BotW Riju: Palace Location, Vah Naboris and the Thunder Helm
Find Riju in Breath of the Wild, follow her Vah Naboris meeting points, recover the Thunder Helm, and learn the requirements to borrow it afterward.
Riju is the Gerudo chief in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, usually contacted at the palace in Gerudo Town. Her main quest takes you to the Yiga Clan Hideout for the Thunder Helm, then into a sand-seal battle against Vah Naboris. Borrowing the helm for Link comes later through a separate town quest.
Where is Riju at each stage?
First enter Gerudo Town in the required Gerudo disguise, obtained through the Kara Kara Bazaar route. Continue to the palace for Riju’s audience — Show on map.
| Stage | Meeting point | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| First audience | Gerudo Town palace | Hear the request to recover the stolen Thunder Helm |
| Helm recovered | Return to the palace | Give it back and continue the story conversation |
| Preparing the assault | The lookout south of Gerudo Town | Meet Riju and prepare to ride a sand seal |
| Vah Naboris freed | Return to the palace | Report completion and collect the main-quest equipment rewards |
| Borrowing the Thunder Helm | The helm pedestal beside her throne | Examine it and accept the request to help the town |
Which quests and rewards are connected to Riju?
| Quest | Trigger and next step | Reward or result |
|---|---|---|
| Forbidden City Entry | Follow the Kara Kara Bazaar disguise route | Entry to Gerudo Town and access to Riju |
| Divine Beast Vah Naboris | Speak to Riju, recover the helm and join her at the lookout | Access to the dungeon; completing it grants a Heart Container and Urbosa’s Fury |
| Vah Naboris return visit | Report to Riju after freeing the Divine Beast | Scimitar of the Seven and Daybreaker |
| The Thunder Helm | After the main quest, examine the helm and complete the required town requests | The Thunder Helm for Link to wear |
The Yiga Clan Hideout guide covers recovering the helm. It is one part of Riju’s main quest rather than a separate route to an immediately wearable helmet.
How does Riju help against Vah Naboris?
Return the helm before heading to the lookout. In the desert battle, Riju wears it to create protection against Vah Naboris’s lightning. Ride your sand seal close enough to remain within her protective area when the lightning comes, and use Bomb Arrows on the Divine Beast’s feet.
Do not focus so tightly on aiming that you lose track of her position. When the Divine Beast is stopped, Link boards it while Riju remains outside. The rotating interior, terminals and Thunderblight Ganon are covered in the Vah Naboris walkthrough.
Urbosa’s Fury is the Champion ability earned through the completed dungeon. Riju’s protective area during the approach and Link’s later Champion ability serve different parts of the quest.
How do you borrow the Thunder Helm afterward?
After freeing Vah Naboris, examine the helm beside Riju’s throne and ask to borrow it. She wants you to help the town. Check these four quests in the Adventure Log:
| Required side quest | Person to help |
|---|---|
| The Mystery Polluter | Dalia |
| Tools of the Trade | Isha |
| Medicinal Molduga | Malena |
| The Search for Barta | Liana |
Quests completed earlier still count. The Secret Club’s Secret is not required for this reward. Once all four are done, return to Riju and receive the helm; the Thunder Helm guide covers the full check and equipment effect.
If Riju still asks you to help her people, inspect the completion status of those four quests. Winning the Divine Beast battle or unlocking another shop does not finish the residents’ requests for you.
Related guides
- Vah Naboris walkthrough: desert approach, interior and boss.
- Yiga Clan Hideout: recover the stolen helm.
- The Thunder Helm: requirements for borrowing it.
- Gerudo Town: entry, shops and other local quests.
FAQ
Where is Riju in Breath of the Wild?
Why can I not keep the Thunder Helm after the Yiga hideout?
What must I do to borrow the Thunder Helm?
Does Riju’s protection let me ride anywhere during the battle?
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