What is the best way to use the Ancient Shield 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 make the most of the Ancient Shield, it is important to understand its mechanics, how to obtain it, and how to use it effectively in combat. Here is a detailed guide on how to use the Ancient Shield to its fullest potential.
First, letÔÇÖs talk about how to obtain the Ancient Shield. You can purchase it from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, which is located in the northeastern part of Hyrule. To buy the shield, you will need to gather the necessary materials: 1,000 rupees, 10 Ancient Springs, 15 Ancient Gears, and 1 Giant Ancient Core. These materials can be obtained by defeating Guardians, particularly the decayed and stalker types, or by scavenging them from Guardian remains scattered across Hyrule. Once you have the materials, head to the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab and speak with Robbie to craft the shield.
The Ancient Shield has a base durability of 32, which is higher than most shields in the game. However, its most notable feature is its ability to automatically deflect Guardian laser beams without requiring a perfect parry. This makes it an invaluable tool when facing Guardians, as it significantly reduces the risk of taking damage. When a Guardian fires its laser at you, simply hold up the Ancient Shield, and the laser will bounce back, often destroying the Guardian in one hit. This is especially useful for players who struggle with the timing required for a perfect parry.
To use the Ancient Shield effectively, you should always keep it equipped when exploring areas with a high concentration of Guardians, such as Hyrule Castle or the Central Hyrule region. When you encounter a Guardian, position yourself so that you are facing it directly. Hold the ZL button to raise your shield and wait for the Guardian to fire its laser. The shield will automatically deflect the laser, and you can then move in to finish off the Guardian with melee attacks or arrows if it is still standing.
One important tip is to conserve the Ancient ShieldÔÇÖs durability by only using it against Guardians. While it is a strong shield, it is also expensive to replace, so you should avoid using it for regular combat or shield surfing. Instead, carry a secondary shield for everyday use and switch to the Ancient Shield only when facing Guardians. Additionally, if you have the Master Sword, you can use it in conjunction with the Ancient Shield to deal extra damage to Guardians, as the Master Sword deals bonus damage to them when it is glowing.
A common mistake players make is relying too heavily on the Ancient Shield and not practicing their parry timing. While the shield makes fighting Guardians easier, it is still important to learn how to parry Guardian lasers manually. This skill is crucial for situations where you might not have the Ancient Shield available, such as during early-game exploration or in Master Mode, where enemies are more aggressive. To practice parrying, find a decayed Guardian in a safe area and experiment with the timing. Press A just as the GuardianÔÇÖs eye flashes blue to perform a perfect parry.
For advanced players, you can optimize your use of the Ancient Shield by combining it with other Ancient gear. The Ancient Armor set, also available at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, provides a significant defense boost against Guardian attacks and increases the damage output of Ancient weapons. Wearing the full set and using the Ancient Shield will make you nearly invincible against Guardians, allowing you to take on multiple enemies at once with confidence. Additionally, using Ancient Arrows can instantly destroy Guardians, making them a great backup option if your shieldÔÇÖs durability is running low.
In terms of preparation, always make sure to have plenty of healing items and stamina-restoring food before engaging in combat with Guardians. While the Ancient Shield reduces the risk of taking damage, it is still possible to get overwhelmed if you are not careful. Cooked meals with hearty ingredients, such as Hearty Radishes or Durians, can provide extra hearts and temporary bonuses to your health and stamina.
An alternative approach to using the Ancient Shield is to focus on stealth and ranged attacks. If you prefer to avoid direct combat with Guardians, you can use stealth to sneak up on them and attack their weak points with Ancient Arrows or bomb arrows. This method is particularly effective in areas with multiple Guardians, as it allows you to take them out one by one without alerting the others. However, this approach requires careful planning and resource management, as Ancient Arrows are rare and expensive to craft.
In specific scenarios, such as the Hyrule Castle area, the Ancient Shield can be a lifesaver. The castle is filled with Guardians, and having the shield equipped will allow you to navigate the area more safely. For example, when crossing the castle moat, you can use the shield to deflect laser beams from the Guardian Skywatchers while focusing on reaching your destination. Similarly, in the Divine Beast Vah Rudania quest, the Ancient Shield can help you deal with the Guardian Sentinels that guard the entrance to the Divine Beast.
In conclusion, the Ancient Shield is a powerful tool for dealing with Guardians in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. By understanding its mechanics, conserving its durability, and combining it with other Ancient gear, you can make the most of this shield and significantly improve your chances of survival in Hyrule. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, the Ancient Shield is a valuable asset that can help you overcome some of the gameÔÇÖs toughest challenges.
