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The vast majority of games in the Legend of Zelda series focus on the Master Sword and the hero destined to wield it. It’s the sword that seals away evil. It’s the sword that darkness fears. It’s the sword meant only for Link. However, while every hero needs a sword for offense, they also need a shield for defense.
Enter the Hylian Shield. This defensive stalwart doesn’t get the credit it deserves for protecting Link from a wide range of enemies and dangers. Whether he’s young or old, the Hylian Shield has been a loyal piece of equipment for Link.
What else is there to know about the valuable and irreplaceable Hylian Shield? Keep reading and we’ll tell you.
Key Details Up Front
If you’re playing a game in the Legend of Zelda series, you’re likely to come across a Hylian Shield at some point. The Hylian Shield is a shield typically used by Hylian Knights. It’s also the shield of choice for Link in most Legend of Zelda games and is most often paired with the Master Sword.
Hylian Shield Description
The Hylian Shield is made of steel, which means it’s not going to burn up when it catches on fire, a weakness of the Wooden Shields Link tends to find early in games. Even though it’s made of steel, the Hylian Shield is sturdy and lightweight. This makes it the perfect defensive piece of equipment to use alongside a one-handed sword or weapon.
Through the Legend of Zelda series, the Hylian Shield Link uses hasn’t changed much. It’s nearly always the same shape and usually has the Triforce symbol on it with the Hylian Crest under it. The first time Link finds the Hylian Shield, it is protected by Lanayru, the legendary Thunder Dragon who determines if a person is worthy of carrying the shield.
Hylian Shield in Legend of Zelda Games
Which Legend of Zelda games will you find the Hylian Shield? Let’s take a look.
Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
If you played this on the DS, you’re probably arguing that the Hylian Shield wasn’t the shield Link used in Link’s Awakening. However, if you played it on the Nintendo Switch, the developers chose to change the appearance of Link’s shield and make it look like the Hylian Shield. Link receives the shield from Tarin when he awakens on Koholint Island.
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
In Ocarina of Time, Link can either find the Hylian Shield of purchase it as a child. The shield features the Triforce and the Crimson Loftwing Legend of Zelda players will easily recognize. However, as a child, the shield is much too big for Link, so he wears it on his back and uses it like a shell to protect him when he bends over.
When Link becomes an adult, it becomes much easier for him to use it as his regular defensive shield. When Link goes to find the Greath Fairy located on Death Mountain, he’ll need the Hylian Shield to protect him as a child. This is because Death Mountain regularly spews flaming rocks that will drop onto Link.
Since it’s made of steel, the Hylian Shield doesn’t run the risk of burning if Link is hit by fire. Keep in mind, though, that if a Like Like happens to swallow the Hylian Shield, Link won’t be able to recover it until it’s defeated. As a child, the shield doesn’t do much other than providing protection from objects falling down onto Link.
If he wants to deflect attacks from Octoroks and Deku Scrubs, child Link will need to defer to his Deku Shield. To purchase the Hylian Shield as a child, Link needs to speak to the guard in Kakariko Village standing at the gate that leads to Death Mountain. He’ll get Link a discount since he knows the owner of the Bazaar located in Hyrule Castle Town.
No matter what, Link has to have at least 80 Rupees in his wallet to purchase the Hylian Shield. If you don’t have the money and don’t want to mess around with buying the shield, Link can find the Hylian Shield in the Kakariko Graveyard if he opens up the right grave after the sun goes down.
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
The Hylian Shield makes another appearance in Twilight Princess as Link’s primary means of defense. Link obtains the shield prior to entering the Goron Mines. It’s available for purchase in Kakariko Village at the Malo Mart. However, Link has to have 200 Rupees to buy it.
Link can also buy it in Hyrule Castle Town from a Goron who’s selling items. Unfortunately, you’ll have to pay 210 Rupees if you want it from him. While Link obtains the Ordon Shield and Wooden Shield earlier in the game, these pieces of equipment can be broken. The Hylian Shield, on the other hand, is made of steel and is indestructible.
The shield itself looks a lot like the Hylian Shield from Ocarina of Time with some minor variances. For example, the frame itself on the shield is thinner and there are now three bolts in the place of the numerous rivets found on the Ocarina of Time version.
Additionally, the Triforce logo is smaller and has metal framing surrounding it. The Royal Crest is now larger, taking up almost the whole bottom portion of the shield.
Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Similar to the Hylian Shield in previous Legend of Zelda games, the one in Skyward Sword is indestructible. The game includes a durability bar which is important when using other shields, but with the Hylian Shield, it remains permanently filled no matter how much it’s used by Link.
