The Hylian Armor is a classic favorite in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, offering solid defense and a timeless look for early adventures. Here’s where to find each piece, how much it costs, and why it’s a smart pickup before tougher battles begin.
The Hylian Armor set an early game armor best is suited for general exploration around Hyrule. You won’t get any fancy bonuses with the full set, but it’s a good option if you want something to bump up Link’s stats a bit and not break the bank. Additionally, it is easily accessible after completing the Great Sky Island section of the game when Link goes to the Surface for the first time.
This armor set is sold in several locations. However, some locations require other quests to be completed first or might be hard to access on foot early on in this game. But this is the simplest way to get the Hylian Armor.
How to get the Hylian Armor in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
After landing on the Surface from the Great Sky Island, follow the main quest marker to Lookout Landing, where you can grab the Hylian Armor set very early. Head into the armor shop near the town square and purchase the Hylian Hood, Tunic, and Trousers with rupees earned from selling spare materials or cooked meals. Each piece offers a solid defense boost for the early game and costs a modest amount, making this set a practical first upgrade over your starting gear.
Go to the Armor Shop in Lookout Landing. The shop is easily found while walking around the main town square. You should be able to see it outside, but if you have issues finding it, it’s marked on the map with a symbol that looks like a shirt.
From there, you can just walk up to each piece in the stall and buy it. Here’s how much you can expect to pay:
- The Hylian Hood costs 70 rupees
- The Hylian Tunic costs 130 rupees
- The Hylian Trousers cost 120 rupees
Each individual piece of armor has a base state of 3 defense. The set does not grant any other bonuses.
Hylian Armor upgrade costs, set bonus, and effects
The Hylian Armor can be upgraded at Great Fairy Fountains using materials like Bokoblin Guts, Lizalfos Talons, and various monster parts. Each piece can reach four upgrade levels, gradually improving its defense. When all three parts-Hylian Hood, Tunic, and Trousers-are worn together, the set provides increased durability and balanced protection without a unique elemental bonus. This makes it practical for early exploration and reliable for players seeking solid, straightforward defense.
As mentioned above, the Hylian Armor offers no set bonuses or effects. It’s just a nice, early game armor!
You’ll be able to upgrade the pieces of the Hylian Armor at a Great Fairy Fountain, in exchange for the following materials:
- 1-star (5 defense): 3 Bokoblin horns, 10 rupees
- 2-star (8 defense): 5 Blue Bokoblin horns, 3 Bokoblin fangs, 50 rupees
- 3-star (12 defense): 5 Black Bokoblin horn, 3 Bokoblin guts, 20 amber, 200 rupees
- 4-star (20 defense): 5 Silver Bokoblin horn, 5 Bokoblin Guts, 30 amber, 500 rupees
To upgrade this set fully, you’ll need 9 Bokoblin horns, 15 Blue Bokoblin horns, 15 Black Bokoblin horns, 15 Silver Bokoblin horns, 9 Bokoblin fangs, 24 Bokoblin guts, 150 amber, and 2,280 rupees.
How to get the Hylian Shield in TotK
The Hylian Shield in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (TotK) is the strongest shield, offering 90 base defense and high durability, located in the Hyrule Castle Docks north of Lookout Landing.
Access Steps
Travel north from Lookout Landing to the Hyrule Castle moat (coordinates around -0117, 1150, 0110). Enter the cave opening marked by green plants on the north side using a raft, boat, or glider from nearby docks like Castle Town Prison. Climb the stairs inside to reach the upper platform guarded by Gloom Hands and Phantom Ganon.
Puzzle Solution
Defeat or evade the enemies, then light the large unlit brazier at the top with Fire Fruit, a fire weapon, or flame from nearby torches. A chest appears containing the Hylian Shield; this puzzle works only once.
Replacements and Repairs
If broken, repurchase from Cece in Hateno Village after completing the Team Cece or Team Reede side adventure questline (costs 3,000 rupees, resets durability). Repair at rock octoroks by feeding it the shield or via Great Fairies after upgrades.
How to beat Gloom Hands and Phantom Ganon for Hylian Shield
Gloom Hands and Phantom Ganon guard the Hylian Shield in Hyrule Castle Docks cave in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Use ranged attacks and gloom-curing items like Sundelion meals to counter their heart-draining damage. Focus on quick elimination of Gloom Hands before they respawn, then bait Phantom Ganon’s predictable swings for counterattacks.
Gloom Hands Strategy
Destroy all five hands simultaneously to prevent respawns-bomb arrows, elemental fruit arrows (ice/fire), or fused weapons from high ground excel here. Stay airborne via platforms or bullet-time archery to avoid grabs; melee risks heavy gloom damage. Heal hearts immediately with Sundelion dishes post-fight.
Phantom Ganon Tactics
Bait sword variants’ overhead swings, charges, or spins-dodge or parry for Flurry Rush openings, then retreat. Spear types lunge predictably; circle and shield-block. Club versions smash downward; sidestep and punish recoveries. Master Sword deals bonus damage if available.
Prep and Rewards
Enter with 10+ hearts, strong fuses (Lynel horns), and gloom-resistant armor/food. Victory yields the shield chest reveal; foes drop Gloom Sword, Demon’s Bow, and Dark Clumps (avoid unfused Gloom Sword’s penalty).
