How to get the sword and shield in Kokiri Forest in Zelda: Ocarina of Time

When you first try to go to the Deku Tree in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Mido will stop you and tell you that you need a sword and shield before you can head off.

The only problem is, Mido doesn’t even give you a clue as to where you might find either of them. However, as you’ve just started your journey, the sword and shield are destined to be nearby.

Here’s how to get a sword and shield in Kokiri Forest in Ocarina of Time.

[Ed. note: This guide is for the Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classic version of the game, which is playable if you have a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. This walkthrough uses the updated control scheme, so if you’re playing on a Nintendo 64 or 3DS, you may need to press different buttons.]

Where to find the sword in Kokiri Forest in Ocarina of Time

First, we recommend grabbing the sword, as it’ll help speed up the process of getting the shield. Look to the bottom right corner of your screen to find your minimap. Your goal is to get to the southwest corner of the Kokiri Forest, which has a series of hallways.

Graphic: Johnny Yu/Polygon | Source image: Nintendo via Polygon

Head up the hill in the southwest, where you’ll find the Forest Training Center and a fenced area with a bunch of plants. Walk through the fenced area until you reach the wall, where you’ll find a small tunnel. Walk up to the tunnel and press A to start crawling through it.

Link, an elf wearing green clothes, walking down a enclosed path in Ocarina of Time.

After you make it to the other side, turn to the right and grab the blue rupee, which is worth five green rupees. Then, turn around and stop just before the turn. Wait for the giant boulder to pass by and follow it, but make sure to roll through the grass to grab some extra rupees. Turn right at the first opportunity to find the chest containing the Kokiri Sword.

Link, an elf child wearing green clothes, standing in front of a chest in Ocarina of Time on the Nintendo 64.

To equip the sword, press the Start button and swap over to the Equipment menu by pressing ZL or R. Use your left joystick to move the white square to the Kokiri Sword and press A to equip it.

With the sword in hand, return to the tunnel and head back to the village.

Where to find the shield in Kokiri Forest in Ocarina of Time

Link, an elf, standing in front of a tree building with an elf sitting on its roof in Ocarina of Time.

The shield can be found in the Kokiri Shop, which is the building in the northwest of the village. As you approach, you’ll be stopped by a girl sitting on the roof. Target her by pressing ZL and then speak to her by pressing A. After, continue inside and interact with the person behind the counter. Look to the right where you’ll find the Deku Shield, but you need 40 rupees to buy it.

The Deku Shield found in the Kokiri Shop in Ocarina of Time.

As you’ve just started out in Ocarina of Time, it can be a little hard to scrounge up 40 rupees. Here are a few tips to get more rupees in Kokiri Forest:

Roll in the grass for a chance to find green rupees.
Break everything. Throw every rock and pot, and slash every plant you see.
Follow the ramp besides Saria’s house, and you’ll find a couple of bridges that lead to a blue rupee.
Open the chests inside Mido’s house to get a handful of rupees.
Look behind Mido’s house to find a blue rupee.

Once you have enough rupees, return to the shop and purchase the Deku Shield. To equip it, press the Start button and swap over to the Equipment menu by pressing ZL or R. Use your left joystick to move the white square onto the Deku Shield and press A to equip it.

Now you’re ready to get past Mido and head to the Great Deku Tree.