Look, if you’ve just stepped off the Great Plateau in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you’re basically a walking target. One hit from a Blue Bokoblin and it’s game over. You need defense. But more than that, you need an edge. That’s where the Zelda BOTW Phantom Armor comes in. Most players ignore it because it's DLC content, or they think it’s just a cosmetic nod to Spirit Tracks and Phantom Hourglass.
They’re wrong.
This set is arguably the most "broken" early-game item in the entire Master Trials expansion. It gives you a massive attack boost immediately. No upgrades required. No grinding for Lynel guts. Just pure, unadulterated power from the jump.
Finding the Phantom Armor Pieces Without Getting Wrecked
The armor isn't just sitting in a shop. You’ve got to hunt for it across the Hyrule Field area. This is dangerous territory. Guardians are everywhere. If you aren't careful, you’ll be a pile of ash before you even find the first chest. Honestly, the hardest part isn't finding the locations—it’s navigating the laser-sight nightmare that is Central Hyrule.
First, you need to find the rumors. You can head to the Outpost Ruins to read Misko’s EX Journal, but if you want to save time, just head straight for the ruins.
The Helmet at the Coliseum
The Coliseum Ruins are intimidating. There’s a Lynel right in the center. Don't fight him. Seriously, unless you’re a parry god, just sneak around the edges. The Phantom Helmet is tucked away in a chest in the ground. Use Magnesis. It’s your best friend here. Look in the northwestern corner of the ground floor. You’ll see the metallic glow of the chest buried in the dirt. Pull it up, grab the helm, and warp out of there before that Lynel decides you look like a snack.
The Armor at the Sacred Ground Ruins
This one is iconic but exposed. The Sacred Ground Ruins are right in front of Hyrule Castle. It’s the spot where the "Subdued Ceremony" memory takes place. It's also crawling with Guardians. The chest is submerged in the water near the center of the ruins. Use Cryonis to give yourself a platform or just stand on the edge and yank it out with Magnesis. It gives you 8 points of defense and that sweet Attack Up buff.
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The Greaves at the Outpost Ruins
These are the easiest to find but the hardest to spot if you’re rushing. The Outpost Ruins are just east of the Great Plateau. Look for a bookshelf or a broken-down wall section near the southern end of the ruins. The chest is buried in the ground. Again, Magnesis is the key.
The Math Behind Why This Armor Dominates
Why do people care so much? It's simple. The Zelda BOTW Phantom Armor provides a total of 24 defense when you have the full set. Compare that to the Soldier's Armor you can buy in Hateno Village. The Soldier's Armor starts lower and requires a ton of materials to upgrade at a Great Fairy Fountain.
But the real kicker is the Attack Up bonus.
Each piece gives you one "tier" of attack power. With all three pieces, you get the maximum level three Attack Up. This increases your damage output by 50%. Let that sink in. You are doing 1.5x damage to everything you hit, and you can get this within 20 minutes of leaving the Plateau.
It’s basically the Barbarian Set, but you don't have to navigate three giant, confusing Lomei Labyrinths to get it.
The Massive Catch: You Can't Upgrade It
Here is the "expert" nuance most guides gloss over. The Phantom Armor has a hard ceiling. You cannot take it to a Great Fairy. You cannot make it better.
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In the late game, when you have a fully upgraded Ancient Set or the Wild Set, the Phantom Armor becomes a liability. A fully upgraded set can reach 84 defense. The Phantom Armor is stuck at 24. If a Silver Moblin hits you while you're wearing this in the late game, you're going to feel it.
- Early Game: God Tier.
- Mid Game: Still very viable for boss fights.
- Late Game: Mostly for the "drip" or quick damage bursts.
Misconceptions About the Set Bonus
A lot of players think every armor set in Breath of the Wild has a hidden "Set Bonus" that triggers when you wear all three pieces after upgrading them twice.
That doesn't happen here.
Because you can't upgrade it, there is no "Hidden Set Bonus." You don't get a stamina boost or a special move. You just get the cumulative 24 defense and the level three attack buff. Some people find this disappointing. Personally? I think it makes the game more balanced. If you could upgrade this to 80+ defense and keep the attack buff, there would be no reason to ever wear anything else. It would invalidate the entire armor system.
The Aesthetic and the Lore
For the lore nerds, this armor is a direct reference to the Phantoms from the DS Zelda games. These were the invincible suits of armor that Zelda would possess to help Link navigate the Tower of Spirits.
The design is chunky. It's purple and imposing. Link looks a bit ridiculous in it, honestly, because he's so small compared to the massive pauldrons. But there’s something satisfying about watching this tiny kid in a hulking suit of ghostly armor absolutely shredding a Hinox.
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How to Actually Use This in a Playthrough
If you’re starting a new save file, especially on Master Mode, this should be your first priority. Master Mode enemies regenerate health. You need to kill them fast. The 50% damage boost is not a luxury; it’s a necessity.
- Leave the Plateau. Paraglide toward the Outpost Ruins.
- Grab the Greaves. They are right there.
- Warp/Travel to the Coliseum. Be sneaky. Grab the Helmet.
- Stealth to the Sacred Ground Ruins. Grab the Chestpiece.
Once you have the full Zelda BOTW Phantom Armor, you can focus your Rupees on other things, like arrows or the Hylian set for cold resistance. You won't need to worry about combat defense for a long time.
It’s worth noting that the armor sells for a decent chunk of change, but don't do it. You cannot get it back easily if you sell it (you’d have to find Granté in Tarrey Town, and he charges a fortune). Keep it in your inventory for those moments when you just need to hit something really, really hard.
Actionable Next Steps
To maximize the value of this set, pair it with high-durability weapons. Since your damage is boosted, you're getting more "value" out of every swing of a sword or spear.
- Hunt for the Iron Sledgehammer: Found near many shrines or the Owa Daim shrine. With the Phantom Armor, this becomes a terrifying tool for smashing Talus bosses early on.
- Go for the Master Sword early: Since you aren't spending materials on armor upgrades, you can focus all your resources on cooking "Hearty" foods to temporary boost your health, though you still need 13 permanent heart containers for the sword itself.
- Focus on the Great Plateau's surrounding towers: Use the Phantom Armor to clear the enemy camps surrounding the Central Tower. It makes the climb much less stressful when you can two-tap the scouts.
The Phantom Armor isn't just a nostalgic Easter egg. It is a strategic tool that changes the pacing of the early game. Get it, wear it, and stop being afraid of the shadows in Hyrule Field.