One of the major game elements that The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom brings back from its predecessor game The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the elaborate resource management system. As players traverse the lands of Hyrule, they’ll find themselves coming across key materials they can collect, sell, or buy.
For beginner players, though, it can be hard to tell whether something is a good deal. A merchant might have something they desperately need, but that doesn’t always mean they should buy it. Plenty of resources can be found in the wild, so here are the ones that players should not waste their Rupees on.
8 Apples
It might seem obvious to the more seasoned Breath of the Wild players, but Apples are one resource players should definitely never buy. For newer players, though, it can be tempting. Apples do have a good bit of utility in Tears of the Kingdom, such as for feeding horses, replenishing health in early-game combat, and completing the "Today’s Menu" side quest.
Players who come across the merchant character Mubs will notice that she sells Apples for 12 Rupees a piece. Given that players can only sell them for 3 Rupees, Mubs is clearly looking to line her own pockets. Players should instead venture outside into the world a bit more, as Apple trees can be found practically anywhere in Hyrule. Picking these Apples, or finding them in smashed crates, will always be free.
7 Bird Eggs
Bird Eggs are an ingredient that’s useful to have on hand for cooking a variety of more complex dishes. If players are wanting to make Pilaf, Omelets, or Crepes they’ll need this ingredient first. Bird Eggs can be bought from Citra in Kakariko Village for 12 Rupees. However, they are also very easy to get for free.
Players roaming the many forested areas of Hyrule should be sure to keep a keen eye on the trees around them. In the larger trees, bird’s nests can often be spotted at the top with one or two eggs inside. They’re easier to spot if players keep an eye out for the recognizable collectible sparkle that appears on all resources.
6 Hylian Rice
The powerhouse grain forming the base of many an in-game food dish is Hylian Rice. This versatile grain is one of the best ingredients to have on hand when wanting to stock up on cooked meals for an adventure. With countless merchants selling Hylian Rice across the land, it can be very tempting to simply buy out all the stock.
But at 12 Rupees a piece in many of the village stores, it can be expensive for early game players to have enough on hand. Thankfully, with a bit of determination, players can farm Hylian Rice themselves. Hylian Rice drops every so often when players slice through tall grass with a sharp weapon. The best spots players report Hylian Rice drops are near the Rabella Wetlands Skyview Tower, Koto Pond, and Hanu Pond.
5 Tabantha Wheat
Another grain that’s handy for making meals in Tears of the Kingdom is Tabantha Wheat. However, this grain is a little rarer than Hylian Rice. Currently, this grain can only be found in the Gerudo Town General Store and is often only sold in limited quantities. Additionally, Tabantha Wheat often takes a few days to restock, which can make it difficult for players to get their hands on a good supply.
For those hoping to save time and Rupees, Tabantha Wheat can be farmed if players know where to look. This grain can be obtained by cutting down tall grass in the Tabantha region, hence the name. Snowier places often have better odds for Tabantha Wheat drops, so Cuho Mountain is a great place to try to find some.
4 Restless Crickets
Anyone putting their time toward farming Hylian Rice and Tabantha Wheat will have expected this critter to show up in the list. Restless Crickets are insects found all over Hyrule hopping merrily around on the ground. They are incredibly abundant, and also highly useful for making Stamina-Recovery Elixirs.
Given how easy it is to find Restless Crickets in the wild, it’s surprising that so many merchants even bother to sell them. Rather than wasting their Rupees on buying these critters, players should instead grab them when cutting grass or sneak up on them in the wild. Odds are players will have plenty of them in their pockets in no time.
3 Chuchu Jelly
Chuchus are gelatinous, low-level enemies that have been in the franchise for a very long time. When defeated, they drop a jelly-like substance that has a variety of uses. Elemental Chuchus drop Jelly that has the same corresponding elemental effect, which makes them incredibly useful for fusing with arrows.
Chuchu Jelly can be bought in the Gerudo Desert region, specifically from Kachoo in the Kara Kara Bazaar. However, players should not be tempted to buy it. Defeating Chuchus is easy and common when traveling any sort of distance across the land. If they’re looking for a specific color of Chuchu Jelly, players can convert any blue Chuchu Jelly by throwing one of the desired color Jellies at it.
2 Precious Gems
During their many adventures as part of the main campaign and the game’s side quests, players will likely have come across several glittering jewel resources. Opals, Topaz, Rubies, Sapphires, and even Diamonds can all be acquired in Tears of the Kingdom. Sometimes, players will even come across the odd merchant selling these gems for a pretty penny. However, buying them is probably one of the worst mistakes to make in the game.
Though these precious gems have plenty of use in fusing and upgrading armor, their best use in the game is to sell for a profit. Given that they cost more to buy from a merchant than they do to sell back to them, it’s just bad business to waste those Rupees. Players can mine gems from ore deposits across the map, defeat enemies that drop them, or even collect them from chests found within Shrines.
1 Arrows
With the introduction of the fusing mechanic in Tears of the Kingdom, Arrows have become perhaps the most precious resource in the game. They can be fused with materials for a multitude of special effects and used to take out enemy encampments from a safe distance. Given that nearly every merchant sells them, players might be tempted to settle with just buying the Arrows they need.
However, at the rate that they’ll be using them in the game, this is a very expensive practice. Instead, players should focus on the many ways Arrows can be found for free. Breaking crates and barrels is a great way to find loose Arrows, as well as other useful collectibles. Defeating arrow-wielding enemies also usually results in a drop of an Arrow Bundle, and players can also collect any stray Arrows that enemies shoot their way.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available now on Nintendo Switch.