In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Star Fragments are among the rarest and most beautiful items you can find. These glowing celestial pieces fall from the sky at night and serve a vital role in upgrading some of the most powerful armor sets in the game. However, due to their rarity and somewhat unpredictable behavior, many players struggle with figuring out how to farm Star Fragments consistently. This guide dives deep into effective Star Fragment farming techniques, including ideal locations, optimal timing, and preparation tips to maximize your results in Hyrule’s expansive open world.
What Are Star Fragments?
A Rare and Valuable Resource
Star Fragments are glowing yellow items that fall from the sky randomly during the night in Zelda BOTW. Once they hit the ground, they emit a beam of golden light that marks their location until 5: 00 a.m. in-game time. If Link doesn’t reach the glowing fragment before sunrise, it will disappear. These items are primarily used for upgrading high-end armor such as the Radiant Set, Wild Set, and other specialized gear that requires Star Fragments at level three or four upgrades.
Uses of Star Fragments
Star Fragments aren’t just eye candy or trophies they’re critical for:
- Armor upgradesat the Great Fairy Fountains
- Completing specific side quests or shrine missions
- Enhancing the value of certain fused weapons
- Selling for Rupees if you’re truly desperate (though this is not recommended)
How Star Fragments Appear
Conditions for Falling
Star Fragments can fall during clear or mostly clear nights. They do not fall during thunderstorms, rain, or cloudy nights. Additionally, you must be actively playing the game when the time passes from 9: 00 p.m. onward simply waiting in a menu or using fast-forwarded in-game events won’t always trigger a fall.
There is also anecdotal evidence that having a Blood Moon recently can slightly increase the chances of Star Fragments appearing, although this has not been officially confirmed by the game developers.
Visual Cues
When a Star Fragment falls, you will see a quick cutscene-like animation: a glowing yellow streak shoots across the sky and lands somewhere in the overworld. The location may be far from Link’s current position, so you must act quickly and have a plan to reach it in time.
Best Methods for Star Fragment Farming
1. Sleeping at Stables with Clear Night Forecasts
One of the most consistent methods involves using stables. Sleep until night, then stand near the fire and watch the skies between 9: 00 p.m. and 2: 00 a.m. Some recommended stables for farming include:
- Dueling Peaks Stable– Good central location with wide visibility
- Outskirt Stable– Fewer mountains blocking the view
- Serenne Stable– Excellent views of Hyrule Ridge and Tabantha
If you don’t see a Star Fragment after a couple of tries, save the game, reload, and try again. Keep repeating the sleep-until-night and fire-watching routine.
2. Using the Moonlight Tower Method
A very popular farming technique among players is climbing tall Sheikah Towers (such as Ridgeland or Gerudo Highlands) and standing idle between 9: 00 p.m. and midnight. You’ll have a clear view of the sky, and the chance of witnessing a Star Fragment fall increases due to the large draw distance and unobstructed horizon.
3. Defeating Silver Lynels and Golden Enemies
While not as consistent as other methods, defeating high-tier enemies like Silver Lynels or Golden Bokoblins has a small chance to drop a Star Fragment as loot. Equip high-damage weapons and be sure to cook up some defense-boosting meals before tackling these foes. This method doubles as a combat challenge and a farming method if you prefer action over waiting.
4. The Shrine Warp Trick
Another technique involves warping between nearby shrines after witnessing a Star Fragment fall. When you see one land, drop a pin on the map, warp to the closest shrine or tower, and glide toward the beacon. Make sure to do this quickly before the 5: 00 a.m. deadline. Having Revali’s Gale can make this even easier.
Preparing for a Successful Star Fragment Run
Gear and Items
To ensure you can reach Star Fragments quickly and safely, consider the following gear:
- Revali’s Gale– Makes reaching distant mountain tops easier
- Climbing Gear Set– Reduces stamina use and climbing time
- Sheikah Sensor+– Set it to detect Star Fragments if registered in the compendium
- Stamina-boosting food– In case you need to glide or sprint long distances
Saving and Reloading Strategy
Always create a manual save just before 9: 00 p.m. If no fragment falls by 2: 00 a.m., reload and try again. This reduces the amount of wasted time and gives you better odds over multiple attempts.
Timing and Tips for Efficiency
When to Farm
The best time to farm Star Fragments is when you’re not doing story missions and can afford to spend in-game nights watching the sky. Try incorporating farming into your general exploration, shrine hunting, or Korok seed runs to maximize efficiency.
Don’t Chase Every Fragment
If a Star Fragment lands in an extremely hard-to-reach location, it may not be worth chasing. Time is limited, and if you’re deep in a canyon or far from a gliding point, it’s often better to reload your save and try for a better drop. Not every fragment is worth the effort, especially during early game when stamina and fast travel options are limited.
Alternative Star Fragment Sources
Amiibo Farming
Certain Zelda-themed Amiibo, like the Smash Bros. Zelda or Zelda: Twilight Princess Amiibo, have a small chance of dropping Star Fragments in their daily loot. While not guaranteed, scanning these Amiibo each day can give you extra fragments without much effort.
Completing Shooting Star Quests
Some side quests, such as A Gift from the Sky, revolve around finding a Star Fragment after a shooting star event. Completing these will reward you with fragments and sometimes offer lore-based context for their origin in the world of Hyrule.
Mastering Star Fragment Farming
Star Fragment farming in Zelda BOTW requires patience, preparation, and a bit of luck. Whether you prefer watching the skies from high towers or battling powerful enemies for rare drops, there are multiple methods to choose from. By understanding the mechanics of how and when Star Fragments appear, you’ll be able to gather enough for all your armor upgrades and crafting needs. With time and practice, farming these elusive items becomes a manageable and even enjoyable part of your Breath of the Wild journey. So next time the moon rises over Hyrule, keep your eyes on the sky you never know when a Star Fragment might fall in your favor.