A Link Between Worlds Walkthrough Chapter 17: Lorule Castle

Table of Contents

Lorule Castle serves as the final dungeon in The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, presenting intricate puzzles and formidable enemies. To successfully navigate this dungeon, ensure you have both the Bombs and Hookshot items. Access to the castle requires rescuing all seven sages.

Accessing Lorule Castle

From the Vacant House in Lorule, head north to reach Lorule Castle. After rescuing all seven sages, Princess Hilda will dispel the barrier at the castle entrance, granting you access. Lorule Castle is structured into multiple floors, each containing unique challenges. The central hub on the third floor connects to four distinct sections, each guarded by a mini-boss. Completing these sections unlocks the path to the final boss.

Central Hub (3F):

Upon entering, ascend to the third floor and strike the orb in the center to activate a warp point, allowing quick return to this location. Push the two gargoyle statues northward off the ledge to the first floor. Drop down to access a chest containing a Small Key. Use the warp point to return to 3F.

Bomb Room (Top-Left Door on 3F)

Place a bomb near the switch to lower blue blocks, then quickly move to the next area before they rise. Repeat this process to progress through the room. Carefully guide a Bomb Flower through the maze, using bombs to toggle switches and create a safe path. Protect the Bomb Flower from enemies and obstacles to reach and destroy a cracked boulder, revealing a chest with a Small Key.

Mini-Boss: Moldorm

In The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, Moldorm reappears as a mini-boss within Lorule Castle, following its initial encounter in the Tower of Hera. This battle requires precise timing and strategic movement to overcome Moldorm’s unpredictable behavior. The confrontation occurs on a platform surrounded by pits. Falling into these pits will cause Link to restart the battle, as Moldorm’s health resets upon Link’s return.

Moldorm moves erratically around the platform, making sudden turns that can catch players off guard. The glowing red tip of Moldorm’s tail is its only vulnerable spot.

Maintain a safe distance from Moldorm, observing its movement to anticipate its path. Refrain from standing near the platform’s edges to minimize the risk of being knocked into the pits. Wait for opportunities when Moldorm’s tail is exposed and accessible. Quickly move in to strike the tail with your sword, then retreat to avoid a counterattack.

Charge a spin attack while keeping an eye on Moldorm’s movements. As Moldorm approaches, release the spin attack to increase the chances of hitting its tail. After sustaining damage, Moldorm accelerates, making its movements more unpredictable. Exercise heightened caution during this phase, focusing on defense and waiting for clear openings to attack.

In A Link to the Past, the Magic Hammer is effective against Moldorm. However, in A Link Between Worlds, the sword remains the primary weapon for this encounter. Avoid rushing attacks; instead, wait for safe opportunities to strike. Stay centered on the platform to reduce the risk of falling.

Lava Room (Top-Right Door on 3F)

Approach gaps to reveal purple platforms rising from the lava. Use these to navigate the room. Pull a statue to release a spiked ball. Guide the ball across platforms to clear obstacles, allowing access to new areas. In the room with flying floor tiles, defend yourself by blocking with your shield until all tiles are depleted.

Mini-Boss: Gigabari in Lorule Castle

The Gigabari reappears as a mini-boss within Lorule Castle, presenting a more challenging encounter than its previous appearance in the Swamp Palace. This battle requires strategic use of the environment and Link’s abilities to overcome the electrified adversary.

The confrontation takes place in a confined room featuring moving grated platforms suspended over a pool of lava. The shifting platforms necessitate careful footing to avoid falling into the lava below. The Gigabari periodically charges itself with electricity, rendering direct contact hazardous during these intervals. It moves toward Link, attempting to collide and inflict damage. Upon sustaining sufficient damage, the Gigabari splits into multiple smaller Biris, each capable of electrifying themselves.

Observe the Gigabari’s electrification cycles. Approach and strike with your sword during moments when it is not electrified to avoid being shocked. Employ the Hookshot, Bow, or Fire Rod to attack from a distance, allowing you to damage the Gigabari without risking close contact during its electrified state.

Stay attentive to the movement of the grated platforms. Plan your attacks and evasive maneuvers in sync with the platform’s motion to prevent accidental falls into the lava. After the Gigabari divides into smaller Biris, maintain distance and use ranged weapons to eliminate them safely, as they can still electrify themselves.

