Table of Contents
- Prologue: Escape from Hyrule Castle: Step-by-step guide to escaping the castle, introducing basic mechanics.
- Chapter 1: Suthorn Forest & The Mysterious Rifts: Navigating Suthorn Village and completing the Suthorn Ruins dungeon.
- Chapter 2: Gerudo Desert: Guidance on completing quests and dungeons in the Gerudo Desert region.
- Chapter 3: Jabul Waters: Strategies for tackling quests and dungeons in the Jabul Waters region.
- Chapter 4: Return to Hyrule Castle: Progressing the main storyline upon returning to the castle.
- Chapter 5: Eldin Volcano: Strategies for navigating the Eldin Volcano region and its challenges.
- Chapter 6: Faron Wetlands: Guidance on completing quests and dungeons in the Faron Wetlands.
- Chapter 7: Hebra Mountains: Navigating the Hebra Mountains region and overcoming its challenges.
- Chapter 8: The Eternal Forest & Endgame: Preparation and strategies for the final challenges and boss encounters.
Overview
Main Quest Walkthrough
Eldin Volcano Trail
From Kakariko Village, exit north to find the Eldin Volcano Trail winding upward. Early on, Zelda can dispatch some small enemies like Mini-Moldorms (wiggling rock worms). Defeat a Mini-Moldorm to learn the Mini-Moldorm Echo, which creates a small drilling creature – it’s handy for later puzzles. Continue westward into a cavern.
Inside the first cave, you’ll encounter clusters of Beetles and Beetle Mounds blocking the path. Use a Bombfish Echo (an explosive fish you might have from earlier water adventures) to blast the rock-like mounds and clear the room. Open the chest here to loot some Rocktatoes– a hearty edible that Gorons love (save these for a side quest). Exit the cave after clearing it.
Mid-Mountain Climb
Back outside, keep climbing the volcano’s slopes. You’ll come across a small enemy camp of Lizalfos (lizard warriors) about halfway up. Fight the three Lizalfos carefully – block or sidestep their fiery breath and strike when they pause. Upon defeating them, Zelda can learn the Lizalfos Echo, which grants a temporary fire resistance or flame attack ability, and you can open a chest at the camp to get 3 Might Crystals. (Might Crystals are valuable crafting items used to forge or upgrade powerful equipment, so collect them whenever possible.) Just beyond this camp is a Waypoint (save statue) – be sure to activate it.
Traversing Geysers: As you proceed, you’ll face natural gas geysers spewing hot steam from the ground. Touching these will hurt Zelda, so timing and ingenuity are required. Watch the pattern and move past a geyser when it temporarily subsides. Some gaps here are too wide to jump normally, and geysers block the way. Look around for a peculiar flying creature called a Ghirro (it resembles a small propellered beast). Defeat the Ghirro to gain the Ghirro Echo, which allows Zelda to grab and hold onto a floating Ghirro. By spawning a Ghirro echo and Binding to it, Zelda can float across large gaps and over geysers safely. In one section, you’ll also use the Ghirro’s wind power: hold the Ghirro and walk near the flames jetting from a wall to have it blow out the flames, clearing a path. Mastering this Ghirro technique is key to reaching the volcano summit.
Goron City Rift
After navigating the geyser fields and scaling a cliff, Zelda reaches the crater rim and finds Goron City built into the volcano. A cutscene introduces the Gorons, a friendly rock-eating people. However, the city is eerily quiet as most Gorons are hiding. The great rift’s influence has partially “stilled” Goron City in time. Upon entering, Tri immediately opens a portal, allowing Zelda to enter Stilled Goron City. Dive into the rift to restore the city.
Stilled Goron City (Puzzle): In the frozen version of Goron City, Zelda needs to locate four of Tri’s friends scattered around. Start by exploring the empty streets. Right at the entrance, there’s a giant Goron pot on the left. Use echoes to climb up and drop inside the pot– you’ll find some enemies (Dark Zol and Dark Mini-Moldorm) and cracked boulders. Use a Bombfish Echo to break the boulders and free the first cluster of Tri’s friends. Back outside, check near the market stalls for another purple-glowing spot – melt or bomb it to get the second group. The last two groups are trickier: one is buried under rubble near the city well (clear it with a Bombfish or by spawning a Goron Bombflower Echo if you have one), and the other is atop a ledge by the chief’s house – climb up using a Strandtula web and push a loose boulder off to reach them. Once all four sets of friends are rescued, the rift is healed and time flows normally in Goron City.
