Skyward Sword optimal equipment guide

Skyloft 

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• Practice Sword: Mandatory. Link
• Sailcloth: Mandatory. Link
• Goddess Sword: Mandatory. Link
• Emerald Tablet: Mandatory. Link
• Adventure Pouch: Mandatory. Link
• Wooden Shield: Get it for free from Professor Owlan outside the Academy, or purchase it from the Bazaar (50 Rupees). Link
• Bottle #1: Speak to the lady in the potion shop. Link

Faron 

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Treasure needed for early upgrades

• While in Faron, try to find the following items, which are needed for upgrades. Note that you can get the Cursed Medal after returning to Skyloft again, which can help with finding items. Link
• 11 Amber Relics (throughout the area) Link
• 2 Hornet Larvae (Deep Woods) Link
• 2 Blue Bird Feathers (after getting the Bug Net) Link
• 3 Ornamental Skulls Link
• 1 Golden Skull Link

Sealed Temple

• Bottle #2: In a chest beside the old woman. Link

Faron Woods

• Piece of Heart #1: On the great tree in the north, walk up the south root and across a tightrope. Link
• Slingshot: Mandatory. Link

Some items from Skyloft

• Bug Net: Purchase from Beedle (50 Rupees). Link
• Extra Wallet #1: Purchase from Beedle (100 Rupees). Link
• You can technically purchase two more Extra Wallets, three Adventure Pouch Upgrades, and a Life Medal, but you probably don’t have the Rupees. These items will be covered the next time you return to Skyloft (after Skyview Temple). Link

Deep Woods

• Goddess Cube #1 (Adventure Pouch Upgrade #1): By Gorko before the Skyview Temple. Link
• Goddess Cube #2 (Piece of Heart #4): In the area just outside Skyview Temple. Link

Skyview Temple 

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• Dungeon Map: After the bridge with the two Skulltulas. Link
• Beetle: Mandatory. Link
• Piece of Heart #2: In the central chamber, use the Beetle to hit a switch high up in the back of the large, central statue. Link
• Heart Container: After defeating the boss. Link
• Goddess Cube #3 (300 Rupees): Behind the altar in Skyview Spring. Link
• Ruby Tablet: Mandatory. Link

