Can You Put Ancient Horse Gear on Epona? The Definitive Guide
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The short and direct answer is no, you cannot equip the Ancient Bridle or Ancient Saddle on Epona in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Despite her iconic status and impressive stats, Epona is a special horse with unique limitations that prevent her from using the ancient horse gear. This restriction is consistent with her overall design, which sets her apart from other horses in the game. This article will explore why this is the case and answer common questions about Epona and horse gear in Breath of the Wild.
Why Epona Can’t Use Ancient Gear
Epona, obtainable through the Smash Bros. Link amiibo, is a legacy character whose design emphasizes her historical significance over modern mechanics. She’s already pre-equipped with a specific, non-removable saddle and bridle, termed Epona Gear, which cannot be swapped out with any other type of horse equipment. This makes her unique among the various horses in Hyrule. Her inability to equip ancient gear is an intentional game design choice, emphasizing that Epona isn’t just another horse to be customized.
The Ancient Bridle and Ancient Saddle offer significant advantages. The bridle boosts a horse’s stamina, and the saddle allows for instant teleportation of the horse to Link’s location when he whistles. However, these advantages are unavailable to Epona, further highlighting her status as a classic horse separate from the more customizable options.
Key Takeaways about Epona and Gear
- Epona is a special horse: She cannot be customized like other horses. Her gear is fixed and cannot be removed or swapped.
- Ancient gear is incompatible: The Ancient Bridle and Ancient Saddle cannot be equipped on Epona or the Giant Horse.
- Epona’s unique design: Epona has her own specific bridle and saddle, termed as Epona Gear, which serves as her default and only equipped horse equipment.
- Focus on legacy: Her design choice respects her long-standing presence within the Zelda franchise, thus maintaining her classic characteristics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 of the most frequently asked questions regarding Epona and horse gear in Breath of the Wild, along with detailed answers:
1. What is the Ancient Horse Gear and Where Can I Find It?
The Ancient Horse Gear comprises two pieces: the Ancient Bridle and the Ancient Saddle. The Ancient Bridle increases a horse’s stamina, and the Ancient Saddle allows you to teleport your horse to you when you whistle. You obtain them through the EX Ancient Horse Rumors side quest. The bridle is found south of Hyrule Ridge beneath a cherry blossom tree on a mountain where creatures gather. The saddle is found at a mysterious spring where a horse spirit resides. These locations are not directly marked on the map and are discovered via hints.
2. Can I Put Ancient Gear on the Royal Horse?
Yes, you can equip the Ancient Bridle and Ancient Saddle on the Royal Horse, provided you have fully bonded with it. You may need to “activate” the gear by speaking to the man who gave you the quest, and you need to have registered the horse at a stable first. The Royal Horse can be customized freely as long as the horse is not a special horse such as Epona or the Giant Horse.
3. How Do I Get Epona in Breath of the Wild?
Epona is acquired exclusively through the Smash Bros. Link amiibo. Once scanned into the game, Epona will appear nearby. You will need to register her at a stable, and once registered, she will be considered a permanent addition to your stable. She does not need to be tamed and can be mounted immediately.
4. Can You Customize Epona in Any Way?
No, Epona is a special horse with fixed gear that cannot be changed. Unlike other horses that you can customize with different bridles, saddles, and mane styles, Epona retains her classic look. She cannot be upgraded by the Horse God, Malanya, nor customized in any other way beyond her initial registration.
5. What Are Epona’s Stats?
Epona boasts a perfect 4-star rating in all attributes: Strength, Speed, Stamina, and Temperament. This makes her a highly capable horse right from the start without any need for upgrades or improvements.
6. Can Epona Be Revived if She Dies?
Yes, Epona can be revived if she dies. She can be revived by the Horse God, Malanya, located in Northern Akkala. She can only be revived if registered in your stable previously and the Malanya, the Horse God will revive any registered horses that have fallen in battle.
7. What Happens if I Don’t Register Epona at a Stable?
If you don’t register Epona at a stable after using the amiibo to summon her, she will be lost. Additionally, even if Epona is deceased she cannot be summoned again with the amiibo unless she was previously registered in your stable. It’s crucial to register her immediately to prevent loss, and this is the only way to get her back from death.
8. Does Epona Have a Pull Stat?
No, Epona does not have a pull stat and cannot be equipped with a towing harness. This means she can’t be used to pull carts or other objects. Her design focuses on speed and riding, not pulling mechanics.
9. Is Epona the Best Horse in the Game?
While Epona has perfect 4-star stats in all categories, there are other horses with different stat configurations, such as a 5/3/5 or 2/5/3 setup, that might be preferred depending on your playstyle. However, Epona’s consistent stats make her a very versatile and powerful option for travel. Overall, she is considered one of the best due to her balanced attributes and iconic status.
10. Where are the Best Places to Find Top-Tier Horses?
The two primary locations to find high-stat horses are Taobab Grassland, south of the Great Plateau, and Upland Lindor, which is south of Serenne Stable. These areas are known for spawning horses with the best stat configurations. Look for horses with solid colors, which are often the ones with top stats.
11. Can I Talk to Epona as a Wolf in Breath of the Wild?
Yes, if you are in wolf form you can communicate with Epona. Her dialogue encourages Link to ride her again and is vastly different than the complaining players saw in The Minish Cap. This shows that the developer wanted to make a special moment between Link and his horse.
12. Is Epona Male or Female?
Epona is canonically female. This was stated by Koizumi, the game’s designer, as well as how she is designed and presented within the series.
13. Is Ancient Horse Gear Available Without DLC?
No, the Ancient Bridle and Ancient Saddle are exclusive to the DLC (Downloadable Content) for Breath of the Wild. If you do not own the DLC, you cannot acquire this horse gear.
14. Is There a Teleporting Horse Saddle in Tears of the Kingdom?
No, the Ancient Horse Saddle, which allows your horse to teleport to your location, is **not present in *Tears of the Kingdom* **. This feature is exclusive to the Ancient Saddle in *Breath of the Wild*, and it’s often missed by players because the ability it provided was very useful.
15. What Do Horses Look Like in Ancient Times?
According to research, the earliest equid was Hyracotherium, which existed in the early Eocene period. This animal, which existed approximately 10,000 years ago, was small, approximately 10-20 inches tall, and looked more like a dog with an arched back and short snout than the modern horse. It has a short neck and legs, and a long tail.
Conclusion
While the Ancient Horse Gear can significantly enhance any other horse’s capabilities, Epona remains unique and steadfast in her design. Her inability to use ancient equipment is part of her legacy, paying homage to her presence throughout the Zelda franchise. While you might miss the teleport feature on her, her reliable stats and classic design make her a valuable and cherished companion in Breath of the Wild. Remember that her inability to wear ancient gear is not a flaw but an intentional feature that cements her iconic status.