Great Fairy Locations & Armor Upgrades
Four Great Fairies are hidden across Hyrule in Tears of the Kingdom. Each must be awakened by a musical serenade from the Stable Trotters traveling band. Once unlocked, they upgrade your armor in exchange for rupees and materials. Unlock more fairies to access higher upgrade tiers — all four are needed for maximum (Tier 4) upgrades.
How the Upgrade Tier System Works
Tier 1 — Unlock 1 Fairy
Unlocking any single Great Fairy grants access to Tier 1 upgrades (10 Rupees + common materials). This is available at all unlocked fountains.
Tier 2 — Unlock 2 Fairies
After awakening a second Great Fairy, Tier 2 upgrades become available (50 Rupees + uncommon materials). Both fountains can perform Tier 2.
Tier 3 — Unlock 3 Fairies
Three Great Fairies unlocked enables Tier 3 upgrades (200 Rupees + rare/mini-boss materials). Significant defense boost at this level.
Tier 4 — Unlock All 4 Fairies
All four Great Fairies must be awakened for the maximum Tier 4 upgrades (500 Rupees + dragon parts, Lynel drops, star fragments). This is the endgame armor ceiling.
Any Fairy, Any Upgrade
Once a tier is unlocked, ANY of your awakened fairies can perform that level of upgrade. You do not need to visit a specific fairy for a specific tier.
Set Bonuses at Tier 2+
Many armor sets gain a set bonus at Tier 2 (level 2 upgrade). Always upgrade all three pieces of a set together to unlock the bonus effect.
Upgrade Cost Summary
| Tier | Fairies Required | Rupee Cost | Material Tier | Example Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Upgrade | 1 Fairy | 10 Rupees | Common | Bokoblin Horn x3, Chuchu Jelly x3, Keese Wing x3, Monster Extract x1, Hylian Shroom x3 |
| Second Upgrade | 2 Fairies | 50 Rupees | Uncommon | Blue Bokoblin Horn x5, White Chuchu Jelly x5, Octorok Eyeball x3, Fire Keese Wing x3, Hinox Toenail x2 |
| Third Upgrade | 3 Fairies | 200 Rupees | Rare / Mini-Boss | Black Bokoblin Horn x5, Hinox Guts x2, Lynel Hoof x2, White-Maned Lynel Horn x1, Stalnox Horn x1 |
| Fourth Upgrade (Max) | 4 Fairies | 500 Rupees | Dragon / Lynel / Star | Silver Lynel Horn x2, Star Fragment x2, Shard of Dinraal's Horn x1, Dragon Fang x1, Lynel Mace Horn x1 |
Tera
Unlock Quest
Serenade to a Great Fairy
Found near Woodland Stable in the Great Hyrule Forest region, northwest of Lookout Landing. Tera's fountain is tucked behind a large flower bud just south of the stable, along the road leading toward Eldin. She is the first Great Fairy most players encounter due to the proximity to early-game paths. Her flower bud glows with a warm pink light visible from the road at night. The area around her fountain is lush and forested, with fireflies drifting near the bud at dusk -- a sign of her dormant magic. The coordinates place her at approximately (1058, 1647) on the surface map.
Unlock Quest Overview
Tera requires a musical serenade to awaken. You must help the Stable Trotters traveling band reach her fountain. The Stable Trotters are a group of wandering musicians who follow the stable circuit -- they believe their performances have the power to stir ancient spirits. Find the band members scattered around Woodland Stable and help them get to the fountain with their instruments. The lead musician, Mastro, waits near the stable entrance and explains the plan. The challenge is building a vehicle large enough to carry multiple passengers comfortably over uneven forest terrain without losing anyone on the bumpy road south.
Nearby Locations
Tips
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Tera is typically the first Great Fairy you unlock since the Woodland Stable is close to early-game routes from Lookout Landing. The main road from Lookout Landing runs almost directly past the stable.
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Build a sturdy vehicle with at least two fans and a steering stick -- the musicians need a smooth ride and will complain if the vehicle falls apart. A flat rectangular board base with fans at the rear and a steering stick at the center works perfectly.
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After unlocking Tera, you gain access to Tier 1 upgrades for all armor sets. Return to her often as you collect materials -- even common enemy drops like Bokoblin Horns unlock meaningful defense gains early on.
Kaysa
Unlock Quest
Serenade to Kaysa
Located near Tabantha Bridge Stable in the Tabantha region, west of Hyrule Ridge. Kaysa's fountain sits on a hillside overlooking the Tabantha Great Bridge -- one of Hyrule's most dramatic landmarks, stretching across the massive Tanagar Canyon. The area is characterized by open grasslands, strong westerly winds, and the dramatic canyon bridge nearby. At surface map coordinates approximately (-2456, 1029), she is reachable by heading west from Hyrule Ridge and crossing the Tabantha Great Bridge. Her flower bud shimmers with a cool teal light that stands out against the warm grasslands at dusk.
Unlock Quest Overview
Like the other Great Fairies, Kaysa requires the Stable Trotters band to perform a serenade. You must help transport a specific musician and their instrument to Kaysa's fountain near Tabantha Bridge Stable. The musician stationed here is a percussionist who has become stranded after her wagon wheel broke. She needs a replacement vehicle to carry her drum set to the fountain. The terrain between the stable and the fountain is mostly flat with light rolling hills, making this one of the more forgiving transport challenges in the serenade series -- ideal as a second fairy unlock.