Skyloft 

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• All the possible purchases and upgrades at this time are listed at the bottom of this section. Purchase/​upgrade them when you have the money and treasure. Unless you do some grinding (such as catching and selling Blue Bird Feathers) this will probably not be before heading to Eldin. You can get the Cursed Medal later in this section, which makes it easier to find treasure. Link
• Insert the Ruby Tablet. Link
• Sidequest – Finding Kukiel (optional dialog): Talk to Orielle near the houses to the east and Rusta in the Lumpy Pumpkin. Link
• 300 Rupees (Goddess Cube #3): Pumpkin Landing, on top of the Lumpy Pumpkin. Link
• Adventure Pouch Upgrade #1 (Goddess Cube #1): Pumpkin Landing. Link
• Piece of Heart #3: On top of the chandelier in the Lumpy Pumpkin. Roll into the walls upstairs to knock it down. Link
• Do work for the owner of the Lumpy Pumpkin (required for Piece of Heart #10). Link
• Piece of Heart #4 (Goddess Cube #2): West of Pumpkin Landing. Link
• Sidequest – Finding Kukiel: At night, head over to the graveyard, hit the gravestone nearest the tree and push it, go down the ladder and enter the building. Link
• Gratitude Crystal #1 (night): Behind a tree near the pumpkin patch next to the eastern houses. Link
• Gratitude Crystal #2 (night): Through the Waterfall Cave, as you emerge back outside at the other end. Link
• Gratitude Crystal #3 (night): Through the Waterfall Cave, in the alcove where your Loftwing was being held. Link
• Gratitude Crystal #4 (night): On a lower ledge just north of the Bazaar. Link
• Gratitude Crystal #5 (night): Inside the Knight Academy, in a plant near the upper door. Link
• Gratitude Crystal #6 (night): Inside the Knight Academy, on the desk in Link’s room. Link
• Gratitude Crystal #7 (night): In the Sparring Hall, up in the rafters. Use the Beetle to get it. Link
• Gratitude Crystal #8 (night): Inside Orielle and Parrow’s house just south of the Bazaar. Link
• Gratitude Crystal #9 (night): West of Orielle and Parrow’s house, look off to west and you’ll see vines leading down. Link
• Gratitude Crystal #10 (night): Around the back of the Light Tower. Link
• There are five more single Gratitude Crystals, but you can only get three of them now (Gratitude Crystal #53, Gratitude Crystal #54, and Gratitude Crystal #55). They won’t make any difference until you can obtain the final two individual crystals (Gratitude Crystal #46 and Gratitude Crystal #47). Link
• Medium Wallet: Return to Batreaux with 5 Gratitude Crystals (or wait until after collecting more crystals below). Link
• Sleep until morning. Link
• Gratitude Crystals #11–#15: Finish the Finding Kukiel sidequest by talking to Wyrna in Kukiel’s house. Link
• Gratitude Crystals #16–#25: Complete the Injured Loftwing sidequest (start by speaking to Parrow by the Plaza, then find and talk to Orielle toward Fun Fun Island). Link
• Bottle #3: During or after the Injured Loftwing sidequest. Link
• Piece of Heart #5: Return to Batreaux with 10 Gratitude Crystals (or wait until after collecting more crystals below). Link
• Gratitude Crystals #26–#30: Complete Peatrice’s sidequest. (Talk to her in the Bazaar, sleep until the next day and talk to her again, repeat. After she calls you her darling, speak with Peater at night in their house in Skyloft. If he only introduces himself, exit/​enter and talk to him again. Sleep until morning, speak to Peatrice again and complete the quest. If you reject her, sleep until next night and talk to her father.) Link
• Big Wallet: Return to Batreaux with 30 Gratitude Crystals. Link
• Cursed Medal: In the chest that appears after getting the Big Wallet. Link

Items and upgrades

• Iron Shield: Purchase from the Bazaar (100 Rupees). Link
• Small Seed Satchel: Purchase from the Bazaar (100 Rupees). Link
• Adventure Pouch Upgrade #2: Purchase from Beedle (300 Rupees). Link
• Adventure Pouch Upgrade #3: Purchase from Beedle (600 Rupees). Link
• Adventure Pouch Upgrade #4: Purchase from Beedle (1200 Rupees). Link
• Extra Wallet #2: Purchase from Beedle (100 Rupees). Link
• Extra Wallet #3: Purchase from Beedle (100 Rupees). Link
• Life Medal #1: Purchase from Beedle (800 Rupees). Link
• Bug Medal: Purchase from Beedle (1000 Rupees). Link
• You can purchase Piece of Heart #23 now, but this guide will cover it after doing Beedle’s side quest later in the game, when you can get it for half the price. Link
• Medium Seed Satchel: Upgrade (4 Amber Relics, 3 Monster Claws, 3 Ornamental Skulls, 50 Rupees; Monster Claws can be found in the Waterfall Cave, Ornamental Skulls from Bokoblins). Link
• Large Seed Satchel: Upgrade (5 Amber Relics, 3 Monster Claws, 1 Blue Bird Feather, 1 Golden Skull, 100 Rupees). Link
• Banded Shield: Upgrade (2 Amber Relics, 1 Monster Claw, 1 Jelly Blob, 30 Rupees; Monster Claws and Jelly Blobs can be found in the Waterfall cave). Link

