Skyward Sword Items

Group the shields by 'family'. Wooden Shield can be upgraded to the Banded Shield... These will be listed under 'Wooden Shields'. Mention all upgrades briefly, but then a link to the more elaborate pages.

We will have pages for Treasures, Insects, Pieces of Heart, Upgrades, etc... Give a description for the item here and we'll link to the related page.

Shields

A familiar item, the Shield returns in Skyward Sword. Link has used the Shield in every Zelda main series title since the beginning. The Shield is controlled using the nunchuck attachment. Link uses this to defend against attacking enemies slashing with their weapons or shooting projectiles at him, just as we have seen before. Additionally, Link can use his Shield to deflect certain items back at enemies by players moving the nunchuck in a forward, thrusting motion, an example being reflecting rocks back at Octoroks when they shoot towards him. It can quickly be held in defense following Sword combo. The Shield Link uses in Skyward Sword is very reminiscent of the Hylian Shield from Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, and Twilight Princess, as it follows the same design of the Hylian Shield. Motion control of the Shield is quite limited compared to the Sword, but it plays a vital roll in combat in nonetheless.

Wooden Shields

The wooden shield returns in Skyward Sword and will once again be the first form of defense for Link in the game. In Skyward Sword, through the use of Wii motion plus the nunchuk can be raised when in combat to block enemy melee attacks and can also be used when facing enemies with range attacks to deflect their projectiles. Enemy attacks will quickly damage your shield rendering it useless after only a small number of hits. While not confirmed the wooden shield's weakness of fire will most likely return in the newest Wii installment.

Due to its low resistance and from previous Zelda adventures it would seem that the wooden shield will be very cheap in comparison to its later upgrades. Due to its low dependency it would also be safe to assume that the price to have the wooden shield fixed when destroyed in battle will be more than affordable.

The Wooden shield is very basic, looks poorly built and has a single bird footprint on it.

Banded Shield

The Banded shield is the first upgrade to the wooden shield and is a much more durable shield than the wooden shield and looks better built with a blue metal band around the sides and two wing symbols.

Iron Shields

The iron shield is the second shield encountered in Skyward Sword and offers a much greater resistance to attacks then that of the wooden shield. While melee attacks and projectiles can still be blocked through the use of the nunchuk the amount of damage sustained by the shield is largely reduced making it far more durable.

The price point of the Iron shield will far higher than that of the wooden shield, with more valuable and durable materials used to craft the shield, any potential buyer would have to fork over more than a few rupees to own it. With a much higher breaking point, the cost of fixing such a shield would also be much greater than that of the wooden shield.

Hylian Shields

The final shield in the game is the legendary Hylian shield used by heroes all across time, future and past. The Hylian Shield offers all of the functionality of the other two shields (once again through the use of Wii motion plus and the nunchuk) with a much greater resistance to enemy attacks and projectiles.

The Hylian Shield is the strongest shield that can be forged in Skyward Sword and so costs a fair chunk of your wallet to take home. On the plus side the Hylian Shield is the most dependable shield in the game taking an extremely low amount of damage in combat. The price to repair such a shield if it were ever to break would then surely be as high as the Hylian Shield's shield meter.

Swords

Link has more control over his sword in this adventure than ever before. By way of the Wii Motion Plus, the sword now can swing in whichever direction the player chooses, giving the experience of 1:1 swordplay. Often, this proves to be a very vital point in the game. Offensively, many enemies must be defeated by swinging the sword certain ways. Such is the case for Deku Babas, where Link must slash them in the way their mouth is open (either vertically or horizontally) to defeat them. Another example is the Mechanical Totem Pole, which must be sliced horizontally twice, and then stabbed to defeat. Other enemies will try to cover parts of their body from attack, whereas Link will have to attack the revealed areas to defeat the enemy. The Skulltula is a great example of this, as Link has to hit it so it becomes stunned and stands up on its hind legs, thus revealing a weak point. Others may have defenses up that must be broken with Sword, like the Spear Moblin, in order to defeat it. The player must use a variety of techniques to defeat a variety of enemies.

The sword also plays a key role in getting through doors. Certain doors will have an eye that will follow Link's sword as long as he is standing on a platform. Moving the sword in a circular motion will spin the eye around, causing a dizzying affect and allowing for the eye to be struck. Once destroyed, the doorway will be accessible to go through. A slash-able gear appears on another door version, which Link must quickly slash in two different directions in order to open.

One of the most interesting features of the sword is dowsing mode. To go into dowsing mode Link holds the sword strait forward. When Link goes into dowsing mode the screen changes to first person and you have to pick what you are looking for be it important items, heart pieces, rupees, or even Zelda herself. When Link is facing the direction you need to go to find the item, the sword emits a loud noise. This is going to play a key role in the game especially when it comes to finding Zelda.

The Zelda team has finally brought back the Sword Beam which is now call Skyward Strike. To charge the sword Link has to point his sword skyward until the light reaches the tip of the sword. You can then swing your in any direction to release the sword beam. This is going to both be used to attack enemies and to send large blue, silver boxes with the bird symbol called Goddess Boxes on the ground up to the sky where it will be replaced with a chest.

