How do I upgrade the Ancient Shield in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?
To upgrade the Ancient Shield in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you need to understand the mechanics of ancient technology and how it ties into the game's crafting and upgrade systems. The Ancient Shield is part of the Ancient Armor set, which is crafted using materials obtained from Guardians and other ancient technology-related sources. Upgrading the shield requires visiting the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, which is located in the northeastern part of Hyrule, near the Akkala region. Here is a detailed explanation of how to upgrade the Ancient Shield, including step-by-step instructions, tips, and considerations.
First, you need to unlock the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. To do this, you must complete the "Robbie's Research" side quest, which begins in Hateno Village. Speak to Purah at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab to learn about Robbie, who runs the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. Once you have the quest, travel to the Akkala region and find the lab. You will need to light the furnace outside the lab using a blue flame, similar to the process in Hateno Village. This requires carrying the flame from the nearby ancient furnace, which is guarded by enemies. Be prepared to fight or avoid these enemies while carrying the flame.
Once the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab is operational, you can interact with Robbie to access the ancient technology crafting menu. To craft or upgrade the Ancient Shield, you will need specific materials. The base version of the Ancient Shield requires 1,000 rupees, 10 ancient gears, 15 ancient springs, and 1 giant ancient core. These materials are obtained by defeating Guardians, exploring shrines, or finding them in chests throughout Hyrule. Guardians are the primary source of ancient materials, so farming them is essential. Focus on Guardian Stalkers, Skywatchers, and Turrets, as they drop the necessary components more frequently.
After gathering the required materials, return to the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab and speak to Robbie. Select the option to craft the Ancient Shield. If you already have the shield and want to upgrade it, you will need additional materials. Upgrading the shield increases its durability and defensive capabilities, making it more effective against Guardian lasers and other attacks. The upgrade process requires more ancient materials, so continue farming Guardians to gather enough resources.
One important tip is to use the Master Sword or other ancient weapons when fighting Guardians, as they deal extra damage to these enemies. Additionally, wearing the Ancient Armor set or using ancient arrows can make farming Guardians easier. The Ancient Armor set provides a bonus to ancient weapon damage and increases your defense against Guardian attacks, making it a valuable asset for this task.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the difficulty of farming Guardians. These enemies are tough and can deal significant damage if you are not prepared. Make sure to have plenty of healing items, such as hearty meals or elixirs, and consider upgrading your armor to increase your survivability. Another mistake is neglecting to save before engaging a Guardian, as losing the fight can result in losing progress and materials.
For advanced techniques, consider using stealth to approach Guardians and deal critical hits. Sneak up on them while they are inactive or use stealth-enhancing armor like the Sheikah set. You can also use the environment to your advantage, such as hiding behind cover to avoid laser attacks or using paragliding to gain a tactical advantage.
In terms of resource management, prioritize farming Guardians in areas where they are abundant, such as Hyrule Field or around Hyrule Castle. Use the Sheikah Sensor+ to track Guardian locations if you have upgraded it at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab. This will help you locate Guardians more efficiently and save time.
An alternative approach is to focus on completing shrines and opening chests to find ancient materials. Some shrines contain chests with ancient gears, springs, or cores, which can supplement your farming efforts. Additionally, you can purchase some ancient materials from traveling merchants or the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab itself, though this can be expensive.
In specific scenarios, such as when preparing for the final battle or tackling difficult Guardian-heavy areas, upgrading the Ancient Shield can provide a significant advantage. Its ability to deflect Guardian lasers without requiring perfect timing makes it a valuable tool for both offense and defense. By following these steps and strategies, you can successfully upgrade the Ancient Shield and enhance your combat capabilities in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
First, you need to unlock the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. To do this, you must complete the "Robbie's Research" side quest, which begins in Hateno Village. Speak to Purah at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab to learn about Robbie, who runs the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. Once you have the quest, travel to the Akkala region and find the lab. You will need to light the furnace outside the lab using a blue flame, similar to the process in Hateno Village. This requires carrying the flame from the nearby ancient furnace, which is guarded by enemies. Be prepared to fight or avoid these enemies while carrying the flame.
Once the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab is operational, you can interact with Robbie to access the ancient technology crafting menu. To craft or upgrade the Ancient Shield, you will need specific materials. The base version of the Ancient Shield requires 1,000 rupees, 10 ancient gears, 15 ancient springs, and 1 giant ancient core. These materials are obtained by defeating Guardians, exploring shrines, or finding them in chests throughout Hyrule. Guardians are the primary source of ancient materials, so farming them is essential. Focus on Guardian Stalkers, Skywatchers, and Turrets, as they drop the necessary components more frequently.
After gathering the required materials, return to the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab and speak to Robbie. Select the option to craft the Ancient Shield. If you already have the shield and want to upgrade it, you will need additional materials. Upgrading the shield increases its durability and defensive capabilities, making it more effective against Guardian lasers and other attacks. The upgrade process requires more ancient materials, so continue farming Guardians to gather enough resources.
One important tip is to use the Master Sword or other ancient weapons when fighting Guardians, as they deal extra damage to these enemies. Additionally, wearing the Ancient Armor set or using ancient arrows can make farming Guardians easier. The Ancient Armor set provides a bonus to ancient weapon damage and increases your defense against Guardian attacks, making it a valuable asset for this task.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the difficulty of farming Guardians. These enemies are tough and can deal significant damage if you are not prepared. Make sure to have plenty of healing items, such as hearty meals or elixirs, and consider upgrading your armor to increase your survivability. Another mistake is neglecting to save before engaging a Guardian, as losing the fight can result in losing progress and materials.
For advanced techniques, consider using stealth to approach Guardians and deal critical hits. Sneak up on them while they are inactive or use stealth-enhancing armor like the Sheikah set. You can also use the environment to your advantage, such as hiding behind cover to avoid laser attacks or using paragliding to gain a tactical advantage.
In terms of resource management, prioritize farming Guardians in areas where they are abundant, such as Hyrule Field or around Hyrule Castle. Use the Sheikah Sensor+ to track Guardian locations if you have upgraded it at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab. This will help you locate Guardians more efficiently and save time.
An alternative approach is to focus on completing shrines and opening chests to find ancient materials. Some shrines contain chests with ancient gears, springs, or cores, which can supplement your farming efforts. Additionally, you can purchase some ancient materials from traveling merchants or the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab itself, though this can be expensive.
In specific scenarios, such as when preparing for the final battle or tackling difficult Guardian-heavy areas, upgrading the Ancient Shield can provide a significant advantage. Its ability to deflect Guardian lasers without requiring perfect timing makes it a valuable tool for both offense and defense. By following these steps and strategies, you can successfully upgrade the Ancient Shield and enhance your combat capabilities in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.