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

The best armor set for defense in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the Ancient Armor set. This set provides the highest defense rating in the game when fully upgraded, and it also offers a significant bonus against Guardian-type enemies, making it ideal for late-game combat and challenging encounters. To achieve this, you will need to follow a series of steps to acquire and upgrade the set, as well as prepare the necessary materials and resources.

First, you need to obtain the Ancient Armor set. This set consists of three pieces: the Ancient Helm, Ancient Cuirass, and Ancient Greaves. You can purchase these from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, located in the northeastern part of the map. To access the lab, you must complete the side quest "Robbie's Research," which involves lighting the furnace outside the lab using a blue flame. Once the lab is operational, you can buy the armor pieces from Cherry, the robot inside. Each piece costs 2,000 rupees, 20 Ancient Springs, 15 Ancient Gears, and 10 Ancient Shafts. These materials can be obtained by defeating Guardians, which are scattered throughout Hyrule, particularly in areas like Hyrule Castle and the surrounding regions.

Once you have the Ancient Armor set, the next step is to upgrade it to maximize its defense. To do this, you need to visit Great Fairy Fountains. There are four Great Fairy Fountains in the game, and each one requires a payment of rupees to unlock. The first fountain costs 100 rupees, the second 500, the third 1,000, and the fourth 10,000. After unlocking a fountain, you can upgrade your armor by providing the required materials. For the Ancient Armor set, the materials needed for each upgrade level are as follows: Level 1 requires 10 Ancient Screws, Level 2 requires 15 Ancient Screws and 5 Ancient Shafts, Level 3 requires 15 Ancient Shafts and 5 Ancient Cores, and Level 4 requires 1 Star Fragment, 2 Giant Ancient Cores, and 15 Ancient Cores. These materials can be obtained by defeating Guardians or found in chests within shrines and other locations.

To efficiently gather the necessary materials, focus on farming Guardians. Guardians are most commonly found in areas like Hyrule Field, Central Hyrule, and around Hyrule Castle. Use weapons like the Master Sword, Ancient weapons, or Guardian weapons to deal extra damage to them. Additionally, using Ancient Arrows can instantly defeat Guardians, but they are expensive to craft, requiring 1 Ancient Arrow, 1 Ancient Spring, 1 Ancient Shaft, and 1 Ancient Core. If you are low on resources, consider using stealth to sneak up on Guardians and attack their weak points, such as their legs or the eye on their body.

When upgrading your armor, prioritize the Ancient Cuirass first, as it provides the most defense. Then, upgrade the Ancient Greaves and Ancient Helm. This order ensures that you get the most defense boost early on, which is crucial for surviving tough battles. Additionally, consider using food or elixirs that boost your defense temporarily, such as those made with Ironshrooms or Armored Carp, to further enhance your survivability in combat.

A common mistake to avoid is neglecting to upgrade your armor fully. While the initial defense boost from the Ancient Armor set is significant, fully upgrading it to Level 4 provides the maximum defense rating of 84, which is the highest in the game. Another mistake is not farming enough materials before attempting to upgrade. Make sure to stockpile Ancient materials by defeating Guardians regularly and exploring shrines for chests that contain these items.

For advanced players, consider combining the Ancient Armor set with other defensive strategies. For example, using the Ancient Proficiency set bonus, which increases the damage of Ancient and Guardian weapons, can make you even more effective in combat. Additionally, using the Master Sword in its powered-up state, which deals 60 damage against Guardians, can complement the Ancient Armor set's bonuses.

In summary, the Ancient Armor set is the best for defense in Breath of the Wild due to its high defense rating and Guardian resistance. To achieve this, acquire the set from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, gather the necessary materials by defeating Guardians, and upgrade the armor at Great Fairy Fountains. Prioritize upgrading the Ancient Cuirass first, use defensive food or elixirs, and avoid common mistakes like neglecting upgrades or insufficient material farming. By following these steps, you can maximize your defense and tackle even the toughest challenges in the game.