How to get the Hylian Shield on Zelda: Tears of Kingdom

Looking for the Hylian Shield in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom? Zelda fans will recognize this shield anywhere as the classic Hylian Shield that Link has held in almost every game in the series. The Hylian Shield is not just for nostalgia, however, as it is also one of the strongest shields in the game. Here is how to get the Hylian Shield in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

• You will also need to get the Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Master Sword to complete the set.

Where can you find the Hylian Shield?

Click to enlarge

The Hylian Shield can be found in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom beneath Hyrule Castle. Much like how it was acquired in Breath of the Wild, players will need to travel to the castle and face a difficult boss fight.

However, this time the Hylian Shield is not in the dungeon, but at the dock. If you travel to the rear of the castle on the north side, you will find a small inlet on the cliff. You will need a lot of stamina to swim there, so your best bet is to build a boat or drop down from the castle above.

You can check the image above for the precise location of the entrance to the dock, which you will find at the following coordinates: -0303, 1168, 0053.

• For tips on another important part of Link's journey, here is how to get through the Lost Woods in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

How to get the Zelda TOTK Hylian Shield

As is the case with many of the powerful weapons and items in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, there is a tough fight before you can get your hands on them. Specifically, a fight with several Gloom Hands followed immediately by an encounter with Phantom Ganon.

There are two ways to do this, the seemingly intended way, and the much safer and simpler way. We will start by explaining the intended method, which involves taking on the boss.

You need to be very prepared for this fight, so do not attempt this until you have everything you need to win the fight. We recommend a strong bow, with plenty of bomb flowers and Gibdo bones. Also, as is always the case in boss fights, bring plenty of food for recovery.

As you enter the dock area, take the stairs on the left to the higher area. As you reach the top of the stairs, the Gloom Hands will appear. Bomb arrows are a great way to clear these out, as they are deadly when they get close. As soon as they start to appear, ready a bomb flower on your arrow (or throw one if you prefer) and aim for the center of the group.

Fire as soon as they fully emerge, and continue firing until they are done. If you get to a point where only one or two are still alive, you can save your bombs and use regular arrows, provided you can land shots directly on their eyes. If not, continue using the bomb flower arrows to keep them back and keep them down.

Click to enlarge

Once the Gloom Hands are dealt with, Phantom Ganon will appear soon after. He hits like a truck, so be ready to heal yourself. His primary attack has him glide creepily toward you and strike with his weapon. This is where the Gibdo bones come in.

Attach them to your arrows and fire them directly at his face for huge damage. Just a handful of these will be enough to take him down. The main issue is space, as the walkway is very narrow. Your best bet is to back up as much as you can and use distance to your advantage.

Once he is dealt with, follow the stairs to the top and light the brazier. This will make a chest appear, in which you will find the Hylian Shield.

• To complete the nostalgia trip, here is how to get & use Epona in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

The easier way to get the Hylian Shield

Click to enlarge

Now, if you want to skip all of that, there is an easy way. When you walk up those stairs and the Gloom Hands appear, lead the hands back down the stairs. Climb a wall in a way that keeps you close to the Gloom Hands that they keep trying to attack, but not so close that they can reach you.

After a short time, the Gloom Hands will simply despawn and you can move on without having to fight Phantom Ganon.

Once they are gone, head back up the stairs and use a torch or any other means to light the brazier. When you do that, a chest will emerge from the ground, and inside you will find the Hylian Shield.

That is it for our Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Hylian Shield guide. For more on the game, check out our guide to the best cooking recipes in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom.