How to get the Zonaite Armor in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

The Zonaite Armor is one of the best armor sets in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. And, appropriately, it’s also one of the most difficult to find. Each piece is tucked away on Sky Islands that you can’t reach by normal gliding or wing methods. While these challenges might seem designed for later in the game when you have more energy cells, you can actually collect the set quite early, and it’s best that you do. The Zonaite Armor set — which includes the Zonaite Helm, Zonaite Waistguard, and Zonaite Shin Guards — reduces how much energy Zonai devices consume, so you can fly, drive, or glide further without having to rely on Zonai charges. Table of Contents Zonaite Shin Guards Location You can get the Zonaite pieces in any order, but I recommend starting with the legs piece. It’s the easiest to get, and the power consumption buff it gives you makes obtaining the other two pieces easier. [Image: https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24676729/tears_of_the_kingdom_zonai_armor_27.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] The Zonaite legs piece is in the Akkala Sky Mine, which takes some careful maneuvering to reach. How to Reach Akkala Sky Mine You’ll need to unlock the Ulri Mountain Skyview Tower in Akkala first. If you haven’t done that already, the easiest way to reach there is taking the road east from Woodland Stable. It runs through a valley and eventually skirts Kanalet Plain and runs next to the tower. Akkala actually has two sky mines. The Sokkala Sky Mine is closest to the Ulri Mountain tower, but it only has some treasure and Natak Shrine to offer. The one you need, called just “Sky Mine,” is hovering over the Rist Peninsula. If you have batteries, plenty of charges, and a plan for building a fan platform or balloon device, you might be able to land on a nearby island and fly up there without issue. If you, like me, only have one energy cell and no fancy Autobuild plans, here’s what you should do. After firing yourself out of the Ulri Mountain tower, land on this platform: [Image: https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24676736/tears_of_the_kingdom_zonai_armor_26.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] Fight or ignore the Flux Construct boss, and walk over to the square platform. You’ll find a ready-made fan platform with a few batteries already attached and some extra fans and batteries scattered around. Use Ultrahand to attach all the batteries to the platform. If you have a large Zonai charge or a dozen or more spare regular charges, you could attach the other fans to help make the platform go faster. [Image: https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24676737/tears_of_the_kingdom_zonai_armor_3.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] It puts significantly more demand on your energy cell, however, and you can still reach the Sky Mine with the fans that are already attached. Hop on board when you’re ready and interact with the control stick. Your destination is this island, specifically, the lowest level of it. [Image: https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24676738/tears_of_the_kingdom_zonai_armor_2.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] How to get the Zonaite Shin Guards If you end up going too high, jump and glide back down. You need to activate the ring device at the bottom to start the giant block pushers. [Image: https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24676741/tears_of_the_kingdom_zonai_armor_4.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] Hop on one and let them shoot you up to the top of the island. Once you reach the top, turn the pusher so it’s facing the large floating sphere. You may want to save for the next part, in case you need to reload and try again. [Image: https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24676746/tears_of_the_kingdom_zonai_armor_5.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] Use Ultrahand to put a block in the pusher. If your positioning was accurate, you’ll see it fly into the sphere’s opening. Now it’s your turn. Step onto the pusher, and let it fire you into the air. You’ll probably need to climb a bit to get inside. [Image: https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24676748/tears_of_the_kingdom_zonai_armor_6.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] If you end up in the sphere’s lower half, use Ascend to go through the ceiling. The chest containing the Zonaite Shin Guards, which has +4 defense and reduces your Zonai device energy consumption, is in the middle. [Image: https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24676750/tears_of_the_kingdom_zonai_armor_7.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] Zonaite Waistguard Location The Zonaite Armor chest piece is hidden on the Zonai Forge island, but depending on which devices you have, you’ll need to get the Zonai Hydrant device. First, cook some stamina-replenishing meals, and head to the Sahasra Slope Skyview Tower near Kakariko Village. Launch yourself into the sky, and angle south toward this point. [Image: https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24676752/tears_of_the_kingdom_zonai_armor_8.