What is the best armor set for exploring the Hyrule Castle Town Ruins in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

Exploring the Hyrule Castle Town Ruins in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild can be a challenging task due to the presence of powerful enemies, Guardians, and environmental hazards. To maximize your chances of survival and efficiency, choosing the right armor set is crucial. The best armor set for this area depends on your playstyle and the specific challenges you face, but the Ancient Armor set is highly recommended for its unique benefits against Guardians and high defense.

The Ancient Armor set consists of three pieces: the Ancient Helm, Ancient Cuirass, and Ancient Greaves. This set provides a significant defense boost and a unique set bonus called "Ancient Proficiency," which increases the damage of ancient and Guardian weapons by 80% when all three pieces are worn. This makes it particularly effective against Guardians, which are common in the Hyrule Castle Town Ruins. Additionally, the set offers high resistance to Guardian lasers, reducing the damage you take from their attacks.

To obtain the Ancient Armor set, you need to visit the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, located in the northeastern part of the map. The lab is run by Robbie, who will sell you the armor pieces in exchange for ancient materials. Each piece costs 2,000 rupees, 15 ancient screws, 15 ancient shafts, and 10 ancient cores. These materials can be obtained by defeating Guardians and searching for ancient parts in shrines and other locations. Once you have the required materials and rupees, you can purchase the armor pieces from Robbie.

Upgrading the Ancient Armor set is also important to maximize its effectiveness. To upgrade the armor, you need to visit Great Fairy Fountains and provide the necessary materials. Each upgrade level requires different materials, such as ancient screws, ancient springs, ancient gears, and ancient cores. Upgrading the armor increases its defense rating, making you more resilient against enemy attacks. Fully upgrading the Ancient Armor set requires a significant amount of ancient materials, so be prepared to farm Guardians and explore shrines to gather the necessary resources.

When exploring the Hyrule Castle Town Ruins, it is important to be prepared for combat with Guardians. The Ancient Armor set's resistance to Guardian lasers is invaluable, but you should also carry powerful weapons and shields. Ancient and Guardian weapons are particularly effective due to the Ancient Proficiency set bonus. Additionally, carrying a few ancient arrows can help you quickly dispatch Guardians if you find yourself in a tough spot. These arrows can be purchased from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab and are highly effective against Guardians, instantly defeating them if you land a headshot.

Another important consideration is stealth. While the Ancient Armor set is excellent for combat, it does not provide any stealth bonuses. If you prefer a more stealthy approach, you can consider using the Sheikah Stealth set, which increases your stealth and allows you to sneak past enemies more easily. However, this set offers lower defense and no resistance to Guardian lasers, so you will need to be more cautious when engaging in combat.

Resource management is also crucial when exploring the Hyrule Castle Town Ruins. Make sure to carry plenty of healing items, such as hearty meals and elixirs, to restore your health during battles. Additionally, having a few fairies in your inventory can provide an extra layer of protection, as they will automatically revive you if you fall in battle. Cooking meals that provide temporary boosts, such as increased defense or attack power, can also give you an edge in combat.

Common mistakes to avoid include underestimating the strength of Guardians and not being prepared for their attacks. Guardians can deal massive damage, especially if you are not wearing the Ancient Armor set or carrying a strong shield. Always be ready to parry their laser attacks with a shield, as this can reflect the damage back at them and potentially destroy them in one hit. Additionally, avoid engaging multiple Guardians at once, as this can quickly overwhelm you.

Advanced techniques for exploring the Hyrule Castle Town Ruins include using the environment to your advantage. For example, you can use cover to avoid Guardian lasers and plan your route to minimize encounters with powerful enemies. Additionally, using the Stasis rune to freeze enemies temporarily can give you an opportunity to deal damage or escape from a dangerous situation. The Magnesis rune can also be used to manipulate metal objects in the environment, such as creating barriers or launching objects at enemies.

In summary, the Ancient Armor set is the best choice for exploring the Hyrule Castle Town Ruins due to its high defense and resistance to Guardian lasers. Obtaining and upgrading the set requires gathering ancient materials and visiting the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab and Great Fairy Fountains. Be prepared for combat with powerful weapons and shields, and consider using stealth or environmental tactics to avoid unnecessary battles. Proper resource management and preparation are key to surviving the challenges of the Hyrule Castle Town Ruins.