Is Gerudo Armor Good? A Comprehensive Guide
Is the Gerudo armor in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom worth your time and effort? The short answer: it depends. The original Gerudo Set, purchased in Gerudo Town, provides heat resistance, crucial for surviving the harsh Gerudo Desert. However, its low defense stats and inability to be upgraded in Breath of the Wild make it a situational choice, quickly outclassed by other armor sets. In Tears of the Kingdom, the Gerudo Voe armor is a much better choice.
Let’s delve deeper into the specifics, weighing its pros and cons, and exploring the alternatives to determine if the Gerudo armor suits your playstyle and current needs in Hyrule.
Understanding the Gerudo Armor Sets
The Original Gerudo Set (Breath of the Wild)
This armor set, consisting of the Gerudo Veil, Gerudo Top, and Gerudo Sirwal, isn’t designed for combat. Its primary function is to allow Link to enter Gerudo Town, initially restricted to males. Once inside, the set provides Heat Resistance, negating the need for heat-resistant elixirs or food in moderately hot environments.
However, that’s where its usefulness largely ends. Each piece offers a meager defense of 1, totaling 3 for the full set. Furthermore, the set cannot be upgraded at Great Fairy Fountains, leaving you vulnerable against stronger enemies. In the late game, and even the mid-game, this armor is simply not protective enough.
The Desert Voe Set: The Superior Choice for Heat (Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom)
The Desert Voe Set, obtainable through side quests and shops, is a significant upgrade. It also provides Heat Resistance, but unlike the Gerudo Set, it can be upgraded at Great Fairy Fountains. With upgrades, the Desert Voe Set offers substantially more defense and unlocks a Set Bonus: Shock Resistance at two-star enhancement. This combination of heat resistance, upgradeable defense, and shock resistance makes it the definitive choice for exploring the Gerudo region. This set is definitely worth it.
The Gerudo Voe Armor (Tears of the Kingdom)
In Tears of the Kingdom, the Gerudo Voe armor returns, offering similar benefits to its Breath of the Wild counterpart. Obtaining it involves completing specific quests related to the Gerudo region. This version maintains its Heat Resistance and upgradeability.
Key Considerations
- Heat Resistance vs. Extreme Heat: While both Gerudo sets and the Desert Voe Set offer Heat Resistance, some areas in the Gerudo Desert, particularly during the day, require more potent protection. In these instances, you’ll still need heat-resistant elixirs, food, or specialized armor like the Flamebreaker Set (though intended for fire, it also offers high heat resistance) combined with the Heat Resistance effect.
- Defense: The Gerudo Set’s low defense is its biggest drawback. Even early in the game, you’ll find yourself taking significant damage from even basic enemies.
- Set Bonuses: The Desert Voe Set’s Shock Resistance set bonus is valuable, especially when dealing with electric enemies or navigating thunderstorms.
- Accessibility: The initial Gerudo Set is easy to obtain, requiring only 600 Rupees. The Desert Voe Set, while more powerful, requires completing quests and exploring specific locations.
When is the Gerudo Armor a Good Choice?
Despite its limitations, there are specific scenarios where the Gerudo Set can be useful:
- Early Game Gerudo Exploration: If you’re venturing into the Gerudo Desert early in the game and haven’t acquired the Desert Voe Set, the Gerudo Set provides a temporary solution for heat resistance.
- Sneaking into Gerudo Town (Breath of the Wild): As mentioned earlier, it’s required to enter Gerudo Town initially if Link is still in male attire.
- Fashion and Roleplaying: Let’s be honest; Link looks pretty stylish in the Gerudo garb! If you prioritize aesthetics over combat effectiveness, the Gerudo Set can be a fun choice for exploration and screenshots.
Armor Alternatives for the Gerudo Region
While the Gerudo and Desert Voe sets are specifically tailored for the Gerudo region, several other armor options can provide heat resistance and superior defense:
- Flamebreaker Set: Primarily designed for fire resistance, this set also offers excellent heat resistance. It can be purchased in Goron City.
- Snowquill Set: The opposite of Flamebreaker armor, offering cold resistance.
