In the map section around the Wasteland Tower wait in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in total 12 regular shrines. Hardly any other region hides its trials so elaborately: you have to orientate yourself through sandstorms, examine seven huge warrior statues, win a sand seal race, traverse an entire labyrinth, provide an exhausted Gerudo with a special drink and even cast the shadow of a snowball onto a pedestal at the right moment. There are also several long electricity puzzles, because electricity is the determining element in many shrines Gerudo Desert.
For a complete tour, you should take protection from the cold as well as heat protection, because parts of the map section extend into the snowy mountains. The desert set from the Gerudo secret club makes exploring in the heat of the day much easier. Anyone who owns the expansion pass will also find three additional DLC shrines in the same map region after the start of Urbosa’s Ballad; however, these do not count as part of the original 120 shrines and are treated separately at the end.
Overview of all 12 shrines at the Wasteland Tower
| # | Shrine | Location / Special feature | Important Treasure Chests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kema Zoos | In the Sandstorm; Shrine Quest “Silent Statues” | Moon Saber |
| 2 | Dako Tah | In the sandstorm at North Gerudo Rock; “Go away, Sandstorm!” | Moon Saber, Ancient Core, Silver Rupee, Sun Shield |
| 3 | Daqo Chisay | Directly before Gerudo Town; Electricity puzzle | electric sword |
| 4 | Raqa Zunzo | Sand seal race to Vah Naboris | sun shield |
| 5 | Hawa Koth | At the Gerudo giant fossil and the Great Fairy Tera | Ancient Core, Golden Rupee, Sapphire |
| 6 | Tho Kayu | Torma Dunes; Light four torches, Molduga in area | Gerudo bow |
| 7 | Dila Maag | Center of the southern maze | Barbarian Armor |
| 8 | Korsh O’hu | Shrine task “The Seven Warriors” | Fire lance |
| 9 | Misae Suma | “A Potion for Weary Minds” | Diamond |
| 10 | Suma Sahma | Morgana Mountain; Afternoon shadow puzzle | Moon Saber |
| 11 | Kay Noh | At the gorge stable; Electricity puzzle | Moon Saber |
| 12 | Jee Noh | Gerudo Valley; moving balls and stasis | Opal |
Preparation for the shrines of Gerudo Desert
The biggest difficulty in this region is not just the daytime heat. At night the temperature in the desert drops so much that Link needs protection from the cold, while Suma Sahma is even in a permanently cold mountain area. Therefore, pack either suitable armor or dishes for both temperature ranges. A sun shield or other shield is required for the sand seal race, firearms and Fire Arrows help with various tasks, and a supply of normal arrows is useful for switches, ropes and long-distance puzzles.
For Tho Kayu you will also encounter a Molduga. The boss doesn’t necessarily have to be defeated, but the fight makes lighting the four torches much more relaxed and at the same time counts towards Kilton’s later Molduga Order.
1. Kema Zoos Shrine – Silent Statues
The Kema Zoos Shrine is located far to the northwest of the Gerudo Desert in the middle of a dense sandstorm. Speak to Laine northwest of Gerudo Town to begin the shrine quest “Silent Statues”. Shortly afterwards, the map and minimap disappear due to the sandstorm. Therefore, look out for the large Gerudo statues: each of them carries a sword, the tip of which points towards the next statue. Follow this direction consistently and you will eventually be led to the hidden shrine.
Inside, an electrified ball of energy flies back and forth between two devices. Stand on the side of the flight path and catch the ball at the right moment with the magnetic module. On the left there is a locked treasury. Use magnesis to lift the ball to the electrode behind the grid so that electricity flows and the door opens. There is a Moon Saber in the chest. Then bring the ball to the second electrode at the exit to open the way to the priest.
2. Dako Tah Shrine – Long Lines
The Dako Tah Shrine is located southeast of Gerudo Tower in an area that is regularly swallowed by a sandstorm. At the desert bazaar you can… Nobiro the shrine task “Go away, Sandstorm!” receive. You can wait for the storm to pass or glide directly from Gerudo Tower towards the shrine and orientate yourself by the rock formations.
Almost everything in the shrine revolves around an electrified metal cube. First, defeat the Nano Guardian and take the cube with the magnetic module onto the moving platform. Hold it over the power line so that the platform continues to be powered. On the first elevator you will pass a chest with a Moon Saber. Above, two more nano-guards wait on a metal surface; Place the electricity cube on or near the metal plates to hit the opponents with electricity. Another chest contains a Ancient Core.
