Breath of the Wild allows its players to craft elixirs and cook meals. Unlike previous Legend of Zelda games, Link will need to rely on food/elixirs to restore his HP/gain buffs. However, it may be wise to hoard some of the materials players collect on their journey. Materials can be used for cooking, but they're also a necessity for those that want to upgrade their armor.
Fireproof Lizards are one of the two lizards that Link can collect in Breath of the Wild. Their dark coloring and swift movements make them very easy to miss. Unfortunately, Players will need to farm a few handfuls of these little guys if they intend on upgrading their armor and completing a certain sidequest.
Fireproof Lizards at the Southern Mine
Just south of Goron City in the Eldin Region is a place called the Southern Mine. Fireproof Lizards can be spotted crawling in Goron City as well, but the easiest place to gather them is at the mines. Make sure to equip fireproof-resistant gear.
If this is the player's first time in Eldin, Link won't be able to withstand the areas just beyond the Eldin Tower, and he won't have flame-resistant gear either. To remedy this, go to the Foothill Stable (southwest of Eldin Tower) and purchase some Fireproof Elixirs from an NPC named Gaile. Players can buy up to three Elixirs for 150 rupees. From the Foothill Stable (or Eldin Tower), they can take the north path towards the Southern Mine while the Elixirs are still active (lasts 6 minutes each).
Catching Fireproof Lizards
In the Goron Mines, players may notice the Fireproof Lizards near some of the ore deposits. To catch them, press down on the Control Stick to have Link crouch. Then, slowly approach the lizard. Tap A-button as soon as it prompts Link to "catch" the lizard. Players will need to be fast and stealthy or else the lizards will take off. It's not impossible for Link to chase them down, but he may lose several before he catches one.
If players have a Fireproof Elixir active, they can change Link's gear to the Stealth Set to increase his... Stealth. Link doesn't need the complete Set, but he'll want one or two pieces equipped. The goal here is to make as little noise as possible. Keep an eye on the purple noise meter at the bottom right of the screen.
Buffs cannot stack in BotW. This means if Link has a fireproof-buff active, drinking an Elixir that boosts his stealth will cancel out his currently-active buff. Doing this in the Southern Mine without flame-resistant gear is not recommended.
If players manage to catch 10 Fireproof Lizards, they can speak to an NPC named Kima at the Southern Mine. Speaking to Kima unlocks the Fireproof Lizard Roundup sidequest. Give him the 10 lizards to get a Flamebreaker Armor piece in exchange. This offers one level of flame-resistance, so it'll protect Link to the point where he won't need the Fireproof Elixirs.
Turn Over Every Rock
Just like in every other region, Eldin is full of rocks that Link can pick up (with the A-button). In some cases, lifting a rock will reveal a Fireproof Lizard. However, the second the rock is lifted, the lizard will take off. Thus, the best way to farm lizards from under the rocks is to:
- Stand next to the rock and tap A-button to pick it up.
- Immediately tap A-button again to "Drop." If this is done quick enough, Link will scoop up the lizard before he sets down the rock.
Where to Use Fireproof Lizards
After completing the Fireproof Lizard Roundup sidequest, players can give three lizards to Kima for 20 rupees. The better use for Fireproof Lizards is to use them for armor upgrades. Link will need a total of 12 Fireproof Lizards to upgrade each piece of the Flamebreaker Set. Armor Upgrades are only possible through the help of a Great Fairy from one of the four Fairy Fountains in Hyrule. Freeing a Great Fairy will cost rupees, so make sure not to show up with an empty wallet.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is available for Nintendo Switch.