Often seen while fighting Yiga Blademasters in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, only true members of the Yiga Clan are chosen to learn the secret Earthwake Technique. Luckily for players, it's possible for Link to infiltrate the Yiga Clan to learn this technique himself and gain the ability to fight without the need for weapons.
Where to Find the Earthwake Technique in TotK
The Earthwake Technique can be learned from the training grounds within the Yiga Clan Hideout in the Gerudo Highlands. The quickest way to reach the hideout is by teleporting to the Gerudo Highlands Skyview Tower and traveling southeast.
To find the entrance to the Yiga Clan Hideout, players should navigate toward the coordinates -3688, 1365, 0331 where they will find the ornate doorway pictured below.
However, in order to be granted entrance to the hideout, players must first obtain all pieces of the Yiga Clan's armor. Unlike in Breath of the Wild, Link cannot sneak into the hideout, and must wear the full armor set while inside.
Once inside, players can follow the only path deeper into the hideout until they reach the training arena where they will find a Yiga Blademaster atop the central tower.
How to Get the Earthwake Technique in TotK
When Link speaks to the Yiga Blademaster, he assumes Link is a new recruit coming for training. The Blademaster reveals that if Link can defeat six Yiga members within one minute, he will be worthy to learn the secret Earthwake Technique.
If players have not trained at the hideout before, they will first have to prove that they can defeat three Yiga members in the same amount of time. Doing so will reward players with the Yiga Fabric for their paraglider.
It will cost 100 rupees to train after the first time, so players will need to come with enough money to attempt the challenge of defeating six Yiga members. The timer will end as soon as the sixth member has been defeated, meaning that players will need to pay for yet another attempt if they wish to receive the Lightning Helm.
If successful, the Yiga Blademaster will deem Link a true member of the Yiga Clan and worthy of learning the secret technique. He will impart the Earthwake Manual that contains everything Link needs to know in order to perform Earthwake.
How to Use Earthwake in TotK
The Earthwake Manual can be found in the Key Items tab of the player's inventory. Use of the ability can be toggled on and off in a method similar to the Sages' Solemn Vows by selecting it with the A-button and choosing to equip or remove the manual.
In order to use Earthwake, Link must not be wielding any weapons, but bows and shields are perfectly fine. While the ability is active, players can hold the Y-button to use stamina to quickly charge Earthwake and slam the ground.
While holding the Y-button, the Earthwake will extend outward in a straight line in front of Link. The farther the Earthwake travels, the more stamina it will use up; the maximum amount is just under one full circle of stamina. However, if the Earthwake runs into any obstacles such as buildings or walls, it will end without damage.
If there are any enemies within Link's vicinity when he slams the ground, the Earthwake will track and lock-on to their position instead of continuing in a straight line.
Releasing the Y-button will cause the Earthwake to fracture the ground at its position and shoot rocks upward to damage any enemies that may be there. The same effect will happen when the Earthwake reaches the maximum distance.
This technique is not limited to the Yiga Armor: as long as the manual is equipped and Link isn't holding any weapons, players can use the Earthwake Technique whenever they so choose.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available for the Nintendo Switch.