Unlocking the Secrets of Ancient Armor: A Comprehensive Guide
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So, you’re looking to don the Ancient Armor? Excellent choice, adventurer! In the sprawling worlds of Hyrule, from the rolling fields of Breath of the Wild to the soaring skies of Tears of the Kingdom, the Ancient Armor offers unparalleled protection and offensive capabilities against those pesky Guardians and other technologically advanced foes. The method for acquiring this coveted gear differs between the games, so let’s break it down:
In Breath of the Wild, you obtain the Ancient Armor set by trading in specific items – primarily Ancient Parts salvaged from defeated or dismantled Guardians – at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. This is located in the far northeastern reaches of Hyrule. Crucially, you must first complete the “Robbie’s Research” side quest to activate the furnace and gain access to the armor.
In Tears of the Kingdom, obtaining an armor called the Ancient Hero’s Aspect is awarded to players upon completing all 152 Shrines. After completing the final shrine, you’ll receive a message that tells you to “make your way to the Temple of Time” and that “you shall find a suitable reward for your efforts.” This armor piece is unique as it is only a single piece that spans the head, body and leg gear slots.
Deep Dive into Breath of the Wild‘s Ancient Armor
Journey to the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab
Your first step is venturing to the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. This laboratory, perched atop a hill in the Eastern Akkala region, isn’t easily accessible. Prepare for a trek across potentially dangerous terrain, with enemies aplenty. Stock up on elixirs, upgrade your armor, and consider bringing a trusty steed. The lab is north of the Akkala Tower. Once you reach the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, speak with Robbie to begin the “Robbie’s Research” side quest. This involves lighting the furnace at the lab with blue flame.
Completing Robbie’s Research
“Robbie’s Research” is a fairly straightforward quest, but vital to unlock the lab’s full potential. You’ll need to light the furnace outside the lab with the blue flame from a nearby source. Once the furnace is lit, Robbie will be able to craft ancient armor. This involves using the torch or any weapon that can hold fire to bring the blue flame from a nearby source to the furnace. Once the furnace is lit, Robbie can craft.
Farming Ancient Parts
Now comes the real challenge: gathering the necessary Ancient Parts. These components are primarily obtained by defeating Guardians. There are several types of Guardians, each with varying difficulty levels and drop rates.
- Guardian Stalkers: These are the most common and most dangerous type of Guardian. They roam Hyrule Field and other areas. Defeating them is the most reliable way to get a variety of Ancient Parts.
- Guardian Skywatchers: These flying Guardians are found in the skies above Hyrule, particularly around Hyrule Castle. They are harder to target but drop similar parts to Stalkers.
- Guardian Turrets: These stationary Guardians are typically found in shrines and around Hyrule Castle. While less mobile, they can be deadly if you’re unprepared.
- Decayed Guardians: Found scattered across the landscape, these inactive Guardians can be scavenged for parts. While they offer fewer and often lower-quality materials, they are a safer option early in the game.
The area around Hyrule Castle is a veritable goldmine for farming Ancient Parts. However, it’s also heavily guarded, so proceed with caution. Learning to parry Guardian lasers is crucial for efficient farming. Practice makes perfect!
Trading for the Ancient Armor
Once you’ve amassed a sufficient collection of Ancient Parts and have completed “Robbie’s Research,” you can finally trade with Robbie for the Ancient Armor pieces. Here’s what you’ll need for each piece:
- Ancient Helm: 2,000 Rupees, 20 Ancient Gears, 5 Ancient Springs, 5 Ancient Shafts
- Ancient Cuirass: 2,000 Rupees, 20 Ancient Gears, 5 Ancient Screws, 5 Ancient Cores
- Ancient Greaves: 2,000 Rupees, 20 Ancient Gears, 5 Ancient Springs, 5 Giant Ancient Cores
The Benefits of Ancient Armor
The Ancient Armor offers several key advantages:
- High Defense: Each piece provides significant armor, making you more resilient to enemy attacks. The set offers great base defense and when fully upgraded, it has one of the highest defense ratings in the game.
- Guardian Proficiency: When wearing the full set, you gain a damage bonus when using Ancient or Guardian weapons. This synergizes perfectly with the armor’s theme, making you a powerhouse against technological threats.
- Ancient Proficiency Up: Wearing the full armor set, you will deal 80% additional damage when you use ancient weapons.
- Upgrade Benefits: The Ancient Armor can be upgraded by Great Fairies, further increasing its defensive capabilities and reinforcing its overall effectiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ancient Armor
1. Is the Ancient Armor worth getting?
Absolutely! The Ancient Armor is one of the best armor sets in Breath of the Wild, particularly for its offensive boost when using Ancient or Guardian weapons. If you plan on fighting Guardians or tackling Hyrule Castle, this set is invaluable.