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] You may have better luck launching from Popla Foothills Skyview Tower. Once you arrive, activate Ukoojisi Shrine, and toss some Zonai charges into the dispenser. You only need one Hydrant, so don’t worry about trying for several unless you just want them. Make sure you’ve got a spare rocket or a fan before continuing. How to get to Zonai Forge Island At the northeastern end of the island, you’ll find a floating platform with a rocket on it and several spare rockets lying around. [Image: https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24676753/tears_of_the_kingdom_zonai_armor_9.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] Use Ultrahand to move each rocket onto the platform, but don’t attach them yet. Position them upright so they don’t fall. Zonai Forge Island is higher than you can reach with a wing, and you’ll need every rocket here to get there. Strike the single attached rocket once you’re ready to begin. Attach one more rocket after the initial one disappears, and keep doing this until you’re level with Forge Island. Use a final rocket or a fan to move toward the island. Your floating platform will start to blink and eventually disappear as you get closer. Hop off before it vanishes, and glide toward the island. You need to go here: [Image: https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24676756/tears_of_the_kingdom_zonai_armor_10.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] How to get the Zonaite Waistguard Interact with the ring to activate the fans of the chimney stacks, and use them to reach the island’s top stack. [Image: https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24676757/tears_of_the_kingdom_zonai_armor_11.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] You need to dive into the center stack and avoid the Mission Impossible lasers in the process. The fan provides so much resistance that you need to hold the dive button down the entire time. [Image: https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24676762/tears_of_the_kingdom_zonai_armor_12.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] Activate Yansamin Shrine once you reach the bottom. Take your hydrant device out, and use it to make platforms in the lava behind the shrine, as close to the wall as you can get. Hop on the platform and use Ascend, and you’ll pop out in a secret room with the chest containing the Zonaite Waistguard, which has +4 defense and reduces your Zonai device energy consumption. [Image: https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24676768/tears_of_the_kingdom_zonai_armor_13.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] Zonaite Helm Location The Zonaite head piece is the most difficult to obtain, requiring you to reach Lightcast Island, a location so high in the sky that it exists in a low-gravity zone. Before you embark, you should take: * 3 rockets * 1 fan * 1 control stick * At least 10 Zonai charges * At least 2 spicy sauteed pepper dishes, made with 5 peppers each * At least 2 energy elixirs that fully restore your stamina wheel You’ll also need the Zora Armor chestpiece, so head to Lanayru and start Sidon’s quest if you haven’t done so already. How to get to Lightcast Island Lightcast Island is in the skies south of Rito Village, roughly in the center of Tabantha Frontier. It’s also one of the highest points in the game, and unless you have several energy cells, batteries, a few dozen Zonai charges, and some good Autobuild schematics, you can’t get there without jumping through some hoops. [Image: https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24676778/tears_of_the_kingdom_zonai_armor_15.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] Unlock Rospro Pass Skyview Tower north of Rito Village, and launch yourself into the air. Head south toward this small cluster of islands just north of the “West Hebra” label on your map. Defeat the Constructs nearby, and hop on one of the floating Zonai platforms. Eat one of your cold-resistant meals. Even if you have Snowquill Armor, it’s best to wear your Zonaite Armor and conserve energy, unless you have plenty of energy to spare. Activate the balloon, and wait. When I completed this stretch of the journey, I had one full energy cell and one portion of a second cell. It took three depletions of the cell to get as high as I needed to go, and I had both pieces of Zonaite Armor equipped. [Image: https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24676779/tears_of_the_kingdom_zonai_armor_16.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] Next, angle yourself south toward these islands: [Image: https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24676780/tears_of_the_kingdom_zonai_armor_18.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] Get your rocket out, and attach it horizontally to the platform so the rocket is facing the direction you need to go. Activate it, then repeat the process at least two more times. In the distance to the south, you’ll see a waterfall. Attach a fan to the platform and blow yourself closer if need be. The platform will blink and disappear as you approach. Jump off, change into your Zora armor chest piece, and glide toward the waterfall. [Image: https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24676783/tears_of_the_kingdom_zonai_armor_17.