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. This will activate the lab and allow you to interact with Cherry, the robot who sells ancient gear.

The Ancient Armor set is not cheap. Each piece costs 2,000 rupees, and you will also need ancient materials to purchase them. Specifically, you need Ancient Screws, Ancient Shafts, and Ancient Cores, which are dropped by Guardians. To gather these materials, you will need to defeat Guardians, which can be challenging early in the game. However, there are strategies to make this easier. For example, you can use the Master Sword, which deals extra damage to Guardians, or ancient weapons like the Ancient Short Sword or Ancient Bladesaw, which also have a damage bonus against them. Additionally, using shields with the Perfect Guard technique (parrying) can reflect Guardian laser beams back at them, often destroying them in one hit.

Once you have the necessary materials and rupees, you can purchase the Ancient Armor set from Cherry. When wearing the full set, you gain the "Ancient Proficiency" set bonus, which increases the damage of ancient weapons by 80%. This makes the set incredibly powerful when combined with ancient weapons, allowing you to take down Guardians and other enemies more efficiently. The set also provides high defense, making it one of the best armor sets in the game for general combat.

To further enhance the Ancient Armor set, you can upgrade it at Great Fairy Fountains. Upgrading the set requires additional ancient materials, such as Ancient Springs, Ancient Gears, and Giant Ancient Cores, as well as other items like Star Fragments. Each upgrade level increases the defense of the armor, making it even more effective in combat. However, gathering these materials can be time-consuming, so it is important to prioritize which pieces to upgrade first based on your playstyle and needs.

When fighting Guardians, it is important to use the right strategies. For example, targeting their legs can immobilize them, making it easier to deal damage. Additionally, using the Stasis+ rune can freeze Guardians temporarily, giving you a window to attack or reposition. Combining these techniques with the Ancient Armor set and ancient weapons will make you a formidable opponent against Guardians.

One common mistake 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. Running out of resources mid-fight can be disastrous, especially against tougher enemies like Guardian Stalkers or Guardian Scouts in shrines.

An alternative approach to fighting Guardians is using stealth and environmental tactics. For example, you can use stealth armor to sneak up on Guardians and attack them from behind, or use the environment to your advantage by hiding behind cover to avoid their laser attacks. However, these methods are generally less effective than using the Ancient Armor set and ancient weapons, especially against multiple Guardians or in open areas.

In summary, the Ancient Armor set is the best choice for fighting Guardians in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It provides high defense, increases the damage of ancient weapons, and can be upgraded for even greater effectiveness. To obtain the set, you need to unlock the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, gather ancient materials, and spend a significant amount of rupees. Once you have the set, use it in combination with ancient weapons and combat strategies to take down Guardians efficiently. Preparation and resource management are key, so make sure you are well-equipped before engaging in combat. With the right approach, you can dominate Guardians and other enemies with ease.