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Unraveling the Mystery: Why Doesn’t Granté Always Sell the Hylian Shield?

Granté does sell the Hylian Shield in both Breath of the Wild (BotW) and Tears of the Kingdom (TotK), but there are very specific conditions that must be met before he stocks it in his inventory. He only offers it if you’ve already obtained it once in your playthrough and subsequently lost it (either by breaking it or misplacing it). He effectively acts as a failsafe for players who suffer the misfortune of losing this iconic and powerful piece of equipment. Understanding these conditions is key to leveraging Granté’s services and ensuring you always have access to a replacement Hylian Shield.

The Intricacies of Acquisition: Granté and the Hylian Shield

The process of obtaining the Hylian Shield and accessing Granté’s stock involves several layers. Let’s break down the steps and requirements in detail:

Initial Acquisition: The Castle’s Hidden Treasure

Before you even consider purchasing the Hylian Shield from Granté, you must first find it in Hyrule Castle. In Breath of the Wild, it’s located within the Hyrule Castle Lockup. This involves navigating the castle’s dangerous corridors, battling enemies, and solving minor puzzles. It’s a rite of passage, a test of skill and courage, and an essential prerequisite for later purchases.

In Tears of the Kingdom, the shield’s location has shifted, adding a new layer of exploration. It can now be found in the Hyrule Castle Docks, accessed by crossing the Hyrule Castle Moat north of Castle Town Prison.

Granté’s Arrival: Tarrey Town and the Mayoral Election

In Breath of the Wild, after initially obtaining the Hylian Shield, Granté only appears in Tarrey Town after you have fully built Tarrey Town (which requires completing the “From the Ground Up” side quest and partially completing the “Hylian Homeowner” side quest). Once this flourishing settlement is complete, he takes his place on a balcony, ready to sell rare armor pieces, including the Hylian Shield if you’ve lost yours.

In Tears of the Kingdom, the process is different. While he does appear in Tarrey Town, you don’t buy the Hylian Shield from him. Instead, you must complete “The Mayoral Election” side adventure in Hateno Village to unlock Cece’s shop. Only after Cece’s shop is open and you have lost your initial Hylian Shield will she stock a replacement Hylian Shield to purchase.

The Condition: Losing the Shield

This is the crux of the matter. Granté (or Cece in TotK) won’t simply sell you a Hylian Shield whenever you feel like it. They only stock it after you have already obtained the original shield and subsequently lost it. This prevents players from accumulating multiple Hylian Shields early in the game. The game recognizes whether you currently possess a Hylian Shield in your inventory or stored at your home.

Availability: One at a Time (Mostly)

The game restricts you from possessing more than one Hylian Shield at a time (excluding certain glitches). This is why Granté/Cece will only offer it for sale if you don’t already have one. This ensures that the Hylian Shield remains a valuable and somewhat rare item, maintaining its significance throughout the game. First go around you can have two hylian shields at once, after that you can have one at all times and always buy a replacement once it breaks.

Beyond the Basics: Additional Considerations

Durability vs. Indestructibility

It’s crucial to understand that the Hylian Shield, while incredibly durable, is not indestructible. It can withstand a phenomenal amount of damage, but it will eventually break. Knowing this helps you manage your shield usage and understand when it might be time to visit Granté or Cece for a replacement.

Cost Considerations

The Hylian Shield is an investment. Be prepared to spend a substantial amount of Rupees to purchase a replacement from Granté or Cece. The price is fixed and doesn’t decrease, so farming Rupees can be a worthwhile endeavor.

Glitches and Exploits

While not recommended for a “pure” gameplay experience, there have been reports of glitches and exploits that allow players to duplicate the Hylian Shield. However, these methods are often patched out by Nintendo and can potentially corrupt your save data. Furthermore, they deviate from the intended game mechanics.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Hylian Shield and Granté/Cece

Can the Hylian Shield break in Tears of the Kingdom? Yes, despite its legendary status and high durability, the Hylian Shield can break in Tears of the Kingdom.
Where is Granté located in Breath of the Wild? Granté is found on the balcony of a northeast building in Tarrey Town.
How do I unlock Cece’s shop in Tears of the Kingdom? Complete the “The Mayoral Election” side adventure in Hateno Village.
What is the base defense of the Hylian Shield? The Hylian Shield has a base defense of 90.
How much durability does the Hylian Shield have in Breath of the Wild? The Hylian Shield has a durability of 800 in Breath of the Wild.
Can I get multiple Hylian Shields legitimately without glitches? No, the game is designed so that you can only possess one Hylian Shield at a time (excluding glitches). Granté/Cece will only sell you one after you’ve lost your original.
What happens if I lose the Hylian Shield in Breath of the Wild before building Tarrey Town? You need to build Tarrey Town so Grante will sell you the shield once Tarrey Town is finished.
Is there a Hylian Armor set bonus? No, the Hylian Armor does not offer any set bonuses or effects.
What is the best shield in Breath of the Wild besides the Hylian Shield? Good alternatives include Ancient Shield, Royal Guard’s Shield, and Royal Shield, offering high defense and decent durability.
How many Lynel hits can the Hylian Shield take? The Hylian Shield can take a significant number of Lynel hits due to its high durability. As an example, the Hylian Shield should take up to 800 hits before breaking (for context, a Golden Lynel would do 60 damage in BOTW).
Can I fuse items to the Hylian Shield in Tears of the Kingdom? Yes, you can fuse items to the Hylian Shield in Tears of the Kingdom to add various effects or increase its durability.
What is Granté’s role in the Zelda universe? Granté is the son of Robbie and Jerrin, two Sheikah researchers. He travels Hyrule collecting rare armor.
How often does the Master Sword break? After a few more hits, the Master Sword will run out of energy. 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.
Is there only one Hylian Shield in Breath of the Wild? Despite being breakable, there is only one in the game, and if broken, Grante suspiciously adds one to his inventory.
Can you buy a second Hylian Shield? Yes, for the rest of your playthrough, whenever your Hylian Shield breaks, you can return to Cece and buy another one.

In conclusion, Granté’s role in providing replacement Hylian Shields is a carefully designed mechanic that balances scarcity with accessibility. Understanding the conditions and requirements allows players to effectively manage their resources and ensure they can always reacquire this iconic and valuable piece of equipment. For more insights into the world of games and learning, be sure to visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Why doesn t Grante sell the Hylian Shield?