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. Upgrading this shield requires specific materials and a visit to the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, where you can craft and enhance ancient gear. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to upgrade the Ancient Shield, including step-by-step instructions, tips, and considerations.
First, you need to unlock the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. This lab is located in the northeastern part of Hyrule, in the Akkala region. To activate the lab, you must complete the "Robbie's Research" side quest, which involves lighting the furnace outside the lab with a blue flame. This quest is given by Purah at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab after you complete the "Locked Mementos" main quest. Once the Akkala lab is operational, you can interact with Cherry, the robot assistant, to craft and upgrade ancient gear.
To upgrade the Ancient Shield, you need to gather specific materials. The primary material required is Ancient Cores, which are rare drops from Guardians. Guardians are found in various locations across Hyrule, such as Hyrule Castle, the Central Hyrule region, and the Akkala Citadel Ruins. Defeating Guardians can yield Small Ancient Cores, Ancient Screws, and Ancient Shafts, but Ancient Cores are the most valuable and hardest to obtain. You will need at least one Ancient Core to upgrade the shield, though higher-tier upgrades may require more.
Once you have the necessary materials, head to the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. Speak to Cherry and select the option to upgrade the Ancient Shield. The upgrade process will consume the required materials, and in return, you will receive a more durable and powerful version of the shield. The upgraded Ancient Shield has increased durability and can deflect Guardian beams more effectively, making it a valuable tool for combat against these formidable enemies.
A common mistake players make is underestimating the difficulty of obtaining Ancient Cores. Guardians are tough opponents, especially early in the game, so itÔÇÖs 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 defeating Guardians much easier, as these arrows deal massive damage and can one-shot weaker Guardians.
Resource management is crucial when upgrading the Ancient Shield. Ancient Cores are rare, so itÔÇÖs important to use them wisely. Prioritize upgrading the Ancient Shield if you frequently face Guardians or need a reliable shield for combat. If youÔÇÖre low on Ancient Cores, consider farming Guardians in areas where they are plentiful, such as the Central Hyrule region or the Akkala Citadel Ruins. Using the Stasis+ rune can help you identify and track Guardians more easily, allowing you to plan your attacks strategically.
Advanced techniques for upgrading the Ancient Shield include optimizing your combat strategy against Guardians. Parrying Guardian beams with a shield is an effective way to defeat them without taking damage. The Ancient Shield is particularly good for this, as it can automatically deflect beams without requiring precise timing. Additionally, using the Ancient Proficiency set bonus from the Ancient Armor set can increase your damage output against Guardians, making it easier to farm Ancient Cores.
An alternative approach to upgrading the Ancient Shield is to focus on other shields that offer similar benefits. For example, the Hylian Shield, found in Hyrule Castle, is one of the most durable shields in the game and can also deflect Guardian beams. While it doesnÔÇÖt require Ancient Cores to obtain, it does have a high durability and can be a good alternative if youÔÇÖre struggling to gather the necessary materials for the Ancient Shield.
In summary, upgrading the Ancient Shield in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild involves unlocking the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, gathering Ancient Cores from Guardians, and using these materials to enhance the shield at the lab. Preparation, resource management, and strategic combat are key to successfully upgrading the shield. By following these steps and considering the tips and alternatives provided, you can effectively enhance your equipment and improve your chances of survival in the game.
First, you need to unlock the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. This lab is located in the northeastern part of Hyrule, in the Akkala region. To activate the lab, you must complete the "Robbie's Research" side quest, which involves lighting the furnace outside the lab with a blue flame. This quest is given by Purah at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab after you complete the "Locked Mementos" main quest. Once the Akkala lab is operational, you can interact with Cherry, the robot assistant, to craft and upgrade ancient gear.
To upgrade the Ancient Shield, you need to gather specific materials. The primary material required is Ancient Cores, which are rare drops from Guardians. Guardians are found in various locations across Hyrule, such as Hyrule Castle, the Central Hyrule region, and the Akkala Citadel Ruins. Defeating Guardians can yield Small Ancient Cores, Ancient Screws, and Ancient Shafts, but Ancient Cores are the most valuable and hardest to obtain. You will need at least one Ancient Core to upgrade the shield, though higher-tier upgrades may require more.
Once you have the necessary materials, head to the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. Speak to Cherry and select the option to upgrade the Ancient Shield. The upgrade process will consume the required materials, and in return, you will receive a more durable and powerful version of the shield. The upgraded Ancient Shield has increased durability and can deflect Guardian beams more effectively, making it a valuable tool for combat against these formidable enemies.
A common mistake players make is underestimating the difficulty of obtaining Ancient Cores. Guardians are tough opponents, especially early in the game, so itÔÇÖs 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 defeating Guardians much easier, as these arrows deal massive damage and can one-shot weaker Guardians.
Resource management is crucial when upgrading the Ancient Shield. Ancient Cores are rare, so itÔÇÖs important to use them wisely. Prioritize upgrading the Ancient Shield if you frequently face Guardians or need a reliable shield for combat. If youÔÇÖre low on Ancient Cores, consider farming Guardians in areas where they are plentiful, such as the Central Hyrule region or the Akkala Citadel Ruins. Using the Stasis+ rune can help you identify and track Guardians more easily, allowing you to plan your attacks strategically.
Advanced techniques for upgrading the Ancient Shield include optimizing your combat strategy against Guardians. Parrying Guardian beams with a shield is an effective way to defeat them without taking damage. The Ancient Shield is particularly good for this, as it can automatically deflect beams without requiring precise timing. Additionally, using the Ancient Proficiency set bonus from the Ancient Armor set can increase your damage output against Guardians, making it easier to farm Ancient Cores.
An alternative approach to upgrading the Ancient Shield is to focus on other shields that offer similar benefits. For example, the Hylian Shield, found in Hyrule Castle, is one of the most durable shields in the game and can also deflect Guardian beams. While it doesnÔÇÖt require Ancient Cores to obtain, it does have a high durability and can be a good alternative if youÔÇÖre struggling to gather the necessary materials for the Ancient Shield.
In summary, upgrading the Ancient Shield in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild involves unlocking the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, gathering Ancient Cores from Guardians, and using these materials to enhance the shield at the lab. Preparation, resource management, and strategic combat are key to successfully upgrading the shield. By following these steps and considering the tips and alternatives provided, you can effectively enhance your equipment and improve your chances of survival in the game.