1 Why This Item Matters
The Master Sword is not just the most iconic weapon in the Zelda franchise — it is the single best one-handed sword in Tears of the Kingdom for general combat, Fuse potential, and narrative significance. Unlike Breath of the Wild where you simply needed 13 Heart Containers to pull it from Korok Forest, TOTK completely reimagines the acquisition method. This time, the sword is embedded in the head of the Light Dragon (Naydra's transformed state) and cannot be obtained until you complete the "Impa and the Geoglyphs" main quest and collect all 12 Dragon's Tears scattered across Hyrule's Surface, Sky, and Depths.
Once restored, the Master Sword has a base attack power of 30, which may sound underwhelming compared to some late-game fused weapons. But here's the key: the Master Sword possesses a unique property called "Sword of Legend" that makes it unbreakable during key moments. More importantly, it has exceptional synergy with the Fuse system — fusing a Silver Lynel Horn (55 attack) to the Master Sword creates a weapon with 85 base attack that never runs out of durability in critical combat scenarios. No other one-handed weapon in the game offers this combination of reliability and raw power.
What Makes the Master Sword Special in TOTK
- Unlimited Durability in Critical Moments: The sword glows blue and consumes no durability when fighting Gloom-afflicted enemies, bosses, and in the Depths. This effectively makes it an infinite-use weapon against the hardest content in the game.
- Best-in-Class Fuse Compatibility: The Master Sword accepts Fuse materials better than any other one-handed weapon. A fused Silver Lynel Horn creates an 85-attack weapon with the swing speed of a one-hander.
- Beam Attack at Full Hearts: Throwing the Master Sword at full health launches the iconic Sword Beam, dealing ranged damage for zero durability cost. This is devastating against flying enemies and Octoroks.
- Required for True Ending: You cannot access the complete ending sequence and final boss encounter without the restored Master Sword. If you want to see the full conclusion of TOTK's story, this weapon is mandatory.
- Unique Model and Lore: The restored Master Sword has a distinct glowing appearance that sets it apart from every other weapon in the game. It is the narrative centerpiece of the entire Dragon's Tears questline.
Bottom line: if you plan to tackle the Depths, defeat Ganon, or explore the game's hardest content, the Master Sword is not optional — it is the single most important item you can obtain. The questline to get it is long, but the reward permanently upgrades your combat capability across the entire game.
2 Craft / Fuse Recipe
The Master Sword is not crafted in the traditional sense. You do not gather materials at a cooking pot or workshop. Instead, you must complete a multi-step quest chain that culminates in pulling the sword from the Light Dragon's head. Think of it as a "quest recipe" — each ingredient is a story checkpoint.
Quest Chain Overview
| Step | Requirement | Location / Trigger | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Complete Great Sky Island tutorial | Sky Islands | Mandatory prerequisite. Must finish all four shrines and receive the Purah Pad. |
| 2 | Reach Lookout Landing | Hyrule Field (-0254, 0152, 0025) | Talk to Purah and progress the main quest to "Regional Phenomena." |
| 3 | Start "Impa and the Geoglyphs" | New Serenne Stable (-1349, 0733, 0086) | Talk to Impa and Cado. Unlock the hot-air balloon to view Geoglyphs from above. |
| 4 | Collect Dragon's Tear #1 (Compulsory) | Northwest of Hyrule Ridge (-2550, 1170, 0170) | First tear is required to progress the quest. View from Impa's balloon. |
| 5 | Collect Dragon's Tears #2 through #12 | See Materials section below for all 12 locations | Can be collected in any order after tear #1, but viewing order matters for lore. |
| 6 | Reach Light Dragon and pull sword | Light Dragon's flight path (varies) | Requires 2 full Stamina Wheels (or stamina food) to pull successfully. |
Fuse Recommendations (Post-Acquisition)
Once you have the Master Sword, the real power comes from Fusion. Here are the best materials to fuse:
| Fuse Material | Attack Bonus | Total Attack | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Lynel Saber Horn | +55 | 85 | Highest DPS — best overall choice for boss fights |
| Silver Lynel Mace Horn | +51 | 81 | Blunt damage — breaks armor, effective against rock enemies |
| Gleeok Thunder Horn | +30 | 60 | Elemental AoE — chain lightning in wet environments |
| Gleeok Flame Horn | +30 | 60 | Fire damage — effective against ice enemies and plants |
| Diamond | +25 | 55 | General use — good balance, no special properties needed |
| none (base sword) | — | 30 | Sword Beam throws at full hearts — infinite ranged attacks |
Pro Tip: The Master Sword's "awakened" state (blue glow) during Gloom encounters means zero durability drain. During these moments, your fused weapon effectively has infinite uses. Save your best fuse materials (Silver Lynel Horns) for the Master Sword rather than wasting them on breakable base weapons.
