Does Ancient Proficiency Boost Your Arrow Game in Breath of the Wild? The Definitive Guide
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Absolutely! Ancient Proficiency, the set bonus you get from upgrading the Ancient Armor set in Breath of the Wild, DOES work with arrows, including Ancient Arrows and regular arrows fired from Ancient Bows. It boosts the damage output significantly when using Ancient or Guardian weapons, synergizing powerfully with various bows and arrow types to create some truly devastating offensive builds. Let’s dive into the specifics of how this works and answer some common questions.
Understanding Ancient Proficiency
Ancient Proficiency is a set bonus in Breath of the Wild that you unlock after upgrading all three pieces of the Ancient Armor (Ancient Helm, Ancient Cuirass, Ancient Greaves) at least twice at a Great Fairy Fountain. Once activated, this bonus provides an 80% damage increase to all Ancient and Guardian weapons. This includes, crucially, bows and arrows when used in combination with the Ancient Bow. While Ancient Arrows already possess unique properties, Ancient Proficiency further enhances their effectiveness.
How Ancient Proficiency Affects Arrows
The interaction between Ancient Proficiency and arrows isn’t always straightforward, so let’s break it down:
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Ancient Arrows: These are already incredibly powerful, often one-shotting regular enemies. However, Ancient Proficiency adds a significant damage boost when firing them from an Ancient Bow, primarily affecting their base damage against bosses and Guardians. While you might one-shot a Lynel either way, the bonus damage makes the fight faster.
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Ancient Bow: The Ancient Bow itself benefits directly from Ancient Proficiency. The bow’s attack power is increased by 80%, leading to higher damage output regardless of the arrow type used. This means even regular arrows become far more effective when fired from the Ancient Bow while wearing the full upgraded Ancient Armor set.
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Other Bows: While Ancient Proficiency directly boosts the Ancient Bow, the Ancient Armor also provides a defense buff against Guardian attacks regardless of the bow type. This makes any bow you choose to use more effective, as you’ll be able to withstand more punishment while attacking.
Optimizing Your Ancient Proficiency Arrow Build
To maximize the benefits of Ancient Proficiency with arrows, consider the following:
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Armor Upgrades: Fully upgrading the Ancient Armor to at least two stars is essential to unlock the Ancient Proficiency set bonus.
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Bow Selection: The Ancient Bow is the clear choice for maximizing damage with Ancient Proficiency. However, other powerful bows like the Savage Lynel Bow (which fires multiple arrows at once) can be effective when paired with Ancient Arrows for increased damage output.
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Attack Buffs: Ancient Proficiency stacks multiplicatively with other attack buffs from food and elixirs. Combining Ancient Proficiency with a level 3 attack boost from food can lead to truly incredible damage output.
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Targeting: With Ancient Arrows, targeting Guardians in the eye is still the most efficient strategy for instant kills. For bosses, focus on weak points to maximize damage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about Ancient Proficiency and its interactions with arrows in Breath of the Wild:
1. Does Ancient Proficiency affect the damage of all arrow types?
No, Ancient Proficiency directly affects the attack power of Ancient and Guardian weapons, including the Ancient Bow. It indirectly benefits arrows by increasing the bow’s base damage.
2. Does Ancient Proficiency make Ancient Arrows more effective against Guardians?
Yes. While Ancient Arrows are already extremely effective against Guardians, particularly when aimed at the eye, the 80% damage bonus from Ancient Proficiency, when paired with the Ancient Bow, further enhances their damage output against Guardians and their various forms.
3. Can Ancient Proficiency help against Ganon?
Yes! Ganon is particularly vulnerable to Ancient weapons. Ancient Proficiency boosts the damage dealt by the Ancient Bow and can significantly impact the final battle, especially when combined with Ancient Arrows.
4. Does the Ancient Armor set offer any other benefits besides Ancient Proficiency?
Yes, the Ancient Armor also provides an increased defense against Guardian attacks. This passive benefit is always active when wearing the armor, even without the set bonus unlocked.
5. How do I unlock Ancient Proficiency?
You unlock Ancient Proficiency by upgrading all three pieces of the Ancient Armor (Ancient Helm, Ancient Cuirass, and Ancient Greaves) at least twice at any Great Fairy Fountain.
6. Where can I find the Ancient Armor set?
The Ancient Armor set is sold at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab by Robbie after you have completed the side quest that restores power to the lab.
7. Does Ancient Proficiency stack with other attack buffs?
Yes, Ancient Proficiency stacks multiplicatively with attack buffs from food and elixirs. This allows you to achieve extremely high damage output.
8. What is the best food to use with Ancient Proficiency?
The best food to use with Ancient Proficiency are those that provide a level 3 attack boost. These can be created by cooking ingredients with the “attack up” property, such as Mighty Bananas or Razorclaw Crabs.
9. Does Ancient Proficiency affect the Master Sword?
No, Ancient Proficiency only affects Ancient and Guardian weapons. The Master Sword has its own damage bonuses and mechanics.
10. Are Ancient Arrows worth using on regular enemies?
While Ancient Arrows are incredibly powerful, they cause regular enemies to disappear, dropping no loot or materials. It’s generally more efficient to save them for challenging enemies like Guardians and Lynels.
11. Where can I get Ancient Arrows?
Ancient Arrows can be crafted at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab using Ancient parts and arrows. They can also be found in certain chests and occasionally dropped by enemies.
12. What is the best bow to use with Ancient Arrows?
The Ancient Bow is the most synergistic bow due to the Ancient Proficiency damage boost. However, bows like the Savage Lynel Bow, which fire multiple arrows simultaneously, can also be effective.
13. How do I farm Ancient parts for crafting Ancient Arrows?
The most reliable way to farm Ancient parts is by defeating Guardians. Decayed Guardians also provide parts, though in smaller quantities. Consider visiting areas with numerous Guardians, such as Hyrule Field and Akkala Citadel.
14. Does the type of arrow affect the damage dealt to Ganon or Guardians?
Yes, the type of arrow affects damage. Ancient Arrows are particularly effective against Guardians and Ganon, while other arrow types deal less damage.
15. How does Ancient Proficiency compare to other set bonuses, such as the Barbarian Armor’s attack boost?
Ancient Proficiency provides an 80% damage boost specifically to Ancient and Guardian weapons. The Barbarian Armor provides a general attack boost, but the Ancient Proficiency bonus is significantly higher when using relevant weapons. The best choice depends on your preferred playstyle and weapon selection.
In conclusion, Ancient Proficiency is a powerful tool in Breath of the Wild, significantly enhancing the effectiveness of Ancient and Guardian weapons, including bows and arrows. Mastering its mechanics and combining it with other buffs can make you an unstoppable force against even the toughest enemies. If you are interested in more content related to games and learning, visit Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.