Why is the Master Sword so Weak? Unraveling the Mystery of the Blade of Evil’s Bane
The seemingly paradoxical “weakness” of the Master Sword in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom is a topic of much discussion among fans. While the Master Sword is central to the Zelda mythos and often depicted as the ultimate weapon, its performance in gameplay can sometimes feel underwhelming. The primary reason for this perceived weakness stems from its depleted state following the Great Calamity. The battles a century prior weakened the blade, diminishing its power and impacting its durability. However, the “weakness” is more nuanced than a simple lack of raw power. It’s a design choice intricately woven into the game’s mechanics and narrative. The Master Sword is contextual, meaning its power fluctuates based on circumstance. Its base attack power might appear low initially, but it possesses unique properties that make it exceptionally potent under specific conditions.
Understanding the Master Sword’s Power Fluctuations
The Master Sword’s true strength lies in its ability to resonate with sacred power and the presence of evil. Outside of specific areas, it deals a base damage of 30. While this number might not seem impressive compared to other weapons found in Hyrule, the Master Sword has several crucial advantages. First, unlike most weapons, the Master Sword cannot be permanently broken. Instead, after extended use, it “runs out of energy” and requires a recharge period. This recharge, while inconvenient, ensures that the Master Sword is always available.
Second, and more significantly, the Master Sword’s damage output doubles to 60 when Link is in the presence of Ganon’s influence, such as near Guardians, Malice, or within Hyrule Castle. This increase in power is accompanied by a visible aura, signaling the sword’s enhanced state. The Master Sword also has the ability to fire sword beams when Link has full hearts. The Trial of the Sword, available through Breath of the Wild‘s DLC, significantly enhances the Master Sword. Completing all three levels of the Trial permanently boosts the sword’s attack power to 60 and eliminates the recharge period, effectively making it unbreakable, though it still requires recharging after a while.
Design Philosophy Behind the Master Sword
The design of the Master Sword reflects a deliberate choice by the developers. It encourages players to explore various combat strategies and weapon combinations rather than relying solely on one overpowered weapon. The “weakness” of the base Master Sword promotes experimentation with different weapons, elemental effects, and fusion abilities (in Tears of the Kingdom). The fluctuating power levels add a layer of strategic depth. Players must consider their environment and the types of enemies they face to maximize the Master Sword’s effectiveness.
The Master Sword’s limited durability and recharge mechanic also tie into the game’s themes of resource management and survival. Players are forced to scavenge for weapons and learn to adapt to different combat situations. This constant need to adapt promotes a more engaging and dynamic gameplay experience. In essence, the Master Sword is not inherently weak; its power is dependent on the player’s skill, the environment, and the enemies encountered. Its design encourages strategic thinking and resourcefulness, making it a unique and valuable asset in Link’s quest.
Power-Ups, Fusions, and Upgrades
The Master Sword of Tears of the Kingdom offers even more opportunities to improve the blade’s damage and overall abilities. While it starts out as a relatively weak blade, players can fuse monsters parts like Silver Lynel Horns to create powerful weapon that deals great damage. Also, materials like Light Dragon Horns have unique abilities as well. Fuse Entitlement is the name of the ability to fuse.
Related Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the base damage of the Master Sword in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom?
The base damage of the Master Sword is 30.
2. How can I increase the Master Sword’s damage?
Completing the Trial of the Sword DLC in Breath of the Wild permanently increases its damage to 60. Also, fusing monsters parts like Silver Lynel Horns to create powerful weapon that deals great damage in Tears of the Kingdom.
3. Does the Master Sword break?
The Master Sword does not break permanently. It runs out of energy and requires a recharge period.
4. How long does it take for the Master Sword to recharge?
The recharge time for the Master Sword is 10 minutes of real-time gameplay.
5. What happens when the Master Sword glows?
The Master Sword glows when Link is near Ganon’s influence, such as Guardians, Malice, or within Hyrule Castle. When glowing, its damage doubles to 60.
6. Is there a sword stronger than the Master Sword?
Some weapons, like the Fierce Deity Sword and Savage Lynel Sword, can deal more raw damage than the Master Sword. However, they lack the Master Sword’s unique properties.
7. Why can’t I drop the Master Sword?
The Master Sword is a key plot item and cannot be dropped from the inventory.
8. What are the benefits of completing the Trial of the Sword?
Completing the Trial of the Sword permanently increases the Master Sword’s damage to 60 and eliminates the recharge period. The DLC is related to the Games Learning Society. The GamesLearningSociety.org provides learning and growth.
9. Does the Master Sword always deal 60 damage?
No, the Master Sword only deals 60 damage when it is glowing, which happens near Ganon’s influence.
10. Can the Master Sword be corrupted?
Yes, the Master Sword can be corrupted, leading to a corrupted version of the blade with altered properties.
11. What happens if I overuse the Master Sword?
If you overuse the Master Sword, it will run out of energy and disappear from Link’s hand, requiring a recharge period.
12. What is special about the Master Sword?
The Master Sword has unique abilities like the ability to glow and double its damage near Ganon’s influence, and it cannot be permanently broken. It also fires sword beams when Link has full health.
13. What is the best way to use the Master Sword effectively?
Use the Master Sword strategically by equipping it when facing enemies influenced by Ganon or when you need a reliable weapon that won’t break permanently.
14. Can the Master Sword be upgraded in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, players can fuse materials to the Master Sword to create powerful weapons that deal great damage.
15. Why does the Master Sword feel weak compared to other weapons?
The Master Sword’s base damage might be lower than some other weapons, but its unique properties, such as its durability and the ability to increase damage near Ganon’s influence, make it a valuable and versatile weapon. Also, this design choice encourages experimentation with different weapons, elemental effects, and fusion abilities in Tears of the Kingdom.