How do I complete the "The Hero's Cache" shrine quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

The "The Hero's Cache" shrine quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a shrine quest that leads you to the hidden Sho Dantu Shrine. This quest is located in the Wasteland region of the Gerudo Desert, and it requires you to solve a puzzle involving a sand seal and a specific pattern in the sand. Here is a detailed guide on how to complete this quest.

To start the quest, you need to speak to Rotana, a Gerudo scholar, who can be found in Gerudo Town. She is located in the library on the second floor of the chief's house. Rotana will tell you about an ancient legend involving a hero who left a cache of treasure in the desert. She will give you a clue about the location of the treasure, which is tied to a specific pattern in the sand dunes.

The clue Rotana provides is: "The hero left his treasure in the shadow of the northernmost labyrinth, where the sun's rays shine upon the crest of the seventh heroine." This means you need to head to the northernmost labyrinth in the Gerudo Desert, which is the Lomei Labyrinth Island. However, the shrine is not inside the labyrinth itself but in the desert nearby.

To find the shrine, you need to look for a specific pattern in the sand dunes near the labyrinth. The pattern resembles a large crest or emblem, and it is located to the southwest of the labyrinth. When you find the correct spot, you will notice a circular indentation in the sand. This is where the shrine will appear once you complete the puzzle.

The puzzle involves using a sand seal to create the pattern in the sand. You will need to ride a sand seal and follow the path that forms the crest. The path is not immediately obvious, so you may need to experiment with different routes. The key is to follow the natural curves and lines of the sand dunes to recreate the pattern. Once you have successfully traced the pattern, the Sho Dantu Shrine will rise from the sand.

Here are some important tips and considerations for completing this quest. First, make sure you have a sand seal and a shield. You can rent a sand seal from the sand seal rental place in Gerudo Town, or you can catch one in the wild. Using a shield is essential because it allows you to ride the sand seal and control your movement more precisely. Second, pay close attention to the shape of the sand dunes. The pattern you need to trace is subtle, so take your time to observe the landscape and identify the correct path.

Common mistakes to avoid include rushing through the puzzle without carefully observing the sand dunes. The pattern is not immediately obvious, and if you try to rush, you may miss the correct path. Another mistake is not using a shield while riding the sand seal. Without a shield, you will not be able to control your movement effectively, making it difficult to trace the pattern accurately.

Advanced techniques or optimizations include using the camera rune to take pictures of the sand dunes from different angles. This can help you get a better view of the pattern and plan your route more effectively. Additionally, you can use the paraglider to get a bird's-eye view of the area, which can make it easier to spot the correct path.

Required items and preparation include a sand seal, a shield, and possibly some stamina-restoring food or elixirs. Riding a sand seal can be stamina-intensive, so having some stamina-restoring items can be helpful, especially if you need to make multiple attempts to trace the pattern correctly.

Alternative approaches include using a sand seal you have caught in the wild instead of renting one. This can save you some rupees, but it requires you to have already caught a sand seal. Another alternative is to use the Master Cycle Zero if you have it, as it can also be used to ride across the sand dunes, though it may be more challenging to control.

In summary, completing "The Hero's Cache" shrine quest involves finding the correct pattern in the sand dunes near the Lomei Labyrinth Island and tracing it with a sand seal. Pay close attention to the shape of the sand dunes, use a shield to control your movement, and take your time to ensure you trace the pattern accurately. With careful observation and patience, you will be able to uncover the Sho Dantu Shrine and complete the quest.