How do I complete the "The Forgotten Sword" shrine quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

The "The Forgotten Sword" shrine quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is one of the more unique and lore-rich shrine quests in the game. It is tied to the legendary Master Sword and requires you to complete a specific task to unlock the hidden shrine. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to complete this quest, including mechanics, strategies, and tips.

To begin the quest, you must first locate the pedestal where the Master Sword rests. This is found in the Korok Forest, which is located in the Great Hyrule Forest region. The forest is surrounded by a dense fog, making it difficult to navigate. To reach the forest, you can follow the path from the Woodland Stable or use the nearby tower to glide into the area. Once inside, youÔÇÖll find the Master Sword pedestal in the center of the forest. However, you cannot simply pull the sword out at any time. The Master Sword requires Link to have at least 13 hearts to draw it from the pedestal. If you attempt to pull it out without enough hearts, you will take damage and be unable to complete the task.

The shrine quest itself is triggered when you speak to the Great Deku Tree, who resides near the Master Sword pedestal. The Great Deku Tree will explain that the sword is a sacred weapon and that it is waiting for a hero worthy of wielding it. He will also mention that the sword is tied to a hidden shrine, which can only be accessed once the sword is drawn. This is the essence of the quest: you must prove your worth by drawing the Master Sword to unlock the hidden shrine.

To prepare for this quest, you will need to increase your heart count to at least 13. This can be done by completing shrines and trading Spirit Orbs for heart containers at Goddess Statues found in various towns and stables. If you are short on hearts, you can temporarily increase your heart count by cooking and consuming meals that provide extra hearts. However, these temporary hearts do not count toward the requirement for drawing the Master Sword, so you will need permanent heart containers.

Once you have the required number of hearts, return to the Master Sword pedestal and interact with it. Link will begin to pull the sword, and a cutscene will play showing the sword being drawn. After this, the hidden shrine, known as the "Keo Ruug Shrine," will appear nearby. The shrine itself is relatively straightforward, focusing on a puzzle that involves manipulating orbs and switches to unlock the door to the monk. The puzzle is not overly difficult, but it requires careful observation and timing.

A common mistake players make is attempting to draw the Master Sword too early in the game without having enough hearts. This can lead to frustration and unnecessary damage. To avoid this, focus on completing shrines and increasing your heart count before attempting the quest. Another mistake is not speaking to the Great Deku Tree before trying to draw the sword. While the shrine will still appear if you draw the sword without speaking to him, you will miss out on the lore and context provided by the quest.

For advanced players, there is a way to bypass the heart requirement using a glitch known as the "heart duplication glitch." This involves manipulating the gameÔÇÖs mechanics to temporarily increase your heart count beyond what is normally possible. However, this method is not recommended for first-time players, as it can detract from the intended experience and challenge of the game.

In terms of alternative approaches, some players choose to complete the quest later in the game when they have naturally accumulated enough hearts through exploration and shrine completion. This allows for a more organic progression and ensures that the moment of drawing the Master Sword feels earned and significant.

In summary, completing "The Forgotten Sword" shrine quest involves increasing your heart count to at least 13, drawing the Master Sword, and then solving the Keo Ruug Shrine puzzle. Preparation is key, and players should focus on shrine completion and heart collection before attempting the quest. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can successfully complete this iconic quest and unlock the hidden shrine.