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

To start "The Forgotten Sword" side quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you need to travel to the Korok Forest, which is located in the heart of the Great Hyrule Forest. This quest revolves around the legendary Master Sword, a powerful weapon tied to the game's lore. The quest is relatively straightforward but requires some preparation and understanding of the game's mechanics.

First, you need to reach the Korok Forest. The forest is surrounded by the Lost Woods, a maze-like area filled with fog that can disorient you and send you back to the entrance if you take the wrong path. To navigate the Lost Woods, you must follow the direction of the wind, which carries embers from the torches. The key is to follow the torches and pay attention to the embers' movement. If the fog starts to thicken, you are going the wrong way, and you should backtrack to the last torch. Once you successfully navigate the Lost Woods, you will arrive at the Korok Forest, a vibrant and magical area filled with Koroks and the Great Deku Tree.

Upon entering the Korok Forest, head to the center where the Master Sword is embedded in a pedestal. The Great Deku Tree will speak to you and explain that the sword is waiting for a hero worthy of wielding it. This is where the quest officially begins. To pull the Master Sword from the pedestal, you need to have at least 13 hearts in your health meter. This requirement is non-negotiable, so if you don't have enough hearts, you will need to increase your health by completing shrines and trading Spirit Orbs for heart containers at Goddess Statues.

Once you have the required number of hearts, approach the Master Sword and interact with it. Link will attempt to pull the sword, and a short cutscene will play showing him successfully drawing it. The Master Sword is a powerful weapon with a base attack power of 30, but it has a unique mechanic: it glows and becomes even stronger (with an attack power of 60) when you are in the presence of Calamity Ganon's influence, such as in Hyrule Castle or near Guardians. Additionally, the Master Sword does not break like other weapons. Instead, it runs out of energy and needs to recharge after extensive use. It takes about 10 minutes for the sword to fully recharge, during which time it cannot be used.

There are a few important tips and considerations to keep in mind. First, make sure you have enough hearts before attempting to pull the Master Sword. If you don't, you will be unable to complete the quest and will need to leave and return later. Second, the Master Sword is particularly effective against Guardians and other enemies associated with Calamity Ganon, so it's a good idea to use it strategically in those situations. Third, while the Master Sword is durable, it's not invincible, so be mindful of its energy levels during combat.

Common mistakes to avoid include attempting to pull the Master Sword without enough hearts, which will result in failure and force you to leave and come back later. Another mistake is not managing the sword's energy effectively, leading to situations where it runs out of power at a critical moment. To avoid this, keep an eye on the sword's glow; when it starts to dim, it's a sign that it's running low on energy.

Advanced techniques and optimizations involve using the Master Sword in conjunction with other powerful weapons and abilities. For example, combining the Master Sword with Urbosa's Fury or other Champion abilities can make you a formidable force in combat. Additionally, using the sword's enhanced power in areas like Hyrule Castle can help you clear out enemies more efficiently.

Required items and preparation include having at least 13 hearts, which may require completing several shrines and trading Spirit Orbs for heart containers. It's also a good idea to have a decent supply of healing items and armor upgrades, as the journey to the Korok Forest and the subsequent challenges can be demanding.

Alternative approaches to increasing your heart count include cooking meals that provide temporary heart increases, though these do not count toward the 13-heart requirement for the Master Sword. However, they can be useful for surviving tough battles on your way to the Korok Forest.

In summary, "The Forgotten Sword" side quest is a pivotal moment in Breath of the Wild, granting you access to the legendary Master Sword. By following the steps outlined above, preparing adequately, and avoiding common mistakes, you can successfully complete this quest and wield one of the game's most iconic weapons.