Link is sweating. You can practically see the heat waves shimmering off the Gerudo Desert sands, and if you don't find some shade or a cold melon fast, that heart meter is going to start ticking down. Most players' first instinct is to run straight to the Gerudo Secret Club or hunt down a certain wandering merchant because, honestly, the desert voe set botw offers is arguably the most versatile gear in the entire game. It isn't just about surviving the sun. It’s about how this specific armor set changes the way you interact with one of Breath of the Wild’s most punishing environments without the constant menu-swapping that makes other regions a chore.
The desert is a binary nightmare. It’s blistering during the day and freezing once the moon hits the dunes. While the Gerudo Clothes (the "Vai" outfit) get you into the city, they’re basically paper-thin silk with zero defensive value. That’s where the Voe gear comes in. It’s rugged. It’s stylish in a "desert mercenary" sort of way. Most importantly, it provides Heat Resistance, which is a totally different mechanic than Flame Guard. Don't mix those up, or you'll end up toasted in Death Mountain while wearing the wrong pants.
Tracking Down the Gerudo Secret Club
You can't just walk into a shop and buy this. Well, you can, but you need a password first. Finding the desert voe set botw hidden shop is a rite of passage for every player. If you've spent any time in Gerudo Town, you’ve probably overheard those two women, Yaaba and Rotana, gossiping in the Noble Canteen. They’re loud about having a secret, but they won't tell you the code if you’re standing right there. You have to go to the house next door, listen through the thin window, and catch the password: GSC◆ (Gerudo Secret Club followed by the diamond symbol).
It feels like a speakeasy. Once you're in, the shopkeeper Greta is surprisingly chill about a "Voe" (man) being in the city, provided you're buying her expensive wares. The set consists of the Desert Voe Headband, the Desert Voe Spaulder, and the Desert Voe Trousers.
✨ Don't miss: Glacial Lure Module Pokémon GO: Why Your Neighborhood PokéStop Just Turned Into An Icebox
If you haven't made it to the desert yet or you're doing a challenge run, there’s another way. You can head to Tarrey Town. But there's a catch. You have to actually build the town first. Once Rhondson and Hudson are married and the "From the Ground Up" quest is finished, a merchant named Rhondson will sell the set. It’s a long walk, but for players who prioritize the Akkala region early, it's a legitimate shortcut to high-tier heat protection.
Why the Set Bonus Actually Matters
The base stats are fine. Each piece starts at 3 defense. That’s standard. But the real magic happens at the Great Fairy Fountains.
Once you upgrade the entire desert voe set botw to at least two stars, you unlock the "Shock Damage Resist" set bonus. This is huge. The Gerudo Desert is crawling with Electric Lizalfos and those annoying Electric Keese that make you drop your weapons. Having a natural resistance to electricity while also staying cool in the 100-degree heat is a massive tactical advantage. It’s basically the "don't make me drop my Hylian Shield" insurance policy.
Think about the math for a second.
- Level 1 Heat Resistance: Stops damage in moderate heat.
- Level 2 Heat Resistance: Keeps you safe in the deep desert during peak afternoon.
- Shock Resistance: Prevents the "drop weapon" animation from minor electrical shocks.
You don't get this from the Gerudo Vai clothes. You certainly don't get it from eating a bunch of Chillshrooms, which eventually wear off right when you're in the middle of a Molduga fight. The Voe set is permanent. It’s reliable.
Comparison to the Ruby Circlet
A lot of people ask if they can just wear the Ruby Circlet and call it a day. Sure. You can. The Ruby Circlet provides one level of Cold Resistance—wait, no, that’s the Sapphire one. The Sapphire Circlet gives Heat Resistance. But here’s the problem: if you mix and match, you lose that Shock Damage Resist set bonus.
Wearing the full Voe set looks cohesive. It feels like Link actually belongs in the wastes. Plus, the Spaulder (the shoulder guard) has this cool leather-and-tassel aesthetic that just looks better than a random circlet paired with Hylian Trousers.
