Like its predecessor, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom demonstrates Link’s new powers in a small, isolated part of his vast open world. Once you learn how to use the new one Zonai skills, then skydive to the surface to begin exploring at your leisure. However, for the paraglider (the most useful item in the game) and a way to start revealing regions on the map, we recommend using the “To the kingdom of Hyrule” search string immediately.
This is how you unlock the paraglider Tears of the Kingdom and start activating Skyview Towers.
How to unlock the paraglider in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Once you climb out of the lake below The Temple of Timefollow the yellow mark to Lookout landing, a makeshift fortress where you can buy new armor, stock up on supplies, and meet the townsfolk. Talk to Purahthe head of Lookout Landing, at the quest marker to complete “To the Kingdom of Hyrule” and start with “Crisis at Hyrule Castle.”
This will send you to the outskirts of the titular residence, where you will meet Captain Hoez and even witness more bizarre events. Return to Purah to report what you saw. At this point, Purah will invite you to explore Lookout Landing as she prepares for the next phase of the quest. After getting to know the townsfolk and exploring the emergency sheltergo to the Skyview Tower on the northwest side of Lookout Landing.
During the ensuing conversation, Purah will show you how to use the towers scattered around Hyrule to reveal the corresponding regions on your map. She will also – thank the Zonai – give you the paraglider.
Image: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon
If you’ve played Breath of the Wild, you know how handy the paraglider is. You can climb almost every surface in the game, yes, but getting back down was much more complicated before King Rhoam gave you the device. The paraglider allowed you to drop from any height (provided you open it before landing) and cross ravines, gorges and rivers in the undulating wilderness (assuming you have enough stamina).
The paraglider is even more useful in that Tears of the Kingdom. It makes it much easier to dive from the myriad air islands hovering over Hyrule (no longer needing to aim for deep water when you fall) and allows you to enter the Depths, the vast subterranean map that has nearly as much real estate as occupies like Hyrule itself. Combined with To take offthe Zonai ability that allows you to fly through ceilings above you, the paraglider will make exploring each of them Tears of the Kingdom‘s levels (Levels of the Kingdom?) that feels much more organic.
How to fly the paraglider
Image: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon
Flying the paraglider can be a bit tricky for newer players, but it remains a pain during the gameplay. When airborne press the X button to open your glider, and if you want to descend you can press B to close the glider or R to dive. While the paraglider is open, use the left stick to control which direction you are going and use the right stick to change the direction of your camera.
The amount of time you can float in the air is determined by the amount of stamina you have. If you want to travel a longer distance, you’ll need to improve your stamina by visiting a goddess statue with four Light of Blessings and exchange it for a stamina ship. If you’re in the air and you find your stamina wheels running low, make sure you descend closer to the ground or you’ll plummet to your doom! One item to take advantage of if you’re low on stamina while gliding is the wingthe bird-shaped Zonai device.
To land on the wing in mid-air, you need to:
- Stay still – don’t move the left stick.
- Open your inventory menu and drop the wing.
- Hold the left stick forward until you’re just above the wing.
- Press B to release your glider and land on top of the wing.
How to customize the paraglider with new fabric
Photo illustration: Johnny Yu/Polygoon | Source images: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon
To change the design of your paraglider Tears of the Kingdom, go to Hateno Village and talk to Sayge in the paint shop. Choose the “rework the paraglider” option to change the design of your glider at a cost of 20 rupees.
Please note that you can only change the design of your paraglider to one that you have already unlocked. To get more paraglider designs, you can scan amiibos or complete certain objectives or missions; the side quest “Photographing a Chuchu” that you can get from Sayge himself is a good place to start.
Update (May 17): We’ve added two more sections on using the paraglider and customizing it.