Fighting Fiends in Faron Woods
After you emerge from the Dark Tunnel, you can explore the first large environment away from your village. The Faron Woods area is large, but safe if you keep your sword ready and your Slingshot as backup. Head northwest to encounter a Deku Baba.
In the middle of this woodland is a giant tree, with two large stump platforms on which you can climb. Although there’s nothing interesting here at the moment, make a mental note of where these stumps are because you’ll be returning here later!
Move to the western part of the woods to encounter your first two Bokoblins guarding a gate that’s firmly locked. The sign points to the Forest Temple ahead. The gate seems to require a key, so now you know what to do next. Well, apart from battling these two fiendish foes!
Bokoblin Bokoblins are sly and stupid, and they love to bash you. Bring out your sword, and strike them four times in a combo after targeting them. If several attack, use your spin move.  |
Head to the eastern part of the woods, and you’ll encounter another Bokoblin! These purple fiends are nasty, and they love to club innocent villagers who’ve strayed too far from home. In your case, they’ve made a terrible mistake!
If you head along the eastern edge of the woods, there’s a small hillock and an overhang you can leap off. Look back by pressing the Right Analog Stick in to spot a chest sitting high out of reach; you won’t claim this until later. Drop and fight a Keese!
Fight around the large central tree; there are openings to scoot through, and a couple of Keese and a Bokoblin to target. Try using your Slingshot on a Keese; it’s a quick hit that works well if you auto-target. When a second Bokoblin comes at you, don’t use the Slingshot because it takes eight or nine shots to bring him down!
Explore the northwest corner of the woods. Find three Deku Babas and some nesting Keese to slice and dice. Fire a Slingshot into a Deku Baba. It stuns the plant, after which you can follow up with a sword to finish!
It’s time to enter the tunnel at the north end of the woods to search for a key. Expect a Deku Baba and one or two Bokoblins to greet you. After you dispatch them, bring out your Slingshot, and tag the three nesting Keese at the tunnel entrance.
As you emerge in the tunnel’s far end, you’ll spot a dead end, and an incoming Bokoblin. He’s not tough if you slash and bash him with your sword. Then tackle a Keese who’s flapping in your face. The Bokoblin seemed to be guarding that small chest. Open it!
Overworld Chest #4:
Small Key
Small Key
You got the Small Key! This key opens the gate to Faron Woods.
Although there doesn’t seem to be anything else to do here, wait a moment. Try bringing out your Lantern and lighting those two torches! Once both are lit, a previously invisible chest in the alcove above and behind the first appears! Open it immediately!
Overworld Chest #5:
Piece of Heart
Piece of Heart
You got a Piece of Heart! Collect five pieces to form a new Heart Container and increase your life energy! Piece of Heart #1 of 45.
|
Check your Collection menu, where your Piece of Heart is now visible. You need four more for an additional Heart Container! You can have a theoretical maximum of 20 Hearts of life energy. Here’s how this breaks down:
|
With the Small Key (which appears on your screen above the Rupees you’ve collected) stored, and your first Piece of Heart found, run to the western part of the Faron Woods. Slay or avoid the woodland foes on the way. Move up to the gate and unlock it. Defeat the Bokoblin inside.
Missing Links
1. Larking in the Long Grass
There’s grass to cut, and Rupees plus Hearts to harvest. Watch you don’t stand on a Deku Baba, as they lurk near patches of grass, too! You can turn Deku Babas’ heads into Slingshot ammunition, so pick them up and break them after combat.