Skyloftian Sword

Link has more control over his sword in this adventure than ever before. By way of the Wii Motion Plus, the sword now can swing in whichever direction the player chooses, giving the experience of 1:1 swordplay. Often, this proves to be a very vital point in the game. Offensively, many enemies must be defeated by swinging the sword certain ways. Such is the case for Deku Babas, where Link must slash them in the way their mouth is open (either vertically or horizontally) to defeat them. Other enemies will try to cover sections of their body from attack, whereas Link will have to attack the revealed areas to defeat the enemy.

The sword also plays a key role in solving some puzzles. Certain locks must be opened by slashing the sword in a certain direction. Eyes appear on or around doors and will follow Link's sword. Moving the sword in a circular motion will spin the eye around, causing a dizzying affect and allowing for the eye to be struck. Once destroyed, the doorway or gate will be accessible to go through.

From the beginning of the game, Link carries around this simple sword, though there isn't much use for it in Skyloft, high above the evil surface.

Goddess Sword

Link aquires this sword after Zelda is taken to the land below. Fi leads him to a secret room inside the goddess statue that is holding the sword. Link is able to use this more powerful sword on his quest to find Zelda. Lord Ghirahim cites this sword as the only reason Link still lives after their first encounter at the end of Sky Temple. Besides allowing Link to communicate with Phi, the Goddess Sword also has the power to unleash a sword beam after it's raised skyward while his hearts are full. The game will revolve around upgrading the Goddess Sword into the Master Sword.

Master Sword

The Master Sword, which appeared in Ocarina of Time, The Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, A Link to the Past, and arguably the Oracle games, is first forged in Skyward Sword. It is the fully upgraded form of the Skyward Sword, and resembles the Skyward Sword's spirit Phi. Since Phi isn't seen in any other game, it's possible that she may have to make some sacrifice to make this transformation. This sword has the power to repel evil. It will eventually be placed in the Pedestal of Time within the Temple of Time as a key to the Sacred Realm.

Items and Weapons

Bow and Arrow

Almost every Zelda title thus far has made use of the Bow and Arrow, and this one is no different. This time, however, the item will be controlled using Wii Motion Plus. With the Wii remote in the right hand and the nunchuck in the left, players will pull back the nunchuck just like they are pulling back the string on a bow, holding the C button on the nunchuck and releasing to shoot an arrow. As usual you can shoot enemies with the bow, and items can be knocked off trees and other objects. Additionally, items dropped by enemies (such as hearts) can also be shot with the bow and pinned to walls. Apparently, by doing this, Link can reclaim his dropped heart as well as his arrow.

Since the Bow and Arrow must be aimed with Wii Motion Plus, it cannot be used quickly in combat as easily as before but is more powerful. Another weapon now fits that battle role, the Slingshot.

Slingshot

Unlike the Bow in this game, the Slingshot only requires players to point and shoot with the Wii Remote. With this, the Slingshot isn't too different from the one we saw in Twilight Princess. Link will simply take aim at a target and shoot a projectile at it. It appears to be less powerful compared to the Bow, as it is in previous adventures. The Slingshot, however, can take out some weaker enemies, such as Keese, in one hit.

Spreadshot

The spreadshot takes the standard slingshot and spreads it into three shots.

Bombs

These classic items also return in Skyward Sword. Link can equip Bombs just as usual, though in this adventure, he has the ability to throw them overhead a desired distance, as well as rolling them across the ground. Depending on how far the Wii Remote is from the screen, the distance of the Bomb to be thrown is determined. Players will swing the Wii Remote overhead to sling a Bomb that way, and underhanded to roll it across the ground. Certain low-leveled holes in walls hide bombable items or switched behind them, where rolling a Bomb underneath is the only way to access. The Beetle can also carry and drop Bombs to long distance locations, so as long as it doesn't explode before it gets there. The bomb looks to be a lot more accessible than in previous adventures. Unlike previous games, when exposed to fire the bombs explode causing Link damage.

Bomb Bag

The bomb bag is a bag you acquire when a Mogma asks you to look for it in the Fire temple and lets you keep it when you return it to him. As the name implies it is used to carry bombs. In this game however, instead of buying bombs from your local store you pick bomb flowers in the field and place them in the bag. Currently it is unknown how many bombs the bag can carry.

Beetle

A new item, named the "Beetle" due to its resemblance to the insect of the same name, is a small mechanical-like device that can fly to reach areas Link could not reach himself. Players will equip the Beetle to the B button and release it with the A button, thus taking control of the item with Wii Motion Plus as it flies through the air, given a 3rd-person perspective from behind the Beetle as it flies. The Beetle has a limited distance it can fly before it shuts off and has to be re-equipped and re-launched, and must also be re-equipped when it hits a wall or other obstacle. Link can also call back the Beetle at any time during its flight.