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] It takes nearly two stamina wheels to reach the waterfall. Drink your elixirs when your stamina is almost gone. Once you reach the waterfall, you’ll automatically start swimming up. The island you land on has a mine cart track leading to another island further up, with some extra devices scattered around. Put the mine cart on the track. Pick up two rockets, and put them in the mine cart. Don’t attach the rockets. Attach a fan to the back of the cart, and it’ll take you to the next island. [Image: https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24676785/tears_of_the_kingdom_zonai_armor_19.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] This one has two wings, some fans, more rockets, and another mine track. You can use the spare rockets on the second mine cart to reach another island with a Sage’s Will, but to reach Lightcast Island, I recommend ignoring the Sage’s Will for now. You need the spare rockets. I also recommend saving in case something goes awry. The spare rockets will vanish, but you can easily get back to the previous island and bring them over again. Build a Fan Plane by attaching three fans to a wing as shown above (or by using Autobuild if you have that feature unlocked and some spare Zonaite). Attach your two rockets and the two spare rockets in the spots between the fans, and put a control stick in the middle. Use Ultrahand to place the wing near the end of the slope, hop on, and activate the control stick. [Image: https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24676798/tears_of_the_kingdom_zonai_armor_21.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] Angle the wing upward toward Lightcast Island after taking off, and replenish your energy as you go. If you have several spare Zonai Charges, you might be able to reach a point where you can either climb the island’s underside or use Ascend to reach the top. If, like me, you didn’t, that’s okay. Your wing will blink and vanish around the time you reach the bottom of the island. Press “B” to disengage the control stick when the blinking starts, jump off, and glide. Head towards this island. [Image: https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24676799/tears_of_the_kingdom_zonai_armor_20.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] Ignore the Flux Construct, and head to the square area at the end of the island. Here, you’ll find another fan platform with plenty of batteries, the same as the one near the Akkala Sky Mine. Attach all the extra batteries, and take off. You can reach Lightcast Island with ease. How to get the Zonaite Helm Save once you reach the island, since there’s no fast travel point. Mind how you go when you jump, too. Gravity is low here, so you’ll jump higher and travel further. [Image: https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24676806/tears_of_the_kingdom_zonai_armor_22.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] Activate the ring mechanism at the island’s western end, blow up the rocks in the center of the island, and go inside. You’ll find two mirrors. Angle one toward the opposite end of the chamber using Ultrahand until you see it reach another mirror. [Image: https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24676808/tears_of_the_kingdom_zonai_armor_23.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] Travel to that mirror, and continue repeating the process until you see the last mirror pointing the light downward. Go back to platform with two mirrors, and use Ultrahand to move the spare mirror through the chamber until you reach the vertical light. Drop the mirror down there, and angle it toward the shining orange hexagon. Defeat the Construct first if you need to. [Image: https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24676810/tears_of_the_kingdom_zonai_armor_24.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] Light will flood the entire chamber. Move in front of the now-green hexagon, use Ascend, and you’ll pop up in front of the chest with the Zonaite Helm, which, like the other pieces of this set, has +4 defense and reduces your Zonai device energy consumption. [Image: https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24676812/tears_of_the_kingdom_zonai_armor_25.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] Zonaite Armor upgrade costs, effect, and set bonus The Zonaite Armor gives an Energy Up buff, which decreases the amount of battery consumed by Zonai devices. When all three pieces are two-star or higher and worn together, you’ll get an additional Energy Recharge up buff, which recovers your battery faster. To upgrade your armor, head to a Great Fairy Fountain and be prepared to hand over some Construct materials: * 1-star (7 defense): 5 Soldier Construct horns, 10 rupees * 2-star (12 defense): 5 Soldier Construct II horns, 5 Captain Construct I horns, 5 zonaite, 50 rupees * 3-star (18 defense): 5 Soldier Construct III horns, 5 Captain Construct II horns, 5 large zonaite, 200 rupees * 4-star (28 defense): 5 Soldier Construct IV horns, 5 Captain Construct III horns, 10 large zonaite, 500 rupees To fully upgrade your Zonaite Armor, you’ll need 15 of each Soldier Construct horn, 15 Captain Construct I, II, and III horns, 15 zonaite, 45 large zonaite, and 2,280 rupees. Once you’ve found all three pieces of the Zonaite Armor, consult our list of all armor sets and set bonuses to see what to find next, or check out our recommendations for the best armor.