Why the Tunic of the Wild is Still the Best Reward in Tears of the Kingdom

Why the Tunic of the Wild is Still the Best Reward in Tears of the Kingdom

Honestly, the Tunic of the Wild is a bit of a legend. It’s the original "Completionist's Prize." In Breath of the Wild, getting your hands on this classic green ensemble meant you’d conquered every single one of the 120 shrines. It was a badge of honor. But then Tears of the Kingdom (TotK) dropped, and suddenly, the rules changed. People started obsessing over the Glide Suit for skydiving or the Froggy Armor for climbing in the rain. Yet, for the purists? The Tunic of the Wild is still the king. It represents the link to the past—literally—and finding it in the sequel is a much more eerie, atmospheric journey than just "doing all the puzzles."

You don't just get it for finishing shrines anymore. That would be too easy for a game this massive. Instead, Nintendo tucked the pieces away in the most dangerous, pitch-black corners of the map. If you want to look like the Hero of Legend, you’re going to have to brave the Depths.

Tracking Down the Tunic of the Wild

In Tears of the Kingdom, the Tunic of the Wild isn't a single reward; it's a scavenger hunt hidden beneath the surface of Hyrule. Most players stumble upon the first piece by accident while looking for Zonaite or dodging Frox lunges. The set is split into three parts: the Cap of the Wild, the Tunic of the Wild, and the Trousers of the Wild.

Each piece is located at one of the three "skeletons" in the Depths. These are massive, fossilized remains of ancient creatures that mirror the Great Skeletons found on the surface map. It’s a clever bit of world-building. If you know where the bones are in the overworld, you basically know where to look in the dark.

The Cap of the Wild

You’ll find the Cap at the Hebra Dark Skeleton. This is located in the far northwest of the Depths. It’s cold down there, and the Gloom is everywhere. The chest is tucked right inside the skull of the massive fossil. Coordinates are roughly (-3956, 3724, -0858). Pro tip: Don't just run in. There are usually a few high-level enemies lounging around the ribs of the skeleton.

The Tunic of the Wild

The chest piece is at the Gerudo Dark Skeleton. Head to the southwest corner of the Depths. If you’ve been exploring the desert surface, you know the Great Skeleton is in the far corner near the edge of the map. In the Depths, it’s the same deal. The chest sits at (-4877, -3720, -0458). It’s a long trek, and the darkness in the Gerudo region of the Depths is particularly oppressive. Bring plenty of Brightbloom Seeds. Seriously.

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The Trousers of the Wild

Finally, the pants. These are at the Eldin Dark Skeleton in the northeast. This area is a nightmare if you aren't prepared for the heat. While the Depths aren't always as hot as the surface of Death Mountain, the area around the Eldin Skeleton is still scorching. You’ll find the chest at (1675, 3721, -0561).

Is the Tunic of the Wild Actually Good?

Let’s be real for a second. Some people think the "Wild" set is just fanservice. They see the green tunic and think it’s just for the vibes. They're wrong. When you fully upgrade this set at a Great Fairy, it has a base defense of 28 per piece. That’s a total of 84 defense.

That is huge.

For context, that puts it on par with the Soldier’s Set and the Ancient Hero’s Aspect. It is literally one of the highest-rated armor sets in the game. But there’s a catch. Upgrading it is a total grind. You’re going to need dragon parts. Lots of them. Specifically, you need scales, claws, shards, and horns from Dinraal, Naydra, and Farosh.

  • Level 1: 10x Acorns and 2x Dragon Scale (one per piece type).
  • Level 2: 5x Courser Bee Honey and 2x Dragon Claw.
  • Level 3: 5x Energetic Rhino Beetle and 2x Dragon Shard.
  • Level 4: 5x Star Fragments and 2x Dragon Horn.

Finding those beetles is arguably harder than fighting a Gleeok. They only appear on trees at night, mostly in the Faron region, and they are incredibly skittish. If you don't have a stealth buff active, forget about it.

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The Nostalgia Factor vs. Practicality

Why wear this when the Phantom Armor gives you an attack boost right away? Or when the Diamond Circlet gives you a boost and looks cool?

The Tunic of the Wild is about the "Master Sword" aesthetic. It’s the only set in the game that feels like "Link." While Tears of the Kingdom pushes you toward the new Champion’s Leathers (which are also great, don't get me wrong), there’s something special about the classic silhouette.

There's also the hidden benefit of the "Master Sword Beam Up" set bonus. If you have the whole set upgraded to at least level two, the beams you shoot from the Master Sword (when at full health) deal more damage. In the early game, this doesn't matter much. But in the endgame? When you're trying to clear out a camp of Silver Bokoblins without getting your hands dirty? It’s a game changer.

Common Misconceptions About the Set

A lot of players think you can only get the Tunic of the Wild if you have a Breath of the Wild save file on your Switch.

Not true.

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While some horses and the picture in Link’s house carry over, the armor does not. You have to earn it again. Another weird rumor is that the set makes you run faster in the wild. It doesn't. That’s the Stealth Set’s night speed boost or the Tingle Set (if you’re brave enough to wear that). The Wild set is pure defense and sword beam power.

Some people also get frustrated because they find the "Tunic of Memories" and think it’s the same thing. It isn't. The Tunic of Memories is the blue shirt from the first game, which you buy from Bargainer Statues. The Tunic of the Wild is the green one. Don't mix them up or you'll waste a lot of Poes.

How to Actually Get This Done Without Losing Your Mind

If you're going for the Tunic of the Wild, do it in stages. Don't try to marathon the Depths in one go. The gloom will wear you down, and you'll run out of Sundelion dishes.

  1. Mark the surface skeletons first. Switch to your surface map and put a pin on the three Great Skeletons (Hebra, Gerudo, Eldin).
  2. Use the Air Bike. If you haven't built a hoverbike yet (two fans and a steering stick), now is the time. Navigating the Depths on foot is a sucker's game.
  3. Dragon Farming. Dragons in Tears of the Kingdom follow a set path, but they are no longer tied to a specific time of day. They move in real-time. If you see one, drop everything and get that part. You'll thank yourself later when you're at the Great Fairy fountain.
  4. Beetle Hunting. Go to the Lorelin Village outskirts or the Faron woods at 10:00 PM. Wear the Stealth Set. Crouch. It’s tedious, but those Energetic Rhino Beetles are the gatekeepers to that level 3 upgrade.

The Tunic of the Wild is more than just a costume. It’s a testament to the scale of Hyrule. It links the highest peaks of the first game to the deepest pits of the second. Even if you prefer the look of the new Hylian hood, having the Wild set in your inventory is a must for anyone who claims to have "beaten" the game.

Once you have the set, head over to the Kochi Dye Shop in Hateno Village. You can actually dye this set. If you want a dark "Shadow Link" look, dye it black. If you want to pay homage to the original NES Link, keep it that classic forest green. The customization options in TotK make this version of the tunic much more personal than it ever was in the previous game. It’s your journey, and this is the gear that proves you’ve seen it all, from the clouds down to the bones of the earth.


Actionable Next Steps

To get started on your quest for the Tunic of the Wild, open your map and locate the Hebra Great Skeleton in the northwest. Place a marker there and then dive into the nearest Chasm. Use the surface map as a translucent overlay to guide your flight through the Depths until you reach the corresponding Dark Skeleton. This is the easiest piece to grab first and will give you a feel for the "skeleton-hunting" loop you'll need to master to finish the set.