The Fuse ability in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom explained
Fusing weapons in TOTK makes them deadlier than before
The Zelda Tears of the Kingdom fuse ability allows Link to create fusion weapons, wherein you combine weapons or shields with items you find around the world to make them deadlier or more effective. All the best Zelda Tears of the Kingdom weapons are made through fusing, so it's very important to understand how it works - and I'll lay out the essentials just below. Here's how to fuse in TOTK, and the best fusions for you to find.
Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Fuse ability explained
The Zelda Tears of the Kingdom fuse ability allows players to merge items into "fusions'' that combine traits of both. There are three types of fusions you can go for:
- Equipment/object fusions: Fusing a weapon with a loose object that you wouldn't normally be able to carry around. For example, fusing a stick with a boulder turns it into a formidable boulder hammer. You can also combine weapons or shields with Zonai devices, which we will explain below.
- Equipment/equipment fusions: Fusing two weapons together to combine elements of both. Stick a sword to your shield to do damage while protecting yourself, or a shield to your sword to add a protective element.
- Equipment/material fusions: Fusing a weapon with an inventory item or material that would normally be used for cooking, elixir brewing or similar. Bokoblin fangs easily add about five damage points to your weapon's existing benchmark, while parts from monster bosses will add even more. You can turn a rusty broadsword into a heavyweight hitter in a second by adding 20 points to its initial five, or stick a sapphire on your shield to protect you from freezing damage.
Best fusions in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom
Here are some of the best weapon fusions or combinations in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, with more to come soon:
- Blue Boss Boko Axe (Soldier's Broadsword + Blue Boss Bokoblin Horn)
- Soldier II Reaper (Strong Zonaite Sword + Soldier Construct II Horn)
- Boss Boko Blade (Soldier's Claymore + Boss Bokoblin Horn)
- Two-Handed Sword + Shield (creates a two-in-one weapon with defensive capabilities)
- Captain III Reaper (Strong Zonaite Sword + Captain Construct III Horn)
- Zora-Spear Claymore (Royal Claymore + Zora Spear)
- Double Bokoblin Arm (Bokblin Arm + Bokoblin Arm)
- Rocket Shield (Strong Zonaite Shield + Rocket; allows you to blast up into the air while protecting yourself from enemy attacks)
- Skateboard Shield (Shield + Minecart; can skateboard down beams, on terrain...anywhere! Get minecart from Fire Temple)
Fusions also have an effect on weapon durability in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, allowing you to hang onto your more powerful gear for longer. Certain precious stones might have low Fuse damage, but they really maximize durability and give your weapon or shield a new damage or defence type.
Here are examples of gem fusions in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom and what effects they grant:
- Topaz: Adds electricity damage to weapons, or electricity protection to shields
- Ruby: Adds fire damage to weapons, or fire protection to shields
- Sapphire: Adds cold damage to weapons, or cold protection to shields
How to use the Fuse Ability and create fusion weapons
The Fuse Ability should not be confused with Ultrahand, an ability which is used to create structures and Zelda Tears of the Kingdom vehicles. To use the Fuse ability and create fusions, you need to have it selected from the ability wheel by holding down the L bumper and using the right joystick. Then, make sure the weapon or shield you want to fuse is equipped, run up to an item, and tap ZL to fuse with your shield or Y to fuse with your weapon.
How to un-fuse weapon fusions in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom
To detach a fused item from a weapon, select the fused weapon in your inventory and select "Destroy fused material". This will retain the weapon, but scrap whatever you've fused to it.
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Joel Franey is a writer, journalist, podcaster and raconteur with a Masters from Sussex University, none of which has actually equipped him for anything in real life. As a result he chooses to spend most of his time playing video games, reading old books and ingesting chemically-risky levels of caffeine. He is a firm believer that the vast majority of games would be improved by adding a grappling hook, and if they already have one, they should probably add another just to be safe. You can find old work of his at USgamer, Gfinity, Eurogamer and more besides.
- Jasmine Gould-WilsonStaff Writer, GamesRadar+