The Master Sword is Link’s legendary weapon in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and is fundamentally different from all ordinary swords in Hyrule. It has its own place in the weapon inventory, cannot be thrown away, and never permanently disappears. Instead of finally breaking, the sword loses its energy after prolonged use and then recharges itself. You find that Master Sword in the Korok Forest before the Great Deku Tree. To be able to pull it out of its base, Link needs exactly 13 permanent red hearts. His normal attack power is 30, but when fighting against Ganon’s influence, the blade awakens and rises 60 attack power. DLC 1 owners can permanently unlock this full strength by Trial of the Sword.
Master Sword – Values and requirements at a glance
| Property | Master Sword |
|---|---|
| Location | Korok Forest |
| Prerequisite | 13 permanent red hearts |
| Yellow Bonus Hearts | Do not count |
| Basic Attack Power | 30 |
| Awakened Attack Power | 60 |
| Basic durability | 40 |
| Effective durability at full power | Up to 188 hits |
| recharge time | 10 minutes |
| Can break permanently? | No |
| Own inventory space | Yes |
| DLC improvement | 40 → 50 → 60 attack power |
Location of the Master Sword
The Master Sword is located in the forest of the Koroks in the center of the Great Hyrule Forest. The vast forest lies north of Hyrule Castle and west of Death Mountain. However, you can’t just run to the sword from any side or Paraglider over the fog. The only regular access is through the Lost Woods in the southeast of the forest area. At the end of the right path you reach the forest of the Koroks, where the Master Sword is clearly visible in its stone base directly in front of the Great Deku Tree. You can find the full route through the fog in our guide Korok Forest – Lost Woods, Korok Trials and Master Sword.
Through the Lost Woods to the Master Sword
A suitable starting point is the stable in the forest southeast of the Great Hyrule Forest. If possible, first activate the Woodland Tower and then approach the forest via the designated entrance in the southeast. In the first section of the Lost Woods, burning torches show you the right way. As soon as the permanently set up fireplaces end, you take the torch lying there, light it and watch the sparks of the flame. The wind carries them in the direction in which you have to move on. If you stray too far from the intended path, the fog thickens and sets Link back to the last safe point. Follow the sparks carefully until the fog clears and you reach the Korok Forest.
Activate Keo Ruug Shrine as a fast travel point
Before you deal with the Master Sword, you should activate the Keo Ruug Shrine directly at the Great Deku Tree. This means you can then teleport to the Korok Forest at any time and you don’t have to cross the Lost Woods again. In the same area you will also find Hestu, several Korok tasks, a goddess statue and later access to the Trial of the Sword. For a complete passage, the forest is one of the most important places in the game anyway.
13 hearts for the Master Sword
Link needs 13 permanent red hearts in total to successfully pull the Master Sword from its socket. The three hearts with which you start the game already count. So you need ten more Heart Container from shrines or from defeated curses of Ganon in the four Divine Beasts. As soon as you examine the sword, the Great Deku Tree warns you about the test. When pulled out, Link continually loses health. With 13 red hearts, his strength is exactly enough to pull the blade completely out of the base.
Yellow bonus hearts do not count
Maxi dishes, maxi medicine, Mipha’s Grace and other temporary yellow hearts do not help with Master Sword. The test only takes permanently existing red hearts into account. So you can’t travel to the Korok Forest with three normal hearts and ten bonus yellow hearts and pull out the sword. The decisive factors are Heart Container, which are permanently part of Link’s life bar. These include both the hearts obtained from goddess statues against Spirit Orb and the Heart Container from the four Divine Beasts.
How many shrines do you need for 13 hearts?
| Freed Titans | Additional hearts from shrines required | Required Spirit Orb | Corresponds to |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 10 | 40 | 40 shrines |
| 1 | 9 | 36 | 36 shrines |
| 2 | 8 | 32 | 32 shrines |
| 3 | 7 | 28 | 28 shrines |
| 4 | 6 | 24 | 24 shrines |
This invoice is only valid if you have invested all of the Spirit Orb received in Heart Container. If you have already purchased stamina containers instead, you will need more completed shrines or have to temporarily convert stamina into hearts. Four Spirit Orb make a heart or stamina container for a goddess statue.