Nearby Locations
Tips
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The terrain around Tabantha Bridge Stable is mostly flat with light hills, making the vehicle transport quest here one of the easier ones in the serenade series. A basic two-fan cart with a steering stick completes the quest in under two minutes.
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Kaysa is a natural second fairy to unlock -- the Tabantha region has numerous shrines, Rito Village nearby for restocking, and the Glide Armor sold at Rito Village which unlocks its full set bonus at tier 2.
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After unlocking two Great Fairies (any two), Tier 2 upgrades become available at all unlocked fountains simultaneously. Time your second unlock for when you have materials ready for multiple tier 2 upgrades.
Mija
Unlock Quest
Serenade to Mija
Located near Snowfield Stable in the frigid Tabantha Tundra region, far northwest of Hyrule. Mija's fountain is nestled in the snowy landscape near the stable at surface coordinates approximately (-3138, 2553). Cold resistance is required to survive the area -- equip Snowquill Armor or cook cold-resistant meals before visiting. The fountain itself is partially frozen over during Link's arrival, which underscores the severity of the cold in this region. Her flower bud is dusted with snow and surrounded by frost-covered ferns. The isolation of this location -- far from any major settlement -- makes Mija the most remote and challenging Great Fairy to reach, but the reward (tier 3 unlock) is proportional to the effort.
Unlock Quest Overview
Mija requires the Stable Trotters to perform a serenade at her frozen fountain. The challenge here is transporting a musician through the harsh snowfield terrain, where cold, ice, and deeply uneven ground make vehicle construction more demanding than the earlier quests. The musician at Snowfield Stable is a violinist who keeps his instrument packed away in a padded case -- he refuses to walk through the snowfield on foot. The vehicle you build must handle ice patches that send wheeled platforms skidding, and frozen slopes that tilt an unstable craft off course. This is widely considered the hardest of the four transport challenges.
Nearby Locations
Tips
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Cold resistance is mandatory. Equip at least two pieces of Snowquill Armor or cook Spicy Pepper + Meat meals for Level 2 cold resistance before entering the Tabantha Tundra. Level 1 resistance is not enough for the deeper tundra near Mija's fountain.
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Sleds work far better than wheeled vehicles on ice and snow. Use a flat rectangular board as your base with two fans mounted at the rear. The smooth underside glides over ice patches that would send wheeled vehicles spinning sideways.
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Mija is often the third fairy players unlock due to the remote, harsh location. Plan your route from Rito Village or Tabantha Bridge Stable -- both offer supply restocking before the northern trek.
Cotera
Unlock Quest
Serenade to Cotera
Located on a hill above Kakariko Village in the Necluda region at surface coordinates approximately (1848, -977). Cotera's fountain sits at the top of a wooded hillside path, past the Goddess Statue and up the trail behind the village. Kakariko Village is a safe, central location with shops, side quests, inn services, and story connections -- making Cotera the most accessible Great Fairy for players who prioritize story progression. The path to her fountain winds through dense forest behind the village, and the bud itself rests in a natural stone hollow filled with warm golden light. Players who completed Breath of the Wild will recognize this location instantly -- Cotera has tended this hillside for generations.
Unlock Quest Overview
Cotera requires the Stable Trotters to serenade her fountain above Kakariko Village. The transport challenge here involves navigating steep hillside terrain around the village and getting a musician -- a flutist who carries a large frame harp -- up the winding path to the fountain above. The harp is too bulky to carry up the trail by hand, requiring a vehicle. The hill path has multiple tight switchback corners and a steep final approach section where standard wheeled vehicles tend to flip. This is considered a moderate-difficulty transport challenge -- easier than Mija's snowfield but harder than Kaysa's flat meadow.
Nearby Locations
Tips
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Cotera is the most accessible fairy due to Kakariko Village's central location and proximity to early-game quests. Players who follow the main story through Lookout Landing and into Kakariko will reach Cotera naturally before most other fairies.
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The hill path to the fountain is steep with two sharp switchbacks. Use fans angled slightly forward and downward -- this gives better hill-climbing thrust. Alternatively, attach a rocket booster for the final steep section and let it fire on the incline.
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Kakariko Village has a shop (arrows, materials), an inn (heart recovery), a dye shop (armor color customization), and the Goddess Statue (Heart Container exchange). Stock up on supplies while visiting Cotera rather than making a separate trip.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many Great Fairy Fountains are in Tears of the Kingdom?
There are 4 Great Fairy Fountains: Tera (near Woodland Stable), Mija (near Snowfield Stable), Cotera (near Dueling Peaks Stable), and Kaysa (near Outskirt Stable). Each must be unlocked by bringing a musician to their fountain.
How do I unlock Great Fairies in TotK?
Unlike BOTW where you pay rupees, in TotK you must complete side quests involving the Stable Trotters musicians. Find each musician at various stables and escort them (or their instruments) to the corresponding Great Fairy Fountain.
What do Great Fairies do?
Great Fairies upgrade your armor. Each fairy can upgrade armor one tier higher than the previous (up to 4 star). Higher tiers require rarer materials. Fully upgrading a set often unlocks a set bonus like cold resistance or stealth.
What order should I unlock Great Fairies?
Tera near Woodland Stable is the easiest to unlock first. Then Cotera near Dueling Peaks. The order matters because each successive fairy unlocks a higher upgrade tier (1-star, 2-star, 3-star, 4-star).
