Hyrule is a mess. Between the floating islands and the gloom-infested pits, you need a weapon that actually does its job. Most people pick up the Royal Guard's Sword TOTK (Tears of the Kingdom), see the "low durability" warning, and toss it aside for a sturdy Zora blade or a basic Royal Broadsword.
Big mistake.
If you're treating this sword like a daily driver for hacking away at red Bokoblins, you're missing the point. It’s not a reliable tool; it’s a tactical nuke in the form of a one-handed blade. When you understand the "Breaking Point" mechanic, you realize this isn't a weapon—it's a gamble that pays out in massive numbers.
👉 See also: Why First Person Shooter Roguelike Games Are Ruining Your Productivity
Where to Actually Find the Royal Guard's Sword TOTK
Most players stumble across the decayed version first. You’ll find them littered around Hyrule Castle. Specifically, check the Throne Room or Princess Zelda's Study. It looks cool with that sleek black Sheikah aesthetic, but the base attack of 22 and the fact that it breaks after about 10 hits makes it feel like a toy.
Don't settle for the rusted junk.
To get the real power, you need the Pristine Royal Guard's Sword. This isn't just a slight stat bump; it’s a complete overhaul. It has a base damage of 30 and significantly better durability, though "better" is relative here.
Finding the Pristine Version in the Depths
You won't just find these lying around on the surface. You have to put in the work down in the Depths.
- Break the decayed version first. The game won't spawn the pristine version on those ghostly soldier statues until you’ve shattered a decayed one on the surface.
- Head to the Gerudo Highlands Depths. This is the primary "biome" for Royal Guard gear. Look for the rock pillars with the shadowy soldiers standing on top.
- Save and reload. If the soldier is holding a Traveler's Sword, just take it or Ultrahand it away. Wait for a Blood Moon, and try again. It’s a grind, but getting a 30-base-damage one-handed sword with a +10 Attack Up modifier is the goal.
The Breaking Point Gimmick Explained
The description says it "yields massive destructive power just before it breaks." This isn't flavor text.
The Breaking Point ability doubles the total attack power of the weapon—including whatever monster part you’ve fused to it—when the durability reaches 3 or less.
Basically, when you see that "Your weapon is badly damaged" notification, the sword enters "God Mode."
Most weapons in Tears of the Kingdom get a 2x damage bonus on the very last hit (the one that shatters the weapon). But the Royal Guard's Sword TOTK is special. It gets that 2x bonus for the last three hits.
Combine this with a Silver Lynel Saber Horn (+55 damage).
- Normal State: 30 (Pristine) + 55 (Horn) = 85 damage.
- Breaking Point State: 85 x 2 = 170 damage per swing.
One-handed. Fast. 170 damage. You can see why people get addicted to the glass cannon life.
Why the Sword is Often Overlooked for the Claymore
If you've spent any time in the TOTK community, you've heard of the "Lynel Backscratcher." Usually, that refers to the Royal Guard's Claymore.
People love the Claymore because you can mount a Lynel, bash its head in with a nearly-broken weapon, and it won't lose durability. Since the Claymore has higher base stats, the math works out better for that specific niche.
But the sword has a different utility.
It’s about the Flurry Rush. One-handed weapons allow you to keep your shield up. If you're fighting a Phantom Ganon or a fast-moving boss, the ability to dodge, trigger a Flurry Rush, and unload 170+ damage hits in a blurred sequence is often safer than trying to time a slow two-handed spin.
Honestly, the sword is the "thinking man's" high-damage weapon. You use it for the bursts, then you put it away before it turns into dust.
Best Fusions and Modifiers
Don't waste a Royal Guard's Sword on a stone or a generic construct core. You need high-ceiling fusions.
- Silver Lynel Saber Horn: The gold standard. Pure cutting power.
- Molduga Jaw: If you’re wearing the Radiant Set or Evil Spirit Set (which gives the Bone Proficiency 1.8x multiplier), the Molduga Jaw actually out-damages the Lynel horn.
- Gleeok Frost Horn: Freezing an enemy causes the next hit to deal 3x damage. Using a Breaking Point sword to shatter a frozen enemy? That’s how you delete health bars.
The Octorok Trick
Since these swords are so rare, you can't just let them break. When you're down to your last hit, warp over to Death Mountain. Find a Rock Octorok, drop your sword, and let it suck it up. It’ll spit it back out fully repaired with a new random modifier. This is the only way to keep a Pristine version in your inventory long-term without constantly hunting in the Depths.
Actionable Strategy: The 3-Hit Nuke
To make the most of your Royal Guard's Sword TOTK, follow this specific setup:
- Obtain a Pristine Royal Guard's Sword from the Depths below the Gerudo Highlands.
- Use a Rock Octorok to get the Attack Up +10 modifier.
- Fuse a Silver Lynel Saber Horn to it.
- Swing it at a tree or a wall until you get the "Your Royal Guard's Sword is badly damaged" message.
- Hit the wall two more times.
- Stop.
- You now have a weapon that will deal 180+ damage on every swing. Keep it in your inventory specifically for Flurry Rushes or when an enemy is stunned.
- When it’s about to break, go back to the Octorok.
This isn't just a sword; it's a finisher. Use it when the boss is at half health and you're tired of playing fair.
💡 You might also like: BG3 All Romance Scenes Explained (Simply)
Just don't forget it's on its last leg. There is nothing more heartbreaking than accidentally hitting a Keese with your 180-damage masterpiece and watching it shatter into blue sparks.
Next Steps:
If you want to maximize this build, go farm the Radiant Armor Set in Kakariko Village. Once upgraded to Level 2, the Bone Proficiency buff will turn a Molduga-fused Royal Guard's Sword into something that can comfortably one-shot most elite enemies in the game.