Too few hearts? Exchange stamina into hearts
You don’t necessarily have to look for more shrines if you have already invested a lot of Spirit Orb in stamina. Hateno Village contains the Demon Statue from the Side Quest “Dark Deals”. There you can swap heart and endurance containers for each other. The statue first takes a container and pays 100 Rupees for it. You can then buy back a different type of container for 120 Rupees. A conversion effectively only costs 20 Rupees. If you temporarily exchange as many stamina containers into hearts until Link has 13 red hearts, draw the Master Sword and then convert the hearts back again. Of course, the sword remains in your possession, even if you then fall below 13 hearts again.
What happens with fewer than 13 hearts?
If you try to pull out the Master Sword with too little health, Link’s heart bar will continue to decrease during the test. On the first attempt, the Great Deku Tree intervenes in time and stops Link from killing himself. He challenges you to come back stronger. If you ignore the warning and try again with still too few hearts, Link can actually die. There is therefore no gaming advantage in intentionally repeating the test too early.
Main objective “The Hero’s Sword”
As soon as you examine the sword at Great Deku Tree, the main objective “The Hero’s Sword” begins. If Link has at least 13 red hearts, press and hold the button shown on the base. The health is gradually withdrawn until Link finally pulls the Master Sword completely out of the stone. This is followed by a reminder of the events 100 years ago: After Link’s defeat, Zelda personally brought the damaged sword to the Great Deku Tree so that it could wait for its bearer to return.
The Master Sword gets its own inventory slot
The Master Sword consumed no normal weapons station. As soon as you receive it, an additional space for it will automatically be created in your weapon inventory. Even if your weapon bag is completely full when you pull it out, you don’t have to throw anything away. The sword cannot then be dropped, sold, or displayed on a weapon rack in Link’s house. You can find everything about the remaining inventory slots and their expansion in our guide Hestu – all Locations and fully expand inventory.
Master Sword – normal strength 30
In the ordinary state this has Master Sword one Attack power of 30. This makes it significantly weaker than many royal weapons, Lynel weapons or particularly strong two-handed swords. However, its advantage lies not only in its pure attack value. The Master Sword is a one-handed weapon, so it allows you to use a shield at the same time, has its own inventory slot and always returns after energy has been used up. You can therefore easily use it for normal fights, trees, ore or smaller enemies without permanently losing a rare weapon.
When does the Master Sword wake up?
Near Ganon’s influence that begins Master Sword to glow blue. This happens, for example, in Hyrule Castle, within the Titans, near Mud of Hatred, with Guardians and in the fight against Ganon’s curses and Calamity Ganon. In this state the blade unfolds its true power. The attack value displayed in the inventory increases from 30 60 and at the same time the weapon becomes much more resistant. You can immediately recognize the status by the blue glowing blade and the changed master sword symbol.
Master Sword vs Guardian
Guardians are among the enemies against which the Master Sword is particularly effective. As soon as you approach a guard controlled by Ganon, the blade awakens and increases to 60 attack power. This means that the legs of a guard runner can be quickly destroyed and the body, which is then unable to move, can be easily dealt with in close combat. Since the effective durability of the awakened sword also increases significantly, it is ideal for farming ancient materials. You can find all variants and drops in our guide Guardians – all types, Locations and Ancient Materials.
Master Sword in Hyrule Castle
Throughout the entire area of Hyrule Castle, the Master Sword is virtually permanently in its awakened state. His attack power there is 60 and his durability is used much more efficiently. This makes it an ideal main weapon for the castle’s numerous strong opponents. Together with the Hylian Shield from the dungeon, you can put together Link’s classic equipment before the actual final battle. You can find the complete path through the castle at Hyrule Castle – Hylian Shield, bodyguard set, souvenir photo and all 25 Koroks.
