Soaring Through Hyrule: Your Guide to Flying in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The vast, open world of Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (BotW) is a true marvel. From towering mountains to sprawling plains, there's so much to explore. But sometimes, the most direct path isn't on the ground. You've likely looked across a canyon or down from a high peak and wondered, "How do you fly in BotW?" While Link isn't exactly a superhero with inherent flight abilities, the game offers several clever and satisfying ways to gain an aerial advantage. Let's break down the primary methods you'll use to take to the skies and see Hyrule from a whole new perspective.
1. The Paraglider: Your Essential Aerial Tool
The Paraglider is, without a doubt, the most fundamental and frequently used method of aerial navigation in BotW. You receive this crucial item early in the game after completing the Great Plateau tutorial area. Once obtained, you can deploy it by pressing the 'X' button while in mid-air.
How to Use the Paraglider Effectively:
- Initiating Flight: Simply jump off any elevated surface – a cliff, a tower, a tree – and press 'X'.
- Controlling Direction: You can steer Link left and right by using the left analog stick.
- Controlling Altitude: This is where it gets interesting. You can't directly ascend with the paraglider. However, you can adjust your descent. Pushing the left analog stick forward will make you descend faster, while pulling it back will slow your descent, allowing you to glide further horizontally.
- Landing: You can land on almost any surface. Simply steer Link towards your desired landing spot. You can also press 'A' while gliding to perform a quick, controlled landing.
- Canceling the Glide: Press 'X' again to quickly pull in the paraglider and return to freefall or to land immediately.
The paraglider is perfect for crossing gaps, descending from high places, and scouting the immediate area. It's your go-to for anything that requires a controlled fall or a short glide.
2. Updrafts: Nature's Elevators
Hyrule is a land of wonders, and sometimes, nature provides a helping hand. Updrafts are columns of rising hot air that you can catch with your paraglider to gain altitude. These are most commonly found near:
- Campfires: If you light a campfire (using flint and steel, or fire arrows), the rising heat will create an updraft. This is a fantastic early-game trick for gaining a bit of extra height.
- Certain Elemental Areas: Sometimes, specific environmental features can generate updrafts.
- Enemy Campfires: You can even use the updrafts from enemy campfires to your advantage if you're skilled enough to get close and then paraglide away.
How to Utilize Updrafts:
- Locate an updraft source (like a campfire).
- Jump or fall into the rising column of air.
- Deploy your paraglider.
- You'll be lifted upwards, allowing you to extend your glide or reach higher areas.
Updrafts are a great way to extend your paraglider time and reach areas that would otherwise be inaccessible without a longer glide.
3. Revali's Gale: The Ultimate Aerial Maneuver
For true, powerful flight, you'll need to master Revali's Gale. This is one of Link's special Champion Abilities, unlocked by completing the Divine Beast Vah Medoh in the Rito Village region. Revali's Gale allows you to create a powerful updraft beneath Link, launching him high into the air.
How to Activate and Use Revali's Gale:
- Prerequisites: You must have completed the Divine Beast Vah Medoh and obtained the ability.
- Activation: Press and hold the 'B' button. You'll see Link begin to charge up the ability.
- Launch: Release the 'B' button when fully charged. A massive updraft will propel Link skyward.
- Using the Gale: Once launched, you can deploy your paraglider to steer yourself. This ability allows you to reach incredible heights, making it invaluable for scouting, traversing long distances, or reaching inaccessible parts of the map.
- Cooldown: Revali's Gale has a cooldown period after use. You'll see a timer on its icon to indicate when it's ready again.
Revali's Gale is the closest thing to true flight in BotW and is an absolute game-changer for exploration and combat. It lets you quickly gain verticality, escape danger, or set up aerial attacks.
4. Gliding with Horses: A Risky but Rewarding Trick
This is a more advanced and often humorous technique that involves your trusty steed. If you jump off a horse that is itself in mid-air (for example, after it jumps off a ledge), you can then deploy your paraglider.
How to Attempt Horse Gliding:
- Find a high ledge or cliff.
- Ride your horse to the edge.
- Jump off the horse (press 'A' while on the horse and facing away from it).
- As soon as you are dismounted and falling, quickly deploy your paraglider.
This method is more about the thrill and a slightly extended glide than a reliable mode of transport. It requires precise timing, and if you mistime it, you'll likely just fall to your doom (or take significant damage!). It's a fun little trick to try once you're comfortable with the paraglider.
5. Using Shields with the Shield-Jump Glitch (Advanced/Unintended)
While not an intended feature, there's a well-known technique that involves using a shield and a specific button combination to gain a significant amount of vertical lift. This is often referred to as the "Shield-Jump Glitch" or "Shield-Surfing Glitch."
How to Perform the Shield-Jump Glitch (Use with Caution):
- Jump into the air (press 'Y').
- While in mid-air, press 'ZL' (to bring out your shield) and immediately press 'A' (to jump again).
- With perfect timing, Link will perform a small hop off his shield, gaining a small amount of extra height.
- You can then deploy your paraglider.
This glitch can be used to chain together small hops to gain altitude over time, effectively allowing you to "fly" much higher than a normal paraglider glide. It requires considerable practice and precise timing of the 'ZL' and 'A' buttons while airborne. Because it's a glitch, it might be patched out in future updates, but it's currently a widely used technique for speedrunners and exploration enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I get the Paraglider?
You receive the Paraglider from the Old Man on the Great Plateau, after completing the initial tutorial section of the game. He gives it to you after you complete your third Shrine on the plateau.
Can I fly indefinitely in BotW?
No, you cannot fly indefinitely. Your paraglider has a limited duration of use before you start to descend. Revali's Gale provides a significant boost but also has a cooldown. Updrafts are temporary and situational. There is no "infinite flight" mode within the game's normal mechanics.
Why can't Link just fly like a bird with the Paraglider?
The Paraglider is designed as a tool for controlled descent and gliding, not for powered flight. It relies on air currents and gravity. While you can catch updrafts to gain some altitude, the fundamental mechanic is about navigating the wind and reducing your speed as you fall. This design choice encourages strategic thinking about your environment and resource management.
How do I reach the highest towers if I don't have Revali's Gale yet?
Before obtaining Revali's Gale, reaching the top of towers is primarily done by climbing. However, you can utilize the Paraglider in conjunction with surrounding terrain. Look for nearby cliffs or higher points from which you can glide to the top of the tower. You can also create updrafts with campfires near the tower's base if you can find a way to light them from a distance or get close enough to use the rising heat.
