The Hylian Shield in Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a piece of equipment familiar to long time series fans, featuring an iconic blue and silver design that's featured in practically every modern Zelda game in one way or another.

Alongside the Master Sword, the Hylian Shield returns in Breath of the Wild as an optional item, and has the status as the best shield in the game, with vast durability and a staggering 90 defense rating.

There are two ways to get the shield - one is a random drop using the 'Princess Zelda' Breath of the Wild amiibo (scan it once a day until it appears) and another is by breaking into and exploring Hyrule Castle, which is the toughest area of the game.

Thankfully, there is a somewhat direct path that's straightforward enough you could feasibly get there from the start of the game. On that note, here's how to get the Hylian Shield in Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

How to get the Hylian Shield in Zelda Breath of the Wild

The Hylian Shield is found in a chest inside the Lockup, which is an area of dungeons underneath the castle. Thankfully, the route there will take you less than 10 minutes, which includes the time to take down a quick and easy mini-boss.

To get there, start in the grounds outside the castle, and get yourself to the south west corner, by the moat, next to the nearest giant monolith that protrudes towards the castle.

Be wary there are Guardians all around around these grounds, so you may have to defeat them (our page on how to beat Guardians easily can help) or sprint past them and their targeting lasers to get there.

If you look north from the moat, you'll see a slither of a minecart track in the rocks, just above the water.

Glide over and swim into the cavern, and follow the track to the end. Take out the Keeses along the way, while the Stone Pebblits can be easily dispatched with a few Bombs.

At the end is a minecart. Jump in, then drop and detonate bombs into the end compartment to propel you along the track.

The short ride will take you to another cavern nearby. Head through the doorway, and you'll see a path going up along the left wall that's lined with torches.

Follow it up, take the linear corridor down to a cracked wall. Blow it up with a Bomb.

If you look at your map, you're be in the corner of the underground caverns. The place you need to head to is the large cylindrical room that's close by.

To get there, take go left then left again, to reach a corridor with a jail cell to your left - you'll be told it's the Lockup so you know you're in the right place.

At the end of this corridor is a cracked door on the left. Blow it up with a Bomb to enter the jail cell.

In the jail cell, shoot through the warped bars on the left and take out the Calamity Eye to open the cell door.

The next area is filled with enemies, but feel free to ignore them. Instead, turn left out of the cell, and run to the far end area, where the cyclical room - and our Shield - is located. Head inside.

How to beat Staliox for the Hylian Shield

Here is a Staliox, a huge beast that's less intimating than it appears. Simply aim for its eye and shoot with an arrow to stun it, allowing you to sprint forward and swipe away until it stand up again.

Repeat this and it won't get a chance to even attack you. The eye can also drop out of its socket and roll around, allowing you to get some easy hits in there.

If you're struggling, then remember the Master Sword in this area will grow in strength to 60, and the upgraded Statis Rune can temporarily stop the Staliox, allowing you to aim a little easier.

Once it's down, a chest will appear containing our Hylian Shield. It's also worth noting the beast will drop three weapons - a Royal Halberd, Great Thunderblade and Royal Broadsword that you can help yourself to.

Feel free to continue exploring the castle from here, or simply warp out now you claimed what you came for.

Thanks to a new update, it's now possible to play Zelda Breath of the Wild in VR. Want help with the main game? Our Zelda: Breath of the Wild walkthrough can help complete Divine Beasts Vah Ruta, Vah Rudiana, Vah Medoh and Vah Naboris and more. There's also how to get the Master Sword, Hylian Shield and all Zelda Captured Memories and Great Fairy Fountain locations, while our Shrines locations and Shrine maps hub explains where to find and solve every puzzle room, including dragon locations and Labyrinth solutions. We also have a DLC 1 guide and DLC 2 guide, including all Tingle, Majora's Mask, Phantom, Midna outfit locations.

How to Get the Master Sword in Zelda Breath of the Wild Watch on YouTube

How to get the Hylian Shield back if it breaks in Zelda Breath of the Wild

While the Hylian Shield has a vast amount of durability, unlike the Master Sword it's not invincible and can break.

If that happens, it won't no longer appear inside the Hylian Castle Lockup, and instead must be purchased from a special vendor after the end of a long quest.

Zelda Breath of the Wild | How to Get the Hylian Shield Watch on YouTube

After you complete From the Ground Up and build Tarry Town, a vendor named Granté will appear on the rooftop and offer to sell it - among other dungeon and Shrine-specific look - back to you, provided it's no longer in your inventory.

YouTube creator Arekkz delves into this in the above video, as well a step-by-step video guide on getting the shield in case you need more specific directions.