You stand there. Half-naked. No armor, no food, and just a couple of tree branches to your name.
It’s the Trial of the Sword.
Honestly, it’s probably the most "get good" moment in all of Breath of the Wild. Most players think they’re ready because they’ve killed a few Lynels or found all the shrines, but then they hit Room 10 of the Beginning Trials. Suddenly, everything changes. They realize this isn't just a combat challenge. It's a resource management nightmare designed to break you.
Why the BOTW Master Sword Trial is so polarizing
Some people love the purity of it. No Champion abilities to bail you out. No Mipha's Grace bringing you back from a stupid mistake. You’ve basically got your runes and your wits. But for others, especially those playing on Master Mode, it feels borderline unfair.
The health regeneration on enemies in Master Mode turns Room 10 into a wall that many players never climb. You aren't just fighting Lizalfos; you're fighting the game's own math. If you don't keep the pressure on, they heal. If you knock them into the water, they heal while they swim. It's brutal.
The Preparation Nobody Tells You About
You can’t take weapons in, but you aren't exactly going in empty-handed if you’re smart.
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Most people just jump in. Don't do that. You’re making it way harder than it needs to be. Go grab four Mighty Bananas and a Dragon Horn. Cook them. That gives you a Level 3 Attack Up buff that lasts for 30 minutes. That 30-minute timer doesn't stop when you enter the trial. It follows you.
The pre-game checklist:
- Max out your yellow hearts using Hearty Durians.
- Get that 30-minute attack or defense buff.
- Fill your stamina wheels with Endura Carrots.
- Set your Sheikah Sensor to "Treasure Chests."
Seriously, the sensor is the MVP here. There are hidden chests in almost every room, often buried under water or hidden on high ledges. If you miss the Ancient Arrows in the Final Trials because you weren't looking, you’re going to have a bad time when the Lynels show up.
The Beginning Trials: The Hardest Part?
It sounds backwards. It is.
Ask any veteran and they’ll tell you the Beginning Trials are actually the most difficult section. Why? Because your gear is garbage. You're swinging boko-clubs that break in three hits. You have to rely on bombs for everything. Pro tip: Use the square bombs and the round bombs on a loop. Blow an enemy up, switch, blow them up again while they’re falling. It saves your durability.
Then there’s Floor 10. The Lizalfos floor.
If you alert the two Silver Lizalfos at the same time, you’re basically dead. The trick is the sneakstrike chain. Sneak up, hit one, then immediately run to the spot where they just fell. They'll stand up, turn around to where the "hit" came from, and you're right behind them again. Repeat until they're dead. It feels like cheesing, but in Master Mode, it's survival.
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Middle and Final Trials: A Different Game
The Middle Trials introduce verticality and darkness. Use the updrafts. Bullet time is your best friend. Every time you're in the air, you should be looking for a headshot.
The Final Trials are actually more about knowing which tool to use. You get Ancient Arrows. Save them. Do not use them on a random Stalkoblin. You save those for the Lynels and the Guardian Skywatchers. If you miss those shots, the difficulty spikes instantly.
Also, eat the wood.
Yeah, you heard me. If you’re low on health and at a rest floor, cut down every single tree. Cook the wood one by one. It makes "Rock-Hard Food" which only heals a quarter heart, but when you have 30 bundles of wood, that’s a lot of free healing. It’s tedious. It’s weird. But it works.
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What You Actually Get
When you finish all 45 floors, the Master Sword doesn't just get a stat bump. It stays in its "awakened" state forever.
- Power: It stays at 60.
- Durability: It jumps significantly. We’re talking about a sword that can last through several high-level fights without needing a recharge.
- Beams: The sword beams deal way more damage.
It turns the Master Sword from a "situational tool for Guardians" into the only weapon you’ll ever really need to carry.
To Glitch or Not to Glitch?
Look, some people use the wall-clip glitch. You grab a metal box, use Magnesis, and clip through the wall to skip straight to the Hinox boss. It's there if you're truly stuck and just want the upgrade. But honestly? The feeling of finally beating that last room in the Final Trials after a two-hour run is one of the best feelings in gaming.
If you're struggling, stop trying to fight "fair." Use the environment. Set the grass on fire. Use Magnesis to beat enemies to death with their own treasure chests. The game gives you the tools; you just have to stop thinking like a soldier and start thinking like a survivor.
Next Steps for Your Run:
Start by farming Farosh for a horn to get that 30-minute buff. Then, head to the Faron region for those Durians. Once you're buffed to the gills, warp to the Forest and put the sword in the stone. Focus on the sneakstrike chain for those Lizalfos and remember to cook the wood if things get desperate.