Eldin Volcano 

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• Reinforced Shield: Upgrade when you have the materials (2 Eldin Ore, 2 Monster Claws, 2 Ornamental Skulls, 50 Rupees). Link
• Goddess Cube #4 (Small Seed Satchel): At the start, before the fork in the road. Link
• Goddess Cube #5 (100 Rupees): After being taught to use Bombs, head past the next Bird Statue and head north (straight ahead) at the fork. Link
• Piece of Heart #6: By the bone bridge, climb the ledges to the north. Link
• Goddess Cube #6 (300 Rupees): On a ledge in the “volcano” cave where you skydive. Link
• Digging Mitts: Mandatory. Link
• Goddess Cube #7 (300 Rupees): West of the Earth Temple entrance, by the patch of water, dig to reveal an air geyser and send a bomb flower up. Link
• Goddess Cube #8 (Treasure Medal): East of the Bokoblin camp to the east of the temple entrance. Link
• Goddess Cube #9 (Piece of Heart #12): On the long sand slide from the upper to the lower part of Eldin, head left and hit the air geyser. Link

Earth Temple 

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• Bomb Bag: Mandatory. Link
• Dungeon Map: In the room with a bunch of platforms in the lava and a high stone platform on the other side. Link
• Heart Container: After defeating the boss. Link
• Amber Tablet: Mandatory. Link

Skyloft 

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• Insert the Amber Tablet. Link
• Small Seed Satchel (Goddess Cube #4): West of Fun Fun Island. Link
• Treasure Medal (Goddess Cube #8): On the easternmost island in the sky. Link
• 100 Rupees (Goddess Cube #5): Between Beedle’s Island and Bamboo Island. Link
• 300 Rupees (Goddess Cube #7): On Bamboo Island. Link
• Do work for the owner of the Lumpy Pumpkin (required for Piece of Heart #10). Link
• Small Bomb Bag: Purchase at the Bazaar (150 Rupees). Link
• Medium Bomb Bag: Upgrade (3 Ornamental Skulls, 1 Blue Bird Feather, 1 Lizard Tail, 50 Rupees). Link
• Large Bomb Bag: Upgrade (4 Jelly Blobs, 3 Lizard Tails, 2 Hornet Larvae, 1 Golden Skull, 100 Rupees). Link
• Piece of Heart #7: Faron Woods, descend at the “In the Woods” statue and blow up the wall. Link

Lanayru Mine 

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• Braced Shield: Upgrade when you get 2 Tumbleweeds (3 Amber Relics, 2 Monster Claws, 2 Tumbleweeds, 1 Ornamental Skull, 50 Rupees). Link
• Fortified Shield: Upgrade when you get 3 Tumbleweeds, though you can wait with this upgrade since you’re probably not using it now anyway (3 Eldin Ore, 3 Monster Claws, 3 Tumbleweeds, 1 Blue Bird Feather, 100 Rupees). Link
• Goddess Cube #10 (100 Rupees): At the back of the tower where you start. Link
• Hook Beetle: Mandatory. Link
• Quick Beetle: Upgrade (2 Ancient Flower, 2 Hornet Larvae, 1 Golden Skull, 50 Rupees). Link
• Tough Beetle: Upgrade (4 Amber Relics, 3 Ancient Flowers, 1 Blue Bird Feather, 1 Goddess Plume, 50 Rupees). Link
• Goddess Cube #11 (Heart Medal #1): In the area with quicksand where you have to use the Ampiluses as “stepping stones” (south in southwest Lanayru Desert). Link
• Goddess Cube #12 (Piece of Heart #9): While riding a mining cart after meeting Gorko. Link
• Piece of Heart #8: In the large, open desert area where the entrance to the Lanayru Mining Facility is, look at the map to see a loop to the northeast. Bomb a crack in the cliff face at the entrance to this loop. Link

Lanayru Mining Facility 

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• Gust Bellows: Mandatory. Link
• Dungeon Map: After defeating an Armos. Link
• Heart Container: After defeating the boss. Link
• Goddess’s Harp: Mandatory. Link

