Pulling the legendary blade feels like a reward for exploration and growth, but many players ask, How Many Hearts to Pull the Sword and what that actually means for their playstyle. This question matters because getting the sword too early can be frustrating, while waiting too long wastes power-ups and time. In this guide you will learn the exact requirement, why it exists, how to meet it, and smart tactics to make the pull reliably.
Along the way, I’ll explain the difference between permanent and temporary hearts, offer step-by-step ways to gain hearts efficiently, and share tips that keep your play smooth. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to do and why, plus a few quick checks to avoid common mistakes.
Read also: How Many Hearts To Pull The Sword
Direct Answer: How Many Hearts to Pull the Sword?
Many players want a short, clear answer so they can plan. The number refers to your permanent heart containers, not temporary bonus hearts from food or buffs. You need 13 full heart containers (permanent hearts) to pull the Master Sword. This means any yellow or temporary hearts do not count toward the requirement. So check your heart containers in the status screen before you try, and don’t risk a failed pull if you only have temporary boosts.
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Why Hearts Matter: The Mechanics Behind the Pull
First, understand that the pull is a binary check built into the game. You either meet the threshold of permanent heart containers or you don’t. The designers use this as a milestone to pace progression and to reward exploration.
Second, the game distinguishes heart types. Permanent heart containers come from Divine Beasts, heart containers, or cooking that permanently increases your maximum. Temporary hearts—often called yellow hearts—come from food or elixirs and vanish after damage or time. Consider this simple list to remember the difference:
- Permanent hearts: Count toward the pull requirement.
- Temporary (yellow) hearts: Do not count toward the pull.
- Heart containers from bosses: Permanent and count.
- Hearts from cooking: Often temporary unless they are used in special permanent recipes.
Finally, this mechanic nudges players to explore. Statistically, players who focus on shrines and main objectives tend to reach 13 hearts sooner. So if you like steady progress, aim to mix shrine runs with region exploration.
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Where to Find Permanent Hearts and Fast Ways to Get to 13
To reach thirteen heart containers, you need a combination of shrine rewards, boss battles, and story progression. Each shrine gives Spirit Orbs which you exchange for either stamina or heart containers. Follow these general priorities when you start.
For rapid heart gains, prioritize these actions at the start:
- Complete easily reachable shrines.
- Finish story or boss fights that reward heart containers.
- Explore regions with high shrine density.
Next, balance stamina and hearts. Many players swap a few early spirit orbs for stamina to climb and explore, but if your goal is the sword, plan to convert enough orbs into hearts to reach 13. A typical approach is to stockpile orbs so you can convert several at once when you’re close.
In short, focus on shrine completion and a few key story bosses. Data from community playthroughs shows that most casual players hit 13 hearts between 60–120 shrines/major events depending on play style, but you do not need a precise shrine count—just steady progress.
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Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Players often try the pull while relying on food boosts. This feels like cheating the system, but the game ignores those yellow hearts for the pull check. To avoid a failed attempt, always confirm permanent heart count before trying.
Another common error is spending all Spirit Orbs on stamina when you need hearts. To fix this, track your orb total and plan conversions so you can hit thirteen when ready.
Here’s a quick reference table showing common player situations and a recommended action you can take right away:
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| 11 permanent hearts, lots of stamina | Convert two Spirit Orbs to hearts, then attempt pull |
| 12 permanent + temporary hearts | Get one more permanent heart before pulling |
| Fewer than 10 hearts | Do shrine runs and boss fights first |
Finally, don’t rush the pull just for bragging rights. You’ll save frustration and regain your momentum if you meet the exact requirement first.
Strategies to Get Hearts Efficiently
When you decide to prioritize hearts, use a methodical plan. Start by marking nearby shrines on your map, then chain routes that hit multiple objectives on one trip. This saves time and increases your orb yield per play session.
Next, use transportation and mobility upgrades to shorten travel time between shrines. Efficient movement translates into more shrines in less time, which equals more Spirit Orbs to convert into hearts.
For a compact view of a common sequencing plan, consider this quick checklist placed here for easy scanning:
- Mark 3–5 nearby shrines to complete in one route.
- Exchange orbs for hearts as you approach 13 total.
- Use fast travel points to hit distant shrines quickly.
Lastly, remember that consistent small gains add up. A few short play sessions that focus on shrines will get you to 13 hearts sooner than grinding long boss fights without map knowledge.
What Happens After You Pull the Sword: Managing Its Use
After you successfully pull the sword, your reward is both story and gameplay: a powerful weapon that changes how you fight. However, the sword has unique durability and behavior you should understand to use it well.
First, use the Master Sword smartly. It’s powerful in key fights but has limits. You don’t want it to break mid-battle in a tough spot. So learn when to wield it and when to save it for critical encounters.
Consider the following simple table comparing typical weapon use-cases to master sword strategy:
| Situation | Master Sword Use |
|---|---|
| Normal exploration battles | Use regular weapons to save Master Sword |
| Major boss or Guardian fight | Bring Master Sword for added power |
| Puzzle or environmental hazards | Avoid wasting durability |
Finally, maintain a rotation of good backup weapons. This keeps the Master Sword available for the fights where it matters most and improves your overall survival rate in high-damage encounters.
Final Tips, Quick Checks, and Troubleshooting
Before you attempt the pull, do a short checklist: confirm 13 permanent hearts, ensure you’re at the correct location, and remove temporary heart-boosting foods from your active inventory if you rely on them. These quick steps save time and prevent embarrassment from a failed pull.
Also, use small tests: approach the sword and see the prompt. If the game blocks the pull, it’s a clear indicator you lack the required permanent hearts. This simple in-game feedback avoids wasted attempts.
Here’s a short ordered list placed here to help you remember the exact order of checks to perform:
- Open the status screen and count permanent hearts.
- Confirm you have at least 13 permanent hearts.
- Remove temporary heart items to avoid confusion.
- Approach the sword and attempt the pull.
If you still hit trouble, retrace your recent consumable use and shrine conversions—those are the most likely causes of a mismatch between how you feel and the actual permanent heart count.
In summary, the key takeaway is clear: meet the requirement of 13 permanent heart containers, not temporary hearts, and plan your progress so you reach that milestone confidently. With simple route planning and a few checks, you can get to the sword without wasteful retries.
Now it’s your turn: check your heart screen, make a plan to nab the missing containers if you need them, and then go claim the sword. If this guide helped, try it next play session and share your results or questions in the comments so I can help troubleshoot your run.