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

To start "The Sheep Rustlers" side quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you need to travel to Hateno Village, a peaceful settlement located in the eastern part of Hyrule. This quest involves helping a villager named Pruce, who is concerned about his missing sheep. The quest is relatively simple but requires some preparation and understanding of the game's mechanics to complete efficiently.

First, you need to locate Pruce. He can be found near the entrance of Hateno Village, close to the bridge that leads into the village. Pruce will be standing near a pen where his sheep are supposed to be. When you approach him, he will express his worry about his missing sheep and ask for your help in retrieving them. This dialogue will officially start the quest.

Once the quest is active, your next step is to find the missing sheep. The sheep have wandered off to the nearby Hateno Beach, which is located to the south of the village. To reach the beach, head south from Hateno Village, following the path that leads down to the coastline. As you approach the beach, you will notice the sheep scattered around the area. There are three sheep in total that you need to retrieve.

The mechanics involved in this quest are straightforward but require some patience. You need to guide the sheep back to Pruce's pen. The sheep will follow you if you get close to them, but they can be easily startled and run away if you move too quickly or make sudden movements. To avoid this, walk slowly and steadily towards the sheep. Once you are close enough, they will start following you. You can then lead them back to the pen.

One important tip is to avoid using any weapons or running near the sheep, as this can scare them off. If a sheep gets scared and runs away, you will need to wait for it to calm down before approaching it again. This can be time-consuming, so it's best to move carefully from the start.

Another consideration is the terrain. The path from the beach back to the village is not entirely flat, and there are some obstacles like rocks and trees that can block the sheep's path. Make sure to guide the sheep around these obstacles to prevent them from getting stuck. If a sheep does get stuck, you may need to reposition yourself to encourage it to move in the right direction.

A common mistake players make is trying to rush through the quest. Taking your time and being patient is key to successfully completing this quest. Rushing can lead to the sheep getting scared and running off, which will only prolong the process.

For advanced techniques, you can use stealth to approach the sheep without startling them. Equipping stealth-enhancing armor, such as the Sheikah Set, can make this easier. Additionally, using stealth-enhancing food or elixirs can help you move more quietly and reduce the chances of scaring the sheep.

Preparation for this quest is minimal, but having stealth-enhancing items can be beneficial. You do not need any specific weapons or tools, but having a good understanding of the game's movement mechanics will help.

An alternative approach is to use a horse to guide the sheep. While this is not necessary, it can make the process faster. However, you need to be careful not to scare the sheep with the horse, so this method requires some practice.

In summary, "The Sheep Rustlers" side quest is a simple but enjoyable task that involves guiding three sheep back to their pen in Hateno Village. By moving slowly, avoiding sudden movements, and being mindful of the terrain, you can complete the quest efficiently. Using stealth-enhancing items or a horse can provide additional advantages, but the key to success is patience and careful movement.