Treasures to Hoard: Items You Should NEVER Sell in Tears of the Kingdom

Navigating the vast and enchanting world of Hyrule in Tears of the Kingdom requires careful resource management. While the allure of quick Rupees is strong, some items are far more valuable than the sum they fetch at a merchant’s stall. Knowing which treasures to hoard can make the difference between a struggling adventurer and the hero Hyrule needs. So, what items should you absolutely never sell in Tears of the Kingdom?

The short answer: Focus on keeping your rare ores, especially Diamonds, Rubies, Sapphires, and Topaz, as well as vital upgrade materials like Star Fragments, specific monster parts needed for armor upgrades (like Lynel parts and rare Dragon materials), and essential crafting components such as Zonaite, Flint, Amber, and Luminous Stone. Saving food ingredients, rare monster parts, and certain key crafting components will benefit you in the long run.

Why Hoarding is Key: The Long Game

Selling off everything that glitters might seem appealing when you’re short on cash, but Tears of the Kingdom’s crafting and upgrade systems demand specific resources in large quantities. Let’s break down the key categories of items you should avoid selling.

Rare Ores: More Than Just Pretty Rocks

While a quick 500 Rupees for a Diamond might sound enticing, resist the urge! Rare ores like Diamonds, Rubies, Sapphires, and Topaz are crucial for upgrading armor. Certain armor sets, especially those purchased in Gerudo Town, require these gems for significant defense boosts and special effects. Additionally, you can fuse Diamonds to weapons for a powerful, albeit quick-to-break, attack boost.

Star Fragments: Wishing Upon a (Crafting) Star

Star Fragments are incredibly rare and difficult to acquire. While selling them for 200 Rupees might seem tempting, their true value lies in armor upgrades. Many of the unique circlets purchased in Gerudo Town, as well as other key armor pieces, require Star Fragments for upgrading. Don’t underestimate their importance.

Essential Upgrade Materials: Dragon Parts and Rare Monster Drops

Certain monster parts, especially those from stronger enemies like Lynels, and rare Dragon parts, are indispensable for upgrading specific armor sets. For instance, maxing out the Ancient Hero’s Aspect or the Fierce Deity armor requires multiple Lynel parts and Dragon scales/claws. Selling these materials is a mistake you’ll likely regret later when you’re desperately searching for them.

Crafting Components: The Alchemist’s Toolkit

Zonaite is essential for powering your Zonai devices and upgrading your Energy Cells. Flint is crucial for starting fires and creating arrows. Amber is needed for armor upgrades and the Amber Dealer side quest. Luminous Stone can be traded for other valuable items and is used in some armor upgrades. These common-to-mid-tier materials may not seem valuable on their own, but you’ll need hundreds of them to fully utilize the game’s systems.

Food Ingredients: Cooking Up a Storm

While apples are abundant and easily sold, other food ingredients are best kept for cooking. Creating powerful meals with enhanced effects (attack up, defense up, cold resistance, etc.) is vital for tackling challenging areas and enemies. Prioritize saving ingredients that provide significant buffs or are harder to find. Selling ingredients that provide elemental resistance (like chillfin trout for cold resistance) is especially unwise early in the game.

Key Quest Items

Certain items, often acquired through specific quests, may seem useless after completing the task. However, some of these items can be used for further quests or have hidden uses. Always double-check online resources before selling anything that seems unique or has a specific quest-related origin.

How to Manage Your Inventory Wisely

Inventory management is a constant balancing act. Here are a few tips for optimizing your inventory space:

• Expand Your Inventory: Prioritize increasing your inventory slots with Hestu. The investment is well worth it in the long run.
• Fuse, Fuse, Fuse: Fuse monster parts and other materials to your weapons and arrows to clear up inventory space.
• Cook Frequently: Transform raw ingredients into meals and elixirs to save space and prepare for adventures.
• Sell Abundant Items: Focus on selling items that are plentiful and have limited use, like apples, common monster parts (Bokoblin horns), and excess cooked food.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What should I do with excess monster parts?

Focus on selling common monster parts like Bokoblin horns and Moblin horns. Save the rarer parts from stronger enemies like Lynels, Hinoxes, and Taluses for armor upgrades.

Is it ever okay to sell Diamonds?

Only sell Diamonds if you are absolutely certain you have enough for all the armor upgrades you want. Even then, consider saving a few in case you want to fuse one to a weapon.

How do I get more Star Fragments?

Star Fragments are rare drops from the sky at night. Look for shooting stars and try to reach the spot where they land before sunrise.

Where can I find a reliable source of Rupees?

Completing side quests, especially those that reward Rupees, is a good starting point. Hunting animals in the South Tabantha Snowfield for prime meat is also a reliable method.

What are the best armor sets to upgrade first?

The Climbing Armor is excellent for exploration, the Fierce Deity Armor provides a significant attack boost, and the Zonaite Armor enhances energy efficiency.

Should I sell Luminous Stones?

Avoid selling Luminous Stones unless you have a surplus. They can be traded for other valuable items and are used in some armor upgrades. Consider visiting the Dondon sanctuary to try and trade them for rare ores.

What’s the best way to farm Zonaite?

Defeating Zonai Constructs and mining Zonaite deposits in the Depths are the most effective ways to farm Zonaite.

Is it worth duplicating items?

Item duplication glitches are a controversial topic. While they can provide a quick way to obtain rare resources, they may also diminish the sense of accomplishment and potentially introduce bugs.

Where can I learn more about optimal resource management in Tears of the Kingdom?

Consult online guides and communities dedicated to Tears of the Kingdom for detailed strategies and tips. You can find valuable information on forums, wikis, and YouTube channels.

How many Star Fragments do I need to fully upgrade all the armor?

You need 103 Star Fragments to upgrade every single one of Tears of the Kingdom’s 35 armor sets.

What are the rarest items in Tears of the Kingdom?

Diamonds, Star Fragments, Dragon parts (especially the horns), and Lynel Guts are among the rarest and most valuable items.

What is the best armor for defense?

The Zoanite Armor Set provides the best defense when fully upgraded.

How do I get the Phantom Armor?

The Phantom Armor is found in a chest in the Tamio River Downstream Cave.

What is the best armor to get early in the game?

The Climbing Armor is the best armor to get early, as it significantly enhances climbing speed and stamina.

What is the difference between a regular Star Fragment and a Large Star Fragment?

A large star fragment does not exist.

The Hero’s Burden: Weighing Value

Ultimately, the decision of what to sell comes down to your individual needs and playstyle. However, understanding the long-term value of key resources will help you make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes. Remember, a few extra Rupees today might cost you valuable upgrades and abilities down the line. Explore Hyrule, gather resources wisely, and become the hero you were destined to be!

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