Amiibo functionality in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom serves as a bridge between nostalgia and modern utility. Unlike its predecessor, where many armor sets were locked behind plastic figures, this title integrates most legacy outfits into the base game's exploration. However, scanning these figures remains the most efficient way to access high-tier materials, unique aesthetic customizations, and powerful early-game equipment.

The system is accessible almost immediately after Link leaves the Great Sky Island. Once the first Shrine of Light is completed and the amiibo power is enabled in the settings menu, players can summon daily drops. These drops consist of two components: a scattering of raw materials and a single treasure chest. Understanding the nuances of these rewards is essential for players looking to maximize their daily scans.

The definitive value of exclusive paraglider fabrics

In Tears of the Kingdom, the most significant exclusive items provided by amiibo are the Paraglider Fabrics. While armor sets like the Fierce Deity or the Tunic of Time can be found by scouring the Depths or solving riddles in Hyrule, the unique patterns for Link’s paraglider are strictly tied to specific figures.

Each Zelda-themed amiibo has a high probability of dropping a fabric on its first few scans. Once a fabric is obtained, it is removed from that figure's loot table, slightly increasing the odds for other rare drops like gems or weapons. These fabrics can be swapped at the Kochi Dye Shop in Hateno Village, allowing for a level of visual personalization that cannot be achieved through standard gameplay. For example, the King of Red Lions Fabric from the Toon Link figure or the Demon King Fabric from the Ganondorf figure offers a distinct flair that reflects Link’s storied history.

Deep dive into the Tears of the Kingdom series rewards

The figures released specifically for this game offer the most tailored benefits for the current mechanics.

Link (Tears of the Kingdom)

Scanning the flagship Link figure primarily grants the Champion's Leathers Fabric. Beyond the aesthetics, this figure is a reliable source of Knight’s Broadswords and Soldier’s Shields. In the early hours of the journey, these weapons provide a much-needed durability boost before the player begins fusing high-level Construct horns or Lynel parts.

Zelda (Tears of the Kingdom)

Released later in the cycle, the Tears of the Kingdom Zelda figure is themed around her role in the narrative. It yields the Princess Zelda Fabric. The material drops are particularly useful for those focusing on the chemistry system, often providing rare herbs and high-tier cooking ingredients that grant health and stamina buffs. It is also a consistent source of Soldier’s Bows.

Ganondorf (Tears of the Kingdom)

This imposing figure drops the Demon King Fabric. More importantly for combat-oriented players, it frequently rewards Gerudo Claymores and rare monster parts like Gleeok wings or Guts. These materials are invaluable for late-game fusing, as Gerudo weapons possess the "Strong Fusion" trait, doubling the attack power of the attached material at the cost of some durability.

The Sages (Sidon, Tulin, Yunobo, Riju, and Mineru)

As of 2026, the Sage series has been fully integrated into the collector's circuit. These figures, such as the Sidon amiibo released in mid-2025, focus on elemental and regional utility. Scanning Sidon provides a Zora-themed fabric and a variety of high-quality fish, which are essential for upgrading the Zora armor set. Tulin’s figure drops avian-related materials and bows, while Riju focuses on Gerudo gear and electric-themed ingredients. These figures are especially helpful for players who want to upgrade regional armor sets without spending hours grinding for specific creature drops.

Legacy rewards and the return of Epona

Fans who have maintained a collection from the Breath of the Wild era or the 30th Anniversary series will find their investment continues to pay off. The most sought-after legacy reward remains Epona, the legendary steed.

Scanning the Super Smash Bros. Link or the Twilight Princess Link for the first time on a new save file (outside of the Depths or Sky regions) will summon Epona. She comes with maximum stats and is automatically registered at stables once brought to one. Subsequent scans of these figures shift toward the Twilight armor set and Knight-tier weaponry.

The 30th Anniversary and Classic Sets

  • 8-Bit Link: This figure drops the Pixel Fabric and pieces of the Tunic of the Hero. It also provides a significant amount of arrows and barrels filled with basic consumables.
  • Ocarina of Time Link: Known for dropping the Lon Lon Ranch Fabric and the Tunic of Time. It is a great source of meat, which can be cooked and sold for Rupees early on.
  • Majora’s Mask Link: This remains one of the most popular scans due to the Majora’s Mask Fabric and the Fierce Deity armor set. While the armor is obtainable in-game, scanning this amiibo early provides a massive attack-up bonus that trivializes early boss encounters.
  • Skyward Sword Link: Provides the Sword Spirit Fabric and the Tunic of the Sky. It often drops Goddess Swords, which have a unique aesthetic and decent base stats for mid-game play.

Mechanics of the drop table: Hits and Great Hits

The reward system in Tears of the Kingdom isn't entirely random. It operates on a sophisticated internal logic designed to prevent long streaks of bad luck. Each scan has an 80% chance of being a "Big Hit" and a 20% chance of being a "Great Hit."

A "Big Hit" usually contains the standard themed weapon or a common piece of armor. A "Great Hit" is required to obtain the most elusive items, such as the rare Paraglider Fabrics or high-end gems like Diamonds and Star Fragments. The game tracks your scans for each individual figure; if you fail to get a Great Hit four times in a row, the fifth scan is statistically guaranteed to trigger the Great Hit loot table. This pity system ensures that dedicated players will eventually receive the items they are hunting for.

Furthermore, the quality of items scales with Link's progress. Items scanned while Link is still on the Great Sky Island are capped at a lower tier. Once the player obtains the Paraglider and completes at least one Temple, the loot tables upgrade to include Knight-tier equipment. After reaching the endgame or exploring the Depths extensively, Royal-tier weapons and rare minerals become more frequent.

Quality of life tips for scanning

For those utilizing a large collection of the legend of zelda tears of the kingdom amiibo, the process can become time-consuming. Here are several observations on how to streamline the experience:

  1. Location Matters: Always scan amiibo on flat, clear ground. Items that roll away or fall into water are not always recoverable. Scanning inside a town or near a stable is usually the safest bet.
  2. The Daily Limit: Each specific figure can only be scanned once every 24 hours (real-world time). However, if you own multiple versions of the same character (e.g., both the Smash Bros. Zelda and the Breath of the Wild Zelda), they are treated as unique entities, and both can be scanned on the same day.
  3. Inventory Management: Ensure you have ample space in your weapon and shield stashes before scanning. If the treasure chest contains a weapon you cannot carry, you can leave it on the ground, but it will despawn if you move too far away or enter a loading screen.
  4. Save Scumming: While the game has a pity system, players often save their game before scanning. If the desired item (like a specific fabric) does not drop, they reload the save and try again. This bypasses the 24-hour cooldown but can be tedious depending on loading speeds.

Are these figures necessary in 2026?

As we look at the state of Hyrule today, the necessity of amiibo has shifted from "essential for completion" to "luxury convenience." Since Nintendo made the armor sets discoverable through gameplay, the pressure to own the physical figures has diminished.

However, for the aesthetic-driven player, the exclusive fabrics remain a compelling reason to keep these figures on the shelf. The convenience of daily material drops—especially rare fish from Sidon or gems from Zelda—saves hours of gathering. For new players starting their journey years after the initial launch, scanning a legacy Link figure to instantly summon Epona or the Fierce Deity set provides a smooth, customizable entry into one of the most expansive worlds in gaming.

While the figures themselves have become collector's items with varying availability, their digital fingerprints continue to provide tangible value. Whether you are seeking the perfect paraglider design to match your upgraded armor or simply need a quick infusion of arrows before a dungeon, the amiibo system in Tears of the Kingdom remains a robust, well-integrated feature that honors the history of the Zelda franchise.