The Depths
An entire underground world mirroring Hyrule's surface. 124 Lightroots, ancient ruins, Zonaite deposits, and Gloom around every corner. This guide covers everything you need to survive and thrive underground.
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Gloom Warning
Gloom permanently reduces your heart containers until cured. You CANNOT heal Gloom with regular food — only Sunny meals (cooked with Sundelion or Sun Pumpkin) restore gloom-damaged hearts. Stock 5+ Sunny meals before every Depths run.
124
Lightroots
One under each Surface shrine
120+
Chasms
Entry points from the surface
~500m
Depth
Below Hyrule surface level
3
Poe types
Small (1), Mid (5), Large (20)
Lightroot Directory
Browse all 124 Lightroots with mirror shrine links, coordinates, and nearby points of interest.
→
Great Abandoned Central Mine
Depths Exploration Guide
Lightroots
Nogukoyk Lightroot
Stakijat Lightroot
Iayusus Lightroot
Hazards
Gloom pools
Frox boss
Gloom Hands
Maren's Tips
•
Activate nearby Lightroots first for fast travel escape routes
•
Bring at least 5 Sunny meals — Gloom is everywhere
•
Use Brightbloom Seeds to light the path and spot Poes
Gloom Guard
Dense gloom coverage — prepare well
Protection
Recovery
+
Cook Sundelion or Sun Pumpkin to make Sunny meals
+
Return to a Lightroot — standing in its light gradually heals Gloom
+
Surface sunlight also restores Gloom-damaged hearts over time
Depths Enemies — Loot Drops
| Item | Chance | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Zonaite | Common | Mine deposits or defeat constructs |
| Large Zonaite | Uncommon | Rare deposit or Frox reward |
| Poe (Small) | Common | Found near ruins and paths |
| Poe (Large) | Rare | Near boss arenas and deep landmarks |
| Dark Clump | Uncommon | Dropped by Gloom Hands |
| Demon King's Bow | Rare | Phantom Ganon defeat |
— Maren's Loot Notes
Survival Guide
Enter Through Chasms
Chasms are found all across Hyrule's surface — dark holes that drop you into the Depths. There are 120+ chasms. The easiest entry point is the Hyrule Castle Chasm near Lookout Landing.
Brightbloom Seeds Light the Way
The Depths are completely dark. Throw Brightbloom Seeds (found on Sky Islands and in caves) to illuminate areas temporarily. Giant Brightbloom Seeds create large sustained light sources. Always carry 20+.
Stick to Lightroot Paths
Lightroots are directly below Surface Shrines. Use your Surface map to predict Lightroot locations, then navigate the Depths toward those coordinates. The Depths map mirrors the Surface map exactly.
Gloom Is Permanent Until Cured
Gloom damage reduces your maximum hearts until you eat a Sunny meal (cooked with Sundelion or Sun Pumpkin) or visit a surface area. Never go into the Depths without Sunny food stockpiled.
Mine Zonaite Deposits Everywhere
The Depths are covered in Zonaite ore — the material used to upgrade your Energy Cell at Great Abandoned Central Mine. Mining Zonaite is the primary reason to explore the Depths regularly.
Poes for Bargainer Statues
Poes are blue ghost collectibles only found in the Depths. Bring them to Bargainer Statues (stone statues scattered through the Depths) to buy exclusive armor sets like the Depths armor and Mystic armor.
Great Abandoned Central Mine
The central hub of the Depths. Bring Crystallized Charges (made from Zonaite at a forge) to upgrade your Energy Cell here, increasing your Zonai device capacity significantly.
Ancient Ruins Contain Chests
Every major ruin structure in the Depths contains treasure chests with Zonaite, gems, and occasionally unique equipment. Explore every ruin complex you find.
Ascend Is Your Emergency Exit
If overwhelmed by enemies, look up. Ascend can save your life by launching you through ceilings to higher platforms or even back to the surface if the ceiling is thin enough.
Autobuild Vehicles for Exploration
Build vehicles with headlights (Beam Emitter + cart) to explore the Depths efficiently. Save your best vehicle designs in Autobuild history for quick deployment anywhere.
Mark Everything on Your Map
Use map stamps liberally — mark Bargainer Statues, Large Poe locations, Frox arenas, Yiga hideouts, and Zonaite deposits. The Depths are massive and getting lost is easy.
