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The Hyrule Compendium in Breath of the Wild may bring to mind the Pictographs and Nintendo Gallery from Wind Waker. Players can track materials by registering photos to the compendium. Those just starting BotW may notice that the Sheikah Slate is equipped with four runes. The Camera Rune and the upgraded Sheikah Sensor will require some work.
Players will want to snap a picture of every monster - bosses included - in Breath of the Wild, but only if they want to complete the Hyrule Compendium. Some monsters can't be fought again, which means if Link didn't get their picture, they're gone for that playthrough. However, their picture can still be registered in the compendium at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab.
Where is Hateno Ancient Tech Lab?
Upon leaving the Great Plateau, players will be pushed to visit Impa in Kakariko Village. Doing so will then direct them to the Ancient Tech Lab in Hateno Village. This lies just beyond Fort Hateno, which is east of Dueling Peaks Stable. Along the path, players will see the Hateno Tower. While it's not a requirement, it's recommended to climb and Activate the Tower in order to make the East Necluda visible on the map.
In Hateno Village, there's the Myahm Agana Shrine. Activate this to unlock the village's Travel Point, then start climbing the path up the cliff. At the summit, players will find the Ancient Tech Lab.
Upgrading the Sheikah Sensor
Before players can upgrade and unlock Sheikah Slate functions, they'll need to light the forge of the Ancient Tech Lab. Look down from the Tech Lab hill for a forge with a blue fire. Players will need a torch or wooden weapon for this next part. Glide on down to the forge and light the torch. Look around, and there will be stone lanterns leading through Hateno Village and back up to the lab.
Players don't need to light every lantern, but they'll want to light some of them to prevent the flame from going out. Also, the blue fire is not waterproof, so it will go out if it rains . If this happens, rest at the inn or start a fire where it isn't raining (such as indoors) and wait until morning/noon/night.
Light the forge at the Ancient Tech Lab, then go inside and speak to Purah. She'll be able to unlock the Camera Rune for Link as well as the photo album. The album is connected to the Locked Mementos main quest, but worry about that later. For now, speak to Purah again to upgrade the Sheikah Sensor to the Sheikah Sensor+. This upgrade requires three Ancient Screws, which can be farmed from Guardians including "dead" Guardians. "Dead" Guardians can be found in Fort Hateno and even at the Temple of Time.
How to Unlock Compendium Photos
Once players have the Sheikah Sensor+, speak to Purah's assistant, Symin, and get the "Sunshroom Sensing" side quest. Players will need to take a picture of the Sunshroom growing out back, and show it to Symin. From there, go to the Retsam Forest (north of the Tech Lab) and gather three Sunshrooms. Return to Symin to complete "Sunshroom Sensing."
Talk to Symin once more to start the walkthrough in. Follow along with the prompts, and a photo will be added to the Hyrule Compendium. As Purah says, this photo is free, so if Link wants another photo from Symin, he'll need to pay up. Unfortunately for those that didn't get photos during boss fights, this is the only way to complete the Compendium.Some photos are only available after clearing "Destroy Ganon" main quest. These include the Ganon Blights, Master Kohga, Calamity Ganon, and Dark Beast Ganon.
After Ganon has been defeated, save and then reload the file (it should have a star next to it), then warp back to Hateno Ancient Tech Lab. Every Elite Photo should be available now.
Every Picture and Their Price
There are five categories of pictures. Each one of them is 100 Rupees with the Elite Enemy Pictures costing 500 Rupees. The main ones to focus on here are the Elite Enemy Pictures since they're the easiest to miss. Pictures in different categories (ex: Other Picture) can be taken just about anywhere, any time.
Are Elite Enemy Pictures Worth Buying?
Elite Enemy Pictures are really only worth the 500 Rupees a piece if players want to complete the Compendium. The Blights and other bosses can't be tracked with the Sheikah Sensor. Furthermore, the reward for completing the Hyrule Compendium is the Classified Envelope Key Item. It has just as much use as Hestu's reward for the Korok Seeds.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is available for Nintendo Switch.