Behind the sliding metal block you activate a Crystal Switch and follow the elevator down, where a Silver Rupee worth 100 Rupees is waiting. Then bring the power cube to the upper device, which activates the last moving platform. Moves obstacles with the magnetic module while driving. Shortly before the priest you can finally open the fourth Treasure Chest with a sun shield.
3. Daqo Chisay Shrine – Five Times Iron
The Daqo Chisay Shrine is right in front of the entrance of Gerudo Town, making it one of the most important fast travel points in the entire desert. It’s best to activate it immediately on your first visit. The “Five Times Iron” test consists of several broken circuits that must be closed with metal cubes and other conductive objects.
First follow the glowing green lines on the floor and place the metal boxes with the magnetic module in the gaps. This will open a small chamber with another chest. Then combine both cubes with the large metal block to open the next grate. A Treasure Chest with a electric sword is waiting there. This sword is also part of the solution: place it in one of the small gaps in the circuit if you are missing another conductive object. With the two large metal blocks you finally close the last two circuits and open the gate to the priest.
4. Raqa Zunzo Shrine – Sand Seal Race Win
The Raqa Zunzo Shrine can only be unlocked after liberating Vah Naboris. South of Gerudo Town is the sand seal race track. Speak to Shabonne there to begin the shrine quest “The Champion”. Participation costs 50 Rupees and you have to beat the record of 1:30 minutes.
Stay with the sign on the sand seal during the race, pass all seven gates and especially avoid the rocks and rolling boulders in the later section of the route. After a successful run you will receive the large holy ball as a trophy. Place it in the pedestal next to the starting area and the Raqa Zunzo Shrine will rise from the sand.
The actual test has already been completed. In the blessing shrine there is only one Treasure Chest with a sun shield.
5. Hawa Koth Shrine – High Voltage
The Hawa Koth Shrine lies on the far southwestern edge of the world map beneath the massive Gerudo Giant Fossil. Right next to it is also the source of the Great Fairy Tera. On the first visit, the map display partially disappears in the sandstorm; Therefore, orientate yourself on the huge fossil, which remains clearly visible on the map itself.
In the first room you connect the power source to the receiver with two metal cubes. Behind it there is a metal chest in the water on the right, which you pull out with the magnetic module; Inside is a Ancient Core. You then have to move a metal ball hanging on a chain so that the chain passes the electricity on to the next device.
In the large room, take an electric ball with you and move it over the ramps without accidentally activating the wrong contacts. On a side platform you open a Treasure Chest with a Golden Rupee worth 300 Rupees. In the last section, you arrange movable metal blocks so that the power line is completely closed. Behind the large gear there is another chest with a sapphire; Then take the gear back with you and insert it into the missing spot in the mechanism to open the way to the altar.
6. Tho Kayu Shrine – Molduga in Torma Dunes
Tho Kayu Shrine is located west of Gerudo Town in the Torma Dunes. At first nothing is visible of the shrine. Instead, you’ll find four rocky platforms, each with an unlit torch – and a Molduga circling under the sand. For a smooth process, you should defeat the boss first: Stand on a rock, throw a remote bomb into the sand and detonate it as soon as the Molduga devours the bait. You can find our complete strategy in the guide to all Molduga.
Then light the four torches around the dunes. Once everyone is burning, Tho Kayu rises from the ground. The shrine itself is a Blessing Trial and only contains a Treasure Chest with a Gerudo Bow – not a Royal Two-Handed Sword.
7. Dila Maag Shrine – southern maze
On the southeastern edge of the desert map section lies the massive southern maze. As soon as you enter the labyrinth, the shrine task “Trial in the Desert” starts. The Dila Maag Shrine is right in the center. You can navigate through the long corridors as usual or climb the labyrinth walls at a suitable point and get an overview from above.
If you just want to get to the shrine as quickly as possible, going over the walls is much faster. For our complete passage it is still worth taking a detour into the side passages, because there are several additional Treasure Chests with Gerudo weapons and Rupees in the labyrinth.
Dila Maag itself is a shrine of blessing. The only chest contains the Barbarian Clothes, one of the three pieces of the Barbarian Set. Each piece increases Link’s attack power; After improving to at least two stars, the full set also receives a bonus to charged attacks.
8. Korsh O’hu Shrine – The Seven Warriors
You can get the shrine task “The Seven Warriors” from Rotana in Gerudo Town. Then travel to the East Gerudo Ruins, where seven giant female warrior statues stand in a circle. There are seven large balls between them. Each ball has a symbol on it, while each statue also has one of these symbols in a certain place – for example on the sword, on the feet or on the body.
Carefully examine all seven statues and note their symbols. Then take the ball with the appropriate symbol and place it in the hollow in front of the corresponding warrior. One of the balls is higher up on a statue and must first be brought down. Once all seven balls have been inserted correctly, the Korsh O’hu Shrine will appear.
