Consumables & Upgrades — The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks Guide

Consumables & Upgrades

In The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, Link's journey through New Hyrule is fraught with peril, making smart use of consumables and strategic upgrades essential for survival. Unlike many Zelda titles where new swords and shields are found, Spirit Tracks focuses on enhancing Link's core abilities and managing a diverse inventory of helpful items.

Health & Stamina Enhancements

Permanently increasing Link's maximum health is crucial for tackling tougher dungeons and bosses. There are two primary ways to do this:

Heart Containers

These full heart icons instantly add one full heart to Link's health bar. They are typically rewarded after defeating a dungeon boss.

• Forest Temple: Defeat Stagnox.
• Snow Temple: Defeat Fraaz.
• Ocean Temple: Defeat Phytops.
• Sand Temple: Defeat Skeldritch.
• Tower of Spirits (Final Encounter): Defeat Malladus (first phase).

Heart Pieces

Collecting four Heart Pieces combines to form one full Heart Container, permanently increasing Link's maximum health. There are 16 Heart Pieces scattered throughout New Hyrule, allowing for a total of 4 additional Heart Containers beyond those obtained from bosses.

Here's a comprehensive list of Heart Piece locations:

• Aboda Village:
  • Reward for completing the "Take the Lumber to Aboda Village" delivery request for the Lumberjack in Whittleton.
  • In a chest on a small island accessible by train, south of Aboda Village.
• Whittleton:
  • In a chest hidden in the forest maze, accessible after clearing the Forest Temple.
• Forest Realm:
  • In a chest on a small island in the southeastern part of the Forest Realm, accessible by train.
• Anouki Village:
  • Reward for completing the "Deliver the Ice to Anouki Village" request for the Postman in Papuchia Village.
  • In a chest hidden behind a snowdrift in the village, requiring the use of the Boomerang to melt it (after obtaining the Fire Gem).
• Snow Realm:
  • In a chest on a high ledge in the northwestern part of the Snow Realm, accessible by cannon.
  • Reward for completing the "Deliver the Snow to the Papuchia Village Postman" request.
• Papuchia Village:
  • In a chest on a small island in the southern part of the village, accessible by swimming or using the Whirlwind.
• Ocean Realm:
  • In a chest on a small island in the central part of the Ocean Realm, accessible by train.
  • Reward for completing the "Deliver the Fish to the Papuchia Village Postman" request.
• Sand Realm:
  • In a chest on a high platform in the eastern part of the Sand Realm, accessible by cannon.
  • Reward for completing the "Deliver the Sand to the Papuchia Village Postman" request.
• Pirate Hideout:
  • In a chest inside the hideout, accessible after completing the Ocean Temple.
• Goron Village:
  • Reward for completing the "Deliver the Goron's Gift to the Anouki Elder" request.
• Hyrule Castle Town:
  • Reward for achieving a high score in the Take 'Em All On! minigame (available after the Forest Temple).
  • In a chest hidden in a secret area of the town, accessible by bombing a wall.

Consumable Items

These temporary aids can turn the tide of battle or help Link navigate tricky situations. Always keep a stock of essential consumables.

Potions

Potions are invaluable for restoring health or providing temporary buffs. They can be purchased from various shops or obtained as drops from enemies.

Fairies

Fairies are life-savers. When stored in an empty Bottle, a Fairy will automatically revive Link with 8 hearts upon defeat. You can carry up to two Fairies in Bottles.

• Locations: Fairies are often found in hidden grottoes, under rocks, or occasionally dropped by certain enemies. A reliable source is the Fairy Fountain near the Forest Temple entrance.
• Strategy Tip: Always try to have at least one Fairy on hand, especially before entering a new dungeon or facing a boss.

Bombs

Bombs are not just for combat; they are essential for solving puzzles, revealing hidden passages, and destroying obstacles. Link starts with a Bomb Bag that can hold a limited number of bombs, which can be upgraded.

• Acquisition: Bombs are primarily purchased from shops (5-10 Rupees each) or found in chests.
• Bomb Bag Upgrades:
  • Large Bomb Bag: Increases capacity to 20 bombs. Found in a chest in the Sand Temple, after solving a specific puzzle involving rolling a large boulder.
  • Giant Bomb Bag: Increases capacity to 30 bombs. Reward for completing the "Deliver the Bomb Flower to the Goron Elder" request. The Bomb Flower is found in a cave in the Goron Village area.
• Strategy Tip: Always keep a healthy stock of bombs. Many secrets and shortcuts are revealed by bombing suspicious walls or cracked rocks.

Arrows

Used with the Bow, arrows are crucial for ranged combat and activating distant switches. Link starts with a Quiver that can hold a limited number of arrows, which can also be upgraded.

• Acquisition: Arrows are purchased from shops (1 Rupee each) or found in pots and enemy drops.
• Quiver Upgrades:
  • Large Quiver: Increases capacity to 30 arrows. Found in a chest in the Ocean Temple, after navigating a series of underwater currents.
  • Giant Quiver: Increases capacity to 50 arrows. Reward for achieving a high score in the "Shooting Range" minigame in Papuchia Village.
• Strategy Tip: Arrows are excellent for taking out flying enemies or enemies with weak points that are hard to reach. Practice your aim in the shooting range to conserve arrows.