3 Materials & Locations
Each Dragon's Tear is located at a massive Geoglyph — a ground painting visible only from the sky. You must approach the eye of each Geoglyph and interact with the tear pool to collect it. The tears are numbered here in lore-recommended viewing order (the order the memories make narrative sense), but you can physically collect them in any order after obtaining Tear #1.
The 12 Dragon's Tears — Complete Location Guide
Tear of the Dragon #1 — "The Master Sword"
Location: Northwest of Hyrule Ridge, in a grassy valley
Approximate Coordinates: -2550, 1170, 0170
Landmark: Look for the massive sword-shaped Geoglyph painted on the grass. This is the first tear you collect during the "Impa and the Geoglyphs" quest. Impa's hot-air balloon drops you directly nearby.
Memory Content: The first memory shows Zelda discovering the Master Sword has traveled through time. Required to unlock the remaining 11 tears.
Tear of the Dragon #2 — "The Sages' Vow"
Location: Tabantha Frontier, north of Hebra Tower
Approximate Coordinates: -1864, 2846, 0220
Landmark: Near the edge of the Hebra snowfields. The Geoglyph depicts a dragon with outstretched wings. Use the nearby Lindor's Brow Skyview Tower to launch and glide down.
Access Tip: Cold resistance level 2 recommended. Bring Snowquill armor or spicy food.
Tear of the Dragon #3 — "Mineru's Counsel"
Location: Eldin Canyon, south of Death Mountain
Approximate Coordinates: 1856, 2712, 0510
Landmark: On the volcanic slopes above Goron City. The Geoglyph shows an ancient Zonai pattern. Use Eldin Canyon Skyview Tower or glide from Death Mountain's summit.
Access Tip: Fireproof elixir or Flamebreaker armor required. The area has lava hazards and high temperatures.
Tear of the Dragon #4 — "The Gerudo Assault"
Location: Gerudo Desert, southwest of Kara Kara Bazaar
Approximate Coordinates: -3096, -3060, 0040
Landmark: In the western desert wastes. The Geoglyph depicts a figure holding a weapon. Use Gerudo Canyon Skyview Tower to launch southwest.
Access Tip: Heat resistance level 2 required for daytime approach. Consider traveling at night to avoid heat. Molduga patrols nearby — bring bomb flowers or avoid the sand.
Tear of the Dragon #5 — "A Show of Fealty"
Location: Faron Grasslands, west of Lakeside Stable
Approximate Coordinates: 0692, -3300, 0060
Landmark: On the rolling hills near the Faron Sea. The Geoglyph shows a large hand pattern. Launch from Popla Foothills Skyview Tower and glide southeast.
Access Tip: Relatively accessible. Watch for Thunder Gloom hands at night. A Hinox sleeps nearby during daylight hours.
Tear of the Dragon #6 — "Zelda's Wish"
Location: Hyrule Field, south of Lookout Landing
Approximate Coordinates: -0254, -1072, 0050
Landmark: Visible from the Great Sky Island descent path. The Geoglyph depicts a Triforce-like shape. This is one of the easiest tears to reach — it's practically in Central Hyrule's backyard.
Access Tip: No special gear needed. Multiple Bokoblin camps nearby for easy farming if you want extra materials.
Tear of the Dragon #7 — "The Imprisoning War"
Location: Akkala Highlands, northeast of South Akkala Stable
Approximate Coordinates: 3340, 1200, 0180
Landmark: On the highlands overlooking the Akkala Sea. The Geoglyph shows a fortress under siege. Use Ulri Mountain Skyview Tower and glide northeast.
