Staring at a worn-out Tree Branch and a pile of monster horns, wondering what to do with them? Take a breath. There’s no wrong way to start, and Fuse is the friendliest answer the game gives you.
Fuse lets you stick materials and objects onto your weapons, shields and arrows. Once it clicks, Hyrule feels a lot less scary. Let’s go through it together, at your own pace. Everything here is checked against the current version 1.4.3.
Where You Unlock Fuse
You get Fuse early, on the Great Sky Island. It comes from the In-isa Shrine in the southwest of the island, south of the large lake. Rauru grants you the ability as soon as you step inside.
- When: most players go there second, right after Ukouh Shrine gives them Ultrahand. You can also do Gutanbac Shrine (for Ascend) first.
- The lesson: inside, you fuse a rock to your weapon to smash through breakable walls, and fuse a fire fruit to an arrow to burn away dry grass. Those two tricks stay useful all game.
- The reward: a Light of Blessing, like every Shrine of Light.
This is one of those moments worth slowing down for. Everything you learn on this island carries through the whole adventure.
How to Fuse, Step by Step
There are three kinds of Fuse, and each works a little differently.
Weapons and Shields
- Step 1: Equip the weapon or shield you want to improve. This is your base.
- Step 2: Find a material. It can be lying on the ground, or you can drop one from your inventory. You don’t even need to pick it up first.
- Step 3: Open the ability wheel by holding L and select Fuse. Point at the object.
- Step 4: Confirm and the object snaps onto your weapon. To fuse onto your shield instead, press ZL while the object is highlighted.
Arrows
Arrows use materials straight from your inventory. While aiming your bow, hold up on the D-pad to open the material list, pick something with the right stick, and fire. Each fused arrow uses up one of that material.
(Pro tip: press Y in that list to change the sort order: by type, by Fuse attack power, by most used, or with Zonai devices first. Sorting by attack power is a lifesaver in a tough fight.)
What to Fuse: The Best Starter Combos
Fusing raises your weapon’s attack power, and many materials add special effects on top. Here’s your checklist of combinations that work from the very start.
| Material | Fuse to | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Rock or boulder | Weapon | A hammer that breaks rock walls and ore deposits. Raises attack and makes the weapon harder to break |
| Monster horns | Weapon | More attack, and many horns make the weapon harder to break |
| Keese Eyeball | Arrow | Homing arrows that track enemies |
| Fire Fruit | Arrow | Burns grass and enemies |
| Brightbloom Seed | Arrow | Lights up dark caves and the Depths |
| Ruby | Weapon | Weapon shoots balls of fire |
| Sapphire | Shield | Shield freezes enemies |
| Gems on rods | Magic Rod, Staff or Sceptre | Stronger elemental attacks |
- Keep your horns: monster horns are common and work well on almost any weapon. Don’t sell them off too early.
- Bomb flowers: you can fuse them to arrows, but throwing one is often just as good, and it saves arrows.
- Dragon parts: rare, but some of the strongest materials in the game. Our dragon farming guide shows where to get them.
Completionists, you’ll want to know: stronger monsters usually drop stronger parts. As you move from red Bokoblins to silver and gold enemies, your Fuse options grow with you.
Fuse Rules Worth Knowing
- One attachment at a time: a weapon or shield can only hold one fused item. A weapon that already has something fused can’t take a second one.
- Weapons on weapons: you can fuse a spare weapon onto another, which can give you a much longer reach.
- Shape matters: a fused object usually changes your weapon’s shape, and with it the reach and swing. Try a few swings on a weak enemy before a big fight.
- The Master Sword: it can take a fused material too, which raises its attack power.
- Zonai devices: they can be fused to shields and weapons as well, which opens up some wild combinations. Take it at your own pace with those.
Getting Your Materials Back
Changed your mind about a fusion? Visit Pelison’s Break-a-Part Shop in Tarrey Town. Pelison, a young Goron by the town entrance, separates a fused item for 20 Rupees and leaves both pieces in a collection area next to his stall. It doesn’t work on the Master Sword.
Take Your Time: you don’t need to memorize every combination. Fuse rewards curiosity, and you’d be surprised what’s hiding in the side content.
Lore Connection: Why Link Can Fuse
Lore Connection: Fuse, like Ultrahand, Ascend and Recall, comes from Link’s new right arm, which belonged to Rauru, the first king of Hyrule. The whole idea of treating the world as a toolbox is Zonai design, and the story keeps reminding you of it.
Fuse FAQ
Where do you get Fuse in Tears of the Kingdom?
At the In-isa Shrine in the southwest of the Great Sky Island. Rauru grants it when you enter.
How do you fuse to a shield?
Select Fuse from the ability wheel and press ZL while the object is highlighted.
How do you fuse items to arrows?
Aim your bow, hold up on the D-pad and choose a material from the list. Each arrow uses one of that material.
Can you unfuse items?
Yes, at Pelison’s Break-a-Part Shop in Tarrey Town. It costs 20 Rupees and gives you both items back.
What are the best early Fuse materials?
Rocks for breaking walls, monster horns for damage, Keese Eyeballs for homing arrows and Brightbloom Seeds for exploring the dark.
It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Experiment a little each session, and by the time you reach the tougher enemies you’ll have a whole toolbox of combinations ready. If you’re still on the Great Sky Island, our Great Sky Island Korok Seeds guide is a nice next stop.
