How to get max hearts in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

To get maximum hearts in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is as crucial as it is monumental. Hearts are, well, Link’s own livelihood. The more Heart Containers you have, the longer you’ll survive Hyrule’s toughest encounters.

If you’re wondering how to get maximum hearts in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomour guide covers how many hearts are in it Tears of the Kingdomand show you how to increase your maximum hearts – permanently or temporarily.

How many maximum hearts are there in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom?

This is a trick question. In theory, based on the start of the game, there are 40 hearts. In practice there are 38 maximum hearts in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

During the day Tears of the Kingdom‘s cold open, you start with 40 heart containers, as well as full stamina. Unfortunately, this does not carry over to reality Tears of the Kingdom experience. You can get up to 38 Heart Containers, which is quite a lot to be honest. But if you’re worried about the missing slots, I feel you.

Image: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

There is also no narrative reason for it.

How to get maximum hearts in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

To get all 38 maximum hearts in it Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, you will have to work for them. Fortunately, while there are ways to achieve this in the long run, there are some shortcuts. Here are the ways you can get maximum hearts Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom:

A screenshot of the food inventory screen showing the savory mushroom skewer in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Please ignore the questionable food.
Image: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

As we mentioned, there are ways to temporarily increase your maximum hearts. Yellow hearts contribute to your health, with the caveat that they disappear after being depleted by an attack. Here are some ways to temporarily increase your maximum hearts:

  • Sleep on special beds in inns and stables.
  • Create recipes with “savoury” ingredients.

If you have items like a savory truffle or a solid bass, hold them until you can cook a recipe with them. There are a few ingredients in Hyrule with this adjective – in short, you will not only fully restore your health, but also get extra yellow hearts. The exact number depends on the ingredients you use and the amount.

Below are a few savory recipes that will get you yellow hearts:

  • Hearty Fried Wild Greens (full health restore and +25 yellow hearts): 5 large savory radishes
  • Hearty Fried Wild Greens (full health restore and +5 yellow hearts): 1 raw bird drumstick, 1 Hyrule herb, 1 large savory radish
  • Solid Mushroom Skewer (Full Health Restore and +12 Yellow Hearts): 3 large savory truffles
  • Firm Steamed Tomatoes (full health restore and +3 yellow hearts): 1 raw meat, 1 Hylian tomato, 1 savory radish
  • Savory Meat and Mushroom Skewer (Full Health Restore and +3 Yellow Hearts): 2 raw meat, 3 savory truffles

All in all, it will be a long undertaking to get maximum hearts. If you’re not sure whether to focus on hearts or stamina Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomwe can help with that.