Stockpile Fairies Before Diving
Fairies auto-revive you upon death. Always carry 3-4 fairies when exploring the Depths. Combined with Sunny meals, this gives you maximum survivability underground.
Shield Surf for Speed
The Depths have vast flat areas perfect for shield surfing. Fuse a Zonai Spring to your shield for extra jump height, or a Zonai Cart wheel for smoother surfaces. Shield surfing is often faster than running.
Manage Your Battery Wisely
Zonai devices consume battery power. Build efficient vehicles — a single fan is enough for flat ground travel. Save multi-fan builds for vertical ascents. Carry Zonai Charges for emergencies.
The Depths Mirror the Surface
The Depths map is an exact inversion of the Surface. Mountains on the Surface become chasms below. Lakes become elevated plateaus. Use this knowledge to predict terrain and find hidden paths.
Cook Sunny Meals in Bulk
Before any Depths run, cook at least 5 Sunny Veggie meals (Sundelion + any vegetable). These fully restore Gloom-damaged hearts. Sun Pumpkins work too but are rarer.
Use Sensor+ for Treasure
Configure your Sensor+ to detect treasure chests. The Depths are loaded with hidden chests in ruins, behind rocks, and inside enemy camps. The Sensor beep saves hours of searching.
Farm Frox for Zonaite
Frox are massive frog-like bosses with ore on their backs. Defeat them to mine Zonaite directly from their backs. Obsidian Frox drop the best rewards. Each Frox respawns after a Blood Moon.
Avoid or Fight Gloom Hands
Gloom Hands are terrifying but avoidable — sprint and paraglide away. If you fight, use bomb arrows from elevation. Defeating all five hands spawns Phantom Ganon who drops excellent weapons.
Stalnox Eye Is the Target
Stalnox (skeleton Hinox) roam the Depths at night cycles. Shoot their eye to stagger them, then attack the dropped eyeball on the ground. Repeat until defeated. They drop powerful weapons.
Constructs Guard Zonai Sites
Zonai Constructs are robotic enemies guarding mines and ruins. Captain Constructs are tough — use Fuse weapons with high damage. Flux Constructs are puzzle bosses requiring you to attack their core block.
No Shrines Below — Only Lightroots
There are no Shrines in the Depths. Lightroots serve the same purpose — each one acts as a fast travel point and illuminates the surrounding area. There are 120 lightroots matching 120 shrines.
Horses Cannot Enter the Depths
Your horse cannot follow you underground. Build Zonai vehicles as your Depths transportation. A simple sled with two fans and a steering stick is the most efficient basic vehicle.
Prioritize Depths Armor Early
Buy the Dark armor set from Bargainer Statues as soon as possible. The Gloom Resistance bonus reduces Gloom heart damage significantly. Upgrade it at Great Fairy Fountains for maximum protection.
Zonaite Respawns on Blood Moon
All Zonaite ore deposits respawn after each Blood Moon. Mark rich Zonaite veins on your map and revisit them regularly. The Great Abandoned Central Mine area has the densest deposits.
Miner Armor Glows in Darkness
The Miner armor set provides a natural glow in the Depths, reducing your dependency on Brightbloom Seeds. Find pieces in Depths treasure chests. The full set bonus adds a powerful area light.
Gloom Lynels Are the Toughest
Silver and Gloom Lynels patrol the Depths. They are among the hardest enemies in the game. Their Gloom attacks permanently reduce hearts. Only fight prepared — full armor upgrades and many Sunny meals.
Yiga Clan Use Disguises Below
Yiga Clan members in the Depths sometimes disguise as travelers or stationary NPCs. Approach cautiously — if someone seems out of place underground, they are likely Yiga. They drop Mighty Bananas when defeated.
Choose Your Chasm Wisely
Not all chasms lead to the same area. Check the Surface map for chasms near your Depths target. Some chasms have updrafts for safe descent while others are sheer drops requiring careful paragliding.
No Cooking Fires in the Depths
There are no permanent cooking fires in the Depths. Bring a Portable Pot Zonai device or cook all meals on the Surface before descending. Always carry at least 10 cooked meals.
