Taking too much damage from Lynels, Darknuts, or those pesky Wizzrobes? While more Heart Containers help, the real key to survival in The Legend of Zelda lies in upgrading Link’s defense with the powerful Blue and Red Rings! These items drastically reduce the damage you take and even give Link a new look. Here’s how to find them:
The Blue Ring (Take Half Damage!)
This is often one of the first major investments savvy adventurers make. It halves the damage Link takes from all enemy attacks, making exploration significantly less punishing. Plus, Link’s tunic turns a stylish light blue!
Effect: Damage taken is reduced by 50%.
Location: A secret shop hidden on the Overworld.
Finding the Shop:
- From the game’s starting screen, go Up 1 screen, Left 3 screens, and then Up 3 screens.
- You’ll arrive at a screen filled with Armos statues (Grid E4).
- Carefully approach the top row of statues. Touch the middle statue in this row. It will move, revealing a hidden staircase!
The Cost: Prepare your wallet! The Blue Ring costs a hefty 250 Rupees, making it the most expensive item purchase in the game. Start saving early!
Tip: Getting the Blue Ring before tackling the mid-to-late game dungeons (like Level 4 or 5 onwards) is highly recommended. It makes a huge difference!
The Red Ring (Take Quarter Damage!)
The ultimate defensive upgrade! The Red Ring further reduces damage taken, making even the toughest enemies in Level 9 hit like relative softies. It replaces the effect (and color) of the Blue Ring, turning Link’s tunic a distinctive red/brownish-red.
Effect: Damage taken is reduced to 25% (stacks with, or rather replaces, the Blue Ring’s effect).
Location: Deep within the final dungeon, Level 9: Death Mountain.
Finding the Ring: This requires navigating a significant portion of Level 9. The ring is hidden in a secret passage near the upper-right area of the dungeon map.
- You’ll need to follow a path that involves bombing several walls (often heading north and east from the dungeon’s central areas).
- Eventually, you will reach a room containing 3 Red Wizzrobes, 3 Blue Wizzrobes, and 3 Bubbles (the flashing skulls that disable your sword). This room is often accessed after bombing the north wall of a previous room containing Like Likes and Wizzrobes.
- Crucial Step: You must defeat all the Wizzrobes (both Red and Blue) in this specific room.
- Once the Wizzrobes are defeated, push the leftmost block in the room. It will slide, revealing a hidden staircase/passage!
- Enter the passage to find the Red Ring waiting for you – no purchase necessary!
Note: This is one of the last major items you’ll likely acquire before facing Ganon.
Visual Confirmation:
Keep an eye on Link’s tunic! It starts green, turns light blue/cyan with the Blue Ring, and finally red/brownish-red with the Red Ring. It’s a great visual indicator of your current defensive upgrade.
Why Bother?
These rings are absolutely essential for surviving the later stages of the game. The damage reduction allows you to endure more hits, conserve potions, and confidently face down hordes of tough enemies, especially within the brutal corridors of Level 9 and during the final battle against Ganon himself. Don’t skip these upgrades!