Gear Upgrades — The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD Guide

Enhance Link's gear and arsenal for Skyloft and beyond in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD. Learn how to acquire and use crucial upgrades.

Throughout your adventure in Skyloft and the lands below, you'll discover numerous opportunities to enhance Link's arsenal and gear. Upgrading your equipment is crucial for tackling tougher enemies, solving complex puzzles, and generally making your journey smoother. This comprehensive section details how to acquire and utilize these essential upgrades, ensuring you're always prepared for the challenges ahead.

The Scrap Shop: Crafting and Upgrading

Your primary hub for gear upgrades is the Scrap Shop, located in the Bazaar in Skyloft. This establishment is run by the diligent and somewhat eccentric Gondo. He can craft new items for you, but more importantly, he can upgrade your existing gear using various materials you collect from defeated enemies, treasure chests, and the environment.

How to Upgrade:

1. Gather Materials: Before visiting Gondo, ensure you have the necessary materials. These can range from common Monster Horns and Jelly Blobs to rarer Goddess Plumes and Evil Crystals. Pay attention to enemy drops and explore thoroughly. Many materials are found in specific regions or dropped by certain enemy types.
2. Visit Gondo: Head to the Scrap Shop in the Bazaar. It's easily accessible from the main plaza in Skyloft.
3. Select "Upgrade Gear": Speak to Gondo and choose the "Upgrade Gear" option from his menu.
4. Choose Your Item: A list of upgradable items will appear, showing you what can be enhanced and what materials are required. Select the item you wish to enhance.
5. Confirm Upgrade: Gondo will display the required materials and a Rupee cost. If you have everything, confirm the upgrade. The process is instant, and your new gear will be ready immediately.

Essential Upgrades and Where to Find Materials

Below is a detailed breakdown of all significant gear upgrades available at the Scrap Shop, including the materials required and strategic tips for finding them. Mastering material collection is key to a powerful Link!

Swords

While your primary sword, the Goddess Sword, upgrades through story progression, several other sword-like items can be enhanced.

• Bug Net:
  • Big Bug Net: Increases the net's size, making bug catching significantly easier and more efficient, especially for faster or rarer insects.
    • Materials: 3 Tumbleweed, 2 Ancient Flower, 1 Amber Relic.
    • Location Tips:
      • Tumbleweed: Found rolling across the vast expanses of Lanayru Desert. They often appear after striking specific cacti or simply by running around.
      • Ancient Flower: Common in Lanayru Province, particularly in the Lanayru Mining Facility and surrounding desert areas. Look for them growing on ancient machinery or near water sources.
      • Amber Relic: Frequently found in early dungeons (Skyview Temple, Earth Temple) and as common drops from Bokoblins and other basic enemies. Also found in treasure chests throughout Faron Woods and Eldin Volcano.

Shields

Shields are vital for defense, protecting Link from enemy attacks and environmental hazards. Upgrading them increases their durability and effectiveness against specific damage types. Remember that shields can break, so always carry a spare or keep an eye on their durability meter!

