How do I complete the "A Gift for My Beloved" side quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

The "A Gift for My Beloved" side quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a charming and relatively simple quest that involves helping a Zora named Laflat find a special gift for her beloved, a Zora named Kayden. The quest is located in Zora's Domain, a key area in the game, and it requires you to find a specific item to complete it. Here is a detailed guide on how to complete this quest, including mechanics, strategies, and tips.

To start the quest, you need to speak with Laflat, who is standing near the center of Zora's Domain. She will explain that she wants to give Kayden a gift to express her feelings but is unsure what to give him. She mentions that Kayden loves luminous stones, which are glowing blue stones found in various locations around Hyrule. Laflat asks you to bring her 10 luminous stones so she can create a special gift for Kayden.

The first step is to gather 10 luminous stones. Luminous stones are relatively common in the game, but they are most abundant in areas with rocky terrain, such as cliffs, caves, and near bodies of water. One of the best places to farm luminous stones is around Zora's Domain itself, particularly in the surrounding cliffs and hills. You can also find them in the Lanayru region, especially near the Lanayru Wetlands and the East Reservoir Lake. To collect the stones, you need to use a weapon or tool to break the glowing blue rocks. Bombs are an effective and resource-efficient way to break these rocks, as they do not consume weapon durability.

Once you have gathered 10 luminous stones, return to Laflat in Zora's Domain. She will be delighted and will take the stones to create a special gift for Kayden. In return, she will reward you with a diamond, which is a valuable and rare material used for crafting and upgrading certain armor sets. The quest is now complete, and you can continue exploring or take on other challenges.

There are a few important tips and considerations to keep in mind while completing this quest. First, luminous stones are not only used for this quest but are also valuable for trading and crafting. If you are low on luminous stones, consider farming them in areas where they are abundant, such as the cliffs around Zora's Domain or the Lanayru Wetlands. Second, using bombs to break the stones is a good strategy because it conserves your weapons, which can be important if you are running low on durable weapons. Third, if you are having trouble finding luminous stones, you can use the Sheikah Sensor+ to detect them. This requires upgrading your Sheikah Slate at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab, but it can be a useful tool for locating specific materials.

A common mistake to avoid is selling or using your luminous stones for other purposes before completing the quest. Since luminous stones are used in various recipes and trades, it can be tempting to use them elsewhere, but make sure to keep at least 10 in your inventory until you complete this quest. Another mistake is not using bombs to break the stones, which can lead to unnecessary wear and tear on your weapons.

For advanced players, there are a few optimizations you can consider. If you have already explored the Lanayru region and have a good understanding of where luminous stones spawn, you can quickly gather the required stones without much trouble. Additionally, if you have the Sheikah Sensor+ upgraded, you can set it to detect luminous stones, making the gathering process faster and more efficient. Another optimization is to use the Master Sword, if you have it, to break the stones, as it does not consume durability when used on non-enemy targets.

In terms of preparation, you do not need any special items or equipment to complete this quest. However, having a few bombs or a durable weapon can make the process of breaking the stones easier. If you are low on bombs, you can craft more at a cooking pot using materials like flint and wood.

An alternative approach to this quest is to trade luminous stones with Ledo, a Zora stonemason located near the Zora's Domain shrine. Ledo offers to trade luminous stones for diamonds, which can be a useful way to obtain diamonds if you are in need of them. However, this trade requires 10 luminous stones, so if you are completing the "A Gift for My Beloved" quest, you will need to gather an additional 10 stones if you want to trade with Ledo.

In conclusion, the "A Gift for My Beloved" side quest is a straightforward but rewarding task that involves gathering 10 luminous stones for Laflat. By following the steps outlined above, you can efficiently complete the quest and earn a valuable diamond as a reward. Remember to use bombs to conserve weapon durability, avoid using your luminous stones for other purposes before completing the quest, and consider using the Sheikah Sensor+ to locate the stones more easily. With these tips and strategies, you can successfully complete the quest and continue your adventure in Hyrule.