Access Tip: Moderate enemy density. Several Yiga Footsoldiers patrol the area. Consider stealth food or taking them out from range.
Tear of the Dragon #8 — "The Demon King's Army"
Location: Lanayru Wetlands, west of Kakariko Village
Approximate Coordinates: 1840, -1020, 0130
Landmark: In the marshy area visible from the road to Kakariko. The Geoglyph depicts a wave of dark soldiers. Launch from Mount Lanayru Skyview Tower and glide northwest.
Access Tip: Marsh terrain slows movement. Use Ascend or Ultrahand to build platforms. Electric Lizalfos patrol the wetlands.
Tear of the Dragon #9 — "The Sacred Tree"
Location: Great Hyrule Forest, northeast of Korok Forest
Approximate Coordinates: 0410, 2120, 0150
Landmark: On the edge of the Lost Woods fog zone. The Geoglyph shows a massive Deku Tree pattern. You must navigate the Lost Woods from the Depths (using the Ninjis Shrine ascend point) or approach from the sky to avoid the fog maze.
Access Tip: The Lost Woods fog will teleport you out if you enter from the surface. Use the Ninjis Shrine in the Depths beneath the forest, then Ascend directly into the woods. This is the most complicated tear to reach.
Tear of the Dragon #10 — "The Sages Assemble"
Location: Hebra Mountains, near the summit
Approximate Coordinates: -3950, 1780, 0120
Landmark: High on a plateau in the western Hebra range. The Geoglyph depicts five figures standing together. Launch from Rospro's Pass Skyview Tower and glide north.
Access Tip: Cold resistance level 2 is mandatory. Blizzard conditions reduce visibility. Bring brightbloom seeds if exploring the Depths entrance nearby.
Tear of the Dragon #11 — "The Dragon's Tears"
Location: Necluda Sea coastline, east of Lurelin Village
Approximate Coordinates: 2950, -3370, 0080
Landmark: On the southeastern coastline near Eventide Island. The Geoglyph shows a dragon ascending. Use Rabella Wetlands Skyview Tower and glide far southeast, or sail from Lurelin.
Access Tip: Far from most towers. Consider building a hoverbike or using a Zonai flying device. The area has strong ocean winds that affect paragliding.
Tear of the Dragon #12 — "Tears of the Kingdom"
Location: The Depths — beneath Hyrule Castle
Approximate Coordinates: 0000, 0000, -0800 (approximate Depths coords)
Landmark: In the final Geoglyph deep in the Depths. This tear only appears after collecting all 11 previous tears. Descend into the Depths beneath Hyrule Castle's central chamber and follow the Gloom-covered path to the massive final Geoglyph.
Access Tip: Bring ample Brightbloom Seeds and Sundelion meals for Gloom recovery. This is the most dangerous tear to collect — high-level Gloom enemies patrol the area. Consider wearing the Depths armor set for Gloom resistance.
Stamina Requirements for Pulling the Sword
| Method | Stamina Needed | Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Two full Stamina Wheels | 5 Stamina Vessels (10 total upgrades) | Complete 40 shrines to exchange for vessels at Goddess Statues |
| Stamina food buff | 1.5 wheels + Enduring meal | Cook Endura Shrooms or Endura Carrots for extra yellow stamina |
| Glide armor + stamina food | 1 wheel + buffs | Wear full Glide Set for air stamina reduction, consume stamina food before pull |
Critical Warning: If you attempt to pull the Master Sword without enough stamina, you will fail and be thrown off the dragon. The Light Dragon continues its flight path regardless, so you must either land on it again or fast-travel to a shrine and catch up to its route. Save your game before attempting the pull.
4 Optimal Route
This route is designed to minimize travel time by grouping tears by region and using Skyview Towers as launch points. The route assumes you have unlocked all Skyview Towers — if you haven't, prioritize tower activation first, as towers reveal map data and provide fast travel.
Estimated Total Time: 3–5 hours depending on travel efficiency, combat encounters, and whether you watch all cutscenes.
