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 that involves visiting Great Fairy Fountains, collecting the necessary materials, and understanding the mechanics of armor upgrades. 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 guide on how to upgrade them.

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. Once youÔÇÖve unlocked a fountain, you can visit it to upgrade your armor. The Ancient Greaves, like other armor pieces, can be upgraded up to four times, with each level requiring different materials.

To upgrade the Ancient Greaves, youÔÇÖll need specific materials for each level. For the first upgrade, you need 10 Ancient Springs, 5 Ancient Gears, and 100 rupees. For the second upgrade, you need 15 Ancient Springs, 10 Ancient Gears, and 500 rupees. The third upgrade requires 15 Ancient Screws, 15 Ancient Shafts, and 1,000 rupees. Finally, the fourth upgrade requires 1 Star Fragment, 15 Ancient Cores, and 2,000 rupees. These materials can be obtained by defeating Guardian enemies, searching Guardian remains, or purchasing them from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab.

One important tip is to farm Guardian enemies efficiently. Guardians are found in various locations, such as Hyrule Field, Central Hyrule, and around Hyrule Castle. 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 should be used sparingly. Another strategy is to use the Stasis+ rune to freeze Guardians temporarily, giving you time to attack their weak points.

When collecting materials, itÔÇÖs crucial to manage your inventory and prioritize which materials to keep. Ancient Springs, Gears, Screws, Shafts, and Cores are all essential for upgrading the Ancient Armor set, so avoid selling them unless absolutely necessary. Star Fragments, required for the final upgrade, are rare and can be obtained by shooting down stars that fall from the sky at night or by completing certain quests.

A common mistake is not preparing adequately before attempting to farm Guardians. Ensure you have strong weapons, shields, and plenty of healing items. The Ancient Shield, which can be purchased from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, is particularly useful as it can deflect Guardian beams without requiring perfect timing. Additionally, wearing the full Ancient Armor set provides an attack bonus when using Ancient weapons, making it easier to defeat Guardians.

For advanced players, optimizing the farming route can save time. For example, starting at the Central Tower and gliding towards Hyrule Castle allows you to encounter multiple Guardians quickly. Using the Travel Medallion, obtained from the EX Treasure: Ancient Mask DLC, can help you set a convenient fast travel point near a Guardian-rich area.

Alternative approaches include purchasing some materials from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. While this can be expensive, itÔÇÖs a viable option if youÔÇÖre struggling to find specific materials. Additionally, completing the ÔÇ£RobbieÔÇÖs ResearchÔÇØ side quest at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab can unlock the ability to purchase Ancient materials, making the upgrade process more manageable.

In summary, upgrading the Ancient Greaves involves unlocking Great Fairy Fountains, collecting specific materials from Guardians, and managing your resources effectively. By following these steps and tips, you can enhance your Ancient Armor set to its full potential, making it easier to tackle the gameÔÇÖs toughest challenges.