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. It is part of the Ancient Armor set, which is tied to the Sheikah technology found throughout the game. This shield is particularly useful because it has high durability and can deflect Guardian laser beams without requiring a perfect parry, making it invaluable for players who struggle with timing or who are facing multiple Guardians. 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. Here is a detailed guide on how to acquire the Ancient Shield.
First, you need to unlock the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. This lab is similar to the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab, where you first upgrade your Sheikah Slate. To activate the Akkala lab, you must light the furnace outside the building using a blue flame. The blue flame can be found at the base of the hill near the lab, but you will need to carry it through a path filled with enemies and environmental hazards. To make this easier, equip a torch or a weapon that can carry fire, such as a wooden weapon, and light it with the blue flame. Be cautious of rain, as it will extinguish the flame, and avoid enemies that can knock you down. Once you light the furnace, the lab will activate, and you can interact with the researcher inside, Robbie.
Robbie will offer you the ability to purchase Ancient gear, including the Ancient Shield. However, to buy the shield, you will need specific materials and rupees. The Ancient Shield costs 1,000 rupees, 10 Ancient Springs, 15 Ancient Gears, and 1 Giant Ancient Core. These materials are obtained by defeating Guardians, either the stationary ones found in shrines or the mobile ones roaming Hyrule Field and other areas. Guardians drop Ancient materials when defeated, with the Giant Ancient Core being the rarest drop. To farm these materials efficiently, focus on Guardian Stalkers or Guardian Scouts in shrines, as they have a higher chance of dropping the required items.
Once you have the necessary materials, return to Robbie at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab and purchase the Ancient Shield. It is important to note that the shield has a durability of 32, which is higher than most shields in the game, and it can deflect Guardian lasers up to 20 times before breaking. This makes it an excellent choice for players who are tackling Hyrule Castle or other areas with heavy Guardian presence. However, the shield is not indestructible, so use it wisely and avoid unnecessary damage.
A common mistake players make is using the Ancient Shield for regular combat or against non-Guardian enemies. While it is a strong shield, its primary purpose is to counter Guardians, and using it for other purposes will waste its durability. Instead, save it for situations where you need to deflect Guardian lasers or when you are in areas with multiple Guardians. Additionally, some players may struggle to gather the required materials, especially the Giant Ancient Core. To increase your chances of obtaining this rare item, consider using weapons with high damage output, such as Ancient or Guardian weapons, to defeat Guardians more efficiently. You can also use the Master Sword, which deals extra damage to Guardians, making it easier to farm materials.
For advanced players, there are ways to optimize the use of the Ancient Shield. For example, you can combine it with the Ancient Armor set, which increases your defense against Guardian attacks and boosts the damage of Ancient weapons. This setup is ideal for players who want to focus on Sheikah technology-based combat. Additionally, you can use the shield in conjunction with other defensive strategies, such as cooking meals that increase your defense or using elixirs to boost your resistance to Guardian lasers.
If you are unable to gather the materials for the Ancient Shield, there are alternative approaches to dealing with Guardians. One option is to master the perfect parry technique, which allows you to deflect Guardian lasers with any shield. This requires precise timing, but it is a skill worth learning, as it does not rely on specific equipment. Another alternative is to use stealth to avoid Guardians altogether. Equip stealth-enhancing armor, such as the Sheikah Stealth Set, and use stealth-boosting meals or elixirs to sneak past Guardians without engaging them.
In summary, the Ancient Shield is a powerful tool for countering Guardians and is obtained by purchasing it from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. To unlock the lab, you need to light the furnace with a blue flame, and to buy the shield, you must gather specific materials from Guardians. Use the shield strategically, focusing on Guardian-heavy areas, and avoid wasting its durability on non-Guardian enemies. For advanced players, combining the shield with the Ancient Armor set and other defensive strategies can optimize its effectiveness. If you struggle to obtain the shield, consider mastering the perfect parry technique or using stealth to avoid Guardians. With the right preparation and strategy, the Ancient Shield can be a game-changing piece of equipment in your journey through Hyrule.
