Summary
As one of the biggest game releases in 2023,The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomhas served many players well. Taking everything that madeBreath of the Wildgreat in 2017 and building on it,The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomgave many fans another memorable adventure through Hyrule. During the lead-up, many were uncertain ifTotKcould live up to the impact of its predecessor, but now that the dust has settled it seems thatThe Legend of Zeldahas topped itself yet again.
With the aid of new, game-changing powers like Ultrahand and Fuse, Link once again sets out to save the kingdom of Hyrule from the looming threat of Ganondorf. Those aren’t the only tools he has at his disposal, with things like Sage powers acting as dungeon items and a bevy of crafted items bolstering Link’s efforts. While much ofTears of the Kingdomwill be spent constructing vehiclesand weapons for immediate use, there is another important side to gameplay that shouldn’t be understated. Armor is an invaluable part ofTears of the Kingdom, and precedents new pieces have set hint at great things in the expected DLC.
RELATED:Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’s Armor Upgrade System Should Have Leveled the Playing Field
The Old Approach to DLC Armor Won’t Work In Tears of the Kingdom
Out ofTears of the Kingdom’s many additions, players were surprised to find that all the prior DLC and amiibo armor was added toTears' base game. Now, all players can find Link cosplay gear for pastZeldatitles, as well as characters like Tingle, Phantom Ganon, and Ravio. Several of these are sadly ineligible forarmor upgrades withTotK’s Great Fairies, but some are, and others offer valuable set bonuses or effects like the Divine Beast masks giving corresponding Sages matching helmets.
This does raise the question of what outfitsTears of the KingdomDLC can add, asBreath of the Wild’s DLC episodes both came with a significant amount of new armor. Asmost gear fromBreath of the Wildis inTears of the Kingdom, and most major Link incarnations have been referenced, it’s unclear what armor hypotheticalTotKDLC would even add. However, as proven by the game’s new gear, creative equipment can be more than visually distinct.
Tears of the Kingdom Pushes the Boundaries of Armor Effects
Technically,Tears of the Kingdomonly added twelve new sets toBreath of the Wild’s mostly in-tact collection. Said technicalities include the Desert Voe set replacing the Desert Vai set, Yiga gear becoming an alternative to Sheikah clothes, andthe Ancient Hero’s Aspectjust being a chest piece that functions as an entire set. What this batch of equipment may lack in quantity, it makes up for in quality. Sets inherited fromBreath of the Wildusually have plain effects granting temperature immunity or buffing a stat, things the new armor avoids in favor of widening the playing field.
It says something that the lesser effects include the weather-based boons of the dragon sets and Gloom resistance. Level 2 set bonuses eventually include immunity to slipping, surviving falls from any height, leaving a path of light, and powering up Zonai devices or the Master Sword’s beams. The Mystic set even trades rupees for damage, making it invaluable in some circumstances. More armor abilities like these wouldshift how players approachTears of the Kingdom, even if its DLC adds half as much armor asBotW’s. With fanservice costumes and stat buffs taken care of, some very creative DLC attire could be inTears of the Kingdom’s future.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomis available now on the Nintendo Switch.
MORE:8 Balanced Armor Set Ups To Try In Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
