How do I start the "The Statue's Bargain" side quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

To start "The Statue's Bargain" side quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you need to visit Hateno Village, a location in the eastern part of Hyrule. This quest involves interacting with a mysterious statue that offers a unique trade involving your heart containers or stamina vessels. Here is a detailed guide to help you navigate this quest.

First, you need to reach Hateno Village. If you haven't been there yet, it is located in the Necluda region, east of Kakariko Village. You can reach it by following the road east from Kakariko or by traveling directly from the Dueling Peaks area. Once in Hateno Village, head to the northern part of the village, near the school and the general store. Look for a small, secluded area with a statue that has glowing eyes. This is the Horned Statue, which is central to the quest.

When you approach the Horned Statue, it will speak to you and offer a deal. The statue will ask if you are willing to trade a part of your essence, specifically a heart container or a stamina vessel, in exchange for something else. This is the core mechanic of the quest. The statue allows you to exchange one heart container for 100 rupees or one stamina vessel for 120 rupees. Alternatively, you can buy back a heart container or stamina vessel for 120 rupees or 100 rupees, respectively.

To proceed, you need to decide whether you want to trade a heart container or a stamina vessel. This decision depends on your current needs and playstyle. If you have extra heart containers and need more stamina for climbing or running, you might choose to trade a heart for stamina. Conversely, if you have plenty of stamina but need more health, you might trade a stamina vessel for a heart container. The statue will guide you through the process, and you can make the trade by selecting the appropriate option in the dialogue.

One important tip is to carefully consider your current situation before making any trades. Heart containers are crucial for surviving tough battles, while stamina vessels are essential for exploration and climbing. If you are early in the game and have limited resources, it might be wise to hold off on trading until you have a better understanding of your needs. Additionally, keep in mind that you can always buy back what you traded, but it will cost more rupees than you initially received.

A common mistake players make is trading away too many heart containers or stamina vessels without considering the long-term impact on their gameplay. This can leave you underprepared for challenging enemies or difficult terrain. To avoid this, plan your trades carefully and only exchange what you can afford to lose. Another mistake is not having enough rupees to buy back what you traded. Make sure you have a sufficient amount of rupees before engaging in any trades with the statue.

For advanced players, optimizing your heart and stamina balance can be a strategic move. For example, if you are preparing for a specific boss fight that requires more health, you might temporarily trade stamina for hearts. After the fight, you can revert the trade to regain your stamina. This flexibility allows you to adapt to different challenges as they arise. Additionally, if you have completed many shrines and have a surplus of spirit orbs, you can use the statue to fine-tune your heart and stamina balance to suit your playstyle.

Preparation for this quest is relatively simple. You need to have at least one heart container or stamina vessel to trade, and you should have some rupees on hand in case you want to buy back what you traded. There are no specific items required, but having a good understanding of your current health and stamina needs is crucial. If you are low on rupees, consider selling excess materials or completing other side quests to build up your funds.

An alternative approach to this quest is to ignore the statue entirely if you are satisfied with your current heart and stamina balance. The quest is entirely optional, and you can choose not to engage with the statue if you prefer to keep your resources as they are. However, for players looking to optimize their character build, the statue offers a unique opportunity to adjust their stats.

In summary, "The Statue's Bargain" side quest in Hateno Village allows you to trade heart containers and stamina vessels for rupees and vice versa. To start the quest, find the Horned Statue in the northern part of Hateno Village and interact with it. Carefully consider your needs before making any trades, and ensure you have enough rupees to buy back what you trade if necessary. Avoid trading too many hearts or stamina vessels at once, and use the statue strategically to optimize your character build. This quest offers flexibility and customization, making it a valuable option for players looking to fine-tune their gameplay experience.