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

The best armor set for defense in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the Ancient Armor set, which can be obtained from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. This set provides the highest defense rating in the game when fully upgraded, and it also offers a bonus against Guardian-type enemies, making it ideal for combat situations, especially when facing Guardians or other high-damage enemies. To achieve this, you will need to follow a series of steps, gather specific materials, and upgrade the armor at Great Fairy Fountains.

First, you need to unlock the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. This lab is located in the northeastern part of the map, near the Akkala Tower. To activate the lab, you must complete the quest "Robbie's Research," which involves lighting the furnace outside the lab with a blue flame. You can find the blue flame at the base of the hill near the lab, but you will need to carry it through enemy-infested areas, so be prepared for combat. Once the lab is active, you can purchase the Ancient Armor set from Cherry, the robot inside the lab. The set consists of the Ancient Helm, Ancient Cuirass, and Ancient Greaves, and each piece costs 2,000 rupees, 15 Ancient Springs, 10 Ancient Gears, and 1 Giant Ancient Core. These materials can be obtained by defeating Guardians or found in shrines and treasure chests.

After obtaining the Ancient Armor set, the next step is to upgrade it at a 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 fully upgrade the Ancient Armor set, you will need to unlock at least the first three fountains. Upgrading the armor requires specific materials, which vary depending on the level of upgrade. For the first upgrade, you will need Ancient Screws. For the second upgrade, Ancient Springs are required. The third upgrade needs Ancient Shafts, and the fourth upgrade requires Ancient Cores. These materials can be obtained by defeating Guardians or found in shrines and treasure chests.

One important tip is to focus on defeating Guardians to gather the necessary materials. Guardians are found in various locations, such as Hyrule Castle, the Central Hyrule region, and the Akkala region. Using weapons like the Master Sword or Ancient weapons, which deal extra damage to Guardians, can make these fights easier. Additionally, using the Ancient Shield, which can deflect Guardian beams, can be very helpful in these encounters. Another tip is to use the Sheikah Sensor+ to locate shrines, as many shrines contain treasure chests with Ancient materials.

A common mistake to avoid is neglecting to upgrade the armor fully. While the Ancient Armor set provides good defense even at lower levels, fully upgrading it maximizes its potential and makes it the best defensive option in the game. Another mistake is not preparing adequately for Guardian fights. Guardians can deal massive damage, so having plenty of healing items and strong weapons is essential.

For advanced techniques, consider combining the Ancient Armor set with other defensive buffs. For example, eating food that provides temporary defense boosts, such as a dish made with Ironshrooms or Armored Carp, can further increase your defense. Additionally, using the Ancient Proficiency set bonus, which increases the damage of Ancient weapons when wearing the full set, can make you even more effective in combat.

An alternative approach is to use the Champion's Tunic, which provides the highest single-piece defense in the game when fully upgraded. However, the Champion's Tunic does not offer the same set bonuses as the Ancient Armor set, so it may not be as effective in specific situations, such as fighting Guardians. Another alternative is the Soldier's Armor set, which also provides high defense but lacks the Guardian resistance and Ancient Proficiency bonus.

In specific scenarios, such as exploring Hyrule Castle or fighting Calamity Ganon, the Ancient Armor set is particularly useful due to its high defense and Guardian resistance. However, for general exploration or combat against non-Guardian enemies, other armor sets like the Soldier's Armor or Barbarian Armor may be more versatile.

In conclusion, the Ancient Armor set is the best option for defense in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, especially when fully upgraded. By following the steps outlined above, gathering the necessary materials, and upgrading the armor at Great Fairy Fountains, you can maximize your defense and become a formidable force in combat. Remember to prepare adequately for Guardian fights, avoid common mistakes, and consider combining the armor with other defensive buffs for optimal performance.