Zelda The Wind Waker: How To Get The Master Sword

In the expansive world of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, few items hold as much iconic significance as the Master Sword. This legendary blade, a staple in almost every mainline Zelda title, can be acquired less than halfway through Link’s grand adventure, especially when considering the game’s substantial side content. In The Wind Waker, the Master Sword’s location is shrouded in mystery, hidden deep beneath the ocean, requiring players to fulfill specific story requirements to finally reach it.

This guide will meticulously detail the steps required to obtain the Master Sword, explain its special effects and mechanics, and outline the quest to restore its full power, allowing you to wield the legendary blade in Zelda: The Wind Waker.

Zelda The Wind Waker: How To Get The Master Sword

Wind Waker Master Sword Special Effects & Mechanics

Upon its initial acquisition, the Master Sword in The Wind Waker is a significant upgrade over Link’s humble Hero’s Sword, but it’s not yet at its ultimate potential.

Immediate Upgrade: The Master Sword is a strict and immediate upgrade to the regular Hero’s Sword you’ve been using.
- Increased Damage: Link will immediately deal twice the amount of damage compared to the Hero’s Sword, making combat significantly more efficient.
- Extended Reach: The sword also allows Link to hit enemies from further away, providing a noticeable increase in his attack range.
Unique to Wind Waker: Unlike other iterations of the Master Sword in the Zelda series, this version does not shoot out a laser beam forward when Link is at max Hearts. This familiar ability is absent in The Wind Waker.
Unpowered State: When first acquired, the Master Sword is not at its full strength. It lacks the power to repel evil, necessitating a further quest to restore its true capabilities. Despite this, even in its unpowered state, it still provides a double damage bonus compared to the Hero’s Sword, making it a formidable weapon from the moment you claim it.

How To Get The Master Sword In Zelda: The Wind Waker

Obtaining the Master Sword involves reaching a specific point in the main story, typically after completing the first three major dungeons.

1. First, Finish The Tower Of The Gods

The Tower of the Gods is the third major dungeon Link must conquer in The Wind Waker, following the successful completion of Dragon Roost Island and the Forbidden Woods (and excluding the initial encounter at the Forsaken Fortress).

Main Story Progression: Simply continue following the main story line after completing the first two dungeons, and you will eventually unlock the location of the formidable Tower of the Gods. This magnificent structure rises from the Great Sea, signaling your approach to a pivotal moment.

Conquer the Dungeon: Navigate its puzzles and defeat its formidable boss.

Portal Appearance: Upon successfully completing the Tower of the Gods dungeon, a mysterious portal will appear just outside its main entrance. This portal is your gateway to the next step of your quest.

Enter the Portal: Continue to follow the story prompts, and you will eventually be directed to step through this portal, which will transport you below the ocean to the Mysterious Castle.

2. Solve The Triforce Puzzle In The Underwater Castle

Upon your arrival in the Mysterious Castle, you’ll find yourself in an eerie, unsettling environment where time itself seems to be frozen.

Frozen in Time: As you walk into the vast castle, you’ll observe numerous members of Ganon’s forces—Bokoblins, Moblins, and more—all suspended in time, unable to move.

Locate the Triforce Symbol: Descend the central stairway, navigating past fallen rubble and debris. At the bottom, you will clearly see a large, glowing Triforce symbol inscribed on the ground.

Align the Blocks: In the immediate area surrounding this central Triforce symbol, you should spot three large, distinct blocks, each shaped like one of the triangles that make up the Triforce.

Pull and Position: Approach each of these blocks and pull them until they perfectly align and slot into each of the corresponding triangles on the large Triforce symbol on the ground.

Activate the Pedestal: Once all three blocks are correctly positioned, the Triforce symbol on the ground will begin to glow with a bright, golden hue, sucking in the blocks. Simultaneously, the large statue positioned at the top of the stairs will majestically move backward, revealing a hidden stairway leading further down into the depths of the castle.

3. Continue Below Hyrule Castle To Find The Master Sword

With the path revealed, you are just moments away from claiming the legendary blade.

Descend to the Depths: Take the newly revealed stairway down to the very bottom level of the Mysterious Castle.

Behold the Master Sword: As you reach the lowest chamber, you will witness a truly iconic sight: the Master Sword, standing upright in a pedestal, bathed in a solitary ray of ethereal light, surrounded by beautiful stained-glass walls depicting ancient legends.

Claim Your Destiny: Walk up to the Master Sword. A cinematic will play out as Link, following in the footsteps of heroes past, bravely pulls the legendary blade from the stone pedestal, inheriting this sacred sword.

Time Returns: As a direct consequence of Link removing the Master Sword, time will suddenly return to normal within the castle. You will then realize that this «Mysterious Castle» is, in fact, the ancient and fabled Hyrule Castle. All of Ganon’s previously frozen forces will awaken, immediately becoming hostile.

Fight Your Way Out: Wielding your newly acquired Master Sword (even in its unpowered state, it’s formidable!), make your way out of the castle, defeating any awakened enemies along the way.

Return to the King of Red Lions: Once you’ve escaped the now dangerous Hyrule Castle, return to the King of Red Lions to continue your journey to the next critical stop in the story: the re-visitation of the Forsaken Fortress.

While initially not at its full Evil-repelling power, the Master Sword in The Wind Waker marks a significant turning point in Link’s quest, providing a substantial combat upgrade and propelling him deeper into the mysteries of Hyrule’s past. The quest to restore its true strength will be your next heroic endeavor.

Platform(s): Nintendo Switch 2Developer(s): Nintendo EADPublisher(s):Nintendoage rating (PEGI): +7