You’re staring at a giant obsidian-colored root in the pitch black. Your battery is low. You’ve got three Brightbloom seeds left, and honestly, you're starting to wonder if the TOTK Cap of Time is even worth the headache. I get it. We’ve all been there, squinting at the Depths map, trying to figure out which massive canyon is blocking the path to that one specific treasure chest. But let's be real—if you’re a fan of the Ocarina of Time era, you aren't leaving the Depths without it. It is the literal crown jewel of the "Hero of Time" set.
The Cap of Time isn't just a hat. It’s a vibe. It’s that iconic, slightly floppy green stocking cap that defined 3D Zelda for a generation. In Tears of the Kingdom, Nintendo didn't just hand these legacy items out as easy side-quest rewards. They buried them. Deep.
Where Exactly Is the TOTK Cap of Time?
Location matters. If you're looking in the overworld, stop. You're wasting your time and your stamina food. The TOTK Cap of Time is located strictly within the Depths, specifically in the Hebra region. You need to head to the Sturnida Lavafalls.
Finding it is a bit of a nightmare if you haven't mapped out the surface above it. Here is the trick: the Depths are a geographical mirror of the surface. If there is a mountain on the surface, there is a canyon in the Depths. The Cap is hidden at coordinates -4070, 2800, -0450.
Getting there isn't just about walking. You’ll want to drop down the Hyrule Ridge Chasm or the Rospro Pass Chasm. From there, it’s a trek northwest. Look for the massive pillars of rock near the lavafalls. The chest isn't just sitting on the ground waiting for a hero; it's perched on top of one of those tall, skinny stone spires.
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Navigation Hazards to Watch Out For
It is hot. Well, parts of it are. You’re near lavafalls, so expect the temperature to spike. If you haven't upgraded your Flamebreaker armor or cooked up some Fireproof Lizards, you’re going to have a bad time.
The Gloom is the real killer, though. Since this area is tucked away in the corner of the map, it's easy to get cornered by a Frox or a pack of Gloom-affected monsters. Honestly, just ignore them. Hop on a Hover Bike if you have the Zonaite to spare. It makes the vertical climb to the chest trivial.
The Nostalgia Factor and the Stats
Why bother? The TOTK Cap of Time starts with a base defense of 3. That’s... fine. It’s standard. But the real value comes when you take it to a Great Fairy.
To upgrade this thing, you’re going to need Star Fragments. Lots of them.
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- Level 1: 10 Rupees, 1 Star Fragment
- Level 2: 50 Rupees, 1 Star Fragment, 5 Creepicaps
- Level 3: 200 Rupees, 1 Star Fragment, 10 Creepicaps
- Level 4: 500 Rupees, 1 Star Fragment, 20 Creepicaps
It is an expensive hobby. Star Fragments are rare enough as it is, and burning them on a hat just so you can look like Link from 1998 is a choice. But once the whole set (Cap, Tunic, and Trousers of Time) is upgraded to level two, you get the Attack Up set bonus.
Is it the best armor in the game? No. The Barbarian Set or the Fierce Deity Set will give you better raw damage output without the grind for Star Fragments. But those sets don't make you look like the Hero of Time.
Common Misconceptions About the Cap
I've seen people online claiming you need an Amiibo to get this. That was true in Breath of the Wild, but it is absolutely false in Tears of the Kingdom. Every single piece of legacy "green tunic" gear is available in the base game for free. You just have to find it.
Another weird rumor is that the chest only appears after you've beaten a certain number of bosses. Nope. You can glide down there the second you leave Great Sky Island if you’re brave enough. You’ll probably die, but the chest will be there.
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Solving the Hebra Depths Navigation Puzzle
The Hebra Depths are some of the most vertical areas in the game. If you are trying to reach the TOTK Cap of Time from the central Depths, you’ll hit massive walls of rock that go all the way to the ceiling.
- Look for the Lightroots first. Specifically the Mustataba Lightroot. It’s the closest one to the Sturnida Lavafalls.
- Once that’s lit, the topography becomes much clearer.
- If you see a giant stump-like structure, climb it.
- The chest itself is in a small, stone gazebo-like structure on top of the pillar.
Why the Hero of Time Set Hits Different
There’s a specific kind of weight to the Ocarina of Time gear. For many of us, that was the first Zelda game that felt "real." Seeing that green cap in 4K resolution (or as close as the Switch gets) is a trip.
Nintendo knew what they were doing by putting these items in the Depths. The Depths represent the past—literally and figuratively. It’s where the old things go. Finding the TOTK Cap of Time under a mountain of ice and rock feels like unearthing a piece of gaming history. It’s a reward for the players who have been around since the N64 days.
Actionable Steps for Your Hunt
If you’re going to go for it tonight, do these three things first:
- Farm Star Fragments: Wait until nightfall, head to a high Skyview Tower, launch yourself up, and watch the horizon. They usually fall between 9:00 PM and 3:00 AM.
- Build a Hover Bike: Two fans and a steering stick. It’s the only way to navigate the Hebra Depths without losing your mind.
- Check your Fireproof level: Make sure you have at least one piece of Flamebreaker gear or a level 1 Fireproof elixir. The lavafalls aren't as hot as Death Mountain, but they'll still singe your eyebrows off if you get too close.
Once you have the cap, don't forget the rest of the set. The Tunic is in the Sturnida Basin (also Depths), and the Trousers are under the Gerudo Highlands. Wear them all together, find a nice spot in Hyrule Field, and take a screenshot. You earned it.