One of the first objectives in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is also one of its most memorable: before Link can answer the call to visit the Great Deku Tree, he must prove that he is prepared to leave Kokiri Forest. That means obtaining two essential pieces of starter equipment, the Kokiri Sword and the Deku Shield.
It is an early tutorial in the truest Zelda sense. The game does not simply hand Link a weapon and defensive gear. Instead, it asks players to explore the village, notice points of interest, gather currency, and overcome a small environmental hazard. The process is straightforward once you know where to look, but a first visit to Kokiri Forest can make the requirements feel more mysterious than they really are.
This guide explains exactly where to find the Kokiri Sword, how to safely reach its chest, where to buy the Deku Shield, and the easiest ways to collect the 40 Rupees needed for the purchase. With both items equipped, Link can finally proceed toward the Great Deku Tree and begin his adventure in earnest.
Why You Need Both Items Before Leaving Kokiri Forest
Link is initially told to go see the Great Deku Tree, but the route is blocked by Mido, who will not let him pass while he is unarmed and unequipped. The condition is simple: acquire a sword and a shield.
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The two requirements are handled differently. The Kokiri Sword is discovered in a hidden training area and costs nothing, though getting to its treasure chest requires navigating around a rolling boulder. The Deku Shield, meanwhile, is sold in Kokiri Forest's shop for 40 Rupees. Players therefore need to explore the village not just for direction, but also to build up enough money.
This division gives the opening a useful rhythm. First, seek out the sword and learn how movement and environmental threats work. Then, investigate the forest, interact with objects, and gather enough Rupees to buy the shield. Neither task is especially long, but both establish habits that remain valuable throughout the game.
Where to Find the Kokiri Sword
The Kokiri Sword is located in the southwest area of Kokiri Forest Village. Head toward the training ground near the practice dummies and look for a low tunnel that Link can crawl through. It is easy to overlook if you are only watching for doors and larger pathways, so pay attention to the ground-level opening beside the training space.
Crawl through that tunnel to reach a small enclosed area containing the sword chest. The chest is visible on a raised central platform, but there is a catch: a large circular boulder continually rolls around the platform's perimeter. Running straight for the treasure is likely to put Link in the boulder's path.
How to Get Past the Rolling Boulder
The safest approach is to move around the outer edge of the arena and use the recessed alcoves along the route as cover. Let the boulder pass before moving on to the next safe space. There is no need to rush; this is a patience test rather than a race.
- Enter the crawling tunnel in the southwest training area.
- Watch the boulder's movement before stepping into its route.
- Travel around the outside of the raised platform.
- Use the wall alcoves to wait safely whenever the boulder approaches.
- Continue until you reach the ladder on the opposite side.
Climb the ladder at the far end of the area. From the upper platform, Link can jump down onto the raised section where the chest is waiting. Open it to receive the Kokiri Sword, Link's first weapon.
Once it is obtained, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the sword controls and target practice area back in the village. The Kokiri Sword will be important immediately, but it is also the first step in a much broader equipment journey. At this stage, however, the priority is simply showing Mido that Link is no longer arriving empty-handed.
Where to Buy the Deku Shield
The Deku Shield is available from the shop in the middle of Kokiri Forest. The store sits opposite Link's treehouse, making it one of the village's more recognizable buildings once you know its location. Speak with the shop owner and purchase the wooden shield for 40 Rupees.
If you already have enough Rupees from exploring, this is an immediate purchase. If you do not, there is no need to travel anywhere beyond the village. Kokiri Forest contains more than enough hidden and easily collected currency to meet the price.
Buying the shield completes the gear check that prevents Link from continuing toward the Great Deku Tree. Make sure it is in your inventory before returning to Mido, as merely finding the sword will not be sufficient.
How to Get 40 Rupees Quickly
Kokiri Forest is filled with small opportunities to collect Rupees, and the best method is to combine several simple activities rather than hunt for one large payout. Search inside buildings, inspect the environment, and revisit areas after gaining the Kokiri Sword if necessary.
