Combat

Master melee, ranged attacks, and defensive maneuvers like Perfect Block and Flurry Rush in The Legend of Zelda. Learn all combat techniques.

Link possesses a variety of combat techniques from the start, focusing heavily on melee attacks, which are the primary source of damage. Ranged weaponry is excellent for initiating combat from a safe distance.

Combat Techniques:

1. Melee Attacks – Standard attacks vary in damage and speed based on the equipped weapon. Lighter weapons attack faster, while heavier ones are slower.
2. Chaining Attacks – Pressing the attack button repeatedly creates combos. This is most effective against unaware enemies, as aware enemies will block.
3. Jump Attack – Running and attacking mid-air performs an overhead smash. If performed from a height, it creates a shockwave upon landing that damages and knocks back enemies, allowing for follow-up melee hits.
4. Charge Up Attack – Holding the attack button makes the weapon flash. Releasing it performs a spinning attack hitting all enemies in range. Heavy weapons perform multiple spins and a shockwave-creating overhead slam.
5. Throw Weapon – Melee weapons can be thrown for a critical hit. Boomerangs return after hitting, allowing for reuse.
6. Bow and Arrows – Allows for ranged attacks. Arrow trajectory is affected by gravity, requiring higher aiming for distant targets. Different arrow types exist: Fire Arrows (set enemies ablaze, melt objects), Ice Arrows (freeze enemies/objects), Bomb Arrows (explosive damage, destroy weak walls), Ancient Arrows (deal Guardian-powered damage), and Shock Arrows (electrocute enemies, activate machinery).
7. Perfect Block – Holding block and pressing 'A' just as an attack or projectile hits deflects it or performs a short counter-attack. This does not reduce shield durability.
8. Staggering – Timing a block press just before an enemy's melee attack deflects it and stuns the enemy temporarily, leaving them open for follow-up attacks. This only works against melee attacks.

Avoiding or Countering Attacks:

The Legend of Zelda can be challenging, with enemies inflicting significant damage quickly. Link has several methods to avoid or mitigate damage.

• Blocking – With a shield equipped, blocking nullifies most standard melee attacks and reduces damage from others. It is less effective against elemental or AOE (Area of Effect) damage and reduces gear durability.
• Perfect Block – As described above, this deflects projectiles or allows a counter-attack without reducing shield durability.
• Staggering – As described above, this deflects melee attacks and stuns enemies for a follow-up.
• Dodging – A quick side/back step moves Link out of danger, useful for unblockable attacks or during boss fights. Successful dodges create opportunities for counterattacks.
• Flurry Rush – Performing a side/back step immediately before an enemy attack triggers a slow-motion window, allowing Link to land multiple melee attacks before the enemy recovers.
• Strafing – While locked onto an enemy (using the lock-on feature to focus on a specific target), Link can move sideways or circle behind them. This is useful for positioning.