Swords and Upgrades — The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds Guide

Swords and Upgrades

Link's trusty blade is his primary weapon, and in A Link Between Worlds, you'll have opportunities to significantly enhance its power. Upgrading your sword is crucial for tackling tougher enemies and bosses, especially as you venture into Lorule. This guide will detail every sword available, how to acquire them, and how to maximize their potential, ensuring you're always equipped for the challenges ahead.

The Novice Sword

This is Link's starting weapon, a simple but reliable blade. While not as powerful as the legendary Master Sword, it's essential for your early adventures in Hyrule. It serves as your primary means of defense and offense until you acquire a more powerful alternative.

• Acquisition: Obtained automatically at the very beginning of the game, as Link wakes up in his bed.
• Base Power: Deals basic damage, sufficient for early-game enemies like Octoroks, Moblins, and Peahats.
• Special Ability: None.

The Master Sword

The legendary Master Sword is your ultimate weapon, destined to defeat evil. Its power can be amplified through special upgrades, making Link an even more formidable hero. Unlike the Novice Sword, the Master Sword cannot be broken and is significantly more powerful, capable of shooting Sword Beams when Link is at full health.

• Acquisition: The Master Sword is found after completing the first three dungeons in Hyrule: the Eastern Palace, the House of Gales, and the Tower of Hera.
  1. Clear the three introductory dungeons in Hyrule:
     • Eastern Palace: Located east of Kakariko Village.
     • House of Gales: Found on Lake Hylia.
     • Tower of Hera: Situated atop Death Mountain.
  2. After collecting the three Pendants of Virtue from these dungeons, the Master Sword will call to Link.
  3. Head directly to the Lost Woods, located north of Kakariko Village. You do not need to speak with Sahasrahla in Kakariko Village for this step.
  4. Navigate the Lost Woods. Follow the glowing trail left by the Master Sword's power. You'll need to use the Merge ability to pass through walls and find the correct path to its resting place. The path is generally straightforward, but pay attention to the direction the light is pulling you.
  5. Upon reaching the pedestal deep within the Lost Woods, Link will pull the Master Sword, officially acquiring it.
• Base Power: The Master Sword deals significantly more damage than the Novice Sword, making combat much smoother. It also has the iconic ability to shoot Sword Beams when Link is at full health, a classic Zelda ability that can clear out groups of weaker enemies or hit distant targets without expending energy.

Master Sword Upgrades

To truly unlock the Master Sword's potential, you'll need to seek out special ore known as Master Ore. Each pair of Master Ore you find allows you to upgrade your Master Sword at the Blacksmith's shop in Hyrule. There are four pieces of Master Ore in total, allowing for two distinct upgrades, each significantly boosting the sword's power.

Level 1: Tempered Master Sword

The first upgrade increases the Master Sword's damage output, making it more effective against the growing threats in Hyrule and preparing you for your journey into Lorule. This upgrade requires two pieces of Master Ore.

• Requirement: 2 pieces of Master Ore.
• Upgrade Process: Once you have both pieces of Master Ore, head to the Blacksmith's shop in Hyrule (located east of Kakariko Village). Speak to the Blacksmith, and he will forge your Master Sword into its first upgraded form, the Tempered Master Sword.
• Master Ore Locations:
  1. Thieves' Hideout (Lorule): This piece of Master Ore is found within the Thieves' Hideout dungeon, located in the desert region of Lorule.
     • Enter the dungeon and progress until you reach the room with the large, rotating spike blocks and conveyor belts.
     • In the northern part of this room, you'll find a chest on a raised platform. Use the conveyor belts and the Merge mechanic to navigate and reach it.
     • Open the chest to claim your first Master Ore.
  2. Turtle Rock (Lorule): This Master Ore is located in the Turtle Rock dungeon in Lorule, found in the northeastern volcanic region.
     • Navigate the dungeon until you reach the large central room with the lava and moving platforms.
     • From the central platform, look for a path leading to the west. You'll need to use the Ice Rod to freeze lava geysers and create platforms to cross.
     • Follow this path to a room with several Fire Bars and a chest. Carefully avoid the Fire Bars to reach the chest.
     • Open the chest to obtain your second Master Ore.

