Which Sage Should You Upgrade First in Tears of the Kingdom? A Comprehensive Guide
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Unequivocally, the best Sage to upgrade first in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is Tulin, the Sage of Wind. His upgraded avatar deals more damage in combat, but it’s his ability to generate powerful gusts of wind that makes him invaluable. These gusts dramatically enhance your paragliding, allowing for faster traversal and extended airtime, opening up exploration opportunities early and often. While upgrading all Sages eventually offers benefits, Tulin’s utility provides the most significant immediate impact on your gameplay experience.
Why Tulin Reigns Supreme
Tulin’s wind ability isn’t just a convenience; it’s a game-changer. Imagine scaling a mountain and running out of stamina. With Tulin, a quick gust can propel you further, saving you from a fall and allowing you to reach that crucial ledge. Need to cross a large chasm? Tulin provides the extra push to make it across safely. Exploring the sky islands? His gusts are indispensable for maneuvering between them. His power lets you soar higher and faster which leads to better and more efficient travel.
Beyond exploration, Tulin’s gusts are useful in combat to push back enemies. His speed boost can help you evade enemy attacks and his damage increase from the upgrade will certainly assist you in fights.
Upgrading Sages: What You Need to Know
Upgrading a Sage requires four Sage’s Wills. These are found throughout Hyrule, often in chests after defeating mini-bosses or completing challenges, especially in the sky islands and depths. Once you have four, you can trade them to a Goddess Statue for an upgraded Solemn Vow.
It’s important to note that upgrading a Sage only affects the damage their avatar deals in combat. It does not improve their abilities in any way, meaning Tulin’s gust strength remains the same whether he’s upgraded or not. The upgrade makes the avatar, which assists you in combat by slashing enemies, stronger.
Beyond Tulin: Evaluating the Other Sages
While Tulin is the optimal first choice, the other Sages have their uses, and upgrading them is worthwhile in the long run. Here’s a brief look at each:
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Yunobo, the Sage of Fire: Yunobo’s rolling ability is useful for breaking through obstacles and dealing fire damage. Upgrading him increases his combat potential, but his primary function remains destructive rather than strategic. He is most effective when the terrain works for him.
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Sidon, the Sage of Water: Sidon’s water bubble provides temporary protection and allows Link to unleash a powerful water attack. This can be helpful for dealing with fire-based enemies or navigating harsh environments.
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Riju, the Sage of Lightning: Riju’s lightning strikes are powerful and can target multiple enemies at once, making her valuable in large-scale battles. Upgrading her enhances her offensive capabilities significantly.
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Mineru, the Sage of Spirit: Mineru’s construct gives you a mech-like body. This is useful for combat and exploration, but it might not be as versatile as the other Sages, especially if you like doing things yourself.
Ultimately, the best Sage to upgrade after Tulin depends on your play style. If you favor direct combat, Yunobo, Sidon, or Riju might be good choices. If you enjoy a more strategic approach, Mineru’s construct could be beneficial. Since there are enough Sage’s Wills to upgrade everyone, it boils down to personal preference.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Sages and their upgrades in Tears of the Kingdom.
1. What exactly does upgrading a Sage do?
Upgrading a Sage increases the attack power of their avatar, which fights alongside you in combat. The upgrade does not affect the primary ability granted by the Sage (e.g., Tulin’s gust, Sidon’s water shield). It simply increases the damage that the avatar does when fighting enemies.
2. How many Sage’s Wills are required to upgrade a Sage?
You need four Sage’s Wills to upgrade a single Sage.
3. Where can I find Sage’s Wills?
Sage’s Wills are typically found in chests after defeating mini-bosses or completing challenges, primarily in the sky islands and the Depths. Explore thoroughly to uncover them.
4. Can I upgrade all the Sages in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, there are enough Sage’s Wills in the game to upgrade all five Sages. It may require some dedicated exploration and combat, but it is achievable.
5. Is there a limit to how many times I can upgrade a Sage?
Each Sage can only be upgraded once using four Sage’s Wills.
6. Does upgrading Tulin make his wind gust stronger?
No, upgrading Tulin only increases the attack power of his avatar in combat. The strength of the wind gust itself remains unchanged.
7. Which Sage is the most useful for combat?
This depends on your fighting style, but Riju’s lightning strikes are generally considered powerful for dealing with groups of enemies.
8. What is the best strategy for finding Sage’s Wills?
Focus on exploring the sky islands and the Depths, as these areas often contain chests with Sage’s Wills after completing challenges or defeating mini-bosses. Keep an eye out for unusual structures or enemy encampments.
9. Does upgrading Sages affect their ability cooldown?
No, upgrading Sages does not affect the cooldown time of their abilities. The cooldown remains constant regardless of whether they are upgraded.
10. Are there any missable Sage’s Wills?
No, there are no missable Sage’s Wills. You can always go back and retrieve them, even after completing the main story.
11. How does Mineru’s upgrade affect her construct?
Upgrading Mineru increases the attack power of her construct’s melee attacks. It does not change the construct’s abilities or movement.
12. Is it worth upgrading Yunobo?
If you frequently use Yunobo’s rolling ability for combat or breaking through obstacles, then upgrading him is worthwhile. Otherwise, prioritize other Sages first.
13. Does Sidon’s water shield become stronger with the upgrade?
No, the water shield’s defensive capabilities remain the same. The upgrade only increases the attack power of Sidon’s avatar.
14. What is the role of the Goddess Statue in upgrading Sages?
The Goddess Statue is where you exchange four Sage’s Wills for an upgraded Solemn Vow of a Sage. Find one to complete the upgrade process.
15. Is upgrading Sages essential to completing the game?
No, upgrading Sages is not essential for completing the game. However, it provides a significant advantage in combat and can make certain battles easier. It’s a helpful boost but not a requirement.
Conclusion: Choose Wisely, but Choose Tulin First!
While all the Sages offer unique benefits, Tulin’s utility for exploration and traversal makes him the clear choice for the first upgrade. His wind ability significantly enhances your ability to navigate Hyrule, unlocking new areas and making your overall experience more efficient and enjoyable. After Tulin, consider your play style and choose the Sage that best complements your combat preferences. And remember, learning through playing games is important. To that end, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for more insights into the world of gaming and education. Happy adventuring!