Crafting and Item Creation — The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD Guide

Master item upgrades and potion brewing in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD. Gather materials from Amber Relics and Moonlight Drops for Gondo and Luv.

While Skyward Sword HD doesn't feature a traditional "crafting" system in the vein of gathering raw materials to build new items from scratch, it offers a robust and essential item upgrade and potion brewing mechanic. Mastering these systems is crucial for Link's survival and effectiveness throughout his adventure, allowing you to enhance your gear and gain significant advantages in combat and exploration.

Item Upgrades at the Bazaar

The primary method for improving your equipment is through the Upgrade Shop located within the Bazaar in Skyloft. Gondo, the proprietor, can enhance many of Link's essential tools, provided you bring him the necessary Rupees and specific treasures. These upgrades often grant increased capacity, improved functionality, or enhanced power.

How to Upgrade Items:

1. Locate Gondo: Gondo's Upgrade Shop is found on the ground floor of the Bazaar, to the right of the entrance.
2. Initiate Dialogue: Speak with Gondo and select the "Upgrade Item" option.
3. Select Item: A menu will appear, displaying all upgradeable items you possess. Items you have the materials and Rupees for will be highlighted.
4. Confirm Upgrade: Select the desired upgrade. Gondo will then perform the enhancement.

Essential Upgrades and Required Materials:

Prioritize these upgrades early on to maximize their benefits:

• Bug Net:
  • Big Bug Net: Increases the net's catching radius, making it easier to snag elusive insects.
    • Required Materials: 1 Tumbleweed, 1 Ancient Flower, 1 Amber Relic, 100 Rupees.
    • Strategy: Tumbleweeds are found rolling across Lanayru Desert. Ancient Flowers are common in Lanayru Mining Facility and Lanayru Desert. Amber Relics are abundant in Faron Woods and Skyview Temple.
• Bomb Bag:
  • Medium Bomb Bag: Increases bomb capacity from 10 to 15.
    • Required Materials: 1 Jelly Blob, 1 Ornamental Skull, 1 Amber Relic, 50 Rupees.
    • Strategy: Jelly Blobs are dropped by ChuChus. Ornamental Skulls are found in various dungeons and as enemy drops (e.g., Bokoblins). Amber Relics are plentiful.
  • Large Bomb Bag: Increases bomb capacity from 15 to 20.
    • Required Materials: 1 Lizalfos Tail, 1 Evil Crystal, 1 Dusk Relic, 300 Rupees.
    • Strategy: Lizalfos Tails are dropped by Lizalfos. Evil Crystals are dropped by Cursed Bokoblins and found in later dungeons. Dusk Relics are rarer, often found in the Silent Realms or as drops from tougher enemies.
• Seed Satchel:
  • Medium Seed Satchel: Increases Deku Seed capacity from 10 to 15.
    • Required Materials: 1 Deku Nut, 1 Monster Claw, 1 Amber Relic, 50 Rupees.
    • Strategy: Deku Nuts are dropped by Deku Babas. Monster Claws are dropped by Keese and Bokoblins.
  • Large Seed Satchel: Increases Deku Seed capacity from 15 to 20.
    • Required Materials: 1 Bird Feather, 1 Tumbleweed, 1 Evil Crystal, 300 Rupees.
    • Strategy: Bird Feathers are obtained by catching birds with the Bug Net.
• Quiver:
  • Medium Quiver: Increases arrow capacity from 10 to 15.
    • Required Materials: 1 Monster Horn, 1 Tumbleweed, 1 Amber Relic, 50 Rupees.
    • Strategy: Monster Horns are dropped by Bokoblins.
  • Large Quiver: Increases arrow capacity from 15 to 20.
    • Required Materials: 1 Golden Skull, 1 Goddess Plume, 1 Blue Bird Feather, 300 Rupees.
    • Strategy: Golden Skulls are rare drops from Bokoblins and found in later areas. Goddess Plumes are very rare, often found in Silent Realms or as drops from high-tier enemies. Blue Bird Feathers are extremely rare, requiring careful Bug Net usage on specific blue birds.
• Shields:
  • Banded Shield: An upgraded Wooden Shield with higher durability.
    • Required Materials: 2 Amber Relics, 1 Jelly Blob, 50 Rupees.
  • Iron Shield: An upgraded Banded Shield with even greater durability and fire resistance.
    • Required Materials: 2 Iron Scraps, 1 Monster Claw, 1 Ornamental Skull, 100 Rupees.
    • Strategy: Iron Scraps are found in Lanayru Desert and dropped by Technoblins.
  • Reinforced Shield: An upgraded Iron Shield with superior durability.
    • Required Materials: 3 Iron Scra2, 2 Tumbleweeds, 1 Blue Bird Feather, 300 Rupees.
  • Divine Shield: An upgraded Reinforced Shield, offering excellent durability and elemental resistance.
    • Required Materials: 3 Dusk Relics, 2 Bird Feathers, 1 Goddess Plume, 500 Rupees.

