The Ultimate Armor Guide: Dominating Hyrule in Breath of the Wild (No DLC Needed!)
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So, you’re trekking across Hyrule, battling Bokoblins and dodging Lynel attacks, and you’re wondering: What is the best armor in Breath of the Wild without the DLC? The answer, plain and simple, is the Ancient Armor set. Comprising the Ancient Helm, Ancient Cuirass, and Ancient Greaves, this set offers the highest combined defense stats achievable in the base game and provides a crucial edge against the mechanical menace of Guardians. But there’s so much more to consider than just raw defense! Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of armor in Breath of the Wild, exploring the various options, their strengths, and how to choose the right gear for your playstyle.
Why the Ancient Armor Reigns Supreme (Base Game Edition)
The Ancient Armor isn’t just about defense; it’s about synergy. While other sets might offer elemental resistance or stealth bonuses, the Ancient Armor provides:
- High Base Defense: When fully upgraded by a Great Fairy, each piece of the Ancient Armor offers a substantial defense boost, resulting in a formidable defense rating.
- Guardian Resistance: This inherent property reduces the damage you take from Guardian attacks, making those laser-filled encounters significantly less daunting.
- Ancient Proficiency Set Bonus: By wearing all three pieces of the set, you unlock the Ancient Proficiency bonus, which drastically increases the attack power of Ancient and Guardian weapons. This turns you into a Guardian-slaying machine!
This combination of defense, resistance, and damage output makes the Ancient Armor the undisputed champion for general combat and tackling Hyrule Castle in the base game.
Exploring Other Viable Armor Sets
While the Ancient Armor excels in combat situations, Breath of the Wild’s brilliance lies in its flexibility. Other armor sets offer unique advantages that can be invaluable depending on the situation. Here are a few notable contenders:
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The Soldier Set: This set provides a strong foundation of defense, making it a solid alternative to the Ancient Armor if you prefer a more traditional aesthetic. Upgraded by a Great Fairy, the Soldier Set provides the same defense as the Wild, Zonai and Ancient sets.
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Flamebreaker Armor: Essential for exploring Death Mountain, the Flamebreaker Armor grants immunity to fire, allowing you to navigate the volcanic region without constantly needing fireproof elixirs.
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Zora Armor: Allows you to swim faster and, with the helmet, to perform a Spin Attack in the water. Essential for navigating Zora’s Domain and tackling the Divine Beast Vah Ruta.
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Stealth Armor (Sheikah Set): This set enhances your stealth capabilities, making it easier to sneak past enemies or catch insects and lizards.
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Barbarian Armor: Increases attack power, making it ideal for aggressive combat strategies. While it doesn’t offer the same level of defense as the Ancient Armor, the increased damage output can shorten battles significantly.
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Snowquill Set: Essential for surviving freezing temperatures, the Snowquill Set allows you to explore the Hebra region without succumbing to the cold.
Prioritizing Armor Upgrades
Upgrading your armor at the Great Fairy Fountains is crucial to maximizing its effectiveness. Each piece of armor can be upgraded multiple times, significantly increasing its defense rating and unlocking set bonuses. Prioritize upgrading the Ancient Armor or the armor set that best suits your preferred playstyle. Collecting materials for upgrades can be time-consuming, so focus on sets that provide the most significant benefits for your current goals.
Focusing on Chest Pieces First
Consider prioritizing upgrading chest pieces first. Chestplates offer the most protection out of all the pieces of armor, so you should go for this first when making armor, especially if you are struggling to find enough of the right material at first.
Choosing Armor for Specific Encounters
Breath of the Wild encourages players to adapt their strategies based on the environment and enemies they face. Choosing the right armor for specific encounters can make a significant difference in your survivability.
- Guardians: The Ancient Armor, with its Guardian Resistance, is the obvious choice. But consider pairing it with Ancient weapons for maximum effectiveness, capitalizing on the Ancient Proficiency set bonus.
- Thunderblight Ganon: The Rubber Armor grants immunity to electricity, making this challenging boss fight much more manageable.