Unlike other iterations of The Legend of Zelda, the Hylian Shield is not obtained early in Skyward Sword. Other shields have limited durability, which means Link has to live with equipment that could break at any time. It isn’t until Link visits the Thunder Dragon, Lanaryu, that he can access the shield. Here he’ll have to win eight consecutive fights to get the Hylian Shield.
In Skyward Sword, the Hylian Shield takes on a little different look than in previous games. The shield itself is dark blue with silver trim around the outer edge. A yellow Triforce symbol is at the top of the shield, with the red Royal Crest of the Loftwing takes up the bottom half.
Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
The Hylian Shield in this Legend of Zelda game for the DS is located in Turtle Rock. Once Link has the shield, he can discard of the standard shield he’s used up to this point in A Link Between Worlds.
With the Hylian Shield, Link can block attacks the standard shield couldn’t. This includes fire breathing Lynel’s and beams from Beamos’. However, Link cannot reflect these attacks back at his enemies. The shield has the traditional Hylian Triforce and is referred to as the Hylian Shield throughout the game.
Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The most recent iteration of Legend of Zelda makes players work for the Hylian Shield. Since the game offers an open world, Link has to look high and low for the shield the chosen hero wields. If you’re up for it, head to Hyrule Castle. The shield is in the Lockup section of the castle and is closely guarded by a Stalnox.
Legend has it that the shield once belonged to the Royal Family of Hyrule and has passed down through the ages to the hero that saves the kingdom. The durability and defensive stats of the Hylian Shield are much better than anything else you’ll find in the game.
It is the most durable and strongest shield Link can find in Breath of the Wild. It has a durability score of 800 with a defensive rating of 90. However, unlike in other Legend of Zelda games, the Hylian Shield in Breath of the Wild isn’t indestructible. It will eventually break if Link uses it long enough.
Fortunately, if it does break, Link can purchase another Hylian Shield from Grante. This character becomes available in Tarrey Town once the “From the Ground Up” quest is completed. Make sure you have plenty of money though because Grante charges 3000 Rupees for a replacement shield.
The shield is also identified by shield surfers as the “perfect shield for surfing.” Breath of the Wild’s Hylian Shield is sturdy and made of steel. Keep in mind that if you have it equipped during a thunderstorm, it will attract lighting. If Link drops it in the water, it will sink, but he can recover it with the Magnesis Rune. Additionally, it won’t burn, so Link can use it to fight enemies who use fire or in hot areas like Death Mountain.
FAQs
The Hylian Shield is a staple in the Legend of Zelda series. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about this iconic shield.
Question: Is the Hylian Shield indestructible?
Answer: The Hylian Shield is not indestructible in Breath of the Wild, but it is the most durable and strongest shield in the Legend of Zelda series.
In Skyward Sword, the shield has a durability bar that remains permanently filled no matter how much it’s used by Link. In Breath of the Wild, however, the shield will eventually break after extended use. If it does break, Link can purchase another one from Grante in Tarrey Town.
Question: Where is the Hylian Shield Located in Breath of the Wild?
Answer: The Hylian Shield is located in Hyrule Castle in Breath of the Wild. It’s in the Lockup section of the castle and is closely guarded by a Stalnox.
Question: What is the Hylian Shield Made of?
Answer: The Hylian Shield is made of steel. It’s a sturdy shield that can take a beating.
Question: How Much does the Hylian Shield Cost to Replace in Breath of the Wild?
Answer: If you need to purchase another Hylian Shield after yours breaks, it will cost you 3000 Rupees. Grante in Tarrey Town sells them.
Question: What are the Hylian Shield’s Defensive Stats in Breath of the Wild?
Answer: The Hylian Shield has a defensive rating of 90. It’s the most durable and strongest shield in Breath of the Wild.
Question: How Large is the Hylian Shield?
Answer: The Hylian Shield is large enough to cover Link’s entire body. It’s a great shield for protecting him from enemy attacks.
Question: Can the Hylian Shield be Used as a Surfboard?
Answer: Yes, the Hylian Shield can be used as a surfboard in Breath of the Wild. It’s a great shield for surfing because of its durability and size.
Defensive Steel
While the Master Sword gives Link the offensive capabilities needed to defeat the most challenging enemies, the Hylian Shield gives him the protection he needs to launch an attack. While its size and shape change throughout the Legend of Zelda series, it’s almost always available to Link at some point during the game.
Throughout the history of Hyrule, a sword and a shield have been available to the chosen champion. The Hylian Shield, typically decorated with the Triforce and the Royal Family Crest, is the defense Link needs to conquer his enemies and return peace to Hyrule.
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