Special Controls

The Special Controls menu,^{(TotKTears of the Kingdom)}^[1] also known as the Ability Controls menu,^{(BotWBreath of the Wild)}^[2] is a recurring interface in The Legend of Zelda series.

Overview

Breath of the Wild

The Ability Controls menu details different actions that Link can perform. Each Special control must first be revealed through gameplay before becoming visible on the menu.

Ability Control	The Scope and Pins
Details	View distant things and mark them with pins.
Unlock Criteria for Menu Prompt	Talking to the Old Man on top of Mount Hylia or after obtaining one Spirit Orb, or activating a third Sheikah Tower (second if the Camera Rune is already unlocked).
Ability Control	Shield Surf
Details	Hop on your shield and slide down hills.
Unlock Criteria for Menu Prompt	Performing a Shield Surf (it is not required for it to result in surfing).
Ability Control	Charged Attacks
Details	Prepare and unleash a powerful attack.
Unlock Criteria for Menu Prompt	Completing the Ta'loh Naeg Shrine in Kakariko Village.
Ability Control	Jump Slash
Details	Attack from above and do splash damage.
Unlock Criteria for Menu Prompt	Speaking to Steen in Kakariko Village at night and asking to learn the Jump Slash.
Ability Control	Backflip
Details	Dodge enemy attacks by flipping backward.
Unlock Criteria for Menu Prompt	Dodging any enemy's attack using a backflip (unlocks Side Hop as well).
Ability Control	Side Hop
Details	Dodge enemy attacks by hopping sideways.
Unlock Criteria for Menu Prompt	Dodging any enemy's attack using a Side Hop (unlock Backflip as well).
Ability Control	Perfect Guard
Details	Parry at the right time to knock an enemy back.
Unlock Criteria for Menu Prompt	Performing a Perfect Guard.
Ability Control	Use amiibo
Details	Touch an amiibo to the NFC touchpoint.
Unlock Criteria for Menu Prompt	Enabling amiibo usage in the options menu, then using the amiibo Rune.

Ability Controls
Ability Control	Details	Unlock Criteria for Menu Prompt
The Scope and Pins	View distant things and mark them with pins.	Talking to the Old Man on top of Mount Hylia or after obtaining one Spirit Orb, or activating a third Sheikah Tower (second if the Camera Rune is already unlocked).
Shield Surf	Hop on your shield and slide down hills.	Performing a Shield Surf (it is not required for it to result in surfing).
Charged Attacks	Prepare and unleash a powerful attack.	Completing the Ta'loh Naeg Shrine in Kakariko Village.
Jump Slash	Attack from above and do splash damage.	Speaking to Steen in Kakariko Village at night and asking to learn the Jump Slash.
Backflip	Dodge enemy attacks by flipping backward.	Dodging any enemy's attack using a backflip (unlocks Side Hop as well).
Side Hop	Dodge enemy attacks by hopping sideways.	Dodging any enemy's attack using a Side Hop (unlock Backflip as well).
Perfect Guard	Parry at the right time to knock an enemy back.	Performing a Perfect Guard.
Use amiibo	Touch an amiibo to the NFC touchpoint.	Enabling amiibo usage in the options menu, then using the amiibo Rune.

Tears of the Kingdom

The Special Controls menu details different actions that Link can perform. Each Special control must first be revealed through gameplay before becoming visible on the menu.

Special control	Throw Material
Details	Select material from your inventory to throw.
Unlock Criteria for Menu Prompt	Receiving combat training within the Yamiyo Shrine. Talking to Ponnick in the Depths during the Side Adventure "Camera Work in the Depths". Picking up a specific Item.^[a]
Special control	The Scope and Pins
Details	View distant things and mark them with pins.
Unlock Criteria for Menu Prompt	Talking to Rauru after completing a Shrine of Light for the first time.
Special control	Shield Surf
Details	Hop on your shield and slide down hills.
Unlock Criteria for Menu Prompt	Performing a Shield Surf (it is not required for it to result in surfing).
Special control	Charged Attacks
Details	Prepare and unleash a powerful attack.
Unlock Criteria for Menu Prompt	Receiving combat training within the Kyononis Shrine.
Special control	Jump Slash
Details	Attack from above and do splash damage.
Unlock Criteria for Menu Prompt	Reading the Note on the Table found at Hoz' Monster-Control Crew camp.^[b]
Special control	Backflip
Details	Dodge enemy attacks by flipping backward.
Unlock Criteria for Menu Prompt	Receiving combat training within the Kyononis Shrine.
Special control	Side Hop
Details	Dodge enemy attacks by hopping sideways.
Unlock Criteria for Menu Prompt	Receiving combat training within the Kyononis Shrine.
Special control	Perfect Guard
Details	Parry at the right time to repel enemy attacks.
Unlock Criteria for Menu Prompt	Performing a Perfect Guard.
Special control	Use amiibo
Details	Touch an amiibo to the NFC touchpoint.
Unlock Criteria for Menu Prompt	Enabling amiibo in the options menu, then using the amiibo Ancient Power.

Special controls
Special control	Details	Unlock Criteria for Menu Prompt
Throw Material	Select material from your inventory to throw.	Receiving combat training within the Yamiyo Shrine. Talking to Ponnick in the Depths during the Side Adventure "Camera Work in the Depths". Picking up a specific Item.^[a]
The Scope and Pins	View distant things and mark them with pins.	Talking to Rauru after completing a Shrine of Light for the first time.
Shield Surf	Hop on your shield and slide down hills.	Performing a Shield Surf (it is not required for it to result in surfing).
Charged Attacks	Prepare and unleash a powerful attack.	Receiving combat training within the Kyononis Shrine.
Jump Slash	Attack from above and do splash damage.	Reading the Note on the Table found at Hoz' Monster-Control Crew camp.^[b]
Backflip	Dodge enemy attacks by flipping backward.	Receiving combat training within the Kyononis Shrine.
Side Hop	Dodge enemy attacks by hopping sideways.	Receiving combat training within the Kyononis Shrine.
Perfect Guard	Parry at the right time to repel enemy attacks.	Performing a Perfect Guard.
Use amiibo	Touch an amiibo to the NFC touchpoint.	Enabling amiibo in the options menu, then using the amiibo Ancient Power.

↑ For this to reveal the "Throw Material" entry, Link needs to have already received instructions on how to Quick Select and throw Weapons. Then, he can pick up one of the following Items:
List of items

Chuchu Jelly
Red Chuchu Jelly
Yellow Chuchu Jelly
White Chuchu Jelly
Splash Fruit
Fire Fruit
Shock Fruit
Ice Fruit
Dazzlefruit
Brightbloom Seed
Giant Brightbloom Seed
Puffshroom
Muddle Bud
Bomb Flower

If it is not his first time picking up that item and he has less than five of it in his Inventory, then the "Throw Material" entry will be revealed in the menu.
↑ Depending how far Link has progressed in his adventure, the camp can be found either in Hyrule Field south of Lookout Landing or in Necluda west of Fort Hateno.