Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a game known for how much freedom it gives the players to explore a vast open world. What made the game so unique and influential upon its release was how it encouraged players to think outside the box. The newly-released and highly anticipated sequel , Tears of the Kingdom, is much the same.
One such way was the shield-surfing mechanic, which players will be delighted to discover makes a return. It may take some getting accustomed to for players used to Breath of the Wild controls. Still, the mechanic remains functionally the same and has even been upgraded to allow players to maximize durability and reduce damage. Here's everything players need to know about shield surfing in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
How To Shield Surf in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Shield surfing in Tears of the Kingdom is relatively straightforward; however, the controls are different from that of the previous Zelda game. To shield surf, the player must press the following buttons simultaneously: Parry (ZL) + Jump (X) + A.
Doing this will trigger shield surfing, but if the player is not on a slope, it will automatically retract. Shield surfing is best saved for situations where gravity will do most of the work for the player; otherwise, Link cannot shield surf for a period of time.
For an in-game refresher, players can find the shield surfing controls (after being done once) by accessing the inventory, scrolling right to settings, and selecting 'special controls.'
Tips and Tricks for Shield Surfing in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
There are several ways players can get the most out of the shield surfing mechanic in Tears of the Kingdom. Here are a few:
- Smooth surfaces allow for the best surf - snow and sand are the best, but short grass also boosts speed.
- Use the new Fuse ability to increase shield durability. Unfortunately, shield surfing does a number on the durability of a shield, no matter what it is fused with. Still, players can experiment with fusing the shield to different objects to increase durability and shield surf longevity.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available on the Nintendo Switch.