Item Management & Storage — The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker Guide

Manage Link's inventory effectively in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. Learn how to expand your item capacity and organize tools for efficient gameplay.

Effective item management is crucial for any aspiring hero in The Wind Waker. While Link's inventory might seem vast, understanding how to best use and expand it will save you countless headaches, especially in the later dungeons and during extensive exploration.

The Inventory Screen

Access Link's inventory by pressing the START button. Here you'll find several tabs:

• Equipment: Displays your currently equipped sword, shield, and tunic.
• Items: Your primary inventory for all active tools and quest items. This is where you'll assign items to the Y, X, and R buttons.
• Charts: Houses all your collected Sea Charts and Dungeon Maps.
• Quest Items: A dedicated section for important story-related items that don't get assigned to buttons, such as the Triforce Shards or Pearls.
• Spoils: Where you store all the various monster parts and other collectibles you gather.

Key Item Management Strategies

Consumables: Potions, Fairies, and Bombs

Always prioritize having a stock of essential consumables. These can be lifesavers in tough boss battles or long dungeon crawls.

• Red Potion: Restores all your hearts. Purchase from Beedle's Shop Ship for 30 Rupees. Keep at least one in a Bottle at all times.
• Blue Potion: Restores all hearts and magic. Purchase from Beedle's Shop Ship for 100 Rupees (after completing the first two dungeons). Highly recommended for magic-intensive areas.
• Fairies: If you have an empty Bottle, a Fairy will automatically revive you upon defeat. Catch them in specific locations like the Forest Haven or inside dungeons, or buy them from Beedle's Shop Ship for 50 Rupees (rarely available).
• Bombs: Essential for combat and puzzle-solving. Max bomb capacity starts at 30 and can be upgraded. Always restock at Beedle's Shop Ship or by breaking pots/cutting grass.

Bottle Management: Your Most Versatile Slots

The four Bottles you can acquire are arguably your most valuable inventory slots. They can hold several items, from potions to fairies to water. Prioritize finding all of them:

1. Bottle #1 (Windfall Island): Win the auction at the Auction House in Windfall Island. This typically occurs at night after you've completed the Dragon Roost Cavern. Be prepared to spend around 100-200 Rupees.
2. Bottle #2 (Greatfish Isle): After Greatfish Isle is destroyed, sail to the quadrant where it once was. You'll find a raft with a stranded man. Give him a Hyoi Pear, and he'll give you a Bottle in return.
3. Bottle #3 (Bomb Island): On Bomb Island (Quadrant F4), use a Bomb to destroy the large rock blocking a cave entrance. Inside, defeat the enemies and open the chest for the Bottle.
4. Bottle #4 (Isle of Deeds): On the Isle of Deeds (Quadrant F7), use the Hookshot to reach the higher platforms. You'll find a chest containing the final Bottle.

Spoils Bag: What to Keep, What to Sell

The Spoils Bag holds all the monster parts you collect. These are primarily used for trading with the traveling merchant, Beedle, for valuable items or for specific side quests.

• Boko Baba Seed: Trade for Red Potion or other basic items.
• Joy Pendant: Crucial for the rich girl's quest on Windfall Island. Collect 20 to earn the Deluxe Picto Box, and 40 for the Cabana Deed. Do NOT sell these until you've completed these quests!
• Skull Necklace: Trade for Rupees or basic items.
• Knight's Crest: Needed for the Hurricane Spin technique. Collect 10 and show them to Orca on Outset Island.
• Big Skull Necklace: Trade for Rupees or more valuable items from Beedle.
• Golden Feather: Trade for Rupees or items.

Generally, it's safe to sell excess common spoils like Skull Necklaces and Boko Baba Seeds if you need Rupees. Always hold onto Joy Pendants and Knight's Crests until their respective quests are complete.

Wallet Upgrades: Carrying More Rupees

Running out of space for Rupees can be frustrating. There are two wallet upgrades available:

1. Big Wallet (1,000 Rupees): Found in a chest within the Forbidden Woods. You'll acquire this naturally as you progress through the dungeon.
2. Giant Wallet (5,000 Rupees): Awarded after collecting 30 Joy Pendants and showing them to the rich girl on Windfall Island, who then gives you the Deluxe Picto Box. After this, speak to her again, and she will reward you with the Giant Wallet. This is a significant upgrade and allows you to save up for expensive items like the Magic Armor.

Always aim to get the Giant Wallet as soon as possible to avoid hitting the Rupee cap.

Quiver & Bomb Bag Upgrades

Increasing your capacity for Arrows and Bombs is essential for combat and puzzle-solving, especially in later dungeons.

• Bomb Bag Upgrades:
  • Small Bomb Bag (30 Bombs): Acquired in the Pirate Ship after rescuing Tetra.
  • Medium Bomb Bag (60 Bombs): Win this at the Auction House on Windfall Island (often appears after completing the Tower of the Gods).
  • Large Bomb Bag (99 Bombs): Found in a chest on the Ghost Ship (requires the Ghost Ship Chart).
• Quiver Upgrades:
  • Small Quiver (30 Arrows): Acquired with the Bow in the Tower of the Gods.
  • Medium Quiver (60 Arrows): Win this at the Auction House on Windfall Island (often appears after completing the Earth Temple).
  • Large Quiver (99 Arrows): Found in a chest on the Savage Labyrinth's final floor (Outset Island).

Prioritize these upgrades as they become available. More ammunition means less backtracking to replenish supplies.