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The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD eGuide Friends & Fiends

Enemies

Link has plenty of friends in Hyrule, but there are also scores of fiends who wish him harm. Studying the strengths and weaknesses of every villainous creature is vital to survival in Link’s world. Here you’ll find the quick breakdown of the foes you’ll face. The walkthrough will have even more details on how to best these creatures and keep Link intact.

Aeralfos

  • Winged, flying lizard-beast armed with a sword and shield
  • ZL-target when airborne, wait for it to raise its shield, then fire the Clawshot to latch onto its shield and ground it
  • Punish Aeralfos with fast attack combos once it’s grounded
  • Don’t Clawshot its shield while it’s grounded or you’re pulled toward it and exposed to counterattacks

Encountered In: Dungeon 7: City in the Sky

Armos

  • The Armos is impervious to frontal attacks
  • Roll around to its weak spot, then execute an attack
  • When the Armos begins to glow, get away quickly because it is about to explode
  • Alternately, run behind it without targeting and use Hidden Skill #5 to quickly dispatch the Armos

Encountered In: Dungeon 6: Temple of Time

Baba Serpent

  • The Baba Serpent’s head is invincible
  • Wait for the creature to rise up and expose its neck, then slice it or fire at it with a ranged weapon
  • After you separate the Baba Serpent’s head, shoot it again or finish it with sword swipes
  • If you’re caught in its mouth, you can escape with a spin

Encountered In: Dungeon 1: Forest Temple

Baby Gohma

  • Baby Gohmas are not aggressive; in fact, they run directly away from you
  • Bomb Arrows or the Clawshot will dispatch them
  • Slashing with the sword while running forward also proves effective

Encountered In: Dungeon 6: Temple of Time

Bari

  • The Bari is impervious to most attacks
  • The Clawshot is the most effective; target the creature and fire for interesting results

Encountered In: Dungeon 3: Lakebed Temple

Beamos

  • The Beamos shoots a jet of fire from its “eye” that will damage and stagger you
  • On your first encounter, the Beamos are impervious; use your shield to block their attacks and get by them
  • Once you receive the Hero’s Bow, you can target the eye and defeat the Beamos with a shot

Encountered In: Dungeon 2: Goron Mines

Beamos (White)

  • The red laser the Beamos fires will drain your energy
  • Step back out of the laser’s range and fire a regular arrow
  • You cannot harm the White Beamos untilit activates

Encountered In: Dungeon 6: Temple of Time

Big Baba

  • You must use your shield to block and target (both with the ZL button) as you advance
  • Sidestep when the Big Baba’s head strikes at you, then spin or slice it
  • When the head is destroyed, throw a Bombling (target with the ZL button) to blow up the creature

Encountered In: Dungeon 1: Forest Temple

Bokoblin

  • Watch for the Bokoblin bash attack
  • Target a Bokoblin and use a four-hit combo
  • If several attack, use your spin move

Encountered In: Ordona and Faron Provinces

Bombfish

  • The Bombfish explodes as a defense mechanism, damaging you and destroying itself
  • Attack from dry land, or underwater with your Iron Boots on, and ZL-target with your Clawshot
  • If you lure the fish to you, it can explode nearby features

Encountered In: Dungeon 3: Lakebed Temple

Bombling

  • When struck, a Bombling will collapse, flash red, and (seven seconds later) explode
  • Use Bomblings to clear obstacles or defeat tough enemies
  • They pose no threat if you stay away from them

Encountered In: Dungeon 1: Forest Temple

Bomskit

  • Bomskits pose no threat if left alone, though they will drop bombs if chased
  • Use a projectile weapon to dispatch a Bomskit
  • When defeated, the Bomskit’s remains can be scooped to get Worm Bait for fishing

Encountered In: Hyrule Field

Bubble, Fire Bubble, Ice Bubble

  • Normal Bubbles simply attack, Fire Bubbles damage wooden shields, Ice Bubbles can freeze you
  • Attack at range with arrows (bomb or normal)
  • Avoid finishing moves, as the Bubbles usually dodge, leaving you stuck for a moment and vulnerable

