What Happens When You Lose the Master Sword? A Comprehensive Guide
The Master Sword, that iconic blade of evil’s bane, is a cornerstone of the Legend of Zelda experience. But what happens when this legendary weapon goes missing, gets depleted, or is otherwise rendered unusable? The answer depends on which Zelda game you’re playing, but generally, losing the Master Sword results in a temporary period of unavailability, requiring you to fulfill specific conditions to reclaim its power or retrieve it altogether. Recent titles, such as Tears of the Kingdom, have innovated on this concept, introducing a recharge mechanic rather than complete loss. This article will explore the nuances of losing the Master Sword and provide a comprehensive guide to retrieving it, along with answers to frequently asked questions.
The Master Sword’s Absence: A Temporary Setback
In Tears of the Kingdom, unlike previous iterations where losing the Master Sword might involve complex quests or dungeon delving, the system is more forgiving. When the Master Sword runs out of energy in Tears of the Kingdom, it doesn’t truly disappear from your inventory. Instead, it becomes temporarily unusable. Its icon fades out, and a cooldown timer appears when you hover over it in your weapon inventory.
This cooldown period is a real-time wait of approximately 10 minutes. Once the timer expires, the Master Sword becomes available again, ready to vanquish evil. This mechanic encourages strategic weapon usage rather than forcing players into lengthy recovery missions every time the Master Sword’s energy depletes. While the weapon technically disappears from Link’s hand it is still in inventory. On the weapons tab, the Master Sword will be faded out.
Reclaiming the Blade in Tears of the Kingdom
The quickest way to retrieve the fixed Master Sword is to land on top of the Light Dragon (one of four majestic Dragons that roam the map). The Master Sword is lodged in the Light Dragon’s head. It also sits in your inventory and is unusable until it recharges. So how long does it take for the Master Sword to recharge? Just 10 minutes of real time.
The Master Sword in Breath of the Wild
The Master Sword in Breath of the Wild is also a weapon specifically designed to kill Ganon, doing double damage against him and never breaking while used against him. You can obtain the Master Sword without getting the quest from the Deku Tree.
A Note on Save Files
Even if you sell, drop, lose, etc the Master Sword, so long as you keep playing after Save B you will never get another one. If you revert your save to Save A, however, you can still collect the Master Sword because you never encountered one from Save A and before.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Master Sword, providing additional valuable information for readers:
1. Can I permanently lose the Master Sword in Tears of the Kingdom?
No, the Master Sword cannot be permanently lost in Tears of the Kingdom. It will always return after a 10-minute recharge period.
2. How do I know when the Master Sword is ready to use again?
You’ll receive a notification on-screen when the Master Sword has recharged and is available for use.
3. Can I speed up the Master Sword’s recharge time?
No, there is no known way to speed up the 10-minute recharge time in Tears of the Kingdom. It’s a fixed duration.
4. Does the Master Sword’s damage output change during the recharge period?
No, the Master Sword’s damage output remains consistent regardless of its recharge status.
5. Can I fuse materials to the Master Sword in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, you can fuse materials to the Master Sword in Tears of the Kingdom, enhancing its attack power and adding elemental effects.
6. What happens if I try to use the Master Sword before it’s recharged?
If you attempt to equip the Master Sword before it’s fully recharged, you will receive a notification indicating its depleted state, and you won’t be able to wield it.
7. Is the Master Sword unbreakable when fighting Ganondorf in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, the Master Sword is unbreakable during the Ganondorf fight, making it an essential weapon for the final battle.
8. Does the Master Sword do more damage to specific enemies?
The Master Sword deals increased damage to enemies corrupted by Gloom and Ganondorf
9. What is the base damage of the Master Sword in Tears of the Kingdom?
The Master Sword’s base damage is around 30, but it can be increased through fusions and proximity to malice.
10. Is it possible to beat Tears of the Kingdom without obtaining the Master Sword?
Yes, it is entirely possible to beat Tears of the Kingdom without the Master Sword. Players can rely on other weapons and strategies to complete the game.
11. Why does the Master Sword sometimes have a damage of 60?
If Link is inside a dungeon, near Guardians or Malice, the blade of the sword will glow with a light blue aura. While in this state, the Master Sword will deal 60 damage.
12. Can I refight bosses in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, each boss can also be found and rematched multiple times at specific locations in the Depths.
13. Does the Master Sword still run out of energy if I’ve completed the Trial of the Sword in Breath of the Wild?
Yes, but it lasts significantly longer than before. Normally the Master Sword has 40 durability, but when powered up it has an effective 188 durability.
14. Is Zelda The Light Dragon?
The true form of the Light Dragon is Princess Zelda, who swallowed her Secret Stone to become a powerful, immortal dragon and imbue the damaged Master Sword with holy power so it could recover and be strengthened.
15. Can the Master Sword be corrupted?
The Corrupt Master Sword is the corrupted version of the Master Sword. It can be upgraded to the Deep Corrupt Master Sword. If desired, either variant can be purified back into the standard Master Sword.
Conclusion
Losing the Master Sword, especially in Tears of the Kingdom, isn’t a game-ending catastrophe. The innovative recharge mechanic ensures that the legendary blade is always within reach, encouraging strategic gameplay and creative weapon combinations. Understanding the nuances of the Master Sword’s availability and limitations is crucial for mastering the world of Hyrule. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the Zelda universe, knowing how to handle the Master Sword’s absence is key to overcoming any challenge.
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