How to Help the Deku Tree in Tears of the Kingdom (TOTK)

IBS is no fun even if you’re a tree—and there’s nobody who understands that better than the Great Deku Tree in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. This poor sentient trunk is struggling with stomach aches, and Link is the only one who can help (nothing new there).

However, despite its many talents, Link is no botanist—how can he help a big living tree? Luckily, the solution is not in Link’s knowledge of the local flora and its problems. The answer to the Deku Tree problem lies deep within—and we mean that quite literally. This guide will show you how to help the Deku Tree in Tears of the Kingdom (TOTK) with the most straightforward directions.

Related: How to Get the Ember Shirt in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom

How to Cure the Great Deku Tree in Tears of the Kingdom (TOTK)

Depending on how far along the main story you are in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, finding the Great Deku Tree is not so easy. It is located in the middle of Korok Forest, which can be quite difficult to get into because it is covered in gloom. Many players make use of the shortcut accessible through the Depths. Still, no matter how you get there, you will find yourself in front of the Great Deku Tree at some point, and the tree is not feeling so well.

To help the Deku Tree with its stomach problems, you will need to get back to the ground and enter the trunk. Once inside, just continue straight and jump into the deep hole—Deku Tree Chasm. As soon as you glide to the bottom, you will need to fight the Gloom Spawn. Luckily, you can defeat them rather fast with some Flower Bombs.

Just when you think you’re done, Phantom Ganon, Scourge of the Deku Tree, will appear and attack you. To take this boss down, you can try several different approaches. What worked for us was using the Black Horriblin Hammer and the Black Horriblin Sledge while counting on the Sage Companions to chip away slowly at Phantom Ganon’s health bar. Make sure to evade his attacks and pay attention to the puddles of gloom on the floor.

When you defeat Phantom Ganon, you can head back to the Deku Tree and be rewarded with a memory cutscene about Link’s previous encounter with the spirit of Korok Forest and the location of the Master Sword. This will also trigger the quest called Recovering the Hero’s Sword, which will reunite you with the strongest weapon in the game.

That’s everything you need to know about helping the Deku Tree in Tears of the Kingdom. Good luck with fighting Phantom Ganon and retrieving the Master Sword if you decide to go that route. For more help with Link’s adventures in Hyrule, check out our other guides in the dedicated Tears of the Kingdom section here on TouchTapPlay!