Use Recall on Falling Rocks
Some Depths enemies throw boulders or rocks. Use Recall to send them back for massive damage. This works especially well against Stone Talus variants found underground.
Large Poes Near Boss Arenas
Large Poes (worth 20 each) are almost always found near boss arenas, behind Frox encounters, and at dead-end tunnels. After defeating a boss, always explore the surrounding area for Large Poes.
Full Depths Map Grants a Reward
Activating all 120 Lightroots fully illuminates the Depths map. This achievement is tracked separately from Surface completion. A complete Depths map makes resource farming significantly easier.
Stamina Matters More Than Hearts
In the Depths, vertical mobility is critical — climbing out of chasms, paragliding across gaps, and reaching elevated platforms. Extra stamina wheels are often more valuable than extra hearts underground.
Elemental Weapons Shine Below
Fire, ice, and electric fused weapons are extremely effective in the Depths. Fire weapons light up dark areas and deal bonus damage to ice enemies. Electric weapons stun groups. Ice weapons freeze Gloom-resistant foes.
Conserve Arrows Underground
Arrow supplies are limited in the Depths with no shops nearby. Use melee weapons for standard enemies and save arrows for Keese swarms, Gloom Hands, and boss weak points. Fuse Keese Eyeballs for homing arrows.
Bomb Flowers for Efficient Mining
Bomb Flower arrows destroy multiple Zonaite ore deposits at once. One well-placed shot can break a cluster of 4-5 deposits simultaneously. Stock up on Bomb Flowers from caves and Bargainer Statues.
Bring Sage Companions Below
Your Sage companions work in the Depths. Tulin gust clears small enemies and extinguishes flames. Yunobo charge breaks ore deposits. Sidon water shield protects against Gloom. Use them strategically.
Gloom Mechanics
Gloom is the defining hazard of the Depths. Understanding its mechanics is critical for survival.
Permanent Heart Reduction
Gloom damage reduces your maximum heart containers. These lost hearts appear as cracked, darkened hearts in your health bar. Regular food and healing items cannot restore them.
Counter: Cook Sunny meals using Sundelion, Sun Pumpkin, or other Sun-prefix ingredients. Alternatively, return to the surface — standing in sunlight gradually restores Gloom-damaged hearts.
Gloom Pools
Dark purple pools covering the ground in many Depths areas. Standing in a Gloom pool continuously drains hearts and reduces max health. Pools cannot be destroyed or removed.
Counter: Jump over narrow pools. For large pools, build bridges using Ultrahand or use Ascend on nearby ceilings. Brightbloom Seeds do NOT dispel Gloom pools.
Gloom-Infused Weapons
Weapons dropped by Phantom Ganon and found near Gloom concentrations. These deal bonus damage to enemies but also reduce Link's max hearts with every few swings.
Counter: Use Gloom weapons strategically — they are powerful but self-damaging. Best reserved for boss fights where the extra damage justifies the health cost. Keep Sunny meals ready.
Gloom Hands Encounter
Five crawling hands that emerge from Gloom pools. They pursue Link relentlessly and inflict massive Gloom damage on contact. Defeating all five spawns Phantom Ganon.
Counter: Use ranged attacks (arrows fused with Brightbloom Seeds or elemental materials). Stay elevated on platforms or use Ascend to escape. Fire attacks and bomb arrows are effective.
Gloom Resistance
Certain armor pieces provide Gloom Resistance, reducing the rate at which Gloom damage accumulates. The Depths armor set from Bargainer Statues provides this.
Counter: Acquire the Depths armor set (Dark Hood, Dark Tunic, Dark Trousers) from Bargainer Statues. Upgrade at Great Fairy Fountains for enhanced Gloom Resistance.
Gloom Spawn Points
Certain areas in the Depths generate Gloom continuously. These are marked by a pulsing purple glow and tend to be near boss encounters or story-relevant locations.
Counter: Avoid lingering near spawn points. Clear the area quickly or find alternate routes. Lightroots near spawn points are high-priority activations.
Poe Collection Guide
Poes are the primary currency of the Depths. Collect them and trade at Bargainer Statues for exclusive gear.
Small Poe
Tiny blue wisp floating close to the ground. Faint glow, easy to miss in darkness.
