The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (BotW Armor Sets offers a vast array of armor sets, each with unique stats, resistances, and special effects. Choosing the right armor can make a huge difference in your adventure across Hyrule, whether you’re looking for maximum defense, elemental protection, or stealth bonuses.
In this guide, we’ll break down every BotW Armor Sets, including their base stats, upgrade bonuses, hidden resistances, and set effects. By the end, you’ll know exactly which armor to wear for any situation—whether you’re facing Lynels, exploring extreme climates, or sneaking past Guardians.
Why Armor Sets Matter in BotW
Unlike traditional RPGs where armor is purely about defense, BotW armor sets provide passive abilities that enhance Link’s survivability and effectiveness in combat, exploration, and resource gathering. Some sets grant:
- BotW Armor Sets Elemental resistance (fire, cold, electricity)
- Stealth bonuses (quieter movement, faster sneaking)
- Attack boosts (increased damage with certain weapons)
- Special set bonuses (unlocked when wearing a fully upgraded set)
Choosing the right armor can mean the difference between surviving a deadly encounter or getting one-shotted by a Silver Bokoblin.
BotW Armor Sets: Stats & Resistances Breakdown
Below, we’ll categorize every major armor set in Breath of the Wild, including their defense values, upgrade bonuses, and hidden effects.
1. Basic Armor Sets (Early-Game Essentials)
Old Shirt & Well-Worn Trousers
- Defense: 1 (per piece)
- Where to Find: Starting outfit (Great Plateau)
- Effect: No special bonuses.
Hylian Set (Hylian Hood, Tunic, Trousers)
- Defense: 3 → 16 (max upgraded)
- Where to Find: Purchased in Kakariko Village or Hateno Village
- Effect: No special bonus, but balanced defense and easy to upgrade.
2. Climate-Resistant Armor Sets
Snowquill Set (Cold Resistance)
- Defense: 3 → 20 (max)
- Where to Find: Rito Village (purchased from Armor Shop)
- Effect:
- Level 1 Cold Resistance (per piece)
- Set Bonus: Unshockable (when fully upgraded)
Desert Voe Set (Heat Resistance)
- Defense: 3 → 20 (max)
- Where to Find: Gerudo Town (purchased from Armor Shop)
- Effect:
- Level 1 Heat Resistance (per piece)
- Set Bonus: Shock Resistance (when fully upgraded)
Flamebreaker Set (Fireproof)
- Defense: 4 → 24 (max)
- Where to Find: Goron City (purchased from Armor Shop)
- Effect:
- Fireproof (immune to fire damage when fully equipped)
- Set Bonus: Flame Guard (reduces fire damage further when upgraded)
3. Stealth & Movement-Based Armor Sets
Sheikah Set (Stealth Up)
- Defense: 2 → 12 (max)
- Where to Find: Kakariko Village (Stealth Mask), Enchanted by Pikango (Stealth Chest & Legs)
- Effect:
- Stealth Boost (quieter movement, harder for enemies to detect you)
- Set Bonus: Night Speed Up (faster movement at night when fully upgraded)
Climbing Set (Climbing Boost)
- Defense: 3 → 15 (max)
- Where to Find: Shrines (Climbing Bandana, Gear, Boots)
- Effect:
- Climbing Speed Up (faster climbing per piece)
- Set Bonus: Reduced Stamina Drain while jumping (when fully upgraded)
4. Combat-Oriented Armor Sets
Soldier’s Set (High Defense)
- Defense: 4 → 28 (max)
- Where to Find: Hateno Village (purchased from Armor Shop)
- Effect:
- Pure defense, no special bonuses
- Best for tanking heavy hits from Lynels & Guardians
Barbarian Set (Attack Up)
- Defense: 3 → 20 (max)
- Where to Find: Three Mazes (Akkala, Hebra, Gerudo)
- Effect:
- Attack Boost (increased melee damage per piece)
- Set Bonus: Charge Stamina Up (reduced stamina cost for charged attacks when fully upgraded)
Ancient Set (Guardian Resistance & Attack Boost)
- Defense: 4 → 28 (max)
