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 to ancient weapon damage, making it ideal for combat against Guardians and other tough 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 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 nearby ancient furnace, 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 screws, 15 ancient shafts, and 10 ancient cores. These materials can be obtained by defeating Guardians and searching for ancient parts in shrines and ruins.

After acquiring 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. Each piece of the armor can be upgraded four times, and the materials required for each upgrade level increase in rarity. For the first upgrade, you will need ancient screws, which are relatively common. The second upgrade requires ancient springs, the third ancient gears, and the fourth ancient cores and star fragments. Star fragments are rare and can be obtained by shooting stars that fall from the sky at night or by completing certain quests.

When fully upgraded, the Ancient Armor set provides a defense rating of 84, which is the highest in the game. Additionally, wearing the full set grants a set bonus that increases the damage of ancient weapons by 80%. This makes the set particularly effective against Guardians, as ancient weapons deal extra damage to them. However, the set is also useful in general combat due to its high defense rating.

One important tip is to prioritize upgrading the Ancient Armor set if you plan to face tough enemies like Lynels or Guardians. The high defense rating will allow you to survive more hits, and the set bonus will make your attacks more powerful. Another tip is to gather materials efficiently by focusing on areas with a high concentration of Guardians, such as Hyrule Castle or the Central Hyrule region. You can also use the Master Sword, which deals extra damage to Guardians, to make farming for ancient parts easier.

A common mistake to avoid is neglecting to upgrade the armor fully. While the initial defense boost is helpful, the full potential of the set is only realized when all pieces are upgraded to the maximum level. Additionally, some players may overlook the importance of the set bonus, which significantly increases the damage output of ancient weapons. Make sure to take advantage of this bonus by using ancient weapons in combat.

An advanced technique is to combine the Ancient Armor set with other defensive buffs, such as food or elixirs that increase defense. For example, cooking a dish with armored carp or ironshrooms can provide a temporary defense boost, further increasing your survivability in combat. You can also use the set in combination with the Master Sword and ancient weapons to maximize your damage output against tough enemies.

In summary, the Ancient Armor set is the best option for defense in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. To achieve this, you need to unlock the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, purchase the armor set, and upgrade it at Great Fairy Fountains. Gather materials by defeating Guardians and searching for ancient parts, and prioritize upgrading the set to its maximum level. Use the set bonus to increase your damage output with ancient weapons, and consider combining the set with other defensive buffs for even greater effectiveness. With the Ancient Armor set fully upgraded, you will be well-equipped to tackle the game's toughest challenges.