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

To upgrade the Ancient Helm in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you need to follow a specific process involving Great Fairy Fountains, materials, and preparation. The Ancient Helm is part of the Ancient Armor set, which is highly effective against Guardian enemies and provides excellent defense when upgraded. HereÔÇÖs a detailed explanation of how to upgrade it, along with tips and strategies to make the process smoother.

First, you need to locate a Great Fairy Fountain. There are four Great Fairy Fountains in the game, and each one requires a payment to unlock. The first fountain costs 100 rupees, the second 500 rupees, the third 1,000 rupees, and the fourth 10,000 rupees. Once youÔÇÖve unlocked at least one fountain, you can begin upgrading your armor, including the Ancient Helm. The more fountains you unlock, the higher the level of upgrades you can achieve. The Ancient Helm can be upgraded up to four times, with each level requiring more materials and unlocking at higher-tier fountains.

To upgrade the Ancient Helm, youÔÇÖll need specific materials. 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. 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, such as Guardian Stalkers, Guardian Scouts, and Decayed Guardians, or by opening chests in shrines and other locations.

To efficiently gather these materials, focus on farming Guardian enemies in areas like Central Hyrule, Hyrule Castle, and the Akkala region. Guardians drop Ancient materials when defeated, and their drop rates vary depending on the type of Guardian. For example, Guardian Stalkers are more likely to drop Ancient Cores, while Guardian Scouts in shrines often drop Ancient Gears and Springs. Using Ancient or Guardian weapons can make these fights easier, as they deal extra damage to Guardians. Additionally, using the Master Sword in its powered-up state (when near Guardians or in Hyrule Castle) is highly effective.

One common mistake is not preparing adequately before engaging Guardians. Guardians can be tough enemies, especially for players with lower defense or weaker weapons. To avoid this, ensure you have strong weapons, shields, and armor before attempting to farm Guardians. The Ancient Armor set itself, when worn, provides a significant defense boost against Guardian attacks, making it easier to survive these encounters. Additionally, using shields with the Perfect Guard technique (parrying) can deflect Guardian laser beams, instantly defeating them without needing to deplete their health.

Another tip is to save your game before engaging a Guardian. If you fail to defeat it or donÔÇÖt get the materials you need, you can reload your save and try again. This is especially useful when farming for rare drops like Ancient Cores or Star Fragments. Star Fragments, required for the final upgrade, can be obtained by shooting down stars that fall from the sky at night or by completing certain quests. They are rare, so be patient and keep an eye on the night sky.

For advanced players, optimizing your farming route can save time. For example, you can create a loop around Central Hyrule and Hyrule Castle, where many Guardians are concentrated. Using a horse or the Master Cycle Zero (if you have the DLC) can help you move quickly between locations. Additionally, using the Sheikah Sensor+ to detect Guardians can make finding them easier.

If youÔÇÖre struggling to gather materials, consider using the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab to purchase some Ancient materials in exchange for rupees and Ancient Parts. While this can be expensive, itÔÇÖs a viable alternative if youÔÇÖre having trouble defeating Guardians. However, this method is less efficient than farming Guardians directly, as it requires a lot of rupees.

In summary, upgrading the Ancient Helm involves unlocking Great Fairy Fountains, gathering specific materials from Guardians, and paying the required rupees. Focus on farming Guardians efficiently, prepare for combat, and use save scumming to optimize your material collection. With patience and strategy, you can fully upgrade the Ancient Helm and enhance your defense against the gameÔÇÖs toughest enemies.