Level 2: Golden Master Sword

The second and final upgrade makes the Master Sword incredibly powerful, capable of dealing massive damage to even the toughest foes. This upgrade is highly recommended before facing the final challenges of the game. This upgrade also requires two additional pieces of Master Ore.

• Requirement: 2 additional pieces of Master Ore (a total of 4 Master Ore collected for the final upgrade).
• Upgrade Process: With both pieces of Master Ore in hand, return to the Blacksmith in Hyrule. He will once again upgrade your Master Sword, transforming it into its most potent form, the Golden Master Sword.
• Master Ore Locations:
  1. Ice Ruins (Lorule): This piece of Master Ore is found within the Ice Ruins dungeon, located in the frozen northern region of Lorule.
     • Enter the dungeon and progress until you reach the floor with the large, central ice block puzzle that you can push around.
     • On this floor, look for a room in the southeast. You'll need to solve a puzzle involving pushing the ice block into a specific position to create a path or activate a switch.
     • Once the path is clear, open the chest to claim your third Master Ore.
  2. Desert Palace (Lorule): The final piece of Master Ore is hidden within the Desert Palace in Lorule, located in the southwestern desert region.
     • Navigate the dungeon until you reach the room with the moving sand rivers and the large central platform.
     • From the central platform, look for a path leading to the north. You'll need to use the Sand Rod to create paths across the sand.
     • Follow this path to a room with several enemies and a chest on a raised platform. Defeat the enemies and use the Sand Rod to reach the chest.
     • Open the chest to obtain your fourth and final Master Ore.

The Great Spin Attack

Beyond simply upgrading your sword's damage, you can also enhance Link's combat techniques. The Great Spin Attack is a powerful upgrade to your standard Spin Attack, allowing for a wider radius and increased damage.

• Acquisition: This upgrade is granted by the Mother Maiamai.
  1. You must first find at least 10 Baby Maiamais scattered across Hyrule and Lorule.
  2. Return these 10 Baby Maiamais to their Mother Maiamai, who resides in a cave on Lake Hylia (Hyrule side).
  3. Upon returning the 10th Baby Maiamai, Mother Maiamai will reward you with the Great Spin Attack.
• Effect: The Great Spin Attack significantly increases the range and power of Link's standard Spin Attack. When fully charged, it covers a much larger area, making it incredibly effective for clearing out groups of enemies or dealing damage to larger foes that surround Link.
• Strategy Tip: Use the Great Spin Attack when surrounded by multiple enemies, or to quickly clear out weaker foes. It's also useful for hitting enemies that are slightly out of reach of a normal sword swing.

Sword Comparison Table

Here's a quick overview of the different sword stages and their approximate power levels, along with their unique attributes:

Tips for Sword Combat and Maximizing Potential

• Spin Attack: Hold down the attack button, then release for a powerful spin attack that hits enemies in a 360-degree radius. This is excellent for crowd control, especially when surrounded by weaker foes. The Great Spin Attack further enhances its utility.
• Sword Beam: When at full health (all heart containers filled), pressing the attack button will unleash a Sword Beam. This projectile attack is great for hitting enemies from a distance, conserving health by avoiding direct confrontation, or hitting switches. Remember, it only works at full health, so keep those hearts topped up!
• Wall Merge Attack: While merged onto a wall, pressing the attack button will cause Link to quickly pop out and slash. This can be used to surprise enemies, hit them from an unexpected angle, or bypass their defenses. Experiment with merging around corners or behind enemies for tactical advantage.
• Prioritize Master Ore: While exploring Lorule, make obtaining Master Ore a high priority. The increased damage output from each Master Sword upgrade will make subsequent dungeons, boss battles, and general enemy encounters significantly easier and faster. Don't put off finding these crucial materials!
• Practice Timing: Many enemies have attack patterns that can be exploited with well-timed sword swings. Practice dodging and striking to maximize your damage and minimize incoming hits. Some enemies have vulnerable points that are only exposed after certain attacks.
• Combine with Items: use your rental items in conjunction with your sword. The Hookshot can pull enemies closer for a quick slash, the Fire Rod can stun, and the Ice Rod can freeze, setting up easy sword strikes.
• Common Pitfall: Forgetting Great Spin Attack: Many players overlook the Great Spin Attack. collect at least 10 Baby Maiamais and return them to Mother Maiamai to unlock this powerful combat technique early on. It makes a noticeable difference in crowd control.