How do I upgrade the Snowquill Headdress in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

To upgrade the Snowquill Headdress in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you need to visit a Great Fairy Fountain and provide the required materials for each upgrade level. The Snowquill Headdress is part of the Snowquill Armor set, which is designed to provide cold resistance, making it essential for exploring snowy regions like the Hebra Mountains or Mount Lanayru. Upgrading this headpiece increases its defense and enhances its cold resistance capabilities, making it even more valuable for surviving harsh environments.

First, you need to locate a Great Fairy Fountain. There are four Great Fairy Fountains in the game, and each one requires a payment of rupees to unlock. The first fountain costs 100 rupees, the second 500, the third 1,000, and the fourth 10,000. Once you have unlocked at least one fountain, you can begin upgrading your armor. The Snowquill Headdress can be purchased in Rito Village from the clothing shop, so make sure you have it in your inventory before heading to a Great Fairy Fountain.

The upgrade process involves four levels, each requiring specific materials. For the Snowquill Headdress, the materials needed are as follows: Level 1 requires 3 Red Chuchu Jelly, Level 2 requires 5 Red Chuchu Jelly and 5 Warm Darner, Level 3 requires 5 Electric Keese Wings and 5 Summerwing Butterfly, and Level 4 requires 5 Fireproof Lizards and 1 Ruby. These materials can be found in various locations across Hyrule. Red Chuchu Jelly is obtained by defeating Red Chuchus, which are commonly found in warmer areas like the Eldin region. Warm Darners and Summerwing Butterflies are insects that can be caught in grassy areas, particularly in regions with mild climates. Electric Keese Wings come from Electric Keese, which are often found in areas with thunderstorms or near shrines with electric-themed puzzles. Fireproof Lizards can be found in the Eldin region, especially around Death Mountain, and Rubies are rare gemstones that can be obtained by mining ore deposits or defeating certain enemies like Taluses.

To gather these materials efficiently, consider using stealth-enhancing armor or elixirs to catch insects and lizards without scaring them away. For Red Chuchu Jelly, you can also use elemental weapons or arrows to change the color of Chuchu Jelly if you have a different type. For example, using a fire weapon on Blue Chuchu Jelly will turn it into Red Chuchu Jelly. This can save time if you already have a stockpile of other Chuchu Jelly types.

When upgrading, it is important to plan ahead and gather materials in bulk. Some materials, like Summerwing Butterflies and Warm Darners, are used in multiple armor upgrades, so collecting extra can save you time later. Additionally, consider using the Sensor+ upgrade for the Sheikah Slate to track specific materials. This upgrade is obtained by completing the "Slated for Upgrades" side quest at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab, and it allows you to set the Sensor to detect specific items, making farming much easier.

One common mistake is neglecting to unlock multiple Great Fairy Fountains. While you only need one to start upgrading, higher-level upgrades require more fountains to be unlocked. For example, upgrading to Level 4 requires all four fountains to be unlocked. Another mistake is not preparing enough rupees. Upgrading armor can be expensive, especially if you are upgrading multiple pieces of a set, so make sure to sell excess materials or complete side quests to earn more rupees.

Advanced techniques include using the Blood Moon to respawn enemies and materials. After a Blood Moon, all enemies and many resource nodes reset, allowing you to farm materials more efficiently. Additionally, consider using the Master Cycle Zero, obtained from the "EX The Champions' Ballad" DLC, to travel quickly between farming locations. This can save a significant amount of time when gathering rare materials like Fireproof Lizards or Rubies.

In summary, upgrading the Snowquill Headdress involves gathering specific materials and visiting a Great Fairy Fountain. Plan ahead, use stealth and the Sensor+ to collect materials efficiently, and unlock multiple fountains to access higher upgrade levels. Avoid common mistakes like neglecting rupee preparation or failing to unlock all fountains, and use advanced techniques like the Blood Moon respawn and Master Cycle Zero to optimize your farming. With these strategies, you can fully upgrade the Snowquill Headdress and enhance your cold resistance for exploring Hyrule's most frigid regions.