So, you’ve spent dozens of hours climbing rain-slicked cliffs, dodging Guardian lasers, and probably eating way too many simmered fruit platters. You’ve seen everything Hyrule has to offer in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Or have you? For a lot of players, the game isn't actually "done" until Link is back in his classic green duds. I’m talking about the Tunic of the Wild.
It’s not just a shirt. It’s a badge of honor.
Getting your hands on this specific set is basically the game’s way of nodding at you and saying, "Yeah, you actually did it." While most players run around in the Champion’s Tunic or maybe some fancy ancient armor, the Tunic of the Wild represents a very specific kind of grind. It’s the reward for the completionists who didn't just play the game, but lived in it. Honestly, it’s kind of a polarizing outfit. Some people love the nostalgia of the "of the Wild" set, while others think Link looks like he's wearing shorts that are just a little too short for a hero of his stature. But regardless of your fashion sense, the journey to get it is one of the most defining experiences in modern gaming.
The Brutal Reality of the 120 Shrines
Let’s be real for a second. To get the Tunic of the Wild, you have to complete all 120 Shrines in the base game.
That is a lot of Monk Maz Koshia puzzles.
You can’t cheat the system. You can’t find it in a random chest in Hyrule Castle, and you definitely can’t buy it from a merchant in Tarrey Town. You have to hunt down every single orange glow across the map. From the frigid peaks of the Hebra Mountains to the blistering heat of the Gerudo Desert, those Shrines are tucked away in places you’d never think to look. You’ve probably found yourself standing on a random pillar in the middle of a lake, wondering why your Sheikah Sensor is going nuts, only to realize there’s a destructible wall hidden behind a waterfall three miles away.
This is what makes the set special. It’s gated behind effort.
Most games today would give you the "classic" outfit as a pre-order bonus or a $4.99 DLC pack. Nintendo didn't do that. They tied it to the very soul of the game’s exploration mechanic. When you finally see that "A Gift from the Monks" quest pop up after finishing your 120th trial, there’s a genuine sense of relief. You travel to the Forgotten Temple—which, let’s be honest, is a nightmare filled with Decayed Guardians—and there it is. Three chests waiting at the feet of the massive Goddess Statue.
The set includes the Cap of the Wild, the Tunic of the Wild, and the Trousers of the Wild. When you put them on together, you get that classic Master Sword beam up-grade. It feels right. It feels like Zelda.
Is the Tunic of the Wild Actually Good?
This is where things get a bit complicated. If we’re talking raw stats, is the Tunic of the Wild the best armor in the game?
Not necessarily.
When you first open those chests, the armor has a base defense of 4. That’s... not great. If a Silver Lynel breathes on you, you’re going down. However, if you take the time to visit the Great Fairies and upgrade the set, it reaches a maximum defense of 28 per piece. That’s a total of 84 defense for the full set. To put that in perspective, that’s the same level of protection as the Ancient Armor or the Soldier’s Set. It’s tanky.
But the "Master Sword Beam Up" set bonus is a bit niche. Unless you’re at full health, it doesn't do much. And let’s face it, in the late game, you’re usually either at full health because you’re a parry god, or you’re at half a heart because you blew yourself up with a remote bomb.
The real "stat" is the flex.
Wearing the Tunic of the Wild in a screenshot or a video tells everyone exactly how much time you put into the game. It’s a social marker within the Zelda community. It says you didn't just rush to Ganon. You took the time to help the guy with the Cuccos. You figured out the Twin Memories puzzle. You survived Eventide Island without crying (mostly).
The Dye Shop Dilemma
One thing people often overlook is that you can actually dye this set at the Kochi Dye Shop in Hateno Village.
Now, I know purists will scream "Heresy!" at the thought of a purple or black Tunic of the Wild. But honestly? The default "Wild Green" is a very specific, earthy olive. If you want that bright, vibrant Ocarina of Time or Twilight Princess look, you might actually want to experiment with the dyes. Dark Green gives it a more "Hero of Time" vibe, while some people swear by the Crimson dye to make it look like the Goron Tunic.
It’s your Hyrule. Do what you want.
Why it Hits Different in the Post-TOTK Era
With Tears of the Kingdom having been out for a while now, looking back at the Tunic of the Wild feels different. In the sequel, getting old outfits is a lot easier. You find them in the Depths or through Amiibos. There isn't that same "One Big Goal" tied to the classic green look.
In Breath of the Wild, the tunic was the light at the end of a very long tunnel. It was the game’s way of coming full circle. You start the game as a "naked" Link waking up in a high-tech bathtub, wearing blue, breaking sticks. You end it as the legendary hero, wearing the green, wielding a glowing Master Sword.
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It’s a narrative arc told through clothing.
I’ve talked to plenty of players who actually felt a bit sad when they finally put the tunic on. It meant the journey was over. There were no more shrines to find. No more hidden corners of the map to uncover. The Tunic of the Wild isn't just gear; it’s a retirement gift for the hero who saved the world.
How to Actually Max It Out (The Dragon Horn Grind)
If you decide to commit to the Tunic of the Wild, be prepared for the upgrade grind. It’s not cheap. You’re going to need a lot of dragon parts.
Specifically, to hit that level 4 upgrade, you need:
- Shards of Dinraal's Horn
- Shards of Naydra's Horn
- Shards of Farosh's Horn
- A bunch of Acorns (yes, really)
- Courser Bee Honey
Farming dragon horns is a whole sub-game in itself. You’ll find yourself sitting by a campfire at the Riola Spring or the Tabantha Bridge, waiting for the wind to pick up and the music to change. It’s a meditative, if slightly repetitive, process. But that’s the theme of this armor set: dedication. Nothing about this tunic is "fast."
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Actionable Steps for Completionists
If you’re currently sitting at 80 or 90 shrines and feeling the burnout, here is the best way to push through and finally claim your Tunic of the Wild:
- Use an Interactive Map: Don't kill your brain trying to find the last three shrines. Use a tool like the Breath of the Wild Map by Zelda Mods or Zelda Dungeon. Filter for "Shrines" and cross-reference with your in-game map.
- Check the Quest Log: Many shrines are "Shrine Quests" that don't trigger your sensor. If you have uncompleted quests in your log, start there. Talk to the accordion-playing bird, Kass—he’s usually the key to the trickiest ones.
- The Forgotten Temple Shortcut: Once you hit 120, don't just wander around looking for the reward. Warp to the Hebra region and head to the northern end of Tanagar Canyon. The Forgotten Temple is at the very end.
- Stock Up on Ancient Arrows: To get into the temple and claim your prize without losing your mind, use Ancient Arrows on the Guardians inside. You've earned the right to be a little overpowered.
- Save Your Acorns: It sounds silly, but stop selling your Acorns and Courser Bee Honey early on. You’ll need a surprising amount of them for the Great Fairy upgrades later.
The Tunic of the Wild remains one of the most satisfying "final" rewards in any open-world game because it respects the player's time. It doesn't give you a gold skin or a goofy hat. It gives you Link. The real Link. And after 120 Shrines, that’s exactly who you’ve become.