Durability of Master Sword
In normal condition, the Master Sword has an internal durability value of 40. After enough hits, a warning appears that the Master Sword’s energy is running low. Further hits will eventually cause his energy to be completely depleted. The sword does not break like an ordinary weapon. It remains grayed out in inventory and cannot be equipped temporarily.
Awakened durability – why 188 is often spoken of
When the Master Sword glows blue and develops its full power, its internal durability value technically remains at 40. The special feature is that a normal hit only uses a fraction of the usual durability. This makes the effective durability equivalent to up to 188 normal hits before the energy is exhausted. Against Ganon’s influence, you can therefore use the sword for significantly longer than in its normal state. Once the sword has been fully tested, this powerful state becomes permanent.
Master Sword charging – this is how it works
As soon as the energy has been completely used up, a charging time of ten minutes automatically begins. During this phase, the Master Sword remains visible in the inventory, but is grayed out and cannot be equipped. A countdown appears on the symbol. After the time has elapsed, the game will report that the Master Sword’s energy has been restored and the blade will be available at full energy again. You don’t need any materials or Rupees and you don’t have to return to the Great Deku Tree.
Why is my Master Sword not charging?
Regeneration only begins when the energy of the Master Sword completely used up became. If the blade is only marked red and shows the low energy message, it is not slowly recharging in the background. You can leave the sword unused for hours and it will still remain in a damaged condition. If you want to regain full durability before an important fight, it often makes sense to consciously use up the last hits and then wait for the ten-minute charging cycle.
Do rest, map and inventory count towards recharge time?
The countdown corresponds to approximately ten minutes of active play time. As you move through Hyrule and play normally, it continues to run. However, the countdown is paused in paused menus, on the map, during loading screens and in similar interruptions. So you can’t just let the ten minutes pass in your inventory. Meanwhile, complete other tasks, collect materials or use your remaining weapons.
Can the Master Sword be repaired?
A classic repair is neither possible nor necessary. The Great Deku Tree, blacksmiths and traders cannot repair the blade, and ancient materials do not help either. Once their energy drops to zero, the game will automatically restore them. After ten minutes the Master Sword is ready for use again. It is precisely this cycle that makes it one of the most reliable weapons in the game in the long term: other rare weapons disappear after being broken and have to be acquired again, while the Master Sword always remains in Link’s inventory.
sword beam with the Master Sword
When health is completely filled, it has Master Sword an additional ranged combat function. Press the throw button R, Link doesn’t throw the blade away, but instead throws a glowing one Sword Ray forward. The range of the beam increases with Link’s maximum health. In the normal state, each beam fired also costs Master Sword energy. This means you shouldn’t mindlessly use it for every item you remove. After the sword’s trial has been fully completed, the permanently awakened blade behaves much more generously.
Can you throw the Master Sword?
No. The throw button works differently on the Master Sword than on normal melee weapons. Link cannot remove the legendary blade from his inventory or lose it through a roll. When the health is full, the sword beam is released instead. If Link is missing hearts, the throw button will not perform a normal weapon throw. This means that the Master Sword remains permanently tied to its own inventory space.
Trial of the Sword – Master Sword permanently improve
Owners of DLC 1 “The Legendary Trials” can further improve the Master Sword after receiving it. Once you have the blade, the Trial of the Sword quest will become available. Return to the Korok Forest and put the Master Sword back in its socket. Link is then placed in a series of special battle rooms and begins each stage without his normal equipment. You must find weapons, bows, shields, food and materials within the trial itself. The complete challenge consists of beginner, advanced and master exams. You can find our room-by-room solution at Trial of the Sword.