First, you need to unlock the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. This lab is similar to the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab, where you first upgrade your Sheikah Slate. To activate the Akkala lab, you must light the furnace outside the building using a blue flame. The blue flame can be found at the base of the hill near the lab, but you will need to carry it through a path filled with enemies and environmental hazards. To make this easier, equip a torch or a weapon that can carry fire, such as a wooden weapon, and light it with the blue flame. Be cautious of rain, as it will extinguish the flame, and avoid enemies that can knock you down. Once you light the furnace, the lab will activate, and you can interact with the researcher inside, Robbie.
Robbie will offer you the ability to purchase Ancient gear, including the Ancient Shield. However, to buy the shield, you will need specific materials and rupees. The Ancient Shield costs 1,000 rupees, 10 Ancient Springs, 15 Ancient Gears, and 1 Giant Ancient Core. These materials are obtained by defeating Guardians, either the stationary ones found in shrines or the mobile ones roaming Hyrule Field and other areas. Guardians drop Ancient materials when defeated, with the Giant Ancient Core being the rarest drop. To farm these materials efficiently, focus on Guardian Stalkers or Guardian Scouts in shrines, as they have a higher chance of dropping the required items.
Once you have the necessary materials, return to Robbie at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab and purchase the Ancient Shield. It is important to note that the shield has a durability of 32, which is higher than most shields in the game, and it can deflect Guardian lasers up to 20 times before breaking. This makes it an excellent choice for players who are tackling Hyrule Castle or other areas with heavy Guardian presence. However, the shield is not indestructible, so use it wisely and avoid unnecessary damage.
A common mistake players make is using the Ancient Shield for regular combat or against non-Guardian enemies. While it is a strong shield, its primary purpose is to counter Guardians, and using it for other purposes will waste its durability. Instead, save it for situations where you need to deflect Guardian lasers or when you are in areas with multiple Guardians. Additionally, some players may struggle to gather the required materials, especially the Giant Ancient Core. To increase your chances of obtaining this rare item, consider using weapons with high damage output, such as Ancient or Guardian weapons, to defeat Guardians more efficiently. You can also use the Master Sword, which deals extra damage to Guardians, making it easier to farm materials.
For advanced players, there are ways to optimize the use of the Ancient Shield. For example, you can combine it with the Ancient Armor set, which increases your defense against Guardian attacks and boosts the damage of Ancient weapons. This setup is ideal for players who want to focus on Sheikah technology-based combat. Additionally, you can use the shield in conjunction with other defensive strategies, such as cooking meals that increase your defense or using elixirs to boost your resistance to Guardian lasers.
If you are unable to gather the materials for the Ancient Shield, there are alternative approaches to dealing with Guardians. One option is to master the perfect parry technique, which allows you to deflect Guardian lasers with any shield. This requires precise timing, but it is a skill worth learning, as it does not rely on specific equipment. Another alternative is to use stealth to avoid Guardians altogether. Equip stealth-enhancing armor, such as the Sheikah Stealth Set, and use stealth-boosting meals or elixirs to sneak past Guardians without engaging them.
In summary, the Ancient Shield is a powerful tool for countering Guardians and is obtained by purchasing it from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. To unlock the lab, you need to light the furnace with a blue flame, and to buy the shield, you must gather specific materials from Guardians. Use the shield strategically, focusing on Guardian-heavy areas, and avoid wasting its durability on non-Guardian enemies. For advanced players, combining the shield with the Ancient Armor set and other defensive strategies can optimize its effectiveness. If you struggle to obtain the shield, consider mastering the perfect parry technique or using stealth to avoid Guardians. With the right preparation and strategy, the Ancient Shield can be a game-changing piece of equipment in your journey through Hyrule.