Finding all armor in TotK is less of a checklist and more of a full-time job. Honestly, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is massive, and the wardrobe is no different. You’ve got everything from standard metal plate to literal frog suits. But here’s the thing: most people just grab the Hylian set and call it a day. That’s a mistake. You’re leaving so much utility on the table.
If you want to survive the Depths or stop slipping every time a cloud appears, you need to know which rags are worth the rupees. Some pieces are basically just for fashion—looking at you, Cece Hat—while others fundamentally change how you interact with Hyrule’s physics.
The Armor You Actually Need Early On
Let’s be real. When you first drop from the Sky Islands, you’re basically naked and terrified. The Archaic set you start with is fine for the tutorial, but once you hit the surface, you’ll want something that doesn't let a Bokoblin one-shot you.
The Hylian Set is the easiest to snag. You just walk into Lookout Landing and buy it. It doesn’t have a fancy set bonus, but it's cheap to upgrade.
Then there’s the Soldier’s Set. You can find this in the Hidden Royal Passage under Hyrule Castle. It has high base defense, but it's heavy. No perks. Just pure "don't die" energy. If you’re struggling with combat timing, this is your safety net.
But if you want to actually play the game, get the Climbing Gear. It’s scattered in caves like North Hyrule Plain Cave. Climbing in this game takes forever without it. Seriously, don’t ignore it.
Combat Kings: Barbarian vs. Fierce Deity
This is the big debate in the community. Both sets give you an Attack Up buff.
The Barbarian Set is usually found earlier if you’re exploring caves. It looks cool in a "wild man" sort of way. On the other hand, the Fierce Deity Set is iconic. To get it, you have to follow Misko’s treasure quests, which takes you all over the map, including the "eye" of Skull Lake.
- Barbarian Set: Easier to find in caves, uses Lynel parts for upgrades.
- Fierce Deity Set: Requires dragon parts to upgrade. That’s a grind.
- The Verdict: If you have the amiibo, Fierce Deity is a freebie. If not, Barbarian is more practical for a standard playthrough.
Dealing with the Elements
Hyrule’s weather is out to kill you. You’ve got three main flavors of environmental death: freezing, burning, and slipping.
The Snowquill Set from Rito Village is non-negotiable. You can’t explore Hebra without it. Once you upgrade it twice at a Great Fairy, you get the "Unfreezable" bonus. This means Frost Gleeoks can’t turn you into a Link-sicle.
For the volcano regions, you need the Flamebreaker Set. Buy it in Goron City. It’s expensive. Like, "I need to sell all my gems" expensive. But you can't breathe in the caves without it.
And then there's the rain. The Froggy Set is a godsend. You get it by completing the "Potential Princess Sightings" questline at the various stables. It stops you from slipping on wet rocks. It’s one of those things you don't think you need until you're halfway up a cliff and a thunderstorm starts.
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The Weird and Niche Stuff
Some armor is just... specific.
The Miner’s Set makes you glow. In the Depths, this is okay, but honestly, just throw a Brightbloom seed. It’s way cheaper than upgrading this set.
The Glide Set is probably the most fun. You get it from the "Test of Courage" islands in the sky. It increases your mobility while skydiving. If you upgrade it, you take zero fall damage. You can literally faceplant into the Gleeok Bridge from the stratosphere and walk away.
Hidden Gems and One-Offs
- Majora’s Mask: This is found in the Floating Coliseum in the Depths. You have to fight five Lynels in a row. It’s brutal. But the reward? Most enemies will just ignore you. It's the ultimate "I'm just passing through" gear.
- Champion’s Leathers: Found in the Hyrule Castle Sanctum. Light the torches by the throne. It has the highest defense in the game for a single piece and lets you fire Master Sword beams even when you aren't at full health.
- Sand and Snow Boots: You can buy these at the Gerudo Secret Club. They are essential for moving at normal speeds in the desert or tundra.
How to Actually Upgrade Your Gear
You can’t just find all armor in TotK and be powerful. You have to visit the Great Fairies.
There are four of them: Tera, Mija, Cotera, and Kaysa. You have to complete the "Serenade to a Great Fairy" quests for the Stable Trotters to get them to come out of their buds.
Upgrading costs rupees and materials. Lots of materials. You’ll be hunting Lizalfos for their tails and Bokoblins for their guts for hours.
Pro Tip: Don't try to max out everything. Focus on one high-defense set (like Soldier's or Zonaite) and one utility set (like Stealth or Glide).
The Best Build for Most Players
If you want a "Generalist" build that handles 90% of the game, go with this:
- Diamond Circlet (Head): Found in Gerudo town, gives Attack Up and high defense.
- Champion’s Leathers (Chest): Huge defense and sword perks.
- Fierce Deity Boots (Legs): Another stack of Attack Up.
This combo gives you incredible protection while making your weapons hit like a truck. It doesn't give you a "Set Bonus," but the raw stats usually outweigh the perks for general exploration.
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Practical Next Steps for Your Journey
If you’re looking to round out your collection right now, here is what you should do:
- Check the Depths: Many "classic" Zelda outfits (Time, Twilight, Wind) are hidden in chests in the Depths. Look for the "Old Maps" in the Sky Islands; they mark the locations on your underground map.
- Save your Rupees: You’ll need thousands for the Snowquill and Flamebreaker sets. Start a "ore farm" route around Death Mountain to keep your wallet fat.
- Hunt the Dragons: If you plan on using the Fierce Deity or Ancient Hero's Aspect, start tracking the dragons (Dinraal, Naydra, Farosh, and the Light Dragon) early. You can only harvest one part every 10 minutes of real-world play.
The hunt for all armor in TotK is really about how you want to play. Do you want to be a stealthy ninja, a tanky knight, or a flying squirrel? The gear is there; you just have to go into the dark places to find it.