Conquering the Gauntlet: Unveiling the Rewards of Trial of the Sword in Breath of the Wild
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So, you’re staring down the barrel of the Trial of the Sword in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, wondering if the sweat, tears, and potential controller-throwing frustration are actually worth it? The answer, my friend, is a resounding YES. Completing the Trial of the Sword bestows upon you the ultimate prize: the permanently awakened Master Sword. This isn’t just a shiny new toy; it’s a game-changer that significantly enhances your combat prowess and overall enjoyment of Hyrule’s sprawling landscape.
The True Reward: Unleashing the Master Sword’s Potential
The Trial of the Sword, part of the Master Trials DLC, is essentially a series of combat challenges where you start each trial stripped of your gear. You must scavenge for weapons, armor, and resources within each set of trials. There are three stages of the Trial of the Sword which are the Beginning Trials, Middle Trials and Final Trials. Each stage consists of numerous floors filled with enemies. Upon successful completion of all three trials, you are rewarded with the True Master Sword.
Here’s the breakdown of what you truly gain by conquering this formidable challenge:
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Permanent Power Boost: The Master Sword’s attack power is permanently upgraded to 60. Normally, the Master Sword has a base attack of 30, which increases to 60 only when near sources of malice, such as Calamity Ganon or his corrupted creations. After completing the Trial of the Sword, the Master Sword is always at the 60 attack power level, regardless of your location.
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Enhanced Durability: While the Master Sword technically still has a durability mechanic, completing the Trial of the Sword grants a significant boost to its endurance. It can withstand a considerable amount of punishment before needing to recharge. The Master Sword goes from 40 durability, to 200 durability. The Master Sword never breaks; it simply “runs out of energy.” After some time, it recharges and is ready for use.
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Unleashed Potential: With its constant power boost and enhanced durability, the Master Sword becomes an incredibly reliable and versatile weapon, effective against a wider range of enemies and situations.
In essence, the Trial of the Sword transforms the Master Sword from a situationally powerful weapon into a consistently devastating tool, making it arguably the most valuable weapon in the entire game. The true reward for Trial of the Sword is the enhanced Master Sword, a significant upgrade for any Breath of the Wild player.
Is the Trial of the Sword Worth the Effort?
Absolutely. While the Trial of the Sword can be incredibly challenging, the payoff is substantial. Not only do you gain a vastly superior weapon, but you also experience a sense of accomplishment that comes from overcoming a significant obstacle. It forces you to think strategically, adapt to limited resources, and master the combat mechanics of Breath of the Wild in a way that few other challenges can.
The final reward is the True Master Sword, where it is always at 60 attack. It’s definitely worth it and you’ll feel really proud of yourself once you’ve completed the trials. Without truth, there is nothing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Trial of the Sword
1. What exactly is the Trial of the Sword?
The Trial of the Sword is a series of combat challenges located within the Korok Forest. Initiated by interacting with the Master Sword pedestal, it strips you of all your equipment and forces you to fight your way through multiple floors filled with enemies, relying solely on what you can find within the trials themselves.
2. How many stages are there in the Trial of the Sword?
There are three distinct stages: the Beginning Trials, the Middle Trials, and the Final Trials. Each stage increases in difficulty, with more challenging enemies and environments.
3. Can I save my progress during the Trial of the Sword?
You cannot save during a trial set. You can only save after you’ve completed an entire trial stage (Beginning, Middle, or Final). If you die mid-trial, you’re sent back to the beginning of that stage with nothing.
4. Do I get any equipment within the Trial of the Sword?
Yes! Nearly every floor contains a combination of weapons, armor, and food hidden in chests or scattered around the environment. Careful exploration is crucial to survival.
5. When is the best time to attempt the Trial of the Sword?
There’s no definitive “best” time, but it’s generally recommended to attempt it later in the game when you have a decent number of hearts, stamina, and have improved your combat skills. However, some players enjoy the challenge of attempting it early on.
6. Does the Master Sword break after completing the Trial of the Sword?
No, it has severely enhanced durability. Even though it does eventually need to recharge, it takes much longer for it to run out of energy, and the recharge time is relatively short.
7. Is there a Lynel in the Trial of the Sword?
Unfortunately, yes. You’ll encounter a Lynel on Underground Floor 17 of the Final Trials. It’s a daunting challenge, especially with limited resources.
8. How many floors are in each Trial of the Sword stage?
- Beginning Trials: 12 floors
- Middle Trials: 16 floors
- Final Trials: 23 floors
9. How do I make the Master Sword more powerful before doing the Trial of the Sword?
The Master Sword’s base power is 30 and will increase when in proximity to sources of malice. There are limited methods outside of the Trial of the Sword.
10. Which Trial of the Sword stage is the hardest?
Most players agree that the Final Trials are the most difficult, due to the higher density of challenging enemies and the scarcity of resources.
11. Can I take breaks during the Trial of the Sword?
You can take breaks between each trial stage. Once you finish the Beginning, Middle, or Final Trials, you’ll be returned to the Korok Forest and can save your progress before attempting the next stage.
12. What happens if I die during the Trial of the Sword?
If you die mid-trial (within a stage), you are sent back to the beginning of that specific trial (Beginning, Middle, or Final) with all your gear and progress reset for that trial.
13. Do I get to keep the equipment I find in the Trial of the Sword after I complete it?
No. Upon successfully completing all trials, you are stripped of all the equipment you found within the trials and returned to the overworld with your original gear.
14. Can I skip the early trials if I’ve already completed them once?
Yes! The Trial of the Sword is divided into three sets of floors. Once a set is completed, it can be skipped during future attempts of the Trial; however, Link will begin empty handed when resumed and any Items gathered during the challenge will be lost.
15. Do Ancient Arrows one-shot Lynels in the Trial of the Sword?
While Ancient Arrows can instantly defeat many enemies, using them on Lynels (or other non-Guardian, non-boss enemies) will obliterate them without dropping any loot. This might seem like a quick solution, but it deprives you of valuable materials that can be used for crafting or upgrading equipment.
Beyond the Sword: Skills and Strategy
Ultimately, the Trial of the Sword isn’t just about the reward; it’s about the journey of improvement. It forces you to master the game’s mechanics, learn enemy attack patterns, and become resourceful in challenging situations. The skills you develop during the Trial of the Sword will translate to improved gameplay throughout the rest of Breath of the Wild.
Whether you’re a seasoned Zelda veteran or a relative newcomer, the Trial of the Sword offers a significant challenge and a worthwhile reward. Embrace the difficulty, learn from your mistakes, and emerge victorious with the True Master Sword in hand!
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