Zelda: Skyward Sword

Hero Mode Guide: How to Unlock Hero Mode, Tips, and Reward

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is out now!
▶︎Tears of the Kingdom Walkthrough Wiki

★All Pieces of Heart & Goddess Cubes Locations
How to Get All Gratitude Crystals
Empty Bottle Guide

Zelda Skyward Sword HD - Hero Mode Guide How to Unlock Hero Mode

This guide will explain Hero Mode in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD for the Nintendo Switch. Learn how to unlock Hero Mode, the differences in Hero Mode, tips for completing Hero Mode, and the reward for beating Hero Mode.

Hero Mode Differences

Hero Mode is an additional game mode unlocked after completing the game. This mode serves as the game's Hard Mode which makes the early game content even more challenging!

What's Different in Hero Mode?

Check MarkStronger Enemies
Check MarkHearts and Heart Flowers Do Not Appear
Check MarkAll Bugs and Treasures Are Carried Over
Check MarkStamina and Oxygen Gauges Deplete Faster
Check MarkNo Charging Required for Skyward Strike
Check MarkFace All Bosses in the Boss Rush

Stronger Enemies

Zelda Skyward Sword HD - Stronger Enemies
All enemies and bosses in Hero Mode deal double damage. This makes one-on-one fights with enemies difficult as most of them require precise sword strikes to defeat them.

In addition, environmental damages such as falling from great height deals double damage so be sure to use the Sailcloth before landing on the ground!

List of Enemies

Hearts and Heart Flowers Do Not Appear

Zelda Skyward Sword HD - Heart Flowers

Another feature exclusive to Hero Mode is the removal of hearts and heart flowers. To restore your hearts, you need to use a Heart Potion, Revitalizing Potion, or sit on a chair.
Stool Locations

Alternatively, you can equip a Heart Medal for the hearts and heart flowers to reappear in Hero Mode.

How to Get the Heart Medal

All Bugs and Treasures Are Carried Over

Zelda Skyward Sword HD - All Bugs and Treasures Are Carried Over
All the bugs and treasures that you have collected from your previous save file will be carried over when starting Hero Mode.

With this in mind, we recommend farming for these first before starting this mode.

List of Materials

Stamina and Oxygen Gauges Deplete Faster

Zelda Skyward Sword HD - Stamina and Oxygen Gauges Deplete Faster

Using up stamina and swimming underwater depletes the Stamina and Oxygen Gauges faster in Hero Mode.

Be sure to stock up some potions such as the Stamina Potions and Air Potions to restore these gauges!

Potion Recipes List and How to Use

No Charging Required for Skyward Strike

Zelda Skyward Sword HD - Skyward Strike

Once you have acquired the Goddess Sword, you can perform the Skyward Strike without waiting for it to charge. This is useful when you do not want to face enemies in close quarters combat or use arrows.

Face All Bosses in the Boss Rush

Boss Rush Guide - Boss Options

In normal gameplay, you need to defeat eleven bosses in succession to complete this minigame's challenge.

In Hero Mode, all bosses are available as soon as the minigame is unlocked. This includes the final battle with Ghirahim, the Bokoblin horde, and Demise.

Boss Rush Guide

How to Unlock Hero Mode

Complete the Game

Zelda Skyward Sword HD - Complete the Game

Hero Mode can only be unlocked after completing the game for the first time. On the Quest Logs screen, select Hero Mode to start a new game in this mode.

Story Walkthrough

Hero Mode Tips and Tricks

Stock Up on Healing Items

Zelda Skyward Sword HD - Stock Up on Healing Items
Before you start adventuring, be sure to stock up on healing items such as Heart Potions and Revitalizing Potions. The enemies in Hero Mode deal double damage so you having these items may come in handy.

Potion Recipes List and How to Use

Sit on Chairs to Restore Health

Zelda Skyward Sword HD - Chairs that Restore Health

In Hero Mode, you only have a few ways to restore health. If you do not want to use your healing items, find a chair and sit on it to restore your health.

Where to Find Stools

Equip a Heart Medal

Zelda Skyward Sword HD - Heart Medal
Equipping a Heart Medal spawns hearts and heart flowers that are normally not present when playing in Hero Mode.

Note that the Heart Medal's effect can stack, which increases the likelihood of finding hearts in an area.

How to Get the Heart Medal

Use Skyward Strike

Zelda Skyward Sword HD - Use Skyward Strike

The Skyward Strike is always at full power and is around the same level as the Master Sword. This makes the maneuver powerful even if you still have the Goddess Sword.

Take advantage of the fully powered Skyward Strike as this allows you to defeat tough enemies in the early game.

Reward for Beating Hero Mode

Triforce Next to Your Save File

Once you beat the game in Hero Mode, the post-credits screen will offer you to create a save file from just before the final boss battle.

When you do, you'll receive a shiny Triforce symbol on your save file as proof you've achieved this undertaking! Congratulations!

Related Guides

Zelda Skyward Sword HD - Tips and Tricks Partial

Tips and Tricks

Zelda: Skyward Sword HD Tips and Tricks

Gameplay and Controls
Controls and Best Settings How to Fast Travel
Loftwing Controls and How to Fly How to Roll
How to Swim Underwater How to Dive
How to Do a Fatal Blow How to Move the Camera
How to Do a Backflip -
Guides
All Pieces of Heart Locations All Goddess Cube Locations
Rupee Farming Guide How to Get All Empty Bottles
Hero Mode Guide and How to Unlock 100 Percent Completion Guide
All Secrets and Easter Eggs All Sheikah Stone Locations
How to Find Your Loftwing How to Upgrade Your Wallet
How to Upgrade Your Adventure Pouch Dowsing List and How to Dowse
Where to Find Stools How to Equip and Use a Shield
How to Use Potions How to Get to Beedle's Shop
How to Get Into Zelda's Room Faron Woods Missing Kikwi Locations
Eldin Volcano Key Piece Locations Lanayru Power Node Locations
How to Find the Windmill Propeller How to Draw Goddess Wall Symbols
Ancient Cistern Lock Combo: Secret Order for Door Puzzle Sandship Lock Combo: Secret Order for Door Puzzle
Tadtones Guide: How to Find All Tadtones How to Catch Birds: Bird Farming Guide
How to Sell Items -
FAQs
How to Save How Long is Skyward Sword HD?
How to Fly at Night -

Author

    Walkthrough Menu

    Rankings

    All rights reserved