You’ve probably heard his theme music before you even saw his face. It’s that jaunty, slightly mechanical tune that stands out in a game otherwise defined by minimalist piano notes. Breath of the Wild Robbie is arguably the most eccentric NPC in the entire Zelda franchise, and honestly, if you aren't making a beeline for his lab the moment you leave the Great Plateau, you’re making the game way harder than it needs to be. He’s the lead researcher of the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. He’s a survivor of the Great Calamity. He’s also a guy who insists on posing like a rock star while his wife, Jerrin, watches with what I can only describe as saint-like patience.
The first time I trekked to the northeast corner of the map, I was mostly just looking for a way to stop getting obliterated by Guardians. Those laser-sights are terrifying when you only have three hearts and a pot lid. Robbie is the solution to that specific brand of anxiety.
Finding the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab
Most players meet Purah in Hateno Village first. She’s the one who tells you about her "colleague" out in the sticks. But the journey to find Robbie is a literal uphill battle. You have to head to the far reaches of the Akkala region. It’s the area with the deep orange autumn leaves and the constant threat of lightning storms. The lab itself sits atop a high cliff overlooking the Sea of Hyrule. It looks like a lighthouse that someone tried to repair using parts from a discarded clock.
Getting there is easy. Keeping the blue flame alive? That’s the real challenge.
Just like in Hateno, you have to carry a blue flame from an ancient furnace to the lab’s boiler. The catch is that Akkala is crawling with enemies. Moblin patrols and Blue Lizalfos are everywhere. If it starts raining—which it does constantly in Akkala—your torch goes out. You’re back to square one. I’ve found that the best way to handle this is to clear the path of enemies first, wait for a clear weather window, and use the lanterns along the path as checkpoints. Don't try to sprint the whole way. It never works.
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Cherry and the Ancient Oven
Once you light that furnace, the lab comes to life. This is where you meet Cherry. Well, Robbie calls her Cherry. She’s actually a massive, repurposed ancient robot that functions as a high-tech vending machine. Robbie is deeply attached to her. In fact, his wife Jerrin is a little weirded out by how much he talks to the machine. It’s one of those small, environmental storytelling details that makes Breath of the Wild feel lived-in.
Robbie doesn't just give you gear for free. He’s a scientist, not a charity. You need "Ancient Materials" and a hefty amount of Rupees. We're talking about screws, shafts, gears, and those elusive Giant Ancient Cores.
The Gear That Actually Matters
Most people go to Robbie for the Ancient Armor set. It’s iconic. It makes Link look like a walking Guardian, complete with a bucket-shaped helmet that people either love or absolutely despise.
- Ancient Proficiency: This is the hidden gem. If you upgrade the full armor set twice at a Great Fairy Fountain, you get a set bonus that increases your damage with ancient weapons by 80%. Pair that with an "Attack Up" meal, and you become a literal god.
- Ancient Arrows: These are the "delete" buttons of the game. If you hit a Guardian in the eye with one, it’s a one-shot kill. If you hit a regular enemy, they simply vanish from existence. They don't drop loot, though. They just... go away.
- The Ancient Shield: This is arguably the most useful item Robbie sells. It automatically reflects Guardian lasers back at them without you having to time a perfect parry. It’s expensive, but for players who struggle with the timing of the Shield Bash, it’s a literal lifesaver.
The Man Behind the Goggles
Robbie’s backstory is actually pretty heavy if you bother to read his diary. He’s over 100 years old. He was there when the Kingdom fell. While Link was sleeping in the Shrine of Resurrection, Robbie was spending decades scavaging Guardian parts and trying to turn the enemy's technology against them.
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He’s obsessed with "rock and roll" aesthetics, which feels weirdly anachronistic for Hyrule, but it works. He wears goggles that look like they were pulled off a Guardian scout. He has scars. He's a man who has clearly seen some things, yet he chooses to be the most high-energy person in the game. It's a defense mechanism, probably. Or maybe he just really likes his job.
The Strategy for Ancient Parts
If you want Robbie’s best gear, you’re going to need parts. Lots of them. The best place to farm these is the wreckage outside of Fort Hateno or the Central Hyrule field.
Pro Tip: You can "flip" dead Guardians. If you find a rusted, non-functional Guardian sitting in a puddle, use Cryonis to build an ice pillar under it. Often, extra screws or gears will pop out from underneath. It’s a bit of a glitchy mechanic, but it’s 100% effective for early-game grinding.
For the "live" Guardians, you want to aim for the legs. Taking out a Guardian's legs with a Guardian Sword or a well-placed arrow stuns them and drops extra materials. Once they can't move, they're just big, scary targets. Robbie would be proud of that kind of tactical efficiency.
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Why Robbie is Better Than Purah
Look, Purah is great. She’s the one who fixes your Sheikah Slate. But Robbie provides the combat utility. While Purah is busy taking selfies and acting like a child (literally, due to her failed age-reversing experiment), Robbie is out here manufacturing weapons of mass destruction to help you actually win the war.
There is a sense of isolation in the Akkala lab that you don't get in Hateno. Hateno is a bustling village. Akkala is a frontier. Robbie and Jerrin are out there on the edge of the world, surrounded by monsters, just doing the work. It makes the rewards you get from them feel earned. When you finally walk out of that lab with a full set of Ancient Gear and a glowing blue chainsaw (the Ancient Bladesaw), you feel like the tide of the war has finally shifted in your favor.
Essential Next Steps for Your Playthrough
If you’ve been putting off the trek to the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, stop. You’re missing out on the best gear in the game. Here is exactly what you should do right now:
- Farm 2,000 Rupees. You’ll need it for the armor pieces. Sell your gemstones; you can always find more later.
- Go to the Torin Wetland. There’s a Guardian Stalker there. Practice parrying or just break its legs to get the Ancient Screws and Springs Robbie requires.
- Check the weather. Don't even attempt the blue flame run if there’s a cloud on the forecast. Find a cooking pot, sit by the fire until morning, and wait for a clear day.
- Buy the Ancient Short Sword first. It’s durable, fast, and does massive damage to Guardians. It’s the best "bang for your buck" item Cherry offers.
- Read the diary. It’s on the desk in the back. It adds a layer of depth to Robbie that makes the whole experience more rewarding.
Once you have the Ancient Shield in your inventory, the Guardians that used to hunt you become your prey. It changes the entire power dynamic of the game. Go find the old man in the goggles and get to work.
Practical Insight: The Ancient Proficiency bonus only applies to "Ancient" or "Guardian" weapons. It does not apply to the Master Sword, even though the Master Sword glows near Guardians. To maximize Robbie's gear, carry a few Ancient Bladesaws or Spears specifically for boss fights.