The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom – Should You Explore Gerudo Desert or Jabul Waters First?

Once you've wrapped up the Suthorn Ruins in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, the next step involves a choice between two intriguing locations: the Gerudo Desert to the west or Jabul Waters to the north, both of which feature newly opened Rifts for you to explore.

These two areas offer distinct experiences, primarily differing in terms of difficulty and the distance required to reach them. This guide highlights the key advantages of each zone, including a unique Echo exclusive to both locations, helping players decide whether to venture into the Gerudo Desert or the Jabul Waters first after completing the introductory section.

Exploring Gerudo Desert and Jabul Waters in Echoes of Wisdom

Jabul Waters: Easier, Yet Distant  

Highlight: Water Block Echo  

Jabul Waters is the first Zora region that Zelda can access in Echoes of Wisdom. This area is home to two Zora tribes—the River Zora and the Ocean Zora—and has recently been thrown into chaos due to the madness of the great spirit Lord Jabu-Jabu, seemingly triggered by the Rifts nearby.

In comparison to the Gerudo Desert, the Zora domain presents a slightly easier challenge, with less troublesome enemies overall. Although some foes can be particularly bothersome, the area generally offers a relaxing oceanic adventure, complete with stunning views (including a Galleon-style ship) and one of the best early-game Echoes: the Water Block.

This Echo, which only requires one Tri Power to activate, creates a floating cube of water that Zelda can swim through. It serves multiple purposes: blocking enemy attacks, extinguishing flames, and providing access to otherwise unreachable locations.

Gerudo Desert: Closer to Suthorn Forest, But More Challenging  

Highlight: Flying Tile Echo  

When deciding whether to explore Gerudo or Jabul first, you might notice that the Gerudo Desert is just a short distance to the west, while Jabul Waters lies much farther north. This proximity could lead you to assume that the Gerudo Desert is the easier option due to its position along a more linear path.

However, navigating Gerudo Desert can prove to be more challenging than Jabul Waters, primarily due to tougher enemies and the map distortion effect created by the sandstorm. Yet, if you're up for a bit of a challenge early in the game, heading to Gerudo Desert first offers a quicker route. Once you've completed this area, you can easily proceed to Jabul Waters, which is conveniently located near Hyrule Castle for the next part of your adventure.

Additionally, facing the sands early on allows you to obtain the Flying Tile Echo. Similar to the Water Block Echo, the Flying Tile can facilitate access to areas that are otherwise difficult or impossible to reach. Simply summon the Flying Tile, jump onto it, and watch as it carries you in the direction you were facing when you activated it.

So, Should You Choose Gerudo Desert or Jabul Waters First?

Ultimately, the decision to explore Gerudo Desert or Jabul Waters first in Echoes of Wisdom hinges on the level of challenge you're willing to tackle at this stage of the game. While the game’s fast travel system makes the distance between the two areas less significant, players aiming for a quicker completion may still want to consider it.

In summary, if you want to save time and don’t mind facing tougher enemies with fewer Heart Containers, head west to Gerudo Desert first. Conversely, if you prefer a more leisurely route and don’t mind deviating a bit from the main path, consider starting with Jabul Waters, then fast travel back to the entrance of Gerudo Desert once you've acquired additional Echoes and Heart Containers. Happy adventuring!