Encountered In: Hyrule

Bulblin

  • Bulblins are foot soldiers that carry primitive clubs
  • Use your shield and ZL-target to push back the initial attack, then counter with three regular slices, comboed into a spin to finish them off
  • Multiple Bulblins can be simultaneously defeated with this technique
  • You can also knock a Bulblin back with your shield, leaping and slicing, then (with the Bulblin lying on its back) finish it with your first Hidden Skill

Encountered In: Dungeon 2: Goron Mines

Bulblin Riders

  • The Bullbos carry two passengers each: one a rider and the other an archer
  • Use your spurs to catch up, draw your sword, then hack away to slice rider and archer in one swipe
  • Charging in, using the spin attack, and charging away is the other option

Encountered In: Kakariko Village

Chilfos

  • A difficult enemy, the Chilfos uses a thrown spear that knocks you down and leaves you vulnerable
  • From long range, fire two Bomb Arrows in rapid succession
  • At close range, slice rapidly until the spear breaks, then spin attack, and use more slashes to defeat the creature

Encountered In: Snowpeak Mountain

Chu

  • Chus come in various colors, denoting the healing properties their remains have
  • Sword strikes work well against the creatures
  • Scoop Chu remains into a bottle for later use

Encountered In: Lanayru Province

Chu Worm

  • The worm’s Chu Jelly bubble is impervious to your sword strikes, but not Bomb Arrows
  • Use ZL-target and launch a Bomb Arrow, then use sword swipes to finish it
  • The Clawshot also proves effective against the Chu Worm

Encountered In: Dungeon 3: Lakebed Temple

Darknut

  • Slow-moving, heavily armored knight with powerful attacks
  • ZL-target and backflip to dodge its attacks, then quickly follow up with a jump attack (3), and repeat
  • After taking heavy damage, Darknut sheds its armor, becoming more agile and dangerous
  • Use the back slice maneuver to stagger an unarmored Darknut, then quickly follow up with fast attack combos
  • In groups, try to defeat each Darknut in turn

Encountered In: Dungeon 6: Temple of Time

Deku Baba

  • A carnivorous weed that can only reach, not walk, from its planted spot
  • Slice with a couple of well-timed strikes or a spin
  • Find Deku nuts, for your Slingshot, in the Deku Baba’s head

Encountered In: Ordona and Faron Provinces

Deku Like

  • The Deku Like can be harmed only if it swallows something explosive
  • Find a Bombling to drop into the Deku Like’s mouth from above

Encountered In: Dungeon 1: Forest Temple

Dodongo

  • Dodongos breath fire in a wide arc and are impenetrable from the front
  • To defeat Dodongos with your sword, circle around to target the tail
  • Three slices at the tail finish off this scaly threat
  • A spin attack works well at hitting multiple Dodongo tails

Encountered In: Dungeon 2: Goron Mines

Dynalfos

  • The Dynalfos can be harmed only by counterattacks
  • Wait for the monster to make a swing, block it, and immediately retaliate with a spin attack or helm splitter
  • Back striking the creature’s tail also works
  • It takes three or four successful attacks to defeat a Dynalfos

Encountered In: Dungeon 6: Temple of Time

Fire Keese

  • Deal with Fire Keese the same way as the other Keese
  • Use the ZL-target and slice, or shoot with a ranged weapon

Encountered In: Dungeon 2: Goron Mines

Fire Toadpoli

  • The Fire Toadpoli spits out a fireball that can damage you and knock you off ladders
  • Raise your shield and ZL-target the Fire Toadpoli, when it spits the fireball, knock the fireball back with your shield (move your Nunchuk forward)
  • Time it early for best results; one fireball strike will defeat the beast

Encountered In: Dungeon 2: Goron Mines

Freezard

  • Though the Freezard is immobile, its breath freezes you in place and saps energy
  • Target with the Ball and Chain and attack or retreat from its breath
  • Beware other enemies in the same area, because if you are frozen, they’ll take advantage of your vulnerability

