The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Main Quest Complete Guide

🎯 Main Quest Overview

The main quest of Tears of the Kingdom begins with awakening on a sky island, progressing through the Hyrule investigation, exploring four regional temples, finding Zelda, and ultimately defeating Demon King Ganondorf. The entire journey takes approximately 30-50 hours.

Stage	Core Objective	Estimated Time	Key Rewards	Difficulty
🌤️ Sky Awakening	Complete tutorial, obtain four abilities	1-2 hours	Parachute, basic equipment	★☆☆☆☆
🏰 Hyrule Investigation	Investigate castle anomaly, gather clues	2-3 hours	Story progression, map unlock	★★☆☆☆
🌬️ Wind Temple	Rito Village questline, defeat boss	5-8 hours	Sage Wind Bow	★★★☆☆
💧 Water Temple	Zora Domain questline, defeat boss	5-8 hours	Sage Water Shield	★★★☆☆
🔥 Fire Temple	Death Mountain questline, defeat boss	5-8 hours	Sage Fire Fist	★★★☆☆
⚡ Lightning Temple	Gerudo Town questline, defeat boss	5-8 hours	Sage Lightning Staff	★★★★☆
⚔️ Finding Zelda	Descend underground, discover truth	3-5 hours	Key story items	★★★★☆
🏆 Final Battle	Defeat Demon King Ganondorf	2-3 hours	Completion, Master Mode unlock	★★★★★

🌤️ Sky Awakening

Initial Sky Island Flow

At the game's start, Link falls from the sky and awakens on a mysterious sky island. This is the tutorial area where you'll learn all four core abilities.

Quest Flow

1. Explore after waking — Find Zelda's portrait and guidance in the ruined temple
2. Learn Recall ability — Use Recall to reverse falling stone blocks and reach high places
3. Learn Fuse ability — Use Fuse to attach materials to weapons and create stronger ones
4. Learn Ascend ability — Use Ascend to pass through ceilings and reach upper levels
5. Learn Ultrahand ability — Use Ultrahand to move, rotate objects and assemble vehicles
6. Build a wing glider — Assemble planks and wings, then fly off the island edge
7. Land in Hyrule — Fly toward the ground and officially begin your adventure

Initial Sky Island Shrines

Shrine Name	Challenge	Ability Obtained	Difficulty
In-isa Shrine	Recall tutorial	Recall	★☆☆☆☆
Gutanbac Shrine	Fuse tutorial	Fuse	★☆☆☆☆
Manobo Shrine	Ascend tutorial	Ascend	★☆☆☆☆
Ukouh Shrine	Ultrahand tutorial	Ultrahand	★☆☆☆☆

Obtaining the Paraglider

After completing all initial shrines, return to the Temple of Time and receive the Paraglider from Zelda. This is the most important movement tool in the game — get it as soon as possible.

🏰 Hyrule Castle Investigation

Arriving at Lookout Landing

After landing in Hyrule, head to Lookout Landing, your base of operations.

• Location: Directly south of Hyrule Castle
• Features: Shops, inn, map terminal, quest board
• Key NPCs: Purah, Stone Tablet Merchant

Castle Anomaly Investigation

Accept the investigation quest at Lookout Landing and head to Hyrule Castle to examine the anomaly.

Quest Flow

1. Talk to Purah — Receive the investigation quest
2. Enter the castle — Enter through the main gate, avoid the Gloom
3. Discover Zelda — Find Zelda's figure deep within the castle
4. Zelda vanishes — She disappears in a flash of light, leaving mystery
5. Report back — Share your findings with Purah

Unlocking the Four Regions

After completing the castle investigation, four regional anomaly points will appear on your map. Visit each region, progress the local main quests, and ultimately unlock the four temples.

Regional Quest Overview

Region	Entry Point	Main NPCs	Core Challenge
Southwest - Rito Village	Near Lanayru Mountain	Sidon, Tulin	Wind Temple
East - Zora Domain	Lanayru Wetlands	Sidon, Riju	Water Temple
North - Death Mountain	Eldin Volcano	Yunobo, Riju	Fire Temple
Northwest - Gerudo Town	Gerudo Highlands	Riju, Sidon	Lightning Temple

🌬️ Wind Temple — Rito Village Questline

Rito Village Main Quest

Travel to Rito Village and speak with village chief Teba about the wind anomaly.

