You just woke up in a cave. You've got no pants, a glowing tablet, and a massive world ahead of you that wants you dead. Naturally, you grab the first piece of sharpened metal you find. Usually, that’s the Zelda Breath of the Wild traveler's sword. It isn't flashy. It doesn't glow with ancient blue energy or breathe fire. Honestly, it looks like something a background NPC would use to peel a potato. But if you're like most players, you probably toss it the second you find a Spiked Boko Club. That might be a mistake.
The Traveler’s Sword is the quintessential "baseline" weapon of Hyrule. It’s a one-handed blade, simple and steel. In the grand hierarchy of loot, it sits comfortably above a tree branch but miles below a Royal Broadsword. Yet, there’s a specific kind of reliability to it that defines the early hours of Link’s journey.
The Stats Nobody Admits to Liking
Let’s talk numbers, but keep it casual. A standard traveler's sword packs a base attack power of 5. That sounds pathetic when you're looking at endgame gear hitting for 60 or 70. But in the Great Plateau or the fields of West Necluda? 5 damage is the difference between life and death against a red Bokoblin. It has a durability of 20. This means you can swing it twenty times before it shatters into sparkling blue dust.
Compare that to a wooden mop or a rusty broadsword. The rusty stuff is literally falling apart in your hands. The traveler’s sword, however, represents the first time Link feels like a soldier again rather than a scavenger. It’s the "Old Reliable" of the Faron and Necluda regions.
You’ll mostly find these tucked away in metallic treasure chests half-buried in the mud or held by low-level monsters near Dueling Peaks. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you’ll find one with a "Durability Up" or "Attack Up" modifier. A traveler's sword with a +3 attack bonus suddenly becomes an 8-damage powerhouse in the very early game. That's enough to one-shot certain environmental hazards or quickly dispatch a ChuChu without wasting your better gear.
Why the Zelda Breath of the Wild Traveler's Sword is Secretly Essential for Beginners
Inventory management in Breath of the Wild is a nightmare. We’ve all been there. You have a Flameblade, a Guardian Sword, and maybe a Zora Sword you’re "saving for later." Then a Keese flies at your face. Are you really going to waste a hit of your 40-damage elemental blade on a bat with 1 HP?
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No.
That is exactly where the traveler's sword shines. It is the perfect "utility" weapon. It’s light. It’s fast. You can use it to cut down grass to find Restless Crickets. You can use it to break wooden crates without feeling like you’re destroying a priceless artifact. Basically, it’s the Swiss Army knife of Hyrule.
Where to find one when you actually need it
If you’ve progressed past the early game but suddenly need a basic steel one-handed sword—perhaps for a specific quest or just for the aesthetic of a "simple traveler"—you can usually find them around the Dueling Peaks Stable. There’s often one lying around near the campfire or held by the travelers wandering the roads. The NPCs wandering the path towards Kakariko Village frequently carry them. If you see a traveler being harassed by Bokoblins, save them. They might not give you the sword, but they’ll often give you food that’s worth more than the blade anyway.
Interestingly, the sword's design is heavily influenced by traditional medieval arming swords. It has a simple crossguard and a rounded pommel. It looks right on Link's hip. In a game where weapons break constantly, there is something psychologically comforting about a weapon that looks like it was actually forged by a blacksmith rather than grown on a tree or manufactured by an ancient robot.
Misconceptions about Durability and Scaling
A lot of people think that once you hit a certain "World Level," the Zelda Breath of the Wild traveler's sword just disappears from the game. That isn't strictly true. While the game uses a hidden "XP" system—where killing enemies upgrades the tier of weapons found in the wild—certain chests and fixed spawns will always contain the traveler's set.
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Wait.
I should clarify that. Most weapons in the world scale. The Boko Club becomes a Spiked Boko Club, which becomes a Dragonbone Boko Club. The traveler’s gear follows a different path:
- Traveler’s Sword (Base)
- Soldier’s Broadsword (Mid)
- Knight’s Broadsword (High)
- Royal Broadsword (Elite)
If you’re hunting for a traveler’s sword late-game for a photo or a specific collection goal, check the ruins in the Central Hyrule region. Specifically, the smaller outposts that haven't been completely overrun by Guardians. The game tries to phase them out to give you better loot, but the world is big enough that a few always remain.
The Aesthetic Factor: Photography and Roleplay
Let’s be real for a second. Sometimes, Link looks ridiculous. You’re wearing a giant rubber fish head, a barbarian chest piece, and holding a glowing chainsaw sword. It’s a lot.
Some players—myself included—prefer a more "grounded" look. If you’re trying to take high-quality screenshots using the Sheikah Slate’s camera module, the traveler's sword is perfect. It fits the Hylian Tunic and the Well-Worn Trousers perfectly. It tells a story of a hero who is just starting out, a wanderer lost in a vast, ruined kingdom.
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There is a specific sub-community of Breath of the Wild players who do "No HUD" runs or "Realistic" runs. In these playthroughs, players often limit themselves to gear that a human could actually carry. A traveler's sword and a wooden shield are the staples of this playstyle. It forces you to engage with the combat mechanics—flurry rushes and parries—rather than just tanking hits and overpowered enemies with a 60-damage Savage Lynel Sword.
Actionable Tips for Using Low-Tier Blades
If you find yourself stuck with a traveler's sword and you’re facing a tough enemy, don’t panic. Use the environment.
- Elemental Synergy: If it’s raining, your metal traveler's sword becomes a lightning rod. This is usually bad for you, but if you throw the weapon at an enemy right before lightning strikes, you can turn a 5-damage sword into a tactical nuke.
- The Throwing Mechanic: Since the sword is likely going to break anyway, always throw it when it’s "badly damaged." A thrown weapon that breaks on impact deals double damage. For a traveler's sword, that's a nice little 10-damage parting gift to a Moblin's face.
- Mounting and Dismounting: One-handed swords like this allow you to use a shield simultaneously. This is the safest way to fight. Keep your shield up, wait for the "clink" of the enemy hitting your guard, and then counter-attack with three quick slashes.
The Zelda Breath of the Wild traveler's sword isn't going to win you the fight against Calamity Ganon. It isn't going to make you feel like a god. But it is the foundation of the game’s combat system. It teaches you rhythm. It teaches you that every resource is finite.
Next time you see one sitting in a chest, don't just leave it there because the number is small. Pick it up. Use it to cut some wood. Use it to kill a few slimes. Save your high-tier weapons for the Lynels and the Guardians. Hyrule is a big place, and sometimes, the best tool for the job is the simplest one.
To get the most out of your early-game gear, head toward the Necluda region. Focus on clearing out the smaller monster camps near the roads. You'll find enough traveler-tier equipment to keep your inventory full until you’re ready to tackle the tougher challenges near Zora’s Domain or the Gerudo Desert. Master the parry with a basic blade now, and you’ll be unstoppable when you finally get your hands on the Master Sword later.