Skyloft 

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• Travel to the Sealed Temple and finish your business there. Link
• Sacred Shield: Purchase at the Bazaar (500 Rupees). Link
• Gratitude Crystals #31–#35: Do Cawlin’s side quest. (Optionally talk to Dovos at the Bazaar and Henya at the Knight Academy kitchen, check out the voice at night, find Cawlin by the wall near the bathroom during the day, choose how to finish the quest.) Link
• Gratitude Crystals #36–#40: Clean up Pipit’s house. Link
• 300 Rupees: Return to Batreaux with 40 Gratitude Crystals. Link
• You can start Fledge’s side quest now, find him in his room during the night (required for Gratitude Crystals #56–#60 and Piece of Heart #19). Link
• Piece of Heart #9 (Goddess Cube #12): On Beedle’s Island. Link
• 100 Rupees (Goddess Cube #10): Southeast of Beedle’s Island. Link
• Piece of Heart #10: Finish working at the Lumpy Pumpkin. Link
• Heart Medal #1 (Goddess Cube #11): East of the Lanayru beacon. Link
• Gratitude Crystals #41–#45: Fix Fun Fun Island. Link
• Piece of Heart #11: Win the game at Fun Fun Island. Link
• 500 Rupees: Win the game at Fun Fun Island. Link
• 300 Rupees (Goddess Cube #6): Isle of Songs in Thunderhead. Link

Farore’s Trial and Lake Floria 

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Farore’s Trial

• Water Dragon Scale: Mandatory. Link

Faron

• Goddess Cube #13 (100 Rupees): As you exit the Great Tree for the first time, look down. Link
• Goddess Cube #14 (Piece of Heart #13): After exiting the Great Tree at the top, drop down to the southeastern root. Link
• Goddess Cube #15 (Rupee Medal #1): Outside the Great Tree, at the top, drop down to the east and walk across the tightrope. Link

Lake Floria

• Goddess Cube #16 (300 Rupees): In the room after you have to “dolphin jump” over a wall (in the same room as a Bird Statue). Link

A few things from Skyloft

• 100 Rupees (Goddess Cube #13): In Skyloft, on a small island just south of the Knight Academy. Link
• Divine Shield: Upgrade (3 Ornamental Skulls, 2 Bird Feathers, 1 Dusk Relic, 100 Rupees). Link
• Goddess Shield: Upgrade (4 Dusk Relics, 3 Bird Feathers, 3 Monster Horns, 1 Blue Bird Feather, 150 Rupees). Link
• Scattershot: Upgrade (3 Jelly Blobs, 2 Amber Relics, 2 Dusk Relics, 50 Rupees). Link
• Piece of Heart #12 (Goddess Cube #9): Dive below Kukiel’s house. Link
• Piece of Heart #13 (Goddess Cube #14): On the “volcano” island east of the Lanayru beacon (easier after getting the Clawshots, but entirely possible now). Link
• Rupee Medal #1 (Goddess Cube #15): On the Isle of Songs in the Thunderhead. Link

Ancient Cistern 

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• Whip: Mandatory. Link
• Dungeon Map: North in the main room, head toward the east door and go up the ledges. Link
• Heart Container: After defeating the boss. Link
• Goddess Longsword: Mandatory. Link

Nayru’s Trial and Lanayru Sand Sea 

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• Piece of Heart #14: In the Sealed Grounds, speak to Gorko and draw what he wants. Link

Nayru’s Trial

• Clawshots: Mandatory. Link

Lanayru Desert

• Goddess Cube #17 (Heart Medal #2): At the western end of the loop northeast in Lanayru Desert. Link
• Goddess Cube #18 (Life Medal #2): Just south of the Lanayru Mining Facility. Use the Clawshots to get up on the ledge. Link

Lanayru Sand Sea

• Goddess Cube #19 (300 Rupees): At the dock, climb some crates and use the Clawshots. Link
• Goddess Cube #20 (Potion Medal): When climbing Skipper’s Retreat, after fighting a Moblin on a bridge and a Quadro Baba, Clawshot across two stone pillars to get to it. Link

Pirate Stronghold

• Goddess Cube #21 (Piece of Heart #16): After completing the Pirate Stronghold, turn around and Clawshot above the door. Link

