How do I unlock the "Trial of the Sword" challenge in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?
To unlock the "Trial of the Sword" challenge in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you must first own the game's Expansion Pass, which includes the "The Master Trials" DLC. This challenge is a significant part of the DLC and is designed to test your combat, resource management, and survival skills. The Trial of the Sword is a series of combat-focused trials that take place in a special area, and completing it will permanently upgrade the Master Sword, increasing its damage output from 30 to 60 when near Guardians or in the presence of Calamity Ganon's malice.
To begin, you need to have obtained the Master Sword. The Master Sword is located in the Korok Forest, within the Great Hyrule Forest region. To pull the sword from its pedestal, you must have at least 13 hearts. If you don't have enough hearts, you can temporarily increase your heart count by cooking and consuming meals that provide extra hearts, or by exchanging Spirit Orbs for heart containers at Goddess Statues. Once you have the Master Sword, you can proceed to unlock the Trial of the Sword.
The Trial of the Sword is accessed by placing the Master Sword back into its pedestal in the Korok Forest. When you do this, a new option will appear, allowing you to begin the trial. The trial is divided into three segments: the Beginning Trials, the Middle Trials, and the Final Trials. Each segment consists of multiple floors, with each floor presenting a unique combat scenario. You start each segment with no equipment, and you must scavenge for weapons, shields, and food as you progress through the floors. The goal is to survive all the floors in a segment without dying, as death will force you to restart the entire segment from the beginning.
Preparation is key before attempting the Trial of the Sword. It is highly recommended to have a full set of heart containers and stamina upgrades, as well as a good understanding of combat mechanics. Cooking meals that provide temporary heart increases, defense boosts, or attack boosts can be extremely helpful. Additionally, having a stock of fairies, which can revive you if you fall in battle, is a good idea. You can find fairies by visiting fairy fountains and sneaking up on them.
During the trial, resource management is crucial. Weapons and shields are limited, so you must use them wisely. Prioritize using weaker weapons first and save stronger ones for tougher enemies. Cooking food and elixirs from the ingredients you find can help sustain your health and provide buffs. Be mindful of your surroundings, as some floors have environmental hazards like fire, water, or cliffs that can be used to your advantage.
Combat techniques such as perfect dodges, parries, and flurry rushes are essential for conserving weapons and dealing with stronger enemies. Stealth can also be useful for avoiding unnecessary fights or setting up sneak attacks. Some floors have hidden chests containing valuable items, so take the time to explore and search for them.
Common mistakes to avoid include rushing into combat without a plan, wasting powerful weapons on weaker enemies, and neglecting to cook or heal when necessary. It's also important to stay calm and focused, as the trial can be challenging and stressful.
Advanced techniques include using the environment to your advantage, such as using metal objects to create electric traps or using fire to create updrafts for aerial attacks. Optimizing your inventory by dropping weaker weapons when you find stronger ones can also help.
Alternative approaches include using the Sheikah Sensor to locate hidden chests or enemies, and using the Stasis rune to freeze enemies and create openings for attacks. Some players prefer to focus on stealth and avoid combat whenever possible, while others prefer to engage in every fight to conserve resources.
Specific examples and scenarios include the floor with the Lizalfos in the Beginning Trials, where you can use stealth to sneak up on them and perform sneak strikes. Another example is the floor with the Guardian Scout in the Middle Trials, where you can use the environment to create cover and avoid its laser attacks.
In summary, the Trial of the Sword is a challenging but rewarding experience that tests your skills and resourcefulness. With proper preparation, careful resource management, and strategic combat techniques, you can successfully complete the trial and permanently upgrade the Master Sword.
To begin, you need to have obtained the Master Sword. The Master Sword is located in the Korok Forest, within the Great Hyrule Forest region. To pull the sword from its pedestal, you must have at least 13 hearts. If you don't have enough hearts, you can temporarily increase your heart count by cooking and consuming meals that provide extra hearts, or by exchanging Spirit Orbs for heart containers at Goddess Statues. Once you have the Master Sword, you can proceed to unlock the Trial of the Sword.
The Trial of the Sword is accessed by placing the Master Sword back into its pedestal in the Korok Forest. When you do this, a new option will appear, allowing you to begin the trial. The trial is divided into three segments: the Beginning Trials, the Middle Trials, and the Final Trials. Each segment consists of multiple floors, with each floor presenting a unique combat scenario. You start each segment with no equipment, and you must scavenge for weapons, shields, and food as you progress through the floors. The goal is to survive all the floors in a segment without dying, as death will force you to restart the entire segment from the beginning.
Preparation is key before attempting the Trial of the Sword. It is highly recommended to have a full set of heart containers and stamina upgrades, as well as a good understanding of combat mechanics. Cooking meals that provide temporary heart increases, defense boosts, or attack boosts can be extremely helpful. Additionally, having a stock of fairies, which can revive you if you fall in battle, is a good idea. You can find fairies by visiting fairy fountains and sneaking up on them.
During the trial, resource management is crucial. Weapons and shields are limited, so you must use them wisely. Prioritize using weaker weapons first and save stronger ones for tougher enemies. Cooking food and elixirs from the ingredients you find can help sustain your health and provide buffs. Be mindful of your surroundings, as some floors have environmental hazards like fire, water, or cliffs that can be used to your advantage.
Combat techniques such as perfect dodges, parries, and flurry rushes are essential for conserving weapons and dealing with stronger enemies. Stealth can also be useful for avoiding unnecessary fights or setting up sneak attacks. Some floors have hidden chests containing valuable items, so take the time to explore and search for them.
Common mistakes to avoid include rushing into combat without a plan, wasting powerful weapons on weaker enemies, and neglecting to cook or heal when necessary. It's also important to stay calm and focused, as the trial can be challenging and stressful.
Advanced techniques include using the environment to your advantage, such as using metal objects to create electric traps or using fire to create updrafts for aerial attacks. Optimizing your inventory by dropping weaker weapons when you find stronger ones can also help.
Alternative approaches include using the Sheikah Sensor to locate hidden chests or enemies, and using the Stasis rune to freeze enemies and create openings for attacks. Some players prefer to focus on stealth and avoid combat whenever possible, while others prefer to engage in every fight to conserve resources.
Specific examples and scenarios include the floor with the Lizalfos in the Beginning Trials, where you can use stealth to sneak up on them and perform sneak strikes. Another example is the floor with the Guardian Scout in the Middle Trials, where you can use the environment to create cover and avoid its laser attacks.
In summary, the Trial of the Sword is a challenging but rewarding experience that tests your skills and resourcefulness. With proper preparation, careful resource management, and strategic combat techniques, you can successfully complete the trial and permanently upgrade the Master Sword.