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 explanation of how to upgrade it, along with tips and strategies to make the process easier.

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 payment of rupees to unlock. The first fountain costs 100 rupees, the second 500, the third 1,000, and the fourth 10,000. You only need one fountain to start upgrading armor, but unlocking more fountains allows you to upgrade armor to higher levels. The fountains are located in specific areas: near Kakariko Village, near Tarrey Town, in the Tabantha region, and near Gerudo Town. Once youÔÇÖve unlocked a fountain, you can interact with the Great Fairy to upgrade your armor.

To upgrade the Ancient Cuirass, youÔÇÖll need specific materials. The materials required depend on the upgrade level. For the first upgrade, you need 10 Ancient Screws, 5 Ancient Shafts, and 2 Star Fragments. For the second upgrade, you need 15 Ancient Screws, 10 Ancient Shafts, and 5 Star Fragments. For the third upgrade, you need 15 Ancient Cores, 5 Giant Ancient Cores, and 5 Star Fragments. For the fourth and final upgrade, you need 1 Star Fragment, 2 Giant Ancient Cores, and 10 Ancient Cores. These materials can be obtained by defeating Guardian enemies, searching shrines, or purchasing them from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab using ancient materials.

Ancient Screws, Shafts, and Cores are commonly dropped by Guardian Stalkers, Guardian Skywatchers, and Decayed Guardians. Giant Ancient Cores are rarer and are typically found in shrines or dropped by stronger Guardian enemies. Star Fragments are the most challenging to obtain, as they only drop from shooting stars that appear at night. To farm Star Fragments, you can wait on high ground, such as the Dueling Peaks or the top of the Temple of Time, and look for a falling star. Once you spot one, mark its location and head there to collect the Star Fragment.

When upgrading the Ancient Cuirass, itÔÇÖs important to manage your resources carefully. Ancient materials are also used to purchase Ancient weapons and armor at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, so youÔÇÖll need to decide whether to use them for upgrades or purchases. If youÔÇÖre focusing on upgrading the Ancient Cuirass, prioritize farming Guardian enemies and completing shrines to gather the necessary materials. Additionally, always keep an eye out for Star Fragments at night, as they are essential for the higher upgrade levels.

One common mistake is neglecting to unlock multiple Great Fairy Fountains. While you only need one to start upgrading, unlocking more fountains allows you to upgrade your armor to higher levels, providing better defense and bonuses. Another mistake is not farming materials efficiently. Guardian enemies can be tough, but using Ancient or Guardian weapons can make the fights easier. Additionally, using the Stasis+ rune to freeze Guardians temporarily can give you an advantage in combat.

For advanced players, optimizing the upgrade process involves planning ahead. If you know youÔÇÖll need a lot of Ancient materials, focus on areas with high Guardian activity, such as Hyrule Field or Central Hyrule. Using the Master Sword or Ancient weapons can also speed up the farming process, as they deal extra damage to Guardians. Additionally, consider using the Ancient Proficiency set bonus, which increases the damage of Ancient weapons when wearing the full Ancient Armor set. This can make farming Guardians even more efficient.

In summary, upgrading the Ancient Cuirass requires unlocking Great Fairy Fountains, gathering specific materials, and paying rupees. Focus on farming Guardian enemies and shrines for Ancient materials, and keep an eye out for Star Fragments at night. Manage your resources carefully, and consider unlocking multiple Great Fairy Fountains to maximize your armorÔÇÖs potential. With careful planning and efficient farming, you can fully upgrade the Ancient Cuirass and enhance your defense against the gameÔÇÖs toughest enemies.