How do I get the Ancient Spring in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

To obtain the Ancient Spring in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you need to engage with the game's ancient technology system, which revolves around the Sheikah technology found throughout Hyrule. The Ancient Spring is a key component used to upgrade the Ancient Armor set, which provides significant defense and bonuses against Guardian-type enemies. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to acquire the Ancient Spring and make the most of it.

First, you need to understand the mechanics of ancient materials. Ancient Springs are dropped by certain types of Guardians, specifically the smaller Guardian Scouts found in shrines. These shrines are often combat trials, where you face off against Guardian Scouts of varying difficulty levels. The higher the level of the Guardian Scout, the better the chance of obtaining rare materials like Ancient Springs. Additionally, you can sometimes find Ancient Springs in chests within shrines or as rewards for completing shrine puzzles.

To begin your journey, you should first locate shrines that contain Guardian Scouts. These shrines are typically marked by their combat-focused challenges. For example, the "Shrine of Trials" series often features Guardian Scouts. Once inside, youÔÇÖll need to defeat the Guardian Scout to have a chance at obtaining an Ancient Spring. ItÔÇÖs important to note that not every Guardian Scout will drop an Ancient Spring, so you may need to farm multiple shrines to gather enough materials.

Preparation is key when facing Guardian Scouts. Ensure you have a good supply of weapons, shields, and healing items. Guardian Scouts can deal significant damage, especially the higher-level variants. Weapons with high durability and damage output, such as those made from ancient materials themselves, are particularly effective. The Ancient Short Sword or Ancient Bladesaw, obtained from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, are excellent choices. Additionally, having a shield that can parry Guardian lasers, like the Ancient Shield, can make these fights much easier.

When engaging a Guardian Scout, focus on timing your attacks and dodges. Guardian Scouts have predictable attack patterns, so learning these can help you avoid damage. For example, they often telegraph their melee attacks with a wind-up animation, giving you time to dodge and counterattack. Using Flurry Rush, a combat technique that slows time when you dodge at the right moment, can be very effective. If youÔÇÖre not confident in your combat skills, consider using arrows to whittle down the ScoutÔÇÖs health from a distance.

Once youÔÇÖve defeated the Guardian Scout, collect any dropped materials. If youÔÇÖre lucky, youÔÇÖll receive an Ancient Spring. If not, you may need to repeat the process in another shrine. Remember that some shrines reset after a Blood Moon, allowing you to farm Guardian Scouts multiple times.

In addition to farming shrines, you can also obtain Ancient Springs by defeating Guardian Stalkers or Decayed Guardians in the overworld. These larger Guardians are more challenging but can drop multiple ancient materials, including Ancient Springs. Using Ancient Arrows, which can one-shot Guardians, can make these encounters easier, though Ancient Arrows are expensive to craft.

Another important consideration is upgrading your Sheikah Sensor at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab. This upgrade allows you to detect shrines more easily, making it simpler to locate those with Guardian Scouts. To upgrade the sensor, youÔÇÖll need to complete the "Slated for Upgrades" side quest, which requires you to bring specific materials to Purah, the researcher at the lab.

Once you have enough Ancient Springs, you can use them to upgrade your Ancient Armor set at a Great Fairy Fountain. Each piece of the Ancient Armor requires different materials for each upgrade level, so be sure to check the requirements before visiting a Great Fairy. The Ancient Helm, Ancient Cuirass, and Ancient Greaves all benefit from upgrades, providing increased defense and set bonuses when worn together.

In summary, obtaining Ancient Springs involves defeating Guardian Scouts in shrines, preparing for combat with the right equipment, and possibly farming larger Guardians in the overworld. With patience and preparation, you can gather enough Ancient Springs to upgrade your Ancient Armor and gain a significant advantage against the gameÔÇÖs toughest enemies.