What materials are needed to upgrade the Ancient Armor set in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

To upgrade the Ancient Armor set in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you will need to follow a specific process that involves gathering materials, visiting Great Fairy Fountains, and understanding the mechanics of armor upgrades. The Ancient Armor set is one of the most powerful armor sets in the game, especially when facing Guardians or other enemies that use ancient technology. It provides a significant defense boost and increases the damage output of ancient weapons when the full set is equipped. Here is a detailed guide on how to upgrade the Ancient Armor set.

First, you need to acquire the Ancient Armor set itself. This set can be purchased from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, which is located in the northeastern part of the map. To access the lab, you must complete the "Robbie's Research" side quest, which involves lighting the furnace at the lab using blue flame. Once the lab is operational, you can buy the Ancient Helm, Ancient Cuirass, and Ancient Greaves from Cherry, the robot assistant. Each piece costs 2,000 rupees, and you will also need ancient materials like Ancient Screws, Ancient Shafts, and Ancient Cores to complete the purchase.

Once you have the Ancient Armor set, the next step is to upgrade it. Armor upgrades in Breath of the Wild are performed at Great Fairy Fountains. There are four Great Fairy Fountains scattered across Hyrule, and each one requires a certain amount of rupees to unlock. The first fountain costs 100 rupees, the second 500, the third 1,000, and the fourth 10,000. You will need to unlock at least the first two fountains to fully upgrade the Ancient Armor set, as the upgrades are divided into four levels, and each level requires a different set of materials.

For the first upgrade level, you will need Ancient Screws. Each piece of the Ancient Armor set requires five Ancient Screws for the first upgrade. Ancient Screws can be obtained by defeating Guardians, particularly the smaller Guardian Scouts found in shrines. You can also find them by dismantling Guardian Stalkers, Skywatchers, or Turrets. It is a good idea to farm these materials by visiting shrines that contain Guardian Scouts or by exploring areas with a high concentration of Guardians, such as Hyrule Castle or the Central Hyrule region.

The second upgrade level requires Ancient Springs. Each piece of the Ancient Armor set needs five Ancient Springs for this upgrade. Ancient Springs are also obtained from Guardians, but they are slightly rarer than Ancient Screws. You can increase your chances of getting Ancient Springs by defeating stronger Guardians or by using the Master Sword, which deals extra damage to Guardians and can help you farm materials more efficiently.

The third upgrade level requires Ancient Gears. Each piece of the Ancient Armor set needs five Ancient Gears for this upgrade. Ancient Gears are more difficult to obtain than the previous materials, as they are primarily dropped by Guardian Stalkers and Skywatchers. You can find Guardian Stalkers in areas like Hyrule Field or the Gerudo Desert, while Skywatchers are often found patrolling the skies near Hyrule Castle. Using ancient weapons or the Master Sword can make these fights easier and increase your chances of obtaining Ancient Gears.

The fourth and final upgrade level requires Ancient Cores. Each piece of the Ancient Armor set needs two Ancient Cores for this upgrade. Ancient Cores are the rarest of the ancient materials and are typically dropped by Guardian Stalkers, Skywatchers, or the larger Guardian Scouts found in certain shrines. You can also find Ancient Cores in chests within shrines or by defeating Guardian Turrets. Because Ancient Cores are rare, it is important to conserve them and only use them for essential upgrades or crafting.

In addition to the ancient materials, you will also need rupees to pay for the upgrades. Each upgrade level costs a certain amount of rupees, so make sure you have enough before visiting a Great Fairy Fountain. You can earn rupees by selling valuable items like gems, monster parts, or cooked meals. Cooking meals with high-value ingredients, such as Gourmet Meat or rare fish, can be a good way to earn rupees quickly.

One common mistake players make is not farming enough materials before attempting to upgrade the Ancient Armor set. It is important to gather a surplus of ancient materials, as you may need them for other purposes, such as crafting ancient weapons or arrows at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. Another mistake is not unlocking enough Great Fairy Fountains. While you only need the first two fountains to fully upgrade the Ancient Armor set, unlocking all four fountains will give you access to more powerful upgrades for other armor sets.

An advanced technique for farming ancient materials is to use the Master Sword or ancient weapons to defeat Guardians more efficiently. The Master Sword deals extra damage to Guardians, making it easier to defeat them and collect their materials. Ancient weapons, such as the Ancient Short Sword or Ancient Bladesaw, also deal extra damage to Guardians and can be purchased from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. Using these weapons can save you time and resources when farming for ancient materials.

In summary, upgrading the Ancient Armor set requires a combination of gathering ancient materials, unlocking Great Fairy Fountains, and paying rupees. By following the steps outlined above, you can fully upgrade the Ancient Armor set and take advantage of its powerful defensive and offensive bonuses. Remember to farm materials efficiently, conserve rare items like Ancient Cores, and use the right weapons to make the process easier. With a fully upgraded Ancient Armor set, you will be well-prepared to face the toughest challenges in Breath of the Wild.