Encountered In: Snowpeak Mountain

Ghoul Rat

  • The Ghoul Rats don’t actually do damage
  • The Ghoul Rats cling and slow you down, making you vulnerable to other monsters
  • Transform into a wolf, turn your sense view on, and spin attack to shake them off, then bite

Encountered In: Dungeon 4: Arbiter’s Ground

Guay

  • Guays are easy when encountered singly but difficult in a flock
  • Each swoops down to dive bomb you, then flies away while another attacks from a different direction
  • Block with your shield, then slay the Guay as it flies away
  • After you gain the Hero’s Bow or Clawshot, auto-target each bird and fire

Encountered In: Kakariko Village

Helmasaur

  • You cannot hurt the Helmasaur by hitting it from the front or sides
  • It can push you back even if you’re blocking
  • Target the Helmasaur, maneuver to face its rear, then strike (with spin attack, or Hidden Skill #3)
  • The Clawshot is very effective against the Helmasaur

Encountered In: Dungeon 3: Lakebed Temple

Helmasaurus

  • Large, boar-like quadruped with a carapace head
  • Charges forward and attacks by ramming into you
  • ZL-target and jump to one side to avoid charge attack, then attack the Helmasaurus’s vulnerable backside

Encountered In: Dungeon 7: City in the Sky

Hylian Hornet

  • Only attack if provoked, and you cannot stand and fight
  • Run away from them and they give up after five seconds
  • Or you can dive into water to avoid them

Encountered In: Ordona and Faron Provinces

Ice Keese

  • Small winged enemy
  • Similar to normal Keese, but this version emanates a frosty aura
  • Easily defeated with just about any form of attack

Encountered In: Peak Province; Snowpeak

Imp Poe

  • The Imp Poe is invisible to your human form; you must use sense view to see them
  • The Imp Poes attack with a sickle weapon
  • Pounce on the Imp Poes to defeat them and reveal the Poe Soul

Encountered In: Lanayru Province

Kargarok

  • Target a Kargarok and attack with a leaping slice to bring it to the ground
  • Finish it with a strike
  • Beware: If you miss the finishing blow, your sword gets stuck, allowing the Kargarok a free attack

Encountered In: Hyrule Field

Keese

  • Try to spot Keese from a distance and use ranged attacks to take them down
  • If a Keese attacks, target with the ZL button, then swipe or jump and swipe
  • Auto-target incoming Keese with ranged weapon (can be tricky)

Encountered In: Ordona and Faron Provinces

Leever

  • A ring of Leevers rotate and move around you, then converge and strike
  • Stop, stand still, and as the Leevers surround and come in for the strike, execute a spin attack and defeat them all
  • Projectiles (or running away) are also effective

Encountered In: Hyrule Field

Lizalfos (“Axe-tail”)

  • The Lizalfos has two bladed attacks: a sword it carries and an axelike tail, which can knock you down
  • The Lizalfos is skilled in defense, so multiple simple sword strikes are required to down it
  • It’s more effective to shoot Bomb Arrows or ZL-target the Lizalfos, ram it with your shield, then roll around with the A button and slice its back

Encountered In: Dungeon 3: Lakebed Temple

Lizalfos (“Skull-face”)

  • This Lizalfos is very similar to the axe-tail version
  • Use the same strategies on this foe: maneuver to its back and slice

Encountered In: Dungeon 3: Lakebed Temple

Mini Freezard

  • If they strike you, Mini Freezards encase you in ice, leaving you vulnerable
  • Strike with you sword, block, and then strike a second time to defeat them
  • If facing a group of Mini Freezards, concentrate on one at a time
  • The Ball and Chain weapon is the most effective, though you don’t have it during your first Mini Freezard encounter

Encountered In: Snowpeak Mountain

Moldorm

  • Moldorms burrow and pop out to take quick attacks
  • Sword attacks alone are usually futile
  • Use the Clawshot to pull them from the ground and then dispatch them with your sword

