What is the best armor set for fighting Guardians in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?
The best armor set for fighting Guardians in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the Ancient Armor set. This set is specifically designed to counter Guardians, as it provides a significant defense boost against their attacks and increases the damage output of ancient weapons. The set consists of three pieces: the Ancient Helm, Ancient Cuirass, and Ancient Greaves. Each piece can be purchased from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, but you will need to complete certain prerequisites and gather specific materials to obtain them.
To start, you must first unlock the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. This requires completing the "Robbie's Research" side quest, which begins in Hateno Village. Speak to Purah at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab, and she will direct you to Robbie in Akkala. Once you reach the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, you will need to light the furnace outside the lab using a blue flame, similar to the process in Hateno. After lighting the furnace, speak to Robbie inside the lab to gain access to the ancient gear shop.
The Ancient Armor set is sold by Cherry, the robot inside the lab. Each piece costs 2,000 rupees, and you will also need to provide specific materials. For the Ancient Helm, you need 20 Ancient Springs, 5 Ancient Shafts, and 3 Ancient Cores. For the Ancient Cuirass, you need 20 Ancient Gears, 5 Ancient Shafts, and 3 Ancient Cores. For the Ancient Greaves, you need 20 Ancient Screws, 5 Ancient Shafts, and 3 Ancient Cores. These materials can be obtained by defeating Guardians, particularly the smaller Guardian Scouts found in shrines or the larger Guardian Stalkers and Skywatchers in the overworld.
Once you have the full set, wearing it provides an 84% damage reduction against Guardian attacks, making it the best defensive option for these encounters. Additionally, the set bonus, which activates when all three pieces are upgraded to at least level 2 at a Great Fairy Fountain, increases the damage of ancient and Guardian weapons by 80%. This makes the set not only defensive but also highly offensive when paired with weapons like the Ancient Short Sword or Ancient Bladesaw.
To upgrade the Ancient Armor set, you will need to visit a Great Fairy Fountain. Each upgrade level requires different materials. For the first upgrade, you need 10 Ancient Screws, 5 Ancient Shafts, and 2 Ancient Cores. For the second upgrade, you need 15 Ancient Springs, 10 Ancient Gears, and 3 Ancient Cores. For the third upgrade, you need 15 Ancient Shafts, 15 Ancient Cores, and 1 Star Fragment. For the fourth and final upgrade, you need 1 Star Fragment, 2 Giant Ancient Cores, and 10 Ancient Cores. These materials can be challenging to gather, so it is important to prioritize defeating Guardians and exploring shrines to collect them.
When fighting Guardians, it is crucial to use the Ancient Armor set in combination with other strategies. For example, using a shield to parry Guardian laser beams is highly effective. To do this, equip a shield and press the A button just as the Guardian's laser is about to hit you. This will reflect the laser back at the Guardian, dealing significant damage. The Ancient Shield, also available at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, is particularly useful for this, as it can automatically reflect Guardian lasers without requiring perfect timing.
Another important tip is to use the environment to your advantage. Guardians have difficulty navigating uneven terrain, so positioning yourself behind rocks or trees can block their line of sight and give you time to recover or plan your next move. Additionally, using elemental arrows or bombs can disrupt their targeting systems, giving you an opening to attack.
Common mistakes to avoid include underestimating the range and power of Guardian attacks. Even with the Ancient Armor set, Guardians can still deal significant damage if you are not careful. Always keep an eye on your health and be ready to use healing items or elixirs if necessary. Another mistake is not managing your resources effectively. Ancient materials are rare and valuable, so it is important to use them wisely and prioritize upgrading the Ancient Armor set over other gear.
Advanced techniques include using the Stasis+ rune to freeze Guardians temporarily, giving you a window to attack or reposition. This is particularly useful against Guardian Stalkers, as it allows you to target their legs and disable their movement. Additionally, using the Master Sword or other high-damage weapons in combination with the Ancient Armor set's damage bonus can quickly take down even the toughest Guardians.
