Honestly, the Master Sword in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a bit of a headache. You’d think the legendary blade would just be sitting in a pedestal waiting for you, like in the old days. Nope. Not this time. Instead, you're sent on a wild goose chase called the Trail of the Master Sword, a main quest that basically demands you prove you’re actually worth Princess Zelda’s sacrifice.
If you’re wandering around the Lost Woods wondering why the fog keeps spitting you out, you’re not alone. Most people try to walk in through the front door. Big mistake. The game literally won't let you.
The Korok Forest Problem
Getting to the start of this quest is half the battle. You can’t just walk into Korok Forest. The fog is "wrong," and every path leads to a white-out. To even begin the Trail of the Master Sword, you have to go under. Literally.
You need to find the Minshi Woods Chasm, which is just southeast of the forest. Dive in. Once you're in the Depths, it’s a dark, spooky trek northwest toward the center of where the forest should be on your surface map. Look for the Rikonasum Lightroot. Right next to it, there’s a stone pillar structure. Stand under it and use Ascend.
Boom. You’re in. But everything is grey and depressing because the Great Deku Tree is essentially having a massive stomach ache caused by literal demons.
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Fighting What’s Inside
Once you talk to the Great Deku Tree—who is currently silent and miserable—you’ll realize you have to go into his "stomach." There’s a chasm inside the tree itself. Jump down.
Here’s where it gets real. You have to fight Gloom Hands.
- Pro tip: Do not try to sword-fight these things.
- Spam bomb flower arrows.
- Multi-shot bows make this a joke.
Once the hands are gone, Phantom Ganon spawns. He’s scary, sure, but his moves are predictable. If you’ve practiced your flurry rushes, he’s basically a target dummy with a cool outfit. Beating him cleanses the forest, and the Great Deku Tree finally wakes up to tell you where the sword is.
Tracking a Moving Target
This is where the Trail of the Master Sword gets unique. The Deku Tree puts a tracker on your map. You’ll notice the icon is moving. That’s because the Master Sword isn't in a rock; it’s stuck in the head of the Light Dragon.
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If you haven't done the Dragon's Tears questline yet, this dragon flies incredibly high up in the sky—almost out of reach for most basic Zonai builds. However, finishing the quest "cleanses" the air in a way that makes the dragon descend closer to the ground, making it much easier to reach from a Skyview Tower.
The Stamina Check
Don't even bother jumping on the dragon if you haven't hit the gym. Pulling the sword isn't a heart check like in Breath of the Wild. It’s a stamina check.
You need two full wheels of stamina.
No, temporary yellow stamina from food doesn't count.
If you have a bunch of hearts but no lungs, go to the Cursed Statue in the Lookout Landing emergency shelter and trade those hearts for stamina. You need exactly five stamina upgrades (20 Shrines worth) to pass the test.
Why the Master Sword is Different This Time
People complain about the durability, and yeah, it still "breaks" (recharges) after about 40 hits. But the Fuse mechanic changes everything.
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In Tears of the Kingdom, the Master Sword acts as a base for whatever powerful monster horn you have. It doesn't look different until you swing it, then a ghostly green blade of the fused material appears. It’s weird, but it works.
Damage Breakdown
The base power is roughly 30. When you’re near Gloom enemies or Phantom Ganon, it glows and jumps to 45. Against the final boss? It’s basically infinite and hits like a truck.
One thing most people miss: The Master Sword actually has a hidden durability bonus the first time you fuse something to it after it recharges. It gets an extra +25 durability points, but only for that first fusion. Subsequent fusions while the sword is still "active" don't seem to reset that bonus perfectly, according to the latest datamining and community testing.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Journey
If you want to finish this quest without pulling your hair out, follow this specific order:
- Farm 20 Shrines: Don't even head to the forest until you have those two green circles. It saves a lot of back-and-forth travel.
- Stock up on Sundelions: The fight in the Deku Tree's stomach involves a lot of gloom. You'll need "Sunny" meals to repair your broken heart containers.
- Use the Ulri Mountain Skyview Tower: Once the Deku Tree marks the dragon, this tower is often the best launching point because the Light Dragon’s path frequently crosses the Akkala region.
- Save your best materials: Don't waste a Silver Lynel Saber Horn on a regular broadsword. Save those top-tier drops for the Master Sword to maximize its 10-minute active window.
The Master Sword isn't just a weapon in this game; it's a reward for navigating the most annoying forest in gaming history. Once you have it, the path to the Demon King becomes a lot clearer.