Faron

• Goddess Cube #22 (Rupee Medal #2): Above the entrance to Skyview Temple, Clawshot to the vines to the right of the entrance. Link
• Goddess Cube #23 (300 Rupees): At Floria Waterfall, Clawshot to the vines above the Bird Statue. Link

Skyloft

• 300 Rupees (Goddess Cube #19): In the Scrap Shop in the Bazaar. Link
• Big Bug Net: Upgrade (3 Tumbleweed, 2 Ancient Flower, 1 Evil Crystal, 100 Rupees). Link
• Give another Stamina Potion to Fledge at night (required for Gratitude Crystals #56–#60 and Piece of Heart #19). Link
• Gratitude Crystal #46 (night): In Zelda’s room (Clawshot into the chimney on top of the Knight Academy to get there). Link
• Piece of Heart #15: In the closet in Zelda’s room (Clawshot into the chimney on top of the Knight Academy to get there). Link
• Gratitude Crystal #47 (night): On the top island in Skyloft (with the waterfall), get up by using the Clawshots by the Waterfall Cave entrance. Link
• Piece of Heart #16 (Goddess Cube #21): On top of the waterfall island in Skyloft. Link
• 300 Rupees (Goddess Cube #16): Skydive from the waterfall island onto the smaller island to the east. Link
• Gratitude Crystals #48–#52: Do the baby rattle quest for Bertie and Luv. Link
• Giant Wallet: Return to Batreaux with 50 Gratitude Crystals. Link
• Gratitude Crystal #53 (night): Sleep in Beedle’s shop, then go outside at night and get it with the Beetle. Link
• Rupee Medal #2 (Goddess Cube #22): On Beedle’s Island at night, climb the shop and enter the nearby structure. Link
• Gratitude Crystal #54 (night): In the Lumpy Pumpkin, on the counter upstairs. Link
• Gratitude Crystal #55 (night): On Pumpkin Landing, where you have to bring the pumpkins when helping Kina. Link
• Heart Medal #2 (Goddess Cube #17): On the northernmost island east in the sky. Link
• Life Medal #2 (Goddess Cube #18): Northwest of Fun Fun Island. Link
• Potion Medal (Goddess Cube #20): Northwest of Fun Fun Island. Link
• 300 Rupees (Goddess Cube #23): On the small island below Fun Fun Island. Link

The Sandship 

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• Bow: Mandatory. Link
• Piece of Heart #17: Off the stern of the ship. Get there using the ziplines on top of the masts. Link
• Dungeon Map: In the room below deck with the Technoblins. Link
• Heart Container: After defeating the boss. Link
• Goddess White Sword: Mandatory. Link

Din’s Trial and Volcano Summit 

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Lanayru Shipyard

• Piece of Heart #18: Win the “Heart Stopping!” course on the Rickety Coaster. Link
• You need 3 Lizard Tails for the final bow upgrade, so kill a few Lizalfos in the Shipyard if you don’t have enough. Link
• You need 8 Tumbleweeds for the bow upgrades, so collect a few before leaving Lanayru if you don’t have enough. Link

Skyloft

• Unless you want to upgrade the bow or purchase a quiver right now, you can wait with this section until just before the Fire Sanctuary, when you’ll return to Skyloft anyway for Piece of Heart #20. Link
• Iron Bow: Upgrade (3 Monster Claws, 3 Tumbleweeds, 2 Eldin Ore, 1 Evil Crystal, 50 Rupees). Link
• Sacred Bow: Upgrade (5 Tumbleweed, 3 Lizard Tail, 2 Evil Crystal, 1 Goddess Plume, 100 Rupees). Link
• Small Quiver: Purchase at the Bazaar (150 Rupees). Link
• Medium Quiver: Upgrade (5 Amber Relics, 3 Dusk Relics, 3 Monster Horns, 50 Rupees). Link
• Large Quiver: Upgrade (3 Dusk Relics, 2 Monster Horns, 1 Goddess Plume, 1 Golden Skull, 100 Rupees). Link
• Congratulations, this was the last of the upgrades! Link
• Gratitude Crystals #56–#60: Talk to Fledge in his room at night. Link
• Piece of Heart #19: Talk to Fledge in front of the Sparring Hall and win his mini-​game (600 points). Link

