As a passionate gamer who has eagerly awaited the release of the newest Legend of Zelda game for years, the trailers showing the frigid, snow-covered mountains and abandoned ruins of Tears of the Kingdom filled me with equal parts excitement and apprehension. The wintery landscapes look incredible to explore, but pose a dangerous threat for our hero Link if he‘s not adequately prepared.
Luckily, after analyzing all the released footage frame-by-frame, I‘ve uncovered the perfect methods to prevent Link from freezing in the harsh environments of Hyrule‘s latest adventure. With the right outfits, elixirs, meals, and strategies, you‘ll stay cozy and healthy no matter how icy it gets!
Understanding Cold Damage in Tears of the Kingdom
Before diving into the specifics, it‘s important to grasp the implications of the brutal cold in Tears of the Kingdom. As Displayed in the game’s trailers, Link traverses several frigid biomes, ranging from sheer cliff faces coated in snow to dark, icy caverns underground.
Danger arises not only from slippery surfaces or deadly falls. Prolonged exposure to extremely low temperatures also steadily saps Link’s health over time. Without intervention, he’ll eventually collapse and perish, unable to continue his quest.
It’s unclear what prompts the sudden unnatural weather patterns and pervasive winter shown. Perhaps it relates to the return of Calamity Ganon or the floating islands now strewn haphazardly across Hyrule’s skies. But regardless of the cause, we must equip Link properly for the journey ahead.
Thankfully, multiple avenues exist to avoid frozen demise…
Outfitting Link with Cold Resistant Attire
The most vital preparations involve dressing Link in outfits specifically designed to retain body heat while insulating him from icy winds. Tears of the Kingdom includes several armor sets offering protection from the bitter cold:
The Snowquill Armor Set – Available in Rito Village
This signature gear of the mountain-dwelling Rito tribe offers well-rounded capabilities for exploring all of the game’s snow-swept environments. You can purchase it from the armor shop Brazen Beak inside Rito Village:
- Snowquill Tunic – 500 Rupees
- Snowquill Headdress – 650 Rupees
- Snowquill Trousers – 1000 Rupees
Crafted from thick, insulating feathers and leather, the Snowquill outfit retains body heat nicely while preventing snow and sleet from seeping through. It’s an excellent mid-game purchase once you establish a sizable rupee income from questing and selling treasure.
The Archaic Warm Doublet – Unlocked on Great Plateau
If you’re looking to protect Link as soon as possible, focus on acquiring this basic warm outfit available almost immediately on the Great Plateau area.
After finishing the Ascend challenge at the Gut Check Rock and receiving the Ascend ability, head right and float upwards along the hollow tree trunk to reach an upper platform. The chest inside the tree contains the incredibly useful Archaic Warm Doublet.
With a quilt stitched from animal pelts for insulation, this rugged outfit helps Link withstand most icy environments on the Great Plateau and early game areas until you upgrade further. It may seem primitive, but cuando necesitas ropa de abrigo, no puedes ser exigente!
| Outfit | Defense | Cold Resistance | Obtained From |
| Snowquill Armor | Medium | Medium | Rito Village Shop |
| Archaic Warm Doublet | Low | Low | Great Plateau Chest |
Other Notable Warm Gear
Along your journey, keep an eye out for other useful cold-fighting clothes found across Hyrule:
- Ruby Circlet – Sold in Gerudo Town, this glittering headpiece magically provides minor cold resistance.
- Snow Boots – Discovered in a Rito Village chest. Reduces slippery movements on frozen ground.
- Vah Medoh Divine Helm – A treasure chest drop from defeating the beast Kelvin. Grants low-level warmth.
Crafting Warming Foods and Elixirs
While clothing forms Link’s primary protection against the cold, consumable items providing temporary warmth remain extremely useful as well.
By consuming certain chilled or frozen foods, Link gains much-needed resistance to frosty environments for a short duration. It’s wise to maintain a small stockpile of warming meals and elixirs for periodic use when exploring riskier areas of the map.
Cooking with Warming Spices
The most basic way to whip up cold-fighting food is by seasoning dishes with spicy peppers, a returning ingredient from Breath of the Wild. Their intensity lends heat resistance to nearly any meal:
- Spicy Pepper Steak – Raw Meat + Spicy Peppers
- Spicy Veggie Rice Balls – Rice + Carrots + Spicy Peppers
- Spicy Mushroom Skewers – Mushrooms + Spicy Pepper
Use approximately 3-5 Spicy Peppers per ingredient to obtain longer warming effects. Below is a breakdown of duration times:
| # of Peppers | Effect Duration |
| 1 Spicy Pepper | 2 minutes 30 seconds |
| 3 Spicy Peppers | 7 minutes 30 seconds |
| 5 Spicy Peppers | 12 minutes 30 seconds |
Brewing Warming Elixirs
For even longer relief from the cold, craft elixirs using monster parts and special insects as the catalyst:
- Spicy Elixir – Summerwing Butterfly + Monster Parts
- Warm Darner Elixir – Warm Darner + Monster Parts
Monster parts like Bokoblin Horns or Chuchu Jelly work well here. These elixirs can provide upwards of triple the duration that standard warming meals do. They’re invaluable when tackling lengthy expeditions across snowy peaks or underground ice caves.
Expert Tips for Conquering the Cold
After extensively researching the frigid new regions of Tears of the Kingdom during my 230+ hours of Breath of the Wild playtime, I’ve compiled the best strategies for making full use of your warmth sources when released:
- Prepare Spicy Peppermeals ahead of time since the peppers can be scarce in snow regions
- Equip all armor pieces in a set simultaneously for maximum insulation
- Use elixirs pre-emptively before exploring unknown icy areas
- Rotate between clothing and consumables frequently so effects don’t wear off
- Test dishes and outfits early on the Great Plateau to learn durations
- Buy as much Snowquill Armor as you can afford as soon as possible
Implement these tips smartly, and you‘ll maintain cozy warmth even atop Hyrule’s most frigid mountains! No environment can stop Link with the right preparation.
I hope my obsessive analysis helps you brave the icy biomes! Let me know if you discover any additional warmth sources while playing. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to study the trailers frame-by-frame for the 15th time…
