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

To start "The Hero's Cache" side quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you need to travel to the Outskirt Stable, which is located in the western part of Central Hyrule, near the edge of the Gerudo Desert. This stable is situated just south of the Coliseum Ruins and west of the Great Plateau. The quest is given by an NPC named Rensa, who can be found standing near the stable. Rensa is a former soldier who will task you with finding a hidden cache of weapons that belonged to the Hyrulean army.

To begin the quest, speak with Rensa at the Outskirt Stable. He will explain that he buried a cache of weapons near the stable during the Calamity, but he cannot remember the exact location. He will give you a clue: the cache is buried near a tree with a distinctive shape, and it is located somewhere between the stable and the Coliseum Ruins. This clue is intentionally vague, so you will need to explore the area to find the cache.

The first step is to head north from the Outskirt Stable toward the Coliseum Ruins. As you move in this direction, keep an eye out for a large, twisted tree that stands out from the surrounding landscape. This tree is the key to finding the cache. It is located on a small hill, and its unique shape makes it easy to spot once you know what to look for. When you find the tree, examine the ground near its base to locate the cache. You will need to use the Magnesis rune to detect the buried chest, as it is made of metal. Once you find the chest, pull it out of the ground using Magnesis and open it to retrieve the weapons inside.

The cache contains several high-quality weapons, including a Royal Broadsword, a Royal Halberd, and a Royal Shield. These weapons are some of the best you can find in the early to mid-game, so they are well worth the effort of completing the quest. After retrieving the weapons, return to Rensa at the Outskirt Stable to complete the quest. He will thank you for finding the cache and reward you with a Silver Rupee, which is worth 100 rupees.

There are a few important tips and considerations to keep in mind while completing this quest. First, make sure you have the Magnesis rune unlocked and ready to use. This rune is essential for detecting and retrieving the buried chest. If you have not yet unlocked Magnesis, you will need to complete the Ja Baij Shrine on the Great Plateau to obtain it. Second, be prepared for potential combat encounters in the area. The Coliseum Ruins are home to several powerful enemies, including a Lynel, so it is a good idea to have some strong weapons and armor before venturing too close to the ruins. If you are not ready to face these enemies, you can avoid them by staying to the south and west of the ruins while searching for the cache.

A common mistake players make is overlooking the twisted tree or not recognizing it as the key to finding the cache. The tree is located on a small hill, and its unique shape makes it stand out, but it can be easy to miss if you are not paying close attention. Take your time to explore the area thoroughly, and use the Sheikah Sensor to help locate the chest if you have upgraded it to detect treasure chests.

For advanced players, there are a few optimizations you can use to make the quest easier. If you have the Sheikah Sensor upgraded to detect treasure chests, you can use it to pinpoint the location of the cache more quickly. Additionally, if you have the Master Cycle Zero from The Champions' Ballad DLC, you can use it to cover the distance between the stable and the cache more quickly. This can save time if you are trying to complete the quest as efficiently as possible.

In terms of preparation, you do not need any specific items to complete the quest, but having a few strong weapons and some healing items is always a good idea, especially if you plan to explore the Coliseum Ruins. The area around the cache is relatively safe, but the ruins themselves are home to some of the game's toughest enemies, so it is best to be prepared for anything.

An alternative approach to finding the cache is to use the Sheikah Sensor to detect treasure chests. If you have upgraded the sensor to detect chests, you can use it to locate the cache without relying on Rensa's clue. This method can be faster, but it requires you to have completed the "Hunt for Treasure" side quest at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab to upgrade the sensor.

In summary, "The Hero's Cache" is a straightforward side quest that rewards you with some powerful weapons and a decent amount of rupees. The key to completing the quest is finding the twisted tree near the Outskirt Stable and using the Magnesis rune to retrieve the buried chest. With a little exploration and preparation, you can easily complete this quest and add some valuable weapons to your arsenal.