Among the cast of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, Zelda offers one of the most unique playstyles thanks to her complete reliance on the Sheikah Slate. Unlike more direct attackers like Link or Impa, Zelda’s toolkit revolves around remotely-triggered runes and strategic placement, making her a fascinating option for players who enjoy a more technical, deliberate approach to combat. Here’s a detailed look at all of Zelda’s abilities, runes, and attack combos to help you wield her power effectively.

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ZR: Unique Ability – Rune Detonation

Zelda’s unique ability, activated by pressing ZR, doesn’t initiate an attack but instead detonates any active Sheikah Runes already deployed on the field. Whether it’s a Cryonis block, a remote bomb, or a suspended Magnesis weapon cache, pressing ZR triggers their effect, dealing area-of-effect damage to nearby enemies.

This can also be done mid-air by pressing ZR during aerial movement—an especially valuable tool when chaining air combos or creating space from enemies below.

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Aerial Combat Options

Zelda has two unique aerial attacks:

• Y (mid-air): Throws a Cryonis icicle straight down in front of her.
• X (mid-air): Drops a large remote bomb at her feet.

Both attacks allow you to control the space directly beneath you, ideal for punishing grounded enemies as you glide or fall back into the fray.

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Dash Attack

Sprint and press Y to activate Zelda’s dash attack. This summons a Magnesis-powered metal box from the ground that she flings forward, damaging any enemies in front. It’s quick, covers a decent area, and is particularly effective when trying to maintain momentum across a battlefield.

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Strong Attack (X)

Zelda’s standard X strong attack summons four Cryonis blocks in a row. These act as explosive traps—trigger ZR to detonate them all simultaneously for wide-range damage. When paired with her combo system, this becomes a powerful setup move that allows for efficient crowd control.

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Weak Point Smash & Special Attack (A)

When an enemy’s weak point gauge is broken, pressing X will trigger Zelda’s Weak Point Smash, complete with a cinematic takedown animation.

Her A special attack is both stylish and lethal—Zelda summons the Sheikah Camera, takes a snapshot of all enemies in front of her, and obliterates them instantly. It’s a powerful tool for clearing clustered enemies or damaging stronger opponents.

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Sheikah Rune Breakdown

Zelda’s rune usage is distinct and often multi-phased:

1. Bomb Rune (L + Y): Summons a robot that throws bombs forward and leaves a bomb trail. Detonate the large bomb it drops by pressing ZR.
2. Stasis (L + X): Freezes enemies in a large radius. During this freeze, you can either attack or press ZR to deal damage directly.
3. Magnesis (L + B): Pulls a pile of metal weapons from the ground, which hover in front of Zelda. Press ZR to launch the weapons at nearby enemies. It doesn’t require nearby metal objects—Zelda spawns them on her own.
4. Cryonis (L + A): Creates a glowing target circle. Aim with the left stick and press X to summon icicle spears where the circle lands. As with other runes, ZR detonates them after placement.

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Combo Attacks

Zelda only has four primary attack strings, but each one serves a specific purpose:

1. YYYY: A standard four-hit combo that cycles through Magnesis, Cryonis, and Stasis. Good for general crowd management.
2. Y, then X (YX): Summons a metal block and swings it in a wide arc. This combo is efficient against grouped enemies.
3. YY, then X (YYX): Cycles through Magnesis and Cryonis, then launches a massive bomb that rolls forward. Press ZR to detonate it manually. It’s slower, but the damage is substantial.
4. XX: Activates Cryonis twice. First, it spawns the usual four-block row; second, it builds a staircase of Cryonis blocks. Enemies around the base take AOE damage, and you can paraglide off the top to continue aerial chains or reposition mid-battle.

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Tips for Playing Zelda

• Think ahead: Zelda thrives on preparation and setup. Most of her attacks leave traps or delayed effects that need activation.
• Use ZR constantly: The detonation mechanic is at the heart of her gameplay. Mastering the timing and sequencing of ZR is key to maximizing damage.
• Capitalize on aerial states: Cryonis steps or combo finishers often give you gliding opportunities. Use these to access mid-air attacks and bullet-time sequences.
• Watch your positioning: Because many of her rune effects rely on spacing and area control, proper positioning can turn average damage into devastating outcomes.

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Zelda may have fewer combos than other characters, but her Sheikah Slate mechanics make her one of the most dynamic and rewarding fighters when used with strategy and creativity. From dropping bombs mid-glide to snapping enemy lines with Cryonis spears, her approach turns every battlefield into a canvas of runic destruction.

Get comfortable triggering ZR like second nature, and you’ll find that Zelda can be just as deadly—if not more so—than her sword-wielding allies.

Stay tuned for future updates if new mechanics are discovered upon the full game’s release!