According to the elaborate exterior puzzle, the interior is a blessing shrine. The Treasure Chest contains a fire lance.
9. Misae Suma Shrine – A Potion for Weary Spirits
In the southeastern area of the Gerudo Desert you will find the Misae Suma Shrine, but a completely exhausted Gerudo named Pokki is lying directly on the activation podium. She can barely speak and demands a “Noble Pursuit”. This starts the shrine task “A Potion for Weary Spirits”.
Return to Gerudo Town and speak to Furosa in or near the “Dry Spell” bar. There is no ice for the drink. Therefore, travel to the northern ice cellar outside the city and talk to Anche there during the day. Take the large block of ice and carry it south through the ruins. Avoid enemies and especially fire echsalfos so that the block doesn’t melt unnecessarily. Furosa is waiting at the other end and will take the ice cream from you.
Then return to Pokki. As soon as she hears that her drink is ready, she disappears from the shrine. Misae Suma is a blessing shrine and contains a Treasure Chest with a diamond.
10. Suma Sahma Shrine – The Old Diary
The Suma Sahma Shrine is not located in the hot desert, but on the cold Morgana Mountain in the southeast of the map section. In the ruins of an abandoned hut you will find a diary that starts the shrine task “The Old Diary”. It talks about casting a “round darkness” onto the glowing base.
The solution is a snowball shadow. There are several snowballs nearby. Wait until approximately 4:00 p.m.; The round base on the rock wall then begins to glow orange. Raise a snowball over Link’s head and position yourself so that its shadow completely covers the center of the pedestal. As soon as the angle is right, the base turns blue and Suma Sahma appears.
The test outside was the real challenge. Only one Treasure Chest with a Moon Saber is waiting in the blessing shrine. The additional items mentioned in the old overview do not belong to this shrine.
11. Kay Noh Shrine – Electricity at the Gorge Stable
The Kay Noh Shrine is located on the hill right next to the gorge stable and is hard to miss on the way into the Gerudo Desert. The exam is also suitable as an introduction to electricity puzzles, which later become much more complex in Daqo Chisay and Hawa Koth.
Place the first electric ball in the designated socket to open the door. In the second room you defeat the nano-guard, shoot the rope over the next ball and bring it to the power base as well. This will allow you to reach the Treasure Chest with the Small Key. Then open the locked door and defeat the next guard.
In the last room, two metal cubes interrupt the power line. Move them with the magnetic module so that they bridge the gaps like on the opposite side. Before you go to the priest, turn around and pull down the metal chest above the entrance with Magnesis. Inside is a moon saber.
12. Jee Noh Shrine – Rest and Movement
Jee Noh Shrine is located in Gerudo Valley on the main road between the Hyrule Plains and the Desert. The “Rest and Movement” exam combines stasis with multiple running conveyor belts. In the first room, a ball constantly rolls past its target hole. Wait until she’s close to the right position, freeze her with Stasis, and shoot her slightly sideways with a single arrow. After Stasis ends, she falls into the opening and opens the gate.
In the second room the principle works the same, but two nano guards also fire at Link. Defeat them or complete the bullet puzzle from a safe distance. In the final section you have to carry a ball yourself along a long conveyor belt while lasers block the way. At the first barrier, wait until a large block covers the laser, put the ball down briefly and use Stasis on the source of the next laser. Then you pick up the ball again and put it in the last hollow.
Before you visit the priest, go back to the conveyor belt and activate the magnetic module. A metal chest passes by on the opposite side. Pull it towards you and open it for a Opal.
Which desert shrines are particularly easy to miss?
If you are still missing shrines at the end, Kema Zoos, Dako Tah, Suma Sahma and Misae Suma are typical candidates. The first two disappear in sandstorms, Suma Sahma only exists after the time-dependent shadow puzzle and Misae Suma cannot be activated as long as Pokki is on the pedestal. Tho Kayu also remains completely hidden under the sand until you have lit all four torches.
Raqa Zunzo is also a common final shrine, as the sand seal race only becomes an actual shrine task after Vah Naboris is freed.
Three blessing shrines after major external trials
Several trials in this region take place almost entirely outside of the actual shrines. Raqa Zunzo, Tho Kayu, Dila Maag, Korsh O’hu, Misae Suma and Suma Sahma reward you with a blessing shrine or a test without an extensive additional puzzle after their respective external tasks. That’s why you shouldn’t forget the Treasure Chest at these shrines before you go straight to the priest.