Goron Chief & Missing Elders: With the city restored, Zelda meets Darston, the Goron Chief, who thanks her for saving their city. However, not all is well – two Goron elders, Gol and Silv, are still missing after the chaos. Darston suspects they went to secure the route to the Fire Temple (also known as Eldin Temple) and asks Zelda’s help to find them. Darston himself heads out to search, marking a path towards the volcano’s lava zones. Before following, speak to the Goron shopkeeper now back at his stall to stock up on Bombs or buy a Goron Tunic (which reduces heat damage) if available.
Rescuing the Goron Elders
Exit Goron City to the right (east). You’ll see Darston ahead, who points out that Gol and Silv were last seen near the lava flows. Climb up the ramps on the right side of the city and follow the trail dodging a few fire enemies (Fire Keese and Red ChuChus). This path leads to an area called the Lava Lake. Enter the cave there to find the Lizalfos Burrow. Inside, you’ll battle through a nest of Lizalfos. Midway, you find Elder Silv and a young Goron cornered by monsters. Defeat the attacking Lizalfos to save them. Silv informs you that Elder Gol went deeper in to block a stream of lava threatening the city.
Proceed deeper, using caution in a side-scrolling section of the cave where lava periodically rises and falls (time your movement to avoid the lava surges). You’ll solve a simple puzzle of pushing mine carts to dam the lava flow temporarily. At the end of the burrow, Zelda finds Elder Gol holding back a huge boulder. Help him by using Bind on the boulder to yank it into place, fully stopping the lava. With the elders safe, escort them back to Goron City (you can warp to the Goron City Waypoint to save time).
Opening Eldin Temple
Back in Goron City, Darston rejoins Gol and Silv, relieved. The elders mention a secret to accessing the Fire Temple, recalling that Darston’s father spoke of “something blocking the path” in the Chief’s room. Darston rushes into his house (the Chief’s residence at the top of the city). Follow him inside. In Darston’s room, examine the large statue on the wall – it’s an old carving of Darston’s father. Use the Bind ability on the statue to latch onto it, then pull. The heavy statue slides aside, revealing a hidden passage behind it! Darston is astonished, but thanks to the elders’ clue, the way forward is clear. Make sure you’re prepared (hit the pottery in the room for hearts or fairies), then head through the secret tunnel. It leads directly into the volcano’s interior – the Eldin Temple awaits.
Eldin Temple (Dungeon)
This fiery dungeon sits in the heart of Eldin Volcano. It features magma-filled chambers, minecart tracks, and ancient Goron architecture. As Zelda progresses, she will encounter puzzles involving rising lava, timed platforms, and bombable walls. The Temple also holds powerful items – notably, the Bow of Might, an upgraded bow that uses Might Crystals to fire stronger arrows. Keep an eye out for a special chest after a mini-boss battle to obtain this bow, as it will greatly help against the boss.
Navigating the Fire Temple: Early rooms introduce the main gimmick: lava that rises and falls like tides. Observe the lava level cycles. When the lava is low, you can safely traverse lower areas and hit switches; when it rises, move to high ground. Use Zelda’s Old Bed Echo (if you have it) or stone block echoes to create temporary islands if needed. Fire traps are common – for instance, corridors that blast flames. Solve these by finding and hitting distant crystal switches (often with arrows or a Throwing Spear echo) to turn off the flames.
Small Keys and Bomb Puzzles: One key is obtained by luring a Fire Keese into lighting a series of torches in a room (each lit torch opens part of a gate). Another involves using a Bombfish Echo to destroy cracked blocks blocking a door. Notably, in one chamber Zelda encounters what appears to be Link’s shade testing her: a phantom of Link challenges her by throwing bombs. Dodge the phantom Link’s Bomb attacks (marked by shadows on the ground) and use Bind to catch and toss the bombs back at him. Winning this duel rewards Zelda with the Bombs of Might (an enhanced bomb bag), allowing her to create more powerful explosions with her echoes.