The Fire Rod is particularly effective in this phase, as its wide range can simultaneously target multiple Biris, swiftly reducing their numbers. Wait for the Gigabari’s electrification to subside before initiating close-range attacks. Keep moving to avoid being cornered by the Gigabari or the Biris after it splits.

By implementing these strategies and remaining attentive to the Gigabari’s patterns, you can effectively overcome this mini-boss and progress through Lorule Castle.

Lantern Room (Bottom-Left Door on 4F)

Extinguish torches to reveal hidden paths. Memorize these paths, relight the torches to remove barriers, and carefully navigate across. After revealing hidden paths, access a chest containing the Red Mail, which significantly reduces damage taken.

Mini-Boss: Ball and Chain Soldier

The Ball and Chain Soldier reappears as a formidable mini-boss within Lorule Castle. This variant wields a fiery mace, adding an extra layer of challenge to the encounter.

The confrontation occurs in a dimly lit room, with the only illumination provided by the flames emanating from the soldier’s weapon. A spiked ball and chain engulfed in flames, which the soldier swings in wide arcs before launching it toward Link. The soldier’s armor provides substantial protection, requiring multiple strikes to defeat.

Enter the room with your shield raised to block any immediate attacks. Use the light from the soldier’s flaming weapon to navigate the dark room and identify obstacles. Stay out of the reach of the soldier’s swinging ball to prevent damage. When the soldier hurls the ball forward, sidestep to avoid the attack, as it can cause significant damage.

After the soldier throws the ball and before he retracts it, quickly move in to deliver sword strikes. Utilize weapons like the Bow or Fire Rod to attack from a distance, minimizing the risk of close-quarters combat. If possible, use the Lamp to illuminate the area, reducing reliance on the soldier’s weapon for light. Be mindful of any pits or barriers in the room that could impede movement or provide strategic cover.

Keep a safe distance to better anticipate and react to the soldier’s attacks. Wait for clear openings after the soldier’s attacks to strike, avoiding unnecessary risks. Ensure you have adequate health and supplies before the encounter, as the soldier’s attacks can be punishing.

Hookshot Room (Bottom-Right Door on 4F)

Be cautious of Wallmasters that attempt to grab you. Use overhead cover and stay alert. Utilize the Hookshot to traverse gaps by latching onto brown-colored walls and pulling levers to activate moving platforms. Use the Wallmaster to smash platforms holding eyeballs, then transport these eyeballs to corresponding sockets to unlock doors.

Mini-Boss: Arrghus

Arrghus appears as a mini-boss in Lorule Castle, following its role as the main boss in the Swamp Palace. The battle with Arrghus is divided into two distinct phases, each requiring strategic use of the Hookshot and sword.

Phase 1: Removing the Eyeball Minions

Arrghus is initially surrounded by multiple smaller eyeball creatures, forming a protective barrier. Target and pull the eyeball minions away from Arrghus using the Hookshot. Upon detachment, they become vulnerable. After pulling an eyeball minion, quickly strike it with your sword to destroy it before it returns to Arrghus. Continue this tactic until all eyeball minions are eliminated.

Phase 2: Direct Assault on Arrghus

With its protective barrier gone, Arrghus adopts a more aggressive approach: It ascends and attempts to crush Link by dropping down. Arrghus emits laser beams that explode upon contact with the floor. Stay mobile to avoid being crushed when Arrghus descends. Maintain distance and keep moving to sidestep the explosive lasers. After evading its attacks, close in and strike Arrghus’s central eye with your sword.

Employing the Ice Rod can freeze Arrghus momentarily, providing additional opportunities to attack.

Keeping a moderate distance allows for effective use of the Hookshot and provides time to react to Arrghus’s movements. Quickly eliminating the eyeball minions reduces the duration of the first phase, minimizing potential damage.

Final Ascent

With all four mini-bosses defeated, the large door in the central hub unlocks. Proceed through it and prepare for the final sequence of battles. It’s advisable to stock up on potions and fairies before advancing.

By meticulously navigating each section and overcoming the challenges within, you’ll be well-prepared to face the final adversary and conclude your journey through Lorule Castle.