What is the best armor set for fighting Guardians in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

The best armor set for fighting Guardians in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the Ancient Armor set. This set is specifically designed to counter Guardians, offering both high defense and unique bonuses that make it ideal for these encounters. The Ancient Armor set consists of three pieces: the Ancient Helm, Ancient Cuirass, and Ancient Greaves. When all three pieces are worn together, they provide an additional set bonus called "Ancient Proficiency," which increases the damage of weapons made with Ancient Sheikah technology, such as the Ancient Short Sword, Ancient Bladesaw, and Ancient Bow. This bonus is particularly useful when combined with Guardian weapons, as it maximizes your damage output against these formidable enemies.

To obtain the Ancient Armor set, you must visit the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, located in the northeastern part of the map. The lab is run by Robbie, who will sell you the armor pieces in exchange for Ancient Materials, such as Ancient Screws, Ancient Shafts, Ancient Cores, and Giant Ancient Cores. These materials are primarily obtained by defeating Guardians or found in shrines and treasure chests. Each piece of the armor costs a significant amount of rupees and Ancient Materials, so you will need to farm Guardians or explore shrines to gather the necessary resources. The Ancient Helm costs 2,000 rupees, 20 Ancient Springs, 1 Ancient Shaft, and 1 Ancient Core. The Ancient Cuirass costs 2,000 rupees, 20 Ancient Gears, 1 Ancient Shaft, and 1 Ancient Core. The Ancient Greaves cost 2,000 rupees, 20 Ancient Screws, 1 Ancient Shaft, and 1 Ancient Core.

Once you have the Ancient Armor set, you can further enhance its effectiveness by upgrading it at a Great Fairy Fountain. Upgrading the armor requires additional Ancient Materials, such as Ancient Springs, Ancient Gears, Ancient Screws, and Giant Ancient Cores. Each upgrade level increases the armor's defense, making you more resilient against Guardian attacks. At the maximum upgrade level (level 4), the Ancient Armor set provides 84 defense, which is among the highest in the game. Additionally, the set bonus "Ancient Proficiency" increases the damage of Ancient weapons by 80%, making it a powerful choice for taking down Guardians quickly.

When fighting Guardians, it is important to understand their attack patterns and weaknesses. Guardians primarily attack with laser beams, which can be devastating if not properly countered. The Ancient Armor set provides a significant damage reduction against these laser attacks, but you can further mitigate damage by using a shield to parry the lasers. Timing is crucial for a successful parry, as you need to press the A button just as the Guardian's eye flashes blue before firing. If timed correctly, the laser will be reflected back at the Guardian, dealing massive damage and often destroying it in one hit. This technique is especially effective against stationary Guardians, such as those found in shrines or ruins.

Another strategy for fighting Guardians is to use Ancient Arrows, which can be purchased from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. Ancient Arrows are extremely powerful and can instantly defeat most Guardians when shot directly at their eye. However, they are expensive and require Ancient Materials to craft, so they should be used sparingly. If you are low on resources, you can also use regular arrows combined with a high-damage bow, such as the Ancient Bow, to target the Guardian's eye and deal significant damage.

Preparation is key when facing Guardians. Before engaging in combat, make sure you have plenty of healing items, such as Hearty Durians or cooked meals that restore a large amount of health. You should also stock up on arrows and weapons, as Guardians can be tough to defeat without the right equipment. If you are struggling with the timing for parrying lasers, consider practicing on weaker Guardians or using the Stasis+ rune to freeze them temporarily, giving you more time to aim your attacks.

One common mistake to avoid is underestimating the range and accuracy of Guardian lasers. Even with the Ancient Armor set, you can still take significant damage if you are caught off guard. Always keep your distance and use cover, such as walls or pillars, to block incoming lasers. Additionally, avoid fighting multiple Guardians at once, as their combined firepower can quickly overwhelm you. If you find yourself in a difficult situation, consider using stealth to avoid detection or retreating to a safer location to regroup.

For advanced players, there are several optimizations you can make to improve your effectiveness against Guardians. One technique is to use the Master Sword, which deals extra damage to Guardians when fully powered up. The Master Sword can be combined with the Ancient Armor set's "Ancient Proficiency" bonus to deal even more damage, making it a formidable weapon against these enemies. Another optimization is to use the Barbarian Armor set or the Phantom Armor set, which increase your attack power. While these sets do not provide the same level of defense as the Ancient Armor set, they can be useful for players who prefer a more aggressive playstyle.

In summary, the Ancient Armor set is the best choice for fighting Guardians in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Its high defense, damage reduction against Guardian attacks, and set bonus for Ancient weapons make it an essential piece of equipment for tackling these challenging enemies. By obtaining and upgrading the Ancient Armor set, mastering the parry technique, and preparing adequately for combat, you can effectively take down Guardians and progress through the game with confidence.