What is the best way to use the Ancient Shield in combat in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?
The Ancient Shield is one of the most powerful shields in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and it is particularly effective against Guardians, which are some of the toughest enemies in the game. To use the Ancient Shield effectively in combat, you need to understand its unique properties, how it interacts with enemy attacks, and how to maximize its durability and utility. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to use the Ancient Shield to its fullest potential.
First, letÔÇÖs talk about the mechanics of the Ancient Shield. The Ancient Shield is crafted by Robbie at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab after you complete the "RobbieÔÇÖs Research" side quest. It requires 1,000 rupees, 10 Ancient Springs, 15 Ancient Gears, and 1 Giant Ancient Core to create. The shield has a base durability of 32, which is higher than most shields in the game, and it has a unique ability: it can automatically deflect Guardian laser beams without requiring a perfect parry. This makes it incredibly useful when fighting Guardians, as it reduces the risk of taking damage from their powerful attacks.
To use the Ancient Shield effectively, you should first equip it when facing Guardians. When a Guardian locks onto you with its laser, simply hold up the shield and stand still. The shield will automatically deflect the laser back at the Guardian, dealing significant damage. This is much easier than timing a perfect parry with a regular shield, which requires precise timing and can be risky if you miss. The Ancient ShieldÔÇÖs auto-deflect ability makes it a reliable tool for taking down Guardians, especially if youÔÇÖre not confident in your parrying skills.
However, there are some important tips and considerations to keep in mind. First, the Ancient ShieldÔÇÖs auto-deflect ability only works against Guardian lasers. It does not automatically deflect other types of attacks, such as melee strikes or elemental projectiles. For these attacks, youÔÇÖll need to use the shield normally, either by blocking or parrying. Additionally, the shieldÔÇÖs durability will still decrease with each use, so itÔÇÖs important to manage its usage carefully. If youÔÇÖre fighting multiple Guardians, consider switching to a different shield for non-laser attacks to preserve the Ancient ShieldÔÇÖs durability.
Another common mistake to avoid is relying too heavily on the Ancient Shield. While itÔÇÖs incredibly useful against Guardians, itÔÇÖs not indestructible, and it will eventually break if used excessively. To avoid this, try to minimize unnecessary use of the shield. For example, if youÔÇÖre fighting a Guardian and itÔÇÖs not firing its laser, switch to a different shield or weapon to conserve the Ancient ShieldÔÇÖs durability. Additionally, you can use the shieldÔÇÖs auto-deflect ability strategically by only using it when absolutely necessary, such as when a Guardian is about to fire its laser.
For advanced techniques, you can combine the Ancient Shield with other combat strategies to maximize its effectiveness. For example, you can use the shield to deflect a GuardianÔÇÖs laser and then quickly follow up with a powerful weapon, such as an Ancient Short Sword or Ancient Bladesaw, to deal additional damage. You can also use the shield in conjunction with stealth or environmental tactics, such as hiding behind cover to avoid laser attacks and then using the shield to deflect when the Guardian is exposed.
Preparation is key when using the Ancient Shield. Before engaging in combat with Guardians, make sure you have plenty of healing items, such as hearty meals or fairies, in case you take damage. You should also have a backup shield in case the Ancient Shield breaks during battle. Additionally, consider upgrading your armor to increase your defense and reduce the damage you take from Guardian attacks. The Ancient Armor set, which can also be crafted at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, provides excellent defense and additional bonuses against Guardian attacks.
If you donÔÇÖt have access to the Ancient Shield, there are alternative approaches to fighting Guardians. One common method is to use a regular shield and perfect parry their laser attacks. This requires precise timing, but it can be very effective if done correctly. Another approach is to use Ancient Arrows, which can instantly destroy a Guardian if you hit its eye. However, Ancient Arrows are rare and expensive, so they should be used sparingly.
In specific scenarios, such as when fighting a Guardian Stalker in an open field, the Ancient Shield can be a lifesaver. Simply hold up the shield and let it deflect the laser attacks while you focus on positioning yourself for a counterattack. In more confined spaces, such as inside a shrine or near obstacles, you can use the environment to your advantage by hiding behind cover and then using the shield to deflect when the Guardian is vulnerable.