The most common Poe type. Always throw a Brightbloom Seed ahead — small Poes hide in clusters of 3-5 and are easy to walk past in the dark.
Found near:
Medium Poe
Larger blue flame with a distinct swirling pattern. Visible from moderate distance.
Worth 5 small Poes each. Found in less-traveled areas — explore side passages and climb ruins to find them. They do not respawn after collection until a Blood Moon.
Found near:
Large Poe
Massive blue-white flame visible from great distances. Unmistakable glow even in complete darkness.
Worth 20 small Poes. These are rare — only about 40 exist across the entire Depths. Mark their locations on your map when spotted. Always investigate large open caverns and behind boss encounters.
Found near:
Bargainer Statues
Trade Poes at these statues for exclusive armor, weapons, and materials. There are 8 statues across the Depths.
Lookout Landing Bargainer Statue
Lookout Landing (Surface) • Central Hyrule
(-246, 89, 23)
Items for sale:
Dark Tunic
Armor
Dark Trousers
Armor
Dark Hood
Armor
Speak to the statue after completing the Lookout Landing tutorial area.
Great Abandoned Central Mine Statue
Great Abandoned Central Mine • Central Depths
(-805, -573, -503)
Items for sale:
Mystic Headpiece
Armor
Mystic Robe
Armor
Mystic Trousers
Armor
Poe
Currency
Reach the Great Abandoned Central Mine in the Central Depths.
Akkala Depths Bargainer Statue
Eastern Akkala Depths • Akkala Depths
(3450, 2830, -540)
Items for sale:
Tunic of Memories
Armor
Bomb Flower x5
Material
Discover and approach the statue in the eastern Akkala Depths. Requires navigating through enemy territory.
Gerudo Depths Bargainer Statue
Deep Gerudo Depths • Gerudo Depths
(-3800, -1400, -518)
Items for sale:
Tunic of the Depths
Armor
Muddle Bud x3
Material
Navigate to the deep Gerudo Depths. One of the harder statues to reach due to Gloom concentration.
Hebra Depths Bargainer Statue
Northern Hebra Depths • Hebra Depths
(-1600, 2800, -528)
Items for sale:
Dark Clump x3
Material
Giant Brightbloom Seed x3
Material
Reach the northern Hebra Depths through the Hebra region chasms.
Eldin Depths Bargainer Statue
Beneath Death Mountain • Eldin Depths
(1700, 2200, -485)
Items for sale:
Gloom Sword
Weapon
Sundelion x3
Material
Navigate the treacherous Eldin Depths with heat-resistant gear.
Lanayru Depths Bargainer Statue
Beneath Zora's Domain • Lanayru Depths
(2800, 650, -508)
Items for sale:
Gloom Spear
Weapon
Brightbloom Seed x10
Material
Access via the Lanayru region chasms near Zora's Domain.
Faron Depths Bargainer Statue
Southern Faron Depths • Faron Depths
(1200, -2800, -500)
Items for sale:
Gloom Club
Weapon
Puffshroom x5
Material
Explore the Faron Depths through the southern chasms.
Yiga Clan Hideouts
The Yiga Clan operates multiple outposts and fortresses throughout the Depths. Clearing them yields valuable loot.
Central Depths Yiga Forward Base
Central Depths
A medium-sized Yiga encampment built around a central command tent in the Central Depths. Lookout posts flank the entrance, and Yiga members patrol in pairs with coordinated routes. They deploy Decoy Owls as early warning traps — destroy or avoid them before engaging. Multiple supply crates hold weapons and materials worth looting after clearing the camp.
Enemies
Loot
Akkala Depths Yiga Outpost
Akkala Depths
A heavily fortified multi-level Yiga stronghold in the Akkala Depths. Archers are positioned on elevated platforms with overlapping sight lines, making direct assault costly. Stealth is strongly recommended — use Puffshroom smoke screens to advance unseen. Clearing the archers first opens a safe path to the interior supply caches and treasure chests.
Enemies
Loot
Gerudo Depths Yiga Fortress
Gerudo Depths
The largest Yiga stronghold in the Depths. Multi-room fortress with traps, pit falls, and a Yiga Master boss. Clearing it yields significant rewards including rare weapons.