First, letÔÇÖs talk about how to obtain the Ancient Shield. You can purchase it from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, which is located in the northeastern part of Hyrule. To buy the shield, you will need to gather the necessary materials: 1,000 rupees, 10 Ancient Springs, 15 Ancient Gears, and 1 Giant Ancient Core. These materials can be obtained by defeating Guardians, particularly the decayed and stalker types, or by scavenging them from Guardian remains scattered across Hyrule. Once you have the materials, head to the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab and speak with Robbie to craft the shield.
The Ancient Shield has a base durability of 32, which is higher than most shields in the game. However, its most notable feature is its ability to automatically deflect Guardian laser beams without requiring a perfect parry. This makes it an invaluable tool when facing Guardians, as it significantly reduces the risk of taking damage. When a Guardian fires its laser at you, simply hold up the Ancient Shield, and the laser will bounce back, often destroying the Guardian in one hit. This is especially useful for players who struggle with the timing required for a perfect parry.
To use the Ancient Shield effectively, you should always keep it equipped when exploring areas with a high concentration of Guardians, such as Hyrule Castle or the Central Hyrule region. When you encounter a Guardian, position yourself so that you are facing it directly. Hold the ZL button to raise your shield and wait for the Guardian to fire its laser. The shield will automatically deflect the laser, and you can then move in to finish off the Guardian with melee attacks or arrows if it is still standing.
One important tip is to conserve the Ancient ShieldÔÇÖs durability by only using it against Guardians. While it is a strong shield, it is also expensive to replace, so you should avoid using it for regular combat or shield surfing. Instead, carry a secondary shield for everyday use and switch to the Ancient Shield only when facing Guardians. Additionally, if you have the Master Sword, you can use it in conjunction with the Ancient Shield to deal extra damage to Guardians, as the Master Sword deals bonus damage to them when it is glowing.
A common mistake players make is relying too heavily on the Ancient Shield and not practicing their parry timing. While the shield makes fighting Guardians easier, it is still important to learn how to parry Guardian lasers manually. This skill is crucial for situations where you might not have the Ancient Shield available, such as during early-game exploration or in Master Mode, where enemies are more aggressive. To practice parrying, find a decayed Guardian in a safe area and experiment with the timing. Press A just as the GuardianÔÇÖs eye flashes blue to perform a perfect parry.
For advanced players, you can optimize your use of the Ancient Shield by combining it with other Ancient gear. The Ancient Armor set, also available at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, provides a significant defense boost against Guardian attacks and increases the damage output of Ancient weapons. Wearing the full set and using the Ancient Shield will make you nearly invincible against Guardians, allowing you to take on multiple enemies at once with confidence. Additionally, using Ancient Arrows can instantly destroy Guardians, making them a great backup option if your shieldÔÇÖs durability is running low.
In terms of preparation, always make sure to have plenty of healing items and stamina-restoring food before engaging in combat with Guardians. While the Ancient Shield reduces the risk of taking damage, it is still possible to get overwhelmed if you are not careful. Cooked meals with hearty ingredients, such as Hearty Radishes or Durians, can provide extra hearts and temporary bonuses to your health and stamina.
An alternative approach to using the Ancient Shield is to focus on stealth and ranged attacks. If you prefer to avoid direct combat with Guardians, you can use stealth to sneak up on them and attack their weak points with Ancient Arrows or bomb arrows. This method is particularly effective in areas with multiple Guardians, as it allows you to take them out one by one without alerting the others. However, this approach requires careful planning and resource management, as Ancient Arrows are rare and expensive to craft.
In specific scenarios, such as the Hyrule Castle area, the Ancient Shield can be a lifesaver. The castle is filled with Guardians, and having the shield equipped will allow you to navigate the area more safely. For example, when crossing the castle moat, you can use the shield to deflect laser beams from the Guardian Skywatchers while focusing on reaching your destination. Similarly, in the Divine Beast Vah Rudania quest, the Ancient Shield can help you deal with the Guardian Sentinels that guard the entrance to the Divine Beast.
In conclusion, the Ancient Shield is a powerful tool for dealing with Guardians in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. By understanding its mechanics, conserving its durability, and combining it with other Ancient gear, you can make the most of this shield and significantly improve your chances of survival in Hyrule. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, the Ancient Shield is a valuable asset that can help you overcome some of the gameÔÇÖs toughest challenges.