Is Royal Guard Armor Good? A Deep Dive into Hyrule’s Elite Protection
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Yes, Royal Guard armor is good, but with significant caveats. It offers some of the highest base defense in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, making Link incredibly resilient against enemy attacks. However, its abysmal durability and the difficulty in obtaining and upgrading it make it a situational choice rather than a universally superior armor set.
Royal Guard Armor: An Overview
The Royal Guard armor in Breath of the Wild is coveted for its exceptional defensive stats and distinctive appearance. Adorning Link in this regal attire makes him a formidable warrior, capable of withstanding powerful blows from even the toughest enemies. However, this power comes at a steep price: the armor’s notorious fragility.
The Appeal of High Defense
The primary allure of the Royal Guard armor lies in its sheer defensive power. When fully upgraded, the complete set provides a substantial defense boost, significantly reducing the damage Link takes from enemy attacks. This is particularly valuable when facing powerful foes like Lynels or Guardian Stalkers, allowing Link to survive encounters that would otherwise prove fatal. This defense power is even useful when exploring challenging regions, such as Hyrule Castle.
The Durability Drawback
The most significant drawback of the Royal Guard armor is its extremely low durability. It breaks down incredibly quickly, often after only a few hits from moderately strong enemies. This fragility makes it impractical for extended combat situations or prolonged exploration where frequent repairs are impossible. This drawback significantly limits its overall usefulness compared to other armor sets.
Obtaining the Royal Guard Armor
Acquiring the Royal Guard armor is a journey in itself, requiring exploration of the treacherous Hyrule Castle. Each piece is located within the castle’s confines, often guarded by formidable enemies and hidden within secret chambers.
The Chest Piece
The Royal Guard Uniform is located in the Guards’ Chamber which is east from the Sanctum. The Guards’ Chamber is on the first floor, however, it can be accessed from the second floor. Head to the room where the map is located and drop down the destroyed floor into the Guards’ Chamber. The Royal Guard Uniform is on a body on the floor.
The Boots
The Royal Guard Boots can be found in one of the locked cells in the lockup. The entrance is on the west side of the castle.
The Cap
The Royal Guard Cap is located in the King’s Study. The King’s Study is located at the top of the Library, which can be found in the south of the castle.
The Challenge of Collection
Navigating Hyrule Castle is inherently dangerous, requiring careful planning, strategic combat, and adept problem-solving. The enemies within are powerful, and the environment is fraught with traps and pitfalls. Securing each piece of the Royal Guard armor demands a combination of skill, patience, and resilience.
Upgrading the Royal Guard Armor
Even after acquiring the Royal Guard armor, maximizing its potential requires upgrading it at the Great Fairy Fountains. Upgrading increases the armor’s defensive capabilities but does not address the underlying durability issue.
Upgrade Requirements
Upgrading the Royal Guard armor requires specific materials, including monster parts and rare gems. The upgrade costs increase with each tier, demanding a significant investment of time and resources to fully upgrade the entire set. Specifically, the Royal Guard armor uses Lizalfos Tails, Hinox Toenails, and Molduga Fins in its upgrades.
The Limited Impact on Durability
While upgrading the Royal Guard armor enhances its defensive stats, it does nothing to improve its durability. This means that even fully upgraded, the armor remains exceptionally fragile, requiring frequent repairs or replacements. This inherent limitation diminishes the value of upgrading the armor, as its longevity remains a significant concern.
Royal Guard Armor: A Strategic Choice
Despite its drawbacks, the Royal Guard armor can be strategically useful in specific situations. Its high defense makes it ideal for quick, decisive engagements where survivability is paramount.
Situation-Specific Advantages
The Royal Guard armor shines in scenarios where Link needs to withstand a few powerful blows, such as fighting bosses or challenging mini-bosses. Its high defense allows Link to absorb significant damage, giving him a crucial edge in these encounters.
Alternatives to Consider
For sustained combat or exploration, other armor sets offer better overall value. The Hylian Armor provides balanced defense and durability, while the Ancient Armor boasts high defense and resistance to Guardian attacks. The Champion’s Tunic is also a useful alternative, especially because its defense scales based on the number of Heart Containers Link has.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Royal Guard Armor
1. Where can I find the Royal Guard armor?
Each piece is found within Hyrule Castle. The uniform is in the Guards’ Chamber, the boots are in the Lockup, and the cap is in the King’s Study.
2. What makes the Royal Guard armor so special?
Its high base defense provides significant damage reduction from enemy attacks.
3. What is the biggest downside of the Royal Guard armor?
Its extremely low durability, causing it to break easily and requiring frequent repairs.
4. Can the Royal Guard armor be repaired?
Yes, but only by the Hylian Blacksmith Toffa in Tarrey Town.
5. How do I upgrade the Royal Guard armor?
Visit the Great Fairy Fountains and provide the required materials.
6. Does upgrading the Royal Guard armor improve its durability?
No. Upgrading only increases its defense stat.
7. What materials are needed to upgrade the Royal Guard armor?
Lizalfos Tails, Hinox Toenails, and Molduga Fins.
8. Is it worth upgrading the Royal Guard armor given its low durability?
It depends on your play style. If you value high defense for specific encounters, then yes. Otherwise, other armor sets may be more practical.
9. Is the Royal Guard armor better than the Hylian Armor?
The Royal Guard armor has higher defense, but the Hylian Armor has much better durability and is easier to obtain and upgrade.
10. Is the Royal Guard armor useful against Guardians?
While the high defense helps, the Ancient Armor is specifically designed to resist Guardian attacks and is a better choice for fighting them.
11. Can I buy the Royal Guard armor?
No. It can only be found within Hyrule Castle.
12. What is the best way to use the Royal Guard armor?
Use it for short, decisive encounters where high defense is critical, like boss battles.
13. Does the Royal Guard armor have any special set bonuses?
No. It does not offer any set bonuses when wearing all three pieces.
14. Is there any way to increase the Royal Guard armor’s durability?
Unfortunately, no. Its durability remains consistently low.
15. What is the best alternative to the Royal Guard armor for general exploration and combat?
The Hylian Armor, Champion’s Tunic, and Ancient Armor are all excellent alternatives, offering a better balance of defense and durability.