The Definitive Guide to Tears of the Kingdom Characters
Tears of the Kingdom, the highly anticipated sequel to Breath of the Wild, introduces a vibrant cast of new and returning characters that drive the epic story forward. In this definitive guide, we‘ll explore the key players, their backstories, abilities, and role in Link‘s latest adventure to save Hyrule.
Main Protagonists
Link
The legendary Hylian hero returns as the playable protagonist on a quest to rescue Princess Zelda and defeat Calamity Ganon once and for all.
After awakening from a 100-year slumber, Link retains no memories of his past, but courageously takes up the Master Sword to battle corrupted Guardians and other minions of Ganon across the ruins of Hyrule.
His classic green tunic empowers him, while his diverse arsenal of melee weapons, bows, and shields makes him a formidable warrior. Link also wields the ancient Sheikah Slate, which grants magical abilities like magnesis, stasis, and bombs.
Over the course of his adventure, Link can upgrade his hearts and stamina to withstand more devastating attacks when battling foes and exploring dungeons. Ultimately, Link must free the Divine Beasts, awaken his memories, and confront Dark Beast Ganon with the help of Princess Zelda.
Princess Zelda
The titular legend chronicles Princess Zelda‘s struggle against the return of Calamity Ganon. As the daughter of King Rhoam, she possesses the sacred power needed to seal Ganon away.
A scholar at heart, Zelda researches ancient technology and prophecy connected to her family‘s legacy. However, the pressure of awakening her innate powers weighs heavily on her as Calamity Ganon‘s return nears.
When Ganon escapes 10,000 years of captivity, Zelda confronts him alongside Link and the four Divine Beasts. Though she fails to seal Ganon away in time, Zelda manages to contain him within Hyrule Castle.
For 100 years, Zelda battles Ganon alone before Link awakens from the Shrine of Resurrection. Players frequently glimpse Zelda through Link‘s recovered memories. Her strong connection with Link proves key to sealing Dark Beast Ganon away for good.
Supporting Allies
King Rhoam
The last King of Hyrule tries to guide Princess Zelda in her sacred duties. As Ganon‘s return looms ever closer, King Rhoam grows strict toward his daughter, believing tough love will awaken her sealing powers.
Upon Ganon‘s escape, King Rhoam creates an elaborate plan with Link and Zelda to confront the threat. When he realizes their efforts will fail, the King instructs Zelda to retreat to safety.
As Hyrule Castle becomes overrun by malice, King Rhoam remains behind to buy time for escapees. After perishing against Ganon‘s fury, his spirit becomes a mysterious old man who guides Link after his long slumber.
The Champions
Four elite warriors were selected from tribes across Hyrule as pilots of the Divine Beasts. These Champions perished battling Calamity Ganon but left behind successors to aid Link.
Mipha: Zora princess and graceful Champion warrior famed for her healing power. As pilot of the aquatic Divine Beast Vah Ruta, she unleashes its ancient weapon upon Calamity Ganon. Though slain in the struggle, her spirit empowers both her brother Sidon and the abilities of Link‘s iconic Zora armor.
Daruk: Goron Champion with legendary strength and courage. His powerful protection shields allies from harm. As the pilot of Divine Beast Vah Rudania, Daruk rains destructive death upon Calamity Ganon‘s minions. His descendant Yunobo inherits both his unique power and role among the Gorons.
Revali: Fiercely confident Rito warrior known for his aerial combat skill. By piloting Divine Beast Vah Medoh, he battles wave after wave of Ganon‘s monsters. Despite perishing against the rising Calamity, Revali‘s gale ability empowers his descendant Teba over a century later.
Urbosa: Champion Chief of the Gerudo warriors. A master swordswoman and protector, she guides her people with wisdom. As the pilot of Divine Beast Vah Naboris, she struck down countless Guardians during Hyrule‘s fall. Her lightning-infused power passes on to Riju, inspiring the current Gerudo Chief in Link‘s era.
Impa
A Sheikah elder residing in Kakariko Village, Impa provides guidance to Princess Zelda before Calamity Ganon‘s return. She instructs Zelda to visit the three springs of Hyrule to awaken her sacred power through prayer.
When Hyrule Castle falls to Ganon, Impa leads other Sheikah in rescuing Link‘s body and creating the Shrine of Resurrection to heal him.
Over a century later, Impa provides guidance once more to Link. She recounts his past heroics, explains key events of the distant past, and reveals the locations of lost memories Link must recover to stand against Ganon.
As her granddaughter Paya takes on a larger role among the Sheikah, wise Impa continues to aid Link however she can on his quest.
Supporting Characters
Purah & Robbie: Sheikah researchers who study ancient technology to combat Ganon, including Guardians now controlled by malice across Hyrule. Though their colleague volume separate ways after the Great Calamity, both continue aiding Link throughout his journey 100 years later.
Purah runs the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab, studying Guardians and providing Link with upgrades to runes, armor bonuses, the Camera, and more. Her research proves pivotal in Link‘s fight to pacify Divine Beasts under Ganon‘s control.
Meanwhile, Robbie sets up a secret lab in the Akkala region, creating Cherry, an ancient oven that can imbue weaponry with tremendous power to destroy monsters. Robbie‘s innovations arm Link with the firepower needed to topple mechanical abominations and cleanse divine constructs.
Hestu: A Korok hermit of the woods who helps Link expand inventory space for weapons and other items in exchange for Korok seeds. By locating his maracas in the Korok Forest, Link enables Hestu‘s magical dancing rituals needed to strengthen carrying capacity. As Link gathers more seeds on his journey, he can pay Hestu for larger bonuses.
