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

To start "The Thunder Helm" side quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you need to visit Gerudo Town, which is located in the Gerudo Desert in the southwestern part of Hyrule. This quest is tied to the Gerudo people and their leader, Riju, and it becomes available after you have completed the main quest "Divine Beast Vah Naboris." Here is a detailed guide on how to start and complete this quest.

First, you need to have completed the main quest "Divine Beast Vah Naboris." This involves freeing the Divine Beast from Calamity Ganon's control and defeating Thunderblight Ganon. Once this is done, return to Gerudo Town and speak to Riju, the leader of the Gerudo. She will be in the throne room of the palace. Riju will mention that the Thunder Helm, a powerful artifact that protects the wearer from lightning, is a treasured item of the Gerudo. However, she will not give it to you directly. Instead, she will tell you that you need to earn the trust of the Gerudo people by helping them with their problems.

To start the quest, you need to speak to the various Gerudo townsfolk who have issues that need resolving. There are four specific side quests you must complete to gain their trust. These quests are "The Mystery Polluter," "The Search for Barta," "Medicinal Molduga," and "The Eighth Heroine." Each of these quests involves different tasks and challenges, so let's break them down one by one.

"The Mystery Polluter" is given by Dalia, who can be found near the water reservoir in Gerudo Town. She is concerned about the water being polluted. To solve this, you need to find the source of the pollution, which is a man named Bozai. He is standing near the reservoir, and you will notice that he is throwing rocks into the water. Speak to him and convince him to stop polluting the water. Once he agrees, return to Dalia to complete the quest.

"The Search for Barta" is given by Malena, who is worried about her friend Barta. Barta has gone missing, and you need to find her. Head to the Kara Kara Bazaar, which is located southeast of Gerudo Town. You will find Barta there, relaxing in the hot springs. Speak to her, and she will return to Gerudo Town. Report back to Malena to complete the quest.

"Medicinal Molduga" is given by Liana, who is looking for Molduga Guts to create medicine. Moldugas are large, sand-dwelling creatures found in the Gerudo Desert. You will need to defeat a Molduga and collect its guts. Moldugas are tough enemies, so make sure you are well-prepared with strong weapons, armor, and healing items. Once you have the Molduga Guts, return to Liana to complete the quest.

"The Eighth Heroine" is given by Rotana, who is researching the legend of the Seven Heroines. She will ask you to find the missing eighth heroine statue. This quest involves traveling to the Gerudo Highlands and locating the statue. The statue is hidden in a cave, and you will need to solve a puzzle to access it. Once you find the statue, return to Rotana to complete the quest.

After completing these four side quests, return to Riju in the throne room. She will acknowledge your efforts and grant you the Thunder Helm as a reward. The Thunder Helm is a powerful piece of equipment that makes you immune to lightning strikes, which can be very useful in certain areas of the game.

Some important tips and considerations for this quest include making sure you have enough resources and equipment to handle the challenges, especially when fighting the Molduga. It is also helpful to have the Gerudo Vai outfit, as it allows you to enter Gerudo Town without any issues. Additionally, take your time to explore and talk to the townsfolk, as they may provide useful hints and information.

Common mistakes to avoid include not being prepared for the Molduga fight and missing the location of the eighth heroine statue. Make sure to stock up on healing items and strong weapons before taking on the Molduga. For the eighth heroine statue, pay close attention to the clues provided by Rotana and explore the Gerudo Highlands thoroughly.

Advanced techniques or optimizations include using stealth to approach the Molduga and using bombs to lure it out of the sand. For the eighth heroine statue, you can use the Sheikah Sensor to detect the shrine nearby, which can help you locate the statue more easily.

Required items and preparation include strong weapons, armor, healing items, and the Gerudo Vai outfit. You may also want to bring along some stamina-restoring food or elixirs, as some of the quests involve a lot of running and climbing.

Alternative approaches include completing the quests in any order you prefer. You can also use different strategies to defeat the Molduga, such as using elemental arrows or exploiting its weaknesses.

Specific examples and scenarios include the fight with the Molduga, where you can use bombs to lure it out of the sand and then attack it when it surfaces. For the eighth heroine statue, you can use the Sheikah Sensor to detect the shrine nearby, which can help you locate the statue more easily.

In conclusion, "The Thunder Helm" side quest is a rewarding challenge that requires you to help the Gerudo people with their problems. By completing the four required side quests, you can earn the trust of the Gerudo and receive the powerful Thunder Helm as a reward. Make sure to prepare well, explore thoroughly, and use the tips and strategies provided to successfully complete this quest.