Zelda Tears of the Kingdom: Ascend controls and techniques explained
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has a bunch of new abilities and items to use in addition to ways to use them, and the one that you’ll likely use the least is the Ascend ability.
It’s not that Ascend isn’t useful – it really is! – but it’s also very situational. Ascend can quite literally make you ascend upwards a vast distance, and it is necessary to solve several puzzles and even activate Skyview Towers.
In this guide, we’re breaking down how to control Ascend and the best situations to use it in.
For more Zelda guides and tips, like how to find and activate all Skyview Towers, or an explanation of all Zonai Devices, make sure to read our full Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom walkthrough.
Ascend controls explained – Zelda TOTK
Ascend is simple to learn, but can be quite situational.
Ascend is one of the more simple abilities to use, but you might be ignorant of how useful it can actually be in a variety of situations.
Hold L and select the Ascend ability at the top. Once it activates, the camera will pan up. As long as the icon is green, Link can pass through the surface above him and pop out on the other side. This sounds simple enough, but it actually works through incredibly thick surfaces. If you’re inside a cave or a deep well, you can use it to escape areas that might seem impossible to exit without fast traveling from the map.
It’s very useful in Shrines and puzzles to get inside Skyview Towers, along with general world traversal. It’s rarely necessary, thanks to the plethora of other abilities at your disposal, but it’s handy to have.
Ascend techniques explained – Zelda TOTK
Despite its relatively limited use, Ascend still allows you to get creative.
There isn’t too much specifically to mention when it comes to Ascend. Its use is very limited – it only sends Link himself straight up through an overhead surface, nothing more, nothing less. So other than keeping in mind where you should be using it – underground, in caves, wells, etc. – there’s not too much to think about. But that doesn’t mean you should overlook it.
You could always get creative. Build a massive structure and then Ascend up into the middle of it. Use it to escape foes in battle before coming back for an aerial strike. As long as you’re in the right environment, Ascend’s use cases can be greatly expanded. But, having said all of that, it’ll primarily be used as a puzzle-solving tool. Make sure to never forget that you have it as an option!
