Characters & Unlocks
The characters you can play in Hyrule Warriors are called warriors. The Wii U game started with 13 and grew through free updates and paid packs. The Definitive Edition on Switch has all 29, and on 3DS Hyrule Warriors Legends has them all with its own downloadable packs. Each warrior fights with one or more weapon types, and every weapon type has its own moves, so a warrior with three weapons plays like three different characters.
On Wii U, most of the original cast join you as you work through Legend Mode. The rest are won in Adventure Mode or came with updates and downloadable packs. On Switch, all 17 warriors from the original Wii U release are ready as soon as you clear the first scenario, The Armies of Ruin, and the later additions are won in Adventure Mode or the newer Legend Mode stories.
The Original Cast 17
| Warrior | Weapons | How to get them on Wii U |
|---|---|---|
| Link A trainee in Hyrule's army | Hylian Sword, Magic Rod, Great Fairy, Gauntlets, Horse, Spinner, Master Sword | Playable from the start |
| Impa Hyrule's general | Giant Blade, Naginata | Clear The Armies of Ruin |
| Sheik Ocarina of Time | Harp | Clear The Sheikah Tribesman |
| Lana New in Hyrule Warriors | Book of Sorcery, Spear, Summoning Gate | Clear The Sorceress of the Woods |
| Fi Skyward Sword | Goddess Blade | Clear Land in the Sky |
| Darunia Ocarina of Time | Hammer | Clear Land of Myth |
| Zelda Princess of Hyrule | Rapier, Baton, Dominion Rod | Clear The Water Temple |
| Midna Twilight Princess | Shackle | Clear Land of Twilight |
| Ganondorf Ocarina of Time / Twilight Princess | Great Swords, Trident | Clear Shining Beacon |
| Ruto Ocarina of Time | Zora Scale | Adventure Mode |
| Agitha Twilight Princess | Parasol | Adventure Mode |
| Ghirahim Skyward Sword | Demon Blade | Adventure Mode |
| Zant Twilight Princess | Scimitars | Adventure Mode |
| Cia New in Hyrule Warriors | Scepter | Made playable by the free version 1.3 update |
| Volga New in Hyrule Warriors | Dragon Spear | Made playable by the free version 1.3 update |
| Wizzro New in Hyrule Warriors | Ring | Made playable by the free version 1.3 update |
| Twili Midna Twilight Princess | Mirror | Twilight Princess Pack. On 3DS: Adventure Map, battle A16. On Switch: Adventure Map, battle C6. |
Later Additions 12
These warriors came with downloadable packs, free updates or Hyrule Warriors Legends. On Wii U, the five Legends characters came with the paid Legends Character Pack, or with a code included in the 3DS game.
| Warrior | Weapons | How to get them |
|---|---|---|
| Young Link Majora's Mask | Mask | Wii U: Majora's Mask Pack. 3DS: Adventure Map, battle B1. Switch: Adventure Map, battle G9. |
| Tingle Majora's Mask | Balloon | Wii U: Majora's Mask Pack. 3DS and Switch: Adventure Map. |
| Linkle New in Legends | Crossbows, Boots | 3DS and Switch: Linkle's Tale in Legend Mode, which opens after The Sorceress of the Woods. |
| Skull Kid Majora's Mask | Ocarina | 3DS and Switch: Adventure Map. |
| Toon Link The Wind Waker | Light Sword, Sand Wand | 3DS: Adventure Map, battle G9. Switch: Great Sea Map, battle B9. |
| Tetra The Wind Waker | Cutlass | 3DS and Switch: clear The Search for Cia. On Switch you can also win her on the Great Sea Map, battle C11. |
| King Daphnes The Wind Waker | Sail | 3DS and Switch: clear Reclaiming the Darkness. On Switch you can also win him on the Great Sea Map, battle C13. |
| Medli The Wind Waker | Rito Harp | A free update (version 1.9 on Wii U, 1.3 on 3DS). Switch: Great Sea Map, battle B8. |
| Marin Link's Awakening | Bell | Wii U and 3DS: Link's Awakening Pack. Switch: Koholint Island Map. |
| Toon Zelda Spirit Tracks | Phantom Arms | Wii U and 3DS: Phantom Hourglass & Spirit Tracks Pack. Switch: Grand Travels Map, battle F11. |
| Ravio A Link Between Worlds | Rental Hammer | Wii U and 3DS: A Link Between Worlds Pack. Switch: Lorule Map. |
| Yuga A Link Between Worlds | Picture Frame | Wii U and 3DS: A Link Between Worlds Pack. Switch: Lorule Map, battle H11. |
Challenge Mode Only
On Wii U and Switch, two more characters can be played, but only in their own Challenge Mode battles. Ganon stars in Ganon's Fury, where you stomp across the battlefield as the giant beast, and a Cucco stars in Cucco's Fury. Neither mode is in Hyrule Warriors Legends, which has no Challenge Mode.
Making Warriors Stronger
- Levels: warriors level up by fighting. At the Training Dojo you can also buy levels with Rupees.
- Hearts: each warrior has their own Heart Containers and Pieces of Heart to find. See Heart Containers & Pieces of Heart.
- Badges: made at the Badge Market from materials dropped in battle. They add new combo moves and other boosts.
- Weapons: each weapon type has stronger versions to find. A weapon also comes with skills, and the Smithy can move a skill from one weapon to another by melting down the first.