Unlocking Hyrule's Secrets: Your Guide to BotW Shrines (No DLC Needed!)
For many players diving into the sprawling world of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the allure of ancient shrines is undeniable. These puzzle-filled testaments to the Sheikah technology offer invaluable rewards, most notably Spirit Orbs, which are crucial for increasing Link's health and stamina. But if you're playing the base game and haven't ventured into the DLC expansions, you might be wondering just how many of these mystical locations await your discovery. The answer is a satisfyingly round number, offering plenty of challenges and rewards for your exploration.
The Grand Total: 120 Shrines Await
Without any downloaded content, the version of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild you're playing comes equipped with a grand total of 120 shrines scattered across the vast landscape of Hyrule. This number represents the entirety of the shrines built into the core game design, each offering a unique set of challenges ranging from combat trials to intricate physics-based puzzles.
A Breakdown of Shrine Types
These 120 shrines aren't just carbon copies of each other. They are cleverly categorized, with each type demanding different skills and approaches:
- Combat Trials: These shrines test your mastery of Link's combat abilities, often pitting you against waves of enemies or challenging boss-like encounters.
- Puzzle Trials: These are the brain teasers of Hyrule, requiring you to manipulate your environment, use your Runes (like Magnesis, Stasis, Cryonis, and Bombs) creatively, and think outside the box to progress.
- Blessings: A select few shrines don't present you with a trial at all. Instead, upon entering, you'll find a treasure chest containing a powerful item, and the shrine's monk will immediately bestow a Spirit Orb. These are often found in more remote or difficult-to-reach locations.
Why 120? The Significance of the Number
The number 120 isn't arbitrary. It's a carefully planned figure that provides a substantial and engaging amount of content for players to discover. Each shrine contributes to the overall feeling of exploration and discovery that Breath of the Wild is so renowned for. Finding and completing all of them is a significant undertaking, rewarding dedicated players with a deep understanding of the game's mechanics and lore.
The Reward for Your Endeavors
Each shrine you successfully complete grants you a Spirit Orb. These orbs are the primary currency for improving Link's capabilities. You can exchange four Spirit Orbs at any Goddess Statue (found in towns and at the Temple of Time) for either a Heart Container (increasing your maximum health) or a Stamina Vessel (increasing your maximum stamina, allowing you to run longer, climb higher, and glide further). Collecting all 120 Spirit Orbs without DLC allows for a significant enhancement of Link's base stats.
Furthermore, completing shrines often unlocks new pathways, reveals hidden areas, or provides unique environmental storytelling. The "Trial of the Sword" challenges, for instance, are part of the DLC and offer a different, more combat-focused progression beyond the base 120.
Where to Find Them: A World of Discovery
The 120 shrines are distributed across all the major regions of Hyrule, from the snowy peaks of the Hebra Mountains to the fiery deserts of the Gerudo Wasteland and the lush forests of Faron. They are hidden in plain sight, tucked away in caves, perched on cliffsides, or submerged in water. Keeping an eye on your Sheikah Sensor will alert you when you're near a shrine, but many require keen observation and a bit of adventurous spirit to locate.
The act of finding and completing these shrines is a core part of the Breath of the Wild experience. It encourages players to explore every nook and cranny of the map, rewarding curiosity and persistence. The base game offers a complete and fulfilling shrine-hunting adventure with its 120 locations.
Frequently Asked Questions About BotW Shrines (No DLC)
How do I know if I've completed a shrine?
When you successfully complete a shrine, the statue of the ancient monk will appear, and you will receive a Spirit Orb. The shrine's entrance will also change visually, indicating it's been conquered. Your Sheikah Slate map will also show a completed shrine icon.
Why are there so many shrines in the game?
The sheer number of shrines serves multiple purposes: to encourage exploration of the vast open world, to provide consistent opportunities for players to upgrade their health and stamina, and to offer diverse puzzle and combat challenges that showcase the game's mechanics.
What happens if I have the DLC? Does it add more shrines?
Yes, the DLC for Breath of the Wild adds 16 additional shrines. These are specifically tied to the "The Champions' Ballad" DLC and are unlocked as part of that questline, bringing the total number of shrines in the game to 136 if you have both DLC packs installed.
Can I get all the Spirit Orbs without the DLC?
You can get a substantial amount of Spirit Orbs from the 120 base game shrines. Completing all 120 will give you 120 Spirit Orbs, allowing you to get 30 extra Heart Containers or Stamina Vessels. The DLC shrines provide an additional 16 Spirit Orbs.