Encountered In: Hyrule

Poison Mite

  • The Poison Mites don’t actually deal damage
  • The mites slow you down in sinking sand, threatening to pull you down
  • Do not fight until you reach solid ground, or shine your Lantern to scare them off

Encountered In: Dungeon 4: Arbiter’s Ground

Puppet

  • Puppets (controlled by Skull Kid) usually appear in groups of four or more
  • They swipe with fists; their biggest threat is their numbers
  • A spin attack takes out Puppets with one go

Encountered In: Sacred Grove

Pygmy Skulltula

  • A mid-sized Skulltula that hangs from a thin web
  • Drops down from above just as you’re about to jump across a small gap; harms you if you leap into it
  • Slowly move forward until it descends, then defeat it with the Slingshot from a safe distance

Encountered In: Dungeon 1: Forest Temple

Encountered In: Faron Woods

Rat

  • Rats are not a big threat
  • In the dark, listen for their squeaking, and use ZL to target them
  • Slice or jump in and slice

Encountered In: Ordona and Faron Provinces

Redead

  • The Redead has a paralyzing scream that stops you, and then a sword attack to damage you
  • Use Bomb Arrows from range
  • Alternately use your wolf form and bite the Redead

Encountered In: Dungeon 4: Arbiter’s Ground

Shell Blade

  • The Shell Blade is impervious to vertical slashing moves
  • The creature’s interior is vulnerable to any horizontal slice
  • The spin attack is excellent against the Shell Blade

Encountered In: Dungeon 3: Lakebed Temple

Skullfish

  • There are many ways to defeat Skullfish, such as the Gale Boomerang, Clawshot, or dropped bombs when you’re on dry land
  • If in the water, use the Iron Boots and sword or simply swim away from them
  • Catching a Skullfish with the Fishing Rod rewards you with a Heart but you must throw the Skullfish back

Encountered In: Dungeon 3: Lakebed Temple

Skulltula

  • The Skulltula cannot be defeated head on
  • Use the ZL button to block the leg attacks, move to either side, then strike with a combo of slashes
  • When the beast collapses, finish it with a leaping strike and press the A button when prompted to complete combat

Encountered In: Dungeon 1: Forest Temple

Stalfos

  • The Stalfos is an undead monster invincible to most attacks
  • Use Bomb Arrows or other explosive
  • Repeat as necessary

Encountered In: Dungeon 4: Arbiter’s Ground

Stalhound

  • These undead beasts dig up from the ground below, attack, then burrow down back, only to reappear from the same place again
  • Two spin attacks or a couple of leaping strikes will defeat them
  • Stalhounds tend to drop Rupees, too

Encountered In: Hyrule Field

Stalkin

  • Brittle and slow, Stalkins are not particularly frightening or dangerous
  • They can attack in large numbers
  • A single spin attack will defeat all of them in a group

Encountered In: Dungeon 4: Arbiter’s Ground

Staltroop

  • The Staltroops are the Stallord’s minions, not attackers but obstacles during your fight with Stallord
  • Avoid the Staltroops and don’t stop moving when on the sand
  • Spinning into them with the spinner will defeat them

Encountered In: Dungeon 4: Arbiter’s Ground

Tektite (Red and Blue)

  • Tektites have only a single jumping attack that is damaging
  • Let the Tektites congregate around you
  • When the first one jumps, execute the spin attack as it descends to finish all of them

Encountered In: Dungeon 2: Goron Mines

Tile Worm

  • When first encountered, simply maneuver around Tile Worms
  • After acquiring the Gale Boomerang, target the tile the Tile Worm is under, and attack
  • Once the Tile Worm is exposed, finish it with regular attacks

Encountered In: Dungeon 1: Forest Temple

Toado

  • These monsters are dangerous only in large numbers
  • Defeat Toadoes with a single spin attack
  • Try to keep your back to a wall to avoid being surrounded, use spin attacks and then slashes to defeat groups

