The Hylian Shield remains to be the best shield in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (TotK). The good news is that Link’s iconic gear can be found right from the start of your perilous quest, and we’re here to help you recover it.
Unlike the Master Sword, the Hylian Shield isn’t an item that you will be encouraged to retrieve as part of the game’s natural story progression. Instead, as in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, it will involve exploring what remains of Hyrule Castle. It’s worth it too, given its 90 defense rating and seemingly everlasting durability.
That’s even indicated by the Hylian Shield’s in-game description, which reads: “A shield passed down through the Hyrulean royal family, along with the legend of the hero who wielded it. Its defensive capabilities and durability outshine all other shields.”
How to get the Hylian Shield in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
After skydiving from the Great Sky Island to the surface at the end of the game’s prologue, check in at Lookout Landing (-293, 0137, 0025). Before you set off to recover the Hylian Shield, you will want to make sure that you have a method of igniting a flame – whether that be carrying a torch or carrying a Flame Fruit to attach to an arrow. It will be much more straightforward if you get the Paraglider first, too.
From Lookout Landing, you will want to head north towards Hyrule Castle. As with the original game, the Hylian Shield is inside the Lockup (-0137, 1085, 0064). However, this time around you do not need to enter Hyrule Castle, which you’ll be pleased to know seeing as it has been torn from the ground and is now held aloft in midair thanks to The Upheaval.
Ganondorf’s corruptive magic wasn’t enough to lift the entire castle clean, meaning that the Lockup remains accessible on the ground level. The main Hyrule Castle gate will be closed but you can run around its side, and then follow the path up to the First Gatehouse. From here you will rely on your Stamina Wheel as you clamber over walls to make your way to the northeast section. In stark contrast to the Guardians from the original game, there are no enemies to worry about either.
You will want to look for a hard-to-spot cave entrance to reach the Hylian Shield’s location (-144, 1084, 0062). Wander inside and you will immediately spot a large unlit signal fire surrounded by five lit torches. If that doesn’t scream “puzzle!” to you, then I don’t know what will.
At this point, all you need to do is light the signal fire and a treasure chest will appear. Open it up, and you will recover the Hylian Shield from its confines.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is now available at retail and digitally on the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch worldwide.
