Renting/Buying Items

Unlike previous Zelda titles, A Link Between Worlds introduces a revolutionary item system centered around renting and eventually purchasing key adventure items. This guide will walk you through how to best utilize this system to your advantage, ensuring you always have the right tools for the job.

The Item Shop: Ravio's Shop

Your primary source for items is Ravio's Shop, located within your own house in Hyrule. Ravio, the mysterious bunny-hooded merchant, sets up shop early in the game, offering a selection of essential items for rent. As you progress through the story, his inventory will expand, providing access to more powerful tools.

Initial Item Availability:

Bomb: Essential for destroying cracked walls and activating switches.
Bow: Your ranged weapon, perfect for hitting distant targets and solving arrow-based puzzles.
Hammer: Used to flatten pegs and smash certain obstacles.
Hookshot: Allows you to cross gaps and pull distant objects.
Boomerang: Stuns enemies and retrieves items from afar.
Lantern: Illuminates dark areas and burns webs.
Pegasus Boots: Grants a burst of speed, useful for crossing crumbling floors and dodging attacks.

Later in the game, Ravio will also offer the Ice Rod and Fire Rod, crucial for elemental puzzles and combat, as well as the Sand Rod, which is vital for navigating sandy areas in Lorule.

Renting Items: The Early Game Strategy

In the early stages of your adventure, renting items is the most cost-effective way to progress. Each item has a rental fee, and you can rent multiple items simultaneously. However, there's a significant caveat:

Death Penalty: If Link falls in battle while renting items, Ravio will reclaim all rented items, and you'll lose them. This means you'll have to pay the rental fee again to re-acquire them.
Strategic Renting: Consider renting only the items you immediately need for the dungeon or area you're exploring. If you're heading into a particularly tough dungeon, it might be wise to only rent the critical items to minimize potential losses.
Money Management: Early on, rupees can be scarce. Prioritize renting items that unlock new areas or are required for story progression. Don't be afraid to grind for rupees by cutting grass, smashing pots, or defeating enemies if you're short on cash.

Buying Items: The Permanent Solution

Once you've made significant progress in the game, Ravio will offer you the option to buy items permanently. This is a game-changer, as bought items are yours to keep, even if Link falls in battle. The purchase prices are considerably higher than rental fees, but the long-term benefits are immense.

When to Buy:

After the First Major Dungeon: While you can rent for a while, aim to start buying items after you've completed the first few dungeons and have a steady income of rupees.
Prioritize Essential Items: Focus on purchasing items that you use frequently or that are critical for exploration, such as the Bow, Bombs, and Hookshot.
Save Up: Don't rush into buying everything at once. Save your rupees and purchase items strategically. Completing side quests, finding hidden treasure chests, and participating in mini-games are excellent ways to accumulate wealth.
The "Big Buy" Strategy: Many players find it beneficial to save up a large sum of rupees and buy several key items at once, especially before venturing into challenging areas where the risk of death is higher.

Item Upgrades: Enhancing Your Arsenal

Beyond renting and buying, many items can be upgraded to their "Nice" versions, offering enhanced power or utility. These upgrades are typically found in specific locations or through side quests. For example, the Nice Bow shoots three arrows at once, and the Nice Bombs have a larger blast radius.

Maiamai Hunting: The primary method for upgrading items is by finding Maiamais, small creatures scattered across Hyrule and Lorule. Return them to their mother, Mother Maiamai, who resides in a cave near Link's house. For every ten Maiamais you return, she will upgrade one of your purchased items to its "Nice" version.
Strategic Upgrades: Prioritize upgrading items you use most often or those that will significantly aid in combat or puzzle-solving. The Nice Bow and Nice Bombs are often considered high-priority upgrades.

By understanding and effectively utilizing Ravio's item shop, you'll be well-equipped to face any challenge Hyrule and Lorule throw your way!