Unlocking Hyrule’s Past: A Deep Dive into the Ancient Armor of Breath of the Wild
The Ancient Armor set in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a powerful and highly sought-after gear set crafted from ancient Sheikah technology and Guardian parts. Equipping the full set (Ancient Helm, Ancient Cuirass, and Ancient Greaves) offers significant advantages, most notably a substantial defense boost against ancient weaponry, including Guardian lasers. Furthermore, when upgraded, the armor provides a significant damage bonus when using Ancient and Guardian weapons, making it a formidable asset against Hyrule’s mechanical foes and even Calamity Ganon himself.
The Power Within: What Makes the Ancient Armor Special?
The Ancient Armor isn’t just about defense; it’s a strategic investment in offense as well. Let’s break down its key features:
- High Base Defense: Each piece of the Ancient Armor starts with a base defense of 4, totaling 12 for the entire set. This is comparable to other mid-tier armor sets.
- Upgradable to God-Tier Defense: By visiting the Great Fairy Fountains, you can upgrade each piece of the Ancient Armor up to 28 defense points, giving you a total of 84 defense. This places it among the highest defense armor sets in the game, rivaling the Champion’s Tunic and other top-tier options.
- Ancient Proficiency Set Bonus: When wearing the full set, you gain the Ancient Proficiency set bonus, which increases the attack power of Ancient and Guardian weapons by 80%. This drastically increases your damage output against all enemies, but particularly Guardians.
- Guardian Resistance: Even without the full set, each individual piece of the Ancient Armor reduces the damage you take from Guardian lasers. This makes navigating areas infested with Guardians significantly less perilous.
Acquiring the Ancient Armor: Robbie’s Research
Obtaining the Ancient Armor requires completing the “Robbie’s Research” side quest at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. This questline involves lighting the lab’s furnace with blue flame and then bringing Robbie Ancient parts to research. Once he re-establishes his research, you can purchase the individual armor pieces from him in exchange for Rupees and specific Ancient materials:
- Ancient Helm: 2,000 Rupees, 20 Ancient Gears, 5 Ancient Springs, and 3 Ancient Cores.
- Ancient Cuirass: 2,000 Rupees, 20 Ancient Gears, 5 Ancient Shafts, and 3 Ancient Cores.
- Ancient Greaves: 2,000 Rupees, 20 Ancient Gears, 5 Ancient Screws, and 3 Ancient Cores.
As you can see, acquiring this set can be a demanding task! You’ll have to do some Guardian farming if you hope to afford these components.
Upgrading the Ancient Armor: Great Fairy Power
To unlock the full potential of the Ancient Armor, you’ll need to upgrade it at the Great Fairy Fountains. Each upgrade level requires specific materials, including monster parts and more Ancient parts. Here’s a breakdown of the upgrade materials needed for each piece of armor:
Level 1:
- 5 Ancient Screws
- 5 Ancient Springs
Level 2:
- 15 Ancient Gears
- 10 Ancient Springs
Level 3:
- 15 Ancient Shafts
- 5 Ancient Cores
Level 4:
- 2 Ancient Giant Cores
- 10 Ancient Screws
It’s important to note that the cost of upgrading can vary depending on which Great Fairy you visit. Some fairies require a larger donation the first time you ask for an upgrade before they provide additional upgrade services.
Strategic Uses: Where the Ancient Armor Shines
The Ancient Armor truly shines in specific scenarios:
- Guardian Hunting: This is where the armor is most effective. The Guardian Resistance and Ancient Proficiency combo allows you to efficiently and safely eliminate Guardians. Farming Guardians in Hyrule Field and around Hyrule Castle becomes much easier.
- Hyrule Castle Exploration: Hyrule Castle is filled with Guardians and ancient enemies. The Ancient Armor provides the necessary protection and offensive power to navigate the castle effectively.
- Boss Battles: While the Ancient Armor may not be the absolute best choice for every boss battle, it’s a solid all-around option, especially against bosses that utilize ancient technology or guardians.
- General Combat: The high defense of the fully upgraded armor makes it a reliable choice for general combat, providing a significant damage reduction against most enemies.
