Are you looking to complete the Ijo-o Shrine in Tears of the Kingdom? One of the many Zonai shrines found within the newest Zelda release, “More Than Defense” in Ijo-o Shrine is a wonderful example of a shrine that lets players experiment with their new abilities and find creative solutions to puzzles. As a bonus, it also gives players some satisfying combat without providing too much of a challenge so you don’t get frustrated and turn away from the problem-solving aspect of it.
If you’re looking to solve the Tears of the Kingdom Ijo-o Shrine, then first you’re going to have to find it. The shrine is located in the West Hebra Sky Archipelago at the coordinates (-3862, 2679, 0702). It would be helpful to have the Rospro Pass Skyview Tower unlocked before you go searching for Ijo-o Shrine, but you can always find it without it as well.
In order to get up to the shrine, which is located at a tall point in the archipelago, you’re going to need to either make your own flying machine or use one of the ones nearby by activating a flame emitter to power a hot air balloon and ride one of the giant Zonai blocks up to where the shrine is located.
How to Complete ‘More Than Defense’ in Ijo-o Shrine
Once you enter Ijo-o Shrine and are presented with the “More Than Defense” challenge, go forward and turn right. In the middle of a wide alcove, you’ll be met with a Construct wielding a rusty broadsword and a Zonai flame-emitter shield. Defeating it isn’t particularly hard, but be sure to either stay out of the way of the flames or use a shield to protect yourself.
After defeating the Construct, pick up its flame-emitter shield. Return to the spot where you entered Ijo-o Shrine, and you’ll see a doorway directly ahead blocked by a large chunk of ice. With the flame-emitter shield equipped, approach the doorway and use the shield to melt the ice. You can also use other fire-based methods to melt the ice, such as lighting a fire next to it or using a flaming weapon, but the shield method seems to be what the game wants you to use.
Move forward through the newly-unblocked doorway into the next room of Ijo-o Shrine. Immediately look to your right, where you’ll see another block of ice. Use the shield to melt the ice again and you’ll find a treasure chest – open it, and you’ll receive Arrows x5. Once you’ve opened the treasure chest, turn around. Across the room on a short stone platform, you’ll find another Construct with a stone slab shield. This one is about as easy to destroy as the first one – if not easier since you could use the flame-emitter shield to torch this one.
After defeating the Construct, take its stone slab shield or use Fuse to craft your own. With your stone-slab shield equipped, return to the main part of the room and face the wall of fire. Use the stone slab shield to block by holding down ZL and walk through the fire – be sure to keep your shield up as you edge your way right, or you run the risk of getting roasted by the flames.
Once you safely make it through the flames, you’ll be in the final room of Ijo-o Shrine and faced with the most powerful Construct yet. Be careful with this one – it’s armed with Zonai rockets and incredibly dangerous at long range, even with a shield equipped. We had the best luck by getting in close and using an ice weapon, like a Sapphire Sword, to freeze it, but you can also have some fun by using Recall to send the Construct’s rockets back at it. However you do it, once the Construct is defeated, look for a stone bin on the left side of the room and pick up one of the Rusty Shields found there.
With the Rusty Shield equipped, approach one of the many rockets scattered around the room and Fuse it to the shield – you can also use one of your own shields if you like, but either way, you’ll end up with a rocket-powered shield. Make sure it’s equipped and hold down ZL again to launch yourself upwards. Once you hit the ceiling, be ready to paraglide down to the shrine exit.
Land at the shrine exit and you’ll receive the Light of Blessing. Congratulations, you’ve completed “More Than Defense” in Ijo-o Shrine!