Where can I find the Ancient Shield in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?
The Ancient Shield is one of the most powerful and durable shields in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and it is highly sought after for its ability to deflect Guardian laser beams without requiring a perfect parry. This shield is part of the Ancient Armor set, which is tied to the Sheikah technology found throughout Hyrule. To obtain the Ancient Shield, you will need to visit the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, which is located in the northeastern part of the map, near the Akkala region. The process involves several steps, including gathering materials, completing certain tasks, and spending rupees.
First, you need to unlock the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. To do this, you must complete the "Robbie's Research" side quest, which begins at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab. Speak to Purah, who will direct you to Robbie in Akkala. Once you arrive at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, you will need to light the furnace outside the lab using a blue flame, similar to the process at the Hateno lab. This requires you to carry the blue flame from the ancient furnace located at the base of the hill, near the Akkala Tower. Be cautious of enemies along the way, as they can extinguish the flame. Once the furnace is lit, Robbie will activate the lab, allowing you to purchase Ancient gear, including the Ancient Shield.
To purchase the Ancient Shield, you will need specific materials and rupees. The shield costs 1,000 rupees, 10 Ancient Springs, 15 Ancient Gears, and 1 Giant Ancient Core. These materials are obtained by defeating Guardians, which can be found in various locations across Hyrule, such as the Central Hyrule region, Hyrule Castle, and the Akkala Citadel Ruins. Guardians are formidable enemies, so it is important to prepare adequately before engaging them. Equip yourself with weapons that deal high damage, such as the Master Sword or Guardian weapons, and consider wearing the Ancient Armor set for increased defense against Guardian attacks. Additionally, using Ancient Arrows can make the fight easier, as they can instantly destroy standard Guardians with a single shot to the eye.
Once you have gathered the required materials, return to the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab and speak to Cherry, the robot assistant. Select the option to purchase the Ancient Shield, and it will be added to your inventory. The Ancient Shield has a base durability of 32, which is significantly higher than most other shields in the game. Its unique ability to automatically deflect Guardian lasers makes it invaluable in areas with high Guardian activity, such as Hyrule Castle or the Central Hyrule region. However, it is important to note that the shield will still take damage from these deflections, so it is not indestructible.
A common mistake players make is underestimating the difficulty of farming Guardian parts. Guardians can be tough to defeat, especially for players who are not well-equipped or experienced in combat. To avoid frustration, make sure to stock up on healing items, such as hearty meals or elixirs, and consider using stealth to avoid unnecessary fights. Additionally, some Guardians, such as the decayed ones, are easier to defeat than others, so prioritize these if you are struggling with the stronger variants.
For advanced players, optimizing the farming process can save time and resources. One strategy is to use the Master Sword, which deals extra damage to Guardians and does not require durability management when fully charged. Another technique is to use the Stasis+ rune to freeze Guardians temporarily, giving you an opportunity to target their weak points. Additionally, using the Ancient Armor set, which increases damage dealt by Ancient weapons and provides resistance to Guardian attacks, can make the farming process more efficient.
If you are looking for alternative approaches, you can also obtain the Ancient Shield by completing the "A Major Test of Strength" shrines, which sometimes reward you with Ancient gear. However, this method is less reliable, as the drops are random and not guaranteed. Another option is to use the Hylian Shield, which has even higher durability and can be found in Hyrule Castle. While the Hylian Shield does not have the Ancient Shield's laser-deflecting ability, it is a strong alternative for general use.
In summary, obtaining the Ancient Shield requires preparation, resource gathering, and combat skills. By following the steps outlined above, you can acquire this powerful shield and enhance your ability to face the game's toughest challenges. Whether you are exploring Hyrule Castle or taking on Guardians, the Ancient Shield is a valuable addition to your arsenal.
First, you need to unlock the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. To do this, you must complete the "Robbie's Research" side quest, which begins at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab. Speak to Purah, who will direct you to Robbie in Akkala. Once you arrive at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, you will need to light the furnace outside the lab using a blue flame, similar to the process at the Hateno lab. This requires you to carry the blue flame from the ancient furnace located at the base of the hill, near the Akkala Tower. Be cautious of enemies along the way, as they can extinguish the flame. Once the furnace is lit, Robbie will activate the lab, allowing you to purchase Ancient gear, including the Ancient Shield.
To purchase the Ancient Shield, you will need specific materials and rupees. The shield costs 1,000 rupees, 10 Ancient Springs, 15 Ancient Gears, and 1 Giant Ancient Core. These materials are obtained by defeating Guardians, which can be found in various locations across Hyrule, such as the Central Hyrule region, Hyrule Castle, and the Akkala Citadel Ruins. Guardians are formidable enemies, so it is important to prepare adequately before engaging them. Equip yourself with weapons that deal high damage, such as the Master Sword or Guardian weapons, and consider wearing the Ancient Armor set for increased defense against Guardian attacks. Additionally, using Ancient Arrows can make the fight easier, as they can instantly destroy standard Guardians with a single shot to the eye.
Once you have gathered the required materials, return to the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab and speak to Cherry, the robot assistant. Select the option to purchase the Ancient Shield, and it will be added to your inventory. The Ancient Shield has a base durability of 32, which is significantly higher than most other shields in the game. Its unique ability to automatically deflect Guardian lasers makes it invaluable in areas with high Guardian activity, such as Hyrule Castle or the Central Hyrule region. However, it is important to note that the shield will still take damage from these deflections, so it is not indestructible.
A common mistake players make is underestimating the difficulty of farming Guardian parts. Guardians can be tough to defeat, especially for players who are not well-equipped or experienced in combat. To avoid frustration, make sure to stock up on healing items, such as hearty meals or elixirs, and consider using stealth to avoid unnecessary fights. Additionally, some Guardians, such as the decayed ones, are easier to defeat than others, so prioritize these if you are struggling with the stronger variants.
For advanced players, optimizing the farming process can save time and resources. One strategy is to use the Master Sword, which deals extra damage to Guardians and does not require durability management when fully charged. Another technique is to use the Stasis+ rune to freeze Guardians temporarily, giving you an opportunity to target their weak points. Additionally, using the Ancient Armor set, which increases damage dealt by Ancient weapons and provides resistance to Guardian attacks, can make the farming process more efficient.
If you are looking for alternative approaches, you can also obtain the Ancient Shield by completing the "A Major Test of Strength" shrines, which sometimes reward you with Ancient gear. However, this method is less reliable, as the drops are random and not guaranteed. Another option is to use the Hylian Shield, which has even higher durability and can be found in Hyrule Castle. While the Hylian Shield does not have the Ancient Shield's laser-deflecting ability, it is a strong alternative for general use.
In summary, obtaining the Ancient Shield requires preparation, resource gathering, and combat skills. By following the steps outlined above, you can acquire this powerful shield and enhance your ability to face the game's toughest challenges. Whether you are exploring Hyrule Castle or taking on Guardians, the Ancient Shield is a valuable addition to your arsenal.