Phase 1: Setup and First Tear (30 minutes)
- Start at Lookout Landing (-0254, 0152, 0025)
- Ensure you have at least 4 bottles of stamina food (Enduring Fried Wild Greens recommended: 1 Endura Carrot + 4 Hyrule Herbs)
- Stock up on Brightbloom Seeds (30+) for the Depths tear
- Cook Gloom recovery meals with Sundelion (5+ meals recommended)
- Fast-travel to New Serenne Stable and speak with Impa and Cado
- Board Impa's hot-air balloon and view the first Geoglyph northwest of the stable
- Glide down and collect Tear #1 — this unlocks the remaining 11 tears
- Watch the first memory cutscene (optional but recommended for lore)
Phase 2: Central Hyrule + Hyrule Ridge (20 minutes)
- Fast-travel to Hyrule Field Skyview Tower
- Glide south to collect Tear #6 (Zelda's Wish) — this is the closest tear to Central Hyrule at coordinates -0254, -1072
- Launch from the same tower and glide northwest toward Hyrule Ridge
- Collect Tear #1-area tear — you've already done this one during the Impa quest, so skip ahead
- Mount your horse or build a vehicle and ride west toward Tabantha
Phase 3: Tabantha + Hebra Region (45 minutes)
- Fast-travel to Lindor's Brow Skyview Tower
- Launch and glide north to collect Tear #2 (The Sages' Vow) at -1864, 2846
- Watch for cold damage — equip Snowquill armor or eat spicy food
- Fast-travel to Rospro's Pass Skyview Tower
- Launch and glide north to collect Tear #10 (The Sages Assemble) at -3950, 1780
- This is the coldest tear location — frost damage is severe without level 2 cold resistance
- Optional: Grab the nearby shrine for fast-travel unlock
Phase 4: Eldin + Akkala Region (40 minutes)
- Fast-travel to Eldin Canyon Skyview Tower
- Launch and glide northeast to collect Tear #3 (Mineru's Counsel) at 1856, 2712
- Fireproof armor or elixirs mandatory — the terrain is volcanic
- Watch for Igneo Talus in the area
- Fast-travel to Ulri Mountain Skyview Tower
- Launch and glide northeast to collect Tear #7 (The Imprisoning War) at 3340, 1200
- Yiga Clan presence here — stealth approach or engage
Phase 5: Lanayru + Great Hyrule Forest (50 minutes)
- Fast-travel to Mount Lanayru Skyview Tower
- Launch and glide northwest to collect Tear #8 (The Demon King's Army) at 1840, -1020
- Marsh terrain — use Ascend on trees to navigate quickly
- Electric Lizalfos are common — rubber armor or shock resistance helps
- Fast-travel to Ninjis Shrine (in the Depths beneath Korok Forest)
- If you haven't unlocked this, use Thyphlo Ruins Skyview Tower and approach from the north to avoid Lost Woods fog
- Ascend into the Lost Woods and collect Tear #9 (The Sacred Tree) at 0410, 2120
- This is the most technically difficult tear to reach
- Alternative: glide from a Sky Island directly above the forest
Phase 6: Faron + Necluda + Gerudo (60 minutes)
- Fast-travel to Popla Foothills Skyview Tower
- Launch and glide southeast to collect Tear #5 (A Show of Fealty) at 0692, -3300
- Avoid the Gloom hands at night — they spawn frequently in Faron
- Fast-travel to Gerudo Canyon Skyview Tower
- Launch and glide southwest to collect Tear #4 (The Gerudo Assault) at -3096, -3060
- Travel at night to avoid extreme heat
- Watch for Molduga — walk on rocks, not sand, to avoid detection
- Fast-travel to Rabella Wetlands Skyview Tower
- Launch and glide southeast toward the Necluda Sea to collect Tear #11 (The Dragon's Tears) at 2950, -3370
- This is the longest glide in the route — bring stamina food
- Alternative: build a hoverbike at Rabella Wetlands and fly there
Phase 7: The Depths — Final Tear (30 minutes)
- Descend into the Depths via the chasm beneath Hyrule Castle
- Equip Gloom-resistant armor (Depths Set or Mystic Robe) and eat a Sundelion meal
- Plant Brightbloom Seeds as you navigate the dark tunnels
- Follow the path to the massive final Geoglyph beneath the castle
- Collect Tear #12 (Tears of the Kingdom) — this triggers the final memory sequence
- After the cutscene, the Light Dragon's location will be marked on your map
Phase 8: Claim the Master Sword (15–30 minutes)
- Check your map for the Light Dragon's position — it follows a fixed counterclockwise path around Hyrule
- Fast-travel to the nearest Skyview Tower or Sky Island ahead of the dragon's flight path
- Wait or adjust time at a campfire until the dragon approaches your position
- Skydive and land on the dragon's back — aim for the head where the sword is embedded
- Approach the Master Sword and interact — rapidly tap the button to pull with your stamina
- Success! You now own the restored Master Sword
Route Efficiency Tips
- Use the map pin system — mark all 12 tear locations before starting to avoid backtracking
- Activate every shrine you pass — even if you don't complete it, the fast-travel point saves massive time
- Phase 3 and 6 can be swapped based on which towers you've unlocked — prioritize regions where you have the most fast-travel points
- Collect Korok Seeds along the way — many tears are near obvious Korok puzzles, and you need seeds for inventory expansion
5 Gotcha Tips
Here is everything that can and will go wrong during the Master Sword questline — and exactly how to avoid each pitfall.
