Great Fairies in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom are Merchants in charge of upgrading Armor. The Great Fairies are powerful beings who have been appointed as guardians of the various regions of Hyrule. In Breath of the Wild, Link encounters four Great Fairies and gains their favor after helping them out, allowing him to peruse their services and upgrade his Armor. The Great Fairies make a return in Tears of the Kingdom, once again providing the same services. However, their aid must be earned once again. This page covers information on the Great Fairies, their locations, how to unlock them, and other relevant information.
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Great Fairy Mechanics
The Role of Great Fairies in the Legend of Zelda
Great Fairies have historically presented themselves as large and powerful Fairies capable of bestowing a special power upon Link. Depending on the Legend of Zelda installment, these Fairies were guardians of certain regions and environments, the embodiment and upholders of certain values, or simply greater Fairies with unique colors and appearances. They typically dwell within Great Fairy Fountains, where Link can visit to restore Health and Magic, as well as earn new powers, such as the ability to perform a Spin Attack or unique spells, and upgrade their Item and magic capacity.
In Breath of the Wild, Great Fairies are Link's sole means of empowering Armor. Breath of the Wild featured four Great Fairies who make a return in Tears of the Kingdom — Cotera, Kaysa, Mija, and Tera. When Link first meets each of the Great Fairies, they explain that their Fountains and their powers have been drained due to a lack of visitors and offerings to them. Only after helping them can Link ask for help in upgrading his Armor.
In Tears of the Kingdom, Link encounters the same four Great Fairies, only this time, their flower buds are closed shut. Rumors among the locals speculate that the Great Fairies are highly fond of music, and may be coaxed out of hiding when serenaded. Luckily, a musical troupe named The Stable Trotters are trekking across Hyrule to do just that, and Link can enlist their aid in order to gain the Fairies' services once again. The Great Fairies once again assist Link with upgrading his Armor in Tears of the Kingdom.
Unlocking Great Fairies in Tears of the Kingdom
Unlocking the Great Fairies involves multiple Side Adventures pertaining to the Stable Trotters musical group. These side adventures can be started after visiting and becoming a reporter for the Lucky Clover Gazette located near the entrance to Rito Village in the Hebra region. After becoming a reporter, head to the Woodland Stable to meet the Stable Trotters and you will be able to begin the Serenade to a Great Fairy quest, which will allow you to unlock your first fairy Tera.
After unlocking Tera, you may tackle each of the other Great Fairies and their related Side Adventures in any order. The Great Fairies can only be coaxed out of their buds with the sound of beautiful music, and each one has a preference for a particular sound. These Side Adventures will typically require Link to find missing members of the Stable Trotters and reunite them with the group.
Tears of the Kingdom Great Fairy Upgrades
Great Fairies resume their role of upgrading Link's Armor in Tears of the Kingdom. After unlocking a Great Fairy, most pieces of Armor can be brought to her to be enhanced. Upgrading an Armor piece increases its Defense Rating, and can unlock Set Bonuses for certain pieces. Each piece of Armor can be upgraded a maximum of four times.
The number of upgrade tiers available to Link depends on how many of the Great Fairies he has coaxed out of hiding. For example, Link will gain access to the first upgrade tier after unlocking Tera, the first of the Great Fairies. The second tier is made available after unlocking a second fairy, and so on. The order with which you unlock the fairies after Tera does not matter. Upgrading Armor requires varying types of Materials, as well as Rupees, with prices increasing the higher the upgrade level.
All Great Fairies in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Zelda TotK All Great Fairy Fountains Locations
Great Fairy Fountain (Tera)
Located north of the Woodland Stable in northeast Central Hyrule. Houses the Great Fairy Tera.
Tera is the first of the Great Fairies that you can unlock. Opening her fountain's flower bud requires the completion of the following Side Adventures in sequence:
After unlocking Tera, you can unlock the other Great Fairies in any order.
In-Game Coordinates: 0916, 1386, 0068
Great Fairy Fountain (Mija)
Located northeast of the Snowfield Stable in the South Tabantha Snowfield section of the Hebra region. Houses the Great Fairy Mija.
Opening Mija's flower bud requires the completion of the following Side Adventures in sequence:
- Potential Princess Sightings
- Serenade to a Great Fairy
- The Hornist's Dramatic Escape
- Serenade to Mija
In-Game Coordinates: -1460, 2995, 0288
Great Fairy Fountain (Kaysa)
Located northwest of the Outskirt Stable in the Hyrule Field, a sub-region southwest of Central Hyrule. Houses the Great Fairy Kaysa.
Opening Kaysa's flower bud requires the completion of the following Side Adventures in sequence:
In-Game Coordinates: -1557, -1231, 0063
Great Fairy Fountain (Cotera)
Located directly south of the Dueling Peaks Stable in West Necluda. Houses the Great Fairy Cotera.
Opening Cotera's flower bud requires the completion of the following Side Adventures in sequence:
In-Game Coordinates: 1768, -2180, -0013
