What is the best shield for deflecting Guardian beams in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?
Deflecting Guardian beams in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a crucial skill for surviving encounters with these powerful enemies, especially in the early to mid-game when your equipment and health are limited. The best shield for deflecting Guardian beams is the Ancient Shield, which is crafted using ancient materials at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. However, other shields can also deflect beams if used correctly. HereÔÇÖs a detailed explanation of the mechanics, strategies, and tips for deflecting Guardian beams effectively.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics. Guardian beams are highly damaging attacks that can one-shot Link if he doesnÔÇÖt have enough health or defense. However, these beams can be deflected back at the Guardian, often destroying it in one hit. To deflect a beam, you need to perform a Perfect Guard, which is a timed shield parry. This is done by holding ZL to raise your shield, then pressing A just as the beam is about to hit you. Timing is critical, as pressing A too early or too late will result in the beam breaking your shield or damaging Link.
The Ancient Shield is the best option for deflecting beams because it has a unique property: it automatically deflects Guardian beams without requiring a Perfect Guard. This makes it incredibly useful for players who struggle with timing or who want a more reliable method of dealing with Guardians. To obtain the Ancient Shield, you need to visit the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, which is located in the northeastern part of the map. YouÔÇÖll need to complete the quest ÔÇ£RobbieÔÇÖs ResearchÔÇØ to unlock the labÔÇÖs functionality. Once the lab is operational, you can craft the Ancient Shield using 1,000 rupees, 15 ancient gears, 10 ancient screws, and 1 ancient core. These materials can be obtained by defeating Guardians or scavenging their remains in areas like Hyrule Field or Central Hyrule.
If you donÔÇÖt have the Ancient Shield, you can still deflect beams with other shields, but the timing is more precise. Shields like the Royal Shield, KnightÔÇÖs Shield, or even the Pot Lid can deflect beams if you perform a Perfect Guard. However, these shields will break after a few deflections, so itÔÇÖs important to have backups. To practice Perfect Guards, start by facing a stationary Guardian Scout in a shrine or a decayed Guardian in the overworld. These enemies have a predictable attack pattern, making them ideal for learning the timing. Watch for the moment the GuardianÔÇÖs eye flashes blue and emits a beeping soundÔÇöthis is your cue to press A.
One common mistake is panicking and pressing A too early or too late. ItÔÇÖs important to stay calm and focus on the GuardianÔÇÖs eye. Another mistake is using low-durability shields, which can break after just one or two deflections. Always carry multiple shields when facing Guardians, and prioritize shields with higher durability. Additionally, avoid deflecting beams in areas with multiple Guardians, as you may not have enough time to react to multiple attacks.
For advanced players, there are optimizations you can use to make deflecting beams easier. For example, wearing the Ancient Armor set, which can be purchased at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, increases your resistance to Guardian attacks and boosts the damage of ancient weapons. This set is particularly useful if youÔÇÖre planning to take on multiple Guardians in areas like Hyrule Castle. Another optimization is using Stasis+ to freeze a Guardian temporarily, giving you more time to position yourself for a Perfect Guard. Stasis+ can be unlocked by upgrading the Stasis rune at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab.
Preparation is key when facing Guardians. Before engaging, make sure you have plenty of shields, healing items, and armor with high defense. Cooking meals that provide extra hearts or defense buffs can also help you survive mistakes. For example, cooking five hearty durians will give you a dish that fully restores your health and grants temporary extra hearts. Additionally, consider using ancient arrows as an alternative approach. Ancient arrows, which can be purchased at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, instantly destroy Guardians when shot in the eye. However, they are expensive and rare, so use them sparingly.
In specific scenarios, such as the ÔÇ£A Major Test of StrengthÔÇØ shrines, deflecting beams is essential for conserving weapons and health. These shrines feature powerful Guardian Scouts that use beam attacks frequently. By mastering Perfect Guards, you can defeat these enemies without taking damage or breaking too many weapons. Similarly, when exploring Hyrule Castle, deflecting beams from the many Guardians patrolling the area can save you from costly mistakes.
