You're wandering through the West Necluda woods, likely looking for a stray Korok or maybe just trying to fill out your map, when you stumble upon a Rito named Kass. He’s playing that familiar accordion tune. If you've played The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild for more than five minutes, you know Kass usually means there's a Shrine nearby, hidden behind a cryptic song. This specific one is the "Two Rings" quest, and honestly, it’s one of those puzzles that is either embarrassingly easy or deeply frustrating depending on your angle of approach.
The riddle mentions two rings with a single arrow. Simple, right? Except that the geometry of the West Necluda landscape is designed to mess with your depth perception.
Most players find themselves standing on top of one of the donut-shaped rocks, firing arrows wildly into the distance. That won't work. You’ve gotta find the exact line of sight where two specific stone formations overlap. It’s a classic Nintendo trick. They want you to look at the world differently.
Finding the Sweet Spot for the Two Rings Quest
The "Two Rings" Breath of the Wild quest—formally known as "The Two Rings" Shrine Quest—takes place in the West Necluda region, specifically just west of the Dueling Peaks. If you look at your map, you’re looking for the area near the North Hyrule Plain and the Proxim Bridge.
Kass is standing right there. Talk to him. He sings: "When a single arrow threads two rings, the shrine will rise from the shadows."
Here is the thing most people miss: you don’t need a special bow. You don't need a Great Eagle Bow or some high-tier sniper equipment. You just need a standard bow and a bit of patience. The "rings" are those large, circular rock formations scattered across the field. Look for the one that looks like a giant stone cheerio standing upright.
Positioning is Everything
Don't stand on the rocks. Seriously. Get down on the ground. You need to find a spot where you can see the hole of one ring directly through the hole of the second ring.
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If you’re standing near Kass, look toward the west. There’s a specific ridge where the rocks align perfectly. If you try to do this from the side, you’ll just waste arrows. Walk around until the two circles look like a bullseye. Link should be positioned so that the arrow's trajectory is a straight line through both open centers.
It's a physics puzzle, basically.
The physics engine in Breath of the Wild accounts for arrow drop. If you’re standing too far back, your arrow will dip before it hits the second ring. Most players have the best luck standing relatively close to the first ring, aiming slightly upward to account for gravity, and letting it fly. When you hit it, the ground shakes. The Sheikah pedestal glows. Out pops the Sheh Rata Shrine.
Why the Sheh Rata Shrine Matters
Once the "Two Rings" Breath of the Wild puzzle is solved, you actually have to deal with the shrine itself. Sheh Rata is titled "Speed of Light," which is a bit of a misnomer because it’s really about water levels and timing.
Inside, you’ll see a large pool of water and a laser.
You have to rotate a crank to move the laser, which hits a crystal switch. This raises or lowers the water. It’s not a "test of strength," thank Hylia. It's a genuine logic puzzle. You’ll use Cryonis—a lot.
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Pro tip: don't forget the hidden chest. There’s a large metal block in the water. Use Magnesis to move it onto the pressure plate underwater to keep the door open, or just use Cryonis to lift yourself up to the ledge where the chest sits. Usually, it contains a decent sword or some high-tier ore like a Giant Ancient Core if you’re lucky, though the standard loot for this one is often a Thistleshot or a Zora weapon depending on your game progress.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
I’ve seen people try to use Bomb Arrows for this. Don't do that. The explosion doesn't count as "threading" the ring. It just makes a mess. Use a regular arrow.
- The "Double Ring" confusion: Some people think you have to find two rings that are physically touching. No. They are separate stone structures.
- The "Kass Trigger": You don't actually have to talk to Kass to make the shrine appear, but it helps to have the quest logged in your journal so you can track your completion percentage.
- The Distance Fallacy: You don't need a Phrenic Bow (the one with the zoom). While it makes it easier to see, the distance between the two rings is short enough for a standard Traveler's Bow to get the job done.
Wait for the right light. Sometimes it’s easier to see the alignment during the day. At night, the shadows in West Necluda can make the rock apertures look solid. If you’re struggling, sit by a fire until morning.
The Narrative Soul of West Necluda
There is something haunting about this part of the map. West Necluda is littered with the remnants of the Great Calamity. You have the Dueling Peaks nearby, which lore-wise were split by a dragon or a god, depending on which NPC you believe.
The Two Rings Breath of the Wild quest feels like a remnant of an older civilization—the Sheikah—testing the "Hero" not on his ability to swing a sword, but on his perception of the environment. It's a quiet moment. No Guardians chasing you. Just the sound of the accordion and the whistling wind.
Kass himself is one of the best characters in the game because he provides the bridge between the ancient past and Link’s current mission. His teacher was the court poet for the Royal Family, and these songs are more than just riddles; they are a legacy. When you solve the Two Rings, you’re essentially proving to the ghosts of the past that the hero has returned.
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Technical Glitches to Watch For
Sometimes, the shrine won't trigger. It’s rare, but it happens. If you are sure your arrow went through both rings and nothing happened, try saving and reloading. Or, make sure you aren't standing inside the first ring. The arrow needs to travel through the empty space of both.
Also, check your bow's range. If you're using a low-durability wooden bow, the arrow might "peter out" and disappear before it clears the second hoop. Switch to a Knight’s Bow or a Soldier’s Bow for a flatter trajectory.
Steps to Take Right Now
If you are currently staring at these rocks and feeling stuck, do this:
- Drop a save. Don't waste thirty arrows and then realize you're out of ammo.
- Look for the line. Stand on the side of the ridge furthest from the river. Move left and right until the two holes in the rocks overlap like a telescope lens.
- Aim high. Aim just a "pixel" or two above the center of the far ring.
- Fire once. If you hear the "ding" of the stone, you missed. If you hear nothing and then the cutscene starts, you nailed it.
Once the Sheh Rata Shrine is unlocked, make sure you activate the travel gate immediately. Even if you don't want to finish the shrine right now, having that warp point in West Necluda is incredibly helpful for navigating between the Great Plateau and Kakariko Village.
The shrine is located in the middle of a small lake, so you'll need to swim or use Cryonis to get to the entrance. Watch out for the Octoroks in the water nearby; they are annoying and will knock you off your ice blocks if you aren't paying attention.
Solving the Two Rings quest is a rite of passage for many players. It's the moment the game stops holding your hand and asks you to actually look at the 3D space around you. It isn't about stats or hearts. It's about being the legendary archer Link is supposed to be. Go grab your bow, find that alignment, and get that Spirit Orb.