Unlocking the Secrets of the Hyrule Compendium in Breath of the Wild

In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, one of the most engaging side activities is the collection and organization of the Hyrule Compendium, a compendium of pictures that chronicle the various creatures, items, and materials found throughout the world of Hyrule. The Sheikah Slate's Camera Rune allows players to take pictures of various objects and creatures, subsequently adding them to the Compendium. This guide, based on the article, will provide insights into obtaining and completing the Hyrule Compendium, with a focus on where to buy missing pictures.

Starting Your Hyrule Compendium Journey

The journey to complete or enhance the Hyrule Compendium begins in Hateno Village, where players can find the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab. By following the main questline, players will be directed to Impa in Kakariko Village and then to the Ancient Tech Lab. Upon reaching Hateno Village, players should activate the Myahm Agana Shrine to create a handy travel point near the lab. The Ancient Tech Lab is where the Sheikah Sensor and Camera Rune can be upgraded to facilitate the collection of pictures.

To upgrade the Sheikah Sensor, players must first light the lab's forge using a torch or wooden weapon and blue fire from the village. Follow the lanterns through the village to the lab, and once the forge is lit, speak to Purah inside the lab. She will unlock the Camera Rune and photo album, which is connected to the "Locked Mementos" main quest. Afterward, players can speak to Purah again to upgrade the Sheikah Sensor to Sheikah Sensor+ using three Ancient Screws.

Unlocking Compendium Photos and Completing Side Quests

After upgrading the Sheikah Sensor+, players can then speak to Symin, Purah's assistant, to obtain the "Sunshroom Sensing" side quest. This quest requires players to take a picture of a Sunshroom and show it to Symin. Then, players must journey to Retsam Forest, north of the Tech Lab, to collect three Sunshrooms. Once completed, return to Symin to finish the quest.

Upon completion, Symin will now offer to fill in missing photos in the Hyrule Compendium for a price. The first photo is free, but all subsequent photos will require payment. Some photos can only be obtained after clearing the "Destroy Ganon" main quest, including those of the Blights, Master Kohga, Calamity Ganon, and Dark Beast Ganon. Once Ganon has been defeated, players can save and reload their file (marked with a star) to access and purchase every Elite Photo.

Adding and Purchasing Pictures for the Compendium

The Hyrule Compendium is divided into five categories: Creatures, Monsters, Materials, Equipment, and Treasure. Each picture can be purchased for 100 Rupees, with Elite Enemy Pictures costing 500 Rupees. The main focus should be on Elite Enemy Pictures, as these are easier to miss during gameplay. Pictures in other categories can be taken at any time throughout the game, so players can focus on capturing these while exploring the world.

Although buying Elite Enemy Pictures can be costly, doing so is essential for players who wish to complete the Compendium. It is important to note that the Blights and other bosses cannot be tracked with the Sheikah Sensor. Furthermore, the reward for completing the Hyrule Compendium is the Classified Envelope Key Item, which is more of a collector's goal than a functional reward.

Completing the Hyrule Compendium and Reaping the Benefits

As players progress through the game, capturing pictures and purchasing missing photos will help them complete the Hyrule Compendium. This activity not only adds an extra layer of depth and immersion to the game world but also provides valuable information on enemies, materials, and more.

In summary, to complete the Hyrule Compendium, players must head to Hateno Village, upgrade their Sheikah Sensor at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab, complete side quests, and purchase missing photos from Symin. By doing so, they will have a comprehensive database of the world's creatures, items, and materials, ultimately enriching their Breath of the Wild experience.