The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom continues the open-world freedom of Breath of the Wild while expanding Hyrule in every direction—across the land, up into the skies, and deep into the world’s mysterious underground. To ensure all players enjoy a smooth gaming experience, here is a guide covering the main progression path, how to unlock all Great Fairy Fountains, and key strategies every player should master—helping you embark on your exploration journey with ease!

Where Your Adventure Begins: Early Walkthrough Overview

Tears of the Kingdom opens with a more guided introduction than its predecessor. You’ll first explore the Great Sky Island, a floating tutorial zone where Link learns his new abilities—Ultrahand, Fuse, Ascend, and Recall. These powers form the foundation of most puzzles and traversal challenges in the game.

Once you complete the early shrines and obtain Zonai tools, you’ll descend to Hyrule’s surface. Although you can immediately roam the open world freely, it’s strongly recommended to follow the main story until you acquire the Paraglider in Lookout Landing. This essential tool helps you travel safely, reach sky islands, glide across ravines, and drop into chasms with control.

With the Paraglider unlocked, players can begin exploring shrines, starting major questlines, and uncovering the mysteries of the Upheaval at their own pace. For anyone still deciding where to purchase the digital version, many players look for a Cheap Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Key to unlock the game instantly on the Switch.

Great Fairy Fountains – What They Are and Why You Need Them

The Great Fairies return in Tears of the Kingdom, but they’re frightened and hiding due to the upheaval across Hyrule. Unlocking them is one of the most important early-to-mid-game goals because each Great Fairy upgrades your armor’s defense, helping you survive late-game regions where enemies can deal heavy damage.

With four upgrades available per armor piece, unlocking multiple Great Fairies dramatically improves survivability and enhances complete armor set bonuses.

How to Unlock All Four Great Fairy Fountains

Unlocking each Great Fairy requires helping a traveling troupe of musicians reunite and escorting them to the Fairy’s hidden pond. Here’s the step-by-step breakdown:

1. Great Fairy Tera – Violin (Woodland Stable)

Start at the Lucky Clover Gazette near Rito Village. Speak with Penn and accept the newspaper’s side-story questline. Then visit Woodland Stable, talk to Penn again, and begin the Serenade of the Great Fairy quest.

You must repair the musicians’ cart by reattaching wheels and creating a towing harness for your horse. Once you escort the troupe to Tera’s fountain, she will emerge and allow armor upgrades. Completing this particular quest unlocks the musicians’ ability to travel to the remaining stables.

2. Great Fairy Kaysa – Flute (Outskirt Stable)

Travel to Outskirt Stable in southwest Hyrule. The musicians here inform you that their flautist is staying at Highland Stable far to the south.

Head there, provide the flautist with Sunset Fireflies to complete a musical gesture, then escort the reunited band back to Outskirt Stable. Attach a cart to your horse again and ride up to the Great Fairy’s pond to unlock Kaysa.

3. Great Fairy Cotera – Drum (Dueling Peaks Stable)

Go to Dueling Peaks Stable, where the musicians reveal their drummer is near Kakariko Village. To convince him to return, bring him Courser Bee Honey, which can be gathered around East Hill.

Once he rejoins the troupe, escort them up to Cotera’s fountain to unlock the next tier of armor upgrades.

4. Great Fairy Mija – Horn (Snowfield Stable)

The final Great Fairy is located near Snowfield Stable. Speak to the musicians to receive a marker for where their horn player disappeared.

Ride to the marked location and rescue the musician, whose cart is stuck in a large pit. Use Ultrahand to attach materials and lift the cart out. Return to Snowfield Stable, then escort the troupe to Mija’s fountain to complete the full set of Great Fairy unlocks.

Essential Tips and Tricks for Exploring Hyrule

Activate Every Skyview Tower

These towers don’t just reveal map regions—they launch Link high into the sky, offering free access to sky islands or a quick glide route across entire provinces.

Explore Caves, Wells, and Chasms

Wells often contain simple loot, caves lead to shrines and armor sets, and chasms lead into the Depths. Be cautious underground, as heart recovery works differently in gloom-affected areas.

Shelter from the Elements

When extreme temperatures strike, entering a cave or well provides immediate shelter. Use a Portable Stove to prepare heat- or cold-resistant meals when needed.

Fuse Everything

Fuse dramatically increases the durability and utility of weapons and shields. Rockets, cart wheels, gems, monster parts—anything can become a val

uable tool. For example, fusing a rocket to a shield creates a single-use rocket boost that launches Link upward.

Conclusion

With these walkthrough details, Great Fairy unlock steps, and exploration tips, your journey through Tears of the Kingdom will become far more manageable and rewarding. As you progress, consider enhancing your experience by preparing Nintendo funds through Buy Nintendo eShop Gift Card, or quickly activating your digital purchase with a Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Key—and set off to restore Hyrule once again.