Where is the best place to farm Ancient Materials for upgrades in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?
Farming Ancient Materials in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is essential for upgrading the Ancient Armor set and crafting powerful Ancient weapons and shields. These materials, such as Ancient Screws, Ancient Springs, Ancient Gears, Ancient Shafts, and Ancient Cores, are primarily obtained by defeating Guardians, which are robotic enemies found throughout Hyrule. The best place to farm these materials is in the Central Hyrule region, particularly around Hyrule Castle and the surrounding areas, as this is where Guardians are most densely populated. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to efficiently farm Ancient Materials.
First, itÔÇÖs important to understand the mechanics of Guardian encounters. Guardians come in several forms, including decayed Guardians, Guardian Stalkers, Guardian Skywatchers, and Guardian Turrets. Decayed Guardians are stationary and easier to defeat, while Guardian Stalkers and Skywatchers are more mobile and aggressive. Guardian Turrets are found in shrines and Divine Beasts and are less common in the overworld. Each type of Guardian drops different Ancient Materials, with higher-tier Guardians like Stalkers and Skywatchers having a better chance of dropping rare items like Ancient Cores and Giant Ancient Cores.
To prepare for farming Ancient Materials, youÔÇÖll need the right equipment and strategy. The Master Sword is highly effective against Guardians, as it deals extra damage to them when fully charged. If you donÔÇÖt have the Master Sword, Ancient weapons, such as the Ancient Short Sword or Ancient Bladesaw, are also effective due to their bonus damage against Guardians. Additionally, the Ancient Armor set, when upgraded, provides a significant defense boost and a set bonus that increases damage with Ancient weapons. Equipping this armor will make farming Guardians much easier. You should also stock up on arrows, especially Ancient Arrows, which can one-shot Guardians if aimed at their eye. However, using Ancient Arrows will prevent the Guardian from dropping materials, so use them sparingly.
When farming Guardians, start by heading to Central Hyrule, near Hyrule Castle. The area around the castle is filled with decayed Guardians, which are easier to defeat. Use a bow to shoot their eye, which will stun them temporarily, allowing you to close the distance and attack with melee weapons. Focus on breaking their legs first if youÔÇÖre fighting a Guardian Stalker, as this will immobilize them and make them easier to handle. For Guardian Skywatchers, use a bow to shoot their propellers, which will cause them to crash to the ground, making them vulnerable to melee attacks.
One of the best strategies for farming Ancient Materials is to use the parry mechanic. Guardians will often fire a laser beam at you, which can be deflected back at them with a well-timed shield parry. This technique requires precise timing but can instantly destroy a Guardian if done correctly. To practice, stand at a medium distance from a Guardian and raise your shield just as the laser is about to hit you. If timed correctly, the laser will reflect back and destroy the Guardian, saving you time and resources.
Another important tip is to save your game before engaging a Guardian. If you donÔÇÖt get the materials you want, you can reload your save and try again. This is particularly useful when farming for rare items like Ancient Cores or Giant Ancient Cores, which have a low drop rate. Additionally, using the Sheikah Sensor+ to track Guardians can help you locate them more efficiently. Upgrade your Sheikah Sensor at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab to detect Guardians, making it easier to find them in the overworld.
For advanced players, consider farming Guardians during a Blood Moon. After a Blood Moon, all enemies, including Guardians, respawn, allowing you to farm them repeatedly. This is especially useful if youÔÇÖre looking to stockpile Ancient Materials quickly. Additionally, using the Ancient Proficiency set bonus from the fully upgraded Ancient Armor set will increase your damage output with Ancient weapons, making it easier to defeat Guardians in fewer hits.
If youÔÇÖre struggling with combat, an alternative approach is to use stealth to avoid Guardians altogether. Equip the Sheikah Stealth Armor set and use stealth-enhancing food or elixirs to sneak past Guardians without engaging them. This is less efficient for farming materials but can be useful if youÔÇÖre low on health or resources.
