Achieving true 100 percent completion in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild requires tracking 900 Korok seeds, 120 base shrines (plus 16 with the DLC), all side quests, mini-boss defeats, and map location names. Standard playthroughs skip these tedious requirements, but completionists need a structured path that minimizes backtracking. This guide lays out an efficient roadmap to conquer every corner of Hyrule without losing your mind to repetitive tasks.
To hit that exact 100 percent map icon, you don't just need to beat Ganon. The game calculates your completion percentage based on specific criteria: 72 percent comes from finding all 900 Korok seeds, 18 percent from completing shrines, 9 percent from discovering named map locations, and the remaining 1 percent from freeing the four Divine Beasts. Main quests, side quests, and memories do not actually add to the percentage counter, but you'll still want them done for a true full save file.
Preparing Your Save File for the Long Haul
Before running blindly across Hyrule, you'll want to optimize your early-game routing. Grab the Paraglider off the Great Plateau, but don't rush straight into shrines blindly. Spend your first Spirit Orbs on stamina rather than hearts. Exploration speed dictates your completion rate, and having extra stamina wheels lets you climb treacherous peaks and tame wild horses much earlier.
Stock up on materials whenever you see them. You'll need massive quantities of stealth-boosting ingredients, ancient parts for weapon upgrades, and wood for fires. Make sure you visit Nintendo for official updates or check community tools like Zelda Dungeon to track your active inventory and interactive maps as you clear regions.
Conquering the Shrines and Trial Data
Every single shrine contains treasure chests that must be opened for a completed checkmark. When you mouse over a shrine on your map, look for a small chest icon next to its name. If it's missing, you missed a chest inside.
- Clear all regional towers first to populate your topographical data.
- Mark distant shrines with your Sheikah Slate scope while standing on high elevation points.
- Prioritize stamina vessels up to three full wheels before maxing out heart containers.
- Keep a mental note of elemental weapons; you'll need them to bypass specific shrine puzzle mechanics.
Tracking Down Every Korok Seed
Finding all 900 Korok seeds is the single longest grind in the game. They're split across numerous minor puzzles hidden in plain sight. You'll find them under solitary rocks, at the center of floating flower rings, inside tree stumps, and hidden beneath architectural arches.
Always check unusual patterns in the landscape. If three fruit trees line up and one has an extra apple, pick apples until they match. If a boulder sits awkwardly at the bottom of a steep hill, roll it into a natural ring formation in the water or mud. Using the Korok Mask from the The Master Trials DLC makes this process significantly faster, as it shakes whenever a hidden seed is nearby.
Defeating Hyrule Overworld Bosses
To prove absolute mastery over the landscape, you must hunt down every instance of the three major overworld mini-boss categories: Taluses, Hinoxes, and Moldugas. Each variant tracked on your map requires a clean defeat, marked by a star icon next to their name once beaten.
- Stone Taluses: Climb onto their backs and swing your heaviest two-handed weapons at their ore deposits.
- Hinoxes: Shoot them in the eye to stun them, then slice away while they're grounded. Use shock arrows to drop their held weapons.
- Moldugas: Drop a bomb onto the sand, detonate it when the creature lunges, and strike its exposed jaw.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do DLC shrines and quests count toward the 100 percent map counter?
No, the base game calculation strictly evaluates the original 120 shrines, 900 Korok seeds, map locations, and Divine Beasts. DLC content adds extra items and challenges, but they don't alter your official percentage tracker.
What is the fastest way to farm ancient parts for ancient armor upgrades?
Hunt down decayed and active Guardian Stalkers around Hyrule Field. Parry their laser blasts back at them using a shield for instant kills without wasting weapon durability.
Can I track which map locations I am missing for completion?
The game doesn't provide an explicit checklist for the 226 named locations. You must compare your in-game map against a fully completed community map to spot missing bridges, ruins, and forest clearings.
Does dying in Master Mode reset my completion progress?
Dying only reverts you to your last manual or auto-save file. It doesn't erase collected Korok seeds, completed shrines, or permanent inventory upgrades.
