What ingredients are needed to make a dish that increases my stealth and defense in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

To create a dish in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild that increases both stealth and defense, you need to understand the mechanics of cooking and how ingredient effects combine. Cooking in the game involves combining ingredients with specific effects to create dishes or elixirs that provide temporary buffs. Each ingredient has one or more effects, and when combined, the resulting dish will inherit the effects of the ingredients used. However, not all effects can be combined in a single dish. For example, you cannot create a dish that increases both stealth and defense directly because stealth and defense are separate buffs. Instead, you can create two separate dishes or elixirs to achieve both effects.

To increase stealth, you need ingredients with the "Stealth" effect. Common stealth-boosting ingredients include Silent Shrooms, Silent Princess flowers, and Blue Nightshade. These can be found in forests, near water sources, or in areas with dense vegetation. For defense, you need ingredients with the "Defense" effect, such as Armored Carp, Ironshrooms, or Fortified Pumpkins. These are often found in rocky areas, near water, or in specific regions like the Akkala Highlands.

To create a stealth-boosting dish, combine at least one stealth ingredient with other neutral ingredients like Hylian Rice or Tabantha Wheat. For example, cooking a Silent Shroom with Hylian Rice and Rock Salt will create a dish that increases stealth. The more stealth ingredients you add, the stronger and longer-lasting the effect will be. Similarly, for a defense-boosting dish, combine a defense ingredient like an Ironshroom with other neutral ingredients. Cooking an Ironshroom with Hylian Rice and Goron Spice will create a dish that increases defense.

To achieve both stealth and defense buffs, you will need to prepare two separate dishes or elixirs. For example, you can cook a Silent Shroom with Hylian Rice for stealth and an Ironshroom with Goron Spice for defense. Consuming both dishes will grant you both buffs simultaneously. Alternatively, you can create elixirs by combining stealth or defense ingredients with monster parts. For example, combining a Silent Shroom with a Bokoblin Horn will create a stealth elixir, while combining an Ironshroom with a Lizalfos Tail will create a defense elixir.

When preparing these dishes, it is important to consider the quality of the ingredients. Higher-quality ingredients, such as those found in rare locations or during specific weather conditions, will produce stronger effects. For example, using a Silent Princess instead of a Silent Shroom will result in a more potent stealth boost. Similarly, using a Fortified Pumpkin instead of an Ironshroom will provide a stronger defense boost.

A common mistake is using too many different types of effects in a single dish, which can cancel out the desired buffs. For example, combining a stealth ingredient with a defense ingredient in the same dish will often result in a dish with no buffs or only one of the effects. To avoid this, always focus on one effect per dish or elixir. Another mistake is overcooking or burning the dish, which can happen if you leave the ingredients in the cooking pot for too long. Always pay attention to the cooking animation to ensure the dish is prepared correctly.

Advanced techniques involve optimizing ingredient combinations to maximize the duration and strength of the buffs. For example, adding a Dragon Horn to a dish or elixir will extend the duration of the buff to 30 minutes, regardless of the other ingredients used. This is particularly useful for long stealth or defense missions. Additionally, using critical cooking techniques, such as cooking during a Blood Moon, can sometimes result in dishes with enhanced effects.

Preparation is key to successfully creating these dishes. Before heading out on a mission, gather all necessary ingredients and store them in your inventory. Use the Hyrule Compendium to track the locations of rare ingredients like Silent Princess or Fortified Pumpkins. Plan your route to include stops at known ingredient locations, such as the forests around Kakariko Village for stealth ingredients or the Akkala region for defense ingredients.

Alternative approaches include using armor sets to achieve similar effects. For example, the Sheikah Stealth Set provides a stealth boost when worn, while the Ancient Armor Set offers a significant defense boost. Combining these armor sets with the appropriate dishes or elixirs can further enhance your abilities. Additionally, some quests and shrines reward you with stealth or defense-boosting items, so completing these can be a good way to supplement your resources.

In specific scenarios, such as infiltrating enemy camps or facing tough bosses, having both stealth and defense buffs can be invaluable. For example, when sneaking into a Yiga Clan hideout, a stealth dish will help you avoid detection, while a defense dish will protect you if you are discovered. Similarly, when facing a Lynel, a defense dish can reduce the damage you take, allowing you to focus on combat without worrying about health.

In summary, creating dishes that increase stealth and defense in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild requires careful ingredient selection and preparation. Focus on one effect per dish, use high-quality ingredients, and avoid common mistakes like overcooking or mixing incompatible effects. By following these strategies, you can optimize your cooking and resource management to enhance your gameplay experience.