The Cost of Staying Cool
Greta doesn't run a charity. This gear is expensive for the early game.
- Headband: 450 Rupees
- Spaulder: 1,300 Rupees
- Trousers: 600 Rupees
That's a total of 2,350 Rupees. If you’re short on cash, go find some Ore Deposits on the cliffs surrounding the desert. Selling a few Sapphires or Rubies will cover the cost easily. It’s an investment. You’ll spend hours in the desert—hunting for the Seven Heroines, finishing the Vah Naboris questline, or just shield-surfing behind a sand seal. Doing all of that while constantly chugging elixirs is a waste of resources.
🔗 Read more: Risk of Rain 2 Lunar Ruin: Why This Weird Map Secret Still Confuses Players
Upgrading the Voe Set
To make this armor truly "top tier," you need to visit the Great Fairies. The material requirements aren't too bad compared to something like the Ancient Armor, but you'll need to do some bug hunting.
- First Upgrade: 3 White Chuchu Jelly per piece. Easy. Just hit a regular Chuchu with an ice arrow or kill the ice ones in the mountains.
- Second Upgrade: 5 White Chuchu Jelly and 3 Cool Saffinas. You can find Saffinas all over the cold spots in the desert.
- Third Upgrade: 5 Chillshrooms, 5 Icewing Down, and 5 White Chuchu Jelly. This is where you have to head to the Hebra Mountains or Mount Lanayru to farm some Ice Keese.
- Final Upgrade: 5 Great Frost Granteels, 5 Chillshrooms, and 5 more White Chuchu Jelly.
By the time you hit level four, each piece has 20 defense. That’s a total of 60 defense. To put that in perspective, that’s the same protection as the Solders Set or the Ancient Set, but with the added benefit of not dying from a heatstroke.
Common Misconceptions and Nuance
I've seen people try to use the desert voe set botw provides to walk onto Death Mountain. Do not do this. You will catch fire.
The game distinguishes between "Heat" (the sun is hot) and "Fire" (the air is literally burning your lungs). The Voe set is for the desert. For the volcano, you need the Flamebreaker Armor from Goron City. It sounds simple, but when you're staring at the "Heat Resistance" UI icon, it's easy to get confused.
Another thing: the Voe set does not let you into Gerudo Town. Even if you own the shop it was sold in, the guards will still toss you out if they realize you're a man. You still have to do the "cross-dressing" routine every time you want to talk to Riju or buy arrows in the market. It’s a bit of a localized gameplay loop—wear the Vai clothes to shop, swap to the Voe set the second you leave the gates to fight monsters.
Actionable Strategy for Your Next Run
If you're starting a new save or finally tackling the desert, here is the most efficient way to handle this:
First, don't buy the set piece by piece. Save up the full 2,350 Rupees first. While you’re saving, use the Gerudo Vai clothes you get from the "Forbidden City Entry" quest to stay cool. Once you have the cash, infiltrate the Gerudo Secret Club.
💡 You might also like: Shrek Smash n Crash Racing PS2 Explained: Why This Weird Ogre Racer Still Lives in Our Heads
Immediately head to the Great Fairy near the Dragon's Exile (the one under the giant skeleton in the bottom left of the map). If you have the materials, upgrade the set to level two right away. This unlocks the shock resistance. Now, when you go to fight Thunderblight Ganon or just explore the electrified ruins, you aren't nearly as vulnerable.
Lastly, dye it. The default colors are fine, but the Kochi Dye Shop in Hateno Village can turn the set crimson or navy blue, which looks incredible against the orange sand of the Gerudo region.
The desert voe set botw is more than just a costume; it’s a tool. It bridges the gap between survival and mastery. Get it early, upgrade it fast, and stop worrying about the thermometer. It makes the vast, empty stretches of the desert feel like your playground instead of a death trap.
Go find Greta. Bring your Rupees. The desert is a lot more fun when you aren't burning alive.