All improvements from Trial of the Sword
| Progress | Normal attack power | Full power |
|---|---|---|
| Master Sword received | 30 | 60 at Ganon’s Influence |
| Beginner exam completed | 40 | 60 at Ganon’s Influence |
| Advanced exam completed | 50 | 60 at Ganon’s Influence |
| Master’s examination completed | 60 | Permanent 60 |
After the beginner test, the base attack power increases from 30 to 40. After the advanced test, it reaches 50. Once you have also completed the master test, this awakens Master Sword complete and owns permanently 60 attack power. The blade then always glows in its reinforced state as long as it is ready for use, permanently benefiting from the greatly improved effective durability.
Is the fully upgraded Master Sword indestructible?
No. Even after all three levels of Trial of the Sword, the energy can be completely used up. The permanently awakened blade only lasts much longer with its effective durability of up to 188 hits. When their energy is exhausted, the sword is deactivated again for ten minutes and then fully charged. The test does not remove the charging system, but rather ensures that you always use the strongest variant with 60 attack power and significantly higher effective durability.
Do you need the DLC for the Master Sword?
No. The Master Sword itself is completely part of the base game and can be found without an expansion pass. The DLC is only required if you want to play the Trial of the Sword and permanently unlock its full power. Without DLC, the sword normally has 30 attack power and automatically awakens to 60 when you are near Ganon’s influence. You can find all additional content in our overview of the DLC content for Breath of the Wild.
Do you need the Master Sword for Ganon?
No. The Master Sword is not mandatory for completing the main story . You can enter Hyrule Castle and defeat Calamity Ganon with ordinary weapons. However, the legendary sword makes the final battle much more pleasant, as it automatically awakens to 60 attack power when Ganon is near it and was created for this part of the game. To complete the game, the main goal “The Hero’s Sword” is also included.
Master Sword get
early in the game
Story-wise, you don’t have to have freed a single Titan to get the Master Sword. The only real requirement is 13 permanent hearts and getting into the Korok Forest. If you solve shrines directly after Great Plateau and choose every Heart Container you receive, you can complete 40 shrines relatively early and then travel to the sword. A mixture of shrines and titans is usually more practical: each defeated curse of Ganon delivers a Heart Container and reduces the required number of shrine hearts accordingly.
Master Sword after two titans
A particularly pleasant time comes after two freed Titans. With the three starting hearts and two heart containers from the Titans, you still need eight more Heart Container, i.e. 32 completed shrines, provided all characters have been invested in lives. That’s exactly why our complete Breath of the Wild Walkthrough leads into the Korok Forest after a useful part of the main journey: At this point, Link already has good equipment and enough Spirit Orb without that Master Sword remains unused until shortly before the finale.
Master Sword and armor sets
Several historical amiibo armors have a set bonus for the Master Sword Sword Beams after at least two upgrades. These include, among other things, the origin, time, wind, shadow and sky sets. These armors increase the range and effectiveness of the beam attack and are therefore particularly interesting for players who regularly use the Master Sword at a distance. You can find all clothing items, stats and improvement materials in our guide to the armor in Breath of the Wild.
Master Sword in master mode
In master mode, the Location remains unchanged and you also need 13 permanent red hearts. Since normal and master mode have separate savegames, you have to pull the sword out of the base again. His normal stats also remain the same: 30 basic attack, 60 while awake, and ten minutes of recharge time after completely draining energy. However, Trial of the Sword becomes significantly more difficult in master mode because the opponents are higher level and regenerate lost health. The permanent 60 attack points are therefore one of the most demanding rewards in the entire game.
Use the Master Sword optimally
In normal condition, you should use the Master Sword as a recurring everyday weapon. Saving it permanently for “later” is of little use, as its energy returns free of charge after each full discharge. The blade is particularly valuable against Guardians, in Titans and in Hyrule Castle, where it automatically increases to 60 attack power. If the energy is almost used up and you are planning an important fight, deliberately use the last hits so that the ten-minute recharging process begins. In the long term, owners of the Expansion Pass should complete all three stages of the Trial of the Sword. This gives Link a permanent 60-point strong one-handed weapon with enormous effective durability, its own inventory space and unlimited reusability.