In summary, farming Ancient Materials in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild requires preparation, strategy, and practice. Focus on Central Hyrule, particularly around Hyrule Castle, where Guardians are abundant. Use the Master Sword or Ancient weapons, and consider upgrading the Ancient Armor set for added defense and damage. Practice the parry mechanic to deflect Guardian lasers, and save your game before engaging Guardians to maximize your chances of obtaining rare materials. With these tips and strategies, youÔÇÖll be able to efficiently farm Ancient Materials and upgrade your gear to tackle the gameÔÇÖs toughest challenges.
First, itÔÇÖs important to understand the mechanics of Guardian encounters. Guardians come in several forms, including decayed Guardians, Guardian Stalkers, Guardian Skywatchers, and Guardian Turrets. Decayed Guardians are stationary and easier to defeat, while Guardian Stalkers and Skywatchers are more mobile and aggressive. Guardian Turrets are found in shrines and Divine Beasts and are less common in the overworld. Each type of Guardian drops different Ancient Materials, with higher-tier Guardians like Stalkers and Skywatchers having a better chance of dropping rare items like Ancient Cores and Giant Ancient Cores.
To prepare for farming Ancient Materials, youÔÇÖll need the right equipment and strategy. The Master Sword is highly effective against Guardians, as it deals extra damage to them when fully charged. If you donÔÇÖt have the Master Sword, Ancient weapons, such as the Ancient Short Sword or Ancient Bladesaw, are also effective due to their bonus damage against Guardians. Additionally, the Ancient Armor set, when upgraded, provides a significant defense boost and a set bonus that increases damage with Ancient weapons. Equipping this armor will make farming Guardians much easier. You should also stock up on arrows, especially Ancient Arrows, which can one-shot Guardians if aimed at their eye. However, using Ancient Arrows will prevent the Guardian from dropping materials, so use them sparingly.
When farming Guardians, start by heading to Central Hyrule, near Hyrule Castle. The area around the castle is filled with decayed Guardians, which are easier to defeat. Use a bow to shoot their eye, which will stun them temporarily, allowing you to close the distance and attack with melee weapons. Focus on breaking their legs first if youÔÇÖre fighting a Guardian Stalker, as this will immobilize them and make them easier to handle. For Guardian Skywatchers, use a bow to shoot their propellers, which will cause them to crash to the ground, making them vulnerable to melee attacks.
One of the best strategies for farming Ancient Materials is to use the parry mechanic. Guardians will often fire a laser beam at you, which can be deflected back at them with a well-timed shield parry. This technique requires precise timing but can instantly destroy a Guardian if done correctly. To practice, stand at a medium distance from a Guardian and raise your shield just as the laser is about to hit you. If timed correctly, the laser will reflect back and destroy the Guardian, saving you time and resources.
Another important tip is to save your game before engaging a Guardian. If you donÔÇÖt get the materials you want, you can reload your save and try again. This is particularly useful when farming for rare items like Ancient Cores or Giant Ancient Cores, which have a low drop rate. Additionally, using the Sheikah Sensor+ to track Guardians can help you locate them more efficiently. Upgrade your Sheikah Sensor at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab to detect Guardians, making it easier to find them in the overworld.
For advanced players, consider farming Guardians during a Blood Moon. After a Blood Moon, all enemies, including Guardians, respawn, allowing you to farm them repeatedly. This is especially useful if youÔÇÖre looking to stockpile Ancient Materials quickly. Additionally, using the Ancient Proficiency set bonus from the fully upgraded Ancient Armor set will increase your damage output with Ancient weapons, making it easier to defeat Guardians in fewer hits.
If youÔÇÖre struggling with combat, an alternative approach is to use stealth to avoid Guardians altogether. Equip the Sheikah Stealth Armor set and use stealth-enhancing food or elixirs to sneak past Guardians without engaging them. This is less efficient for farming materials but can be useful if youÔÇÖre low on health or resources.
In summary, farming Ancient Materials in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild requires preparation, strategy, and practice. Focus on Central Hyrule, particularly around Hyrule Castle, where Guardians are abundant. Use the Master Sword or Ancient weapons, and consider upgrading the Ancient Armor set for added defense and damage. Practice the parry mechanic to deflect Guardian lasers, and save your game before engaging Guardians to maximize your chances of obtaining rare materials. With these tips and strategies, youÔÇÖll be able to efficiently farm Ancient Materials and upgrade your gear to tackle the gameÔÇÖs toughest challenges.