Is the Barbarian Armor Worth It? A Deep Dive into Zelda’s Powerhouse Set
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
Yes, the Barbarian Armor is absolutely worth it for players in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild who prioritize offense and raw damage output. While it may not offer the highest defense or elemental protection, its unparalleled ability to significantly boost attack power makes it an indispensable asset for conquering formidable foes. This article will delve deep into why the Barbarian Armor is so effective, compare it to other armor sets, and answer frequently asked questions to help you make the most of this potent gear.
Understanding the Barbarian Armor’s Strengths
The Barbarian Armor set is renowned for one thing: boosting attack power. Each piece of the set incrementally increases Link’s damage potential. When all three pieces—the Barbarian Helm, Barbarian Armor, and Barbarian Leg Wraps—are equipped, Link’s attack is boosted by a massive 50%. This substantial increase translates to significantly faster takedowns of enemies, making even the most challenging encounters more manageable.
Attack Power Beyond Measure
The core strength of the Barbarian Armor lies in this raw offensive power. While the Ancient Armor offers a similar damage boost to ancient weapons, the Barbarian Armor’s boost applies to all weapons, offering far greater flexibility. This means whether you prefer a one-handed sword, a powerful two-handed weapon, or a spear, the Barbarian Armor will make it hit harder. This makes it especially useful when wielding powerful weapons like Savage Lynel weapons, maximizing their already impressive damage output.
Charge Attack Stamina Bonus
Beyond just increasing damage, the full Barbarian Armor set offers another significant perk. The set bonus is Charge Attack Stamina Up, which drastically reduces the stamina cost of performing charged attacks. This synergy with the attack bonus allows you to unleash powerful, consecutive charged attacks with greater ease, further boosting your overall damage potential and allowing for an aggressive play style.
Barbarian Armor vs. The Competition
While the Barbarian Armor excels in damage, it is important to compare it with other armor sets to understand its overall role:
Barbarian vs. Ancient Armor
The Ancient Armor offers a higher defense per piece (28) compared to the Barbarian’s 20. The Ancient Armor also boosts the attack power of Guardian and ancient weapons by 80%, which is higher than the Barbarian Armor’s 50%. However, this boost is exclusive to those weapon types. The key difference is the versatility: Barbarian Armor boosts all weapons, whereas Ancient Armor is restricted. This makes the Barbarian Armor generally more useful unless you exclusively use Guardian weapons. The article extract stated that the Savage Lynel weapons only do 15 more damage with Barbarian Armor than Ancient weapons with Ancient Armor. This may change your mind about which armor to get but in most situations, the flexibility of the Barbarian Armor is more useful.
Barbarian vs. Fierce Deity Armor
The Fierce Deity set functions identically to the Barbarian Armor, in terms of attack power, defense, and the charge attack bonus. The key distinction lies in accessibility. The Barbarian set can be found in-game, while the Fierce Deity set is exclusively obtained through amiibo. If you do not have access to amiibo, the Barbarian set is the best available option for this kind of boost.
Barbarian vs. Other Armor Sets
Other armor sets offer different benefits: Climbing Armor improves climbing speed, Flamebreaker Armor protects against fire, and Snowquill Armor resists cold. However, none can rival the Barbarian Armor’s raw offensive capabilities. The Radiant Armor, for example, has its own niche use, making skeleton monsters more likely to spawn, but it cannot compete in damage output. Similarly, while the Zoanite Armor boasts the highest defense in Tears of the Kingdom when fully upgraded, it doesn’t provide the same type of offensive boost as the Barbarian Armor, focusing instead on energy use optimization.
Maximizing the Barbarian Armor
To truly get the most out of the Barbarian Armor:
Upgrading the Armor
Upgrading the Barbarian set is crucial. This not only increases its defensive capabilities but also enhances its overall performance. The materials required are challenging to acquire, particularly those dropped by Lynels, so be prepared for some tough battles. Focus on fighting Silver Lynels, which have a higher chance of dropping the required items.
