Hidden deep within Tears of the Kingdom, the Awakening Armor pays tribute to Link’s earliest adventure. Its pieces aren’t handed to you-you’ll need keen eyes, clever solutions, and a bit of courage to claim this nostalgic set for yourself.
If you want to pay homage to an earlier era of Zelda in Tears of the Kingdom, this guide will walk you through the puzzles left behind by Misko so that you can turn Link into a cheery, big-headed cartoon. It’s fairly involved, and there are some tough fights along the way, so get prepared in advance with plenty of food and perhaps some armor upgrades.
You can find these pieces without picking up the associated quests and the riddles left by Misko; if you’d prefer to skip the busywork, you can skip the first section of this guide. But where’s the fun in that?
Misko’s ‘Treasure of Awakening’ quest
Misko’s “Treasure of Awakening” quest begins with reading the “Treasure of Awakening” book inside Akkala Ancient Lab at coordinates 4503, 3153, 0414. This uncovers hints about the full Awakening Armor set scattered across Hyrule. Follow the clues to claim the Miner’s Armor from Cephla Lake Cave in Eldin, the Miner’s Helmet from A
The first thing to do is to head to Goronbi River Cave. However, be aware that this cave has extremely high levels of unbearable heat. Ideally you will need the Flamebreaker Armor or a fireproof elixir to enter.
Goronbi River Cave is located in the Eldin region, in a valley southwest of Death Mountain. The coordinates are (1423, 2100, 0286).
Defeat the Horriblin at the entrance. Go inside, hop over the lava directly in front of you, and open the chest for a ruby. Then turn around and jump towards the lava waterfall. (Don’t touch it, obviously!) There are two ore deposits you can break on the left here.
Continue following the path to the left past the broken up waterfall which has a Fire Like behind it. Wait for or move a platform using Ultrahand/Recall so that you can cross toward the Fire Like. You can also create one with a splash fruit.
Defeat the Fire Like and ride one of the platforms on the right. Get off where the ground slopes down to the lava on the right, and look up to see a cave entrance. (There’s a pale piece of debris in front of it which may be easier to spot.)
Inside here you’ll find a chest with an Ember Shirt, which raises Link’s attack in hot weather. After opening the chest, the wall on the left will open up. Go through it.
Examine the carved stone here to hear a riddle from the person who first discovered the Tunic of Awakening.
“On the Tabantha Frontier, where Rayne, Piper, and Tanagar meet, ruined pillars stand together. One of those mighty pillars opens the way to my treasure. Solve my riddle, find my treasure, and earn my respect.”
The riddle is signed “The Great Bandit Misko.” This will begin the quest “Misko’s Treasure of Awakening.”
Tunic of Awakening location
The Tunic of Awakening can be found inside the Ancient Columns Cave, located west of Tabantha Bridge. Glide down from the nearby cliff to reach the cave entrance, then follow the tunnel until you reach a chest near the back. Open it to obtain the Tunic of Awakening, part of the Awakening Armor set inspired by Link’s classic look from The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening.
You’ll find the area “where Rayne, Piper, and Tanagar meet” on the west of the map – specifically, the Rayne Highlands and Piper Ridge are above Tanagar Canyon.
Head to the top of the ridge found at (-3484. 0426, 0278).
If you’re approaching from the west, along the ridge, you’ll have to fight a Flame Gleeok. Like other Gleeoks, this is a challenging fight. Use water-based attacks (Fuse with splash fruit or Chuchu Jelly arrows) to hit its heads, then attack it when it’s stunned.
You can also avoid this fight by scaling the cliff face on the opposite side of the ridge instead, if you have the stamina.
Climb the pillar on the southwest of the ridge. There’s a mossy button on top; stepping on this will trigger a cutscene of the ground opening nearby.
Drop down this new hole to discover the Ancient Columns Cave. The Tunic of Awakening, which has 3 defense and no special effect, is directly ahead of you, in the chest surrounded by an old abandoned structure.
The carved stone here will also give you your next clue:
“In the ruins of Hyrule Field, where warriors once tested themselves in battle, offer your soldier’s claymore to the two sculpted soldiers. The sword will point the way to my treasures.”
This will begin the sidequest “Misko’s Treasure of Awakening II.”
Awakening Trousers location
The Awakening Trousers can be obtained in the Ancient Coliseum Ruins, located west of the Great Plateau. To reach them, glide into the ruins and prepare to face several Lynels guarding the area. After defeating or avoiding them, head to the chest positioned near the center of the coliseum. Opening it rewards you with the Awakening Trousers, completing one of the key parts of the Awakening Armor set.
In the southwest of Hyrule Field, there is a point visible on the map as a large circle. This is the Coliseum Ruins, just east of the Outskirt Stable.
Head over there, to the coordinates (-1147, -1261, 0046). At this spot, you’ll have to fight a Thunder Gleeok.
Bring a lot of arrows, and preferably several non-metallic weapons as there are often thunderstorms in this area. This is a tough fight, and you will need upgraded armor and ideally at least three extra segments in your stamina wheel. It’s also worth bringing some kind of shock resistance, whether that be the Rubber Armor or food.
Use the multiple levels of the arena to get cover from the Thunder Gleeok’s electric attacks, and Ascend to use the bow slowdown time to hit its heads more easily. Our guide on defeating Gleeoks can help you if you’re struggling.
