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 and is highly effective against Guardians, one of the game's toughest enemies. To obtain the Ancient Shield, you will need to visit the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, which is located in the northeastern part of Hyrule, 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. This requires you to carry the blue flame from the ancient furnace located near the lab, which is guarded by enemies. Be prepared to fight or avoid these enemies as you transport 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 required materials are 1,000 rupees, 10 Ancient Springs, 15 Ancient Gears, and 1 Giant Ancient Core. Ancient Springs, Ancient Gears, and Giant Ancient Cores are obtained by defeating Guardians, particularly the decayed and active ones found throughout Hyrule. You can also find these materials in chests within shrines or by defeating Guardian Scouts in shrines. Farming these materials can take some time, so it is recommended to focus on areas with a high concentration of Guardians, such as Central Hyrule or the area around Hyrule Castle.
Once you have gathered the necessary materials, return to the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab and speak to Cherry, the robot assistant. Select the option to purchase the Ancient Shield. The shield has a base durability of 32, which is higher than most shields in the game, and it also has the unique ability to automatically deflect Guardian beams without requiring a perfect parry. This makes it incredibly useful for fighting Guardians, especially for players who struggle with timing parries.
There are a few important tips and considerations to keep in mind when obtaining and using the Ancient Shield. First, while the shield is highly durable, it is not indestructible. Be mindful of its durability, especially during prolonged battles with Guardians. Second, the shield is expensive in terms of both rupees and materials, so it is best to use it strategically rather than as your primary shield. Third, if you are low on materials, consider farming Guardians in areas where they are plentiful, such as the ruins near Hyrule Castle or the fields of Central Hyrule. Using Ancient Arrows can make farming Guardians easier, as they can one-shot most Guardians.
A common mistake to avoid is attempting to farm Guardians without proper preparation. Guardians are formidable enemies, and without the right equipment or strategy, you may find yourself overwhelmed. Make sure to bring weapons and shields that are effective against Guardians, such as the Master Sword or other Ancient weapons. Additionally, wearing the Ancient Armor set can provide a significant defense boost against Guardian attacks.
For advanced players, there are a few optimizations you can consider. One strategy is to use the Ancient Shield in combination with the Ancient Armor set, which provides an additional damage boost against Guardians. This setup can make Guardian encounters much easier. Another optimization is to use the shield's auto-deflect ability to your advantage in combat. For example, you can position yourself in a way that forces Guardians to fire at you, allowing you to deflect their beams back at them without needing to time a parry.
In terms of alternative approaches, if you are unable to gather the materials for the Ancient Shield, you can still defeat Guardians using other methods. For example, you can use the Master Sword, which deals extra damage to Guardians, or you can rely on perfect parries with any shield to deflect Guardian beams. Additionally, Ancient Arrows are a highly effective way to take down Guardians quickly, though they are also expensive to craft.
In summary, the Ancient Shield is a powerful and versatile piece of equipment that can greatly enhance your ability to fight Guardians in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. By following the steps outlined above, gathering the necessary materials, and using the shield strategically, you can make Guardian encounters much more manageable. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, 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. This requires you to carry the blue flame from the ancient furnace located near the lab, which is guarded by enemies. Be prepared to fight or avoid these enemies as you transport 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 required materials are 1,000 rupees, 10 Ancient Springs, 15 Ancient Gears, and 1 Giant Ancient Core. Ancient Springs, Ancient Gears, and Giant Ancient Cores are obtained by defeating Guardians, particularly the decayed and active ones found throughout Hyrule. You can also find these materials in chests within shrines or by defeating Guardian Scouts in shrines. Farming these materials can take some time, so it is recommended to focus on areas with a high concentration of Guardians, such as Central Hyrule or the area around Hyrule Castle.
Once you have gathered the necessary materials, return to the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab and speak to Cherry, the robot assistant. Select the option to purchase the Ancient Shield. The shield has a base durability of 32, which is higher than most shields in the game, and it also has the unique ability to automatically deflect Guardian beams without requiring a perfect parry. This makes it incredibly useful for fighting Guardians, especially for players who struggle with timing parries.
There are a few important tips and considerations to keep in mind when obtaining and using the Ancient Shield. First, while the shield is highly durable, it is not indestructible. Be mindful of its durability, especially during prolonged battles with Guardians. Second, the shield is expensive in terms of both rupees and materials, so it is best to use it strategically rather than as your primary shield. Third, if you are low on materials, consider farming Guardians in areas where they are plentiful, such as the ruins near Hyrule Castle or the fields of Central Hyrule. Using Ancient Arrows can make farming Guardians easier, as they can one-shot most Guardians.
A common mistake to avoid is attempting to farm Guardians without proper preparation. Guardians are formidable enemies, and without the right equipment or strategy, you may find yourself overwhelmed. Make sure to bring weapons and shields that are effective against Guardians, such as the Master Sword or other Ancient weapons. Additionally, wearing the Ancient Armor set can provide a significant defense boost against Guardian attacks.
For advanced players, there are a few optimizations you can consider. One strategy is to use the Ancient Shield in combination with the Ancient Armor set, which provides an additional damage boost against Guardians. This setup can make Guardian encounters much easier. Another optimization is to use the shield's auto-deflect ability to your advantage in combat. For example, you can position yourself in a way that forces Guardians to fire at you, allowing you to deflect their beams back at them without needing to time a parry.
In terms of alternative approaches, if you are unable to gather the materials for the Ancient Shield, you can still defeat Guardians using other methods. For example, you can use the Master Sword, which deals extra damage to Guardians, or you can rely on perfect parries with any shield to deflect Guardian beams. Additionally, Ancient Arrows are a highly effective way to take down Guardians quickly, though they are also expensive to craft.
In summary, the Ancient Shield is a powerful and versatile piece of equipment that can greatly enhance your ability to fight Guardians in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. By following the steps outlined above, gathering the necessary materials, and using the shield strategically, you can make Guardian encounters much more manageable. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, the Ancient Shield is a valuable addition to your arsenal.