Players won't be able to dive underwater in Breath of the Wild, but they can equip Link with different armor and accessories to increase swimming speed. If they're following BotW's main story, they'll get the Zora Armor without too much trouble. However, they'll need to put in some effort for the Zora Helm and Zora Greaves.
Like most armor sets in Breath of the Wild, each piece of the Zora Gear can be upgraded. So if players are on their first playthrough, they'll want to find the remaining pieces of the Zora Set, especially if they're still in the beginning stages of BotW. Equipping the gear's set bonus (helm, armor, and greaves) is a must-have for swimming.
Zora Armor
If players meet Sidon at Inogo Bridge by Lanayru Tower, they'll unlock the Reach Zora's Domain. Follow the objective marker, and then speak with King Dorephan to complete the quest. This will also start the Divine Beast Vah Ruta main quest. More importantly, he'll give Link the Zora Armor.
The Zora Armor has a base defense of 3 and allows Link to swim up waterfalls. Unfortunately, Dorephan won't be handing over the matching helm or greaves. However, the Zora Armor's special ability is vital to boarding Vah Ruta. It's also useful in getting the Zora Helm.
Zora Helm
The Zora Helm can be found at Toto's Lake. Once players have received the Zora Armor from King Dorephan in Zora's Domain, they'll be able to scale waterfalls. Look north of Zora's Domain (from the Ne'ez Yohma Shrine) and there will be two waterfalls. Equip the Zora Armor and swim up the first. Swim up the second waterfall to reach Toto's Lake (refer to the red marker on the above image).
Toto's Lake is littered with submerged ruins, so right away, players should know the Zora Helm is going to be underwater. Equip the Magnesis Rune and stand on one of the walls in the middle. Use Magnesis to spot the sunken chest and haul it ashore. Inside will be the Zora Helm, which has a base defense of 3.
The Zora Helm also allows Link to use the Water Spin Attack. With the Helm equipped, press X while swimming to perform a spinning attack in water. This will damage any opponents (or fish) in Link's way.
Zora Greaves
To get the Zora Greaves, speak to a Zora woman named Laflat to get the Lynel Safari sidequest. She's standing by the east bridge on the second floor of Zora's Domain (one floor above the Ne'ez Yohma Shrine). Refer to the yellow arrow on the above image.
Speak to her, and she'll want Link to take a picture of the Lynel on Polymus Mountain. Show her the picture, and she'll give him the Zora Greaves as thanks. If players are working on the Divine Beast Vah Ruta quest, they'll be pushed to go to Polymus Mountain for x20 Shock Arrows. This is the perfect chance for players to get a picture of the Lynel.
Players need the Camera Rune in order to do this sidequest. If they haven't done so, go to Hateno Village and light the forge with the blue flame at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab. Head inside and speak to Purah to unlock the Camera Rune.
The Zora Greaves don't offer any special abilities like its Armor or Helm counterparts. It has a base defense of 3 and will increase Link's swimming speed. With this, BotW players will now have the complete Zora Set, so the next step is to upgrade them.
Upgrading the Zora Set
There are a total of four Great Fairies all around Hyrule. The closest one is up the hill of Kakariko Village. The remaining three are in the far southwest of Gerduo Desert, near Lake Akkala, and between Piper Ride and Tabantha Tower.
Link will need to have all four of the Great Fairy Fountains "restored" in order to upgrade the Zora Set to its max capacity. Here's the required materials for each upgrade:
|
Zora Armor |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Upgrade Level |
Defense |
Required Materials |
|
1 |
5 |
|
|
2 |
8 |
|
|
3 |
12 |
|
|
4 |
20 |
|
|
Zora Helm |
||
|
Upgrade Level |
Defense |
Required Materials |
|
1 |
5 |
|
|
2 |
8 |
|
|
3 |
12 |
|
|
4 |
20 |
|
|
Zora Greaves |
||
|
Upgrade Level |
Defense |
Required Materials |
|
1 |
5 |
|
|
2 |
8 |
|
|
3 |
12 |
|
|
4 |
20 |
|
The Zora Set's 'set bonus' is increased swim stamina. If players are having a hard time finding the materials, they can track the items (as long as they have a picture in the Compendium) using the Sheikah Sensor +, which is, as most would expect, an upgrade of the Sheikah Sensor "obtainable" from Purah.
Only items that are registered to the Hyrule Compendium can be tracked by the Sheikah Sensor +. Meaning, for example, Link must have taken a picture of a Lizalfos in order to track the Lizalfos Tails and Claws.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is available for Nintendo Switch.