Minecart and Switch Puzzle: Midway through the temple, Zelda enters a minecart room where metal carts roll along tracks above pools of lava. She must shift track directions by hitting switches. Use the Bind Echo on carts to pull them onto different tracks, and time the switches so a cart blocks a lava geyser temporarily, letting Zelda pass below safely. Hitting all switches in the correct sequence opens the path to the boss key.
Mini-Boss – Slime Golem: (Optional, in a side chamber) In one large cavern, Zelda can fight a Slime Golem guarding an optional treasure. This hulking magma slime tries to pound the ground to create shockwaves. Use ice-based attacks (Ice Arrows or an Ice Wizzrobe Echo) to harden its gooey body, then shatter it with hammer-type echoes or Swordfighter Form attacks. Defeating it grants a Heart Piece and some rupees.
Big Key: The Big Key in Eldin Temple is earned after a gauntlet of puzzles on multiple floors. In one clever segment, Zelda drops through a hole in the floor carrying a lit bomb, timing it to explode mid-fall and break a blockage below (a classic Zelda trick!). Eventually, she’ll reach a high altar where the Big Key chest sits, only lightly guarded by a couple of Fire ChuChus.
Boss: Volvagia – Dragon of the Mountain
The boss of Eldin Temple is Volvagia, an ancient magma dragon. The battle takes place on a platform surrounded by lava pools. Volvagia will emerge and dive between these pools, launching flaming attacks:
At the start, Volvagia pops out of a lava hole and spits a large green fireball orb that slowly homes in on Zelda. Keep moving and circle the platform to avoid this orb. Then Volvagia rises into the air and rapid-fires smaller fireballs – run and dodge; the edge of the platform is safest.
Stunning the Dragon: Notice Volvagia has a glowing green orb collar around its neck. As it swoops low, target that collar with Bind. When Volvagia pauses after an attack, use the Bind Echo to latch onto the orb and yank. This will pull Volvagia down and stun it momentarily. Quickly close in and use Zelda’s Swordfighter Form to unleash sword combos on the dragon’s head (or simply spawn your strongest attacking echoes to pile on damage).
Volvagia recovers and the cycle repeats. In the next phase, the dragon may land on distant lava platforms out of melee range. Use ranged attacks in this case – equip the new Bow of Might to fire arrows, or spawn a Spear Moblin Echo to hurl spears at Volvagia. If Volvagia is surrounded by lava, hitting it from afar is the only option until it comes close again. Beware: if you approach too soon, it will do a sweeping head swipe attack as a close-range counter.
As Volvagia’s health falls, it adds a dangerous move: flying high and creating a circle of fire on the ground around Zelda’s last position. When you see Volvagia charge up and roar, run away from your spot to avoid being trapped in the fire ring. The ring will dissipate after a moment.
Strategy: Continue to Bind and slam Volvagia whenever possible. Each successful stun gives you a window to deal heavy damage. Keep an eye on Zelda’s health; if you catch fire from any attacks, use a Chill-Proof drink or fairy to recover. If you collected the Lizalfos Echo, its fire resistance can allow Zelda to endure a hit without damage – consider activating it at the start of the fight.
After a few rounds of this, Volvagia will fall for good. Repeat the bind-and-attack routine until the dragon is defeated. Upon victory, Volvagia lets out a final roar and collapses into the lava.
Grab the Heart Container that appears, then witness the divine event: Din, the goddess of power, contacts Zelda and grants her Din’s Sanction. This blessing increases Zelda’s strength and imbues her with Din’s power. Zelda also receives 5 more Might Crystals from the vanquished dragon’s hoard. Tri opens a portal, and Zelda exits the temple.
Back outside, Darston and the Gorons greet Zelda with cheers. In a joyful scene, the Gorons celebrate by tossing Zelda and Darston into the air in their traditional manner. The main quest “The Rift on Eldin Volcano” is now complete. Eldin Volcano is at peace, and Goron City is restored to its lively self, though you can always return to explore any missed secrets.