In conclusion, the Ancient Shield is a powerful tool for combating Guardians in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. By understanding its mechanics, managing its durability, and using it strategically, you can effectively take down even the toughest enemies. With proper preparation and careful usage, the Ancient Shield can be a key asset in your journey through Hyrule.
First, letÔÇÖs talk about the mechanics of the Ancient Shield. The Ancient Shield is crafted by Robbie at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab after you complete the "RobbieÔÇÖs Research" side quest. It requires 1,000 rupees, 10 Ancient Springs, 15 Ancient Gears, and 1 Giant Ancient Core to create. The shield has a base durability of 32, which is higher than most shields in the game, and it has a unique ability: it can automatically deflect Guardian laser beams without requiring a perfect parry. This makes it incredibly useful when fighting Guardians, as it reduces the risk of taking damage from their powerful attacks.
To use the Ancient Shield effectively, you should first equip it when facing Guardians. When a Guardian locks onto you with its laser, simply hold up the shield and stand still. The shield will automatically deflect the laser back at the Guardian, dealing significant damage. This is much easier than timing a perfect parry with a regular shield, which requires precise timing and can be risky if you miss. The Ancient ShieldÔÇÖs auto-deflect ability makes it a reliable tool for taking down Guardians, especially if youÔÇÖre not confident in your parrying skills.
However, there are some important tips and considerations to keep in mind. First, the Ancient ShieldÔÇÖs auto-deflect ability only works against Guardian lasers. It does not automatically deflect other types of attacks, such as melee strikes or elemental projectiles. For these attacks, youÔÇÖll need to use the shield normally, either by blocking or parrying. Additionally, the shieldÔÇÖs durability will still decrease with each use, so itÔÇÖs important to manage its usage carefully. If youÔÇÖre fighting multiple Guardians, consider switching to a different shield for non-laser attacks to preserve the Ancient ShieldÔÇÖs durability.
Another common mistake to avoid is relying too heavily on the Ancient Shield. While itÔÇÖs incredibly useful against Guardians, itÔÇÖs not indestructible, and it will eventually break if used excessively. To avoid this, try to minimize unnecessary use of the shield. For example, if youÔÇÖre fighting a Guardian and itÔÇÖs not firing its laser, switch to a different shield or weapon to conserve the Ancient ShieldÔÇÖs durability. Additionally, you can use the shieldÔÇÖs auto-deflect ability strategically by only using it when absolutely necessary, such as when a Guardian is about to fire its laser.
For advanced techniques, you can combine the Ancient Shield with other combat strategies to maximize its effectiveness. For example, you can use the shield to deflect a GuardianÔÇÖs laser and then quickly follow up with a powerful weapon, such as an Ancient Short Sword or Ancient Bladesaw, to deal additional damage. You can also use the shield in conjunction with stealth or environmental tactics, such as hiding behind cover to avoid laser attacks and then using the shield to deflect when the Guardian is exposed.
Preparation is key when using the Ancient Shield. Before engaging in combat with Guardians, make sure you have plenty of healing items, such as hearty meals or fairies, in case you take damage. You should also have a backup shield in case the Ancient Shield breaks during battle. Additionally, consider upgrading your armor to increase your defense and reduce the damage you take from Guardian attacks. The Ancient Armor set, which can also be crafted at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, provides excellent defense and additional bonuses against Guardian attacks.
If you donÔÇÖt have access to the Ancient Shield, there are alternative approaches to fighting Guardians. One common method is to use a regular shield and perfect parry their laser attacks. This requires precise timing, but it can be very effective if done correctly. Another approach is to use Ancient Arrows, which can instantly destroy a Guardian if you hit its eye. However, Ancient Arrows are rare and expensive, so they should be used sparingly.
In specific scenarios, such as when fighting a Guardian Stalker in an open field, the Ancient Shield can be a lifesaver. Simply hold up the shield and let it deflect the laser attacks while you focus on positioning yourself for a counterattack. In more confined spaces, such as inside a shrine or near obstacles, you can use the environment to your advantage by hiding behind cover and then using the shield to deflect when the Guardian is vulnerable.
In conclusion, the Ancient Shield is a powerful tool for combating Guardians in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. By understanding its mechanics, managing its durability, and using it strategically, you can effectively take down even the toughest enemies. With proper preparation and careful usage, the Ancient Shield can be a key asset in your journey through Hyrule.