What is the reward for completing the "Luminous Stone Gathering" side quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

The "Luminous Stone Gathering" side quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a straightforward task that rewards players with a valuable item upon completion. This quest is given by Ledo, a Zora stonemason located in Zora's Domain. Ledo is working on repairing the stone structures in the area and needs Luminous Stones to complete his work. He asks Link to gather 10 Luminous Stones in exchange for a reward. This quest is relatively simple but can be time-consuming if you don't know where to find the stones or how to gather them efficiently.

To start the quest, you must first speak with Ledo. He can be found near the entrance to Zora's Domain, working on the stone structures. After speaking with him, he will explain that he needs 10 Luminous Stones to continue his work. Luminous Stones are a type of mineral that can be found in various locations throughout Hyrule, but they are particularly abundant in the Zora region. These stones glow with a soft blue light, making them easier to spot at night or in dark areas.

The mechanics of gathering Luminous Stones are simple. You need to locate deposits of Luminous Stones, which are typically found on cliffsides, in caves, or near bodies of water. Once you find a deposit, you can break it open using a weapon or a bomb. Each deposit will yield a few Luminous Stones, so you will need to find multiple deposits to gather the required 10 stones. It's important to note that Luminous Stones are not renewable resources, meaning that once you break a deposit, it will not respawn. Therefore, you need to plan your gathering route carefully to ensure you collect enough stones without wasting time.

One effective strategy for gathering Luminous Stones is to start your search in the Zora region, as this area has a high concentration of Luminous Stone deposits. A good starting point is the cliffs surrounding Zora's Domain. You can climb these cliffs and look for glowing blue deposits. Another good location is the area around the East Reservoir Lake, where you can find several deposits along the shoreline. If you have the Sheikah Sensor upgraded to detect Luminous Stones, this can be a huge help in locating deposits more quickly.

When gathering Luminous Stones, it's important to manage your resources effectively. Breaking open deposits can be done with any weapon, but using a bomb is often more efficient, as it doesn't consume weapon durability. However, be cautious when using bombs near cliffs or bodies of water, as the explosion can knock you off the cliff or into the water, causing you to lose progress. Additionally, make sure to have enough stamina or stamina-restoring items, as climbing cliffs and swimming to reach deposits can be physically demanding.

A common mistake players make is not keeping track of how many Luminous Stones they have collected. It's easy to lose count, especially if you're gathering stones from multiple locations. To avoid this, periodically check your inventory to see how many stones you have. Another mistake is not exploring thoroughly enough. Luminous Stone deposits can be hidden in caves or behind waterfalls, so make sure to explore every nook and cranny to find all the stones you need.

For advanced players, there are a few optimizations you can make to speed up the gathering process. One technique is to use the Paraglider to quickly descend from cliffs after breaking open deposits, saving time and stamina. Another optimization is to use the Stasis rune to freeze enemies near deposits, allowing you to break the stones without interruption. Additionally, if you have the Master Cycle Zero, you can use it to quickly travel between deposit locations, saving time on foot.

In terms of preparation, you don't need any special items to complete this quest, but having a few weapons, bombs, and stamina-restoring items can make the process smoother. If you're low on stamina, consider cooking meals that restore stamina or increase your stamina wheel temporarily. This will help you climb and swim more efficiently.

An alternative approach to gathering Luminous Stones is to purchase them from traveling merchants or other NPCs, but this can be expensive and is not recommended unless you have a surplus of rupees. Another alternative is to trade Luminous Stones with Kilton, a unique NPC who trades in monster parts, but this is more of a late-game option and not practical for this quest.

Once you have gathered 10 Luminous Stones, return to Ledo in Zora's Domain to complete the quest. He will reward you with a Diamond, a valuable gemstone that can be sold for a high price or used to upgrade certain armor sets. This reward makes the quest worthwhile, as Diamonds are rare and useful for various purposes in the game.

In summary, the "Luminous Stone Gathering" side quest is a simple but rewarding task that requires you to gather 10 Luminous Stones for Ledo in Zora's Domain. By following the strategies and tips outlined above, you can complete the quest efficiently and earn a valuable Diamond as your reward. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced player, this quest is a great way to explore the Zora region and gather useful resources.