Enemies
Loot
Hebra Depths Yiga Camp
Hebra Depths
A compact Yiga outpost carved into the frozen Hebra Depths terrain. The extreme cold slows Yiga patrol cycles, creating longer safe windows for stealth movement between cover points. Approach from below using Ascend through the frozen floor. Two interior chests hold rare Depths materials alongside standard Yiga loot drops.
Enemies
Loot
Faron Depths Yiga Supply Depot
Faron Depths
A logistics depot in the Faron Depths supplying weapons and materials to Yiga cells across the region. The main building stores crates that conceal multiple treasure chests — use Ultrahand to shift them and reveal the hidden rewards. The depot commander carries a rare Yiga weapon variant not found elsewhere in the immediate area.
Enemies
Loot
Mining Outposts
Abandoned Zonai mining operations scattered throughout the Depths. Essential for gathering Zonaite and rare materials.
Abandoned Gerudo Mine
Gerudo Depths
A former Zonai mining operation in the Gerudo Depths. Sandy terrain and heat make extended mining runs challenging. Rich in gem deposits alongside standard Zonaite.
Resources
Zonaite (moderate)
Large Zonaite
Topaz
Ruby
Hazards
Molduga-type enemies
Sand traps
Yiga scouts
Abandoned Lanayru Mine
Lanayru Depths
A partially flooded mining complex beneath Lanayru. Known for its Luminous Stone deposits that provide natural lighting. Diamonds can occasionally be found in deeper veins.
Resources
Zonaite (moderate)
Luminous Stone
Sapphire
Diamond (rare)
Hazards
Flooded tunnels
Like Likes
Gloom seepage
Abandoned Eldin Mine
Eldin Depths
A heat-intensive mining operation beneath Death Mountain. Requires flame-resistant armor. The lava provides natural lighting but makes navigation treacherous. Richest Zonaite deposits outside the Central Mine.
Resources
Zonaite (abundant)
Large Zonaite
Ruby
Flint
Hazards
Extreme heat
Lava flows
Fire Keese swarms
Abandoned Akkala Mine
Akkala Depths
An eastern mining outpost with extensive tunnel networks. Partially collapsed sections create a maze-like environment. Amber and Opal deposits supplement standard Zonaite yields.
Resources
Zonaite (moderate)
Large Zonaite
Amber
Opal
Hazards
Stalnox patrols
Collapsed tunnels
Horriblin clusters
Abandoned Hebra Mine
Hebra Depths
A frozen mining operation in the Hebra Depths. Ice formations contain trapped gems visible through the crystal. Extreme cold requires cold-resistant armor or warming meals.
Resources
Zonaite (moderate)
Sapphire
Diamond (very rare)
Ice-crystal formations
Hazards
Freezing temperatures
Ice Keese
Frost Gleeok territory
Key Depths Landmarks
Major points of interest across the Depths. Story locations, boss arenas, and navigation waypoints.
Great Abandoned Central Mine
(-805, -573, -503)
The beating heart of the Depths and the most important location for Zonai device progression. The Great Abandoned Central Mine houses Zonaite forges for smelting ore, Crystal Refineries for converting Crystallized Charges, and the only Energy Cell upgrade station — making it a mandatory destination for players who rely heavily on Zonai devices.
Required visit for Energy Cell upgrades. First major Depths destination for most players.
Gloom Lair (Beneath Hyrule Castle)
(-250, 85, -600)
The deepest point in the Depths, located directly beneath Hyrule Castle. This is where the Demon King was originally sealed and where the story's climax begins.
Central to the main story. Contains the path to the final boss encounter.
Spirit Temple
(-900, -400, -550)
An ancient Zonai sacred site deep in the Depths, directly connected to the Construct Factory above. Central to Mineru's questline — players must complete a series of Construct challenges here to restore Mineru's vehicle body and unlock the fifth Sage ability. Contains the most advanced Zonai machinery found anywhere in the Depths.
Required for unlocking the fifth Sage. Contains unique puzzle mechanics involving Zonai constructs.
Central Frox Arena
(200, -100, -498)
A large open cavern where a standard Frox patrols. These massive frog-like creatures have Zonaite ore growing on their backs and can be mined after defeat.
Frox drop large amounts of Zonaite and rare materials. Farming Frox is one of the best ways to gather Zonaite quickly.
