What materials are needed to upgrade the Ancient Battle Axe in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

To upgrade the Ancient Battle Axe in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you need to understand the game's mechanics related to ancient technology and weapon upgrades. The Ancient Battle Axe is part of the ancient gear category, which includes weapons, armor, and shields crafted using ancient materials. These items are tied to the Sheikah technology found throughout Hyrule, and upgrading them requires specific resources and a visit to the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab.

First, you need to unlock the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. This is located in the northeastern part of Hyrule, in the Akkala region. To activate the lab, you must complete a side quest called "Robbie's Research." This quest involves lighting the furnace outside the lab using a blue flame, similar to the process at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab. Once the lab is operational, you can speak to Cherry, the robot assistant, to craft and upgrade ancient gear.

The Ancient Battle Axe itself cannot be upgraded in the traditional sense, as it is a weapon with fixed stats. However, you can obtain a stronger version called the Ancient Battle Axe+ by using the lab's crafting system. To craft the Ancient Battle Axe+, you will need specific materials. These include Ancient Screws, Ancient Shafts, and Ancient Cores, which are dropped by Guardians. Additionally, you will need 1,000 rupees and some other common materials like flint or wood.

To gather the necessary materials, you should focus on defeating Guardians. These enemies are found in areas like Hyrule Castle, the Central Hyrule region, and near shrines. Guardians come in different forms, such as decayed, stalker, and sky variants. Each type drops different materials, with the more powerful Guardians like stalkers and sky Guardians dropping higher-tier items like Ancient Cores. You can also find ancient materials in chests within shrines or by defeating Guardian Scouts in shrine trials.

Once you have the required materials, return to the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. Speak to Cherry and select the option to craft the Ancient Battle Axe+. The process is straightforward, but it requires a significant amount of resources, so make sure you have enough rupees and materials before attempting to craft it.

A common mistake players make is underestimating the difficulty of defeating Guardians, especially early in the game. Guardians are tough enemies with powerful laser attacks, so it's important to prepare before engaging them. Equip yourself with strong weapons, shields, and armor. The Ancient Shield, also crafted at the lab, is particularly useful as it can deflect Guardian lasers without requiring perfect timing. Additionally, using ancient arrows can make defeating Guardians much easier, though these arrows are expensive and should be used sparingly.

For advanced players, optimizing the farming of ancient materials can save time and resources. Focus on areas with high Guardian density, such as the fields around Hyrule Castle. Using stealth or long-range weapons can help you take down Guardians without taking too much damage. Additionally, using the Stasis+ rune upgrade can freeze Guardians temporarily, giving you an opportunity to attack their weak points.

If you find the process of gathering materials too time-consuming, there are alternative approaches. You can purchase some ancient materials from traveling merchants or find them in treasure chests scattered across Hyrule. However, these methods are less reliable and may not provide enough materials for crafting multiple items.

In summary, upgrading the Ancient Battle Axe involves unlocking the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, gathering ancient materials from Guardians, and crafting the Ancient Battle Axe+ at the lab. Preparation is key, as Guardians are formidable foes, and the materials required are not easy to obtain. By following these steps and using the tips provided, you can enhance your arsenal with powerful ancient weapons to tackle the challenges of Hyrule.