How Many Times Can You Upgrade Armor in TotK? A Comprehensive Guide

The world of Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (TotK) is vast and dangerous. To survive its many challenges, upgrading your armor is crucial. But just how many times can you enhance your gear? The simple answer is four times, but the process is intricately tied to your progress in the game, specifically your interactions with the Great Fairies. Let’s delve into the specifics of armor upgrades in TotK and address all your related questions.

Understanding Great Fairies and Armor Upgrades

The number of times you can upgrade your armor in TotK is directly dependent on the number of Great Fairy Fountains you’ve unlocked. You’ll need to locate and awaken these magical beings, and each one grants you access to another tier of armor enhancements.

• First Great Fairy (Tera): Unlocking the first Great Fairy allows you to upgrade each piece of armor once.
• Second Great Fairy (Mija): Awakening the second Great Fairy increases the upgrade limit to two times.
• Third Great Fairy: Activating the third Great Fairy boosts your armor upgrade limit to three times.
• Fourth Great Fairy: Unlocking the fourth and final Great Fairy allows you to fully upgrade your armor pieces four times, reaching their maximum potential.

Therefore, while the overall upgrade limit is four, you must work your way through the Great Fairies to access each tier. This system ensures that players gradually increase their defensive capabilities as they explore more of Hyrule.

The Benefits of Upgrading Armor

Upgrading your armor in Tears of the Kingdom is not just about increasing defense; it also unlocks set bonuses. These bonuses can provide significant advantages that can help you in various situations.

• Defense Boost: The most obvious benefit is a straight increase in your armor’s defense. This helps you withstand more damage from enemies, making exploration and combat much less risky.
• Set Bonuses: When you upgrade all pieces of an armor set to at least level 2 at a Great Fairy, and wear them all together, you unlock an additional bonus effect. These bonuses are specific to each armor set and can range from increased attack power to enhanced stealth capabilities or elemental resistance. This often makes a fully upgraded set well worth the effort to collect.
• Elemental Resistance: Some armor sets, particularly when upgraded, offer resistance to environmental dangers such as cold, heat, and lightning. This is crucial when exploring various regions of Hyrule.
• Specialized Effects: Certain sets provide unique effects, such as the Radiant set’s bone weapon proficiency or the Ember set’s boosted charged attacks in hot weather. Upgrading them enhances these effects.

The Process of Upgrading Armor

Upgrading armor requires materials. Each piece of armor has its specific material list, and they usually consist of monster parts, insects, and flora. For each upgrade, the necessary materials increase in value and rarity, so be prepared to explore a lot! Furthermore, you’ll need rupees to pay the Great Fairies for their services.

Maximizing Your Armor Potential

To maximize your armor, it’s crucial to:

1. Unlock all Great Fairies: Prioritize finding and completing the quests to awaken all four Great Fairies as early as possible.
2. Gather necessary materials: Keep an eye out for the specific monster parts and other materials required for the upgrades you desire.
3. Explore different armor sets: Experiment with various armor sets and their bonuses to find combinations that complement your playstyle.
4. Fully upgrade your preferred sets: Concentrate on fully upgrading the armor sets you use most frequently to maximize their benefits.
5. Prioritize high defense: While set bonuses are crucial, having a higher defense is necessary for late-game combat. Consider upgrading the sets like the Soldier’s, Wild, or Zonai to their full potential.
6. Consider a Combination: While there are some impressive total set defenses, you can also mix and match pieces of armor for specific encounters, choosing the piece with the highest armor value and the other armor piece needed for the specific set bonus you want.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about armor upgrades in Tears of the Kingdom to provide further clarification:

1. What is the highest defense achievable with armor in TotK?

The absolute highest defense comes from a combination of the Champion’s Leather chest piece and either Diamond Circlet or Soldier Greaves, which reach 88 defense when fully upgraded.

2. What are the best armor sets in TotK?

Some of the best armor sets in the game include: the Zonai Armor Set for its defense and energy management, the Mystic Set for its unique ability to convert Rupees into defense, the Stealth Set for sneaking, the Climbing Set for scaling cliffs, and the Soldier Set for consistent high defense.

3. Do all armor pieces have the same upgrade costs?

No, the upgrade costs vary depending on the piece of armor, and often they increase based on the upgrade level. Specific pieces of armor require certain materials that may be more common or difficult to find.

4. How do set bonuses work?

Set bonuses are activated when you wear all three pieces of an armor set that have been upgraded to at least level 2 at a Great Fairy. They provide an additional effect on top of the individual armor piece’s abilities.

5. How much does it cost to upgrade a full armor set?

The cost varies significantly based on the armor set. Typically, the price of materials increases with each upgrade level and varies on the armor type. You’ll also need to pay rupees to the Great Fairies, which will vary based on how many fairies you have unlocked and what upgrade level you are aiming for. Be prepared to spend a significant amount of time exploring and farming for materials.

6. What materials are needed for armor upgrades?

Materials for upgrades vary but usually include monster parts (like horns, fangs, guts), insects (like fireflies and lizards), flora (like herbs and flowers) and sometimes minerals like luminous stones. Each piece of armor will have a unique set of materials needed for each tier of upgrade.

7. Is it worth upgrading all armor sets?

It’s not necessary to upgrade every armor set. Focus on the sets that align with your playstyle and the challenges you face. Upgrading a few select sets fully is more efficient than upgrading many sets partially.

8. Does armor upgrade impact set bonus?

Yes, the set bonus is only activated at upgrade level 2. Each upgrade increases the defense of each individual piece of armor and also increase the potency of the set bonus.

9. Where can I find the Great Fairies?

The Great Fairies are located in specific regions of Hyrule, and you’ll need to complete quests to awaken them. They each have specific locations, so exploring and listening to NPC advice and hints will assist with finding them.

10. Can I upgrade armor sets I get from Amiibo?

Yes, you can upgrade Amiibo armor the same way as any other armor set in the game, as long as you have unlocked the necessary Great Fairies.

11. Are there any armor pieces that cannot be upgraded?

All armor pieces can be upgraded at the Great Fairies, with the exception of some singular pieces such as the Old Shirt and Well-Worn Trousers.

12. Does the game indicate how many times an armor can still be upgraded?

Yes, the game displays the current star rating of an item next to its name when viewed in your inventory. The number of stars will increase as the item is upgraded at a Great Fairy Fountain, indicating how many more upgrades can be made.

13. What is the best armor for cold resistance in TotK?

The Snowquill Set is excellent for cold resistance and provides complete immunity to freezing when fully upgraded. It also provides cold resistance at base level.

14. Where can I find the Radiant Armor?

The Radiant Armor is found in various shops in Hyrule, most notably the armor shop in Kakariko Village. It can also be found in the Depths at specific shops.

15. Can I buy armor pieces?

Yes, many armor pieces can be purchased in various shops around Hyrule, while others require solving puzzles, trading for them, or finding them in specific locations. Shops are primarily located in main cities and villages.

Conclusion

Understanding the armor upgrade system is essential for conquering the challenges in Tears of the Kingdom. Remember that you can upgrade your armor a maximum of four times, and this is gated by unlocking each of the Great Fairy Fountains. Upgrading not only increases your defense but also unlocks valuable set bonuses and specialized effects. By focusing on unlocking the fairies, gathering the right materials, and experimenting with different sets, you’ll be able to craft the ideal defense setup and become a true force in Hyrule. Happy adventuring!