Death Mountain is a literal death trap. If you’ve played The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you know the feeling. You start climbing up the path toward Goron City, the air starts shimmering, and suddenly, Link is on fire. It’s not just "hot" like the Gerudo Desert; it’s volcanic. Your wooden shields are ash. Your bows are gone. You’re ticking away hearts every few seconds. Honestly, it’s one of the most stressful gatekeeping mechanics in the entire game because it feels like the world itself wants you dead.
You need the Flamebreaker set. Most people call it the fireproof armor Breath of the Wild players can't live without, and they aren't exaggerating. Without it, you are basically a walking BBQ rib. But here’s the kicker: Goron City is expensive. Like, "I need to sell all my diamonds" expensive.
Most guides just tell you to buy the set and move on. They don't mention that you can actually get a piece for free if you’re willing to hunt some lizards, or that you don't even need the full set for most of the mountain. Let's break down how this gear actually works, where the hidden costs are, and why you might be overspending on Fireproof Elixirs like a total amateur.
The Southern Mine Shortcut Everyone Misses
Before you even reach the shops in Goron City, you’ll hit the Southern Mine. Keep your eyes peeled for an NPC named Kema Dulop. He’s a Hylian researcher hanging out near the cooking pot. He’s got a quest called "Fireproof Lizard Hunt."
He wants 10 Fireproof Lizards.
If you give them to him, he hands over the Flamebreaker Armor (the chest piece) for free. This is huge. The chest piece alone costs 600 Rupees in the shop. In the early game, 600 Rupees is a lot of Ore or a lot of captured critters. Getting this for free saves you a massive headache.
Pro tip for the lizards: Don't run. They’re skittish. Crouch and sneak. Or better yet, wear the Stealth Set (Sheikah gear) from Kakariko Village if you have it. If you don't have the stealth gear, just tap the joystick gently. You’ll find these little guys under rocks or just scurrying around the flat ground of the mine. Lift every rock you see. Seriously. Just watch out for the occasional Octorok that wants to ruin your day.
Why You Only Need Two Pieces (Usually)
Here is a bit of mechanical nuance the game doesn't explicitly explain: Fireproof levels.
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The heat on Death Mountain is tiered. The lower levels only require Level 1 Fireproof protection. One piece of armor or one elixir does the trick. As you go higher—specifically toward the Bridge of Eldin and the peak where Divine Beast Vah Rudania hangs out—you need Level 2.
You almost never "need" Level 3.
The fireproof armor Breath of the Wild provides is sold in three parts:
- Flamebreaker Helm: 2,000 Rupees
- Flamebreaker Armor: 600 Rupees
- Flamebreaker Boots: 700 Rupees
Total cost? 3,300 Rupees. That’s a steep price tag for a set that makes Link look like a chunky deep-sea diver. If you got the chest piece for free from Kema Dulop, you only need to buy the boots for 700 to reach Level 2 protection. You can skip the 2,000 Rupee helmet entirely unless you're a completionist or you really want the set bonus.
The "Fireproof" set bonus is actually "Fireproof" (the status), meaning you won't take damage from fire-based attacks or standing on hot floors. But for just walking around the volcano? Two pieces are fine. Keep your 2,000 Rupees and buy some Ancient Arrows instead.
Survival Before the Armor: The Elixir Trap
You can’t even reach the Southern Mine to get the free armor without some protection. This is where Gaile comes in. She’s an NPC at the Foothill Stable, right at the base of the path leading up to Eldin. She sells Fireproof Elixirs.
Don't buy too many.
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Three is plenty. Use one to get to the Southern Mine, grab your free armor, and then you're set forever. If you want to craft them yourself to save money, the recipe is simple: Fireproof Lizards + Monster Parts. The more lizards you add, the longer it lasts. But honestly, just buying them from Gaile is faster if you have a spare 150 Rupees.
Don't confuse "Fireproof" with "Heat Resistant." This is a classic mistake. Chilly Elixirs (made with Winterwing Butterflies) or the Desert Voe armor will do absolutely nothing on Death Mountain. You aren't fighting the sun; you're fighting ambient volcanic gas. It sounds pedantic, but it’s the difference between a fun mountain hike and seeing the "Game Over" screen five times in a row.
Upgrading the Gear: Is It Worth the Grind?
If you want to upgrade this set at a Great Fairy Fountain, be prepared to hunt.
- Level 1: Fireproof Lizards and Moblin Horns. Easy.
- Level 2: Fireproof Lizards and Moblin Fang. Still doable.
- Level 3: Smotherwing Butterflies and Moblin Guts. Now we have a problem.
Smotherwing Butterflies are annoying. They only spawn in the hotter areas of Eldin, and they disappear the second they see you. If you’re determined to max out the armor, you’ll need to set your Sheikah Sensor+ to track them.
The Level 2 upgrade is the sweet spot. Once every piece is at Level 2, you get the "Fireproof" set bonus. This makes you immune to being set on fire by things like Fire Keese or Red Chuchus. It also makes the Vah Rudania boss fight significantly less irritating because you can ignore some of the environmental hazards.
Selling Ore to Fund Your Gear
If you didn't do the lizard quest and you're staring at the 3,300 Rupee price tag in the Goron City shop (Ripped and Shredded), you need cash. Eldin is actually the best place to get it. The region is covered in rare ore deposits.
Look for the black, sparkling rocks. Use a sledgehammer or a remote bomb to break them. You’ll find Rubies, Sapphires, and Topaz.
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Don't sell these to just any merchant. If you’ve cleared some of the Divine Beasts, look for Ramella in Goron City. She’s a Gerudo merchant who buys gems in bulk (usually 10 at a time) for a much higher price than the general stores. She rotates which gem she wants, but it’s the fastest way to get rich in the land of fire.
Common Myths and Misconceptions
People think you can use the Flameblade to stay cool. Nope. That works in the desert (Ice blade keeps you cool, Fire blade keeps you warm). On the volcano, a Fireblade won't help you, and an Ice blade won't stop you from combusting.
Another weird one: "Just eat food constantly." Sure, you can technically "brute force" the mountain by eating apples every five seconds to heal the burn damage. It’s a miserable way to play. It ruins the exploration. Get the armor.
Lastly, remember that your gear matters. If you're wearing the fireproof set but you pull out a wooden Forest Dweller's Bow, it will catch fire and break in seconds. Stick to metal gear—Knight’s bows, Royal Claymores, or the Goron-made Stone Smasher.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Journey
If you are currently standing at the base of the mountain, here is exactly what you should do:
- Go to Foothill Stable and buy 2-3 Fireproof Elixirs from Gaile.
- Follow the path up to the Southern Mine. Don't stop to fight every stray Moblin; just move.
- Catch every Fireproof Lizard you see on the way. Check under every rock.
- Talk to Kema Dulop at the mine. Give him 10 lizards for the free Flamebreaker Armor.
- Head into Goron City and buy the Flamebreaker Boots (700 Rupees).
- Equip both pieces. You are now permanently safe from the environment.
- Save your money for the Flamebreaker Helm only if you find yourself getting knocked into lava or hit by fire attacks frequently.
The volcano is one of the most rewarding areas in the game because it holds the secret to the Master Sword's power and some of the best high-end materials. Getting your fireproof gear sorted early removes the "timer" feeling and lets you actually enjoy the verticality of Eldin. Go hit some rocks, save some lizards, and stop burning to death. It’s much more fun that way.