How do I upgrade the Ancient Shield in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?
To upgrade the Ancient Shield in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you need to understand the mechanics of ancient technology and how it ties into the game's crafting and upgrade systems. The Ancient Shield is part of the Ancient Armor set, which is based on Sheikah technology and is highly effective against Guardians and other mechanical enemies. Upgrading this shield requires specific materials and a visit to the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, where you can craft and enhance ancient gear.
First, you need to unlock the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. This is located in the northeastern part of Hyrule, in the Akkala region. To activate the lab, you must complete a side quest called "Robbie's Research." This quest begins at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab, where you meet Purah. After completing her quests, she will direct you to Robbie in Akkala. Once you reach 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 will activate the lab and allow you to interact with Robbie, who will offer to craft ancient gear for you.
To craft the Ancient Shield, you need specific materials. These include 1,000 rupees, 10 ancient gears, 15 ancient springs, and 1 giant ancient core. Ancient gears and springs are commonly dropped by defeated Guardians, while giant ancient cores are rarer and typically found in shrines or from stronger Guardians like the Guardian Stalkers or Guardian Scouts in major test of strength shrines. Farming these materials can take time, so it's a good idea to mark Guardian locations on your map and revisit them after each blood moon, as this respawns all enemies.
Once you have the required materials, return to the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab and speak to Robbie. Select the option to craft the Ancient Shield, and he will create it for you. The Ancient Shield has a base durability of 32 and can deflect Guardian beams without requiring a perfect parry, making it extremely useful in combat against Guardians. However, it cannot be upgraded further at Great Fairy Fountains like other armor pieces. Its durability is fixed, so you need to use it strategically to avoid breaking it prematurely.
A common mistake players make is using the Ancient Shield too frequently in regular combat. Since it is expensive to craft and has limited durability, it's best to reserve it for situations where you face multiple Guardians or need to deflect beams reliably. For general combat, consider using other shields like the Hylian Shield, which has high durability and can be replaced if broken.
Advanced techniques involve combining the Ancient Shield with other ancient gear, such as the Ancient Armor set and Ancient weapons. Wearing the full Ancient Armor set grants you an attack bonus when using ancient weapons, making it a powerful combination for taking down Guardians and other mechanical enemies. Additionally, using food or elixirs that boost your defense or attack can further enhance your effectiveness in combat.
Preparation is key when farming materials for the Ancient Shield. Equip weapons and armor that are effective against Guardians, such as the Master Sword or Guardian weapons. Use stealth or ranged attacks to take down Guardians from a distance, reducing the risk of taking damage. If you're low on resources, consider cooking meals that restore health or provide temporary buffs to help you survive encounters with Guardians.
An alternative approach is to focus on perfecting your parry timing with regular shields. While this requires more skill, it allows you to deflect Guardian beams without relying on the Ancient Shield, saving it for tougher battles. Practicing parry timing on weaker enemies or in less dangerous situations can help you build confidence and improve your combat skills.
In summary, upgrading the Ancient Shield involves unlocking the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, gathering the necessary materials, and crafting the shield with Robbie. Use the shield strategically to maximize its durability, and consider combining it with other ancient gear for optimal performance. Avoid using it in regular combat, and practice parrying with other shields to conserve its durability. With proper preparation and resource management, the Ancient Shield can be a valuable asset in your journey through Hyrule.
First, you need to unlock the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. This is located in the northeastern part of Hyrule, in the Akkala region. To activate the lab, you must complete a side quest called "Robbie's Research." This quest begins at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab, where you meet Purah. After completing her quests, she will direct you to Robbie in Akkala. Once you reach 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 will activate the lab and allow you to interact with Robbie, who will offer to craft ancient gear for you.
To craft the Ancient Shield, you need specific materials. These include 1,000 rupees, 10 ancient gears, 15 ancient springs, and 1 giant ancient core. Ancient gears and springs are commonly dropped by defeated Guardians, while giant ancient cores are rarer and typically found in shrines or from stronger Guardians like the Guardian Stalkers or Guardian Scouts in major test of strength shrines. Farming these materials can take time, so it's a good idea to mark Guardian locations on your map and revisit them after each blood moon, as this respawns all enemies.
Once you have the required materials, return to the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab and speak to Robbie. Select the option to craft the Ancient Shield, and he will create it for you. The Ancient Shield has a base durability of 32 and can deflect Guardian beams without requiring a perfect parry, making it extremely useful in combat against Guardians. However, it cannot be upgraded further at Great Fairy Fountains like other armor pieces. Its durability is fixed, so you need to use it strategically to avoid breaking it prematurely.
A common mistake players make is using the Ancient Shield too frequently in regular combat. Since it is expensive to craft and has limited durability, it's best to reserve it for situations where you face multiple Guardians or need to deflect beams reliably. For general combat, consider using other shields like the Hylian Shield, which has high durability and can be replaced if broken.
Advanced techniques involve combining the Ancient Shield with other ancient gear, such as the Ancient Armor set and Ancient weapons. Wearing the full Ancient Armor set grants you an attack bonus when using ancient weapons, making it a powerful combination for taking down Guardians and other mechanical enemies. Additionally, using food or elixirs that boost your defense or attack can further enhance your effectiveness in combat.
Preparation is key when farming materials for the Ancient Shield. Equip weapons and armor that are effective against Guardians, such as the Master Sword or Guardian weapons. Use stealth or ranged attacks to take down Guardians from a distance, reducing the risk of taking damage. If you're low on resources, consider cooking meals that restore health or provide temporary buffs to help you survive encounters with Guardians.
An alternative approach is to focus on perfecting your parry timing with regular shields. While this requires more skill, it allows you to deflect Guardian beams without relying on the Ancient Shield, saving it for tougher battles. Practicing parry timing on weaker enemies or in less dangerous situations can help you build confidence and improve your combat skills.
In summary, upgrading the Ancient Shield involves unlocking the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, gathering the necessary materials, and crafting the shield with Robbie. Use the shield strategically to maximize its durability, and consider combining it with other ancient gear for optimal performance. Avoid using it in regular combat, and practice parrying with other shields to conserve its durability. With proper preparation and resource management, the Ancient Shield can be a valuable asset in your journey through Hyrule.