One of the most challenging dungeon-like gauntlets of Link’s adventure is the Lightning Temple in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom. This massive, seven-story sanctum houses the monstrous Queen Gibdo, who resides on the top floor in her lair. During “Riju of Gerudo Town,” you encounter the queen as she attempts to prevent you from approaching the Lightning Temple entrance in TotK. Fortunately, you have Riju’s Power of Lightning to aid your journey through the temple to defeat the giant insectoid beast.
How To Enter the Lightning Temple in TotK
If you’re curious about how to get into the Lightning Temple in TotK, there are two simple steps. After you’ve subdued Queen Gibdo for the first time, approach the bulbous purple mass in front of the entrance. Using Riju’s Power of Lightning, fire an arrow to dispel the blockade and access the entry hall.
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Next, within the temple’s entry, you’ll need to pick up one of the multiple Korok-Frond Gusters hanging on the walls. This weapon can be used like a duster to brush away the sand piles about the chamber. Remove the sand at the center of the room to reveal a pressure plate. Have Link stand on the mechanism to open the TotK Lightning Temple entrance.
The first yet less-impressive challenge you’ll encounter is a flame wall trap. After getting past a few Gibdos, you’ll need to time your passes through the two traps to reach the opposite side. Patience is the only thing required to clear this puzzle.
The second encounter also involves fire, but this time you’re dealing with a fiery rolling boulder. To get past it, you must activate your Rewind ability and follow the ball back to its hole. Once you reach the end, take the right turn to progress onward.
Room of Hopeful Light Solution
Next is the Room of Hopeful Light, which introduces you to the light beam and mirror mechanic of the Lightning Temple in Tears of the Kingdom. After defeating the chamber’s Construct, grab the mirror buried in the sand pile with your Ultrahand. Hold it under the pillar of light, aiming the “eye” at the device above the door. Once it turns green, you can press forward.
After this tutorial-esque chamber, you’ll reach the Room of Ascension, which contains the lift to Queen Gibdo’s lair. However, the elevator is currently out of order and requires that you activate four “batteries” to power it. Luckily, Riju’s Power of Lightning will come in handy to charge the batteries and take you to your dangerous destination on the top floor.
First Battery Location in the Lightning Temple
The first battery is in a location you can reach in seconds. After listening to the mysterious voice, look to the front right and use your Ultrahand to move the bricks blocking a hole in the wall. Enter the small chamber and have Riju electrify the area before striking the device with an arrow.
Second Battery Location in the Lightning Temple
The second battery of the Lightning Temple in TotK involves several more steps than the first. Head to the back right of the central chamber and remove the brick covering a hole in the floor. A wind current will emerge, allowing you to reach the upper levels of the temple. Accordingly, fly upwards and glide to the opening to the upper left of the lift.
Head through the narrow corridor to find a large rotating mechanism with two plates. Behind these rotating plates, you’ll find a room with a light source. Using your Rewind ability, have the plate parallel to each other to form a hole that the light can travel through. This will open a nearby door leading back to the main chamber. However, the light will continue to shine across to the opposite statue, opening another entryway to your next room.
This next area of the Lightning Temple in Tears of the Kingdom contains two rooms with large spiked walls. Getting past them is simple; use the Ultrahand to drag the nearby brick to prevent the spikes from smashing Link into a pulp. The first requires horizontal placement, while the second involves setting up the brick vertically.
Room of Light and Shade Solution
These spike-wall rooms lead to the Room of Light and Shade, where you must use another mirror to activate its corresponding device. After defeating the room’s construct:
- Drop down the area below and grab the Zonai spike on the ground.
- Stab it into the wall to stop the structure from spinning.
- Make sure the green button is visible, and aim the mirror to turn on the light source.
- Once the light has been directed upward, use Ascend to return to the upper floor.
- Grab the mirror from the nearby sand pile and have the light reflected parallel to the small bridge to access the second battery.
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Third Battery Location in the Lightning Temple
Now, return to the central chamber and use the wind current to glide upward again. This time, face the back area of the spiring room and get down to the fifth floor. Take care of the constructs and enter the vertical gap between a pair of braziers and pots.
Like a museum’s display, place a mirror inside the backroom onto the available brick while it sits beneath the spotlight. Using the mirror statues outside, aim the beam of light at the figure on the first floor.
Room of Offered Light Solution
Glide safely down to the ground floor and enter the Room of Offered Light. After dealing with the group of Constructs greeting your arrival, use the balloons and platforms in the room to create a mini hot air balloon. Light a wooden weapon with the nearby braziers to use as fire for the balloon to expand and rise.
Alternatively, while holding the mirror, you can use the Zonai Devices to Ascend to the green button above. However, this method will involve precise planning and timing, as your battery will eventually dry. Regardless of your preferred solution, activating the device will grant access to the third battery in the Lightning Temple in Tears of the Kingdom.
Fourth Battery Location in the Lightning Temple
To reach the fourth and final battery, you must return to the fifth floor with the light beams. This time, position the mirror sculptures in such a way as to reflect the light on a statue on the seventh floor. Once you’ve achieved this, stand under the light beam’s position and use Ascend to enter the final challenge.
No problem-solving is required for this puzzle, as you only need to navigate Link through the flame traps down a vertical tunnel. Once you reach the bottom, open the door to let Riju in, so she can help you activate the final battery. Be mindful of the angry Construct brigade outside, though.
Finally, return to the lift in the Room of Ascension and enter Queen Gibdo’s lair. To defeat this boss, you’ll need to trigger Riju’s Power of Lightning on her twice. This will grant you the opportunity to give her noggin a good beating. Once the monster has been defeated, you’ll have completed the Lightning Temple in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. For a Lightning Temple walkthrough showing every hidden chest, consider checking out ConCon’s YouTube channel:
