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

The best armor set for exploring the coast in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the Zora Armor set. This set is specifically designed to enhance Link's abilities in water-based environments, making it ideal for coastal exploration. The Zora Armor set consists of three pieces: the Zora Helm, Zora Armor, and Zora Greaves. Each piece provides unique benefits that are particularly useful when navigating the game's many rivers, lakes, and coastal areas.

To obtain the Zora Armor set, you will need to complete specific quests and tasks. The Zora Armor is given to you as part of the main questline when you visit Zora's Domain. After speaking with King Dorephan and Prince Sidon, you will be tasked with calming Divine Beast Vah Ruta. As part of this quest, you will receive the Zora Armor, which allows you to swim faster and perform a dash while swimming. The Zora Greaves can be found in a chest at Toto Lake, located just northwest of Zora's Domain. To reach the chest, you will need to solve a simple puzzle involving a block and a pedestal. The Zora Helm is a bit more challenging to obtain. It is located in a chest at the bottom of Toto Lake, but you will need to complete the "Lynel Safari" side quest to gain access to it. This quest involves taking a picture of a Lynel and showing it to Laflat in Zora's Domain.

Once you have the full Zora Armor set, you can upgrade it at Great Fairy Fountains to increase its defense and unlock set bonuses. To upgrade the Zora Armor, you will need specific materials such as Lizalfos Horns, Lizalfos Talons, and Opals. These materials can be obtained by defeating Lizalfos enemies and mining ore deposits throughout Hyrule. Upgrading the Zora Armor set to at least level two will grant you the "Swim Dash Stamina Up" set bonus, which reduces the stamina cost of performing a swim dash. This is particularly useful for long-distance swimming and exploring coastal areas.

When exploring the coast, the Zora Armor set provides several advantages. The increased swim speed and reduced stamina cost for swim dashes allow you to cover large bodies of water more efficiently. This is especially helpful when navigating the many islands and hidden treasures scattered along the coast. Additionally, the Zora Armor set provides decent defense, making it a good choice for encounters with enemies such as Lizalfos and Octoroks, which are common in coastal areas.

One important tip for coastal exploration is to always keep an eye on your stamina. While the Zora Armor set reduces the stamina cost of swim dashes, it is still important to manage your stamina carefully, especially when swimming long distances. You can increase your stamina by completing shrines and trading Spirit Orbs for stamina upgrades at Goddess Statues. Additionally, cooking meals that restore or increase stamina can be very helpful. For example, cooking Endura Carrots or Stamella Shrooms with other ingredients can create meals that restore a significant amount of stamina or temporarily increase your stamina wheel.

Another consideration when exploring the coast is the presence of environmental hazards such as rain and lightning. The Zora Armor set does not provide any resistance to these hazards, so it is important to be prepared. Carrying weather-resistant elixirs or wearing armor pieces that provide resistance to these effects can be beneficial. For example, the Rubber Armor set provides resistance to lightning, while the Climber's Bandana provides resistance to rain.

A common mistake to avoid when using the Zora Armor set is neglecting to upgrade it. While the base stats of the Zora Armor set are decent, upgrading it at Great Fairy Fountains significantly increases its effectiveness. Additionally, some players may overlook the importance of managing stamina when swimming. It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of exploration and forget to monitor your stamina, which can lead to drowning if you run out of stamina in the middle of a large body of water.

Advanced techniques for coastal exploration include using the Zora Armor set in combination with other armor pieces to maximize its effectiveness. For example, wearing the Zora Armor set with the Climber's Bandana can provide both increased swim speed and resistance to rain. Additionally, using the Zora Armor set in combination with the Sheikah Sensor can help you locate hidden treasures and shrines along the coast. The Sheikah Sensor can be upgraded at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab to detect specific items, such as treasure chests or rare materials.

In summary, the Zora Armor set is the best choice for exploring the coast in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Its unique abilities and set bonuses make it ideal for navigating water-based environments, and upgrading it at Great Fairy Fountains further enhances its effectiveness. By managing your stamina, preparing for environmental hazards, and using advanced techniques, you can make the most of the Zora Armor set and fully enjoy the game's coastal exploration.