• Wooden Shield: Your starting shield, vulnerable to fire and acid.
  • Banded Shield: Offers increased durability, making it last longer in combat.
    • Materials: 2 Amber Relic, 3 Monster Horn, 1 Jelly Blob.
    • Location Tips:
      • Monster Horn: Dropped by Bokoblins, especially the red and blue variants. They are common enemies in Faron Woods and Eldin Volcano.
      • Jelly Blob: Dropped by ChuChus, the gelatinous enemies found in various regions, particularly Skyview Temple and Faron Woods.
  • Braced Shield: Further enhanced durability, a solid choice for general combat.
    • Materials: 3 Amber Relic, 3 Monster Horn, 2 Tumbleweed, 1 Ornamental Skull.
    • Location Tips:
      • Ornamental Skull: A rarer drop from Bokoblins (especially blue and higher-tier variants) and found in treasure chests in later parts of Faron Woods and Eldin Volcano.
• Iron Shield: Purchased from the Bazaar for 100 Rupees after completing Skyview Temple. Resistant to fire.
  • Reinforced Shield: Improved durability and enhanced resistance to fire. This is an excellent upgrade for areas like Eldin Volcano.
    • Materials: 2 Eldin Ore, 3 Monster Claw, 1 Ornamental Skull.
    • Location Tips:
      • Eldin Ore: Found in Eldin Volcano, often by digging in soft soil spots or breaking specific rock formations. Also dropped by Moblins in the region.
      • Monster Claw: Dropped by Keese (bats) and other flying enemies. Common in caves and dungeons.
  • Fortified Shield: Maximum durability and fire resistance, making it incredibly resilient against fiery attacks and environmental hazards. A must-have for later volcanic areas.
    • Materials: 3 Eldin Ore, 3 Monster Claw, 2 Tumbleweed, 1 Blue Bird Feather.
    • Location Tips:
      • Blue Bird Feather: A rare drop from Blue Birds, which are often found perched in Faron Woods, particularly near the Sealed Grounds entrance or in the deep woods. Use your Bug Net or Slingshot to catch them.
• Sacred Shield: Purchased from the Bazaar for 500 Rupees after completing the Lanayru Mining Facility. Regenerates durability over time and offers resistance to electric attacks.
  • Divine Shield: Increased durability and faster regeneration rate.
    • Materials: 2 Dusk Relic, 3 Bird Feather, 1 Goddess Plume.
    • Location Tips:
      • Dusk Relic: Found in Lanayru Desert, often by digging in soft soil or defeating specific enemies like Lizalfos.
      • Bird Feather: A common drop from various birds found across Skyloft and the surface.
      • Goddess Plume: A rare drop, often found in later dungeons (e.g., Sandship, Ancient Cistern) or as rewards for specific side quests. Also a rare drop from Golden Birds in Skyloft.
  • Aegis Shield: Maximum durability, fastest regeneration, and superior resistance to electric attacks. The ultimate defensive shield.
    • Materials: 3 Dusk Relic, 3 Bird Feather, 2 Goddess Plume, 1 Evil Crystal.
    • Location Tips:
      • Evil Crystal: A very rare drop, typically from powerful enemies like Dark Lizalfos or as a reward in late-game dungeons. Also found in treasure chests in the Silent Realm challenges.

Ranged Weapons: Slingshot & Bow

Ranged weapons are essential for hitting distant targets, activating switches, solving puzzles, and engaging enemies from a safe distance.

• Slingshot: Your first ranged weapon, firing Deku Seeds.
  • Scattershot: Fires three Deku Seeds in a spread pattern, useful for hitting multiple small targets (e.g., Keese swarms) or covering a wider area for puzzle activation.
    • Materials: 2 Amber Relic, 3 Jelly Blob, 1 Monster Claw.
    • Location Tips: See previous entries for Amber Relic, Jelly Blob, and Monster Claw. These are relatively common early-game materials.
• Bow: Acquired later in the game, firing arrows for higher damage and precision.
  • Iron Bow: Increases arrow damage, making it more effective against tougher enemies.
    • Materials: 2 Eldin Ore, 3 Monster Horn, 1 Tumbleweed.
    • Location Tips: See previous entries for Eldin Ore, Monster Horn, and Tumbleweed.
  • Sacred Bow: Further increases arrow damage and offers a slight boost in power against evil creatures (e.g., Bokoblins, Moblins).
    • Materials: 3 Eldin Ore, 3 Monster Horn, 2 Tumbleweed, 1 Goddess Plume.
    • Location Tips: See previous entries for Eldin Ore, Monster Horn, Tumbleweed, and Goddess Plume. The Goddess Plume is the rarest component here.

Utility Upgrades: Bomb Bag, Seed Satchel, Quiver

These upgrades increase your carrying capacity for essential consumables, allowing you to stay in the field longer and tackle more challenges without returning to Skyloft.

