While The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom sees Zelda utilizing the Tri Rod and Echoes to take down enemies, she can also unlock Swordfighter Form for direct combat. But how do you unlock it?
How to Unlock Swordfighter Form
Swordfighter Form is unlocked early by defeating Shadow Link in the Suthorn Ruins Dungeon. It’s part of the main quest, “The Mysterious Rifts,” where he appears to challenge Zelda. The problem is that Shadow Link blocks all attacks from the front. The objective is to use Echoes to keep him busy and then attack his back.
After Shadow Link’s defeat, pick up the sword, and Zelda will unlock Swordfighter Form. Press up on the D-Pad with enough Energy to mirror Link’s fighting style.
Zelda changes back once the Energy gauge is empty, but collecting blue objects in the Still World, drinking Smoothies like the Milky Sweet Smoothie or Salted Milky Smoothie, and defeating Rift enemies will refill it.