How do I upgrade the Ancient Armor set in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

To upgrade the Ancient Armor set in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you need to follow a series of steps that involve gathering specific materials and visiting Great Fairy Fountains. The Ancient Armor set is one of the most powerful armor sets in the game, especially when facing Guardians or other enemies that use ancient technology. The set consists of three pieces: the Ancient Helm, Ancient Cuirass, and Ancient Greaves. Each piece can be upgraded up to four times, with each upgrade increasing its defense and, in some cases, providing additional bonuses.

First, you need to acquire the Ancient Armor set. You can purchase the set from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, which is located in the northeastern part of the map. To access the lab, you must complete the "Robbie's Research" side quest, which involves lighting the furnace at the lab using a blue flame. Once the lab is operational, you can buy the Ancient Armor set from Cherry, the robot assistant, for 2,000 rupees per piece, totaling 6,000 rupees for the full set. Additionally, you will need ancient materials such as Ancient Screws, Ancient Shafts, and Ancient Cores, which can be obtained by defeating Guardians or found in shrines.

Once you have the Ancient Armor set, the next step is to upgrade it. To do this, you need to visit a Great Fairy Fountain. There are four Great Fairy Fountains scattered across Hyrule, and each one can upgrade your armor to a higher level. The first Great Fairy Fountain is located near Kakariko Village, and you can unlock it by paying 100 rupees. The subsequent fountains require more rupees to unlock: 500, 1,000, and 10,000 rupees, respectively. Each fountain can upgrade your armor to a higher level, with the fourth fountain allowing you to reach the maximum upgrade level.

To upgrade the Ancient Armor set, you will need specific materials for each upgrade level. For the first upgrade, you need Ancient Screws, Ancient Shafts, and Ancient Gears. These materials are relatively common and can be obtained by defeating smaller Guardians or found in shrines. For the second upgrade, you will need more of these materials, as well as Ancient Springs, which are slightly rarer. The third upgrade requires Ancient Cores, which are more difficult to obtain and usually drop from stronger Guardians or found in chests in shrines. The fourth and final upgrade requires Giant Ancient Cores, which are the rarest of the ancient materials and are typically obtained from defeating Guardian Stalkers or found in high-level shrines.

One important tip is to prioritize upgrading the Ancient Armor set if you plan to face Guardians or other enemies that use ancient technology. The set provides a significant defense boost against these enemies, and the set bonus, which increases the damage of ancient weapons, can be very useful in combat. Additionally, the Ancient Armor set is resistant to Guardian lasers, making it easier to deflect their attacks with a perfect parry.

A common mistake to avoid is neglecting to gather enough ancient materials before attempting to upgrade the armor. Since the materials are required in increasing quantities for each upgrade level, it is important to farm them regularly by defeating Guardians and exploring shrines. Another mistake is not unlocking all four Great Fairy Fountains, as this will limit your ability to fully upgrade the armor. Make sure to save up enough rupees to unlock all the fountains, as the final upgrade requires the fourth fountain.

An advanced technique is to use the Ancient Armor set in combination with ancient weapons, such as the Ancient Short Sword, Ancient Bladesaw, or Ancient Bow. These weapons deal extra damage when used with the Ancient Armor set, making them highly effective against Guardians and other tough enemies. Additionally, you can use the set bonus to further increase your damage output by consuming food or elixirs that boost your attack power.

In terms of preparation, it is a good idea to stock up on ancient materials before attempting to upgrade the armor. You can do this by farming Guardians in areas such as Hyrule Field or the Central Hyrule region. Additionally, make sure to have enough rupees to unlock all four Great Fairy Fountains, as this will allow you to fully upgrade the armor.

An alternative approach is to focus on upgrading other armor sets that provide different bonuses, such as the Barbarian Armor set, which increases your attack power, or the Stealth Armor set, which makes it easier to sneak past enemies. However, if you are specifically looking to tackle Guardians or other ancient technology-based enemies, the Ancient Armor set is the best choice.

In specific scenarios, such as facing a Guardian Stalker or a Lynel, the Ancient Armor set can be a lifesaver. The increased defense and resistance to Guardian lasers make it easier to survive their attacks, while the set bonus allows you to deal more damage with ancient weapons. For example, when facing a Guardian Stalker, you can use the Ancient Bow with Ancient Arrows to quickly take it down, while the Ancient Armor set protects you from its laser attacks.

In conclusion, upgrading the Ancient Armor set in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild requires gathering specific ancient materials and visiting Great Fairy Fountains. By following the steps outlined above, you can fully upgrade the armor and take advantage of its powerful bonuses. Make sure to gather enough materials, unlock all four Great Fairy Fountains, and use the set in combination with ancient weapons for maximum effectiveness. With the Ancient Armor set fully upgraded, you will be well-prepared to face even the toughest enemies in the game.