Quest Flow

1. Talk to Teba — Accept the main quest "Wind Temple"
2. Find Tulin — Locate Tulin below Rito Village
3. Head to the Wind Temple — Guide Tulin to the Wind Temple in the sky
4. Enter the temple — Use the paraglider and wind abilities to fly in

Wind Temple Guide

The Wind Temple is located in the sky, requiring wind power and the paraglider to navigate between platforms.

Temple Interior Structure

Area	Key Puzzle	Required Abilities	Chests
Floor 1	Wind mechanism	Ultrahand	2
Floor 2	Wind direction control	Fuse	3
Floor 3	Large fan puzzle	Ultrahand + Fuse	2
Floor 4	Storm crossing	Recall	3
Floor 5	Final challenge	All abilities	4

Boss: Marbled Gohma

• Weak point: Underbelly (exposed after rolling)
• Attack patterns: Tornado charge, tail sweep, ground shake
• Strategy: Wait for charge then attack tail, shoot underbelly with arrows after roll
• Recommended weapon: Bow fused with ice materials
• Difficulty: ★★★☆☆

Obtaining the Sage Wind Bow

After defeating the boss, Tulin becomes your Wind Sage, providing wind support in battle.

💧 Water Temple — Zora Domain Questline

Zora Domain Main Quest

Travel to Zora Domain and speak with Sidon about the water anomaly.

Quest Flow

1. Talk to Sidon — Accept the main quest "Water Temple"
2. Repair Zora Domain's pipes — Use Ultrahand and Fuse to repair broken water pipes
3. Head to the Water Temple — Follow the water flow upward to the Water Temple in the sky
4. Enter the temple — Use water power to open the entrance

Water Temple Guide

The Water Temple requires water flow and freezing abilities to navigate between areas.

Temple Interior Structure

Area	Key Puzzle	Required Abilities	Chests
Floor 1	Water level control	Fuse	2
Floor 2	Frozen water flow	Fuse (ice)	3
Floor 3	Water pressure mechanism	Ultrahand	2
Floor 4	Deep water exploration	Recall	3
Floor 5	Final challenge	All abilities	4

Boss: Mucktorok

• Weak point: Suction cup bottom (exposed when shooting)
• Attack patterns: Ink spray, tentacle sweep, water surge
• Strategy: Freeze tentacles with ice arrows, then attack suction cup
• Recommended weapon: Bow fused with ice materials
• Difficulty: ★★★☆☆

Obtaining the Sage Water Shield

After defeating the boss, Sidon becomes your Water Sage, providing water shield protection in battle.

🔥 Fire Temple — Death Mountain Questline

Death Mountain Main Quest

Travel to Death Mountain and speak with Yunobo about the fire anomaly.

Quest Flow

1. Talk to Yunobo — Accept the main quest "Fire Temple"
2. Investigate ore anomaly — Examine the ore changes in Death Mountain
3. Head to the Fire Temple — Traverse the volcanic area to reach the Fire Temple
4. Enter the temple — Use fire power to open the entrance

Fire Temple Guide

The Fire Temple requires flame and heat management to navigate between areas.

Temple Interior Structure

Area	Key Puzzle	Required Abilities	Chests
Floor 1	Lava flow control	Ultrahand	2
Floor 2	Flame mechanism	Fuse	3
Floor 3	Heat conduction puzzle	Recall	2
Floor 4	Volcanic interior exploration	All abilities	3
Floor 5	Final challenge	All abilities	4

Boss: Flame Gleeok

• Weak point: Back core (requires climbing)
• Attack patterns: Flame jet, ground pound, lava waves
• Strategy: Circle to the back and climb, attack core with ice weapons
• Recommended weapon: Two-handed sword fused with ice materials
• Difficulty: ★★★★☆

Obtaining the Sage Fire Fist

After defeating the boss, Yunobo becomes your Fire Sage, providing flame attacks in battle.

⚡ Lightning Temple — Gerudo Town Questline

Gerudo Town Main Quest

Travel to Gerudo Town and speak with Riju about the lightning anomaly.

