Master Sword in Breath of the Wild: Full Guide

The Master Sword in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a unique weapon that never breaks permanently, but it does run out of energy and requires a 10-minute cooldown after prolonged use. You can obtain it early by pulling it from the Great Deku Tree in Korok Forest, provided you have at least 13 heart containers. This guide explains exactly how to get it, how it works, and how to use it effectively.

What Is the Master Sword?

The Master Sword, also known as the Blade of Evil’s Bane, is a legendary weapon in the Zelda series. In Breath of the Wild, it has a base attack power of 30, which doubles to 60 when you are inside a dungeon, near a Guardian, or fighting Malice-infused enemies (including Calamity Ganon). It is the only weapon that does not break permanently; instead, it “runs out of energy� after a certain amount of use and becomes unusable for 10 minutes.

Unlike other weapons, the Master Sword cannot be dropped, thrown (except in a specific spin attack), or stored in your inventory. It occupies a dedicated slot and is always visible in your equipment menu.

How to Get the Master Sword

To obtain the Master Sword, you must travel to the Great Hyrule Forest in the north-central part of the map. The forest is filled with a thick fog that disorients you unless you follow the path lit by small torches. Once you reach the Korok village, you’ll find the Great Deku Tree and the sword resting on a pedestal in front of him.

You need 13 heart containers to pull the sword from its pedestal. This includes hearts from completing shrines (each shrine gives you a Spirit Orb, and 4 orbs can be exchanged for one heart) and hearts from defeating main story bosses. If you have fewer than 13 hearts, you will take damage and be knocked back, but you can try again later. You can also temporarily boost your hearts with yellow heart food, but that does not count toward the 13 required.

Master Sword Durability and Recharge

The Master Sword has a durability of 40 hits when used at full power (30 damage). Once that durability is exhausted, the sword glows and then becomes unusable for 10 minutes of real time. The cooldown is based on real time, not in-game time, so you cannot speed it up by sleeping or waiting. After the cooldown, the sword returns to your inventory with full durability.

Note that the sword does not lose durability when used against Guardians or Malice enemies (it deals 60 damage and does not consume durability). This makes it an excellent tool for fighting Guardians, especially if you parry their beams or use the spin attack.

Upgrading the Master Sword (Trial of the Sword)

If you own the Breath of the Wild Expansion Pass, you can access the Trial of the Sword from the Great Deku Tree. This is a series of 45 combat challenges (divided into 12 Beginner, 16 Middle, and 17 Final trials). Completing all three stages permanently upgrades the Master Sword: its base attack goes from 30 to 40, then to 50, and finally to 60. The upgraded sword also has increased durability (from 40 to 50 hits) and a faster recharge time (from 10 minutes to 5 minutes).

During the trials, you start with no equipment and must survive using only what you find. If you die, you restart the entire trial from the beginning. The trials are challenging but reward you with a significantly stronger sword.

Tips for Using the Master Sword

• Conserve durability: Use the Master Sword for general combat, but switch to other weapons for weaker enemies to save its energy.
• Guardian hunting: The Master Sword shines against Guardians because it deals double damage and never loses durability against them. Use it to chop off Guardian legs or to parry their lasers.
• Spin attack: You can perform a spin attack by holding the attack button and releasing it when the sword glows. This consumes more durability but is effective against groups.
• When it runs out: If the sword runs out of energy, it will not be usable for 10 minutes. You can still use other weapons during that time.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

One common mistake is trying to pull the sword with fewer than 13 hearts and then giving up. Remember that you can always come back later after completing more shrines. Another misconception is that the sword breaks permanently—it does not, it just needs a cooldown. Also, some players think the sword’s power is always 60, but it only doubles in specific situations (inside dungeons, near Guardians, or against Malice). In normal combat, it deals 30 damage.

Another mistake is using the sword against Lynels or other tough enemies when you have other high-damage weapons. While the Master Sword is good, it is not always the best choice—especially if you have a Savage Lynel Sword with 58 attack. Use the Master Sword strategically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get the Master Sword with 12 hearts plus temporary yellow hearts?

No. The game checks your maximum heart containers, not your current health. Yellow hearts from food do not count. You need 13 permanent heart containers.

Does the Master Sword break forever?

No. It runs out of energy and becomes unusable for 10 minutes (or 5 minutes if fully upgraded). After that, it returns to your inventory with full durability.

What is the best way to get 13 hearts quickly?

The fastest way is to complete shrines. There are 120 shrines in the base game, and each gives a Spirit Orb. Four orbs equal one heart. You can also get a heart from defeating each of the four main story bosses (in the Divine Beasts). If you focus on shrines, you can get 13 hearts in about 20-30 hours of play.

Can you use the Master Sword in Master Mode?

Yes, the Master Sword works the same in Master Mode, but enemies have more health and regenerate, so you may need to use it more carefully. The Trial of the Sword is also available in Master Mode and is significantly harder.

Does the Master Sword glow near all enemies?

No, it only glows near Guardians, inside Hyrule Castle, or when fighting Malice-infused enemies (like Malice enemies or Calamity Ganon). It does not glow near regular monsters like Bokoblins or Lynels.

Can you drop or throw the Master Sword?

You cannot drop it or throw it like other weapons. The only special move is the spin attack, which you can perform by holding the attack button. The sword cannot be lost.

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in t | Hearts | hearts | 13 | 0 | 30
out can_pull | Can pull? | - | min(t, 13) / 13 | 0