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

The best armor set for swimming 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, rivers, and lakes. The Zora Armor set consists of three pieces: the Zora Helm, Zora Armor, and Zora Greaves. Each piece provides unique benefits, and when worn together, they significantly improve Link's swimming speed and stamina efficiency.

To obtain the Zora Armor set, you need to complete specific tasks and quests. The Zora Armor is the first piece you can acquire. After reaching Zora's Domain, you will encounter Prince Sidon, who will ask for your help to calm Divine Beast Vah Ruta. As part of this quest, King Dorephan will gift you the Zora Armor. This piece allows you to swim upstream by using the "Spin Attack" technique, which propels you forward quickly. It also reduces the stamina cost of swimming, making it easier to cover long distances in water.

The Zora Greaves can be found in a chest at Toto Lake, located northwest of Zora's Domain. To reach the chest, you need to solve a small puzzle involving a block of ice. Use a fire-based weapon or a torch to melt the ice and access the chest. The Zora Greaves further enhance your swimming speed and stamina efficiency, making them a valuable addition to the set.

The Zora Helm is the final piece of the set and is obtained by completing the "Lynel Safari" side quest. This quest is given by Laflat, a Zora found in Zora's Domain. She will ask you to take a picture of a Lynel in the nearby area. Once you have the picture, return to Laflat, and she will reward you with the Zora Helm. This piece not only boosts your swimming abilities but also provides additional defense, making it useful in combat situations.

When wearing the full Zora Armor set, you gain the "Swim Dash Stamina Up" set bonus. This bonus reduces the stamina cost of performing a dash while swimming, allowing you to move through water even more efficiently. This is particularly useful when exploring large bodies of water or when you need to reach distant islands quickly.

To maximize the effectiveness of the Zora Armor set, consider upgrading it at Great Fairy Fountains. Upgrading requires specific materials, such as Lizalfos Tails and Sapphires. Each upgrade level increases the armor's defense, making it more durable in combat. Additionally, upgrading the set enhances its swimming benefits, further reducing stamina consumption and increasing swimming speed.

One common mistake players make is not using the "Spin Attack" technique while swimming. This technique, activated by holding the attack button while swimming, allows you to move much faster and is essential for navigating strong currents. Another mistake is neglecting to upgrade the armor, which can leave you vulnerable in combat and less efficient in water.

Advanced techniques include combining the Zora Armor set with stamina-enhancing meals or elixirs. Cooking dishes with ingredients like Endura Carrots or Stamella Shrooms can temporarily increase your stamina, allowing you to swim even longer distances without tiring. Additionally, using the Zora Armor set in conjunction with the Cryonis rune can help you create ice blocks to rest on, conserving stamina during long swims.

In summary, the Zora Armor set is the best choice for swimming in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. By obtaining and upgrading each piece, using the "Spin Attack" technique, and combining the set with stamina-enhancing items, you can efficiently navigate the game's water-heavy areas. Avoid common mistakes like neglecting upgrades and not utilizing advanced techniques to make the most of this powerful armor set.