation or unique abilities of the Master Sword.

7. Does Zelda turn back from a dragon?

Yes, after Link defeats Ganondorf, Zelda is able to return to her human form. The spirits of Rauru and Sonia assist in reversing the transformation.

8. Why doesn’t the Triforce appear in Tears of the Kingdom?

Although Zelda uses magic, the Triforce is not explicitly shown. This may be because she uses her Secret Stone as a magical focus, preventing the Triforce from manifesting.

9. Is Farosh the Light Dragon?

No, Farosh is the Lightning Dragon. The Light Dragon is the transformed Princess Zelda.

10. Which dragon carries the Master Sword?

The Light Dragon, the transformed Princess Zelda, carries the Master Sword.

11. Is Zelda an elf or a fairy?

Zelda is a Hylian, an elf-like race native to the kingdom of Hyrule. She is not a fairy.

12. What causes the Master Sword to deal 60 damage?

While there are not normal Gloom enemies to fight, the Master Sword will deal 60 damage when fighting Gloom enemies due to the Master Sword’s ability to dispel darkness.

13. Why does the Master Sword only deal 30 damage?

The Master Sword deals only 30 damage initially because it was weakened and broken during the battles of the Great Calamity a hundred years prior. It has since lost its strength, but can be upgraded by fusing monster parts.

14. Can the Master Sword be corrupted in Tears of the Kingdom?

The Master Sword starts in a corrupted state due to the Gloom from Ganondorf. This corruption is part of the reason Link initially loses the sword.

15. What are some good materials to fuse with the Master Sword?

Excellent materials to fuse with the Master Sword include the Light Dragon Horn, Silver Lynel Saber Horn, and Gleeok Frost Horn, each offering significant damage boosts and unique effects.

Conclusion

The Master Sword’s role in Tears of the Kingdom is much more than just a weapon. It represents a journey of restoration, sacrifice, and the enduring bond between Link and Zelda. Its presence enriches the narrative, and its mechanics offer players strategic depth in combat. Whether you choose to follow the main quest or explore the world to find it early, reclaiming the Master Sword is a pivotal moment in your adventure through Hyrule.