Epona is in Tears of the Kingdom, but she can’t be found in the wild — you have to unlock her. There are three ways to do it: scan a compatible Link amiibo, transfer your save data from Breath of the Wild, or visit the New Serenne Stable (which only works if you played BotW). The amiibo method is the most reliable and works for any player regardless of play history.
Epona is worth the effort. She comes pre-bonded with maximum stats across Strength, Speed, and Stamina — no taming required, no trust-building process, just mount and ride. Here’s exactly how to get her.
Epona’s Stats in Tears of the Kingdom
Before diving into the methods, here’s why Epona stands out from every other horse you can register in the game:
| Stat | Epona | Average Wild Horse |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) | 1–4 stars |
| Speed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) | 1–4 stars |
| Stamina | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) | 1–3 spurs |
| Temperament | Gentle (pre-tamed) | Wild (requires taming) |
| Bond Level | 100% (maximum) | 0% at first encounter |
| Pull ability | Not available | Available |
| Gear customization | Not available | Available |
The trade-off is that Epona can’t pull equipment or be dressed in gear — she’s a pure riding horse. But her 4-star stats across all three categories make her one of the best mounts in the game for traversal and combat.
Method 1: Amiibo (Best Method — Works for Everyone)
Scanning a compatible Link amiibo is the most straightforward way to get Epona, and it works regardless of your play history. The following amiibo will summon Epona in Tears of the Kingdom:
- Super Smash Bros. Link amiibo (the most common)
- Twilight Princess Link amiibo
The Breath of the Wild Link amiibo, Archer Link, and Rider Link do not summon Epona — they spawn different items and horses.
Step-by-Step: How to Scan an Amiibo in TotK
- Unlock amiibo scanning first. You need to complete the Ukouh Shrine (one of the very first shrines on the Great Sky Island). Once you have the Ultrahand ability, amiibo scanning becomes available.
- Enable amiibo support. Go to System Settings → Options → turn on “Use amiibo.” If you’ve accidentally disabled it, this is where to re-enable it.
- Open the ability wheel. Press and hold L to bring up the ability radial menu.
- Select the amiibo function from the wheel (it looks like a small figure icon).
- Hold the amiibo or amiibo card to the right Joy-Con’s NFC reader (the flat surface below the thumbstick). A white circle target will appear on the ground.
- Epona will spawn on the target location as a wild horse. She appears without a rider and isn’t aggressive — approach and mount her normally.
- Register Epona at a stable. Ride to the nearest stable and register her. This permanently adds her to your roster so you can call her from any stable in Hyrule.
Important: You can only use each amiibo once every 24 real-world hours in TotK. If Epona doesn’t appear on the first scan (you might get items or a different horse instead), try again the next day. Players have reported needing 2–5 scans before Epona appears, as the spawn has a random element.
Where to Buy a Link Amiibo
The Super Smash Bros. Link amiibo is widely available on Amazon, eBay, and GameStop — new or used. Prices vary from $15–$40 depending on availability. Alternatively, NFC amiibo cards (unofficial but functional) are sold on eBay and Amazon for around $3–$8 and work identically to official figures for in-game scanning purposes.
Method 2: Breath of the Wild Save Data Transfer
If you played The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on the same Nintendo Switch and registered Epona in that save file, she transfers automatically to Tears of the Kingdom.
- Start or load your Tears of the Kingdom save.
- Travel to any horse stable in the game.
- Speak to the stable staff and check the horse register — Epona will appear in your list if the transfer worked.
Requirements for this method:
- You must have previously obtained and registered Epona in Breath of the Wild (via amiibo in BotW).
- Both games must be on the same Nintendo Switch console.
- Your BotW save must be present on that Switch (cloud saves may not transfer).
Method 3: New Serenne Stable (BotW Players Only)
Players who previously played Breath of the Wild may find Epona waiting at the New Serenne Stable — one of the earliest stables you reach in the game, located in the Hyrule Ridge area northwest of Lookout Landing.
This method is essentially the same as the save data transfer — Epona appears here because the game detected your BotW history. If you never played BotW, Epona will not be at New Serenne Stable. You’ll need to use the amiibo method instead.
How to Use Epona After Getting Her
Once Epona is registered at a stable, you can call her at any stable in Hyrule the same way you’d call any registered horse — speak to the stable hand, select Epona from your roster, and she appears outside. She rides like any other horse but with maximum bond from the start, meaning she responds to your commands immediately without the trust-building period that wild horses require.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Epona cannot be customized. You can’t change her saddle, bridle, or mane style at a Highland Stable.
- Epona cannot pull Zonai devices. Wild horses can be used with Zonai carts and equipment; Epona cannot.
- Epona can die. If she falls in combat or off a cliff, visit the Horse God Malanya at Malanya Spring (north of Highland Stable) to resurrect her for a fee of Pony Points and rupees.
- Epona cannot be released. Unlike wild horses, you can’t deregister or release Epona from a stable.
Is Epona the Best Horse in Tears of the Kingdom?
Epona is excellent but not objectively the best horse for every situation. The Royal White Stallion (found near Safula Hill, requires a side quest) has identical stats to Epona at 4/4/4 and can be fully customized. The Giant White Stallion (near Lake Mekar) has only 2-star speed but 5-star strength, making it better for combat but slower overall.
For most players doing open-world exploration and side quests, Epona’s combination of pre-maxed bond, 4/4/4 stats, and iconic status makes her the most satisfying horse in the game even if she’s not theoretically perfect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get Epona in Tears of the Kingdom without an amiibo?
Yes — if you played Breath of the Wild on the same Nintendo Switch and registered Epona there, she will appear in your TotK stable register automatically. You can also find her at the New Serenne Stable if your BotW save data is present. If you never played BotW, the only option is the amiibo method.
Which amiibo gives you Epona in Tears of the Kingdom?
The Super Smash Bros. Link amiibo and the Twilight Princess Link amiibo both have a chance to summon Epona. Note that scanning may not produce Epona on the first attempt — the game randomly selects from several possible rewards when you scan. Try again the next real-world day if she doesn’t appear.
How many times do you need to scan the amiibo to get Epona?
It varies — some players get Epona on the first scan, others take 4–6 attempts over multiple days. The reward pool for the Smash Bros. Link amiibo includes multiple items and horses, and Epona is not guaranteed on any single scan. Keep trying once per day until she appears.
What happens if Epona dies in Tears of the Kingdom?
If Epona dies, visit the Horse God Malanya at Malanya Spring (located north of Highland Stable in the Faron region). Malanya can resurrect any registered horse that has died, including Epona. The revival costs Pony Points (earned by registering horses) and rupees. Epona is not permanently lost if she dies.
Can you use Epona in multiplayer or with other players?
Tears of the Kingdom doesn’t have multiplayer — it’s a single-player game. Epona is tied to your individual save file and can’t be shared or traded between players.
