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 to learn about Robbie, then travel to the Akkala region to find him. Once you reach the lab, you will need to light the furnace using a blue flame, similar to the process in Hateno. After lighting the furnace, Robbie will activate the lab, allowing you to purchase ancient gear.

The Ancient Armor set is not cheap, so you will need to gather a substantial amount of rupees and ancient materials. Each piece of the set costs 2,000 rupees, along with specific materials. The Ancient Helm requires 15 ancient screws, 15 ancient shafts, and 1,000 rupees. The Ancient Cuirass requires 20 ancient gears, 5 ancient cores, and 2,000 rupees. The Ancient Greaves require 12 ancient springs, 12 ancient cores, and 2,000 rupees. These materials can be obtained by defeating Guardians and scavenging their remains, or by completing shrines and opening treasure chests that contain ancient parts.

Once you have the full set, wearing it provides an 84% damage reduction against Guardian attacks, making it the most effective armor for this purpose. Additionally, wearing the full set grants the Ancient Proficiency set bonus, which 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, Ancient Bladesaw, or Guardian weapons.

When fighting Guardians, it is important to use the right strategies to maximize the effectiveness of the Ancient Armor set. Guardians have two main attack types: laser beams and melee attacks. The laser beams are the most dangerous, as they can deal massive damage if not avoided or countered. To counter these, you can use the Perfect Guard technique, which involves parrying the laser beam with a shield at the right moment. This requires precise timing, but it is highly effective and can reflect the beam back at the Guardian, often destroying it in one hit. The Ancient Shield, also available at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, is particularly useful for this, as it can automatically reflect Guardian beams without requiring perfect timing.

For melee combat, using ancient weapons with the Ancient Proficiency bonus will allow you to deal significant damage to Guardians. The Ancient Bladesaw, for example, is a powerful two-handed weapon that can quickly deplete a Guardian's health. Additionally, using elemental arrows or bomb arrows can help weaken Guardians from a distance before engaging in close combat.

One common mistake to avoid is underestimating the importance of preparation. Before engaging Guardians, make sure you have plenty of healing items, such as hearty meals or elixirs, and that your weapons and shields are in good condition. Guardians can be relentless, and running out of resources mid-fight can be disastrous. It is also important to avoid fighting multiple Guardians at once, as their combined firepower can overwhelm even the best-prepared player.

Advanced techniques include using the environment to your advantage. For example, you can use obstacles like rocks or trees to block Guardian beams, giving you time to reposition or heal. Additionally, using stealth to approach Guardians unnoticed can allow you to deal a critical hit with a sneak strike, significantly reducing their health before the fight even begins.

In summary, the Ancient Armor set is the best choice for fighting Guardians due to its high defense and damage-boosting capabilities. To obtain it, you must complete the "Robbie's Research" quest, gather ancient materials, and purchase the pieces from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. When fighting Guardians, use Perfect Guard to counter their laser beams, and take advantage of the Ancient Proficiency bonus to deal maximum damage with ancient weapons. Preparation and strategy are key, so make sure to stock up on healing items and use the environment to your advantage. With the right approach, you can effectively take down even the toughest Guardians in the game.