How do I get the Ancient Spring in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

To obtain the Ancient Spring in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you need to engage with the game's ancient technology system, which revolves around the Sheikah technology found throughout Hyrule. The Ancient Spring is a key component used to upgrade the Ancient Armor set, which provides significant defense and bonuses against Guardian-type enemies. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to acquire the Ancient Spring and make the most of it.

First, you need to understand the mechanics of ancient materials. Ancient Springs are dropped by certain types of Guardians, specifically the smaller Guardian Scouts found in shrines. These shrines are often combat trials, where you face off against Guardian Scouts of varying difficulty levels. The higher the level of the Guardian Scout, the better the chance of obtaining rare materials like Ancient Springs. Additionally, you can sometimes find Ancient Springs in chests within shrines or as rewards for completing shrine puzzles.

To begin your journey, you should first locate shrines that contain Guardian Scouts. These shrines are typically labeled as "Test of Strength" shrines and are scattered across Hyrule. Some notable examples include the "Shrine of Resurrection" on the Great Plateau and the "Joloo Nah Shrine" in the Gerudo Highlands. Once you enter a Test of Strength shrine, you will face a Guardian Scout. The difficulty of the shrine will determine the level of the Guardian Scout, with Minor, Moderate, and Major Tests of Strength corresponding to increasingly powerful enemies.

When fighting Guardian Scouts, itÔÇÖs important to use weapons and strategies that are effective against them. Guardian Scouts are weak to ancient weapons, which can be obtained from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. If you donÔÇÖt have access to ancient weapons, using weapons with high durability and damage output, such as Royal or Savage Lynel weapons, can also be effective. Additionally, using shields to parry the Guardian ScoutÔÇÖs laser attacks can save you from taking damage and allow you to counterattack effectively.

Once you defeat the Guardian Scout, it will drop various materials, including Ancient Springs, Ancient Screws, Ancient Shafts, and Ancient Gears. The drop rate for Ancient Springs is not guaranteed, so you may need to defeat multiple Guardian Scouts to collect enough springs for your needs. ItÔÇÖs a good idea to mark shrines with Guardian Scouts on your map and revisit them after a Blood Moon, as this will reset the shrines and allow you to fight the Guardian Scouts again.

In addition to defeating Guardian Scouts, you can also obtain Ancient Springs by completing certain shrine puzzles. Some shrines have hidden chests that contain ancient materials, so be sure to explore thoroughly and use your Sheikah Sensor to detect chests. The Sheikah Sensor can be upgraded at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab to detect treasure chests, making it easier to find hidden loot.

Once you have collected enough Ancient Springs, you can use them to upgrade the Ancient Armor set at a Great Fairy Fountain. The Ancient Armor set consists of the Ancient Helm, Ancient Cuirass, and Ancient Greaves. Each piece of the set requires different materials to upgrade, with Ancient Springs being one of the key components. Upgrading the Ancient Armor set will increase its defense and provide additional bonuses, such as increased resistance to Guardian attacks.

ItÔÇÖs important to note that upgrading the Ancient Armor set requires not only Ancient Springs but also other materials, such as Ancient Screws, Ancient Shafts, and Ancient Cores. These materials can also be obtained from Guardian Scouts and other Guardians, so itÔÇÖs a good idea to collect as many as possible while farming for Ancient Springs. Additionally, you will need to visit a Great Fairy Fountain to upgrade your armor, so make sure you have enough rupees to pay for the upgrades.

One common mistake to avoid is neglecting to upgrade your armor. The Ancient Armor set is one of the best in the game for dealing with Guardians, so itÔÇÖs worth investing the time and resources to upgrade it fully. Another mistake is not using the right weapons and strategies when fighting Guardian Scouts. Using weapons that are ineffective against them can make the battles much harder and more time-consuming.

For advanced players, there are a few optimizations you can make to speed up the process of collecting Ancient Springs. One strategy is to focus on Major Tests of Strength shrines, as these have the highest chance of dropping rare materials. Additionally, using the Master Sword, which deals extra damage to Guardians, can make these battles much easier. If you have the DLC, the Ancient Horse Gear can also be useful for traveling quickly between shrines.

In conclusion, obtaining Ancient Springs in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild requires a combination of combat skill, exploration, and resource management. By focusing on Test of Strength shrines, using effective weapons and strategies, and upgrading your armor at Great Fairy Fountains, you can collect enough Ancient Springs to enhance your Ancient Armor set and improve your chances of survival against the gameÔÇÖs toughest enemies.