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. The Thunder Helm is a powerful item that grants immunity to lightning, and it is initially owned by Riju, the chief of the Gerudo. She will lend it to you only after you prove your worth by assisting her people. Here is a detailed guide to completing this quest.

First, you need to gain access to Gerudo Town. Since only women are allowed inside, you must obtain the Gerudo disguise by completing the "Forbidden City Entry" side quest. This involves purchasing the Gerudo outfit from the clothing shop in Kara Kara Bazaar, which costs 600 rupees. Once you have the outfit, you can enter Gerudo Town and speak to Riju in the palace. She will explain that the Thunder Helm is a sacred item and that you must help her people before she can lend it to you.

The quest requires you to complete four smaller quests given by the townsfolk. These quests are "The Search for Barta," "Medicinal Molduga," "The Eighth Heroine," and "The Mystery Polluter." Each of these quests has its own challenges and mechanics, so letÔÇÖs break them down one by one.

"The Search for Barta" involves finding a Gerudo woman named Barta, who has gone missing in the desert. She can be found trapped in the East Barrens, near the Yiga Clan hideout. You will need to defeat the Yiga Clan members guarding her and then escort her back to Gerudo Town. This quest tests your combat skills, as the Yiga Clan members are quick and can deal significant damage if youÔÇÖre not careful. Use stealth to approach them or prepare with strong weapons and shields.

"Medicinal Molduga" requires you to defeat a Molduga, a large sand-dwelling creature, and retrieve its guts. Moldugas are found in the Gerudo Desert, and they are aggressive enemies that can be challenging to defeat. The best strategy is to use bombs to lure them out of the sand and then attack them while they are stunned. Aim for their weak spots to deal maximum damage. Once you defeat the Molduga, collect its guts and bring them to Malena, who is suffering from an illness.

"The Eighth Heroine" is a shrine quest that involves finding a giant statue of an eighth heroine hidden in the Gerudo Highlands. The statue is located in the northern part of the highlands, and you will need to solve a puzzle to reveal the shrine. The puzzle involves aligning the statue with the other seven heroines visible in the distance. Use your Sheikah Sensor to locate the shrine and complete the puzzle to unlock it.

"The Mystery Polluter" requires you to investigate the source of pollution in the townÔÇÖs water supply. The culprit is a man named Dalia, who has been dumping waste into the water. Speak to her and convince her to stop polluting. This quest is more about dialogue and persuasion, so choose your responses carefully to resolve the situation peacefully.

Once you have completed all four quests, return to Riju in the palace. She will be impressed by your efforts and will lend you the Thunder Helm as a reward. The Thunder Helm is a valuable item that protects you from lightning strikes, making it especially useful in areas with frequent thunderstorms or when fighting enemies that use electric attacks.

Some important tips and considerations include preparing adequately for each quest. For example, bring plenty of healing items and strong weapons for the combat-heavy quests like "The Search for Barta" and "Medicinal Molduga." For "The Eighth Heroine," make sure you have warm clothing or elixirs to withstand the cold temperatures in the Gerudo Highlands. Additionally, save your game frequently to avoid losing progress if you encounter difficulties.

Common mistakes to avoid include underestimating the Yiga Clan members in "The Search for Barta" and not using bombs effectively against the Molduga in "Medicinal Molduga." Also, ensure you have the correct gear for the environmental challenges in "The Eighth Heroine."

Advanced techniques or optimizations include using stealth to avoid unnecessary combat in "The Search for Barta" and using elemental arrows or weapons to deal extra damage to the Molduga. For "The Eighth Heroine," you can use the Paraglider to reach the statue more quickly.

Required items and preparation include the Gerudo outfit for entering Gerudo Town, warm clothing or elixirs for the Gerudo Highlands, and strong weapons and shields for combat. Additionally, having a good supply of arrows and bombs will be helpful.

Alternative approaches include using different strategies for combat, such as relying on stealth or using environmental hazards to your advantage. For example, you can use the sand seals to traverse the desert more quickly and avoid Molduga attacks.

In summary, completing "The Thunder Helm" side quest involves helping the Gerudo people through a series of smaller quests. By following the steps outlined above and preparing adequately, you can successfully complete the quest and obtain the Thunder Helm, a valuable item that provides immunity to lightning.