Weapon Choice
Pairing the Barbarian Armor with high-damage weapons is essential. Consider utilizing powerful two-handed weapons like Savage Lynel Crushers or royal claymores, alongside one-handed weapons that have high damage stats for optimal effectiveness. This way, you get the most out of the 50% damage bonus.
Playstyle Adaptation
Adjust your playstyle to be more aggressive. With the reduced stamina cost of charged attacks, you can constantly dish out powerful attacks without constantly needing to recover stamina. Combine dodging and timed parries with aggressive attacks, utilizing the enhanced damage to quickly overwhelm your enemies.
Conclusion: Is the Barbarian Armor Worth It?
Ultimately, the Barbarian Armor is absolutely worth it for players who love an aggressive, offensive playstyle. If you’re looking to tear through enemies with powerful blows and don’t mind sacrificing some defensive stats, the Barbarian Armor is an essential set. While it lacks elemental resistance and top-tier defense, its unparalleled attack boost, combined with the reduced stamina cost of charged attacks, makes it a devastating choice for battles. The flexibility of applying its boost to all weapons, unlike the Ancient Armor, further solidifies its place as a top-tier armor set in both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the base stats of the Barbarian Armor set?
The base defense of each piece of the Barbarian Armor is 3, providing a total of 9 defense when the full set is worn, before upgrades.
2. Where can I find the Barbarian Armor pieces?
Each piece of the Barbarian Armor is found in different caves throughout Hyrule in both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. The locations require solving puzzles or navigating dangerous environments.
3. Does upgrading the Barbarian Armor increase the damage bonus?
No, upgrading the Barbarian Armor does not increase the 50% attack power bonus. Upgrades only increase the defense stat.
4. Can the Barbarian Armor be dyed?
Yes, like most armor in Zelda, the Barbarian Armor can be dyed at the dye shop in Hateno Village.
5. What materials are needed to upgrade the Barbarian Armor?
Upgrading the Barbarian Armor requires various monster parts, including those dropped by Lynels. The materials needed increase with each upgrade level.
6. Is the Barbarian Armor better than the Royal Guard set?
The Royal Guard set focuses on durability and charged attack power, not overall attack power like the Barbarian set. The Barbarian set will be a more versatile option.
7. Does the Barbarian Armor offer any elemental resistance?
No, the Barbarian Armor does not offer any elemental resistance. You will need other armor sets for fire, cold, or shock resistance.
8. How does the Barbarian Armor compare to the Phantom Armor?
The Phantom Armor also boosts attack power, but it is harder to get and has an odd look. The Barbarian is an easy to acquire option.
9. What are the benefits of the Charge Attack Stamina Up bonus?
The Charge Attack Stamina Up bonus allows you to perform charged attacks more frequently by drastically reducing the stamina consumption of these powerful moves.
10. Is the Barbarian Armor suitable for beginners?
Yes, while the armor requires some effort to find, its straightforward attack bonus makes it suitable even for beginners who want to dish out some extra damage.
11. Can I use the Barbarian Armor against Guardians?
While the Barbarian Armor is effective, the Ancient Armor is generally preferred for Guardian encounters due to its bonus against them. However, the Barbarian Armor’s universal boost makes it a viable alternative.
12. Does the Barbarian Armor affect critical hits?
The Barbarian Armor’s attack boost increases the base damage of all attacks, including critical hits, making critical hits more potent.
13. Is there any disadvantage to wearing the full set?
The main disadvantage is that you will lack elemental resistance and lower defense than some armor sets, but if you manage fights correctly this is not a large issue.
14. Does the Barbarian Armor work with elemental weapons?
Yes, the Barbarian Armor works with all weapon types, including those that have elemental properties.
15. Can the Barbarian Armor be used in the final battle?
Absolutely, the Barbarian Armor is an excellent choice for the final battle, as its damage bonus is invaluable. However, having other sets available for specific threats like elemental attacks is helpful.