In the world of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, one of the most exhilarating and stylish mechanics is shield surfing. More than just a mode of transportation, shield surfing allows players to glide down mountains, perform flips and spins, and even chain together impressive tricks to show off skill and creativity. If you’ve ever wondered how to go beyond basic downhill gliding and start executing real shield surfing tricks, you’re in the right place.
This article will guide you through everything you need to know: from basic techniques, to advanced tricks, gear preparation, and pro-level tips for chaining together combos. Whether you’re looking to impress fellow gamers or simply want to enhance your gameplay experience, learning shield surfing tricks is the perfect way to make Hyrule your playground.
What Is Shield Surfing?
Shield surfing is a feature in Breath of the Wild that allows Link to ride a shield down slopes like a snowboard. It’s fast, stylish, and useful for quickly descending mountains or escaping enemies. However, with the right terrain and timing, players can transform shield surfing into a trick system—performing aerial spins, flips, and even transitions mid-air.
The core mechanic combines surfing physics with momentum, jumping, and angle manipulation, all of which can be used to pull off stunts similar to real-life extreme sports.
Getting Started: Basic Controls
Before you start attempting tricks, it’s essential to master the basic inputs of shield surfing.
How to Shield Surf
Equip a shield (any shield that isn’t badly damaged).
Stand on a slope or near a ledge.
Press ZL to ready your shield.
Press X to jump.
While in the air, press A to mount the shield.
Link will begin surfing as soon as he lands on the slope. The steeper the hill, the faster you go. Flat ground will slow you down or stop you entirely.
Choosing the Right Shield
Not all shields are ideal for surfing. Some break easily, while others slide better depending on their material.
Best Shields for Shield Surfing Tricks
Royal Shield – Durable and great for general surfing.
Radiant Shield – Good blend of durability and speed.
Daybreaker – Slightly better glide with aesthetic flair.
Skater’s Shield (DLC) – Specifically designed for better performance and longer durability.
Shield of the Mind’s Eye – Compact and lightweight, good for flips.
Avoid wooden shields when surfing on rocky terrain—they break much faster.
Finding the Perfect Terrain
Performing tricks requires varied terrain. Look for areas with ramps, jumps, dips, and long slopes.
Ideal Trick Locations:
Hebra Mountains – Snowy and sloped; excellent for long rides.
Gerudo Highlands – Natural cliffs and ledges for jump tricks.
Satori Mountain – Great for practicing flips and spins.
Akkala Highlands – Offers a mix of rocky and grassy terrain for transitions.
Pro tip: Practice in areas with minimal enemy interference so you can focus purely on your form and timing.
Trick Mechanics: The Physics Behind Shield Surfing
To pull off shield surfing tricks, you must understand how in-game physics affect Link’s movement:
Speed affects air time – The faster you go, the higher and farther you launch off a ramp or slope.
Jump angle matters – Jumping from a steep slope versus a flat edge affects trajectory and rotation.
Aerial control – Link can flip forward, backward, or spin sideways by manipulating the left joystick mid-air.
Core Tricks in Shield Surfing
1. Front Flip
The front flip is a forward aerial rotation done while jumping off a slope.
How to Perform:
Build up speed down a slope.
Hit a jump or ledge.
Immediately press forward on the left joystick mid-air.
Link will flip forward and land stylishly.
Pro Tip: Timing the joystick push with the jump gives smoother rotation.
2. Back Flip
This is a backward rotation in mid-air, similar to a gymnast’s backflip.
How to Perform:
Gain momentum.
Jump off a lip or ridge.
Pull backward on the joystick mid-air.
Why it Matters: Backflips can be used to reverse your orientation mid-run or chain into spin combos.
3. Side Spin (Barrel Roll)
The barrel roll is a stylish sideways spin trick, often used as a flair move before landing.
How to Perform:
Jump off a ledge.
Push the joystick left or right (depending on desired spin).
Link will spin sideways in mid-air.
Best Used: After a front or backflip, or before transitioning between terrains.
4. Air Grab (Style Hold)
Though not a formal trick in-game, air grabs are when Link stays in a fixed pose mid-air with shield down. It’s more for style than utility.
How to Perform:
Jump and begin a trick.
Let go of movement input briefly mid-air.
Link will “pause” in a freestyle pose before landing.
Use this for screenshots or during high jumps.
Combining Tricks: Building Combos
Now that you’ve mastered basic tricks, you can begin chaining them together into combos. The key is managing your air time and landing cleanly.
Example Combo:
Build up speed on a long slope.
Hit a ledge and initiate a front flip.
Midway, rotate into a barrel roll.
Stick the landing and continue into another jump.
Finish with a backflip off a natural bump.
Combo Tips:
Time your joystick inputs precisely to prevent awkward landings.
Combine speed boosts with terrain (snow or sand for longer runs).
Use stasis on rocks for makeshift ramps if you’re feeling creative.
Advanced Techniques
Stasis Launch Surfing
For extreme airtime, use Stasis on a metal object or boulder, hit it several times with a two-handed weapon, then jump on with your shield just before release.
This results in Link flying into the sky with massive height—perfect for multi-trick combinations.
Warning: This is risky and can cause damage if you fail to time it correctly.
Bomb Boost Spin
Dropping a bomb behind you during a downhill surf, then detonating it mid-run, causes a mini boost that can be used for launching into a trick.
This is more of a novelty move but adds flair to combo attempts.
Shield Durability and Preservation
Trick surfing wears down your shield quickly—especially when landing on rough terrain.
How to Reduce Wear:
Only land on snow, sand, or grass when possible.
Land tricks gently by absorbing the landing (tilting joystick slightly back).
Use durable shields like the Hylian Shield (though be careful, as it’s valuable).
Save before sessions if you’re worried about breakage.
Creative Uses of Shield Surfing
Shield surfing tricks aren’t just for show—they can have practical uses:
Speedruns: Trick-based surfing cuts travel time significantly.
Combat: Chain a trick into a sneak attack or dismount with a bow.
Escape Mechanism: Flip off cliffs to dodge enemies and disappear into the distance.
For example, flip off a cliff, switch to bow mid-air, go into slow-motion, and shoot enemies from a distance—it’s both cinematic and strategic.
Practice Makes Perfect
Like any skill, mastering shield surfing tricks takes patience and repetition. Here’s a suggested training plan:
Day 1: Master front and back flips.
Day 2: Learn side spins and air control.
Day 3: Work on combos and transitions.
Day 4+: Create your own lines and routines across varied terrain.
Record your sessions if possible to analyze timing and improve flow.
Conclusion
Shield surfing tricks in Breath of the Wild transform the way you interact with Hyrule’s landscape. More than just movement, it’s a way to express creativity, show mastery, and inject your own style into the game. Whether you’re flipping down Hebra’s snowy slopes or spinning across Gerudo cliffs, mastering these tricks will make your gameplay not only faster but far more dynamic and fun.