Dah Hesho Shrine: A Minor Test of Strength (BotW)

Where is Dah Hesho Shrine?

Dah Hesho Shrine is just east of Akkala Tower, in the Akkala Highlands — it sits on a cliff south of Tarrey Town overlooking Lake Akkala. Other Ancient Shrines in the Akkala Highlands include Kah Mael, Ke’nai Shakah, Ritaag Zumo, Tutsuwa Nima, and Ze Kasho, but Dah Hesho is the one right by the tower.

What should you bring?

No shrine quest gates this trial — none of Akkala’s shrine quests (Into the Vortex, The Skull’s Eye, The Spring of Power, The Trial of the Labyrinth) involve Dah Hesho, so you can walk straight in. Because this is a Minor Test of Strength, the enemy is relatively weak: you can complete the shrine relatively easily at an earlier level, or come back when you’re big and strong and defeat it quickly. Bombs are optional — they’re only useful for smashing the arena’s stone pillars.

Video walkthrough

Dah Hesho Shrine Guide — YouTube

How do you solve Dah Hesho Shrine?

This is a straight duel: one Guardian Scout II wielding an Ancient Battle Axe in an arena lined with destructible stone pillars — parry or side-hop its swings, and survive the spinning laser it unleashes at low health.

1. Enter the Arena

From Akkala Tower, head a short distance east into the Akkala Highlands — the shrine sits on a cliff south of Tarrey Town, overlooking Lake Akkala. Walk up and touch the gate’s terminal to open it.

Step inside, where Monk Dah Hesho greets you: ‘I am Dah Hesho. In the name of the Goddess Hylia, I offer this combat trial.’

Drop into the arena below. A Guardian Scout II armed with an Ancient Battle Axe powers up and comes at you — as this is a Minor Test of Strength, the enemy is relatively weak.

Take stock of the arena: it has several stone pillars that can be destroyed — by your Bombs, or by the Guardian Scout II spinning into them during one of its attacks — so the battlefield opens up as the duel goes on.

2. Defeat the Guardian Scout II

When the Scout closes to axe range, parry the swing or side-hop out of the way, then step in and land some counter-hits of your own.

Repeat that rhythm — parry or side-hop each melee attack, then punish before it recovers.

If you’re struggling, remember the tuning: this shrine can be completed relatively easily even at an earlier level, or you can come back when you’re big and strong and defeat the Scout quickly.

Watch for the tell: when the Scout’s health starts getting a bit low, it activates a spinning laser beam. Back away and avoid it until the spin ends.

Move back in and finish it off. The defeated Guardian leaves its Ancient Battle Axe behind along with some Ancient Springs — pick them up.

3. Claim the Reward

With the Guardian Scout II defeated, the portcullis at the back of the arena opens; pass through toward the Monk’s Pedestal.

Before speaking to the monk, open the Treasure Chest sitting by the pedestal to claim the Giant Ancient Core.

Speak to Dah Hesho: ‘Your triumph over the test of strength subverts a prophecy of ruin… I bestow upon you this Spirit Orb.’ He wishes you well, and the shrine is complete.

What is in the chest?

What do people miss here?

• The Giant Ancient Core chest sits right beside the Monk’s Pedestal — it’s easy to walk straight to the monk for the Spirit Orb and leave without ever opening it.
• Don’t leave without the Guardian’s drops: you can pick up its Ancient Battle Axe as well as some Ancient Springs scattered in the arena.
• This guardian is a relatively easy fight at any stage since it is a Minor Test of Strength — you can clear it early, or come back when you’re big and strong and defeat it quickly.
• You can’t rush past the fight: the portcullis to the Monk’s Pedestal only opens once the Guardian Scout II is defeated.
• Trivia: Dah Hesho Shrine is referenced in Age of Calamity through the ‘Trial of Dah Hesho’ quest.

What else is nearby?

Which guides help next?

• All BotW shrine locations
• How to find shrines
• Tears of the Kingdom vs Breath of the Wild