The Unique Armor Dynamics in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - A Must-Have for Enhanced DLC Equipment

Highlights

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom expands on the triumph of Breath of the Wild, delivering an unforgettable journey that introduces innovative abilities and devices such as Ultrahand and Fuse, which dramatically redefine gameplay dynamics.

Armor is an essential aspect of Tears of the Kingdom as it encompasses DLC and amiibo armor from the base game, providing beneficial set bonuses and effects. The upcoming DLC raises curiosity regarding the introduction of new armor sets.

Tears of the Kingdom brings forth twelve innovative armor sets that redefine the realm of armor effects. These sets go beyond mere enhancements to statistics or resistance to temperature, offering unique capabilities such as slip immunity, survival from falls, and the ability to exchange rupees for damage. These additions open up captivating gameplay options for players.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, released in 2023, has established itself as one of the most significant game launches of the year. Buoyed by the success of its predecessor, Breath of the Wild, this installment has captured the hearts of many players, delivering another captivating journey through the mystical land of Hyrule. Initial doubts about whether Tears of the Kingdom could live up to its predecessor have been dispelled, showcasing the game's ability to surpass expectations.

Equipped with new and game-changing abilities such as Ultrahand and Fuse, Link embarks on a mission to rescue the kingdom of Hyrule from the imminent threat of Ganondorf. However, these aren't the only tools at Link's disposal. Sage powers now serve as dungeon items, while a wide array of crafted items enhance Link's capabilities. While players will dedicate a significant amount of time to constructing vehicles and weapons for immediate use, it is crucial not to undermine the importance of armor in Tears of the Kingdom. The introduction of new armor pieces hints at exciting possibilities for the anticipated DLC content.

The Old Approach to DLC Armor Won't Work In Tears of the Kingdom

Players were pleasantly surprised to discover that Tears of the Kingdom's base game now includes all the previous DLC and amiibo armor. This means that players can now equip their characters with Link cosplay gear from previous Zelda titles, as well as outfits inspired by characters like Tingle, Phantom Ganon, and Ravio. Unfortunately, not all of these outfits can be upgraded with TotK's Great Fairies, but some do offer valuable set bonuses or effects, such as the Divine Beast masks that come with matching helmets for the corresponding Sages.

This development begs the question of what additional outfits the Tears of the Kingdom DLC will introduce, considering the significant amount of new armor that came with Breath of the Wild's DLC episodes. With most of the gear from Breath of the Wild already incorporated into Tears of the Kingdom and references to most major Link incarnations, it remains uncertain what hypothetical TotK DLC would bring in terms of new armor. Nevertheless, the game has shown that creative equipment can offer more than just visual distinctiveness.

Tears of the Kingdom Pushes the Boundaries of Armor Effects

Tears of the Kingdom added twelve new sets to the existing collection in Breath of the Wild, with a few technicalities. For instance, the Desert Voe set replaced the Desert Vai set, the Yiga gear became an alternative to Sheikah clothes, and the Ancient Hero's Aspect is a chest piece that functions as a full set. Despite the limited quantity, these new sets excel in quality. Unlike the inherited sets from Breath of the Wild, which mainly offer temperature immunity or stat buffs, the new armor in Tears of the Kingdom offers a wider range of benefits.

Even the lesser effects, such as the weather-based boons of the dragon sets and Gloom resistance, are quite impressive. As players progress to the level 2 set bonuses, they gain immunity to slipping, the ability to survive falls from any height, the power to leave a path of light, and the ability to strengthen Zonai devices or the Master Sword's beams. The Mystic set even allows players to trade rupees for increased damage, proving to be invaluable in certain situations. If Tears of the Kingdom were to introduce more armor abilities like these, it would significantly alter the gameplay experience, even if it includes only half as much armor as BotW's DLC. With the fanservice costumes and stat buffs already taken care of, there is great potential for very imaginative DLC attire in Tears of the Kingdom's future.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available now on the Nintendo Switch.