What is the best armor set for fighting Lynels in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

Fighting Lynels in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild can be one of the most challenging combat encounters in the game due to their high damage output, speed, and variety of attacks. To maximize your chances of success, choosing the right armor set and preparing properly is crucial. The best armor set for fighting Lynels is the Ancient Armor set, which provides a significant boost to defense and a unique bonus when using Ancient or Guardian weapons. HereÔÇÖs a detailed breakdown of how to use this armor effectively, along with strategies and tips for taking down Lynels.

The Ancient Armor set consists of three pieces: the Ancient Helm, Ancient Cuirass, and Ancient Greaves. Each piece can be purchased from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab after completing the quest "Robbie's Research." The set provides a base defense of 60 when fully upgraded, but its most important feature is the Ancient Proficiency set bonus, which increases the damage of Ancient and Guardian weapons by 80%. This bonus is incredibly powerful when combined with weapons like the Ancient Short Sword, Ancient Bladesaw, or Ancient Bow, which can be crafted at the same lab using Guardian parts.

To prepare for a Lynel fight, you should first upgrade the Ancient Armor set at Great Fairy Fountains. Upgrading requires materials like Ancient Screws, Ancient Springs, and Ancient Cores, which can be obtained by defeating Guardians or found in shrines. Fully upgrading the set will require a significant number of these materials, so farming Guardians in areas like Hyrule Field or Central Hyrule is recommended. Additionally, youÔÇÖll need to gather Guardian weapons and arrows, as these will benefit from the Ancient Proficiency bonus.

Before engaging a Lynel, itÔÇÖs also important to prepare your inventory. Cook meals that provide temporary boosts to attack power, such as a dish made with Mighty Bananas or Razor Shrooms. These can be combined with a Dragon Horn to extend the duration of the effect. Additionally, stock up on healing items like Hearty Durians or Endura Carrots, as Lynels can deal massive damage even with high defense. Having a few fairies in your inventory can also save you from being knocked out.

When fighting a Lynel, the key is to use a combination of dodging, parrying, and headshots to create openings for damage. Lynels are highly aggressive and will use a variety of attacks, including sword slashes, charges, and fireballs. To avoid these attacks, practice perfect dodges to trigger Flurry Rush, which allows you to land multiple hits in quick succession. Alternatively, you can parry their attacks with a shield to stun them momentarily. Headshots with a bow will also stagger a Lynel, giving you a chance to mount it and deal significant damage with your melee weapon.

One common mistake is underestimating the LynelÔÇÖs speed and range. They can close distances quickly and have long-reaching attacks, so maintaining a safe distance when not attacking is crucial. Another mistake is relying too heavily on melee combat without using ranged attacks or environmental advantages. For example, using the environment to block fireballs or creating updrafts with fire to glide and shoot arrows can give you an edge.

Advanced techniques include using the Stasis+ rune to freeze the Lynel temporarily, giving you a window to land headshots or close the distance. Additionally, using elemental arrows like Shock Arrows can disrupt the LynelÔÇÖs movements and deal extra damage. If youÔÇÖre confident in your combat skills, you can also try fighting Lynels without armor upgrades, relying solely on dodging and parrying to avoid damage.

An alternative approach to fighting Lynels is using stealth and preparation to gain an advantage. Sneak up on the Lynel to land a few free hits before the fight begins, or use stealth-enhancing armor like the Sheikah Set to avoid detection until youÔÇÖre ready to engage. However, this method is less effective against Lynels, as they are highly alert and will detect you quickly.

In summary, the Ancient Armor set is the best choice for fighting Lynels due to its high defense and damage-boosting set bonus. Proper preparation, including upgrading your armor, gathering powerful weapons, and cooking beneficial meals, is essential for success. Mastering combat techniques like dodging, parrying, and headshots will make the fight easier, while avoiding common mistakes like underestimating the LynelÔÇÖs speed and range will keep you alive. With the right strategy and equipment, even the toughest Lynels can be defeated.