- Where to Find: Akkala Ancient Tech Lab (purchased with Guardian Parts)
- Effect:
- Guardian Resist (reduced damage from Guardian weapons)
- Set Bonus: Ancient Proficiency (increased damage with Ancient/Guardian weapons when fully upgraded)
5. Special & DLC Armor Sets
Zora Set (Swim Speed Up)
- Defense: 3 → 15 (max)
- Where to Find: Zora’s Domain (quest rewards & purchase)
- Effect:
- BotW Armor Sets Swim Dash Stamina Up (reduced stamina cost for swimming)
- Set Bonus: Spin Attack Boost (when fully upgraded)
Radiant Set (Bone Attack Up)
- Defense: 3 → 12 (max)
- Where to Find: Gerudo Secret Club (purchased)
- Effect:
- Disguise against Stal enemies
- Set Bonus: Bone Weapon Attack Up (when fully upgraded)
Fierce Deity Set (Attack Boost, DLC)
- Defense: 3 → 20 (max)
- Where to Find: EX Treasure quests (DLC)
- Effect:
- Same as Barbarian Set (Attack Up)
- Looks like Link’s Fierce Deity form from Majora’s Mask
Best Armor Combos for Different Situations
Scenario Recommended Armor
Max BotW Armor Sets Defense Soldier’s Set (28 defense per piece)
Lynel Fights Barbarian Set (Attack Boost) or Ancient Set (Guardian Resist)
Stealth Missions Sheikah Set (Stealth Up)
Extreme Heat/Cold Snowquill / Desert Voe Set
Guardian Fights Ancient Set (Guardian Resist + Ancient Proficiency)
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right BotW armor set depends on your playstyle and the challenges you face. Whether you prioritize defense, offense, stealth, or elemental resistance, there’s an armor set tailored for every situation.
Key Takeaways:
- Upgrade armor at Great Fairy Fountains to unlock set bonuses.
- Mix and match pieces for hybrid benefits (e.g., stealth chest + attack legs).
- DLC armor sets (like Fierce Deity) offer unique perks.
Now that you know every BotW armor set’s stats and resistances, you’re ready to optimize Link’s gear for any battle in Hyrule!
Did we miss any armor sets? Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
5 FAQs on BotW Armor Sets: Stats & Resistances
1. What is the highest defense armor set in Breath of the Wild?
The Soldier’s Armor Set provides the highest base defense, reaching 28 defense per piece when fully upgraded (84 total defense with all three pieces). However, the Ancient Armor Set also reaches 28 defense per piece while offering Guardian resistance and an attack boost with Ancient weapons.
2. How do I unlock set bonuses for armor in BotW?
BotW Armor Sets To unlock set bonuses, you must:
- Wear all three pieces of the same armor set.
- BotW Armor Sets Upgrade each piece to at least level 2 at a Great Fairy Fountain.
- Some bonuses include Unshockable (Snowquill Set), Ancient Proficiency (Ancient Set), and Night Speed Up (Sheikah Set).
3. Which armor set is best for stealth in BotW?
The Sheikah Armor Set (Stealth Mask, Sheikah Top, and Stealth Tights) is the best for stealth, as it:
- Reduces noise when moving.
- BotW Armor Sets Makes enemies detect you slower.
- Grants Night Speed Up (faster movement at night) when fully upgraded.
4. What’s the best armor for fighting Lynels?
For Lynel fights, the best armor options are:
- Barbarian Set – Boosts attack power, allowing faster kills.
- Ancient Set – High defense + Ancient Proficiency (boosts Ancient weapon damage).
- Soldier’s Set – Pure defense to tank-heavy hits.
5. Can you mix and match armor sets for better effects?
Yes! Mixing armor pieces can optimize your build. Some strong combos include:
- Barbarian Helm + Soldier’s Armor + Ancient Legs (Balanced attack & defense).
- Stealth Chest + Climber’s Boots (Quiet movement + faster climbing).
- Snowquill Head + Desert Voe Chest (Resist both cold & heat).
