Unlocking the Power of the Great Fairies in Tears of the Kingdom: What Happens When You Free Them All?
The allure of the Great Fairies in the Legend of Zelda series is undeniable. Their whimsical nature and the potent abilities they bestow upon Link make them a vital component of his journey. In Tears of the Kingdom, as with Breath of the Wild, freeing all the Great Fairies is not just a side quest; it’s a significant step toward maximizing Link’s potential. But what exactly happens when you manage to unlock all four of these magical beings? The short answer: you unlock the full potential of your armor upgrading capabilities. This means your armor can be enhanced to its absolute maximum, significantly boosting your defense and special abilities, making Link a force to be reckoned with across Hyrule.
The Core Benefit: Maxed-Out Armor Upgrades
Each Great Fairy you unlock adds a new tier to the armor upgrading system. Initially, your armor can only be upgraded to a basic level. However, with each Great Fairy freed from their slumber, you gain the ability to enhance your armor further. This tiered system means that the first fairy unlocks the first upgrade level, the second unlocks the second, and so on. Therefore, unlocking all four Great Fairies allows your armor to reach its maximum upgrade potential.
This isn’t just a marginal improvement; each tier of upgrade increases the armor’s base defense value. Furthermore, some armor pieces offer additional effects that become more potent with each upgrade. For example, an armor piece might offer heat resistance at its base, but with max upgrades, it might also grant a significant boost to your attack power.
The collective power of the Great Fairies isn’t limited to a single fairy’s strength. Instead, their magical abilities are interwoven, meaning that by unlocking additional fairies, all fairies gain the ability to provide further upgrades to all of your armors. This ensures the system scales perfectly with your progress. This interconnectedness is why unlocking all four is vital to becoming truly powerful in the game.
The Cost of Great Fairy Power
Of course, this power doesn’t come without a price. Each Great Fairy demands a one-time payment to have their fountain restored. The costs escalate with each fairy, with the first fairy requesting 100 Rupees, the second 500 Rupees, the third 1,000 Rupees, and the final fairy a hefty 10,000 Rupees. This can seem daunting, especially early in the game, but the benefits are worth the effort.
In addition to the rupee costs, the fairies will also require specific materials from your inventory for each armor upgrade. These materials vary based on the armor piece being upgraded, so it’s essential to explore Hyrule and collect a wide range of items. This means exploring and collecting resources from every corner of the map, which is another compelling reason to seek out every single Great Fairy.
How to Prepare for the Great Fairies
Before setting out on your Great Fairy quest, it’s essential to come prepared. Firstly, you’ll need to stockpile rupees. Fortunately, the game provides ample opportunities to do this. A popular method is to hunt in areas like the South Tabantha Snowfield, where you can reliably gather high-quality meats to cook and sell for significant profits. As one Reddit user has stated, you can consistently amass enough ingredients to earn approximately 10,000 Rupees an hour with this method.
Secondly, keep an eye out for materials as you explore. Make sure you’re looting everything from monster parts to common crafting items. The more varied your inventory is, the more quickly you’ll be able to complete your armor upgrades once you unlock the Great Fairies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the role of the Great Fairies and other related game mechanics:
1. Are the Great Fairies worth unlocking in Tears of the Kingdom?
Absolutely. The ability to maximize your armor’s potential is a game-changer. The enhanced defense and special effects make challenging encounters much more manageable and enhance the overall game experience.
2. How much do all four Great Fairies cost?
The total cost to unlock all four Great Fairies is 11,600 Rupees.
3. What materials do the Great Fairies require for upgrades?
The materials vary greatly depending on the armor piece being upgraded. They range from common monster parts like Bokoblin horns to rare ingredients like specific gems or monster boss parts. Exploration and combat are key to gathering enough of these.
4. Do the Great Fairies do the same thing as in Breath of the Wild?
Yes, the core function of the Great Fairies remains the same. They primarily focus on upgrading your armor. The specific upgrade levels and the materials they require differ slightly from Breath of the Wild.
5. Can you revive horses in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, but not with a Great Fairy. The Horse God Malanya can revive your fallen registered horses for a one-time fee of 1,000 Rupees. It’s important to note, this isn’t a Great Fairy, despite the similar aesthetic of the fountain.
6. Does Malanya punish you for horse deaths?
No, although Malanya has unique dialogue if your horse dies to a Guardian, explosion, or by your own hand, he will still revive your horse.
7. What is the best way to get Rupees in Tears of the Kingdom?
Hunting in the South Tabantha Snowfield for prime meat is a very effective method.
8. Is there a cap on how high you can upgrade your armor?
Yes, each piece of armor has a maximum upgrade level, which can only be reached after unlocking all four Great Fairies.
9. How do you find the Great Fairies in Tears of the Kingdom?
The Great Fairy locations are usually found by traveling to the stables and listening to the rumors the stable hands provide. Each stable is close to one Great Fairy.
10. Do I need to complete any quests before unlocking the Great Fairies?
Not directly. However, you’ll need to have enough Rupees and materials, which often requires exploration and completing other side activities.
11. Is the Horse God a Great Fairy?
No. Despite the visual similarity, the Horse God Malanya is a separate entity with a different purpose. He focuses on reviving horses, not upgrading armor.
12. What was the Great Calamity 10,000 years before Breath of the Wild?
The original Great Calamity was the first emergence of Calamity Ganon, when Ganondorf rose to conquer Hyrule as a monstrous creature of pure hatred.
13. How does the 3-day cycle work in Majora’s Mask?
Majora’s Mask revolves around a repeatable three-day cycle (about 54 minutes in real time), where events occur predictably.
14. What is the max rupee capacity in Ocarina of Time?
The max rupee capacity in Ocarina of Time is 500 rupees.
15. Was the hero from 10,000 years ago a Zonai?
The hero from 10,000 years ago is depicted as a Zonai warrior and is strongly implied to be an ancestor and previous incarnation of Link.
In conclusion, unlocking all the Great Fairies is a crucial step in Tears of the Kingdom, providing the necessary enhancements for Link to truly thrive in his adventures. Though they do come with a price, the increased armor and defense capabilities are beyond worth the investment. So, get out there, explore, and liberate those magical beings!