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

The Phantom Armor set in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a unique armor set inspired by the Phantom enemies from The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. This set consists of three pieces: the Phantom Helmet, Phantom Armor, and Phantom Greaves. While the set provides a significant defense boost and an attack power increase when worn, it cannot be upgraded like most other armor sets in the game. This is a key distinction that players should be aware of when planning their equipment strategies.

To obtain the Phantom Armor set, you must purchase the Breath of the Wild Expansion Pass, which grants access to the DLC content. Once you have the DLC, the armor pieces are found in three separate chests located in the Hyrule Ridge, West Necluda, and Gerudo Desert regions. The Phantom Helmet is in a chest at the Coliseum Ruins, the Phantom Armor is in a chest at the Sacred Ground Ruins, and the Phantom Greaves are in a chest at the East Gerudo Ruins. Each chest is guarded by enemies, so be prepared for combat when collecting these items.

Since the Phantom Armor set cannot be upgraded, its defense values remain fixed. The Phantom Helmet provides 8 defense, the Phantom Armor provides 7 defense, and the Phantom Greaves provide 4 defense, totaling 19 defense when the full set is equipped. While this is decent for early to mid-game, it falls short compared to fully upgraded armor sets like the Ancient Armor or the Barbarian Armor, which can reach much higher defense values. However, the Phantom Armor set's unique bonus is its attack power increase, which stacks with other attack-boosting effects like food or elixirs. This makes it a solid choice for players who prioritize offense over defense.

One important consideration is that the Phantom Armor set does not provide any environmental resistances or special effects, such as cold resistance, heat resistance, or stealth. This means you will need to switch to other armor sets when exploring extreme environments like the Hebra Mountains or the Gerudo Desert. Additionally, the set's lack of upgradability means it becomes less effective as you progress further into the game and face stronger enemies. Therefore, it is best used in situations where you need a quick attack boost, such as during boss fights or when clearing enemy camps.

A common mistake players make is relying too heavily on the Phantom Armor set without considering its limitations. While the attack boost is useful, the lack of upgradability and environmental resistances can make it a poor choice for certain scenarios. For example, if you are exploring a cold region, you will need to switch to armor with cold resistance, such as the Snowquill set. Similarly, if you are facing Guardians or other high-damage enemies, you may want to use armor with higher defense or Guardian resistance, like the Ancient Armor set.

To optimize your use of the Phantom Armor set, consider pairing it with other attack-boosting items. For example, you can cook meals or elixirs that increase your attack power, such as Mighty Bananas or Razorclaw Crabs. These effects stack with the Phantom Armor set's attack boost, allowing you to deal even more damage. Additionally, you can use weapons with high attack power, such as Lynel weapons or Royal Guard weapons, to maximize your damage output.

In terms of resource management, the Phantom Armor set does not require any materials to maintain or upgrade, which can be a benefit for players who want to conserve resources. However, since it cannot be upgraded, you may want to invest your materials in other armor sets that offer more versatility and higher defense values. For example, the Ancient Armor set requires Ancient materials to upgrade but provides excellent defense and Guardian resistance, making it a better long-term investment.

In summary, the Phantom Armor set is a powerful option for players who prioritize offense, but its lack of upgradability and environmental resistances limits its usefulness in certain situations. To make the most of this set, pair it with attack-boosting items and weapons, and switch to other armor sets when exploring extreme environments or facing high-damage enemies. By understanding the strengths and limitations of the Phantom Armor set, you can use it effectively as part of your overall equipment strategy in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.