⚠️ MUST Complete Great Sky Island First
You cannot start "Impa and the Geoglyphs" until you finish the entire Great Sky Island tutorial, receive the Purah Pad, and speak with Purah at Lookout Landing. If you try to find Impa before this, she won't appear at New Serenne Stable. This is a hard quest lock — no workarounds.
⚠️ Stamina Check — The #1 Failure Point
The Master Sword pull requires two full Stamina Wheels minimum. This means 10 Stamina Vessel upgrades from Goddess Statues (40 Shrine completions). If you have less than this, you will fail the pull and be thrown off the dragon. The game does not warn you about this beforehand.
Solutions: Cook Enduring Fried Wild Greens (1 Endura Carrot + Hyrule Herbs) for bonus yellow stamina. The full Glide armor set reduces stamina consumption while airborne. Stack both for a comfortable margin of error.
⚠️ Tears Must Be Viewed in Order for Lore Coherence
While you can physically collect the tears in any order after Tear #1, the memory cutscenes are designed to be watched sequentially. If you collect Tear #12 before Tear #2, you'll see the finale before the setup — major spoilers for what is arguably the best storytelling in the game. If you care about the narrative, follow the numbered order in this guide.
⚠️ Light Dragon Moves on a Fixed Path
The Light Dragon follows a fixed counterclockwise flight path around Hyrule at high altitude. It does not stop, slow down, or respond to player actions. If you fall off, you cannot whistle for it. You must either:
- Fast-travel to a point ahead of its path and wait (it takes roughly 20 real-time minutes for a full circuit)
- Use a Zonai flying device to intercept it mid-flight
- Wait at a campfire to advance time and reposition
Best interception points: Sky Islands directly above its path, or the Thyphlo Ruins Skyview Tower for easy elevation.
⚠️ Lost Woods Fog Will Teleport You
Tear #9 is inside the Lost Woods, which has been corrupted by Gloom. Walking into the fog from the surface will teleport you back to the entrance — there is no surface path through. You must use the Depths entrance (Ninjis Shrine) and Ascend, or glide from a Sky Island directly above the target coordinates.
⚠️ Depths Gloom Damage Stacks Up Fast
The final tear in the Depths beneath Hyrule Castle is surrounded by heavy Gloom. Without Gloom resistance armor or Sundelion recovery food, you will lose maximum hearts rapidly. Bring at least 5 cooked meals containing Sundelion (Sundelion + Hylian Rice makes a solid recovery dish). The Depths armor set (purchased from Bargainer Statues) reduces Gloom damage by 50%.
⚠️ The Sword Has a 10-Minute Cooldown
If your Master Sword runs out of energy (durability), it enters a 10-minute real-time cooldown before it recharges. During this time, it cannot be used. However, this cooldown only applies when the sword is NOT glowing blue. During Gloom encounters and boss fights, the sword has unlimited durability and never enters cooldown. Manage your non-Gloom combat accordingly.
⚠️ Don't Fuse a Material You're Not Ready to Lose
When the Master Sword enters its 10-minute cooldown, any fused material is locked with it. If you fused a rare Silver Lynel Horn, you won't be able to use it on another weapon until the sword recharges. Consider fusing common materials for exploration and saving rare fuses for known Gloom encounters.
