Why Didn’t I Get the Dispelling Darkness Medal in Tears of the Kingdom?

So, you’ve tirelessly explored the Depths of Hyrule, braving the gloom, the lurking monsters, and the seemingly endless darkness. You meticulously marked your map, meticulously sought out every single Lightroot, and felt the satisfying glow of illumination spread across the underground. Yet, the Dispelling Darkness Medal remains elusive. Why? The most common reason is simple: you haven’t actually activated all 120 Lightroots. Even the most seasoned adventurers can miss one or two, especially those tucked away in corners of the map or obscured by terrain. Before anything else, meticulously double-check your Depths map against a complete Lightroot location guide. This article provides an in-depth guide on troubleshooting this common issue, along with related FAQs to enhance your gaming experience.

Common Reasons for Not Receiving the Medal

Before diving into the FAQs, let’s examine some frequently overlooked factors preventing you from receiving the Dispelling Darkness Medal:

• Simple Oversight: This is the most common culprit. The Depths is vast, and a Lightroot can easily be missed, especially if it’s in an area you only briefly explored. Use a detailed online map and cross-reference it with your in-game map. Ensure every Lightroot location is activated on your save file.

• Map Confusion: The Depths map mirrors the surface, but it’s not a perfect overlay. Shrines and Lightroots are connected, but the terrain isn’t identical. It’s possible to be confused about whether a Lightroot is truly activated. Make sure you have physically interacted with the Lightroot, and that the area around it is illuminated.

• Glitches (Rare): While rare, game glitches can sometimes occur. Ensure your game is updated to the latest version. If you believe you’ve encountered a glitch, contact Nintendo support.

• Save Data Corruption (Very Rare): In extremely rare cases, save data corruption can cause issues. This is unlikely, but if you’ve tried everything else, consider backing up your save data and attempting a system reset (as a last resort!).

Troubleshooting Checklist

Here’s a step-by-step checklist to help you pinpoint the missing Lightroot(s):

1. Use a Checklist: Print out a Lightroot checklist or use an interactive map. Mark off each Lightroot as you confirm its activation in-game.
2. Zoom In: The Depths map can be difficult to navigate. Zoom in and carefully inspect every area, especially the edges of the map.
3. Double-Check Tiny Circles: Some Lightroots are surrounded by a very small circle of illumination. These are easy to miss.
4. Compare Shrines and Lightroots: Remember, each Shrine on the surface corresponds to a Lightroot below. Use the Shrine map to locate potential missing Lightroots.
5. Revisit Doubtful Areas: If you’re unsure about a particular area, revisit it and visually confirm the Lightroot’s activation.
6. Restart the Game: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve minor glitches.
7. Check for Updates: Ensure your game is updated to the latest version.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Dispelling Darkness Medal

Here are 15 FAQs to provide additional valuable information:

Q1: What exactly is the Dispelling Darkness Medal?

The Dispelling Darkness Medal is a key item in Tears of the Kingdom awarded for lighting all 120 Lightroots in the Depths. It is automatically awarded upon activating the final Lightroot.

Q2: What does the Dispelling Darkness Medal do?

Contrary to initial hopes, the Dispelling Darkness Medal doesn’t have a significant gameplay effect. The primary reward is the illumination of the Depths map and the sense of accomplishment. Some speculate that it might have had a planned function that was later removed, or might have a hidden, undiscovered effect.

Q3: Do I need to complete any specific quests to unlock the medal?

No. The medal is awarded solely based on activating all 120 Lightroots. No quest completion is required.

Q4: I’m sure I’ve lit all 120 Lightroots. Is there a way to verify this in-game?

Unfortunately, there is no in-game counter to confirm the number of Lightroots activated. You must rely on your map and cross-referencing with online guides.

Q5: Does the order in which I light the Lightroots matter?

No, the order is irrelevant. As long as all 120 are activated, you’ll receive the medal.

Q6: What’s the best strategy for finding all the Lightroots?

The most efficient strategy is to use the surface Shrine locations as a guide, as each Shrine has a corresponding Lightroot directly beneath it in the Depths. Mark the Shrine locations on your surface map, then descend into the Depths and navigate to those areas.

Q7: Are all the Lightroots easily accessible?

No. Some Lightroots are located in difficult-to-reach areas, requiring clever use of Zonai devices or careful navigation through challenging terrain and enemy encounters.

Q8: What happens if I activate a Lightroot, but then reload a previous save?

The Lightroot activation will revert to its previous state on the save file you’ve reloaded. You will need to reactivate it.

Q9: Does the Lightroot activation status carry over between different save files?

No. Each save file tracks Lightroot activation independently.

Q10: Can I use glitches or exploits to obtain the medal without lighting all the Lightroots?

Using glitches or exploits is generally discouraged and may lead to unforeseen game issues or save data corruption. It’s best to obtain the medal through legitimate gameplay. Games are not just about winning; they also help us learn and grow. You can learn more about the educational aspects of gaming at the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Q11: Are there any missable Lightroots?

No, none of the Lightroots are missable. You can always return to any location in the Depths.

Q12: Does lighting all the Lightroots unlock anything else besides the medal?

Besides the medal, lighting all the Lightroots reveals the entire Depths map, providing valuable insight into the terrain, enemy locations, and resource distribution. This significantly aids exploration and resource gathering.

Q13: Is it possible that a future update will add functionality to the Dispelling Darkness Medal?

While possible, it’s unlikely. Nintendo has stated there will be no DLC for Tears of the Kingdom. However, they could still release smaller updates that add functionality, though it is rare for them to drastically alter already released features.

Q14: I’ve checked my map multiple times and I’m still missing one. Where are some notoriously difficult-to-find Lightroots?

Some Lightroots that players commonly miss include:

• Those hidden in the far corners of the map, especially in areas that are difficult to reach.
• Those obscured by complex terrain or bodies of water.
• Those that are located very close to other Lightroots, making them easy to overlook.
• Lightroots inside caves and hidden passageways.

Refer to interactive maps online and compare your map with them, one by one, to find missing Lightroots.

Q15: If I still can’t find the missing Lightroot(s), what should I do?

If you’ve exhausted all other options, consider posting screenshots of your Depths map on online forums or social media groups dedicated to Tears of the Kingdom. Other players may be able to spot the missing Lightroot(s) that you’ve overlooked. You can also check GamesLearningSociety.org for potential community-created resources.

Hopefully, this detailed guide and FAQ section will help you finally obtain the elusive Dispelling Darkness Medal and fully illuminate the Depths of Hyrule! Good luck, adventurer!