Search Mido's House
Mido's House is in the northwest part of the village, near the boy attempting to lift rocks. Inside are four treasure chests containing Rupees. This is one of the fastest and most reliable early sources of money, so it should be among the first places to visit if the shop's 40-Rupee price seems out of reach.
Whenever a Zelda area has an accessible house, it is worth checking thoroughly. The opening village uses Mido's House to gently teach that interiors can contain practical rewards, not just characters and scenery.
Lift Plants and Rocks
Many interactive plants and rocks around the village can be lifted and thrown. Rupees may be hidden underneath them, so do not treat these objects as decoration. Pick them up, move them aside, and see what is below.
This is another early lesson that carries through the adventure: physical interaction often reveals rewards. A suspicious rock, a breakable object, or a movable plant can be the difference between passing by an empty-looking location and finding a helpful item.
Roll Into Small Trees
Link can roll into small trees to shake Rupees loose from their leaves. It is a quick technique, and the village has enough trees to make it worthwhile while you are moving between the sword area, Mido's House, the shop, and the pond.
Do not expect every tree to solve your money problem by itself. The point is to build your total steadily. A few Rupees from trees, several from chests, and more from the environment will comfortably add up to the shield's cost.
Check the Village Pond
The pond in Kokiri Forest also contains Rupees. Swim down and search the water rather than only circling its surface. This can be especially useful if you are just a few Rupees short after checking the houses and nearby objects.
The pond rewards curiosity and reinforces that exploration is not limited to land. As the adventure continues, water will become increasingly important for secrets, routes, puzzles, and collectible items, making this a helpful early reminder to inspect every layer of an area.
Collect the Rupee in the Sword Arena
The arena where the Kokiri Sword is found includes a 5-Rupee gem. Since you are already visiting that location for the sword, be sure to pick it up as part of the trip. It is an easy reward to miss if you focus only on the treasure chest and immediately leave after obtaining the weapon.
A Simple Early-Game Route
If you want to finish the opening objective with minimal backtracking, start by heading to the southwest training area and collecting the Kokiri Sword. Grab the 5-Rupee gem in the boulder arena while you are there. After returning to the main village, visit Mido's House in the northwest and open all four chests.
From there, interact with plants, rocks, and small trees as you move through Kokiri Forest. Check the pond for underwater Rupees, then visit the shop opposite Link's treehouse when your total reaches 40. Purchase the Deku Shield, equip your new gear, and return to Mido's position.
- Find the southwest crawlspace beside the training dummies.
- Use the alcoves to avoid the rolling boulder and obtain the Kokiri Sword.
- Take the 5-Rupee gem from the sword area.
- Open the four Rupee chests inside Mido's House.
- Search beneath plants and rocks, roll into trees, and check the pond.
- Buy the Deku Shield from the village shop for 40 Rupees.
- Return to the path leading toward the Great Deku Tree.
Remember: The Deku Shield Is Wooden
The Deku Shield is an important first defensive tool, but it comes with a significant weakness: it is made of wood and can burn. If it takes fire damage, it can be destroyed permanently. That does not end the adventure or lock you out of progress, but it does mean you will need to buy a replacement from the Kokiri Forest shop for another 40 Rupees.
For that reason, avoid treating the shield as indestructible. Be mindful around flames and fire-based hazards, particularly during the early portions of the quest when Rupees can feel more limited. If the shield does burn, return to the shop once you have collected enough money to replace it.
Later in the adventure, Link can obtain metal shields that do not share this flammability problem. Until then, the Deku Shield remains both a requirement for entering the Great Deku Tree and a useful reminder that Zelda equipment can have strengths, weaknesses, and specific uses.
Ready for the Great Deku Tree
With the Kokiri Sword in hand and the Deku Shield purchased, the first major obstacle in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is complete. What initially seems like a simple errand has quietly introduced the fundamentals of exploration, environmental interaction, currency collection, platform navigation, and equipment management.
Return to Mido after collecting both items, then continue toward the Great Deku Tree. The adventure's first dungeon awaits, and Link is finally equipped to take his first real steps beyond the safety of Kokiri Forest.
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