6 Free Benefits Along the Way
The Master Sword questline is the most content-rich journey in TOTK. Here is everything you will organically collect and unlock just by following the optimal route:
🎯 Shrine Unlocks (12+ Fast Travel Points)
Every tear location is within gliding distance of at least one shrine. Collecting all tears will naturally lead you to discover 12–15 new shrines, each providing:
- A Light of Blessing per shrine (exchange 4 for Heart Containers or Stamina Vessels)
- A permanent fast-travel point for future navigation
- Weapon, shield, and bow rewards from shrine chests
Key shrines you'll likely discover: Ninjis Shrine (Lost Woods), Soryotanog Shrine (Gerudo Desert), Jochisiu Shrine (Akkala), and multiple Sky Island shrines used as launch platforms.
🧪 Zonai Device Capsules
The Sky Islands used as launching points for tear collection are loaded with Zonai Device Dispensers. Route efficiency requires visiting these islands, which means you'll pick up:
- Wing devices for long-distance gliding
- Fan + Steering Stick + Rocket components for hoverbike construction
- Battery upgrades from crystallized charges found in chests
- Flux Construct cores from the mini-bosses patrolling major islands
📖 Complete Lore Revelation
The 12 Dragon's Tears collectively tell the story of the Imprisoning War — the ancient conflict between the first King Rauru, the Six Sages, and the Demon King Ganondorf. Without collecting these tears, you will not understand:
- How Zelda traveled back in time to the era of the Zonai
- Why the Demon King was sealed beneath Hyrule Castle
- The identity and sacrifice of the first Sages
- How the Master Sword was forged and why it ended up in the Light Dragon
- The true nature of the Gloom and its connection to Ganondorf
This is the emotional core of TOTK's narrative. Speedrunners skip it; completionists cherish it.
🧠 Experience and Combat Training
Traveling across all regions of Hyrule exposes you to every enemy type in the game:
- Hebra: Frost Pebblits, Ice Keese, Ice-Breath Lizalfos
- Eldin: Igneo Talus, Fire-Breath Lizalfos, Rock Octoroks
- Gerudo: Molduga, Electric Lizalfos, Gibdo swarms
- Faron: Gloom Hands, Battle Taluses, Octoroks
- Depths: Frox, Gloom Spawn, high-level Bokoblin camps
By the end of the route, you will have fought more enemy variety than most players see in an entire playthrough. This dramatically improves your combat skill and resource stockpile.
🗺️ Full Map Coverage
The tear collection route takes you to every corner of Hyrule:
- Northwest Hebra (most players never explore the full northern range)
- Deep Gerudo Desert (beyond the main quest area)
- Southeast Necluda coastline (past Lurelin Village)
- The complete Depths network beneath Hyrule Castle
Your map completion percentage will jump significantly. Many players report going from 30% to 60% surface map coverage just from this questline.
🎁 Bonus Items and Treasures
- Star Fragments: The nighttime travel required for many tears puts you in position to spot falling stars
- Dragon Parts: The Light Dragon, Naydra, Dinraal, and Farosh all intersect the tear collection route — farm scales, claws, and horns
- Rare Ore Deposits: Hebra and Eldin tear locations are near diamond and ruby deposits
- Chest Contents: Every Geoglyph has treasure chests buried nearby, typically containing weapons with high fuse potential
- Korok Seeds: 15–20 easily accessible Korok puzzles along the route
🏆 Achievement / Sense of Accomplishment
The Master Sword questline is TOTK's equivalent of a marathon. Completing it marks the transition from mid-game explorer to late-game powerhouse. The moment you pull the sword from the dragon's head, with the full Hyrule landscape visible below, is one of the most satisfying experiences in the entire Zelda franchise. Every hour invested pays off in that single moment.
7 Recommended Next
Now that you have the Master Sword, you'll want a shield to match. The Hylian Shield is the best shield in the game with 90 defense and near-indestructible durability. 🛡️ Read the Hylian Shield guide → — we cover both the fast castle docks method and the vendor purchase route so you can pick what fits your playstyle.