Fairy Fountains & Great Fairies

Fairy Fountains & Great Fairies

Throughout your journey across the Great Sea in The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, you'll encounter mysterious Fairy Fountains. These sacred springs are home to Great Fairies who, upon being discovered, will bestow upon Link invaluable upgrades to his equipment and abilities. Finding all of them is crucial for maximizing your combat effectiveness, survivability, and overall utility against the toughest foes and most intricate puzzles Phantom Hourglass has to offer. Unlike previous Zelda titles, Great Fairies in Phantom Hourglass often provide permanent stat boosts or capacity increases rather than temporary buffs.

There are a total of four Great Fairies scattered across the Northwestern, Northeastern, and Southeastern Seas. Each offers a unique and powerful upgrade that will significantly aid Link in his quest to rescue Tetra and defeat Bellum. Pay close attention to their locations and the specific items or actions required to access their hidden grottoes.

Great Fairy of Power (Sword Upgrade)

The Great Fairy of Power grants Link a significant boost to his sword's attack power, allowing him to deal more damage with each strike. This upgrade is essential for taking down enemies more efficiently, reducing the time spent in dangerous encounters, and making boss battles considerably easier. There are two tiers to this upgrade, each provided by a different Great Fairy.

First Sword Upgrade

• Location: This Great Fairy resides on Bannan Island, located in the Northwestern Sea.
• How to Reach:
  1. Sail to Bannan Island. This island is distinct for its large, banana-shaped rock formation.
  2. Once on the island, speak to the old man sitting by the water. He will tell you about a hidden cave.
  3. Head to the northern part of the island. You'll notice a small, circular indentation on the ground near the cliff face.
  4. Equip your Shovel and dig at this specific spot. A hidden cave entrance will be revealed.
  5. Enter the newly accessible cave. Inside, you'll find the Great Fairy of Power, who will grant you the first sword upgrade.
• Reward: Your sword's attack power will be increased by +1. This is a permanent upgrade to the Phantom Sword.
• Strategy Tip: Obtaining this upgrade early can make a noticeable difference in the first few dungeons and against early-game bosses. Bannan Island is accessible relatively early in your adventure.

Second Sword Upgrade

• Location: This Great Fairy is found on Isle of Ember, located in the Northwestern Sea.
• How to Reach:
  1. Sail to the Isle of Ember. This volcanic island is home to the Temple of Fire.
  2. Upon landing, make your way to the northern section of the island, near the entrance to the Temple of Fire.
  3. You'll observe a series of unlit torches arranged in a specific pattern.
  4. Equip your Boomerang. You need to light these torches in the correct order. The correct order is hinted at by the arrangement of the torches themselves, or by observing the surrounding environment. A common solution involves lighting them in a sequence that forms a specific shape or follows a path. Experiment with different sequences.
  5. Once all torches are lit in the correct order, a hidden cave entrance will appear.
  6. Enter the cave to meet the Great Fairy of Power, who will bestow the second sword upgrade.
• Reward: Your sword's attack power will be increased by an additional +1, bringing your total sword power bonus to +2.
• Strategy Tip: This upgrade further enhances your combat capabilities, making later-game enemies and bosses much more manageable. The Isle of Ember is visited early, but the torch puzzle might require some thought or a return trip once you have the Boomerang.

Great Fairy of Wisdom (Heart Container Upgrade)

The Great Fairy of Wisdom enhances Link's defensive capabilities by increasing his maximum heart containers. More hearts mean you can withstand more damage, making boss battles and challenging dungeons much more manageable. This upgrade is invaluable for survivability.

• Location: You'll find this Great Fairy on Mercay Island, the central hub island in the Southeastern Sea.
• How to Reach:
  1. Sail to Mercay Island. This is the island where you start your adventure and where Linebeck's ship is docked.
  2. Once on the island, head to the eastern side. You'll need to navigate through the town and past the various shops.
  3. Look for a small, secluded area with a patch of soft dirt near the eastern coast, often surrounded by trees or rocks.
  4. Equip your Shovel and dig at this specific spot. You might need to dig in a few different places in the general area, but it's usually near the water's edge on the eastern side.
  5. Upon digging in the correct spot, a hidden cave entrance will be revealed.
  6. Descend into the cave to meet the Great Fairy of Wisdom.
• Reward: Your maximum heart containers will be increased by one full heart. This is a permanent addition to your health bar.
• Strategy Tip: This is one of the earliest and most impactful upgrades you can get. An extra heart makes a huge difference in the early game, allowing you to survive more hits from enemies and traps. visit Mercay Island with your Shovel as soon as possible.

Great Fairy of Courage (Bomb Bag Upgrade)

The Great Fairy of Courage bestows upon Link the ability to carry more bombs, which is incredibly useful for dungeon puzzles, breaking obstacles, and dealing area-of-effect damage to groups of enemies. This upgrade is crucial for both combat and exploration.

• Location: This Great Fairy is hidden on Dee Ess Island, located in the Northeastern Sea.
• How to Reach:
  1. Sail to Dee Ess Island. This island is recognizable by its unique shape, resembling the Nintendo DS console.
  2. Upon landing, make your way to the southern part of the island.
  3. You'll notice a series of small, circular indentations or discolored patches on the ground. These indicate spots where you can dig.
  4. Equip your Shovel and start digging in these spots. One of them will reveal a hidden cave entrance. The exact spot can vary slightly, but it's generally within the southern half of the island.
  5. Once you dig up the entrance, descend into the cave to find the Great Fairy of Courage.
• Reward: Your maximum bomb capacity will be increased by 10 bombs. This is a permanent upgrade to your Bomb Bag.
• Strategy Tip: An increased bomb capacity is incredibly useful throughout the game. Not only for combat, but many puzzles and hidden areas require bombs. Getting this upgrade allows you to carry a larger supply, reducing the need to constantly search for bomb refills. Dee Ess Island is in the Northeastern Sea, which becomes fully accessible after progressing through the main story.

Summary of Great Fairy Upgrades

Here's a quick reference table for all the Great Fairies and the invaluable upgrades they provide:

Remember, visiting these Great Fairies as soon as you have the necessary items and access to their respective islands will significantly ease your journey through the treacherous seas and dungeons of Phantom Hourglass. Don't underestimate the power of these upgrades; they are crucial for Link's success!