In summary, the Ancient Armor set is the best choice for fighting Guardians in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It provides excellent defense and a powerful damage bonus when fully upgraded. To obtain and upgrade the set, you will need to gather ancient materials by defeating Guardians and visiting the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. Combine the armor with effective combat strategies, such as shield parrying and environmental awareness, to maximize your effectiveness against these formidable foes. With proper preparation and resource management, you can confidently take on Guardians and emerge victorious.
To start, you must first unlock the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. This requires completing the "Robbie's Research" side quest, which begins in Hateno Village. Speak to Purah at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab, and she will direct you to Robbie in Akkala. Once you reach the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, you will need to light the furnace outside the lab using a blue flame, similar to the process in Hateno. After lighting the furnace, speak to Robbie inside the lab to gain access to the ancient gear shop.
The Ancient Armor set is sold by Cherry, the robot inside the lab. Each piece costs 2,000 rupees, and you will also need to provide specific materials. For the Ancient Helm, you need 20 Ancient Springs, 5 Ancient Shafts, and 3 Ancient Cores. For the Ancient Cuirass, you need 20 Ancient Gears, 5 Ancient Shafts, and 3 Ancient Cores. For the Ancient Greaves, you need 20 Ancient Screws, 5 Ancient Shafts, and 3 Ancient Cores. These materials can be obtained by defeating Guardians, particularly the smaller Guardian Scouts found in shrines or the larger Guardian Stalkers and Skywatchers in the overworld.
Once you have the full set, wearing it provides an 84% damage reduction against Guardian attacks, making it the best defensive option for these encounters. Additionally, the set bonus, which activates when all three pieces are upgraded to at least level 2 at a Great Fairy Fountain, increases the damage of ancient and Guardian weapons by 80%. This makes the set not only defensive but also highly offensive when paired with weapons like the Ancient Short Sword or Ancient Bladesaw.
To upgrade the Ancient Armor set, you will need to visit a Great Fairy Fountain. Each upgrade level requires different materials. For the first upgrade, you need 10 Ancient Screws, 5 Ancient Shafts, and 2 Ancient Cores. For the second upgrade, you need 15 Ancient Springs, 10 Ancient Gears, and 3 Ancient Cores. For the third upgrade, you need 15 Ancient Shafts, 15 Ancient Cores, and 1 Star Fragment. For the fourth and final upgrade, you need 1 Star Fragment, 2 Giant Ancient Cores, and 10 Ancient Cores. These materials can be challenging to gather, so it is important to prioritize defeating Guardians and exploring shrines to collect them.
When fighting Guardians, it is crucial to use the Ancient Armor set in combination with other strategies. For example, using a shield to parry Guardian laser beams is highly effective. To do this, equip a shield and press the A button just as the Guardian's laser is about to hit you. This will reflect the laser back at the Guardian, dealing significant damage. The Ancient Shield, also available at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, is particularly useful for this, as it can automatically reflect Guardian lasers without requiring perfect timing.
Another important tip is to use the environment to your advantage. Guardians have difficulty navigating uneven terrain, so positioning yourself behind rocks or trees can block their line of sight and give you time to recover or plan your next move. Additionally, using elemental arrows or bombs can disrupt their targeting systems, giving you an opening to attack.
Common mistakes to avoid include underestimating the range and power of Guardian attacks. Even with the Ancient Armor set, Guardians can still deal significant damage if you are not careful. Always keep an eye on your health and be ready to use healing items or elixirs if necessary. Another mistake is not managing your resources effectively. Ancient materials are rare and valuable, so it is important to use them wisely and prioritize upgrading the Ancient Armor set over other gear.
Advanced techniques include using the Stasis+ rune to freeze Guardians temporarily, giving you a window to attack or reposition. This is particularly useful against Guardian Stalkers, as it allows you to target their legs and disable their movement. Additionally, using the Master Sword or other high-damage weapons in combination with the Ancient Armor set's damage bonus can quickly take down even the toughest Guardians.
In summary, the Ancient Armor set is the best choice for fighting Guardians in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It provides excellent defense and a powerful damage bonus when fully upgraded. To obtain and upgrade the set, you will need to gather ancient materials by defeating Guardians and visiting the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. Combine the armor with effective combat strategies, such as shield parrying and environmental awareness, to maximize your effectiveness against these formidable foes. With proper preparation and resource management, you can confidently take on Guardians and emerge victorious.