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

To upgrade the Ancient Gear in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you will need to follow a specific process that involves gathering materials, visiting the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, and interacting with the Great Fairy Fountains. The Ancient Gear, which includes the Ancient Helm, Ancient Cuirass, and Ancient Greaves, is one of the most powerful armor sets in the game, especially when facing Guardians and other enemies that use ancient technology. Here is a detailed explanation of how to upgrade this gear, including the mechanics, strategies, and tips to make the process easier.

First, you need to acquire the Ancient Gear set. You can purchase the Ancient Helm, Ancient Cuirass, and Ancient Greaves from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. To do this, you must complete the "Robbie's Research" side quest, which involves activating the lab and speaking with Robbie. Once the lab is operational, you can buy the armor pieces using ancient materials like Ancient Screws, Ancient Shafts, Ancient Cores, and Rupees. Each piece of armor costs a significant amount of materials and Rupees, so it is important to gather these resources beforehand.

Once you have the Ancient Gear, you can upgrade it at the Great Fairy Fountains. There are four Great Fairy Fountains in the game, and each one allows you to upgrade your armor to a higher level. To unlock the ability to upgrade armor, you must pay a fee to the Great Fairy. The first fountain requires 100 Rupees, the second 500 Rupees, the third 1,000 Rupees, and the fourth 10,000 Rupees. It is recommended to unlock all four fountains to maximize your armor's potential.

To upgrade the Ancient Gear, you will need specific materials for each level. The materials required vary depending on the level of the upgrade. For the first upgrade, you will need Ancient Screws. For the second upgrade, you will need Ancient Springs. For the third upgrade, you will need Ancient Gears. For the fourth and final upgrade, you will need Ancient Cores. These materials can be obtained by defeating Guardians, searching Guardian Stalkers, Guardian Skywatchers, and Guardian Turrets, or by opening chests in shrines and other locations.

Here is a step-by-step guide to upgrading the Ancient Gear. First, gather the necessary materials by defeating Guardians and exploring shrines. Focus on Guardian Stalkers and Guardian Skywatchers, as they drop the most valuable ancient materials. Next, visit a Great Fairy Fountain and select the Ancient Gear piece you want to upgrade. Pay the required materials and Rupees to complete the upgrade. Repeat this process for each piece of armor and each upgrade level.

There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when upgrading the Ancient Gear. First, prioritize upgrading the Ancient Cuirass and Ancient Greaves, as they provide the most defense and are essential for surviving Guardian attacks. The Ancient Helm is useful but less critical in the early stages. Second, always carry a few Ancient Arrows when farming Guardians, as they can one-shot most Guardian types, making it easier to collect materials. Third, consider using the Master Sword when fighting Guardians, as it deals extra damage to them and does not break.

Common mistakes to avoid include not gathering enough materials before attempting to upgrade the armor. Ancient Screws, Ancient Springs, Ancient Gears, and Ancient Cores are rare and require significant effort to collect. Another mistake is not unlocking all four Great Fairy Fountains, which limits your ability to fully upgrade your armor. Finally, avoid wasting ancient materials on other items or upgrades, as they are best used for the Ancient Gear.

Advanced techniques and optimizations include using the Ancient Proficiency set bonus, which increases the damage of ancient weapons when wearing the full Ancient Gear set. This bonus is especially powerful when combined with the Ancient Short Sword, Ancient Bladesaw, and Ancient Bow. Additionally, consider using the Ancient Shield, which can reflect Guardian beams without requiring perfect parries, making it easier to defeat Guardians and farm materials.

In terms of preparation, make sure you have a strong weapon, such as the Master Sword or a high-damage Lynel weapon, before farming Guardians. Stock up on healing items and elixirs to ensure you can survive prolonged battles. Finally, consider using stealth or speed-enhancing armor, such as the Stealth Set or the Barbarian Set, to make it easier to approach and defeat Guardians.

Alternative approaches include focusing on other armor sets if you are not planning to fight many Guardians. For example, the Barbarian Set provides a significant attack boost, while the Stealth Set is ideal for sneaking past enemies. However, if you are planning to tackle Hyrule Castle or face large numbers of Guardians, the Ancient Gear is the best choice.

In specific scenarios, such as the "Divine Beast Vah Naboris" quest, the Ancient Gear can be invaluable for surviving the Guardian-heavy environment. Similarly, when exploring Hyrule Castle, the Ancient Gear's high defense and Guardian resistance make it a top choice. Overall, upgrading the Ancient Gear requires time and effort, but the benefits are well worth it for players looking to tackle the game's toughest challenges.