How do I complete the "The Thunder Helm" side quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

To complete "The Thunder Helm" side quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you must help the Gerudo people in Gerudo Town by completing several smaller quests. This quest becomes available after you have freed Vah Naboris, the Divine Beast in the Gerudo region, and spoken to Riju, the Gerudo chief. The Thunder Helm is a powerful piece of armor that grants immunity to lightning strikes, and Riju will lend it to you once you have proven yourself by assisting her people.

First, you need to speak to Riju in the throne room of Gerudo Town. She will explain that the Thunder Helm is a sacred relic of the Gerudo and that she cannot lend it to you until you have helped her people. She will direct you to speak with various Gerudo townsfolk who have tasks for you. There are four main quests you need to complete: "The Search for Barta," "Medicinal Molduga," "The Mystery Polluter," and "The Eighth Heroine."

For "The Search for Barta," you need to find a Gerudo named Barta who has gone missing in the desert. She can be found at the Kara Kara Bazaar, where she is resting after being attacked by monsters. Speak to her, and she will ask you to retrieve her prized heirloom, the Golden Claymore, from the monsters who took it. The monsters are located in a nearby cave. Defeat them and return the Golden Claymore to Barta to complete this quest.

For "Medicinal Molduga," you need to help a Gerudo named Malena who is suffering from an illness. She will ask you to bring her a Molduga Guts, which can be obtained by defeating a Molduga, a large sand-dwelling creature found in the Gerudo Desert. Moldugas are tough enemies, so it is recommended to use bombs or arrows to attack them from a distance. Once you have the Molduga Guts, return to Malena to complete this quest.

For "The Mystery Polluter," you need to investigate a strange smell coming from the water supply in Gerudo Town. Speak to Liana, who will tell you that the water has been contaminated. Follow the smell to the source, which is a pile of garbage in the town's reservoir. Use Magnesis to remove the metal objects from the water, then speak to Liana again to complete this quest.

For "The Eighth Heroine," you need to help a Gerudo named Bozai who is researching the legend of the Eighth Heroine. He will ask you to find the missing statue of the Eighth Heroine, which is located in the Gerudo Highlands. The statue is hidden in a cave, and you will need to solve a puzzle involving orbs and pedestals to access it. Once you have found the statue, return to Bozai to complete this quest.

After completing all four quests, return to Riju in the throne room. She will be impressed by your efforts and will lend you the Thunder Helm as a reward. The Thunder Helm is a powerful piece of armor that grants immunity to lightning strikes, making it very useful in areas with frequent thunderstorms.

Some important tips and considerations for completing this quest include making sure you have enough weapons and arrows to defeat the Molduga, as it is a tough enemy. It is also helpful to have the Sheikah Sensor upgraded to detect treasure chests, as this can make finding the Golden Claymore easier. Additionally, having the Magnesis rune upgraded can help with removing the garbage from the water supply in "The Mystery Polluter" quest.

Common mistakes to avoid include not preparing adequately for the Molduga fight, as it can be challenging without the right equipment. Another mistake is not following the clues carefully in "The Eighth Heroine" quest, as the statue can be difficult to find without paying attention to the environment.

Advanced techniques or optimizations include using stealth to avoid unnecessary fights while searching for Barta and the Golden Claymore. You can also use the environment to your advantage in the Molduga fight, such as using the high ground to attack from a safe distance.

Required items and preparation include having a good supply of weapons, arrows, and healing items. It is also helpful to have the Sheikah Sensor upgraded and the Magnesis rune ready for use.

Alternative approaches include using different strategies to defeat the Molduga, such as using elemental arrows or bombs. You can also explore the Gerudo Desert more thoroughly to find additional resources and treasures that can help you in your quest.

Specific examples and scenarios include the fight with the Molduga, where you can use the environment to your advantage by attacking from a high vantage point. Another example is the puzzle in "The Eighth Heroine" quest, where you need to place orbs on pedestals in the correct order to access the hidden statue.

In conclusion, completing "The Thunder Helm" side quest requires helping the Gerudo people by completing four smaller quests. By following the steps outlined above and using the tips and strategies provided, you can successfully complete this quest and obtain the powerful Thunder Helm.