The vast Great Sky Island serves as the starting point of your adventure in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Similar to Breath of the Wild’s Great Plateau, this area introduces essential gameplay mechanics, but with notable differences in abilities and exploration. One of the first challenges players will face is the cold, and proper preparation is crucial.
Instead of relying solely on consuming spicy peppers or elixirs, securing suitable clothing is a more reliable solution. The Archaic Warm Greaves, a vital piece of armor, can be found early in your journey. To acquire them, make your way to the snowy eastern region of the island, navigating towards the Gutanbac Shrine. Here, use the Ascend ability to reach a hidden spot within a hollow tree trunk, where a green zonaite chest holds the Archaic Warm Greaves.
Wearing these greaves provides basic cold resistance, allowing you to survive in frigid environments without constant reliance on spicy food items.
Collect and Utilize Zonai Devices
Exploring Great Sky Island also introduces players to Zonai Devices, a collection of useful items including fans, wing gliders, and portable cooking pots. These tools can be found scattered across the island, but a more efficient way to gather them is through Zonai Device Dispensers.
These devices work like capsule machines — insert Zonai Charges (obtained by defeating Constructs or scavenging relics) to receive a variety of useful devices. Each dispenser offers a specific selection of items, making it important to locate as many as possible to expand your options. Stock up on fans and other devices before descending to the Hyrule surface, ensuring you’re well-prepared for various challenges.
Explore the Remnants of Hyrule Castle
Upon descending to the surface, you may be tempted to explore the vast world immediately, but it’s wise to engage with the main quest briefly. The Crisis at Hyrule Castle quest takes you into the ruins of the once-grand castle. Though the intimidating Guardians of the past are gone, there are still hidden treasures to discover.
The First Gatehouse and Dining Hall offer weapons and supplies, but the most significant reward awaits in the Guard’s Chamber. Sneak past the guard blocking the entrance by using a side balcony, and you’ll find a chamber filled with valuable items, including the Royal Guard Uniform, providing a solid defense boost.
Secure the Paraglider for Better Mobility
Before venturing far from Central Hyrule, make sure to visit Purah after exploring Hyrule Castle. This character will help you activate the first Skyview Tower and grant you the essential Paraglider, a crucial tool for exploring the vast world.
This glider is invaluable for safe descents from high places, and it can even be customized later at the Hateno dye shop using special materials collected during your journey.
Tame a Horse for Efficient Travel
While your journey may eventually include flying machines or creative vehicles, an early and reliable mode of transportation is a horse. Horses can be found just west of Lookout Landing. To tame one, approach quietly and press the appropriate button to calm it down once mounted.
After taming a horse, take it to Riverside Stable for registration. As you explore more stables, you’ll unlock rewards through a stable loyalty program. If you have Breath of the Wild save data, previously stabled horses can be retrieved automatically.
Explore Hidden Wells Across Hyrule
Keep an eye out for wells scattered around the world. The first can be found behind Riverside Stable. Many of these wells hide secrets, with some leading to hidden caves or featuring unique encounters, such as a well hunter who rewards you for discovering new wells.
Offer Fruits to Cherry Blossom Trees
Throughout Hyrule, you’ll find pink cherry blossom trees that hold a unique secret. By placing a fruit at the base of these trees, nearby hidden points of interest will be highlighted with a glowing blue light, making it easier to locate caves, wells, and other secrets.
Complete the Camera Work in the Depths Quest
Shortly after acquiring the Paraglider, you’ll receive a quest from Robbie to investigate strange chasms across Hyrule. This quest, Camera Work in the Depths, leads you into the dark and mysterious underground regions, unveiling new secrets and challenges.
Assist the Monster Control Crew
As you travel through Hyrule Field, you may encounter Captain Hoz and his militia battling monster hordes. Offering your help not only aids in clearing dangerous areas but also rewards you with money and access to valuable monster materials.
Help Addison with His Sign
Throughout Hyrule, you’ll find a man named Addison struggling to prop up signs for the Hudson Construction Company. By using nearby materials to stabilize his signs, you can earn rewards like food, money, and even free stable accommodations.
Seek the Best Armor Sets
Hyrule is filled with a wide variety of armor sets, each providing different benefits. In Central Hyrule, you may encounter a fashion hunter named Meeshy, who offers tips on finding hidden armor sets, including those that enhance climbing abilities, attack power, or offer resistance to elemental damage.
Discover the Secrets of Geoglyphs with Impa
On your journey, you may notice large, mysterious geoglyphs scattered across the land. By assisting Impa, a Sheikah elder, you can uncover the secrets of these ancient symbols, unlocking unique story elements and rewards.
Expand Your Inventory with Hestu
Collecting Korok Seeds will allow you to increase your inventory space for weapons, shields, and bows. You’ll find Hestu, the large tree spirit, near Lookout Landing. After helping him, he’ll trade Korok Seeds for expanded inventory slots.
Earn the Glide Suit for Aerial Mastery
High above Hyrule, you’ll find a chain of floating islands where you can complete a series of skydiving challenges. Master these trials to earn the Glide Suit, which grants improved aerial mobility.
Become a Reporter for the Lucky Clover Gazette
By visiting the Tabantha region, you can join the Lucky Clover Gazette as a reporter, working alongside a Rito named Penn. Completing assignments for this newspaper unlocks unique rewards, including the Froggy Armor.
Awaken the Great Fairy Fountains
Instead of requiring rupees, the Great Fairies in Tears of the Kingdom demand the sound of music to emerge. Help a traveling band repair their cart and bring music to the fairy fountains to access armor upgrades.