How do I complete the "The Royal Guard's Gear" side quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

The "The Royal Guard's Gear" side quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a quest that tasks you with finding and collecting pieces of the Royal Guard equipment hidden within Hyrule Castle. This quest is given by Shad, a researcher found in the Royal Ancient Lab in the Akkala region, after you have completed the "Robbie's Research" side quest. The Royal Guard set consists of three pieces: the Royal Guard's Sword, the Royal Guard's Shield, and the Royal Guard's Bow. These items are scattered throughout Hylock Castle, and finding them requires careful exploration and combat readiness.

To begin the quest, you must first speak to Shad in the Royal Ancient Lab. He will explain that the Royal Guard's Gear is hidden within Hyrule Castle and that you need to retrieve it. Once the quest is active, you can head to Hyrule Castle, which is located in the center of the map. The castle is a dangerous area filled with powerful enemies, including Guardians, so it is important to prepare adequately before entering.

The first piece of the Royal Guard's Gear you will likely encounter is the Royal Guard's Sword. This weapon can be found in the Guard's Chamber, which is located in the basement of Hyrule Castle. To reach the Guard's Chamber, you need to enter the castle through the docks on the east side. From there, navigate through the castle's interior, avoiding or defeating enemies as you go. The Guard's Chamber is a room filled with decayed Guardians and other enemies, so be prepared for combat. The Royal Guard's Sword is located on a weapon rack in this room. Be cautious, as the sword is fragile and has low durability, so it is best used for specific situations rather than general combat.

The next piece of the set is the Royal Guard's Shield. This shield can be found in the Lockup, which is also located in the basement of Hyrule Castle. To reach the Lockup, you need to continue exploring the castle's interior after obtaining the sword. The Lockup is a prison area filled with enemies, including Stal enemies that come to life at night. The Royal Guard's Shield is located on a weapon rack in this area. Like the sword, the shield has low durability, so it is best used sparingly.

The final piece of the set is the Royal Guard's Bow. This bow can be found in the Observation Room, which is located in the upper levels of Hyrule Castle. To reach the Observation Room, you need to climb the castle's exterior or use the interior pathways to ascend. The Observation Room is a high vantage point that offers a view of the surrounding area. The Royal Guard's Bow is located on a weapon rack in this room. This bow is powerful but also has low durability, so it is best used for critical shots rather than general use.

When attempting to complete this quest, it is important to be well-prepared. Hyrule Castle is one of the most dangerous areas in the game, filled with powerful enemies and environmental hazards. Make sure to bring plenty of healing items, such as hearty meals and elixirs, as well as weapons and shields with high durability. It is also a good idea to have armor with high defense or specific resistances, such as the Ancient Armor set, which provides extra protection against Guardians.

One common mistake players make is underestimating the difficulty of Hyrule Castle. The enemies here are much stronger than those found in other areas of the game, and the Guardians can quickly overwhelm unprepared players. It is important to approach the castle with caution, using stealth and strategic combat to avoid unnecessary fights. Additionally, the Royal Guard's Gear has low durability, so it is best to use these items only when necessary and to have backup weapons and shields.

Advanced techniques for completing this quest include using stealth to avoid combat and conserve resources. The Sheikah Stealth Set, which can be purchased in Kakariko Village, is particularly useful for sneaking past enemies. Additionally, using the Paraglider to navigate the castle's exterior can help you reach certain areas more quickly and avoid combat altogether. Another strategy is to use the environment to your advantage, such as using explosive barrels to take out groups of enemies or using the castle's layout to funnel enemies into narrow spaces where you can deal with them more easily.

In terms of alternative approaches, some players may choose to complete this quest early in the game to obtain powerful weapons and shields. However, this approach is risky, as the enemies in Hyrule Castle are much stronger than those found in other areas. It is generally recommended to complete this quest later in the game, when you have better equipment and more experience with combat.

Overall, "The Royal Guard's Gear" side quest is a challenging but rewarding task that requires careful preparation and strategic thinking. By following the steps outlined above and using the tips and techniques provided, you can successfully retrieve the Royal Guard's Gear and complete the quest. Remember to approach Hyrule Castle with caution, conserve your resources, and use the environment to your advantage to overcome the challenges you will face.