In the early game, focus on versatility and survival. Prioritize getting at least 5-6 Heart Containers before investing heavily in stamina, as early enemies can be quite damaging. For armor, the Hylian Set (purchased in Kakariko or Hateno) offers decent defense and is cheap to upgrade. The Warm Doublet (from the Old Man or cooking Spicy Peppers) is essential for cold regions. Weapons will be constantly breaking, so pick up everything you find. Focus on learning parries and Flurry Rushes to conserve weapon durability.
- Hearts vs. Stamina: Lean towards hearts initially.
- Armor: Hylian Set, Warm Doublet.
- Weapons: Use whatever you find, prioritize durability.
- Runes: Master Magnesis and Remote Bombs for puzzles and combat.