Din’s Trial

• Fireshield Earrings: Mandatory. Link

Volcano Summit

• Goddess Cube #24 (Piece of Heart #20): After meeting Gorko and filling a bottle with water, skydive towards the north (confirm the cube location using dowsing first – it’s behind a pillar). Link
• Goddess Cube #25 (Small Bomb Bag): After you get to the Fire Sanctuary entrance, head out of the window in the west tower. Link

Skyloft

• Piece of Heart #20 (Goddess Cube #24): On the Bug Island in the Thunderhead. Link
• Small Bomb Bag (Goddess Cube #25): On the Isle of Songs in the Thunderhead. Link

Fire Sanctuary 

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• Mogma Mitts: Mandatory. Link
• Bottle #4: After defeating the single Magmanos (the lava hand). Link
• Dungeon Map: In a chest dug up by a Mogma. Link
• Piece of Heart #21: In a chest dug up by a Mogma. Link
• Heart Container: After defeating the boss. Link
• Master Sword: Mandatory. Link

Song of the Hero 

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• Piece of Heart #22: Dig with the Mogma Mitts near the Blessed Butterflies in the area before entering the Fire Sanctuary (where you first had to douse the flames). Link
• True Master Sword: Mandatory. Link

Skyloft

• If you haven’t yet purchased the Heart Piece from Beedle, make sure it’s accessible in the shop (purchase all other health-​related items from him). You’ll get your next purchase at 50% discount after doing his sidequest and getting Gratitude Crystals #61–#65. Link
• Gratitude Crystals #61–#65: Do Beedle’s side quest. (Optionally speak to Parrow by the Plaza, speak to Stritch on Bug Island, speak to Beedle during the night, and win Stritch’s game on Bug Island.) Link
• Piece of Heart #23: Purchase from Beedle (800 Rupees with the discount, 1600 Rupees without). If you need money, you’ll get 600 Rupees from Batreaux later in this section when you have 70 Gratitude Crystals. Link
• Go see Levias. Link

Faron

• For efficiency, start instructor Owlan’s side quest before heading to Faron. Link
• Get the Faron part of the Song of the Hero. Link
• Gratitude Crystals #66–#70: Finish Instructor Owlan’s side quest. Link
• 600 Rupees: Return to Batreaux with 70 Gratitude Crystals. Link

Eldin

• For efficiency, start Sparrot’s side quest before heading to Eldin (optionally talk to the locals at the Bazaar, find Sparrot in his house). Link
• Get the Eldin part of the Song of the Hero. Link
• Goddess Cube #26 (Bottle #5): In the room just before the Fire Dragon. Link
• Gratitude Crystals #71–#75: Find and return Sparrot’s crystal ball. Link
• Gratitude Crystals #76–#80: Help Kina at Pumpkin Landing. (Bring her Guld from Eldin. He’s inside the “volcano” cave where you skydive, close to the “Volcano East” bird statue, on the top right pillar as you start skydiving.) Link
• Tycoon Wallet: Return to Batreaux with 80 Gratitude Crystals. Link
• Bottle #5 (Goddess Cube #26): On a small island in the Thunderhead. Link

Lanayru

• Get the Lanayru part of the Song of the Hero. Link
• Goddess Cube #27 (Small Quiver): By the Life Tree in Lanayru Gorge. Link
• Small Quiver (Goddess Cube #27): On a small island in the Thunderhead. Link

The Thunder Dragon’s Lightning Round

• Complete the Song of the Hero quest. Link
• Piece of Heart #24: Do the Thunder Dragon’s Lightning Round and quit after four bosses. Link
• Hylian Shield: Do the Thunder Dragon’s Lightning Round and quit after eight bosses. Link