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

To upgrade the Ancient Greaves in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you need to follow a specific process involving Great Fairy Fountains, materials, and the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. The Ancient Greaves are 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 them, 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 allows you to upgrade armor to higher levels. The Great Fairy Fountains are located in different regions: near Kakariko Village, near Tabantha Tower, near Tarrey Town, and near Gerudo Desert. Once youÔÇÖve unlocked a fountain, you can interact with the Great Fairy to upgrade your armor.

To upgrade the Ancient Greaves, youÔÇÖll need specific materials. The materials required depend on the upgrade level. For the first upgrade, you need 10 Ancient Springs, 5 Ancient Gears, and 200 rupees. For the second upgrade, you need 15 Ancient Springs, 10 Ancient Gears, and 500 rupees. For the third upgrade, you need 15 Ancient Screws, 10 Ancient Shafts, and 1,000 rupees. For the fourth and final upgrade, you need 1 Star Fragment, 15 Ancient Cores, and 2,000 rupees. These materials can be obtained by defeating Guardian enemies, such as Guardian Stalkers, Guardian Scouts, and Guardian Skywatchers, or by opening chests in shrines and other locations.

One of the best ways to farm Ancient materials is by defeating Guardian Stalkers in the Central Hyrule region, particularly around Hyrule Castle. These enemies drop a variety of Ancient parts, including Springs, Gears, Screws, Shafts, and Cores. You can also find Guardian Scouts in shrines, especially in the Test of Strength shrines, which are marked by their combat-focused challenges. These shrines often have multiple Guardian Scouts that respawn after each Blood Moon, making them a reliable source of Ancient materials.

Star Fragments are rarer and more difficult to obtain. They can be acquired by shooting down stars that fall from the sky at night, defeating certain high-level enemies, or completing specific quests. To increase your chances of finding a Star Fragment, you can camp at a high elevation, such as the top of Dueling Peaks or Mount Lanayru, and wait for a star to fall. Once you see the star, mark its location on your map and head there immediately, as the fragment will disappear at dawn.

When upgrading the Ancient Greaves, itÔÇÖs important to manage your resources carefully. Ancient materials are valuable and can be used for other purposes, such as crafting Ancient weapons and armor at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. Make sure you have enough materials for all your upgrades before spending them on other items. Additionally, always carry a few Ancient Arrows when farming Guardians, as they can one-shot most Guardian enemies, making the process faster and safer.

A common mistake is neglecting to upgrade other pieces of the Ancient Armor set. The Ancient Greaves are just one part of the set, and upgrading the entire set provides a significant bonus to defense and Guardian resistance. The full set also grants the Ancient Proficiency bonus when wearing all three pieces, which increases the damage of Ancient and Guardian weapons. To maximize your effectiveness against Guardians, consider upgrading the entire set.

Advanced players can optimize their farming routes by using the Master Cycle Zero, a vehicle obtained from the ChampionsÔÇÖ Ballad DLC. This allows for faster travel between Guardian spawn points, making it easier to collect materials. Additionally, using stealth gear, such as the Sheikah Set, can help you sneak up on Guardians and avoid unnecessary combat.

In summary, upgrading the Ancient Greaves requires unlocking a Great Fairy Fountain, collecting specific Ancient materials, and paying the required rupees. Focus on farming Guardian enemies for materials, manage your resources carefully, and consider upgrading the entire Ancient Armor set for maximum effectiveness. With the right preparation and strategy, you can fully upgrade the Ancient Greaves and enhance your combat capabilities against Guardians and other powerful enemies.