Ancient Armor vs. Barbarian Armor: Which Reigns Supreme in Tears of the Kingdom?

The age-old question for any aspiring hero in Hyrule: Should you clad yourself in the mysterious, ancient tech-infused Ancient Armor, or embrace the raw, untamed power of the Barbarian Armor? Both sets offer significant advantages in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, but they cater to different playstyles and combat scenarios. So, which is truly better? The short answer is: it depends on what you are trying to accomplish. For raw, general melee damage and stamina-efficient charged attacks, the Barbarian Armor is superior. For maximizing damage against Guardians, Zonai, and some Ganon encounters, the Ancient Armor takes the edge. It is not necessarily that one set is “better” than the other, it’s more about which is best for each particular situation.

Understanding the Ancient Armor

The Ancient Armor set is a testament to the advanced technology of the Sheikah and Zonai civilizations. Each piece of this armor—the Ancient Helm, Ancient Cuirass, and Ancient Greaves—provides a base defense of 4, which can be upgraded to a formidable 28 per piece when fully upgraded by the Great Fairies. What truly sets it apart, however, are its unique properties:

Key Advantages of Ancient Armor:

• High Defense: At 84 total defense when fully upgraded, the Ancient Armor offers one of the highest defense ratings in the game, providing excellent protection from physical damage.
• Guardian Resistance: The armor grants a notable resistance to the powerful laser attacks of Guardians, significantly reducing the damage taken from these formidable foes. This makes exploration in areas infested with Guardians much more manageable.
• Ancient Proficiency: The true power of this set lies in its Ancient Proficiency set bonus, activated after upgrading all pieces at least twice. This bonus provides a staggering +80% attack damage boost when wielding Ancient or Guardian weapons, transforming these once underutilized weapons into absolute powerhouses.
• Zonai Device Synergy: Though not explicitly stated, the Ancient Armor also complements the use of Zonai devices, making you more formidable when using these items to attack.
• Effective Against Ganon: The Ancient Armor is incredibly beneficial against Ganon, as he often incorporates ancient tech into his attacks. This makes it an optimal choice for the final battles.

Limitations of Ancient Armor:

• Specific Weapon Focus: The +80% attack boost only applies to a specific class of weapons: Ancient and Guardian weapons. While these weapons are powerful when enhanced, they are not always readily available and the bonus is useless with other weapons.
• Guardian Farming: Obtaining materials for upgrades requires fighting against and farming Guardians. This can be a demanding task, particularly early in the game.
• Upgrade Cost: Upgrading the Ancient Armor is costly in terms of both time and resources as the player needs to gather resources and find Great Fairies and bring them to full power.

Delving into the Barbarian Armor

The Barbarian Armor is a set that emphasizes raw power and aggressive combat. The set includes the Barbarian Helm, Barbarian Armor, and Barbarian Legwraps, and it provides a base defense of 6 per piece, with a max defense of 20 when fully upgraded for a total of 60. While its defense isn’t as high as the Ancient set, it compensates with its set bonus and a great set bonus.

Key Advantages of Barbarian Armor:

• Overall Attack Boost: Each piece of the Barbarian Armor increases the base attack power of Link. When wearing all three pieces, the total attack power boost is +50% to all weapons, which makes it a versatile choice for any combat situation.
• Stamina Reduction for Charged Attacks: The armor’s set bonus decreases stamina consumption when charging attacks, allowing Link to perform more charged and heavy attacks before running out of stamina. This is especially beneficial with weapon types that rely heavily on charged attacks, such as two-handed swords and spears.
• Easy Access: The three pieces of this set are hidden throughout Hyrule in various cave systems, making them relatively straightforward to obtain without requiring specific resources.
• Versatility: The Barbarian set’s ability to boost all weapons makes it a much more versatile option than the Ancient Armor, as you won’t be limited to the class of weapon.

Limitations of Barbarian Armor:

• Lower Defense: With a maximum total defense of 60, the Barbarian Armor offers less protection than the Ancient set.
• Limited Resistance: The Barbarian set does not offer any resistance against specific enemy types or attack patterns.
• Less Effective Against Guardians and Ganon Tech: Though it boosts damage with all weapons, it will not have as much of a damage boost against Guardian and ancient enemies like the Ancient Armor.

