Ah, the challenges of a desert clime! Hot, sometimes blisteringly so, during the day (“but it’s a dry heat”), and yet, the dryness of the air causes the temperatures to drop to bitter cold at night. In Hyrule, that’s just the beginning of the desert’s inhospitable nature. Let’s add in electrified Lizalfos, giant sandworms called Moldugas, blinding dust storms, and the home of the accursed Yiga clan. It’s a wonder one travels to Gerudo at all, but surprisingly, the region does have its charms.
Be aware that opinions vary considerably regarding what to pack for your stay in Gerudo; indeed, Fodor’s Travel would be shrugging its collective shoulders. Humbly, we suggest that you take your Warm Doublet (or the Snowquill armor, if you’ve already purchased it in Rito Village) and the rubber armor, if you’ve earned it. This is temporary travel wear suitable only at certain times and under certain conditions, but it will be a while before you can shop in Gerudo. In addition, prepare for your initial foray into the desert with meals or elixirs to protect you from heat, cold, and shock.
No Go for Voe
The first obstacle other than the environs is that Gerudo Town does not permit men, or “voe,” as they are called, to enter. That presents a problem, our hero Link being of the male persuasion. Fortunately, all that is needed to hoodwink the town guards is to wear “vai,” or women’s, clothing, and the perfect vai outfit may be purchased in a nearby oasis, the Kara Kara Bazaar.
We loved the Bazaar. Unlike many Hyrulean settlements, it’s easy to navigate. (We can’t count the times we wandered lost in the unending gloom of Zora’s Domain; ascended and descended the levels of Rito Village seeking its goddess statue; or spun in circles in the Korok Forest looking for the Great Deku’s Navel.)
Despite the bazaar’s welcome openness, the first NPC you must locate is naturally not where you’d expect them to be. Sitting on a rug with their wares displayed in front, like a normal desert shopkeeper? Nope. Cooling their toes in the oasis pond, or rising from their bed at the local inn? But again no. Instead, Vilia, the person who trades in vai clothing is, obviously, going to be hanging out on the roof of the aforementioned inn. Seriously, who does this? Fortunately, there’s a ladder on the side of the inn by which you can reach the merchant.
For 600 rupees, Vilia will outfit Link in the latest vai clothing, a three-piece combo consisting of a veil that shields hair and face; sirwal pants; and the Gerudo top, which shows quite a lot of stomach but at least covers the territory upward.
In addition to affording you entrance to Gerudo Town, the vai set provides low-level heat protection against the desert sun. Unfortunately, each piece has a paltry defense level of 1, exactly what you’d expect from flowing silks and harem pants. (Fun Zelder Tip: If you have one in inventory, equip the Great Frostblade; when you’re in the desert heat, just carrying it helps to cool you down!)
Back at Gerudo Town, you can now enter with impunity, explore the shops, and talk to the residents. Or rent a sand seal, if you like, and seek out Great Fairy Tera.
You’ll also want to visit the Noble Canteen, where, owing to his tender age, Link won’t be served, but you’ll pick up a few pointers about a secret club. Secret club? We want in!
Gerudo Secret Club non-spoiler alert: We won’t tell you the password, but eavesdropping is essential to learn it. (Itzal to Demelza: “Right, like you didn’t just search the Internet for the password.” Demelza to Itzal: “Who got you in the club?”)
And what’s so secret about the club? The Desert Voe armor, for the man about town, is available for purchase here. Unfortunately, the set can’t actually be worn about town, but once outside the settlement’s walls, don it for heat resistance at a greater defense level than that afforded by a veil and harem pants. It’s an expensive set, but upgraded to the second level, the Voe armor will, in addition to the heat protection, also provide shock resistance – helpful against the electric Lizalfos in the area.
Zelder Shopping Tip #1: The Radiant Set is also sold at the Gerudo Secret Club. When all three upgraded pieces are worn, Link will be ignored by skeletal enemies at night. (We had fun teasing Stalkoblins and Stalmoblins.) Admittedly, the set is quite expensive for the use you’ll get from it.
Zelder Shopping Tip #2: Starlight Memories, one of Gerudo’s retail establishments, sells jewels! And jewels can be worn in place of armor headgear for certain special effects. They don’t contribute to set bonuses. . . but who cares? They’re sparkly and pretty. Speak with Isha and provide her with a little flint to open the store; she’ll gift you with one piece of jewelry, either the ruby circlet, sapphire circlet, or topaz earrings. At Demelza’s urging, we chose the sapphire circlet, which, had we had to purchase it instead, would have been the most expensive of the three choices. (Bargain!) Also, the circlet provides a measure of heat resistance, and we did not yet have our Desert Voe set. Later, Demelza had buyer’s remorse and wanted to exchange that circlet for the topaz earrings instead, because the earrings offer a bit of electrical resistance, and who wants to wear that unsightly rubber costume all the time? (This entire paragraph tells you everything you need to know about Demelza’s shopping disorder.)
Lastly, you’ll want to talk to Riju, the village leader, and Teake, a captain of the Gerudo guards, to initiate the Thunder Helm quest. However, we don’t recommend taking on the quest right away. For one thing, you’ll hate it; so delay, delay, delay. For another – spoiler alert to avoid a real game spoiler – successful completion will unleash a greater plague of Yiga throughout Hyrule.
Desert libations
And now for (Itzal) the most important part of this post: what to drink when shopping the Kara Kara Bazaar and exploring Gerudo Town.
If you can’t find the local canteen’s signature drink, the Noble Pursuit, we recommend a lightly tart, refreshing Demerara Daiquiri. It’s as effective as carrying a Great Frostblade to take the edge off the desert heat!