Barbarian Clothes in Dila Maag Shrine
The main armor reward of the map section is the Barbarian Clothes in Dila Maag Shrine. Together with Barbarian Mask and Barbarian Pants, they form one of the strongest offensive sets in the base game. For the maximum improvements you need numerous Lynel materials and parts of the three dragons. You can find all values and materials in our guides for , all armor and the Great Fairies.
DLC 2: three more shrines from Urbosa’s Ballad
With the expansion pass installed, there are still things to come in the Wasteland Tower map section three additional shrines added. They only appear during “EX: The Ballad of Urbosa” and do not count towards the 12 regular shrines or the original 120 trials. Instead of a Token of Probation, you will receive one in each of these shrines Sign of Naboris.
| DLC Shrine | Activation | Treasure Chest |
|---|---|---|
| Keive Tala | Defeat Molduking in East Gerudo | sun shield |
| Takama Shiri | Ride through the rings of light with a sand seal | Royal Bow |
| Kihiro Moh | Take the Holy Orb from the Yiga Hideout to the big hole | electric lance |
Defeat Keive Tala – Molduking
For Keive Tala, follow Kass’s reference to the “grim ruler of the sand”. In the southeastern part of the Gerudo Desert awaits the Molduking, a stronger DLC variant of the normal desert bosses. She is particularly vulnerable to electricity. Like a regular Molduga, throw bombs into the sand, blow them up after devouring them, and use powerful electric attacks or Urbosa’s Fury while stunned. After the victory, the Keive Tala Shrine appears.
The “Big and Small” test then requires the skillful connection of electrical cables with metal cubes of different sizes. An optional chamber contains a sun shield.
Takama Shiri – light rings with the sand seal
A blue ring of light appears west of Gerudo Town during Urbosa’s Ballad. Get a sand seal and sail through it; Then the next ring appears further in the desert. Follow the entire route within the time limit to the West Gerudo Ruins. After the last ring, Takama Shiri rises from the sand.
In the shrine you have to build several circuits out of metal cubes, but at the same time you have to use the same cubes to get to the exit. The treasure room in the last room contains a Royal Bow.
Kihiro Moh – return to Yiga Hideout
The third task takes Link again to the hideout of the Yiga. There is a large sacred orb in the area where numerous Mighty Bananas lay during the main story. Sneak through the reoccupied rooms, take the ball to the former battle arena of Kohga and throw it into the large hole in the center. This will cause the Kihiro Moh Shrine to appear.
The In the Box test is based on counting different colored balls in a large cube. In the last section you can also open a secret chamber; the Treasure Chest contains a electric lance.
Wasteland Tower – 100% Shrine Checklist
| # | Shrine | For full score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kema Zoos | “Silent Statues” + Moon Saber |
| 2 | Dako Tah | Collect all four Treasure Chests |
| 3 | Daqo Chisay | Lock + Electric Sword |
| 4 | Raqa Zunzo | Vah Naboris + sand seal race |
| 5 | Hawa Koth | All three Treasure Chests + Tera near |
| 6 | Tho Kayu | finish Molduga + four torches |
| 7 | Dila Maag | Southern Maze Castle + Barbarian Clothes |
| 8 | Korsh O’hu | “The Seven Warriors” + Fire Lance |
| 9 | Misae Suma | “A Potion for Weary Minds” + Diamond |
| 10 | Suma Sahma | “The Old Diary” + Moon Saber |
| 11 | Kay Noh | Complete + Moon Saber |
| 12 | Jee Noh | Complete + Opal |
| DLC | Keive Tala | Urbosa’s Ballad + Sign of Naboris |
| DLC | Takama Shiri | Urbosa’s Ballad + Sign of Naboris |
| DLC | Kihiro Moh | Urbosa’s Ballad + Sign of Naboris |
Completed all 12 Desert Tower shrines
If you have mastered Kema Zoos, Dako Tah, Daqo Chisay, Raqa Zunzo, Hawa Koth, Tho Kayu, Dila Maag, Korsh O’hu, Misae Suma, Suma Sahma, Kay Noh and Jee Noh, all 12 are regular shrines in the Wasteland Tower map section completed. You have completed several extensive shrine tasks, crossed the southern maze, met at least one Molduga, collected the barbarian clothes and at the same time unlocked an excellent fast travel point to Great Fairy Tera with Hawa Koth.
For our complete Breath of the Wild Walkthrough, the Koroks, map locations, Gerudo side quests, the remaining Molduga, among other things, remain in the region , the Thunder Helm target and other armor and collection tasks. Expansion Pass owners also complete Keive Tala, Takama Shiri and Kihiro Moh and then continue Urbosa’s Ballad.