If you’re running around Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, you’ve probably realized pretty quickly that standard armor just doesn't cut it when you're staring down a Gleeok. You need the good stuff. Specifically, you want the gear that makes Link look like a weirdly adorable bobblehead version of himself from the 2019 remake of Link’s Awakening. But finding Misko’s Treasure of Awakening isn't exactly a walk in the park. It’s a multi-part scavenger hunt that forces you to solve riddles, explore dark corners of the map, and occasionally run for your life. Honestly, it’s one of the coolest side quests in the game because it actually feels like being an archaeologist rather than just a delivery boy.
Most players stumble onto the questline after finding the Misko’s Treasure: Twins Statues note or by talking to the treasure-hunting brothers, Domidak and Prissen, near the Cephla Lake Cave. They're obsessed with Misko, the legendary Great Bandit who apparently spent his retirement hiding the coolest clothes in Hyrule behind complicated stone puzzles.
Finding the "Awakening" set isn't just about the aesthetics, though let’s be real, the giant mask is the main draw. It actually provides an attack up bonus when you wear the full set. It’s functional fashion. But unlike some sets that are just sitting in a chest in a plain cave, these pieces are tied to specific environmental puzzles that require you to interact with the world in ways you might not expect.
The Tunic of Awakening: Starting the Hunt at Goronbi River
You’re going to want to head toward the Eldin Canyon for the first piece. Specifically, look for the Ancient Columns area. It's just west of the Piper Ridge. You’ll know you’re in the right spot when you see a bunch of massive, crumbling pillars overlooking the Tanagar Canyon.
There’s a specific pillar you need to climb. It’s not just any rock. Look for the one that has a large stone pressure plate on top of it. Step on it. You’ll hear that classic Zelda "puzzle solved" chime—honestly, the most satisfying sound in gaming history—and a nearby stone slab will slide away. This opens up the Ancient Columns Cave.
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Inside, there isn't much of a fight. It’s mostly about the reward. You’ll find a small shrine-like setup with a chest containing the Tunic of Awakening. It’s the green tunic with the distinct, slightly cartoonish hem. At this point, you’re 1/3 of the way to looking like a toy. The journey gets a bit more "riddle-heavy" from here.
Tracking Down the Trousers of Awakening
The next stop is the Coliseum Ruins. Now, if you’ve played Breath of the Wild, you probably have PTSD from this place because of the Lynel that used to live there. In Tears of the Kingdom, things are a bit different. There’s a Thunder Gleeok hanging out in the center of the arena now.
You don't actually have to fight the Gleeok if you’re sneaky, but it’s a massive pain if you get spotted. I usually suggest approaching from the top rim of the Coliseum. On the ground level, toward the back wall (the south side), you’ll find two statues of soldiers. One is holding a sword. The other is empty-handed.
Look around the immediate area for a claymore or a broadsword leaning against a wall or lying on the ground. Use Ultrahand to grab that sword and place it into the hands of the empty-handed statue. It’s a simple "match the set" puzzle, but it’s easy to miss if you’re too busy dodging lightning beams from the Gleeok. Once the sword is in place, a hidden door opens behind the statues, leading to the Coliseum Ruins Cave. Inside? The Trousers of Awakening.
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The Mask of Awakening: The Final Piece
This is the one everyone wants. The giant, oversized head. To get it, you have to go to the Thundra Plateau in the Ridgeland region. This place used to be a permanent thunderstorm in the last game, but now it’s just a big, rainy plateau with some very specific ruins.
The puzzle here is all about shadows. There’s a stone tablet that gives you a hint about "connecting the shadows" of the pillars. Basically, at noon, the shadow of the southern pillar needs to reach the northern pillar.
Here is the trick: the pillars aren't tall enough on their own. You need to use Ultrahand to chop down some nearby trees or find some wooden beams and stick them together to make a long pole. Attach this pole to the top of the southern pillar. If you do it right, when the sun hits its peak at 12:00 PM, the shadow of your makeshift extension will touch the northern pillar.
If you don't want to wait for the sun, you can actually use fire to change the time at a campfire, or just use a bunch of Zonai stakes if you’re feeling fancy. Once the shadows connect, the ground opens up. Drop into the Thundra Plateau Cave, and the Mask of Awakening is yours.
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Why This Set Actually Matters for Your Playthrough
A lot of people think these "Legacy" sets are just for nostalgia. While seeing Link look like his Game Boy self is great, the Attack Up bonus is legitimately useful. If you upgrade the set at a Great Fairy fountain, the defense stats become respectable enough for late-game exploration.
- Tunic: 3 Defense (Base)
- Trousers: 3 Defense (Base)
- Mask: 3 Defense (Base)
You’ll need Star Fragments to upgrade these, which are a nightmare to farm, but that’s the price of looking legendary. The set bonus, once all pieces are upgraded to level two, provides the "Attack Up" buff, which stacks with your food buffs.
Most players get stuck on the Thundra Plateau puzzle because they try to wait for a specific weather pattern. Don't do that. Just build a really long stick. Seriously. The game’s physics engine is your best friend here.
Actionable Steps for Completing the Set
If you want to knock this out in one sitting, follow this flow:
- Prep for the Coliseum: Bring a few "Sneaky Elixirs" or wear the Stealth Set. If you don't want to fight the Thunder Gleeok, you’ll need to be quiet.
- Clear your inventory: Make sure you have space for the swords you’ll need to move around in the Coliseum.
- Timing is everything: Head to Thundra Plateau around 10:00 AM in-game time. This gives you two minutes of real-world time to build your "shadow pole" before the noon sun hits the mark.
- Visit the Great Fairies: As soon as you have the set, check your inventory for Star Fragments. If you don't have any, start skydiving from towers at night; they often spawn in mid-air right next to you.
The Misko's Treasure quests are a highlight of Tears of the Kingdom because they reward observation over brute force. You don't need the strongest fused weapon to get the Awakening set; you just need to pay attention to the statues and the sun. Once you have the full kit, head over to Hateno Village and show it off to Cece—she’ll probably hate it, but that's just her style.