Great Fairy: A mysteriously playful being living in a secluded fountain, the Great Fairy catches Link‘s eye while he explores. For the right resources gathered on his adventures, including ancient parts and rare gems, the Great Fairy will enhance Link‘s armor to new heights. Her powerful magics bolster defense, stealth, combat prowess and more, empowering the hero for battles to come.
Kass: A traveling Rito bard who recounts legends of Hyrule passed down among his people for generations. By sharing seven ancient verses with Link, Kass helps the hero recover pivotal memories of Princess Zelda‘s sacred duties and Link‘s own heroic feats before calamity struck.
Teake & Saki: Husband and wife adventurers always on the move across Hyrule in search of mystery and profit. They enlist Link to investigate rumors of treasure in pirate hideouts, labyrinths, and remote locales – often leading to unique weaponry or rare gems to aid Link on his larger quest.
Beedle: Enterprising merchant who specializes in restocking Link‘s weapons & items across stables, inns, and at his pack-laden raft he floats alone Hyrule‘s extensive network of rivers. Ready for business at multiple locations in Hyrule, his food supplies and gear give Link the vital edge needed in remote regions.
Bolson Construction Company: Led by the flamboyant yet humble Bolson, this company focuses its efforts on developing the war-torn ruins of Hyrule into new settlements for merchants, travelers and more.
Hudson: Directs rebuilding efforts of the Akkala Citadel ruins. His crew helps erect Tarrey Town, where a growing community gathers to live in peace. Link aids their efforts by gathering crucial building materials and protecting workers from lurking monsters.
Rhondson: Gerudo craftswoman unable to return home, she spearheads development of Tarrey Town alongside Hudson. Her skill renovating the Akkala Citadel into new housing attracts specialties like shops and an inn, while she and Hudson themselves become sweethearts.
Kilton: Shady but enthusiastic merchant obsessed with monsters across Hyrule. From multiple locations, he offers Link monster parts in exchange for gems proving his combat triumphs. Kilton then crafts elixirs, masks to blend in among beasts, and gear to boost battle prowess from parts gathered by his secret supplier… Link himself!
Dantz: Silent swordsman who tests Link‘s combat skill with Blademaster challenges in Gerudo Town. His rewards for victory including knight and royal equipment will serve the hero well as threats mount.
Mini: Young girl in Hateno Village fascinated by ancient technology. Helps Link upgrade armor with collected parts and becomes fast friends with Zelda after Calamity Ganon is sealed away.
Key Antagonists
Calamity Ganon: Ancient evil fueled by malice and a desire to dominate Hyrule utterly. This form of Ganon gave up reincarnation to remain indefinitely, making him extremely dangerous. For 10,000 years, he was sealed by Zelda‘s power… until four massive machines excavated his remains, allowing him to regenerate.
In his wispy, fiery Calamity form, Ganon slaughtered the Kingdom of Hyrule. From Hyrule Castle, his tendrils of malice corrupted the four Divine Beasts and Guardians once meant to contain him. Only through Link & Zelda‘s combined efforts could he finally be sealed after a century of lingering chaos and destruction across the land.
Blights: Monstrous fiends created by Calamity Ganon to seize control of the Divine Beasts meant to destroy him. Each Blight reflects elements from the fallen Champions they corrupted, serving as bosses inside the ancient constructs. Their defeat by Link allows Princess Zelda to finally begin regaining control over the Divine Beasts from Hyrule Castle‘s confines.
Master Kohga: Leader of the rebel Yiga Clan, sworn to serve Ganon for generations despite their peoples‘ past as Sheikah monks. From deep within the Yiga Clan‘s Karusa Valley hideout, he commands assassins in raids against Hyrule travelers and plots to eliminate Link before he can foil Ganon‘s evil plans.
Hinox/Talus: among the largest and mightiest one-eyed beasts or craggy stone giants roaming Hyrule‘s wilderness. Draining their significant vitality lets Link claim precious ingredients and gear. Killing them prevents further havoc and random attacks on innocent travelers of Hyrule.
Lynel: Mighty centaur-like creatures armed with swords, spears or shock arrows; they are among the deadliest monsters in all Hyrule even before being imbued with Ganon‘s malice. Lynels dynamically increase power and variety; killing them proves Link‘s courage and skill as a rising warrior.
Wizzrobe/Bokoblin/Lizalfos: Prolific agents of Calamity Ganon across the land that raid innocents in camps, ambushes, and nightly assaults. Slaying them diminishes terror felt by all races of Hyrule, while also allowing Link to gather much-needed ingredients for his quest.
Final Reflections
Through his latest adventure in Tears of the Kingdom, Link encounters a diverse range of characters both new and old while exploring a ruined Hyrule Kingdom under threat from Calamity Ganon‘s looming malice. Allies like Zelda and the Champions help the revived hero gain strength, recover lost memories, overcome corrupted foes like Divine Beasts, and seal darkness away once more.
Supporting friends across all tribes of Hyrule further champion Link‘s crusade by offering gear or upgrades for the battles ahead. However, antagonists like Master Kohga and swarms of Ganon‘s monster kingdom will challenge our courageous hero every step of this epic journey.
In the end, Link must free Princess Zelda and annihilate hatred incarnate – Calamity Ganon. Only through Hyrule‘s hope and courage can lasting light emerge from a century of darkness.
