Stealth Mechanics Explained

Stealth plays a big role in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom as it allows you to sneak quietly without getting detected by enemies. Read on to learn more about stealth in the game!

Stealth Mechanics Explained

Stealth Mechanics Explained
Crouch and Sneak for Stealth Enemies Can Detect Link Purple Waves Track Stealth

Crouch and Sneak for Stealth

The main stealth option in the game is crouching down and sneaking around. This will make Link move slower, but quieter.

Simply press the left control stick to crouch..

Enemies Can Detect Link

All enemies in the game are out to get Link, and are bound to be instantly aggressive if they spot Link walking around near their territory.

Enemies in the overworld can become suspicious if they hear noises out of nowhere, and they will become more wary if Link is unable to keep them down. This is marked by the question mark on top of their heads, which slowly fills up as they become more suspicious.

Once they've had enough, or when Link completely breaks cover, enemies will have an exclamation point on their heads, meaning that they have discovered you and will alert other nearby units, prompting everyone to attack you.

Purple Waves Track Link's Stealthiness

You can track your stealth by looking at the circle above the weather status on the lower right side of the game's HUD. This circle displays how much sound Link is making while moving around.

If you are running or walking around, you will generate louder noises with shorter wavelengths and more waves in the circle. If you are sneaking around, you will be a lot quieter and produce longer wavelengths and fewer waves on the radar.

You can reduce the noise even further by tilting the left control stick only a little bit rather than all the way to the edge, or if you sneak in grass or when it is raining, as these will help muffle Link's footsteps.

Get Stealth Up

The Stealth Up effect, which you can get from certain armor or food, can improve your sneaking skills even more as it allows you to move a lot quieter than normal.

Equipping armor pieces from the Stealth Set, Yiga Set, or Evil Spirit Set, or cooking dishes with Silent Shrooms can give Link Stealth Up.

When to Sneak Stealthily

When to Sneak
When Avoiding Enemies When Aiming for Sneakstrikes When Hunting Animals or Catching Critters

When Avoiding Enemies

Sometimes it's better to avoid alerting every enemy in the area and simply sneak across them to avoid getting into combat.

Most of the time, you can use the environment around you to hide. If not, you have to be patient and sneak across a field with the utmost care so as not to alert the Lynel up ahead.

These scenarios may pop up more frequently midway through the game as tougher versions of enemies start appearing.

List of All Enemies

When Aiming for Sneakstrikes

You can only perform sneakstrikes when you are in stealth and when your target has not detected Link yet. If you get noticed, you will lose your chance to perform the move as the enemy will be alerted.

With the exception of sleeping enemies, you also need to approach your target from behind to get the prompt for a sneakstrike.

How to Sneakstrike

When Hunting Animals or Catching Critters

Animals like deers, cranes, and moose and critters like bugs, beetles, lizards, and even fairies will rapidly run away from Link when he makes too much noise.

If you're planning to hunt these creatures to use them as ingredients for elixirs or dishes, it's much better to crouch down and sneak towards these creatures than to scare them away by running or even walking. This will increase your chances of getting near them and catching or slaying them.

List of All Items

Also Useful When Catching Horses

Sneaking also helps a lot when approaching wild horses to tame them. Horses run away quickly if you spook them, so it is better to sneak towards them.

How to Tame Wild Horses

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Related Guides

Tips and Tricks
A Beginner's Guide to Tears of the Kingdom

All Tips and Tricks Guides