Echoes & Collectibles in Eldin
Mini-Moldorm Echo: Learned from the worm-like Moldorms on Eldin’s trail. This echo can burrow short distances or drill into soft walls. In the Eldin Temple, you can use it to tunnel under low barriers or even to find hidden Rupee stashes in the dirt.
Lizalfos Echo: Gained by defeating Lizalfos mid-mountain. When used, Zelda briefly takes on some lizard-like traits: one effect is heat resistance, protecting her from minor fire damage (useful in Goron City and the temple’s warm rooms). It also lets her perform a quick tail swipe attack as an echo ability, which can knock back groups of foes.
Ghirro Echo: Perhaps the most important echo here, learned from the flying Ghirro enemy in the volcano cave. This echo summons a friendly Ghirro that Zelda can grab onto and float with. It essentially functions like a temporary hot-air balloon. This is critical for crossing lava pits and avoiding steam vents. Remember, while holding a Ghirro, Zelda can hover over hazards and even use its fanning wings to extinguish fires blocking passages.
Bombfish Echo: Likely obtained earlier in the game (from water areas), but heavily used in Eldin. It creates a walking bomb-fish that explodes after a short time. In Eldin Temple, Bombfish Echoes are used to break cracked rocks and walls. If you missed it, you can also find regular Bomb Flowers in the temple to copy their echo.
Bow of Might: A special item found in Eldin Temple (after defeating a phantom Link challenge). This upgraded bow allows Zelda to shoot arrows herself when in Swordfighter Form. The Bow of Might uses the Might Crystals as part of its lore, giving your arrows extra punch. If you have this, use it during the Volvagia fight for ranged damage when the dragon is out of reach. It’s also fantastic for sniping wall switches in the dungeon.
Might Crystals: A rare collectible material, glowing red, found in Eldin region. You got 3 from the Lizalfos camp chestand 5 from defeating Volvagia. These are used at blacksmiths or Great Fairies to upgrade weapons and echoes. For example, combining Might Crystals with your Bombs might yield Bombs of Might, making your explosions larger (which the game actually does by giving you Bombs of Might in the temple). Save these for when you return to a crafting location like Hyrule Castle Town or a Great Fairy Fountain.
Heart Pieces: Eldin Volcano has a couple of heart pieces hidden in hot places. One heart piece is obtainable in the Rock-Roast Quarry (an optional area near Goron City) – use the Rocktatoes you found to complete a Goron cooking challenge for a heart piece reward. Another is inside Eldin Temple: in the side room with the Slime Golem mini-boss, defeat it to open a chest containing a Piece of Heart. Also, after the temple, speak to a Goron child in Goron City who asks for your help clearing some debris; doing so with a Bomb echo nets you another heart piece.
Goron Tunic: Though not an “echo,” this wearable (or an equivalent Heatproof Ring echo) can be purchased or earned in Goron City. It reduces damage from heat. If you have it, Eldin exploration becomes easier – Zelda won’t be hurt by ambient heat or steam vents as much. If you missed it, you can still manage with careful play and the Lizalfos Echo, but it’s worth returning later to grab.
Side Quests & Optional Areas
Rock-Roast Quest: In Goron City, after the celebration, talk to a Goron named Grubb who is near the entrance. He mentions he’s hungry for the legendary Rock Roast. Offer him the Rocktatoes you found in the volcano cave. He’ll be inspired to cook and asks you to fetch a Goron Spice from a stall. Help him out, and after a fun cooking scene (careful – keep the fire steady with an Ignizol Echo), he’ll reward you with a Piece of Heart and a share of the Rock Roast, which acts as a powerful full-heal item.
Darunia Lake (Optional Area): On the far side of Eldin Volcano (west side), there’s a hidden spring called Darunia Lake. Now that the volcano’s rift is closed, you can safely explore around. If you bomb a cracked wall along the trail just below Goron City, you’ll find a path to this peaceful lava lake. Here, use a Freeze (Ice) Echo to cool part of the lava, creating temporary platforms. Navigate to a small island in the lava with a chest containing a Big Purple Rupee (50) and a mysterious tablet that teaches Zelda the Magma Rain Echo (which makes lava fall from above – a purely optional but fun echo for combat).
