Where Are the Divine Beasts in Tears of the Kingdom? A Deep Dive into Their Absence and Legacy
The burning question on every Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom player’s mind: Where are the Divine Beasts? The short answer is: they are gone. They do not exist anywhere on the map in their original, functional form. They have faded into legend, a memory of a battle fought and won in Breath of the Wild. While the colossal machines themselves are absent, their legacy and the stories surrounding them are very much present, impacting the world and its inhabitants in subtle but significant ways. They’ve essentially been decommissioned.
Why Are the Divine Beasts Missing?
The absence of the Divine Beasts is a deliberate narrative and design choice by Nintendo. Tears of the Kingdom is not simply a rehash of its predecessor. It’s a new chapter, focusing on new threats and new powers. Re-introducing the Divine Beasts in their original state would have been redundant and would detract from the fresh experiences the game seeks to provide. Their purpose was served: Calamity Ganon was defeated, and Hyrule is now facing a different kind of existential threat.
Furthermore, the narrative emphasizes the rise of the Zonai and their ancient technology. The focus shifts away from the Sheikah technology that powered the Divine Beasts, opening up exciting new avenues for exploration and gameplay centered around Zonai constructs and abilities. It’s a symbolic passing of the torch.
Evidence of Their Existence, Despite Their Absence
While the Divine Beasts aren’t physically present, their impact is felt throughout the game:
- Dialogue: NPCs, though few, still reference the events of Breath of the Wild and the role the Divine Beasts played in defeating Calamity Ganon. Their heroic pilots, the Champions, are remembered.
- Environment: The scars left by the Divine Beasts’ battles, while less prominent, are still visible in certain areas of Hyrule.
- Divine Helms: Players can find Divine Helms in various caves throughout the game, which grant special abilities related to the original Divine Beasts. These helms are a tangible reminder of the beasts and their respective Champions.
The Shift from Sheikah to Zonai Technology
One of the core themes of Tears of the Kingdom is the transition from Sheikah technology to Zonai technology. The Guardians are gone, replaced by Zonai devices. The Sheikah Slate has been replaced by Link’s new arm and its abilities. This shift signifies a new era for Hyrule, one where the ancient power of the Zonai takes center stage. This also presents a rich environment for learning. Games Learning Society (https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/) explores how game design choices like this can influence player engagement and knowledge acquisition.
Divine Beast Helms: A Taste of the Past
Despite the absence of the Divine Beasts themselves, Tears of the Kingdom allows players to experience a fraction of their power through the Divine Helms. These helmets, hidden throughout Hyrule, provide unique abilities related to the original Divine Beasts:
- Vah Medoh Divine Helm: Grants Cold Resistance. Found in North Biron Snowshelf Cave at coordinates (-3962, 3274, 0240) in the northeastern corner of Hyrule.
The Legacy of the Champions
The Champions who piloted the Divine Beasts – Mipha, Daruk, Revali, and Urbosa – are not forgotten. Their stories are still told, and their descendants continue to play important roles in their respective communities. Their bravery and sacrifice continue to inspire the people of Hyrule. The echoes of their heroism are woven into the fabric of the game’s narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Divine Beasts in TotK
1. Are there any Guardians in Tears of the Kingdom?
No, Guardians are absent in Tears of the Kingdom. The game focuses on new enemy types and combat challenges. However, Purah and Robbie are making use of Guardian parts.
2. Is there a 5th Divine Beast? What about the moon?
The idea of a fifth Divine Beast, and specifically whether the moon counts as one, is largely speculative. While some believe the moon served a similar protective function, it’s not explicitly stated in the game. Concept art shows some ideas for Divine Beasts that didn’t make the final cut.
3. What is Link’s Divine Beast?
Link does not have a specific Divine Beast assigned to him. He was instrumental in assisting the Champions in controlling the Divine Beasts, but he was not a pilot himself. His role was to support them and ultimately defeat Calamity Ganon.
4. Is there a 6th Divine Beast?
Within the game itself, no sixth Divine Beast exists. However, concept art reveals that there were six designs of Divine Beasts that didn’t make it into the final version of Breath of the Wild.
5. What happened to the Sheikah Slate in Tears of the Kingdom?
The Sheikah Slate is no longer present. Its functions have been replaced by Link’s new arm and its associated abilities, as well as other Zonai devices. This shift allows for new gameplay mechanics and exploration possibilities.
6. Did the Zonai create the Guardians and Divine Beasts?
The exact origins of the Guardians and Divine Beasts are somewhat ambiguous, but hints suggest the Zonai may have been involved in their initial creation. Their technology certainly influenced the Sheikah’s designs.
7. What is the DLC for Tears of the Kingdom?
Nintendo has stated that there will be no DLC for Tears of the Kingdom. All planned content was included in the base game.
8. How many Lightroots are in Tears of the Kingdom?
There are a total of 120 Lightroots in Tears of the Kingdom, mirroring the number of Shrines on the surface.
9. How many shrines are in Totk?
There are a total of 152 Shrines in Tears of the Kingdom. 120 are on the surface, and 32 are in the Sky Islands.
10. Will Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom have Divine Beasts?
As previously established, the Divine Beasts themselves do not appear in Tears of the Kingdom. Their absence is a deliberate narrative choice.
11. What is the hardest Divine Beast to get to (in BotW)?
In Breath of the Wild, Vah Naboris is generally considered the most challenging Divine Beast to reach, due to the harsh desert environment and its location.
12. Is Rauru a Zonai?
Yes, Rauru is a Zonai. He plays a crucial role in guiding Link throughout the game and represents the Zonai’s influence on Hyrule’s history.
13. Are the Zonai and Sheikah connected?
The Zonai and Sheikah appear to have a connection. The Sheikah’s eye symbol is incorporated into Zonai designs. The nature and extent of this connection is left open to player interpretation.
14. Is the Barbarian armor a Zonai set?
While initially speculated, the Barbarian Armor is unlikely to be a Zonai set. The aesthetic differs from the confirmed Zonai characters and architecture.
15. What happened to the original shrines in Tears of the Kingdom?
The original Shrines from Breath of the Wild have been either destroyed or transformed in some way. They have been replaced by new Shrines and Lightroots.
The absence of the Divine Beasts is a poignant reminder of the passage of time and the ever-changing landscape of Hyrule. Their legacy, however, lives on through dialogue, environmental details, and the powerful Divine Helms.