Summary
The Master Sword is far more than just a weapon inThe Legend of Zeldaseries—it holds deep symbolic and functional significance within Link’s identity. Created to defeat Ganon and other demonic forces, the sacred blade plays a central role in the series’ lore. Its origins are explored in Skyward Sword, where it’s revealed to be part of the goddess Hylia’s plan and Hyrule’s destiny.
Alongside the Hylian Shield, it stands as one of the franchise’s most iconic symbols. In most Zelda games, obtaining the Master Sword marks a major turning point. Representing divine power and purity, it can only be drawn by the chosen hero. This list ranks the games by how early you’re able to claim the legendary blade.
The durations and rankings in this list are based on average gameplay times from various playthroughs. Your own experience may vary, and you might obtain the Master Sword earlier or later than the times listed.
What makes A Link to the Past special is that it marks the first appearance of the Master Sword in the series. To obtain it, players must first collect the three Pendants of Virtue, which are found in the game’s first three dungeons. After gathering all pendants, the Master Sword can be retrieved from deep within the Lost Woods.
Link needs the blade to defeat the evil wizard Agahnim. One interesting detail is the presence of fake swords in the forest meant to mislead the player. When Link is at full health, the sword can shoot a Sword Beam. It can be upgraded twice, and its final form is powerful enough to defeat most enemies in a single strike. Unlike later games, however, the Master Sword alone cannot defeat Ganon—it only stuns him.
In A Link Between Worlds, the Master Sword is obtained in a way similar to the classic A Link to the Past, around the end of the game’s first main section. To get it, you must complete three dungeons and collect the three Pendants of Virtue. After gathering them, the Master Sword can be found by going to the Lost Woods, northwest of Kakariko Village.
The Master Sword is the only power capable of breaking the barrier surrounding Hyrule Castle, which is necessary for Link to face Yuga. In the game, the Master Sword replaces the Forgotten Sword. Additionally, it can be optionally upgraded twice, with its final version being eight times stronger than the Forgotten Sword.
What makes Ocarina of Time special is that it features one of the first 3D appearances of the Master Sword. In this game, Link must collect the three Spiritual Stones and play the Song of Time with the Ocarina of Time to draw the sword from its pedestal. Only the Hero of Time can wield the Master Sword, butsince Link is too young,the sword seals him in the Chamber of Sages for seven years.
One of the game’s most unique features is that Link can return to his childhood by placing the Master Sword back into the Pedestal of Time. Additionally, this is the first time in the series where Ganon makes the Master Sword temporarily unreachable. The original versions of the game were also quite dark, as Link drives the Master Sword into Ganon’s mouth, leaving him covered in blood—a scene later censored or altered in subsequent releases.
In The Wind Waker, the Master Sword is noticeably smaller compared to its appearance in other 3D Zelda games and is also referred to as the Blade of Evil’s Bane. Hidden in a secret chamber beneath Hyrule Castle deep under the Great Sea, obtaining the sword ironically brings trouble for Link. When he pulls it from its pedestal, Ganondorf’s army awakens, and Ganondorf regains his dark magic.
Moreover, the sword is not at its full power. To restore it,Link must seek out the Sagesof Earth and Wind. Once fully restored, the Master Sword shines with its power to repel evil and allows Link to break the magical barrier protecting Ganon’s Tower. In the end, the sword remains lodged in Ganondorf’s head, lost forever beneath the sea with Hyrule.
To obtain the Master Sword in Oracle of Ages, you must first complete Oracle of Seasons and start a Linked Game in Oracle of Ages. You can get the sword from the Old Woman at the Clock Shop using a secret, which requires completing the Trading Quest. However, it is also possible to get the Master Sword before the Trading Quest by repairing the Broken Sword at the Restoration Wall on the Coast of No Return, provided the ceremony is successful.
If you have the Noble Sword during the ceremony, it will become the Master Sword. If you have the Wooden Sword, it will turn into the Noble Sword. If you get the Noble Sword through the ceremony, you must then use the secret from the Old Woman at the Clock Shop to obtain the Master Sword.
In Oracle of Seasons, the Master Sword is obtained quite late and in a unique way. To unlock it, you must first complete either Oracle of Ages, then start a Linked Game in the Oracle of Seasons. When you find a secret and tell it to Farore, she upgrades your Noble Sword to the Master Sword.
If you have the Wooden Sword instead, it upgrades to the Noble Sword, and the Master Sword will be found where the Noble Sword usually is. Additionally, you must complete a mini-game at the Clock Shop in South Lynna to obtain it. After the Trading Quest, a Zora in Hero’s Cave gives Link the Master Sword; if completed earlier, it’s found in Lost Woods.
Twilight Princess is not a short game, and the Master Sword is obtained before the halfway point.When Link is transformedinto a wolf by Zant’s magic, Zelda reveals that the only thing capable of breaking the curse is the Master Sword. The blade lies deep within Faron Woods, in the Sacred Grove, the ruins of the Temple of Time.
Once Link pulls the sword, he can return to his Hylian form and gain access to other hidden temples. Later in the game, he infuses the sword with a light power called the Sols, allowing him to defeat Twilight monsters in one hit. Midna states that the Sols’ light comes from the gods of the Twilight Realm, who are also on Link’s side. Link uses the sword to kill Ganondorf at the game’s end.
In Tears of the Kingdom, the Master Sword is obtained through a deeply emotional and lore-rich journey. Unlike in Breath of the Wild, players need two full Stamina Wheels to retrieve it, not hearts. The key path involves completing the “Dragon’s Tears” questline, unlocking memories that eventually reveal the sword’s location—on the head of the Light Dragon, who is actually a transformed Princess Zelda.
Players must find and reach the dragon flying across Hyrule’s skies, then hold on long enough to pull the Master Sword free. This restored blade retains its unbreakable nature, glows against Gloom enemies, and plays a major role in the final battle against Ganondorf.
In Breath of the Wild, obtaining the Master Sword is quite different. Instead of completing a specific dungeon or story point, Link needs to be strong enough, which directly depends on his health. The Master Sword is located deep within the Great Hyrule Forest in the Korok Forest, which can be reached by passing through the Lost Woods.
To pull the Master Sword, Link must have a total of 13 Heart Containers. This usually requires collecting at least 48 Spirit Orbs or 44 Spirit Orbs combined with completing two main story quests. Temporary heart increases will not help in drawing the sword. Unlike other weapons, the Master Sword does not break; instead, its energy depletes after a certain amount of use and needs time to recharge.
If the player completes the Trial of the Sword side quest, the Master Sword’s power becomes permanently boosted to 60 and its energy limitation is removed.
In Skyward Sword, obtaining the Master Sword is different from other Zelda games because the sword’s origin story is revealed. Link starts with the Goddess Sword instead of the Master Sword, and this sword transforms throughout the game. The sword contains the spirit of Hylia, and Link is accompanied by Fi. Throughout the game, Link must find the three Sacred Flames scattered across the surface world to strengthen the Goddess Sword. Each flame transforms the sword into its next form.
After uniting all three Sacred Flames, the Goddess Sword becomes the Master Sword, usually around the mid-to-late game. Near the end, with Zelda’s help, the Master Sword reaches its full power and becomes the True Master Sword, gaining its iconic blue hilt and glowing appearance.