Treasure & Force Gems

While not consumables in the traditional sense, these items are collected and used for specific purposes:

• Treasures: Various unique items (e.g., Stalfos Skull, Goron Amber, Regal Ring) found in chests or as rare enemy drops. These are primarily used for trading with the Train Parts Shop in Hyrule Castle Town to acquire new train parts. Some NPCs also offer Rupees or other rewards for specific treasures.
• Force Gems: These glowing orbs appear after defeating enemies or solving puzzles. Collecting them powers up the Spirit Tracks, allowing Link to access new areas of the map. They are automatically consumed upon collection.

Rupees: The Currency of New Hyrule

Rupees are essential for purchasing consumables, train parts, and services. They come in various denominations (Green: 1, Blue: 5, Red: 20, Purple: 50, Silver: 100, Gold: 300).

Best Ways to Acquire Rupees:

• Defeating Enemies: Most enemies drop Rupees, especially larger or more challenging foes.
• Smashing Pots & Cutting Grass: Always break pots and cut tall grass; they frequently hide Rupees.
• Chests: Many chests contain significant Rupee amounts.
• Minigames:
  • Take 'Em All On! (Hyrule Castle Town): A combat challenge that can yield substantial Rupee rewards for successive wins.
  • Target Practice (Papuchia Village): Good for practicing your bow skills and earning Rupees.
  • Whip Race (Sand Realm): A timed race using the Whip, offering Rupees for fast times.
• Selling Treasures: While some treasures are for train parts, others can be sold to merchants for a good profit. Check the value before selling!
• Side Quests: Many side quests reward Link with Rupees upon completion.

Spending Rupees Wisely:

• Potions & Bombs/Arrows: Prioritize keeping a healthy stock of these essential consumables.
• Train Parts: Invest in better train parts (see below) to improve your train's durability and speed.
• Treasure Trading: Some merchants offer better deals for specific treasures, so know who to sell to.

Train Parts & Upgrades

Link's Spirit Train is his primary mode of transportation and a crucial element of the game. Upgrading its parts makes journeys safer and more efficient. Train parts are acquired by trading various treasures at the Train Parts Shop in Hyrule Castle Town.

Train Parts Shop (Hyrule Castle Town)

The shopkeeper here will exchange sets of specific treasures for new train parts. The available parts and required treasures change as you progress through the game.

Example Trade (Early Game):

(Note: The exact treasures required for each part can vary, so always check the shop's current inventory.)

Strategy for Train Parts:

• Prioritize Durability: Early upgrades to the train's armor and car durability are highly recommended to withstand enemy attacks on the tracks.
• Speed for Efficiency: Later, invest in speed upgrades to reduce travel time and make dodging enemy trains easier.
• Collect All Treasures: Don't sell treasures unless you're certain you don't need them for a train part. Many treasures are unique to specific areas or enemy drops.
• Check Periodically: The shop's inventory updates as you progress through the story, so visit regularly to see new offerings.

Other Important Upgrades & Side Quests

Beyond health and inventory capacity, several side quests and story progressions offer valuable enhancements to Link's abilities.

Sword Upgrades

Link's sword itself doesn't change, but its power can be increased through specific side quests.

• Force Gem Sword Power-Up: As you collect Force Gems and restore the Spirit Tracks, Link's sword will naturally become more powerful, dealing increased damage. This is a passive upgrade tied to story progression.
• Sword Training with the Swordsman:
  • Location: The Swordsman's House in the Forest Realm, accessible after clearing the Forest Temple.
  • Quest: The Swordsman will challenge Link to various combat trials. Successfully completing these trials will teach Link new sword techniques (e.g., Spin Attack, Great Spin Attack) and subtly increase his base attack power.
  • Reward: Enhanced combat abilities and a slight damage boost.
  • Common Pitfall: revisit him after each major dungeon, as new challenges become available.

Shield Upgrades

Similar to the sword, Link's shield doesn't change visually, but its effectiveness can be improved.

• Shield Training with the Swordsman: The same Swordsman who trains Link with his sword also offers shield training.
• Quest: He will challenge Link to block incoming projectiles and attacks.
• Reward: Increased shield durability and effectiveness against certain enemy attacks.

Wallet Upgrades

Link's starting wallet can only hold 500 Rupees, which quickly becomes limiting. Upgrading it is essential for purchasing expensive items and train parts.

• Big Wallet (1,000 Rupees):
  • Location: Reward for completing the "Deliver the Postman's Letter to the Anouki Elder" request. The Postman is found in Papuchia Village.
  • Steps: Speak to the Postman, accept his request, and deliver the letter to the Anouki Elder in Anouki Village. Return to the Postman for your reward.
• Giant Wallet (5,000 Rupees):
  • Location: Reward for completing the "Deliver the Goron's Gift to the Anouki Elder" request. The Goron is found in Goron Village.
  • Steps: Speak to the Goron, accept his request, and deliver the gift to the Anouki Elder in Anouki Village. Return to the Goron for your reward.
  • Common Pitfall: This quest becomes available later in the game, so don't expect it early.

By diligently seeking out Heart Pieces, managing your consumables, upgrading your train, and completing side quests, Link will be well-equipped to face the challenges of New Hyrule and restore the Spirit Tracks.