In conclusion, the Ancient Shield is the best shield for deflecting Guardian beams due to its automatic deflection property. However, with practice, you can deflect beams using any shield by mastering the Perfect Guard technique. Preparation, timing, and resource management are key to successfully deflecting beams and surviving encounters with Guardians. Whether youÔÇÖre facing a single decayed Guardian or a swarm of active ones, these strategies will help you overcome one of the gameÔÇÖs most formidable enemies.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics. Guardian beams are highly damaging attacks that can one-shot Link if he doesnÔÇÖt have enough health or defense. However, these beams can be deflected back at the Guardian, often destroying it in one hit. To deflect a beam, you need to perform a Perfect Guard, which is a timed shield parry. This is done by holding ZL to raise your shield, then pressing A just as the beam is about to hit you. Timing is critical, as pressing A too early or too late will result in the beam breaking your shield or damaging Link.
The Ancient Shield is the best option for deflecting beams because it has a unique property: it automatically deflects Guardian beams without requiring a Perfect Guard. This makes it incredibly useful for players who struggle with timing or who want a more reliable method of dealing with Guardians. To obtain the Ancient Shield, you need to visit the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, which is located in the northeastern part of the map. YouÔÇÖll need to complete the quest ÔÇ£RobbieÔÇÖs ResearchÔÇØ to unlock the labÔÇÖs functionality. Once the lab is operational, you can craft the Ancient Shield using 1,000 rupees, 15 ancient gears, 10 ancient screws, and 1 ancient core. These materials can be obtained by defeating Guardians or scavenging their remains in areas like Hyrule Field or Central Hyrule.
If you donÔÇÖt have the Ancient Shield, you can still deflect beams with other shields, but the timing is more precise. Shields like the Royal Shield, KnightÔÇÖs Shield, or even the Pot Lid can deflect beams if you perform a Perfect Guard. However, these shields will break after a few deflections, so itÔÇÖs important to have backups. To practice Perfect Guards, start by facing a stationary Guardian Scout in a shrine or a decayed Guardian in the overworld. These enemies have a predictable attack pattern, making them ideal for learning the timing. Watch for the moment the GuardianÔÇÖs eye flashes blue and emits a beeping soundÔÇöthis is your cue to press A.
One common mistake is panicking and pressing A too early or too late. ItÔÇÖs important to stay calm and focus on the GuardianÔÇÖs eye. Another mistake is using low-durability shields, which can break after just one or two deflections. Always carry multiple shields when facing Guardians, and prioritize shields with higher durability. Additionally, avoid deflecting beams in areas with multiple Guardians, as you may not have enough time to react to multiple attacks.
For advanced players, there are optimizations you can use to make deflecting beams easier. For example, wearing the Ancient Armor set, which can be purchased at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, increases your resistance to Guardian attacks and boosts the damage of ancient weapons. This set is particularly useful if youÔÇÖre planning to take on multiple Guardians in areas like Hyrule Castle. Another optimization is using Stasis+ to freeze a Guardian temporarily, giving you more time to position yourself for a Perfect Guard. Stasis+ can be unlocked by upgrading the Stasis rune at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab.
Preparation is key when facing Guardians. Before engaging, make sure you have plenty of shields, healing items, and armor with high defense. Cooking meals that provide extra hearts or defense buffs can also help you survive mistakes. For example, cooking five hearty durians will give you a dish that fully restores your health and grants temporary extra hearts. Additionally, consider using ancient arrows as an alternative approach. Ancient arrows, which can be purchased at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, instantly destroy Guardians when shot in the eye. However, they are expensive and rare, so use them sparingly.
In specific scenarios, such as the ÔÇ£A Major Test of StrengthÔÇØ shrines, deflecting beams is essential for conserving weapons and health. These shrines feature powerful Guardian Scouts that use beam attacks frequently. By mastering Perfect Guards, you can defeat these enemies without taking damage or breaking too many weapons. Similarly, when exploring Hyrule Castle, deflecting beams from the many Guardians patrolling the area can save you from costly mistakes.
In conclusion, the Ancient Shield is the best shield for deflecting Guardian beams due to its automatic deflection property. However, with practice, you can deflect beams using any shield by mastering the Perfect Guard technique. Preparation, timing, and resource management are key to successfully deflecting beams and surviving encounters with Guardians. Whether youÔÇÖre facing a single decayed Guardian or a swarm of active ones, these strategies will help you overcome one of the gameÔÇÖs most formidable enemies.