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 mechanics, strengths, and limitations. Here is a detailed guide on how to make the most of this shield.
First, letÔÇÖs talk about the mechanics of the Ancient Shield. This shield is crafted by Robbie at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab after you complete the "Robbie's Research" side quest. It requires 1,000 rupees, 15 Ancient Springs, 10 Ancient Gears, and 1 Giant Ancient Core to create. The shield has a base durability of 32 and a shield guard of 70, making it one of the most durable and protective shields in the game. Its unique feature is its ability to automatically deflect Guardian laser beams without requiring a perfect parry. This makes it invaluable when facing Guardians, as it reduces the risk of taking damage from their powerful attacks.
To use the Ancient Shield effectively, you should prioritize it for battles against Guardians. When a Guardian locks onto you with its laser, simply hold up the shield and face the Guardian. The shield will automatically deflect the laser back at the Guardian, dealing significant damage and often destroying it in one or two hits. 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 feature makes it a reliable tool for taking down Guardians, especially in areas like Hyrule Castle or the Central Hyrule region where Guardians are abundant.
However, the Ancient Shield is not indestructible. It will eventually break after deflecting a certain number of laser beams, so itÔÇÖs important to use it strategically. Avoid using it for regular combat or against weaker enemies, as this will waste its durability. Instead, save it for situations where you absolutely need its unique abilities, such as when facing multiple Guardians or when youÔÇÖre in a tight spot and need a quick way to neutralize a threat.
Preparation is key when using the Ancient Shield. Before heading into Guardian-heavy areas, make sure you have enough resources to repair or replace the shield if it breaks. Stock up on Ancient materials by defeating Guardians or searching for them in shrines and treasure chests. You should also carry other shields as backups, such as the Hylian Shield, which has high durability and can be used for general combat. Additionally, consider wearing the Ancient Armor set, which increases your defense against Guardian attacks and boosts the damage of Ancient weapons.
One common mistake players make is over-relying on the Ancient Shield. While it is powerful, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. For example, it is less effective against non-Guardian enemies like Lynels or Hinoxes, where other combat strategies, such as perfect dodges or elemental attacks, are more effective. Another mistake is not managing its durability properly. Since the shield is expensive to craft, you should avoid using it for trivial encounters or shield surfing, as this will wear it down quickly.
For advanced techniques, you can combine the Ancient Shield with other combat strategies to maximize its effectiveness. For example, you can use Stasis+ to freeze a Guardian, giving you time to position yourself and prepare for its laser attack. You can also use the shield in conjunction with Ancient weapons, which deal extra damage to Guardians. If youÔÇÖre facing multiple Guardians, try to isolate them and take them down one at a time, using the shield to deflect their lasers while avoiding attacks from others.
In specific scenarios, such as the "A Major Test of Strength" shrines, the Ancient Shield can be a game-changer. These shrines feature powerful Guardian Scouts that use laser attacks, and the shieldÔÇÖs auto-deflect ability can make these battles much easier. Similarly, when exploring Hyrule Castle, the shield can help you navigate through areas filled with Guardians without taking unnecessary damage.
In conclusion, the Ancient Shield is a powerful tool for dealing with Guardians, but it requires careful management and strategic use. By understanding its mechanics, preparing adequately, and avoiding common mistakes, you can make the most of this shield and significantly improve your combat effectiveness in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
First, letÔÇÖs talk about the mechanics of the Ancient Shield. This shield is crafted by Robbie at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab after you complete the "Robbie's Research" side quest. It requires 1,000 rupees, 15 Ancient Springs, 10 Ancient Gears, and 1 Giant Ancient Core to create. The shield has a base durability of 32 and a shield guard of 70, making it one of the most durable and protective shields in the game. Its unique feature is its ability to automatically deflect Guardian laser beams without requiring a perfect parry. This makes it invaluable when facing Guardians, as it reduces the risk of taking damage from their powerful attacks.
To use the Ancient Shield effectively, you should prioritize it for battles against Guardians. When a Guardian locks onto you with its laser, simply hold up the shield and face the Guardian. The shield will automatically deflect the laser back at the Guardian, dealing significant damage and often destroying it in one or two hits. 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 feature makes it a reliable tool for taking down Guardians, especially in areas like Hyrule Castle or the Central Hyrule region where Guardians are abundant.
However, the Ancient Shield is not indestructible. It will eventually break after deflecting a certain number of laser beams, so itÔÇÖs important to use it strategically. Avoid using it for regular combat or against weaker enemies, as this will waste its durability. Instead, save it for situations where you absolutely need its unique abilities, such as when facing multiple Guardians or when youÔÇÖre in a tight spot and need a quick way to neutralize a threat.
Preparation is key when using the Ancient Shield. Before heading into Guardian-heavy areas, make sure you have enough resources to repair or replace the shield if it breaks. Stock up on Ancient materials by defeating Guardians or searching for them in shrines and treasure chests. You should also carry other shields as backups, such as the Hylian Shield, which has high durability and can be used for general combat. Additionally, consider wearing the Ancient Armor set, which increases your defense against Guardian attacks and boosts the damage of Ancient weapons.
One common mistake players make is over-relying on the Ancient Shield. While it is powerful, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. For example, it is less effective against non-Guardian enemies like Lynels or Hinoxes, where other combat strategies, such as perfect dodges or elemental attacks, are more effective. Another mistake is not managing its durability properly. Since the shield is expensive to craft, you should avoid using it for trivial encounters or shield surfing, as this will wear it down quickly.
For advanced techniques, you can combine the Ancient Shield with other combat strategies to maximize its effectiveness. For example, you can use Stasis+ to freeze a Guardian, giving you time to position yourself and prepare for its laser attack. You can also use the shield in conjunction with Ancient weapons, which deal extra damage to Guardians. If youÔÇÖre facing multiple Guardians, try to isolate them and take them down one at a time, using the shield to deflect their lasers while avoiding attacks from others.
In specific scenarios, such as the "A Major Test of Strength" shrines, the Ancient Shield can be a game-changer. These shrines feature powerful Guardian Scouts that use laser attacks, and the shieldÔÇÖs auto-deflect ability can make these battles much easier. Similarly, when exploring Hyrule Castle, the shield can help you navigate through areas filled with Guardians without taking unnecessary damage.
In conclusion, the Ancient Shield is a powerful tool for dealing with Guardians, but it requires careful management and strategic use. By understanding its mechanics, preparing adequately, and avoiding common mistakes, you can make the most of this shield and significantly improve your combat effectiveness in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.