Tips for Gathering Treasures:

• Explore Thoroughly: Always check every nook and cranny, break pots, and cut grass. Many treasures are hidden in plain sight.
• Use the Dowsing Ability: Once you acquire the Dowsing ability for specific treasures (often after talking to characters or finding a treasure for the first time), use it to pinpoint their locations.
• Revisit Areas: Treasures respawn! If you need more of a specific item, revisit areas where you previously found it.
• Nighttime Hunts: Some enemies and treasures are more prevalent at night. Sleep in a bed in Skyloft to advance time.
• The Gratitude Crystal Side Quests: Completing these side quests often rewards you with valuable treasures, including rare ones.
• Boss Rush: Later in the game, the Boss Rush minigame can be a good source of rare treasures if you perform well.

Potion Brewing at the Skyloft Potion Shop

Luv and her mother, Potion Shop Owner, run the Potion Shop in Skyloft. Here, you can purchase various potions to aid Link on his journey, and more importantly, upgrade existing potions to enhance their effects or duration. These upgrades are permanent for that potion type.

How to Upgrade Potions:

1. Locate the Potion Shop: The Potion Shop is located in the eastern part of Skyloft, near the entrance to the Waterfall Cave.
2. Speak with Luv: Choose the "Upgrade Potion" option.
3. Select Potion: A menu will show available potions for upgrade, along with the required ingredients and Rupees.
4. Confirm Upgrade: Select the potion you wish to improve.

Potion Upgrades and Required Materials:

• Heart Potion: Restores 8 hearts.
  • Heart Potion +: Restores all hearts.
    • Required Materials: 1 Hornet Larvae, 1 Woodland Spore, 20 Rupees.
    • Strategy: Hornet Larvae are found in Hornet Nests (hit them down with your Slingshot or Sword). Woodland Spores are found by hitting mushrooms in Faron Woods.
• Stamina Potion: Temporarily increases stamina recovery speed.
  • Stamina Potion +: Significantly increases stamina recovery speed for a longer duration.
    • Required Materials: 1 Stamina Fruit, 1 Lanayru Ant, 20 Rupees.
    • Strategy: Stamina Fruits are found in Faron Woods. Lanayru Ants are found by digging in soft soil in Lanayru Desert.
• Air Potion: Extends underwater breathing time.
  • Air Potion +: Greatly extends underwater breathing time.
    • Required Materials: 1 Skyloft Dew, 1 Faron Frog, 20 Rupees.
    • Strategy: Skyloft Dew is found on grass and flowers in Skyloft. Faron Frogs are found in Faron Woods, often near water.
• Revitalizing Potion: Restores 4 hearts and cures status effects.
  • Revitalizing Potion +: Restores all hearts and cures status effects.
    • Required Materials: 1 Deku Nut, 1 Bird Feather, 20 Rupees.
    • Strategy: Deku Nuts are dropped by Deku Babas. Bird Feathers are obtained by catching birds.
• Guardian Potion: Temporarily reduces damage taken.
  • Guardian Potion +: Significantly reduces damage taken for a longer duration.
    • Required Materials: 1 Lizalfos Tail, 1 Monster Horn, 20 Rupees.
    • Strategy: Lizalfos Tails are dropped by Lizalfos. Monster Horns are dropped by Bokoblins.

Tips for Gathering Potion Ingredients:

• Use the Bug Net: Many potion ingredients are insects that can be caught with your Bug Net.
• Harvest Plants: Some ingredients are flora that can be gathered by striking them with your sword or rolling into trees.
• Defeat Enemies: Certain enemies consistently drop specific ingredients.
• Check the Environment: Look for sparkling spots on the ground or in trees, as these often indicate hidden ingredients.