Encountered In: Dungeon 3: Lakebed Temple

Torch Slug

  • Torch Slugs are harmless until you near them
  • Combat them with a quick sword attack (not a leaping attack, as they can repel you)
  • They’re also found on cave ceilings, dropping to startle you, so use a ranged weapon from afar

Encountered In: Dungeon 2: Goron Mines

Twilit Baba

  • The Twilit Baba looks different from the Deku Baba but behaves similarly
  • It cannot attack beyond the length of its reach
  • In wolf form, bite twice or use a spin attack

Encountered In: Ordona and Faron Provinces

Twilit Bulblin

  • Twilit Bulblins attack just like Bulblin Warriors and can be dispatched with two strikes
  • If you knock them onto their backs you must wait because the wolf doesn’t have a finishing move
  • Defeat Twilit Bulblins with a couple of bites, spins, or Midna’s energy crackle

Encountered In: Faron Woods

Twilit Bulblin Archer

  • Twilit Bulblin Archers use the same tactics as their light-world counterparts
  • They can make life difficult for a wolf, so make these enemies a priority
  • Charge with your speed boost, avoid running directly at them, jump and bite, wait for them to rise, and bite again

Encountered In: Lanayru Province

Twilit Kargarok

  • This creature’s attack deals half a Heart’s worth of damage
  • Wait for it to dive, while keeping a constant lock-on, and then leap and bite the bird
  • It takes two strikes to defeat a Twilit Kargarok

Encountered In: Castle Hyrule

Twilit Keese

  • Similar to regular Keese, but longer
  • One strike will slay a Twilit Keese
  • Spin attacks also work if the Keese are flying near you

Encountered In: Castle Hyrule

Twilit Messenger

  • Twilit Messengers are most troublesome when encountered in groups
  • Target one and bite until you’re thrown off
  • Then finish it off with a spin attack

Encountered In: Ordona and Faron Provinces, Lake Hylia

Twilit Parasite

  • To find the Twilit Parasite, look for purple sparks and shadows on the ground
  • Sixteen of them roam the land; they can hide inside walls, floors, the ground, or out of reach
  • Use the ZL button to target these foes then pounce with one attack

Encountered In: Ordona and Faron Provinces

Twilit Vermin

  • The Twilit Vermin attack mercilessly
  • It is very weak, so a single strike will defeat a Twilit Vermin
  • However, while swimming, you can’t attack them, but they can attack you, so seek dry land

Encountered In: Castle Hyrule

Walltula

  • Walltulas bite if you’re right next to them
  • Use your Slingshot from range
  • Only one hit defeats them

Encountered In: Ordona and Faron Provinces

Water Toadpoli

  • The aquatic versions of the Toadpoli, Water Toadpolis swim faster and spit projectiles
  • Shield block and wait to bounce back the spitball
  • You can also shoot an arrow, which is faster

Encountered In: Dungeon 2: Goron Mines

White Wolfos

  • Agile and stealthy, the White Wolfos will stalk you, attacking in pairs
  • Shield block the first one and strike the second with a well-timed blow
  • You can also ignore them, run by them quickly, or go after them in wolf form

Encountered In: Snowpeak Mountain

Young Gohma

  • The Young Gohma leaps and strikes you with its pincers
  • Two sweeping sword strikes will defeat this foe

Encountered In: Dungeon 6: Temple of Time

Zant Mask

  • Giant floating head that resembles Zant’s armored mask
  • Immobile but can teleport about
  • Attacks after teleporting by firing purple orbs, which can be deflected via the shield attack maneuver
  • When they appear, simply attack them with relentless combos

Encountered In: Dungeon 8: Palace of Twilight

Zant’s Hand

  • Giant, indestructible floating hand that travels very slowly
  • Doesn’t attack you directly, but chases after the Sol Orbs you take from it
  • When positioned directly above the Sol Orb, it slams downward to grab it, harming you if you’re caught
  • If it grabs the Sol Orb, use the Clawshot to steal it back

Encountered In: Dungeon 8: Palace of Twilight