Updated Title Publisher
Updated Title Publisher
Updated Title
Published Title Score Editor's Choice Publisher
Published Title Publisher

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

All Combat Controls in Tears of the Kingdom

By
Seren Morgan-Roberts

On this page you’ll find a run down of all the combat controls in Tears of the Kingdom, and once you know the basics, you’ll be able to perform different types of attacks and counter-attacks using various movements and combos.

It’s time for some combat training!

TotK Basic Combat Controls

Move Controls
Melee Attack Press Joy-Con-ButtonY
Spinning/Charged Attack Hold Joy-Con-ButtonY (stamina dependent)
Throw Weapon Press Joy-Con-R to aim then release to throw
Use Bow Draw bow by holding Joy-Con-ZR, then release the button to loose your arrow
Target Enemy/ Raise Shield Press/hold Joy-Con-ZL
Parry Joy-Con-ZL Ready Shield > Joy-Con-ButtonA Parry
Sidehop Joy-Con-ZL Target enemy > Joy-Con-Stick-L-LR Strafe > Joy-Con-ButtonX Jump
Backflip Joy-Con-ZL Target enemy > Joy-Con-Stick-L-Down Backpedal > Joy-Con-ButtonX Jump
Select weapon/ Select bow Press Joy-Con-DPad-Right + Joy-Con-Stick-R-LR
Select shield/ Select arrow Press Joy-Con-DPad-Left + Joy-Con-Stick-R-LR

TotK Special Attacks

With the above controls, you can do a few extra attack moves that deal extra damage, let’s have a look at the in a little more detail:

Charged Spin attack

As mentioned above, spin attacks are performed by holding down Joy-Con-ButtonY 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.

it’s powerful but uses up stamina!

Flurry Rush 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" iconHinox) with your bow, you’ll perform an extra damaging attack that will also stun the enemy.

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.

Throw the fire fruit at enemies!

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.

Throwing Items

Gone are the days of having the bomb ability in Breath of the Wild, in this game you’re gonna have to get creative! In addition to throwing your weapon (as shown in the table), you can also choose to throw bomb flowers or fire fruit as a sort of explosive. To do this, press Joy-Con-R then press Joy-Con-DPad-Up on the d-pad to open up your inventory of throwable objects!

No Comments
No Upvotes
User profile pic

Comment submission error:

The comment must be at least 1 character in length.

Guide Information
  • Publisher
    Nintendo
  • Platforms,
    Switch
  • Genre
    Action Adventure
  • Guide Release
    12 May 2023
  • Last Updated
    30 August 2023
    Version History
  • Guide Author

Share this free guide:

Embark on a quest to find the missing princess, uncover the truth behind a cataclysm, and explore Hyrule’s landscapes and floating islands. This guide for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, the sequel to Breath of the Wild, includes:

Get a Gamer Guides Premium account:

Quick sign up

Already have an account?

Quick log in

Don’t have an account?