You’ve spent hundreds of hours in Hyrule. You’ve climbed the highest peaks of Hebra, parried Guardian lasers until your fingers went numb, and probably gathered enough Korok seeds to make Hestu the richest forest spirit in history. But there is one specific gear set that separates the casual explorers from the absolute completionists. I’m talking about the Wild armor set Breath of the Wild hides behind its most daunting wall of content. It isn't just a set of clothes; it’s a trophy you wear.
Honestly, getting it is a grind. A massive, continent-spanning grind.
Most players finish the game wearing the Champion’s Tunic or maybe some Ancient Gear bought from Robbie. That’s fine. It works. But there is something deeply nostalgic and visually "correct" about seeing Link in his classic green tunic, reimagined for the 2017 masterpiece. The "Of the Wild" set—consisting of the Cap of the Wild, the Tunic of the Wild, and the Trousers of the Wild—is the game’s way of saying "congratulations, you actually did everything."
How You Actually Get the Wild Armor Set Breath of the Wild Requires
Don’t expect to find this in a random chest behind a waterfall. You can’t buy it at a boutique in Tarrey Town, either. To unlock the Wild armor set Breath of the Wild tasks you with completing all 120 Shrines in the base game.
Yeah. All of them.
Once that 120th Monk gives you the final Spirit Orb, a side quest titled "A Gift from the Monks" triggers automatically. You’ll be directed to the Forgotten Temple in the Tanagar Canyon. It’s that massive, crumbling structure filled with more Decayed Guardians than anyone should ever have to deal with in one sitting. Deep inside, behind the massive Goddess Statue, three chests will appear.
That’s your prize.
It’s worth noting that DLC shrines—the ones added in the Champions' Ballad—don't count toward this total. You "only" need the original 120. If you’re sitting at 119 and pulling your hair out, check the hidden ones like the "The Recital at Warbler's Nest" or those tricky ones tucked away in the shadows of the Dueling Peaks.
Why the Stats Actually Matter (and Where They Fail)
Is it the best armor in the game? Kinda. It’s complicated.
Each piece starts with a base defense of 4. When you fully upgrade the set at a Great Fairy Fountain, each piece reaches a defense value of 28. That gives you a total defense of 84. For context, that’s exactly the same as the Ancient Set and the Soldier’s Set. It’s top-tier protection. You become a tank.
But the real draw is the Master Sword Beam Up set bonus.
When you wear the full set (upgraded to at least level two), the beams fired from the Master Sword when you have full health deal significantly more damage. Is this life-changing? Probably not if you’re already a parry god. However, if you enjoy sniped-out Keese or picking off low-level Bokoblins from a distance without wasting durability on your bows, it's a fun perk.
The downside? The upgrade requirements are brutal. You’re going to need dragon parts. Lots of them. Specifically, scales, claws, shards of horns, and teeth from Dinraal, Naydra, and Farosh. It’s a lot of sitting by campfires waiting for the wind to pick up and the music to change.
The Aesthetic Debate: To Dye or Not to Dye?
Let’s be real. We want this set because it looks like classic Link. But the "Wild" version has a bit of a twist—it features shorts. Link is rocking the "breathable" look.
Some people hate the shorts. I personally think they fit the "wild" theme, but if they bother you, the Kochi Dye Shop in Hateno Village is your best friend. You can dye the Wild armor set Breath of the Wild gave you into any color you want. Turning it all blue makes it look like a "Classic Champion" hybrid, while dyeing it red or purple gives it a very Link to the Past or Four Swords vibe.
Interestingly, the Cap of the Wild is often used by players as a standalone piece. It pairs surprisingly well with the Champion’s Tunic, giving you that perfect blend of the new "Blue Link" era and the old-school "Green Hat" legacy.
Dealing with the Forgotten Temple
Getting to the chests is actually a bit of a stealth mission—or a suicide run, depending on how much you trust your shield parries. The Forgotten Temple is a gauntlet.
Pro tip: Don’t bother fighting every Guardian. Use the paraglider and the updrafts created by the Guardian lasers hitting the grass. If you stay high and keep moving, you can bypass most of the chaos. Once you reach the Goddess Statue at the very back, the Guardians stop tracking you. It's a literal sanctuary at the end of a war zone.
Is It Better than the DLC or Amiibo Outfits?
This is where the nuance comes in. If you have the Link Amiibos (like the Ocarina of Time or Twilight Princess versions), you can get "classic" green tunics much earlier in the game.
However, those Amiibo sets usually have lower defense ceilings or less useful set bonuses. The Wild armor set Breath of the Wild offers is the only "traditional" tunic that feels like it belongs to this specific version of Link. It’s built for the mechanics of this world. It’s the "canon" reward for his journey.
Plus, there's the pride factor. Anyone can tap a plastic figure on their controller. Only a true completionist finds every single shrine hidden under rocks and behind bombable walls.
Practical Upgrading: A Checklist for the Dedicated
If you’re going to commit to maxing this set out, you need a plan. You'll need:
- 2 of each dragon part (Scale, Claw, Shard of Fang, Shard of Horn) for the first few tiers.
- Acorns and Courser Bee Honey (easy enough).
- Energizing Beetles.
The dragon farming is the real hurdle. Head to the Riola Spring for Farosh, the Tabantha Great Bridge for Dinraal, and the Lanayru Promenade for Naydra. Set up a campfire, wait for morning, and bring a Golden Bow or a Phrenic Bow for that zoomed-in accuracy. If you miss a shot, you’re waiting another day cycle. It's tedious, but that’s the price of perfection.
The Final Verdict on the Hero of the Wild
The Wild armor set Breath of the Wild provides isn't about utility. If you wanted utility, you’d wear the climbing gear or the Zora armor. This set is about the narrative. It’s about finishing the loop.
When you finally step out of the Forgotten Temple wearing that green cap, the game feels different. You aren't just a guy who woke up in a cave with amnesia anymore. You’re the legendary hero, fully realized. It’s the perfect attire for the final showdown with Ganon at Hyrule Castle.
Next Steps for Completionists
Start by checking your loading screen. That number next to the shrine icon? If it isn't 120, you have work to do. Focus on the shrine quests first, as those are usually the ones players miss because they don't trigger until you talk to a specific NPC or read a specific book. Once you hit 120, warp to the Hebra Tower and glide down into the canyon to find the Forgotten Temple. Don't forget your Ancient Arrows—just in case those Guardians get too chatty.
Once you have the set, head straight to Hateno. Even if you love the green, seeing it in "Navy Blue" or "Crimson" is worth the 20 rupees just to see how the textures hold up.