2. How do I effectively farm Guardians for Ancient Parts?
Mastering the parry is key. When a Guardian’s laser is about to fire, press the A button to parry with your shield. A successful parry will reflect the laser back at the Guardian, dealing significant damage. Alternatively, use Ancient Arrows for an instant kill, but remember that Ancient Arrows do not guarantee parts. For Guardian Skywatchers, use bomb arrows to knock them out of the sky.
3. Are there other ways to get Ancient Parts besides defeating Guardians?
Yes, you can find Ancient Parts in treasure chests within shrines, and you can scavenge them from Decayed Guardians. The travelling Merchant Teli sells parts he acquires from broken Guardians near Fort Hateno. He normally sells Ancient Screws, Ancient Springs, and Ancient Gears, though on rainy days he expands his shop inventory to include Ancient Shafts and Ancient Cores. However, defeating Guardians remains the most efficient method.
4. What are the best weapons to use against Guardians?
Ancient and Guardian weapons are the most effective, especially when paired with the Ancient Armor set. The Ancient Bow is also a fantastic choice for long-range attacks. Another good weapon is the Master Sword because it will do extra damage.
5. How do I upgrade the Ancient Armor?
You can upgrade the Ancient Armor at Great Fairy Fountains. You’ll need to unlock the Great Fairy Fountains by completing their respective quests. The Great Fairies will require specific materials, including more Ancient Parts, to upgrade your armor.
6. Can I dye the Ancient Armor?
No, the Ancient Armor cannot be dyed. Its unique appearance is fixed.
7. How much does the Ancient Armor cost in total?
Each piece of Ancient Armor costs 2000 Rupees, so that is 6000 Rupees total.
8. Is there an Ancient Shield?
Yes! The Ancient Shield can also be purchased from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. It’s an excellent shield with high durability and the ability to auto-parry Guardian lasers (with a cooldown period).
9. What if I’m having trouble finding Giant Ancient Cores?
Giant Ancient Cores are rare drops. Focus on defeating Guardian Stalkers and Guardian Skywatchers, as they have a slightly higher chance of dropping them. Consider saving before fighting Guardians and reloading if they don’t drop the desired parts.
10. Does the Ancient Armor work against Calamity Ganon?
Yes, the Ancient Armor provides a significant defense boost against Calamity Ganon’s attacks, especially if he utilizes Ancient or Guardian-based abilities. It’s a valuable asset in the final battle.
11. Is there DLC content related to Ancient Armor?
In Age of Calamity, the first piece of DLC content will include the Ancient Soldier Gear from Breath of the Wild as a bonus, allowing Link to wear a suit of advanced armor and wield a Guardian Sword.
12. What is the best way to get Rupees quickly to buy the Ancient Armor?
Selling cooked meals, especially those with multiple instances of stat-boosting ingredients (like Mighty Bananas for attack power), is a reliable method. Mining ore deposits and selling the gems is also lucrative. Playing mini-games can also be a fun way to earn Rupees.
13. How does the Ancient Armor compare to the Barbarian Armor?
The Ancient Armor offers higher base defense and a damage bonus with Ancient/Guardian weapons. The Barbarian Armor provides a general attack power boost with all weapons. The best choice depends on your preferred playstyle and weapon selection. The Ancient Armor gives 28 defense per piece, while the Barbarian armor only gives 20 per piece. The Ancient Armor gives +80% attack to ancient and guardian weapons. The Barbarian gives +50% attack to all weapons.
14. Does weather affect the effectiveness of the Ancient Armor?
No, weather conditions do not impact the Ancient Armor’s performance. It provides consistent protection regardless of the environment.
15. Where does the lore of the ancient armor come from?
The Ancient Armor and Ancient Weapons originate from the advanced Sheikah technology of Hyrule’s past, designed to combat Calamity Ganon 10,000 years prior to the events of Breath of the Wild. They represent the peak of Sheikah ingenuity and their desperate attempt to safeguard Hyrule. Consider exploring Games Learning Society to understand the technology and lore from a different perspective. You can visit the GamesLearningSociety.org website for more information on their work.
Equipping yourself with the Ancient Armor is a significant step towards mastering Breath of the Wild or unlocking rewards in Tears of the Kingdom. With dedication, strategic farming, and a bit of skill, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a formidable force against any threat Hyrule throws your way. Good luck, and happy adventuring!