The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom gave players a reimagined Hyrule, but its most dramatic expansion was not above ground. Beneath the familiar surface lies the Depths, a vast underworld that mirrors Hyrule's map while twisting it into a darker, gloom-filled realm. Even in 2026, long after its release, the Depths remain one of the most rewarding places to explore in the game. They are not merely an optional dungeon; they are a second open world filled with resources, armor, bosses, lore, and strange beauty.
Lightroots and the Underground Map
The Depths span nearly the entire map of Hyrule, and their layout often parallels the surface in surprising ways. Instead of Skyview Towers, the underground is divided by Lightroots. These glowing roots illuminate darkened regions and make navigation possible. Finding them can be challenging, but each Lightroot corresponds to a Shrine of Light on the surface, giving players a clever way to track them down. The result is a slow, satisfying process of turning a black void into a readable map.
Zonaite, Charges, and Battery Upgrades
The Depths are the primary source of Zonaite, a mineral introduced in Tears of the Kingdom. Players who spend time mining it can process the ore into Zonai Charges, which grant temporary battery life, or crystallized charges, which can be traded for permanent battery upgrades. Enemy camps and Gloom-covered terrain make mining risky, but the payoff is enormous. Some creatures exclusive to the Depths, such as Tiny Frox, also drop Zonaite when defeated.
| Resource | Use |
|---|---|
| Zonaite | Processed into Zonai Charges or crystallized charges |
| Zonai Charges | Temporary battery life |
| Crystallized Charges | Permanent battery upgrades |
| Poe Spirits | Traded at Bargainer Statues for rare items and armor |
Treasure, Pristine Weapons, and Rare Armor
Players who ignore the Depths miss out on rare treasure. Valuable weapons and armor pieces are hidden in Treasure Chests or held by shadow soldiers. These shadow soldiers are the only way to find pristine weapons in the game, making them a crucial target for collectors. The Depths also contain armor sets that call back to earlier Legend of Zelda titles, including pieces inspired by The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess. Coliseum battles against monster hordes can reward special items such as Midna's Helmet or Zant's Helmet.
Poes and Bargainer Statues
Poe spirits appear in clusters throughout the Depths, offering a faint glow wherever they hover. Players should watch for Grand and Large Poes, which are rarer but worth more. Once collected, Poes can be exchanged at Bargainer Statues for rare items and armor sets. This is especially useful for obtaining Bomb Flowers, which are difficult to find in the overworld. The Bargainer Statues add a quiet, eerie economy to the underground, turning ghostly collection into practical reward.
Zonai Devices and Autobuild
The Depths are a natural testing ground for Zonai devices. Players often find collections of devices laid out ready for use, which encourages experimentation. A vehicle that fails on the surface might become a useful mining rig or a temporary bridge underground. More importantly, exploring the Depths early grants access to the Autobuild rune. Autobuild allows players to save constructions and recreate them automatically, either by gathering materials or by spending Zonaite. This mechanic changes how problems are solved across the entire game. A player without enough stamina to paraglide over a gap can instead spend Zonaite to build a hovercraft and fly across.
Master Kohga and the Yiga Clan
The Depths are dangerous, but their most memorable threat is the Yiga Clan. Master Kohga, the banana-loving leader of these Sheikah rebels, has made the underground his new base of operations. Throughout the side quest 'Master Kohga of the Yiga Clan,' Link must chase him to different locations and defeat his Zonai device vehicles. The battles are comedic, inventive, and surprisingly challenging, giving the Depths a recurring villain rather than a faceless menace.
Boss Rematches
The map of the Depths often parallels Hyrule's surface, and that parallel extends to boss battles. Temple bosses such as Queen Gibdo of the Lightning Temple or Mucktorok of the Water Temple can be found again in different underground locations. After being defeated once, they reappear elsewhere, giving players repeated opportunities to fight them. For hints on where they might be, explorers can search areas of the Depths that mirror the temples' locations above ground.
Stalhorses
Horses are a beloved part of Tears of the Kingdom, but the Depths offer a stranger mount: the Stalhorse. These skeletal horses appear more frequently underground and can cross Gloom without harming Link. That makes them far more versatile than regular horses in the Depths. Unfortunately, there are no stables underground, so players cannot bond with them for long. A Stalhorse is a temporary tool, but a remarkably useful one.
Lore and Mystery
The Depths also expand Hyrule's lore in ways the surface cannot. Players are first drawn underground by Josha and Robbie, who investigate mysterious statues. Some fans theorize that the Depths represent an afterlife, which would explain the presence of ghostly shadow soldiers and Poe spirits. Others suggest they are a version of Hyrule from the past. Whatever the truth, the underground raises questions that make the world feel larger and older.
Conclusion
The Depths are more than a dark mirror of Hyrule. They are a source of Zonaite, a testing ground for Zonai devices, a treasure vault, a boss arena, and a lore-filled mystery. In 2026, they remain one of the strongest reasons to return to Tears of the Kingdom. Players who descend early and explore thoroughly will find that the underground rewards curiosity at every turn. The surface may be familiar, but the Depths are where the game's spirit of discovery burns brightest.