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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →To complete A Rift in the Gerudo Desert in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, clear three smaller rifts for the Gerudo chief, enter Stilled Desert Temple Ruins, then solve Cryptic Cavern to reach Gerudo Sanctum. The sequence below covers the progression gates and the cavern puzzles that can block your route.
Start the quest and investigate the southern rift
- After Searching for Everyone opens the way, travel west into Gerudo Desert and continue to the Oasis. Reaching the desert starts the quest. Open nearby Waypoints as you pass them to make later returns easier. Thonky’s route guide gives the broad route and local objectives.
- Investigate the large rift in the southern desert and speak with the Gerudo. Help Dohna as her local quest line develops.
- Return to Gerudo Town and go to the palace. Dohna asks Zelda to close three smaller rifts to earn the chief’s trust.
Close the three smaller rifts
Complete all three named subquests before returning to the palace. They are required steps in this quest sequence, not optional detours.
- Southern Oasis Ruins Rift
- Ancestor’s Cave of Rest Rift
- Southern Gerudo Desert Rift
At Ancestor’s Cave of Rest, a Holmill Echo can dig into sand to reach a chest; that treasure is optional and is not needed to advance the main route. For the full order and subquest locations, see Thonky’s detailed quest route.
Enter Stilled Desert Temple Ruins
After closing the three rifts, return to the palace. The chief’s permission is the gate to the next part of the quest: head to the eastern rift and enter Stilled Desert Temple Ruins. Completing this section earns permission to enter Cryptic Cavern.
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- Enhanced performance and visuals exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2.
- Explore the skies, caves, and vast lands of Hyrule in a massive open-world adventure.
- Wield new and returning abilities to craft solutions, vehicles, and weapons.
- Discover the mystery behind the spreading gloom threatening the kingdom.
- Use the ZELDA NOTES app to share, compare, and earn daily bonuses.
Solve Cryptic Cavern to open Gerudo Sanctum
Cryptic Cavern is south of the Oasis, near the large southern rift. Its switch, wind, and sand puzzles lead to a plug that must be pulled with Bind; draining the sand opens the route to Gerudo Sanctum. Nintendo Life’s Cryptic Cavern walkthrough provides additional room-by-room detail.
Open the first door
In the first room, hit the switch on the left with a flying Echo or throw a pot at it. This opens the north door.
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![The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51PuJ83o9KL._SL160_.jpg)
- Ultrahand: Using the new Ultrahand ability, Link can pick up, move, and rotate almost any object, and can even attach objects together to create bridges, vehicles, and more!
- Fuse: Magically fuse almost any object to Link’s current weapon, shield, or arrow to increase durability, damage, or even add a new effect. Experiment with lots of different combinations to come up with surprising—and sometimes hilarious—results!
- Ascend: Add a new dimension to your exploration with Ascend, which gives Link the ability to pass through solid objects above him. Rise up through ceilings, hillsides, and even certain enemies to create seemingly impossible shortcuts.
- Recall: Use Recall to make objects in motion move backward through time, letting Link ride fallen boulders skyward, recover thrown weapons, or send projectiles back where they came from.
Get through the Wind Cannon room
- Use a Boulder or Wooden Box Echo to block the gusts.
- Take the middle route first to obtain the Pathblade.
- Use the Pathblade to strike the switch that reveals a chest.
- If you do not have the Wind Cannon, obtain it. It clears sand piles and is required for the dungeon ahead.
Drain the sand
In the lower, side-view section, move past or use Bind on Pathblades. Use the Wind Cannon to clear sand mounds as you work toward the plug. Bind the plug and pull it to drain the sand and open the way to Gerudo Sanctum.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Finish Gerudo Sanctum
Continue through Gerudo Sanctum and complete its dungeon and boss sequence to resolve the regional quest. A recorded full-quest walkthrough labels the finale’s encounters as fights against Link and Mogryph: Gamerpillar’s recorded walkthrough.
Quick Recap
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- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (physical copy)
- 204 page Hard Cover Artbook
- SteelBook case, Steel Poster, Set of four pin badges
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- The Legend of Zelda - Tears of the Kingdom
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