How to Get the Master Sword in Tears of the Kingdom
The repaired Master Sword is stuck in the Light Dragon's head, and Link needs at least two full Stamina Wheels to pull it out. This guide covers the stamina gate, reaching the dragon, the sword's stats, and where…
The repaired Master Sword is embedded in the head of the Light Dragon, a dragon that flies around Hyrule. You need at least two full Stamina Wheels to pull it out. Getting it early gives a 30-attack sword that recharges instead of permanently breaking.
The stamina requirement
Link begins with one full Stamina Wheel. A Stamina Vessel costs 4 Lights of Blessing at a Goddess Statue after “The Closed Door” main quest is completed. Five Stamina Vessels make one additional full wheel, so a second full wheel costs 20 Lights of Blessing. Without two full wheels, the dragon flings him off while writhing in pain. In Breath of the Wild, the sword required 13 hearts instead; Tears of the Kingdom changed the requirement to stamina. This stamina gate is separate from your Zonai battery upgrades, and our Tears of the Kingdom energy cell guide covers that system.
Finding and boarding the Light Dragon
You can go straight to the dragon before saving Korok Forest. Launch from a Skyview Tower to reach the dragon’s altitude, then glide onto its head. Alternatively, talk with the Great Deku Tree after defeating Phantom Ganon and saving Korok Forest, after which the Light Dragon’s location is marked on the Purah Pad. If the sword is not obtained beforehand, Link pulls it out automatically just before fighting the Demon Dragon, regardless of stamina.
What the sword does
The repaired Master Sword has the following attack power by condition.
| Condition | Attack power |
|---|---|
| Base | 30 |
| Near Gloom-Wreathed Enemies | 45 |
| Near Phantom Ganon or Demon King Ganondorf | 60 |
Base durability is 40, plus 25 bonus durability when something is fused to it. Against Phantom Ganon or Demon King Ganondorf, the sword loses no durability. When it runs out of durability, it becomes inactive for 10 real-life minutes, then recharges its base durability only. The fused bonus is not recharged. The Master Sword cannot be thrown. At full health it fires a beam instead, with base 10 damage, 15 near Gloom-Wreathed Enemies, and 20 near Phantom Ganon or Demon King Ganondorf.
Where it goes wrong
- Approaching the dragon with fewer than two full Stamina Wheels. It flings you off while writhing in pain.
- Spending Lights of Blessing on hearts instead of stamina and arriving short of the wheel count.
- Expecting the sword to never stop working. It goes inactive for 10 real-life minutes when depleted.
- Assuming the fused durability bonus is permanent. It recharges base durability only.
- Grinding the sword before facing Ganondorf when it is not required. You get it automatically before the Demon Dragon fight if you skipped it.
FAQ
What happened to the Master Sword I had at the start?
The sword you carry at the start is the Decayed Master Sword, with base strength dropped to 1, weaker than a Tree Branch. It vanishes before Link leaves the Great Sky Island and is recovered by Zelda in the distant past.
Do I need the Master Sword to face Demon King Ganondorf?
No. Obtaining the Master Sword is not required to face Demon King Ganondorf. If you skip it, Link pulls it out automatically just before fighting the Demon Dragon, regardless of stamina. For broader context on how this sequence fits the game, see our full Tears of the Kingdom review.