Quest Flow

1. Talk to Riju — Accept the main quest "Lightning Temple"
2. Repair town defenses — Use Ultrahand and Fuse to repair defensive structures
3. Head to the Lightning Temple — Traverse the desert area to reach the Lightning Temple
4. Enter the temple — Use lightning power to open the entrance

Lightning Temple Guide

The Lightning Temple requires electricity and conductive materials to navigate between areas.

Temple Interior Structure

Area	Key Puzzle	Required Abilities	Chests
Floor 1	Electrical conduction	Fuse	2
Floor 2	Conductor puzzle	Ultrahand	3
Floor 3	Electromagnetic mechanism	Recall	2
Floor 4	Thunderstorm area	All abilities	3
Floor 5	Final challenge	All abilities	4

Boss: Colgera

• Weak point: Head core (requires high-angle attack)
• Attack patterns: Lightning chain, ground electrification, electromagnetic pulse
• Strategy: Use insulated materials for shields, climb to attack head
• Recommended weapon: Bow fused with insulated materials
• Difficulty: ★★★★☆

Obtaining the Sage Lightning Staff

After defeating the boss, Riju becomes your Lightning Sage, providing lightning attacks in battle.

⚔️ Finding Zelda

Descending Underground

After completing the four temples, Zelda's clues lead to the underground world. This area is filled with darkness and danger.

Quest Flow

1. Discover underground entrance — Find the entrance to the underground below Hyrule Castle
2. Explore the underground — Navigate through the dark underground searching for Zelda
3. Find Lightroots — Illuminate the underground by activating Lightroots
4. Find Zelda's clues — Discover messages and items left by Zelda
5. Reveal the truth — Discover that Zelda has transformed into a dragon

Zelda's Truth

Deep underground, you'll discover that Zelda transformed into a dragon to save Hyrule, flying off into the distance. This discovery drives the final battle's story.

🏆 Final Battle

Entering the Final Battlefield

Head to Hyrule Castle and face Demon King Ganondorf in the final battle.

Preparation Checklist

• Recommended level: 15+ heart containers, max stamina vessels
• Essential equipment: Master Sword, Ancient Set or highest-tier armor
• Recommended items: Plenty of recovery food, buff elixirs, 50+ arrows
• Sage support: Ensure all sages are activated

Demon King Ganondorf Strategy

The final boss fight has three phases, each requiring different strategies.

Phase 1: Human Form

• Weak point: Front defense gap
• Attack patterns: Sword combos, dark arrows, ground slam
• Strategy: Block and counter, output during attack gaps
• Recommended weapon: Master Sword + powerful material fusion

Phase 2: Dragon Form

• Weak point: Head core (requires climbing)
• Attack patterns: Full-screen dark wave, tracking projectiles, ground quake
• Strategy: Use sage abilities to distract, climb and attack head
• Recommended weapon: Two-handed sword with powerful material fusion

Phase 3: Final Form

• Weak point: Zelda's light-guided weak point
• Attack patterns: Full-screen attacks, Gloom monster summons
• Strategy: Follow Zelda's light guidance, focus fire on weak point
• Recommended weapon: Master Sword + strongest material fusion

Completion Rewards

• Ending cinematic — Complete story conclusion
• Master Mode unlock — Higher difficulty challenge mode
• New Game+ inheritance — Some equipment and materials carry over
• Hidden content unlock — New collectibles and challenges

🌟 Post-Completion Content

Hidden Quests

After completion, new hidden quests and challenges appear throughout Hyrule.

Quest Type	Count	Main Rewards	Importance
Hidden Shrines	12	Light of Blessing, rare materials	★★★★★
Racing Challenges	8	Rare equipment, rupees	★★★★☆
Trial Towers	5	Master Sword upgrade materials	★★★★★
Hidden Bosses	3	Rare weapons, armor	★★★★☆

Collection Completion

• Korok Seeds — 1000 total, expand inventory
• Shrine Completion — 152 total, obtain all heart and stamina vessels
• Compendium Completion — All monster, material, and weapon entries

New Game+ Suggestions

1. Upgrade equipment first — Use Great Fairy Fountains to upgrade armor
2. Collect rare materials — Underground rare ores and monster drops
3. Challenge hidden bosses — Improve combat skills
4. Complete all collectibles — Full Korok seed and shrine collection

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Related Pages: Side Quest Guide | Shrine Collection | Abilities Guide | Fusion System | Sky & Depths