The initial Beetle can be used to cut down spider webs or hit switches in otherwise unreachable areas. Upon defeating the Stalfos mini-boss in the Sky Temple, Link can obtain an Upgrade for his Beetle, which gives the Beetle a large pair of pincers. The pincers allow the Beetle to pick up and carry items to return to Link. The player can press the Z button while carrying the object to look down and drop the cargo. The Upgraded Beetle is also capable of cutting down Deku Babas at the stem.

As most items can be upgraded throughout the game, the Beetle too has other upgrades that can be obtained later on in the game. One confirmed upgrade for the Beetle is an increase in speed. It is unknown whether this will be another upgrade obtained within the dungeon like the Pincers or if it will be an optional upgrade from collected materials.

Whip

An item more recently added to the Zelda series with Spirit Tracks, the Whip makes a return in Skyward Sword. With the Wiimote, players can swing the Whip in any direction to cut down grass or stun enemies at a distance. You can also use the whip to grab items and pull them back by yanking the Wiimote back toward yourself. Some enemies, such as Keese, can be defeated by the Whip, but larger enemies can only be knocked back and stunned, opening them up to sword attacks. It is unclear what other functions the Whip may be used for, such as swinging from objects like in Spirit Tracks.

Sailcloth

The Sailcloth in this game is very similar to the Deku leaf in Wind Waker although it is cloth and sports the bird symbol seen in many other places in the game. The sailcloth is essentially a parachute and is going to be used both for a safe landing when jumping off of your bird and to send Link back up from Hyrule to Skyloft. Another use for it is catching air vents and propelling Link to previously unreachable areas.

Double Clawshot

An item Link obtains in his quest, speculated by some to be found in the unknown desert region.Its use is grapple onto targets and pull link toward them, with link being able to use it again while on the target. It is practically the same item as in Twilight Princess albeit A different color scheme.

Bug Catching Net

A net for catching various bugs that will be used to upgrade Links potions.

Gust Bellow

The gust bellow is an item that shoots air out to clear away sand or push certain enemies away. Very little is known about this item at the moment.

Bottles

Red Potion

Link's trusty medicine makes its return Skyward Sword and as always it must be stored within a bottle. The bottle can be equipped and drunk without a break in gameplay, meaning you will be vulnerable while drinking. Unlike before, though, Link will be able to continue moving while drinking. When Link drinks a Red Potion, several of his hearts are replenished.

Fairy

Recovery fairies can be found throughout the game and they will fill up a number of Link's hearts when used. Link can store fairies inside of bottles and release them whenever he'd like. If Link has a fairy stored within a bottle, after he dies, the fairy will automatically be used to restore Link's life.

Fairies can be found in fairy fountains, underneath pots, or by breaking crates and other objects.

Fungal Spores

Just what purpose these items serve is unclear. They can be acquired by cutting large blue mushrooms found in the Sky Temple and scooping the spores it releases into a Bottle. The in-game description for these items is vague, which implies the item's function could only come into play when doing something else. It is possible Fungal Spores are an item required to upgrade your equipment or an ingredient in mixing potions of some kind.

Quest Items

Bird Statue

The Bird Statue can be obtained during Flight Training at the start of the game. In this mini game, you must use your aerial skills to fly up to a bird holding the statue, and take it from him to win the mini game.

Gold Sculpture

You can find the Gold Sculpture inside a Treasure Chest in the Sky Temple. It must be properly rotated to fit inside an indention in a hole leading to the boss of the dungeon. When it is rotated correctly, it will start to glow.

Piece of Key

-used for Fire Temple - 5 pieces buried...

Miscellaneous

Lyre

This lyre originally belonged to Zelda. She holds it when she jumps down to Link after his victory in the birdriding competition. Eventually, Link receives this instrument and can play it by pressing up on the D-pad. The lyre will have a similar function to the Spirit Flute, Wind Waker, and Ocarina of previous games. Zelda's lyre is similar in shape to Sheik's lyre in Ocarina of Time. One may be the same as or based on the other.

Heart Containers

These have appeared since the first Zelda game and return in Skyward Sword as the items that increase Link's maximum hearts by 1. They will be acquired after each boss battle as usual, with a gorgeous new ornate appearance. It is incredibly likely that you will be able to acquire more Heart Containers by collected several Heart Pieces in the world, but this is unconfirmed.

Recovery Hearts

The usual method for recovering life returns in Skyward Sword. These can be received from enemies, pots, jars, and grass, and fill up one heart each. They can be pinned to a wall with the Bow as they are floating through the air, though it unclear how useful this will be.

Rupees

Rupees are the standard currency of the Zelda world and return in Skyward Sword. So far 3 different colors of Rupee have been confirmed to appear in Skyward Sword, green, blue, and red. It is likely they provide the same amount of Rupees as always, and if this is the case then Green Rupees shall be worth 1, Blue Rupees will be worth 5, and Red Rupees will be worth 20.

Insects

Insects are going to be caught throughout the game using the Bug Catching Net and can be used to upgrade Links potions.

Upgrade System

Skyward Sword is going to have an intricate upgrade system in the game where link uses items he gets from killing enemies and rupees to make his items better throughout the game. Most of the the items are up-gradable. To upgrade your item you have to see the tinkerer located in the Bazaar in Skyloft.