Obsidian Frox Hunting Ground
(-3200, -1600, -516)
Home to the rare Obsidian Frox variant. This harder version drops higher-quality Zonaite and rare gems. The sandy terrain makes the fight more challenging.
Obsidian Frox are the best source of Large Zonaite and rare gems in the Depths.
Abandoned Zonai City
(1600, -2200, -501)
The largest Zonai ruin complex in the entire Depths — a sprawling ghost city of collapsed towers, open plazas, and sealed underground chambers. Dozens of treasure chests are hidden across its multiple levels, many containing Zonaite, Zonai devices, and rare materials. Expect heavy Gloom coverage and multiple enemy patrols throughout the complex.
One of the largest explorable ruins in the Depths. Contains lore about the Zonai civilization and valuable crafting materials.
Depths Coliseum
(-630, -1330, -504)
A subterranean arena that mirrors the Coliseum Ruins on the surface above, but far more dangerous. Multiple tiers of increasingly powerful Gloom-infused enemies occupy each floor, culminating in a Gloom Lynel on the uppermost ring. Defeating all tiers rewards exceptional weapon drops and large quantities of Zonaite.
One of the hardest combat challenges in the Depths. Clearing all tiers yields premium Gloom weapons and rare materials.
Ancient Prison Ruins
(3500, 3000, -538)
Crumbling prison structures from an ancient era. Cells contain trapped enemies that break free when Link approaches. Multiple treasure chests hidden in warden quarters.
Unique dungeon-like experience in the Depths. Contains rare armor and weapon drops.
Phantom Ganon Corridor
(-350, 300, -510)
A haunted Depths corridor where five consecutive Phantom Ganon encounters chain together with no rest between fights. Each Phantom drops the weapons of defeated Sages, making this the only reliable source of multiple sage-weapon drops per Blood Moon cycle. Bring maximum food and swap weapons frequently — Phantom Ganon disarms and shatters blades rapidly.
The ultimate Phantom Ganon challenge. Completing all five yields a full set of Gloom weapons and significant Poe rewards.
Zonai Relay Station
(2200, 900, -506)
A preserved Zonai transit hub with three fully operational mine cart rail lines connecting to distant Depths regions. Once the station's power cores are restored, the carts offer the fastest overland traversal in the Depths — far quicker than building vehicles. Each rail line terminates near a major landmark or Bargainer Statue worth visiting.
Fastest way to travel between Lanayru, Necluda, and Central Depths regions without using lightroot fast travel.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you navigate the Depths in Tears of the Kingdom?
The Depths mirror the surface map of Hyrule — Lightroots are located directly below surface shrines. Use Brightbloom Seeds (throw them ahead) to light your path. Activate Lightroots as fast travel points and to illuminate large areas. The surface map's topography is inverted underground: mountains become valleys and valleys become peaks.
What are Poes and what are they used for?
Poes are glowing blue spirit collectibles found only in the Depths. They come in three sizes: Small (worth 1), Medium (worth 5), and Large (worth 20). Trade them at Bargainer Statues for exclusive armor sets (Dark armor, Mystic armor), weapons, and rare materials you cannot get anywhere else.
How do you light up the Depths?
Three methods: (1) Throw or shoot Brightbloom Seeds to create temporary light sources. Large Brightbloom Seeds illuminate a wider area. (2) Activate Lightroots — each one permanently lights up a large surrounding area and serves as a fast travel point. (3) Fuse Brightbloom Seeds to arrows for long-range illumination. There are 120 Lightroots total to fully illuminate the Depths.
Are there shrines in the Depths?
No, there are no shrines in the Depths. However, there are 120 Lightroots which serve a similar purpose — they act as fast travel waypoints and illuminate the surrounding area. Each Lightroot is located directly below a corresponding surface shrine. The Depths instead contain Bargainer Statues, mining outposts, Yiga Clan hideouts, and boss arenas.
How do you cure Gloom damage in TotK?
Gloom permanently reduces your heart containers until cured. Cook Sunny meals using Sundelion or Sun Pumpkin ingredients — these are the only food items that restore Gloom-damaged hearts. Alternatively, return to the surface and stand in sunlight, or stand near an activated Lightroot to gradually restore Gloom hearts. Always bring 5+ Sunny meals before any Depths expedition.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
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