There are two major research labs in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom that both return from its predecessor – the Hateno Village Research Lab (also called the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab), and the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. While the Hateno Village Research Lab is relatively easy to find once Link learns about it, the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab is a different story.
Found way out in the northeastern reaches of Hyrule, the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab isn't the same in Tears of the Kingdom. For one, Robbie no longer calls this offshoot lab his home, as he works out of Lookout Landing and Hateno Village now. Perhaps Robbie's absence led to a group of new inhabitants taking over – inhabitants who guard two nifty rewards players can pick up here.
What's Inside The Akkala Ancient Tech Lab?
The Akkala Ancient Tech Lab used to be where players could purchase Guardian and Ancient Tech-related goods, but now, it's in a bit of a shambles. Robbie doesn't work here anymore, but after getting the Sensor upgrade in Hateno Village Research Lab, he can send Link up north to the Akkala lab for another upgrade to the Purah Pad: the Traveler Medallion.
The Traveler Medallion is a powerful upgrade that lets Link instantly teleport back to a set point in the world. It's useful for traversing the vertical world of Hyrule, like in the Sky Islands in case Link falls off, but that's not the only thing worth picking up here.
After dispatching of the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab's squatter Yiga Clan members, players will come across one of CeCe's fashion designers. This one was kidnapped and forced to make the clan's clothing. As a reward for saving them from the Yiga Clan, he will give Link a Yiga shirt, which is one-third of the Yiga Armor set. When all pieces are worn together, members of the Yiga clan are friendly to Link – just like wearing a Bokoblin mask or Majora's Mask around Bokoblins.
Akkala Ancient Tech Lab Location
The Akkala Ancient Tech Lab is just north of the East Akkala Stable, and just east of Malanya, the Horse God, whose new location is in a valley just behind the stable. Take the east road from the Stable and head north to coordinates (4482, 3107, 0234), where players will find the main entrance to the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. There's a sign here that tells visitors to beware, that only Yiga Clan members can go beyond that point.
After opening the front door, or entering through the rooftop stairwell, the Yiga Clan members will ask if Link thought that was being sneaky, then the screen will fade to black. When it returns, Link will find himself up against a Yiga Footsoldier and a Yiga Blademaster. It's said that Link can ascend through a specific spot in Depths to climb out right in the middle of the Yiga Clan members – they will attack no matter how unexpectedly or sneakily Link arrives.
Dealing With The Yiga Clan at Akkala Ancient Tech Lab
The regular Yiga Clan Footsoldier isn't too hard to handle, though their fast attacks can take players off guard if they aren't both in sight at once. For these enemies, it's actually easier to use heavy, slow-swinging weapons, as Link can sprint up to one and swing to do a strong running attack. If followed up with a normal attack, the Yiga Footsoldier will go flying before it can teleport away.
The Blademaster is a bit harder, as its attacks hit for more Hearts, come faster, and follow a different attack pattern. Keep a shield up, and consider looking for opportunities to enable slow-motion aiming with the bow by jumping, opening the paraglider, and aiming in mid-air.
Arguably the easiest way to deal with these Yiga Clan members is to wait for a thunderstorm. Being in the open world, they are also affected by the elements as Link is. If it's thundering out, and Link has nothing metallic equipped, the Yiga Clan's weapons will attract lightning strikes over and over again until they die of "natural causes."
However players decide to deal with the Yiga Clan, once they are defeated, head inside to find the Travel Medallion Prototype in a chest and the Yiga Clan shirt courtesy of Konba. There are some other materials and such that are worth picking up here, but the real treasure is on the wall. In Akkala Ancient Tech Lab the Yiga Clan's hideouts are highlighted on a giant map – take a picture of this map (or use the one above for reference) to find the other hideouts and earn the rest of the Yiga Clan set.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available on the Nintendo Switch.