How do I upgrade the Climbing Gear set in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

To upgrade the Climbing Gear set in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you need to visit Great Fairy Fountains and provide the required materials for each upgrade level. The Climbing Gear set consists of three pieces: the Climbing Bandana, Climbing Gear, and Climbing Boots. Each piece can be upgraded up to four times, with each level increasing its defense and, at certain levels, enhancing its set bonus. The set bonus, which activates when all three pieces are upgraded to at least level 2, reduces stamina consumption while climbing.

First, you need to locate the Great Fairy Fountains. There are four in total, and each one requires a payment to unlock. The first fountain costs 100 rupees, the second 500 rupees, the third 1,000 rupees, and the fourth 10,000 rupees. Once unlocked, you can return to any of the fountains to upgrade your armor. The Great Fairy Fountains are located in specific areas: one near Kakariko Village, one in the Tabantha region near the Tabantha Bridge Stable, one in the Akkala region near Tarrey Town, and one in the Gerudo Highlands near the Gerudo Canyon Stable.

To upgrade the Climbing Gear set, you will need specific materials for each level. For the first upgrade, each piece requires three Keese Wings. Keese are common bat-like enemies found in caves and at night. You can easily farm them by visiting areas like the caves near Kakariko Village or the Dueling Peaks. For the second upgrade, each piece requires five Electric Keese Wings. Electric Keese are found in areas with thunderstorms or near electric-based enemies like the Wizzrobes in the Faron region. For the third upgrade, each piece requires five Hot-Footed Frogs. These frogs can be found near water sources in the Necluda and Faron regions, especially in areas with shallow water or near Zora's Domain. For the fourth and final upgrade, each piece requires ten Hightail Lizards. Hightail Lizards are commonly found in grassy areas, particularly in the Hyrule Field and West Necluda regions. You can increase your chances of catching them by using stealth-enhancing gear or elixirs.

When preparing to upgrade your Climbing Gear set, it is important to gather the required materials in advance. This can save you time and ensure you have everything you need when you visit the Great Fairy Fountain. Additionally, consider using stealth-enhancing gear or elixirs when hunting for Hightail Lizards, as they are easily startled and will flee if they detect you. You can also use the Sheikah Sensor+ to track specific materials if you have upgraded your Sheikah Slate at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab.

A common mistake to avoid is not unlocking all four Great Fairy Fountains. While you can upgrade your armor at any of the fountains, having access to all four allows you to maximize your armor's potential. Another mistake is not upgrading all three pieces of the Climbing Gear set to at least level 2 to activate the set bonus. The reduced stamina consumption while climbing is a significant advantage, especially when scaling tall cliffs or mountains.

Advanced techniques include using the Climbing Gear set in combination with other stamina-enhancing items or abilities. For example, consuming stamina-restoring food or elixirs while climbing can help you reach greater heights without running out of stamina. Additionally, using the set bonus in conjunction with the Revali's Gale ability, obtained from completing the Vah Medoh Divine Beast, can allow you to quickly ascend large cliffs or mountains.

In terms of alternative approaches, if you are struggling to find specific materials, consider visiting different regions or using the Sheikah Sensor+ to track them. You can also purchase some materials from merchants, such as Beedle at the stables, though this can be expensive. Another alternative is to focus on upgrading other armor sets that provide similar benefits, such as the Barbarian Armor set, which increases your climbing speed.

In specific scenarios, such as climbing in extreme weather conditions, you may need to combine the Climbing Gear set with other armor pieces that provide resistance to heat, cold, or electricity. For example, when climbing in the Gerudo Highlands, you may need to wear the Snowquill set to resist the cold, while still benefiting from the Climbing Gear set's stamina reduction.

Overall, upgrading the Climbing Gear set requires careful preparation and resource management, but the benefits are well worth the effort. By following these steps and tips, you can enhance your climbing abilities and make exploring Hyrule's vast landscapes much easier.