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

The best armor set for exploring the coast in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the Zora Armor set. This set is specifically designed to enhance Link's abilities in water-based environments, making it ideal for coastal exploration. The Zora Armor set consists of three pieces: the Zora Helm, Zora Armor, and Zora Greaves. Each piece provides unique benefits that are particularly useful when navigating the game's many bodies of water, including rivers, lakes, and the vast coastline.

To obtain the Zora Armor set, you will need to complete specific quests and tasks. The Zora Armor is the first piece you can acquire, and it is given to you as part of the main quest "Divine Beast Vah Ruta." After speaking with King Dorephan in Zora's Domain, you will be tasked with finding Prince Sidon and helping him calm the Divine Beast. As part of this quest, you will receive the Zora Armor from Muzu, a Zora elder. The Zora Armor allows Link to swim faster and perform a dash while swimming, which is incredibly useful for traversing large bodies of water quickly.

The Zora Greaves can be found in a chest at Toto Lake, which is located just north of Zora's Domain. To reach the chest, you will need to use Cryonis to create ice blocks and climb up to the platform where the chest is located. The Zora Greaves provide additional defense and also enhance Link's swimming speed, making them a valuable addition to the set.

The Zora Helm is the final piece of the set and can be obtained by completing the side quest "Lynel Safari." This quest is given by Laflat, a Zora who can be found near the entrance to Zora's Domain. She will ask you to take a picture of a Lynel in the nearby area. Once you have taken the picture and shown it to her, she will reward you with the Zora Helm. The Zora Helm not only increases your defense but also provides the same swimming speed bonus as the other pieces of the set.

When exploring the coast, the Zora Armor set is particularly useful because it allows you to swim faster and more efficiently. This is important when you need to cross large bodies of water or navigate around obstacles in the water. Additionally, the set's enhanced swimming speed can help you avoid enemies that may be lurking in the water, such as Lizalfos or Octoroks.

One important tip to keep in mind when using the Zora Armor set is to manage your stamina carefully. While the set allows you to swim faster, it does not reduce the amount of stamina you use while swimming. Therefore, it is important to have plenty of stamina-restoring items, such as Endura Carrots or Stamella Shrooms, to ensure that you do not run out of stamina while swimming. You can also cook these items into meals or elixirs to increase their effectiveness.

Another consideration is the set's defense rating. While the Zora Armor set provides decent defense, it may not be enough to protect you from stronger enemies. Therefore, it is a good idea to upgrade the set at a Great Fairy Fountain. To upgrade the Zora Armor set, you will need specific materials, such as Lizalfos Tails and Opals. These materials can be obtained by defeating Lizalfos and mining ore deposits, respectively. Upgrading the set will increase its defense rating, making it more effective in combat situations.

A common mistake to avoid is relying solely on the Zora Armor set for all coastal exploration. While the set is excellent for swimming, it does not provide any protection against environmental hazards, such as extreme heat or cold. Therefore, it is important to have other armor sets, such as the Desert Voe set or the Snowquill set, to handle different environmental conditions. You can switch between armor sets as needed to adapt to the changing environment.

For advanced players, there are a few optimizations you can make to enhance your coastal exploration experience. One technique is to use the Zora Armor set in combination with the Sheikah Slate's Cryonis rune. By creating ice blocks in the water, you can create platforms to rest on and regain stamina. This is particularly useful when crossing large bodies of water or when you need to avoid enemies. Additionally, you can use the Zora Armor set's swimming dash ability to quickly escape from dangerous situations or to reach distant locations more efficiently.

In summary, the Zora Armor set is the best choice for exploring the coast in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Its enhanced swimming speed and dash ability make it ideal for navigating water-based environments, while its decent defense rating provides some protection in combat. By obtaining and upgrading the set, managing your stamina, and using advanced techniques, you can make the most of your coastal exploration and tackle the challenges that await you.