- Cold Environments: The Snowquill Set, or warm clothing combined with spicy meals, is essential for surviving the freezing temperatures of the Hebra region.
- Fire Environments: The Flamebreaker Armor is necessary for exploring Death Mountain without burning to a crisp.
A Word on the Master Sword
While not technically armor, the Master Sword plays a crucial role in combat. It’s the only weapon in the game that doesn’t break (although it does need to recharge after extended use). When near enemies corrupted by Malice, like those in Hyrule Castle, the Master Sword’s power increases, making it an invaluable asset in the final battle against Ganon.
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Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the “best” armor in Breath of the Wild is subjective and depends on your playstyle and the challenges you’re facing. However, for sheer defensive power, Guardian resistance, and offensive synergy, the Ancient Armor set stands head and shoulders above the rest in the base game. Experiment with different sets, upgrade your favorites, and discover the combinations that work best for you. Hyrule is a vast and dangerous land, but with the right gear, you’ll be well-equipped to overcome any obstacle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the absolute highest defense stat I can achieve in Breath of the Wild without DLC?
With the Ancient Armor or any of the other sets with the highest defense potential (Wild, Soldier, Zonai), fully upgraded at the Great Fairy Fountains, you can reach a defense stat of 84. That’s 28 defense per piece of armor.
2. Where can I find the Ancient Armor?
The Ancient Armor is purchased from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, using Ancient parts and Rupees. You’ll need to complete the “Robbie’s Research” quest to unlock the armor.
3. What are the best weapons to use with the Ancient Armor?
Ancient weapons, such as the Ancient Sword, Ancient Bladesaw, and Ancient Bow, are ideal choices. They benefit from the Ancient Proficiency set bonus, significantly increasing their attack power. Guardian weapons also work for that bonus.
4. Is the Hylian Shield unbreakable?
No, the Hylian Shield is not unbreakable. However, it has a very high durability, meaning it can withstand a significant amount of damage before breaking.
5. How do I get the Hylian Shield?
The Hylian Shield is found in a chest in the Lockup within Hyrule Castle. Be prepared to fight a Stalnox to claim it!
6. Can I repair broken armor?
No, you cannot repair broken armor in Breath of the Wild. Once an armor piece is broken, it’s gone for good. This is why upgrading your armor is so important.
7. What’s the best way to farm Ancient parts?
The area around Hyrule Castle is teeming with Guardians. Defeating them will yield Ancient parts, including the rare Ancient Cores and Giant Ancient Cores. Also, look out for decayed Guardians which usually contain Ancient parts.
8. Does the Barbarian Armor’s attack bonus stack with attack-boosting meals?
Yes, the Barbarian Armor’s attack bonus stacks with attack-boosting meals, allowing you to deal even more damage.
9. Is it worth getting all the armor sets in the game?
While it’s not strictly necessary, collecting all the armor sets can be a fun and rewarding goal. Each set offers unique advantages and can be useful in different situations.
10. How do I unlock the Great Fairy Fountains?
You need to find each Great Fairy Fountain and pay a certain amount of Rupees to unlock their services. The first fountain requires a smaller payment, but the cost increases for each subsequent fountain.
11. What is the purpose of set bonuses?
Set bonuses are special abilities that are activated when you wear all three pieces of a particular armor set. These bonuses can range from increased attack power to elemental resistance to stealth enhancements.
12. Is the Master Sword required to beat Ganon?
No, the Master Sword is not required to beat Ganon. However, it is a powerful weapon that deals extra damage to enemies corrupted by Malice, making the final battle easier.
13. How long does it take for the Master Sword to recharge?
The Master Sword recharges after 10 minutes of real-time when it runs out of energy.
14. What is the most annoying enemy in Breath of the Wild?
This is subjective, but many players find Wizzrobes, Lynels, and Keese to be particularly annoying due to their ranged attacks, high health, and unpredictable movements.
15. What should I do first when starting Breath of the Wild?
Focus on completing the Great Plateau, gathering essential resources, and unlocking the Paraglider. Then, explore the surrounding areas, activate towers, and start collecting armor and weapons.