Zelda lore fans, we’re going over everything we know in our Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Zonai explained guide. Being such a humongous game, Nintendo’s Switch title The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is full of mysteries, many still unsolved to this day (keeping many a YouTube creator in business). As we hurtle towards the imminent release of BotW’s sequel, one particular mystery is unfolding, and we’re getting to the bottom of it in this guide.
Before we magnesis your eyes down to the rest of the guide, be sure to check out our Hyrule compendium of content on The Legend of Zelda games, new and old. We have articles on the best Zelda games, Wind Waker Switch, Twilight Princess Switch, Tears of the Kingdom pre-orders, Tears of the Kingdom DLC, Zelda Lego, Zelda wallpapers, Breath of the Wild wallpaper, and plenty more Links for you to explore. You can also check out our Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom review to get the full deep dive.
Alright, explorers, let’s gallop on the back of Epona into our Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Zonai explained guide.
Who are the Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Zonai?
The Zonai tribe are an ancient civilisation, already wiped out during the time of Breath of the Wild. Though the people are long-gone, evidence of the tribe exists thanks to the Zonai ruins, as well as buildings and other structures based on their notable dragon sigil dotted around the map.
While there’s not much in the way of direct references to the Zonai, several items and locations include descriptions of the ancient race. For example, you can find the three pieces of the Barbarian armor set at the centre of each of the three labyrinths in BotW, hinting that the tribe built these giant constructs. The description for each armor piece mentions “an ancient warlike tribe from the Faron region,” while each armor piece also increases attack. From this, it’s likely the Zonai were warriors, kitted out in armor similar to the Barbarian set.
The Zonai crest depicts a water dragon, and many of the Zonai ruins in the Faron region feature a similar water dragon. Etching in the ruins also depict a triforce symbol, suggesting the Zonai have a connection to it, and possibly are able to wield magic. The race also has a strong connection to animals, with each triangle of the triforce associated with an animal. Dragons represent courage, owls for wisdom, and boars for power.
Are the Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Zonai associated with the Shiekah?
Both from their location, as well as text descriptions within The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, it’s likely the Zonai and the Shiekah are two completely different tribes. However, it seems that they both had access to the triforce and magic, just through different means.
While there isn’t much connecting the two, we know the Shiekah built the shrines, and it’s hinted the Zonai built the three labyrinths to test warrior’s strength. The fact that each labyrinth contains a shrine hints towards the two tribes working together, so it’s entirely possible the two races worked together to fight Calamity Ganon many centuries ago.
Is Link using Zonai technology in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom?
In the trailers released for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, we see Link and Zelda exploring underground caverns with columns and statues matching the style of the Zonai. One trailer shows Link using a shield with a dragon head attacked, similar to the dragon head that symbolises the Zonai tribe.
In the Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom stream above, we get an extended look at the title, and Link fights an enemy known as a soldier construct. The enemy drops an item called a Zonai charge, which looks similar to some of the later technology we see powering fans, wheels, and other traversal methods. Link’s new Zelda: Tears of the Kindom fuse ability and the technology he uses to create methods of transport all seem directly tied to the ancient Zonai technology.
When did the Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Zonai exist?
It doesn’t explicitly state within The Legend of the Zelda: Breath of the Wild the era that the Zonai belong to. However, descriptions of the Zonai in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Master Works (Creating a Champion in the West) state that “it’s rumoured that these people disappeared suddenly thousands of years ago.”
What are the Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Zonai devices?
As you explore The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, you interact with several magical items known as Zonai devices. Using ancient technology, these all have a function, with items such as wheels, fans, flame emitters, and many more. Link uses them to create Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom vehicles and weapons, and to explore the skies – all with the help of the ultrahand and the Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom autobuild abilities.
Here is a list of every Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Zonai device we have found so far:
- Fan
- Wing
- Cart
- Balloon
- Time bomb
- Portable pot
- Flame emitter
- Frost emitter
- Beam emitter
- Hydrant
- Steering stick
- Big wheel
- Small wheel
- Battery
- Spring
- Cannon
- Stabilizer
- Hover stone
- Light
- Stake
- Mirror
Where is the Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Zonai armor set?
The Zelda: tears of the Kingdom zonaite armor is a unique set that imbues Link with more energy for Zonai devices. For a full details and maps on how to find this and other sets, check out our Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom armor guide. Or, if you’re the type who only needs co-ordinates, you can find all three pieces by solving the puzzles at these locations:
- Zonaite Shin Guards – 4490 2104 1155
- Zonaite Helm – 2687 1060 1787
- Zonaite Waistguard – 2424 1675 1475
How to get Zonai charges in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
In Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Zonai charges are essential for powering Zonai devices. You also need them if you want to purchase devices from TotK Zonai dispensers. Luckily, Zonai enemies such as the soldier construct, the captain construct, and the flux construct all drop Zonai charges when you defeat them.
The best place to quickly farm Zonai charges is up on the Great Sky Island, as the tutorial area is littered with Zonai enemies. There’s also a handy Zonai dispenser here for some early Zonai capsules, but you need to travel further into the skies to find the more complicated Zonai devices.
All Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom zonai dispenser locations
The sky islands in Hyrule house several Zonai dispensers – large gashapon machine-like devices that drop Zonai devices when Link feeds them Zonai charges. Below, we list every Zonai dispenser we’ve found so far, along with their coordinates and the items they dispense.
Great Sky Island Zonai dispenser one: 0436-1684-1443
- Flame emitter
- Fan
- Portable pot
Great Sky Island Zonai dispenser two: 0770 -1261 1580
- Flame Emitter
- Wing
- Fan
- Portable pot
North Necluda Sky Zonai dispenser: 1780 -1098 0918
- Cannon
- Wing
- Spring
- Time bomb
Necluda Sky Zonai dispenser: 2851 -2954 1212
- Steering stic
- Small wheel
- Cannon
- Light
Valor Island Zonai dispenser one: 4509 -0807 1117
- Spring
- Hydrant
- Beam emitter
- Steering stick
Valor Island Zonai dispenser two: coordinates incoming
- Frost emitter
- Wing
- Battery
- Mirror
Wellspring Island Zonai dispenser: 3436 0641 1317
- Fan
- Hover stone
- Wing
- Battery
- Stabilizer
Courage Island Zonai dispenser: -2368 0784 0611
- Balloon
- Fan
- Portable pot
- Time bomb
Alright, that’s all we have for our Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Zonai explained guide for now folks, but we’re updating this guide as we find out more.
For even more great Zelda content, be sure to read our guides covering the Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom bubbel gems, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom crystallized charges, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom fusion, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom geoglyph locations, Zelda BotW map and BotW amiibo.