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The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Combat Controls

By
Seren Morgan-Roberts

On this page you’ll find a run down of all the combat controls in Breath of the Wild, and once you know the basics, you’ll be able to perform different types of attacks and counter-attacks using various movements and combos. This page will also include information on the Champion abilities and the effects of elemental weapons.

A breakdown of all combat moves and special attacks that you need to know for Breath of the Wild!

Basic Combat Controls

Move Controls
Melee Attack Press Joy_Con_Y.png
Spinning/Charged Attack Hold Joy_Con_Y.png (stamina dependent)
Throw Weapon Press Joy_Con_R.png to aim then release to throw
Use Bow Draw bow by holding Joy_Con_ZR.png, then release the button to loose your arrow
Target Enemy/ Raise Shield Press/hold Joy_Con_ZL.png
Perfect Guard Joy_Con_ZL.png Ready Shield > Joy_Con_A.png Parry
Sidehop Joy_Con_ZL.png Target enemy > Joy_Con_Left_Stick.png⮜ or ⮞ Strafe > Joy_Con_X.png Jump
Backflip Joy_Con_ZL.png Target enemy > Joy_Con_Left_Stick.png ⮟ Backpedal > Joy_Con_X.png Jump
Select weapon/ Select bow Press right_dpad.png+ Joy_Con_right_Stick.png
Select shield/ Select arrow Press left_dpad.png+ Joy_Con_right_Stick.png

Special Attacks

With the above controls, you can do a few extra attack moves that deal extra damage:

Spin attack

As mentioned above, spin attacks are performed by holding down Y and the longer you hold it the more powerful the attack. However, the attack absorbs a lot of stamina so you’ll want to be careful not to drain your stamina wheels completely or you’ll be left vulnerable.

Flurry Attack

When you’re targeting an enemy, and perfectly dodge an attack with sidehop or backflip, you’ll trigger a Flurry Attack. Spam the Y button when you’ve triggered the attack and you’ll do a bunch of damage during a slowed time period!

Headshot/eyeshot

If you hit an enemy in the head (or more specifically their eye in the case of Hinox and Guardian enemies) with your bow, you’ll perform an extra damaging attack that will also stun the enemy.

Shooting a Hinox in the eye will cause them to fall to the ground!

Jump/Flying attack

Whilst jumping or paragliding, perform an attack on an enemy on the ground to slam into them, causing extra damage and even stunning them a little.

Shooting in the air

You can also shoot your bow whilst in the air! Whilst paragliding, equip your bow and it’ll slow down time. During this period you can shoot your bow as much as you like, however the length of time you have in this slowed period is dependent on your stamina.

Aim for a head shot while in mid-air!

Deflect Guardian Laser Beams

If you equip an Ancient Shield, or your Master Sword, you can deflect Guardians laser beams by parrying them at the perfect moment!

Elemental Weapons

There are three types of elemental weapon. You’ll find elemental weapons fairly easily, and they’re quite commonly found within hidden chests in shrines. You can get elemental arrows, melee weapons and rods.

Fire Weapons

Flame weapons, as you can guess, do fire damage and can be used to set fire to lanterns, campfires and burnable leaves, as well as enemies. You can get fire arrows and a variety of flame weapons. You can also be set on fire by flame weapons, and during this time you’ll take burn damage over a few seconds.

Fire weapons can melt ice too!

Ice Weapons

Ice weapons, including ice arrows can temporarily freeze your enemy, effectively stunning them and allowing you to hit them freely. However, you can also be frozen by ice weapons or ice attacks, so make sure you avoid them!

Lightning Weapons

Lightning weapons, sometimes called shock or thunder weapons do extra electric damage that stuns the enemy temporarily. The duration of the shock is greater if the enemy is in water or on a metal surface. If they are holding metal weapons, they’ll be disarmed! Again, you can also be subject to shock damage, so watch out!

Lightning damage stuns enemies and makes them drop their metal weapons!

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Guide Information
  • Publisher
    Nintendo
  • Platforms,
    Switch, Wii U
  • Genre
    Action Adventure
  • Guide Release
    6 April 2018
  • Last Updated
    27 June 2023
    Version History
  • Guide Author
    Cassie Sun

Share this free guide:

You wake up in the mysterious Shrine of Resurrection and see a Hyrule you no longer recognize. All you have by your side is the equally mysterious Sheikah Slate and the voice of a stranger to guide you. Take up the mantle of the chosen hero Link and journey throughout the most expansive, open iteration of Hyrule yet in your quest to destroy the monstrous Calamity Ganon and recover your memories of what happened 100 years ago.

This guide will serve as your companion as you traverse the beautiful world of Hyrule. It currently covers the following content:

Version 1.1 (Updated October 2021)

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