5 Easy Steps to Shield Surf in The Legend of Zelda on Switch

PDF download Download Article
An easy-to-follow guide to learning how to surf on your shield in BOTW or TOTK
PDF download Download Article

In The Legend of Zelda, you can use a shield to surf down mountains and slopes. Once you hit the bottom of an incline, Link will automatically stop. This trick can be done to travel quicker, or even perform complex shots with a bow and arrows. You'll just need to get a running start and a decent shield. This wikiHow will show you how to shield surf in The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom on your Nintendo Switch.

Things You Should Know

  • With a shield equipped, press ZL + X + A to shield surf.
  • Shield surfing will decrease the durability of your shield, except when surfing in snowy or sandy terrain.
  • Press Y to perform a spin attack while shield surfing, or hold ZR to aim a bow.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/13\/Shield-Surf-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Shield-Surf-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/13\/Shield-Surf-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Shield-Surf-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Equip a shield . Shield surfing will decrease the durability of your shield, regardless of its strength. If you're using the same shield to shield surf for an extended period of time, it will most likely break. Be sure to save your game before shield surfing in case you accidentally break a rare shield.
    • Press + to open your Inventory and use the Left or Right triggers to find the shield menu. Equip a shield by pressing A .
    • Alternatively, hold the Left D-Pad button to open the quick-selection menu. Select a shield by using the right joystick.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/18\/Shield-Surf-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Shield-Surf-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/18\/Shield-Surf-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Shield-Surf-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This is how you would normally guard with a shield. If you're using a Pro controller , these controls will be the same. [1]
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8e\/Shield-Surf-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Shield-Surf-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8e\/Shield-Surf-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Shield-Surf-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This is the Shield Parry button. When used after a jump, Link will do a flip while placing a shield under his feet.
    • You can give yourself a running start for more momentum, or you can shield surf from where you stand.
    • If you're gliding, you can fall into a shield surf by pressing ZL + A .
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Shield-Surf-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Shield-Surf-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Shield-Surf-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Shield-Surf-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can shield surf on any terrain, but it's recommended to begin in an area that has a downward slope.
    • Grassy terrain lets you shield surf quickest.
    • Rocky terrain will be slow, and you may be stopped abruptly.
    • Snowy or Sandy terrain will not decrease shield durability.
    • When it rains, the above terrains will be slicker, making shield surfing a little quicker than usual.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/35\/Shield-Surf-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Shield-Surf-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/35\/Shield-Surf-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Shield-Surf-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    When you're shield surfing, you can do a spin attack. This can be functional or performative.
    • To shoot a bow while shield surfing, hold ZR to aim.
    6. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Get Din's Fire on Zelda: Ocarina of Time
      How to
      Find All the Warp Tiles in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
      How to
      Get Epona in Ocarina of Time
      How to
      Get Easy Rupees in Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
      How to
      Fish in Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
      How to
      Get the Fishing Rod on Twilight Princess
      How to
      Find the Bottles in Ocarina of Time
      How to
      Defeat Phantom Ganon in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/22634/~/joy-con-controller-diagram

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,038 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement