Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – How to Shield Surf?

One of the most fun ways of traversing through Hyrule is by Shield Surfing. The thrill and excitement that comes from acting like a pro skater add to the game’s charm. The game doesn’t outright explain how this mechanic works, so you have to figure it out yourself. To Shield Surf, hold the ZL button and then jump, preferably from a high-up area, then press A. The Link will put his shield underneath his feet, and you can start Shield Surfing.

If you are not on a slope or have momentum, Link will automatically come off the shield and start walking again. You can easily manoeuvre Link while Shield Surfing and come off the shield by pressing B. Unfortunately, Shield Surfing does a number on the Shield’s durability, so you either have to keep swapping them or ride until it breaks, which results in a crazy tumble, but that’s where you can use the new fuse ability.

Also Read: Tears of the Kingdom Review Scores Are Perfect

Shield Surfing with Fusion

With the new Ultra Hand, Link can now fuse items he sees or finds together or with his weapons. While this results in a lot of fun and wacky creations, you also can utilise this ability to create the ultimate tools for Shield Surfing to live out your skater dreams. The best part is that it also increases the durability of the shield so that you can surf for a longer time. Some of the most fun and valuable Shield Surfing creations are:

Minecarts

Minecarts turn your shield into a skateboard, letting you go down slopes at high speeds. Since they have wheels, the shield has better durability. They are one of the most fun Shield Surfing creations, especially because you can also Shield Surf on rails with this fusion.

Zonai Rockets

One of the best fusions if you want to soar through the skies; As long as you have enough charge, you can keep reaching for the skies with this fusion. Once you fuse the rocket with your shield, when you Shield Surf, press A to gain a rocket boost and fly into the sky.

Explosive Barrel or Bomb Flowers

This fusion is purely just for fun; If you have a shield fused with an explosive barrel or a bomb flower, when you Shield Surf, it will explode, and you will be launched upwards. It is great to get a boost, and its best usage is in combat; Using it around many enemies will result in explosive damage, and you can quickly escape by being launched.

Conclusion

There are countless fusions that can be done for Shield Surfing, and we’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible in Tears of the Kingdom. As fans discover unique ways to traverse through Hyrule, we are sure we will find many other fun and exciting ways to use these mechanics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Shield Surf with Any Item Fused?

No, Shield Surfing is only possible with items allowing movement or launching the player through the physics engine. It will not work for stationary items or items that can not be used for movement. If you attach a boulder to your shield and try to Shield Surf, Link will end up falling since the boulder on the shield will not provide smooth movement on surfaces.

Do Shields Break Easily While Surfing?

It depends on the shield; Every shield has durability, so if you Shield Surf for a long time, you will end up breaking the shield. Shields with high durability will last a long time, and those with low durability won’t. The best way to Shield Surf would be by using the fuse ability since it increases the shield’s durability and gives your shield more features.

Can I Shield Surf Anywhere?

No! You need to be on a smooth surface to Shield Surf. Smooth surfaces can be grassy plains, snowy slopes or sandy dunes. All of those places are great for Shield Surfing. While you can start Shield Surfing on rocky or ragged surfaces, you will end up falling and receiving damage.