As shown in early trailers, the Master Sword breaks near the beginning of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, but it can be repaired during the course of the game. The Master Sword has been Link's signature weapon since the beginning of the series and has often been broken, corrupted, or sealed away in some remote shrine. Finding or repairing the Master Sword is almost always one of the primary goals in any Zelda game, including Breath of the Wild, and TOTK is no exception.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

Although the destruction of the Master Sword in Tears Of The Kingdom is nothing new, the methods used to repair it are often different. Sometimes players can access the Master Sword in the middle of the game, and sometimes they have to wait almost until the ending. Those who have kept up with trailers for TOTK probably already know that the Master Sword will be broken, but the steps they must take to wield it again aren't clear until midway into the game.

How The Master Sword Is Broken In Tears Of The Kingdom

As seen in trailers for TOTK, the Master Sword is destroyed by Ganon's Malice near the beginning of the game. Link and Zelda encounter Ganondorf's mummified body underground, but before they can stop him, he comes back to life. As the recurring villain rises again to torment Hyrule, he attacks Link and Zelda with glowing red tendrils, which engulf both Link's arm and the Master Sword. The Master Sword is corrupted and Link is injured, which explains the need for the powerful new prosthetic arm from which Link draws his new abilities. The Master Sword is destroyed, taking on a decayed appearance, and Link has to seek a way to repair it.

Zelda Restores The Master Sword By Time Traveling

Link and Zelda both survive their encounter with Ganondorf, and Zelda manages to send herself back in time in order to fix it. She receives a Secret Stone from the ancient Zonai tribe, which she promptly swallows. Zelda then transforms into a dragon, planting the Master Sword firmly in her own head, where it remains for eons. Over time, Zelda's healing dragon powers - probably related to her immortality - repair the Master Sword. Link can eventually find Zelda and reclaim his signature weapon - but there's a catch.

Where BOTW required players to have collected a certain number of heart containers, TOTK requires a certain amount of stamina to retrieve the Master Sword: two full wheels, to be exact. This means that players can get the Master Sword as soon as they have the right amount of stamina - there's no need to wait for the endgame. Like BOTW's, TOTK's Master Sword does have weapon durability, so it can break and require a recharge period. However, players can also use Fuse to tack on new additions, increasing the Master Sword's durability and damage.

The Master Sword may not have been at its most powerful in BOTW, but a renewable option in a world of breakable weapons was certainly worth the price of admission. The sequel expands on the Master Sword's potential, making it more malleable and durable than ever before. Alongside the dungeons, it comprises a major part of the plot in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and for many players will likely be their first major goal in the game.

Source: Nintendo of America/YouTube