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 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 number 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 requires specific materials for each upgrade level. The materials needed are Ancient Screws, Ancient Shafts, Ancient Cores, and Giant Ancient Cores. These materials are obtained by defeating Guardian enemies, such as Guardian Stalkers, Guardian Scouts, and Guardian Turrets. You can also find these materials in shrines and chests scattered throughout Hyrule. The number of materials required increases with each upgrade level. For example, the first upgrade might require 5 Ancient Screws, while the fourth upgrade could require 15 Ancient Cores and 2 Giant Ancient Cores.

To begin the upgrade process, approach the Great Fairy and select the Ancient Cuirass from your inventory. The Great Fairy will display the required materials and rupees for the next upgrade. If you have the necessary items, confirm the upgrade, and the Great Fairy will enhance the armor. Each upgrade increases the defense rating of the Ancient Cuirass, making it more effective in combat.

One important tip is to farm Guardian enemies efficiently. Guardians are found in areas like Hyrule Castle, the Central Hyrule region, and the Akkala region. Using weapons like the Master Sword or Ancient weapons can make defeating Guardians easier. Additionally, using Ancient Arrows can instantly destroy Guardians, but they are expensive and rare, so use them sparingly. Another strategy is to use the Stasis+ rune to freeze Guardians temporarily, giving you time to attack their weak points.

A common mistake is not collecting enough materials before attempting to upgrade. Make sure to stockpile Ancient Screws, Shafts, Cores, and Giant Cores by defeating Guardians regularly. You can also use the Sheikah Sensor+ to locate Guardian enemies more easily. Another mistake is not having enough rupees. Upgrading armor can be expensive, so sell valuable items like gems or cooked meals to earn more rupees.

For advanced players, consider using the Ancient Proficiency set bonus. When you wear the full Ancient Armor set, including the Ancient Cuirass, Ancient Greaves, and Ancient Helm, you gain a bonus that increases the damage of Ancient and Guardian weapons. This makes the set particularly effective against Guardians and other tough enemies. To maximize this bonus, upgrade all pieces of the Ancient Armor set to the highest level.

Preparation is key when upgrading the Ancient Cuirass. Before heading out to farm materials, ensure you have strong weapons, plenty of arrows, and healing items. Cooking meals that boost your attack or defense can also help in battles against Guardians. Additionally, consider using the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab to purchase Ancient weapons and arrows, which are highly effective against Guardians.

An alternative approach is to focus on other armor sets if you find farming Guardian materials too time-consuming. Sets like the Barbarian Armor or the SoldierÔÇÖs Armor offer high defense and other useful bonuses. However, the Ancient Armor set is unmatched when it comes to fighting Guardians, so itÔÇÖs worth the effort if you plan to tackle Hyrule Castle or other Guardian-heavy areas.

In specific scenarios, such as during the Divine Beast quests or when exploring Hyrule Castle, having an upgraded Ancient Cuirass can be a game-changer. For example, when facing the many Guardians in Hyrule Castle, the Ancient CuirassÔÇÖs high defense and Guardian resistance can save you from taking significant damage. Similarly, during the Vah Rudania quest in Death Mountain, the Ancient Cuirass can provide additional protection against the Fireblight Ganon boss.

In conclusion, upgrading the Ancient Cuirass involves unlocking a Great Fairy Fountain, collecting specific Guardian materials, and spending rupees. Efficient farming, proper preparation, and strategic use of the armor set can greatly enhance your combat effectiveness, especially against Guardians. By following these steps and tips, you can maximize the potential of the Ancient Cuirass and make your journey through Hyrule much easier.