After you defeat the beast, you can complete the puzzle left by Misko. Head to the south of the coliseum where you will find two statues. The one on the left will be holding a Soldier’s claymore. Find another one to the right of the two statues, and use Ultrahand to bring it close to the unarmed statue. It’ll snap into place and a hole in the floor will open.
Jump down to discover the Coliseum Ruins Cave. You can see the chest in front of you as well as some weapons, but you can also break the boxes on the right to reveal a crawlspace that leads to the Bubbulfrog and lots of ore.
Once you’ve opened the chest in the main room and got the Awakening Trousers – which don’t have a special effect but do grant 3 defense – examine the carved stone.
The riddle here reads: “On Hyrule Ridge, in Ludfo’s land, ruins sleep beneath the towering mushroom trees. Connect the southern column’s midday shadow to the northern. At the shadow’s center, the way to my treasure will open.”
Thus begins “Misko’s Treasure of Awakening III.”
Mask of Awakening location
The Mask of Awakening can be obtained inside a chest located in the Thundra Plateau, northwest of Hyrule Ridge. To access it, you must solve the area’s weather puzzle by making lightning strike the center of the plateau-this can be done by placing metallic weapons or shields on the stone pedestal during a thunderstorm. Once the lightning hits, the chest will appear, containing the Mask of Awakening inside.
For the final piece of the Awakening Armor, head to the Thundra Plateau on Hyrule Ridge, in the northwest part of the map. The coordinates are (-2272, 0866, 0111).
Cut down some of the mushroom trees to make four logs. Attach these together at the ends so that they become one long log. Lean the long log against the southern column. It needs to be midday for the next part, so either wait or start a fire and sit there until noon.
Climb up the southern column and use Ultrahand to lift the log. If you try to place it on top, it will fall, but you can hold it steady just in front of the column to extend the shadow. When the shadow touches the column across from you, the hole in the ground will open.
You’ve discovered the Thundra Plateau Cave. Open the chest for your final reward, the Mask of Awakening. Now you can look totally out of place with the rest of Tears of the Kingdom‘s art style, while rocking no special effects and gaining 3 defense. You’ll see a final congratulations from Misko here, too.
Awakening Armor upgrade costs and set bonus
Each piece of the Awakening Armor can be upgraded at a Great Fairy Fountain using materials such as Star Fragments, Light Dragon Scales, and monster parts from Phantom Ganon. The costs rise sharply with each level, requiring rare items for the final upgrade. When all three pieces-the Mask, Tunic, and Trousers-are worn together and fully enhanced, they grant a set bonus that increases the Master Sword’s energy beam attack power, making it stronger and more accurate in battle.
The Awakening Armor grants the attack up set bonus when each piece is upgraded twice and equipped. This buff does as it says and boosts your attack.
You’ll be able to upgrade the pieces of the Awakening Armor at a Great Fairy Fountain, in exchange for the following materials:
- 1-star (5 defense): 10 luminous stones, 1 star fragment, 10 rupees
- 2-star (8 defense): 15 luminous stones, 1 star fragment, 50 rupees
- 3-star (12 defense): 20 luminous stones, 1 star fragment, 200 rupees
- 4-star (20 defense): 30 luminous stones, 1 star fragment, 500 rupees
Where to find the Tunic of Awakening location guide
The Tunic of Awakening is located in the Ancient Columns area of Tabantha Frontier, south of the Iun-Orok Shrine or northwest of the Lady Geoglyph, at coordinates approximately -3446, 0461, 0278.
Accessing the Cave
Approach from the east to avoid aggroing the nearby Flame Gleeok. Climb the pillar with a camouflaged pressure plate on top (around -3481, 0423, 0279), stand on it to reveal the Ancient Columns Cave entrance, then drop down and open the chest at the end (-3527, 0414, 0242).
Quest Context
This is part of the “Misko’s Treasure: Awakening I” side adventure, started by reading the stone slab in Goronbi River Cave (southwest of Goron City) after opening a chest there. The riddle mentions “where Rayne, Piper, and Tanagar converge” to hint at the spot.
Alternatives
Scan the Link (Link’s Awakening) amiibo for instant access, or repurchase for 400 Poes at a Bargainer Statue in the Depths after obtaining it once.
Best route to Ancient Columns from Goron City
The best route from Goron City to the Ancient Columns in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom avoids extreme heat and cold while leveraging fast travel and gliders for efficiency.
Fast Travel Start
Warp to the Eldin Canyon Skyview Tower (1632, 12036, 0271) or Foothill Stable (coordinates around 0820, 1783, 0130) if unlocked, then head northwest on foot or horse along the main path through the Gerudo Highlands foothills toward Central Hyrule.
Skyview Approach
Launch from Lindor’s Brow Skyview Tower (southwest Hyrule Ridge, -1799, 1098, 0805) and glide southwest over Rayne Highlands toward the plateau at roughly -3446, 0461, 0278. Land near the easternmost pillar to access the cave pressure plate safely, dodging the nearby Flame Gleeok.
Ground Path Alternative
From Goronbi River Cave (quest start near Goron City), ride northwest past Thyphlo Ruins Skyview Tower, cross Tabantha Great Bridge, then climb the snowy cliffs south of Tabantha Bridge Stable. Equip cold-resistant armor or elixirs for Hebra chill.
