Let’s be real for a second. If you’re playing The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword—whether it’s the original Wii waggle-fest or the HD Switch remaster—you’re eventually going to hit a wall where you need a Skyward Sword monster claw. Or five. Or ten. You’ll be standing at Gondo’s scrap shop, looking at that gorgeous Sacred Shield or the Medium Quiver upgrade, and realize you're missing the one thing that should be easy to find, but somehow isn't.
It’s frustrating.
You’ve probably spent hours slashing through Bokoblins and Keese, wondering why your inventory is overflowing with Ornamental Skulls but looks like a desert when it comes to claws. Honestly, the drop rates in this game can feel personal sometimes. It’s not just you; the Skyward Sword monster claw is one of those mid-tier treasures that occupies a weird space in the game's economy. It isn't as rare as a Goddess Plume, but it isn't as common as Jelly Blobs.
Where the Claws Actually Are
Stop killing everything that moves. If you want a Skyward Sword monster claw, you need to be surgical. Most players make the mistake of farming the wrong enemies in the wrong places. You want Keese. Specifically, the standard Keese or their elemental cousins.
The best place to start is the Faron Woods. Or any dark cave, really. Keese are the primary source, but they don't just hand these things over. You have to understand that the "treasure" drop system in Skyward Sword is tied to a specific percentage chance that feels lower than it actually is because Keese are often flying over bottomless pits or unreachable terrain. If the Keese dies over a void, you lose the loot. Simple as that.
Actually, the Woodloft (that small cave on the way to the Waterfall) is a decent early-game spot. It's low-stress. You can run in, spin-attack a group of Keese, check for a Skyward Sword monster claw, and leave. If nothing drops? Walk out the door, walk back in, and the spawns reset. It’s tedious. It’s boring. But it works.
The Secret to Fixing the Drop Rate
If you’re trying to farm these without the Treasure Medal, you’re basically playing on hard mode for no reason.
The Treasure Medal is a life-changer. It increases the likelihood of enemies dropping "treasures" like the Skyward Sword monster claw. You find this inside a Goddess Chest. Specifically, you need to strike the Goddess Cube located in the Lanayru Desert, hidden behind some rocks near the Temple of Time. Once you activate that cube, a chest opens up on an island in the Sky.
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Carry that medal in your adventure pouch. Just having it there makes a noticeable difference. You'll go from finding one claw every twenty Keese to finding one every five or six. It’s the difference between a two-hour grind and a twenty-minute errand.
Another weirdly effective way to get them? The Moonlight Merchant. But that’s only for people who have a lot of Rupees and not a lot of patience. This merchant only appears at night in Skyloft, inside the Waterfall Cave, and he’ll sell you a Skyward Sword monster claw for about 100 Rupees. It’s a steep price when you consider how many you need for the high-end gear.
Why You Even Need Them
Gondo is a greedy guy. If you want the Iron Bow, you need three claws. You want the Great Eagle Bow? That's another three. The Sacred Shield line—which is arguably the best shield path for players who hate the wooden shield’s fragility but don't have the Hylian Shield yet—eats these claws for breakfast.
Here’s a breakdown of what a Skyward Sword monster claw actually buys you:
- Shield Upgrades: Specifically the Divine Shield and the Goddess Shield. These are crucial for the late-game fire and electric areas.
- Bow Upgrades: As mentioned, the Iron Bow and Great Eagle Bow. If you like sniping Sentrobes from a distance, you need these.
- Quiver Upgrades: If you don't want to run out of arrows during the Tentalus fight, you’re going to need the Medium and Large Quivers.
It's sorta funny how a tiny bit of bird or bat anatomy becomes the bottleneck for Link's entire endgame arsenal.
Advanced Farming: The Lanayru Method
Once you get later into the game, Faron Woods feels a bit slow. The Lanayru Caves, specifically the ones leading toward the Sandship or the Fire Sanctuary, have denser clusters of Keese.
There's a trick here. Use the Beetle.
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If you see Keese hanging from the ceiling, don't just run up and swing your sword. Use the Tough Beetle to snip them off. Sometimes the drop will land on a ledge you can't reach, but the Beetle can actually pick up items. If a Skyward Sword monster claw drops on a high pillar, send the Beetle out to grab it. This saves you the headache of trying to find a way up there or, worse, watching the item despawn because you took too long.
Also, don't sleep on the "Cursed Keese" in the late-game dungeons. They have a slightly different drop table, but they still cough up claws. Just watch out for the curse effect; it's annoying as hell when you can't pull your sword out for thirty seconds.
Common Misconceptions About Monster Claws
A lot of people think that the bigger the monster, the better the loot.
Nope.
You’d think a Moblin would have some massive claws you could use, right? Wrong. They drop Ornamental Skulls or Eldin Ore. The Skyward Sword monster claw is strictly the domain of the smaller, flying nuisances.
Another myth is that "finishing moves" increase drop rates. While the Fatal Blow (the A-button chest-stab) is great for ending a fight, there is no hard evidence in the game's code that it changes the treasure drop percentage. It’s all RNG (random number generation). Your best bet isn't "how" you kill them, but "how many" you kill. Speed is king.
What Most People Get Wrong About Gondo’s Shop
Don't just spend your claws the moment you get them.
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Think about your playstyle. If you’re a parry god, you don't need to prioritize the Goddess Shield as much, which means you can dump your Skyward Sword monster claw stash into the Bow. The Great Eagle Bow is a beast. It has incredible range and power.
However, if you find yourself getting hit by fire or electricity constantly, the shield upgrades are non-negotiable. The Divine Shield line requires several claws across its various stages.
Strategic Next Steps for Your Playthrough
If you are currently staring at your screen wondering where all the bats went, here is exactly what you should do right now.
First, fly to the Lanayru Desert and make sure you’ve hit that Goddess Cube for the Treasure Medal. It’s the one near the entrance to the Temple of Time, tucked away in a corner you probably walked past five times. Once that’s done, head to the Sky, grab the medal from the chest, and put it in your pouch.
Next, head to the Faron Woods entry point. Run through the "Deep Woods" area toward Skyview Temple. There are Keese everywhere in the transitional caves. Kill them all. If you don't get at least two Skyward Sword monster claw drops in one pass, you’re just having a bad luck day.
Finally, check your bug net. Wait, why the bug net? Because while you’re looking for claws, you’re probably going to see Skyloft Mantises or Blessed Butterflies. Catch them. Gondo doesn't just want claws; he wants bugs too. There’s nothing more annoying than finally getting your third Skyward Sword monster claw only to realize you’re short two Deku Hornets.
Get the Treasure Medal first. It’s the single most important variable in this entire equation. Without it, you’re just a guy hitting bats in the dark for no reason. With it, you're a master blacksmith in the making.
Go to the Waterfall Cave at night if you're rich and lazy. The Moonlight Merchant is a shortcut, but he’s a expensive one. For most players, a quick circuit through the Faron or Lanayru caves with the Treasure Medal equipped is the most efficient way to gear up for the final stretch of the game.