• Bomb Bag: Your initial Bomb Bag holds a limited number of bombs.
  • Medium Bomb Bag: Increases the maximum number of bombs Link can carry. Essential for dungeons with many bombable walls or enemies.
    • Materials: 3 Ornamental Skull, 2 Blue Bird Feather, 1 Lizard Tail.
    • Location Tips:
      • Lizard Tail: Dropped by Lizalfos, the reptilian enemies found in Earth Temple, Lanayru Mining Facility, and other volcanic/desert areas.
  • Large Bomb Bag: Further increases bomb capacity to its maximum.
    • Materials: 3 Ornamental Skull, 2 Blue Bird Feather, 1 Golden Skull.
    • Location Tips:
      • Golden Skull: A very rare drop, often from powerful enemies like Dark Lizalfos, or found in hidden treasure chests in late-game areas and Silent Realm challenges.
• Seed Satchel: Your initial Seed Satchel holds a limited number of Deku Seeds for your Slingshot.
  • Medium Seed Satchel: Increases the maximum number of Deku Seeds Link can carry.
    • Materials: 3 Amber Relic, 2 Jelly Blob, 1 Monster Horn.
    • Location Tips: These are common early-game materials. Focus on defeating Bokoblins and ChuChus in Faron Woods and Skyview Temple.
  • Large Seed Satchel: Further increases Deku Seed capacity to its maximum.
    • Materials: 3 Amber Relic, 2 Jelly Blob, 1 Ornamental Skull.
    • Location Tips: The Ornamental Skull is the rarest component here. Target blue Bokoblins or search chests.
• Quiver: Your initial Quiver holds a limited number of arrows.
  • Medium Quiver: Increases the maximum number of arrows Link can carry. Crucial for bow-heavy combat or puzzle sections.
    • Materials: 3 Monster Horn, 2 Blue Bird Feather, 1 Golden Skull.
    • Location Tips: See previous entries for Monster Horn, Blue Bird Feather, and Golden Skull. The Golden Skull is the bottleneck here.
  • Large Quiver: Further increases arrow capacity to its maximum.
    • Materials: 3 Monster Horn, 2 Blue Bird Feather, 1 Evil Crystal.
    • Location Tips: See previous entries for Monster Horn, Blue Bird Feather, and Evil Crystal. The Evil Crystal is the rarest component.

Adventure Pouch Capacity Upgrades

While not an upgrade to an existing item in the traditional sense, Gondo can craft additional slots for your Adventure Pouch. This is arguably one of the most critical upgrades, as it allows you to carry more bottles, medals, shields, and other key items, significantly expanding your utility and survivability in the field.

• Adventure Pouch Expansion: Gondo can craft up to four additional slots for your Adventure Pouch. Each expansion requires different materials and Rupees.
  • First Expansion:
    • Materials: 2 Amber Relic, 1 Monster Horn.
    • Cost: 50 Rupees.
  • Second Expansion:
    • Materials: 3 Amber Relic, 2 Monster Horn, 1 Ornamental Skull.
    • Cost: 100 Rupees.
  • Third Expansion:
    • Materials: 3 Eldin Ore, 2 Ornamental Skull, 1 Goddess Plume.
    • Cost: 200 Rupees.
  • Fourth Expansion:
    • Materials: 3 Dusk Relic, 2 Goddess Plume, 1 Evil Crystal.
    • Cost: 300 Rupees.
  • Strategy: Prioritize expanding your Pouch as soon as possible. The first few expansions are relatively cheap and use common materials. More Pouch slots mean you can carry extra shields, more potions, a Life Medal, or even a Rupee Medal, making dungeons and exploration much less stressful. Aim to get at least two or three extra slots before tackling the more challenging dungeons.

Material Farming Strategies

To efficiently gather materials for your upgrades, keep these tips in mind:

• Explore Thoroughly: Always check every nook and cranny, dig in soft soil spots, and open all treasure chests.
• Defeat All Enemies: Most materials drop from enemies. Don't run past them; engage and defeat them for potential drops.
• Use the Bug Net: For flying creatures like birds, the Bug Net is often more reliable than the Slingshot or Bow for securing drops.
• Revisit Areas: Materials respawn. If you need a specific material, revisit areas where it's common after a period of time or after saving and reloading.
• Silent Realms: While challenging, completing Silent Realm trials often rewards you with rare materials like Goddess Plumes and Evil Crystals.
• Treasure Chests: Many materials are found in chests, both obvious and hidden. Use your Dowsing ability to locate hidden ones.
• Bazaar Merchants: Some merchants in the Bazaar (e.g., Rupin) will occasionally sell common materials, though usually at a higher price than what you'd get from drops.

By diligently collecting materials and regularly visiting Gondo, you'll ensure Link is always equipped with the best gear, ready to face any challenge Hyrule throws his way. Happy adventuring!