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

To upgrade the Ancient Helm in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you need to follow a specific process involving Great Fairy Fountains, materials, and preparation. The Ancient Helm is part of the Ancient Armor set, which is highly effective against Guardian enemies and provides a significant defense boost when fully upgraded. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to upgrade the Ancient Helm, including mechanics, strategies, and tips.

First, you need to unlock at least one Great Fairy Fountain. There are four Great Fairy Fountains in the game, and each one requires a payment of rupees to unlock. The first fountain costs 100 rupees, the second 500, the third 1,000, and the fourth 10,000. To upgrade the Ancient Helm, you only need the first fountain, but unlocking more fountains allows you to upgrade other armor pieces as well. The Great Fairy Fountains are located in specific areas: one near Kakariko Village, one near Tarrey Town, one in the Tabantha region, and one in the Gerudo Desert. Once youÔÇÖve unlocked a fountain, you can interact with the Great Fairy to upgrade your armor.

Next, you need to gather the required materials for upgrading the Ancient Helm. The Ancient Helm requires Ancient materials, which are primarily obtained from defeating Guardians or purchasing them from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. The materials needed for each upgrade level are as follows: Level 1 requires 5 Ancient Screws, Level 2 requires 5 Ancient Springs and 10 Ancient Screws, Level 3 requires 5 Ancient Shafts and 15 Ancient Screws, and Level 4 requires 2 Ancient Cores and 20 Ancient Screws. These materials can be obtained by defeating Guardian Stalkers, Guardian Skywatchers, or Guardian Turrets, or by scavenging decayed Guardians in Hyrule Field or other areas.

To efficiently gather these materials, focus on areas with a high concentration of Guardians, such as Central Hyrule or the Akkala region. Using Ancient weapons or Guardian-resistant gear can make these fights easier. Additionally, you can purchase some materials from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab in exchange for rupees and Ancient parts. This is a good option if youÔÇÖre struggling to defeat Guardians or want to save time.

Once you have the required materials, visit a Great Fairy Fountain and select the Ancient Helm from your inventory. The Great Fairy will upgrade the helm to the next level, increasing its defense and enhancing its set bonus. The Ancient Armor set bonus, Ancient Proficiency, increases the damage of Ancient and Guardian weapons when all three pieces of the set are worn. This makes the set particularly useful for fighting Guardians or other tough enemies.

A common mistake to avoid is neglecting to unlock multiple Great Fairy Fountains. While you only need one to upgrade the Ancient Helm, unlocking more fountains allows you to upgrade other armor pieces, which can be crucial for surviving in different environments or combat scenarios. Additionally, make sure to stockpile Ancient materials, as they are used for multiple upgrades and crafting Ancient weapons at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab.

For advanced players, consider combining the Ancient Armor set with Ancient weapons and food buffs to maximize damage output. For example, eating food that increases attack power while wearing the full Ancient Armor set can make you incredibly powerful against Guardians and other enemies. Also, use stealth or environmental tactics to take down Guardians more efficiently, such as using high ground to snipe their weak points or hiding behind cover to avoid their laser attacks.

In summary, upgrading the Ancient Helm involves unlocking a Great Fairy Fountain, gathering Ancient materials, and visiting the fountain to perform the upgrade. Focus on defeating Guardians or purchasing materials from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, and consider unlocking multiple fountains to upgrade other armor pieces. Avoid common mistakes like neglecting material collection or failing to unlock additional fountains. With the right preparation and strategy, you can fully upgrade the Ancient Helm and take advantage of its powerful set bonus to dominate your enemies.