- Elixirs and Food: Cooking recipes with specific ingredients, such as Cool Safflina or Hydromelon, creates meals and elixirs that provide heat resistance. This is a useful stopgap measure until you acquire better armor.
- Armor with Heat Resistance Effects: Some pieces of armor, like certain headgear, can grant Heat Resistance when worn, even without completing a full set.
Conclusion
The original Gerudo Set in Breath of the Wild serves a specific, limited purpose: initial heat resistance and entry into Gerudo Town. Its low defense and lack of upgradeability make it unsuitable for extended combat or challenging encounters. The Desert Voe Set is the far superior choice for heat resistance and overall protection in the Gerudo region. In Tears of the Kingdom, the Gerudo Voe armor will be much more helpful.
Ultimately, the best armor depends on your priorities. If you value defense and utility, prioritize the Desert Voe Set or other armor sets with heat resistance and better stats. If you’re simply looking for a stylish outfit and a temporary reprieve from the desert heat, the Gerudo Set can suffice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the Gerudo Set worth buying?
In Breath of the Wild, only initially. It allows entry into Gerudo Town and provides early-game heat resistance. However, its low defense makes it quickly obsolete. The Desert Voe Set is more valuable.
2. Can you upgrade the Gerudo Set?
No, the original Gerudo Set in Breath of the Wild cannot be upgraded at Great Fairy Fountains. The Gerudo Voe Armor in Tears of the Kingdom can be upgraded.
3. What is the best armor for the Gerudo Desert?
The Desert Voe Set is widely considered the best armor for exploring the Gerudo Desert due to its heat resistance, upgradeable defense, and shock resistance set bonus.
4. Does the Armor of the Wild protect you from heat?
No, the Armor of the Wild (Tunic of the Wild) does not provide heat resistance. Its set bonus enhances the Master Sword’s beam attack.
5. How do you get heat resistance in the Gerudo Desert?
You can obtain heat resistance through the Gerudo Set, the Desert Voe Set, the Flamebreaker Set, elixirs, food, or individual armor pieces with heat resistance effects.
6. What is the strongest armor in Zelda: Breath of the Wild?
The Ancient Armor, when fully upgraded and used with Ancient proficiency, is one of the strongest armor sets in Breath of the Wild. The Barbarian Armor is also excellent for increasing attack power. The fully upgraded Armor of the Wild has high base defense.
7. What armor should I wear to fight Ganon?
The Ancient Armor is a strong choice against Ganon due to its enhanced defense and resistance to Ancient attacks. However, any well-upgraded armor set can be effective with proper preparation.
8. What is the strongest weapon in Zelda: Breath of the Wild?
The Master Sword is arguably the best weapon in Breath of the Wild, although its power fluctuates. Other strong contenders include Royal Guard’s weapons and Savage Lynel Crushers.
9. Is Ancient Armor better than Barbarian Armor?
It depends on your playstyle. Ancient Armor offers higher defense and bonus damage against Ancient enemies. Barbarian Armor increases attack power for all weapons.
10. Can the Tunic of the Wild be upgraded?
Yes, each piece of the Tunic of the Wild can be upgraded at Great Fairy Fountains.
11. Is the Gerudo Shield any good?
The Gerudo Shield is a decent, mid-tier shield with a protection rating of 20 and durability of 20. It’s commonly found in the Gerudo region.
12. What is the strongest Gerudo weapon?
The Scimitar of the Seven, crafted using a Diamond, is considered the strongest Gerudo weapon, offering high attack power and durability.
13. Is Urbosa’s Fury worth it?
Urbosa’s Fury is one of the most powerful abilities in the game, allowing Link to unleash devastating lightning attacks. It’s highly recommended to obtain and utilize this ability.
14. Do ancient weapons work on Ganon?
Yes, Ancient and Guardian weapons deal significantly increased damage to Ganon and the Blights. The Ancient Armor set enhances this effect even further.
15. Is it better to get hearts or stamina in BotW?
Generally, it’s recommended to prioritize stamina early for improved exploration and combat maneuverability. Once you have sufficient stamina, focus on increasing hearts to survive stronger attacks.
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