What is the best armor set for exploring the coast in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

The best armor set for exploring the coast in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the Zora Armor set. This set is specifically designed to enhance Link's abilities in water-based environments, making it ideal for coastal exploration. The Zora Armor set consists of three pieces: the Zora Helm, Zora Armor, and Zora Greaves. Each piece provides unique benefits that are particularly useful when navigating the game's many bodies of water, including rivers, lakes, and the vast coastline.

To obtain the Zora Armor set, you will need to complete specific quests and tasks. The Zora Armor is the first piece you can acquire, and it is given to you as part of the main quest "Divine Beast Vah Ruta." This quest begins when you approach Zora's Domain in the Lanayru region. Prince Sidon will guide you to King Dorephan, who will ask for your help in calming the Divine Beast. As part of this quest, you will receive the Zora Armor, which allows you to swim faster and perform a spin attack while swimming, known as the Dolphin Dive.

The Zora Greaves can be found in a chest at Toto Lake, which is located near Zora's Domain. To reach the chest, you will need to solve a simple puzzle involving a series of waterfalls. Use the Zora Armor's swimming abilities to climb the waterfalls and reach the chest containing the Zora Greaves. The Zora Helm is a bit more challenging to obtain. It is located in a chest at the bottom of the East Reservoir Lake, near the Divine Beast Vah Ruta. You will need to dive down and open the chest to retrieve the Zora Helm.

Once you have the full Zora Armor set, you will benefit from the set bonus, which increases your swimming speed and allows you to swim up waterfalls. This makes it much easier to explore the coastline and navigate the many rivers and lakes in the game. Additionally, the Zora Armor set provides decent defense, making it a good choice for both exploration and combat in water-based environments.

When exploring the coast, it is important to manage your stamina carefully. Swimming consumes stamina, and if you run out, you will drown. To avoid this, make sure to upgrade your stamina wheel by trading Spirit Orbs at Goddess Statues. You can also cook meals that restore or increase your stamina, such as Enduring Fried Wild Greens or Energizing Elixirs. These can be made using ingredients like Endura Carrots, Stamella Shrooms, or Restless Crickets.

Another important consideration is the presence of enemies in coastal areas. Lizalfos and Octoroks are common in these regions, and they can be challenging to deal with while swimming. To combat this, consider using ranged weapons like bows and arrows to take out enemies from a distance. The Zora Armor set's increased swimming speed will also help you evade attacks and reach safety more quickly.

A common mistake to avoid is neglecting to upgrade your Zora Armor set. While the base set provides useful abilities, upgrading it at Great Fairy Fountains will significantly increase its defense and make it more effective in combat. To upgrade the Zora Armor set, you will need materials like Lizalfos Tails, Hyrule Bass, and Opals. These can be obtained by defeating Lizalfos, fishing in rivers and lakes, and mining ore deposits.

For advanced players, combining the Zora Armor set with other armor pieces can provide additional benefits. For example, wearing the Zora Helm with the Ancient Greaves and Ancient Cuirass will give you a mix of swimming speed and high defense, making you more versatile in both exploration and combat. Additionally, using the Zora Armor set in conjunction with the Cryonis Rune can help you create ice blocks to climb or stand on, giving you more options for navigating water-based environments.

In summary, the Zora Armor set is the best choice for exploring the coast in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Its unique abilities, such as increased swimming speed and the ability to swim up waterfalls, make it invaluable for navigating water-based environments. By completing the necessary quests, managing your stamina, and upgrading your armor, you can maximize the benefits of the Zora Armor set and make your coastal exploration more efficient and enjoyable.