Stilled Goron City Replay: If you missed any of Tri’s friends in the Stilled Goron City rift, fear not – you can speak to Tri to reopen the portal and go back in. Collecting all of Tri’s friends in every rift in the game leads to a special reward later. In Goron City, after the main story, a Goron scientist will appear near the chief’s house keeping track of how many rift spirits you saved – once you have them all, he’ll give Zelda the “Rift Medallion,” an item that boosts the power of all her echoes.
Goron City Mini-Games: The Gorons set up a Strength Contest after the rift is resolved. Visit the training ground to play a mini-game where Zelda uses a Power Glove Echo to try and lift heavier and heavier rocks. If you lift the heaviest boulder, you win a prize (Rupees or an upgrade to the Power Glove Echo if you have it). There’s also a Target Practice using the new Bow of Might at the city entrance – hitting all targets under a time limit grants a Quiver upgrade.
Combat & Exploration Tips (Eldin)
Heat Hazards: The volcano’s environment introduces heat damage over time in certain areas. If you see heat waves on-screen and Zelda starts flashing red, drink a Chill-Proof potion or activate an ice-type echo to cool down. In Eldin Volcano Trail, natural fire (like steam geysers or lava) is the main hazard – these do immediate damage on contact. Time your dashes past geysers. You can also carry a fireproof object: for example, spawn a Brazier Echo (if learned) and Bind to it similar to how you would in a cold area – carrying a lit brazier strangely provides a buffer against burning steam (though it sounds counterintuitive, Goron shamans swear by the protective aura of controlled flame).
Elemental Combat: Most enemies here are fire elemental. Use ice or water echoes to counter them. An Ice Keese Echo can freeze a Lava ChuChu solid, letting you shatter it with one hit. An Aquarius (water elemental) Echo (if you have one from Zora areas) will douse flaming enemies easily. Even regular bombs are effective – bombing a group of Fire Keese in a cave can take them all out at once. Conversely, avoid using fire-based echoes on these enemies; a Fire Wizzrobe Echo won’t hurt a Fire Keese much at all.
Close-Quarters Fighting: In the tight caves of Eldin, enemies like Red ChuChus or Fire Keese can swarm you. Keep Zelda’s Hylian Shield Echo (or any shield) ready to block sudden attacks. If surrounded, use a Spin Attack Echo (an echo that mimics Link’s spin attack) to clear space. The Mini-Moldorm Echo can also be dropped in a crowd; while monsters are distracted attacking the little worm, Zelda can pick them off.
Lizalfos Tactics: The Lizalfos you fight are agile. Watch for their telltale tongue waggle before spitting fire – that’s your cue to strafe to the side. They are vulnerable right after breathing fire (they pant for a moment). Close in to land hits or use a Boomerang Echo to stun them from afar. If you obtained the Boomerang itself earlier, its echo works great to hit a Lizalfos and make it drop its guard, allowing you to finish it in melee or with a follow-up arrow.
Volvagia Boss Tips: During the Volvagia fight, one trick is to use the Bind Echo not just on Volvagia, but on its fireball. Though risky, you can sometimes Bind onto the large green orb it shoots and fling it away or into a wall (preventing it from circling back). This advanced technique can save you the hassle of dodging the orb repeatedly. Also, don’t stay too close to the lava edges; Volvagia’s emergence can knock Zelda into the lava. Staying near the center and watching its patterns is safer. Equip the Goron Tunic or use the Lizalfos Echo to reduce fire damage in case you get hit by stray flames.
Saving & Warp Points: Eldin Temple has multiple waypoints inside. Make sure to activate the one near the boss door after you get the Big Key. If you need to leave to restock on health or potions, you can warp out and back in at that point. Outside, the Eldin Volcano Trail waypoint and Goron City waypoint let you quickly return to earlier parts of the mountain if you want to search for missed caves or retry mini-games.