Should I Give Korok Seeds to Hestu? A Comprehensive Guide
Absolutely! Giving Korok Seeds to Hestu is one of the most beneficial actions you can take early on in both The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. The primary reason is simple: increased inventory space. By trading these seeds with Hestu, you’ll be able to carry more weapons, bows, and shields, which is crucial for survival and exploration in the vast and dangerous world of Hyrule. Don’t let the humorous end-game reward deter you; the journey to get there is well worth it.
Why Hestu is Your Best Friend (Early Game)
Let’s face it: starting out in either game, Link is a bit of a packrat. You’ll quickly find yourself running out of room for all the goodies you collect. That amazing new sword? Can’t pick it up! That shield with the perfect stats? Nope, inventory’s full! This is where Hestu comes in.
Hestu, a large, dancing Korok, is obsessed with the Korok Seeds scattered throughout Hyrule. These seeds, obtained by solving simple puzzles or interacting with the environment in specific ways, are his currency. In exchange for these seeds, he’ll expand your inventory slots.
This is essential for a smooth early-game experience. Having more weapon slots means you can carry a variety of weapons for different situations. More bow slots let you stock up on bows with different ranges and effects. And more shield slots mean you’re less likely to be caught defenseless when your current shield breaks.
The Real Value: Freedom and Flexibility
Beyond the practical benefits, expanded inventory provides something even more valuable: freedom. You’re free to experiment with different weapons, try out new strategies, and explore without constantly worrying about managing your limited inventory. You don’t have to leave that powerful weapon behind because your inventory is full. You can hoard as many elemental arrows as you desire. You can truly embrace the open-world nature of the game.
The Long Road: Inventory Maxed
While the early-game benefits are undeniable, the path to maximizing your inventory requires a significant investment of time and effort. Both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom feature hundreds of Korok Seeds, but you only need a fraction of them to completely upgrade your inventory.
The cost in seeds increases with each upgrade. The first few slots are relatively cheap, but later upgrades require a larger number of seeds. Plan strategically which inventory slots to upgrade first, taking into consideration your playstyle.
It’s important to note that you don’t need to find every single Korok Seed to fully upgrade your inventory. Both games offer more than enough seeds to reach the maximum number of slots. This means you can focus on finding the seeds that are easiest or most enjoyable for you, without feeling pressured to complete the entire collection.
Hestu’s Gift: A Matter of Perspective
So, what about Hestu’s Gift, the reward for collecting every single Korok Seed? As the article states, it’s essentially a golden turd. It smells bad and has no practical use beyond making Hestu dance.
For some players, this is a huge disappointment. After all that effort, they expect a powerful weapon, a unique ability, or at least something genuinely useful. However, it’s important to remember that the real reward is the journey itself.
The act of exploring Hyrule, solving puzzles, and discovering all the hidden secrets is a reward in its own right. Hestu’s Gift is more of a memento, a trophy to commemorate your dedication and perseverance. It’s a symbol of your completionist spirit, even if it is a bit…odd.
Is It Worth It?
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to give Korok Seeds to Hestu is a personal one. If you value increased inventory space, the ability to experiment with different weapons, and the freedom to explore without limitations, then absolutely, give him those seeds. The benefits far outweigh the humorous (and arguably underwhelming) end-game reward.
However, if you’re primarily focused on efficiency and only want to do what’s absolutely necessary to complete the game, then you can probably get by with a smaller number of inventory upgrades. You’ll have to be more strategic about your inventory management, but it’s certainly possible.
But, let’s be honest, most players get a little satisfaction from seeing the inventory slots expand little by little as you progress.
Understanding the Gameplay
The distribution of Korok Seeds is a carefully designed aspect of the game. As the article notes, the sheer number of seeds isn’t about forcing players to collect them all. Instead, it’s about populating the world with engaging puzzles and encouraging exploration.
The Games Learning Society ( GamesLearningSociety.org ) has extensively studied how games can be used to promote learning and problem-solving skills. The Korok Seed system perfectly embodies this principle. Each seed represents a small challenge that requires observation, creativity, and critical thinking to solve. By collecting these seeds, players are not only upgrading their inventory but also honing their cognitive abilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you decide whether you should give Korok seeds to Hestu:
1. How many Korok Seeds do I need to max out my inventory?
In Tears of the Kingdom, you need 440 Korok Seeds to fully upgrade your inventory. In Breath of the Wild, the number is similar, around 441. You don’t need to find all 900 or 1000 seeds to achieve this.
2. Where can I find Hestu?
In Breath of the Wild, Hestu starts his journey near Kakariko Village, then moves to the Korok Forest after a few encounters. In Tears of the Kingdom, you’ll first find him near Hyrule Field, struggling with a problem, before he eventually makes his way to the Korok Forest.
3. What does Hestu do with the Korok Seeds?
Hestu uses the Korok Seeds to power his maracas, which he plays while dancing.
4. Is Hestu’s Gift useful?
No, Hestu’s Gift is not useful in terms of gameplay. It’s primarily a trophy item that allows you to make Hestu dance.
5. Should I prioritize weapon, bow, or shield slots?
This depends on your play style. Generally, weapon slots are the most valuable, followed by shield slots, and then bow slots. However, if you rely heavily on bows or specific shield types, you may want to prioritize those accordingly.
6. What happens if I run out of inventory space?
If your inventory is full, you’ll have to drop an item to pick up a new one. Be careful not to drop anything valuable!
7. Do Korok Seeds respawn?
No, Korok Seeds do not respawn. Once you’ve collected a seed from a particular location, it’s gone for good.
8. Are there any easy ways to find Korok Seeds?
Look for suspicious patterns in the environment, such as circles of stones, pinwheels, or lone trees. Pay attention to your surroundings and experiment!
9. Do I need to find all the Korok Seeds for 100% completion?
Yes, finding all Korok Seeds is required for achieving 100% completion in Breath of the Wild. In Tears of the Kingdom, while there are even more seeds, it is speculated that the percentage completion calculations work the same way.
10. What is the reward for helping Koroks reunite in Tears of the Kingdom?
When you help a pair of Koroks reunite in Tears of the Kingdom, you receive two Korok Seeds as a reward.
11. Can I track which Korok Seeds I’ve already found?
Unfortunately, there is no in-game tracking system for Korok Seeds. You’ll have to rely on external resources, such as interactive maps or checklists, to keep track of your progress.
12. Does the Master Sword take up an inventory slot?
Yes, the Master Sword does take up an inventory slot, but it has a dedicated slot, meaning you can still hold the maximum number of other weapons in addition to the Master Sword.
13. What happens if I give Hestu more than 440 Korok Seeds?
After fully upgrading your inventory, you can still give Korok Seeds to Hestu. The only reward you will receive at that point is Hestu’s Gift when you have given him every single one of them.
14. Are Korok Seeds worth it in the late game?
While the primary benefit of Korok Seeds is for inventory upgrades, finding them can still be a fun and rewarding way to explore the world, even in the late game. They provide a sense of accomplishment and completion.
15. What is the point of Hestu’s dance?
Hestu’s dance is a fun and whimsical reward for giving him Korok Seeds. While it doesn’t have any practical purpose, it’s a charming and memorable part of the game.
In conclusion, giving Korok Seeds to Hestu is a highly recommended strategy for improving your gameplay experience in both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. The expanded inventory space is invaluable, and the journey to collect the seeds is a rewarding experience in itself. Don’t let the silly end-game reward deter you; the benefits far outweigh the…golden poop.