How do I upgrade the Ancient Shaft in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?
In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the Ancient Shaft is a material that cannot be directly upgraded. Instead, it is used as a component for crafting and upgrading other items, particularly those related to ancient technology. The Ancient Shaft is a common drop from defeated Guardians, especially the smaller Guardian Scouts found in shrines or the decayed Guardians scattered across Hyrule. To make the most of this material, you will need to understand how it fits into the game's crafting and upgrading systems, particularly at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab.
First, let's discuss the mechanics involved. The Ancient Shaft is one of several ancient materials, including Ancient Springs, Ancient Gears, Ancient Screws, and Ancient Cores. These materials are primarily used at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, where you can trade them for powerful ancient weapons, armor, and other gear. The Ancient Shaft itself is not upgraded but is instead used as a crafting component. For example, it is required to create the Ancient Short Sword, Ancient Shield, and Ancient Bow, as well as to upgrade the Ancient Armor set. To access these crafting options, you must first activate the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab by completing the "Robbie's Research" side quest.
To begin, you will need to travel to the Akkala region, located in the northeastern part of the map. The Akkala Ancient Tech Lab is situated on a hill near the Akkala Tower. Before you can use the lab, you must complete the "Robbie's Research" quest, which involves lighting the furnace outside the lab with a blue flame. This flame can be found at the base of the hill, near the East Akkala Stable. You will need to carry the flame from its source to the lab, using torches or wooden weapons to keep it lit along the way. Be cautious of rain, as it will extinguish the flame, forcing you to start over. Once the furnace is lit, you can speak to Robbie inside the lab to gain access to the ancient crafting services.
To craft or upgrade ancient gear, you will need a combination of ancient materials, including Ancient Shafts, as well as rupees. For example, the Ancient Short Sword requires 15 Ancient Springs, 5 Ancient Shafts, 1 Ancient Core, and 1,000 rupees. The Ancient Shield requires 10 Ancient Gears, 15 Ancient Shafts, 1 Giant Ancient Core, and 1,000 rupees. The Ancient Bow requires 10 Ancient Springs, 15 Ancient Shafts, 1 Ancient Core, and 1,000 rupees. The Ancient Armor set, which provides resistance to Guardian attacks, can be upgraded at Great Fairy Fountains using additional ancient materials, including Ancient Shafts.
When gathering Ancient Shafts, it is important to focus on defeating Guardians efficiently. Decayed Guardians, which are found in ruins across Hyrule, are a good source of Ancient Shafts. These Guardians are stationary and can be defeated by targeting their eye with arrows or using Guardian weapons. Shrine Guardians, particularly those in combat-focused shrines, also drop Ancient Shafts. To maximize your chances of obtaining Ancient Shafts, consider using weapons with high damage output, such as the Master Sword or Guardian weapons, which deal extra damage to Guardians.
One common mistake is neglecting to stockpile ancient materials early in the game. Ancient Shafts and other materials are essential for crafting powerful gear, so it is wise to start collecting them as soon as possible. Additionally, some players may overlook the importance of upgrading the Ancient Armor set, which provides significant defense against Guardian attacks. Upgrading this armor requires a substantial number of ancient materials, so plan accordingly.
For advanced players, optimizing Guardian farming routes can save time and resources. For example, the area around Hyrule Castle is densely populated with Guardians, making it an ideal location for farming Ancient Shafts. Using stealth or high-damage weapons can help you defeat Guardians quickly and efficiently. Additionally, using the Stasis+ rune to freeze Guardians temporarily can give you an advantage in combat.
In summary, while the Ancient Shaft itself cannot be upgraded, it plays a crucial role in crafting and upgrading ancient technology-based gear. By completing the "Robbie's Research" quest, gathering ancient materials, and efficiently defeating Guardians, you can make the most of this valuable resource. Whether you are crafting powerful weapons or upgrading the Ancient Armor set, careful planning and resource management are key to success in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
First, let's discuss the mechanics involved. The Ancient Shaft is one of several ancient materials, including Ancient Springs, Ancient Gears, Ancient Screws, and Ancient Cores. These materials are primarily used at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, where you can trade them for powerful ancient weapons, armor, and other gear. The Ancient Shaft itself is not upgraded but is instead used as a crafting component. For example, it is required to create the Ancient Short Sword, Ancient Shield, and Ancient Bow, as well as to upgrade the Ancient Armor set. To access these crafting options, you must first activate the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab by completing the "Robbie's Research" side quest.
To begin, you will need to travel to the Akkala region, located in the northeastern part of the map. The Akkala Ancient Tech Lab is situated on a hill near the Akkala Tower. Before you can use the lab, you must complete the "Robbie's Research" quest, which involves lighting the furnace outside the lab with a blue flame. This flame can be found at the base of the hill, near the East Akkala Stable. You will need to carry the flame from its source to the lab, using torches or wooden weapons to keep it lit along the way. Be cautious of rain, as it will extinguish the flame, forcing you to start over. Once the furnace is lit, you can speak to Robbie inside the lab to gain access to the ancient crafting services.
To craft or upgrade ancient gear, you will need a combination of ancient materials, including Ancient Shafts, as well as rupees. For example, the Ancient Short Sword requires 15 Ancient Springs, 5 Ancient Shafts, 1 Ancient Core, and 1,000 rupees. The Ancient Shield requires 10 Ancient Gears, 15 Ancient Shafts, 1 Giant Ancient Core, and 1,000 rupees. The Ancient Bow requires 10 Ancient Springs, 15 Ancient Shafts, 1 Ancient Core, and 1,000 rupees. The Ancient Armor set, which provides resistance to Guardian attacks, can be upgraded at Great Fairy Fountains using additional ancient materials, including Ancient Shafts.
When gathering Ancient Shafts, it is important to focus on defeating Guardians efficiently. Decayed Guardians, which are found in ruins across Hyrule, are a good source of Ancient Shafts. These Guardians are stationary and can be defeated by targeting their eye with arrows or using Guardian weapons. Shrine Guardians, particularly those in combat-focused shrines, also drop Ancient Shafts. To maximize your chances of obtaining Ancient Shafts, consider using weapons with high damage output, such as the Master Sword or Guardian weapons, which deal extra damage to Guardians.
One common mistake is neglecting to stockpile ancient materials early in the game. Ancient Shafts and other materials are essential for crafting powerful gear, so it is wise to start collecting them as soon as possible. Additionally, some players may overlook the importance of upgrading the Ancient Armor set, which provides significant defense against Guardian attacks. Upgrading this armor requires a substantial number of ancient materials, so plan accordingly.
For advanced players, optimizing Guardian farming routes can save time and resources. For example, the area around Hyrule Castle is densely populated with Guardians, making it an ideal location for farming Ancient Shafts. Using stealth or high-damage weapons can help you defeat Guardians quickly and efficiently. Additionally, using the Stasis+ rune to freeze Guardians temporarily can give you an advantage in combat.
In summary, while the Ancient Shaft itself cannot be upgraded, it plays a crucial role in crafting and upgrading ancient technology-based gear. By completing the "Robbie's Research" quest, gathering ancient materials, and efficiently defeating Guardians, you can make the most of this valuable resource. Whether you are crafting powerful weapons or upgrading the Ancient Armor set, careful planning and resource management are key to success in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.