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

To upgrade the Ancient Cuirass in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you need to follow a specific process involving Great Fairy Fountains, materials, and rupees. The Ancient Cuirass 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 it.

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 certain amount 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 Cuirass, you only need one fountain, but having more fountains allows you to upgrade other armor pieces as well. Once youÔÇÖve unlocked a fountain, you can interact with the Great Fairy to upgrade your armor.

The Ancient Cuirass can be upgraded up to four times, with each level requiring specific materials and rupees. HereÔÇÖs the breakdown for each upgrade level:

Level 1: Requires 10 Ancient Springs, 5 Ancient Gears, and 100 rupees.
Level 2: Requires 15 Ancient Springs, 10 Ancient Gears, and 500 rupees.
Level 3: Requires 15 Ancient Screws, 10 Ancient Shafts, and 1,000 rupees.
Level 4: Requires 1 Star Fragment, 15 Ancient Cores, and 1,500 rupees.

To gather these materials, youÔÇÖll need to defeat Guardian enemies, which are found throughout Hyrule, particularly in areas like Hyrule Field, Central Hyrule, and around Hyrule Castle. Guardians drop Ancient Springs, Gears, Screws, Shafts, and Cores when defeated. Star Fragments, however, are rarer and can be obtained by shooting down stars that fall from the sky at night or by completing certain quests.

Once you have the required materials, visit a Great Fairy Fountain and select the Ancient Cuirass from your inventory. The Great Fairy will then upgrade the armor, increasing its defense and, at higher levels, providing additional bonuses. At level 4, the Ancient Cuirass provides a significant defense boost and increases the damage of Ancient and Guardian weapons when the full set is worn.

Here are some important tips and considerations. First, always be prepared when fighting Guardians. They are tough enemies, and having strong weapons, shields, and armor is crucial. The Ancient Shield, obtained from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, is particularly effective against Guardian lasers. Second, manage your resources carefully. Ancient materials are valuable, so avoid using them for other purposes until youÔÇÖve upgraded your armor. Third, keep an eye out for Star Fragments. They are rare, so when you see a star falling at night, mark its location and head there immediately.

Common mistakes to avoid include not saving before fighting Guardians, as they can be challenging and you might lose valuable resources if you die. Also, avoid upgrading other armor pieces before the Ancient Cuirass if you plan to use it frequently, as the materials are limited.

Advanced techniques include using the Master Sword or Ancient weapons to deal extra damage to Guardians, making the fights quicker and easier. Additionally, using stealth or the Stasis+ rune can help you approach Guardians without being detected or freeze them temporarily, giving you an advantage in combat.

In terms of alternative approaches, if you find it difficult to gather materials from Guardians, you can purchase some Ancient materials from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab in exchange for rupees and Ancient parts. This can be a good option if you have extra rupees but lack specific materials.

In specific scenarios, such as when youÔÇÖre preparing to face Calamity Ganon or the Divine Beasts, having a fully upgraded Ancient Cuirass can make a significant difference. The increased defense and damage bonuses can help you survive longer and deal more damage, making these challenging battles more manageable.

In summary, upgrading the Ancient Cuirass involves gathering specific materials from Guardians, unlocking Great Fairy Fountains, and spending rupees. By following the steps outlined above, managing your resources carefully, and using effective combat strategies, you can fully upgrade the Ancient Cuirass and enhance your overall gameplay experience in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.