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

To upgrade the Ancient Armor set in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you need to follow a series of steps that involve gathering specific materials and visiting Great Fairy Fountains. The Ancient Armor set is one of the most powerful armor sets in the game, offering high defense and a set bonus that increases the damage of ancient weapons when the full set is worn. Here is a detailed guide on how to upgrade the Ancient Armor set.

First, you need to acquire the Ancient Armor set itself. This set can be purchased from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, which is located in the northeastern part of the map. To access the lab, you need to complete the side quest "Robbie's Research," which involves lighting the furnace at the lab using blue flame. Once the lab is operational, you can buy the Ancient Armor set from Cherry, the robot assistant. The set consists of three pieces: the Ancient Helm, Ancient Cuirass, and Ancient Greaves. Each piece costs 2,000 rupees, and you will also need ancient materials like Ancient Screws, Ancient Shafts, and Ancient Cores to purchase them.

Once you have the Ancient Armor set, the next step is to upgrade it. Upgrading armor in Breath of the Wild requires visiting Great Fairy Fountains. There are four Great Fairy Fountains scattered across Hyrule, and each one can upgrade your armor to a higher level. To unlock a Great Fairy Fountain, you need to pay a certain amount of rupees. The first fountain costs 100 rupees, the second 500, the third 1,000, and the fourth 10,000. Each fountain can upgrade your armor up to a certain level, with the fourth fountain allowing you to upgrade armor to its maximum level of four stars.

To upgrade the Ancient Armor set, you will need specific materials. The materials required vary depending on the upgrade level. For the first upgrade, you need Ancient Screws. For the second upgrade, you need Ancient Springs. For the third upgrade, you need Ancient Gears. And for the fourth and final upgrade, you need Ancient Cores. These materials can be obtained by defeating Guardians, which are found throughout Hyrule. Guardians are tough enemies, but they drop valuable ancient materials when defeated. You can also find ancient materials in chests inside shrines or by breaking Guardian Stalkers and Guardian Skywatchers.

When you have the required materials, visit a Great Fairy Fountain and select the piece of armor you want to upgrade. The Great Fairy will then upgrade the armor, increasing its defense and, in some cases, adding additional effects. The Ancient Armor set, when fully upgraded, provides a significant boost to defense and a set bonus that increases the damage of ancient weapons by 80%. This makes it one of the best armor sets for taking on tough enemies like Lynels and Guardians.

There are a few important tips and considerations to keep in mind when upgrading the Ancient Armor set. First, make sure you have enough rupees to unlock the Great Fairy Fountains. The cost increases with each fountain, so it's a good idea to save up your rupees. Second, focus on defeating Guardians to gather the necessary ancient materials. Guardians can be tough, but with the right strategy and weapons, you can take them down. Using ancient weapons and arrows can be particularly effective against Guardians. Third, consider upgrading other armor sets as well. While the Ancient Armor set is powerful, having a variety of upgraded armor sets can help you tackle different challenges in the game.

Common mistakes to avoid include not gathering enough materials before attempting to upgrade the armor. Make sure you have all the required materials before visiting a Great Fairy Fountain. Another mistake is not unlocking all four Great Fairy Fountains. To fully upgrade the Ancient Armor set, you need access to the fourth fountain, which requires 10,000 rupees. Make sure you have enough rupees to unlock all the fountains.

Advanced techniques and optimizations include using the Ancient Armor set in combination with ancient weapons and arrows. The set bonus increases the damage of ancient weapons, making them even more effective against tough enemies. You can also use the Ancient Proficiency bonus, which increases the damage of ancient weapons by 80% when the full set is worn. This makes the Ancient Armor set ideal for taking on Guardians and other powerful enemies.

In terms of preparation, make sure you have a good supply of weapons, shields, and healing items before taking on Guardians. Ancient weapons and arrows can be particularly effective, but they are also rare and expensive. Consider farming Guardians in areas like Hyrule Castle and the Central Hyrule region to gather ancient materials. You can also use the Master Sword, which deals extra damage to Guardians, to make the fights easier.

Alternative approaches include using other armor sets that provide similar benefits. For example, the Barbarian Armor set increases attack power, which can be useful in combat. However, the Ancient Armor set is unique in its ability to increase the damage of ancient weapons, making it the best choice for taking on Guardians and other tough enemies.

In specific scenarios, such as fighting a Guardian Stalker, wearing the fully upgraded Ancient Armor set can make a significant difference. The increased defense and set bonus will allow you to take more hits and deal more damage, making the fight easier. Similarly, when exploring areas with a high concentration of Guardians, like Hyrule Castle, the Ancient Armor set can provide the protection and firepower you need to survive.

In conclusion, upgrading the Ancient Armor set in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild requires gathering specific materials, visiting Great Fairy Fountains, and defeating Guardians. By following the steps outlined above, you can fully upgrade the Ancient Armor set and take advantage of its powerful set bonus. With the right preparation and strategy, the Ancient Armor set can be a valuable asset in your journey through Hyrule.