So, you’re trekking through Hyrule, barely surviving a single hit from a Blue Bokoblin, and you’re probably thinking: "I need better gear, and I need it now." Most players default to the Hylian set or maybe the Soldier’s armor if they have the rupees. But honestly? If you have the DLC, you’re sleeping on the Phantom Armor.
It’s easily one of the most polarizing sets in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Some people think it’s a "cheat code" for the early game, while others write it off because you can't upgrade it. I’m here to tell you that it’s actually the smartest pickup you can make before you even think about stepping foot near Ganon’s front door.
The Raw Power of the Phantom Armor Set
Let’s talk numbers for a second, but I promise I won’t make it feel like a math class. Each piece of the Phantom Armor—the helmet, the chest piece, and the greaves—starts with a base defense of 8.
That’s a total of 24 defense points right out of the box.
To put that in perspective, the Soldier’s Armor (the "tanky" set of the base game) starts at a measly 4 defense per piece. You’d have to track down Great Fairies and dump a bunch of materials into the Soldier’s set just to match what the Phantom set gives you for free.
And the real kicker? The Attack Up bonus.
Each piece gives you one level of attack boost. Wear the whole suit, and you’ve got a Level 3 Attack Up buff constantly active. This is basically the same as eating a "Mighty" meal made with five Razorshrooms, but it never wears off. When you're early in the game and your weapons are basically made of glass and hope, that extra damage is a literal life-saver.
Finding the Pieces (Without Losing Your Mind)
You can’t just buy this at a shop in Kakariko. Since it’s DLC content from The Master Trials, you have to go on a bit of a scavenger hunt. The quest is called "EX Treasure: Phantasma," and it starts with a journal left by the bandit Misko at the Outpost Ruins.
Don't bother reading the cryptic riddles if you're in a hurry. I've got the locations right here.
1. The Phantom Helmet: Coliseum Ruins
This one is a bit intimidating. The Coliseum is home to a Silver (or Golden) Lynel depending on how far you are in the game. Basically, don't fight it if you aren't ready. * The Spot: Head to the ground floor.
- The Search: Look along the northwest wall.
- The Get: The chest is buried in the dirt. Use your Magnesis rune—it'll glow pink through the ground. Just yank it out, grab the helm, and run like Link's life depends on it. Because it does.
2. The Phantom Armor (Chest): Sacred Ground Ruins
This is probably the coolest location because it’s where one of the most emotional "Memory" cutscenes takes place. It’s that circular fountain area just south of Hyrule Castle.
- The Spot: The fountain itself.
- The Search: It’s underwater.
- The Get: Stand on the edge and click your right stick to activate Magnesis. You’ll see the chest sitting in the water on the southeast side of the ruins. Easy grab.
3. The Phantom Greaves: Hyrule Garrison Ruins
These ruins are crawling with Decayed Guardians, so keep your shield parry timing ready or just stay sneaky.
- The Spot: The southeast corner of the Garrison ruins.
- The Search: Look for a Guardian that looks like it died while trying to climb a wall.
- The Get: The chest is buried right next to that "dead" Guardian. Again, Magnesis is your best friend here.
The "No Upgrade" Problem: Is it a Dealbreaker?
Here is the catch. You cannot upgrade the Phantom Armor at a Great Fairy. Not even a little bit.
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This means that by the time you reach the late game, a fully upgraded Ancient Set or the Barbarian Set will objectively be better. At max level, those sets have way more defense.
But you've got to think about the now.
Getting the Barbarian Set requires clearing three massive Labyrinths. Upgrading the Ancient Set requires a ridiculous amount of Guardian parts and thousands of rupees. You can get the full Phantom Set in about fifteen minutes of horse riding. It’s the ultimate "bridge" armor. It carries you through the mid-game while you're still hunting for those rare upgrade materials.
It’s Actually Scarier Than You Think
One detail people always miss: the "fear" factor.
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In Breath of the Wild, certain armor sets make NPCs react differently. If you walk into a stable wearing the full Phantom Armor set, some NPCs will actually jump back in fright. It’s a small, "kinda" useless detail, but it’s a great nod to the Phantoms in The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks—the terrifying, invincible knights that inspired this gear.
Honestly, after being chased by Guardians for 40 hours, it’s nice to be the one doing the scaring for once.
Actionable Tips for Using the Phantom Set
If you’re planning to hunt this down, here is how to make the most of it:
- Go Early: Don't wait until you've cleared three Divine Beasts. Get it right after leaving the Great Plateau. It turns Link from a squishy peasant into a tanky knight immediately.
- Don't Sell It: You can't just find another one in the wild. If you do accidentally sell it, you'll have to find a specific NPC named Granté in Tarrey Town to buy it back, and he's not cheap.
- Swap for Stealth: While the attack boost is great, this armor is loud and heavy. If you're trying to catch bugs or sneak up on a Hinox, swap the chest piece for the Stealth Tunic.
- Use the Map Pins: Use the Magnesis "glow" to spot the chests from a distance. If you're at the Hyrule Garrison and can't find the buried chest, just spin your camera around with Magnesis active; it'll stick out like a sore thumb.
Go grab the set. It makes the early-to-mid game significantly less frustrating, and you'll look like a possessed suit of armor while doing it. There really isn't a better way to start your journey.