FAQ: Ancient Armor Edition
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Ancient Armor in Breath of the Wild:
1. Is the Ancient Armor the absolute best armor in the game?
While the Ancient Armor boasts high defense and the Ancient Proficiency bonus, the “best” armor is subjective and depends on your playstyle and the situation. The Barbarian Armor provides a raw attack boost to all weapons, while the Stealth Armor excels in stealth situations. However, for overall versatility and Guardian-focused combat, the Ancient Armor is a top contender.
2. Does the Ancient Proficiency bonus affect the Master Sword?
Unfortunately, no. The Ancient Proficiency set bonus only affects Ancient and Guardian weapons. The Master Sword remains unaffected by this bonus.
3. Can I get the Ancient Armor early in the game?
Technically, yes, but it’s not recommended. Acquiring the Ancient Armor requires defeating Guardians to collect Ancient parts and Rupees. Early game, Guardians are incredibly challenging. It’s best to acquire the armor after you’ve upgraded your gear and gained some combat experience.
4. Is it worth upgrading the Ancient Armor?
Absolutely! The fully upgraded Ancient Armor provides significantly higher defense and unlocks the Ancient Proficiency set bonus. The investment in materials and Rupees is well worth it.
5. Where is the best place to farm Ancient parts?
Hyrule Castle and Hyrule Field are the best locations for farming Ancient parts. Hyrule Castle is filled with various types of Guardians, while Hyrule Field has a high concentration of Guardian Stalkers.
6. How do I defeat Guardian Stalkers easily?
There are several strategies. You can deflect their lasers with a perfect parry using your shield, target their legs with Ancient Arrows, or use Ancient weapons for increased damage. The Ancient Bladesaw is a particularly effective choice.
7. What are the best Ancient weapons to use with the Ancient Armor?
The Ancient Bladesaw, Ancient Bow, and Ancient Shield are all excellent choices. The Bladesaw provides high melee damage, the Bow offers long-range precision, and the Shield provides excellent defensive capabilities with auto-parrying.
8. Can you buy Ancient Cores?
Yes, Teli, a traveling merchant, sells Ancient Cores during “Rainy Day Specials“. He typically appears on the road between Hateno Village and Fort Hateno.
9. Does weather affect the Ancient Armor?
No, the Ancient Armor is not affected by weather conditions. Unlike some armor sets that provide weather resistance, the Ancient Armor’s benefits remain constant regardless of the weather.
10. Does the Ancient Armor protect against Malice?
No, the Ancient Armor does not offer protection against Malice, the purple, gooey substance found around Hyrule Castle and Calamity Ganon.
11. Is there a way to repair Ancient weapons?
Unfortunately, Ancient weapons cannot be repaired. Once they break, they’re gone for good. Therefore, use them strategically and conserve their durability.
12. What happens if I sell a piece of the Ancient Armor? Can I get it back?
If you accidentally sell a piece of the Ancient Armor, you can re-purchase it from Robbie at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, provided you have the necessary materials and Rupees.
13. How many hearts are recommended for fighting Guardians?
While you can defeat Guardians with a smaller number of hearts, having at least 10-12 hearts is recommended. This provides enough buffer to survive their powerful laser attacks, especially when you are learning to parry.
14. Is the Ancient Armor set necessary to beat Calamity Ganon?
No, the Ancient Armor is not strictly necessary to defeat Calamity Ganon. Skillful players can beat Ganon with minimal gear. However, the Ancient Armor provides a significant advantage, particularly during the final battle within Hyrule Castle, where Guardians and ancient enemies are prevalent.
15. Where can I learn more about game design and the educational value of games?
You can explore resources like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org to delve deeper into the world of game-based learning and educational game design. The Games Learning Society promotes research and innovation in the field of games and learning, showing the profound impact that gaming can have on education and society.
Conclusion: Embrace the Past, Conquer the Future
The Ancient Armor in Breath of the Wild is more than just a set of gear; it’s a testament to the ingenuity of the ancient Sheikah and a powerful tool for combating the forces of Calamity Ganon. By understanding its strengths, acquiring the necessary components, and strategically upgrading it, you can unlock its full potential and become a true master of Hyrule’s ancient technology. So, venture forth, gather those Ancient parts, and embrace the power of the past to forge a brighter future!