Which Armor Should You Choose?

The choice between Ancient Armor and Barbarian Armor depends heavily on your preferred playstyle and the challenges you anticipate.

• Choose Ancient Armor if:

  • You frequently battle Guardians, Zonai constructs, and enemies that use ancient tech.
  • You prefer to utilize Ancient and Guardian weapons for their unique properties.
  • You prioritize maximum defense and additional protection from laser attacks.
  • You are going to fight Ganon with mostly ancient weapons.

• Choose Barbarian Armor if:

  • You prefer a versatile approach to combat and use a variety of weapon types.
  • You rely on charged and heavy attacks and want to maximize your stamina efficiency.
  • You favor the raw damage output over specific resistances.
  • You want a good set that can be obtained easily and early in the game.

In short: The Ancient Armor is a specialized set for facing a particular subset of enemies, particularly Guardians, while the Barbarian Armor is an overall great set for general combat. If you’re looking for raw power and the versatility to use any weapon you find, the Barbarian Armor is your best choice. However, if you plan on facing Guardians and Ganon head on, the Ancient Armor is your best option.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the maximum defense for the Ancient Armor set?

The maximum defense for the Ancient Armor set is 84, with each piece (Helm, Cuirass, and Greaves) providing 28 defense when fully upgraded.

2. How much attack boost does the Barbarian Armor provide?

The Barbarian Armor set provides a 50% attack boost to all weapons when all three pieces are equipped.

3. Does the Ancient Armor protect against Ganon’s attacks?

Yes, the Ancient Armor is effective against Ganon, especially attacks that utilize ancient tech, due to the armor’s Guardian resistance and high defense.

4. Can the Ancient Armor’s damage boost be combined with other attack-boosting effects?

Yes, the Ancient Proficiency bonus can be combined with other attack boosting effects, such as food or elixirs, to further increase damage output.

5. Where can I find the Barbarian Armor pieces?

The Barbarian Armor pieces are found in different cave systems around Hyrule. Locations can vary, but they are often in areas associated with a lot of enemy activity.

6. Does the Barbarian Armor’s stamina reduction stack with other stamina-reducing effects?

Yes, the Barbarian Armor’s stamina reduction can be combined with other stamina-reducing effects, such as foods or elixirs, to further minimize stamina consumption during charged attacks.

7. Is the Ancient Armor worth upgrading?

Absolutely. Upgrading the Ancient Armor is highly recommended because its high defense and Guardian resistance combined with the Ancient Proficiency set bonus makes it incredibly powerful against certain foes.

8. Does the Barbarian Armor provide any specific resistances?

No, the Barbarian Armor does not provide any specific resistances. Its benefits are limited to attack power and stamina reduction.

9. Can the Master Sword break while fighting Ganon?

No, the Master Sword is indestructible during the fight with Ganondorf.

10. Which armor is best for fighting Thunderblight Ganon?

Neither Ancient nor Barbarian armor has specific benefits for fighting Thunderblight Ganon. A mix of high defense and lightning-resistant gear may be helpful in this fight.

11. Does the Zonaite Armor have better defense than Ancient Armor?

No, while the Zonaite Armor is one of the best sets, it has less base and maximum defense than the Ancient Armor. The Zonaite armor set focuses on Zonai device energy management.

12. How do I get the Ancient Proficiency bonus?

The Ancient Proficiency bonus is unlocked after upgrading all three pieces of the Ancient Armor set at least twice by a Great Fairy.

13. What is the best armor for pure defense?

The Ancient Armor provides the highest defense of non-unique armor in the game when fully upgraded. However, other unique sets can provide equal or more defense.

14. Can the Fierce Deity Sword break?

Yes, the Fierce Deity Sword can break, like any other weapon, and it will need to be repaired. However, it can be fused like any other item.

15. Why is the armor so expensive in some shops?

The high prices in shops can often be attributed to specific in-game circumstances or side quests. Completing side quests in the area, such as “Gloom-Borne Illness”, can reduce these prices.

By weighing the strengths and weaknesses of both the Ancient Armor and the Barbarian Armor, you can make an informed decision that best suits your playstyle and the challenges you are facing in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Each set offers unique advantages, so experiment and discover which one helps you become the hero Hyrule needs.