Why is My Master Sword Low on Energy? Understanding the Famed Blade’s Limitations

The Master Sword, the Blade of Evil’s Bane, is arguably the most iconic weapon in the Legend of Zelda series. However, in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, this legendary weapon comes with a significant caveat: it can run out of energy. Unlike most other weapons in the game, the Master Sword doesn’t break permanently. Instead, after a certain number of uses, it will become temporarily unusable, requiring a recharge period before Link can wield its power once again. This is because the Master Sword had been broken and worn down a hundred years ago in the battles during the Great Calamity, it has lost its strength and is no longer able to perform at peak capacity.

The main reason your Master Sword is low on energy is simply that you’ve been using it. Each swing and attack consumes a portion of its energy. When that energy is fully depleted, the sword goes into a cooldown state. Think of it like a powerful magical battery that needs time to replenish its charge after being drained. The Master Sword is a weapon of immense power, but even that power has its limits.

Understanding the Master Sword’s Energy Mechanic

To better understand why your Master Sword is hitting empty, let’s delve deeper into the energy mechanic and what affects it.

Durability vs. Energy: The Key Difference

It’s crucial to distinguish between traditional weapon durability and the Master Sword’s energy mechanic. Regular weapons have a durability rating that decreases with each use until they eventually break and disappear from your inventory. The Master Sword, on the other hand, doesn’t break permanently. Instead, it enters a recharge phase.

Factors Affecting Energy Depletion

Several factors can influence how quickly the Master Sword’s energy depletes:

• Enemy Type: Attacking stronger enemies, especially those imbued with Malice, tends to drain the Master Sword’s energy faster.
• Attack Frequency: The more you swing, the faster it drains. A barrage of attacks will lead to a quicker cooldown.
• Location: In certain areas, such as Hyrule Castle or areas heavily influenced by Ganon’s Malice, the Master Sword might perform differently.

The Recharge Timer

Once the Master Sword is depleted, a 10-minute real-time recharge timer begins. This timer continues even if you pause the game, forcing you to either wait or find another weapon to use in the meantime. Note that pausing the game while waiting will not effect its recharge time. However, if you are inside Hyrule Castle, this timer is halved.

Maximizing Your Master Sword’s Potential

While you can’t completely eliminate the energy mechanic, there are ways to optimize its use and minimize downtime.

Utilizing the Sword’s Enhanced Power

The Master Sword’s true power shines when it’s glowing blue. This occurs when you’re near a source of Ganon’s Malice or corrupted enemies, such as Guardians. In this state, the Master Sword’s attack power doubles to 60. Strategically use the Master Sword during these encounters to make the most of its enhanced capabilities.

The Trial of the Sword

The Trial of the Sword DLC is the key to unlocking the Master Sword’s full potential. By completing this challenging trial, you can permanently upgrade the Master Sword’s base damage. Completing the Trial of the Sword upgrades the Master Sword’s base damage to 40, 50, or 60. Furthermore, if you upgrade it to damage 60, the weapon becomes unbreakable, but you’ll still need to recharge it after a while.

Fuse with Light Dragon Horn

Fusing a Light Dragon Horn to the Master Sword will imbue it with 20 extra damage and the ability to life-steal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Master Sword’s Energy

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the Master Sword and its energy depletion:

1. How long does it take for the Master Sword to recharge?

   It takes 10 real-time minutes for the Master Sword to fully recharge.

2. Does pausing the game stop the recharge timer?

   No, pausing the game does not affect the recharge timer.

3. Is there any way to speed up the recharge time?

   The recharge time is halved inside Hyrule Castle.

4. Why does the Master Sword sometimes glow?

   The Master Sword glows when you’re near a source of Ganon’s Malice or corrupted enemies. While in this state, the Master Sword will deal 60 damage.

5. Does the Master Sword break completely?

   No, the Master Sword does not break permanently. It runs out of energy and needs to recharge.

6. What is the Trial of the Sword?

   The Trial of the Sword is a DLC challenge that permanently upgrades the Master Sword’s base damage.

7. Where do I find the Trial of the Sword?

   The Trial of the Sword can be found in the Korok Forest after obtaining the Master Sword.

8. What happens if I complete the Trial of the Sword?

   Completing the Trial of the Sword increases the Master Sword’s base damage.

9. Can I fuse items to the Master Sword?

   Yes, in Tears of the Kingdom, you can fuse items to the Master Sword to enhance its abilities.

10. What is the best item to fuse with the Master Sword?

    A popular choice is the Light Dragon Horn, which adds damage and grants life-steal.

11. Why is my Master Sword only dealing 30 damage?

    The Master Sword deals 30 damage when it’s not glowing. Its damage increases to 60 when it’s near Malice or after completing the Trial of the Sword.

12. Can the Master Sword be duplicated using glitches?

    Duplication glitches have existed in the past, but many have been patched.

13. What is the “Corrupt Master Sword”?

    The Corrupt Master Sword is a modified version that can be found in certain contexts.

14. Why does the Master Sword feel weak compared to other weapons?

    The Master Sword’s primary strength lies in its consistent availability and enhanced power against Malice, not raw damage output against regular enemies.

15. Is the Master Sword worth using, considering the energy mechanic?

    Yes, The Master Sword is absolutely worth it. The Master Sword is one of the coolest weapons in the Zelda series, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is no exception, it can become even cooler with the help of Fuse. It’s durability and power against specific enemies make it an invaluable asset.

Understanding the nuances of the Master Sword’s energy mechanic is essential for mastering combat in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. By using it strategically and upgrading it through the Trial of the Sword, you can maximize its potential and wield the Blade of Evil’s Bane to its fullest extent. If you are interested in learning more about gaming and education, be sure to visit the Games Learning Society website to learn more about games and how they can be used in learning at GamesLearningSociety.org.