What is the best armor set for swimming speed in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

The best armor set for swimming speed in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the Zora Armor set. This set is specifically designed to enhance Link's swimming abilities, making it invaluable for traversing water-heavy areas like Zora's Domain, Lake Hylia, and other bodies of water throughout Hyrule. The Zora Armor set consists of three pieces: the Zora Helm, Zora Armor, and Zora Greaves. When worn together, these pieces provide a significant boost to swimming speed and allow Link to perform the unique ability to swim up waterfalls, which is essential for reaching certain areas and completing specific quests.

To obtain the Zora Armor set, you will need to complete certain tasks and quests. The Zora Armor is the first piece you can acquire, and it is given to you as part of the main quest "Divine Beast Vah Ruta." After speaking with King Dorephan in Zora's Domain, you will be directed to speak with Prince Sidon, who will give you the Zora Armor. This piece is crucial for swimming up waterfalls, which is necessary to reach the Divine Beast Vah Ruta. The Zora Greaves can be found in a chest at Toto Lake, located just northwest of Zora's Domain. To access the chest, you will need to solve a simple puzzle involving a block and a pedestal. The Zora Helm is a bit more challenging to obtain and is part of the "Luminous Stone Gathering" side quest. You will need to collect 10 Luminous Stones and give them to Ledo, a Zora craftsman, who will then craft the Zora Helm for you.

Once you have the full Zora Armor set, you will notice a significant improvement in your swimming speed. The set bonus, which activates when all three pieces are upgraded to at least level 2 at a Great Fairy Fountain, further enhances your swimming speed and allows you to perform a spin attack while swimming, which can be useful for dealing with enemies in the water. Upgrading the Zora Armor set requires specific materials, including Lizalfos Tails, Hyrule Bass, and Opals. These materials can be found throughout Hyrule, with Lizalfos Tails being dropped by Lizalfos enemies, Hyrule Bass found in various bodies of water, and Opals obtained from mining ore deposits or defeating Stone Taluses.

When using the Zora Armor set, it is important to manage your stamina effectively. Swimming consumes stamina, and while the Zora Armor set improves your speed, it does not reduce the stamina cost. To maximize your swimming efficiency, consider using stamina-boosting meals or elixirs. Ingredients like Endura Carrots, Stamella Shrooms, and Courser Bee Honey can be cooked to create dishes that restore and extend your stamina. Additionally, the Stealth Armor set can be a useful alternative for swimming, as it reduces the stamina consumption while swimming. However, it does not provide the same speed boost as the Zora Armor set.

One common mistake players make is not upgrading the Zora Armor set. While the base set provides a noticeable improvement in swimming speed, upgrading the armor at Great Fairy Fountains significantly enhances its effectiveness. Each upgrade level increases the defense of the armor and, at level 2, activates the set bonus for increased swimming speed and the spin attack ability. Another mistake is not using stamina-boosting items, which can lead to running out of stamina mid-swim and being forced to stop or drown. Always carry a few stamina-restoring items when planning to swim long distances.

Advanced techniques for using the Zora Armor set include combining it with other armor pieces for specific situations. For example, wearing the Zora Armor set with the Climbing Gear can be useful for traversing areas that require both swimming and climbing. Additionally, using the Zora Armor set in conjunction with the Cryonis rune can help you create ice blocks to rest on and recover stamina while swimming. This is particularly useful in areas with strong currents or when facing enemies in the water.

In summary, the Zora Armor set is the best choice for improving swimming speed in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. By obtaining and upgrading the Zora Helm, Zora Armor, and Zora Greaves, you can significantly enhance your swimming abilities, allowing you to explore water-heavy areas more efficiently and perform unique actions like swimming up waterfalls. Managing your stamina with the help of stamina-boosting items and combining the Zora Armor set with other gear can further optimize your swimming experience. Avoid common mistakes like not upgrading the armor or neglecting stamina management, and consider advanced techniques to make the most of this powerful armor set.