Getting to the Spirit Temple: Through the Haunted Wasteland and Desert Colossus
Freeing the Carpenters: Your Ticket Out (and In!)
Listen up, fellow adventurer! Before you set foot in the sands leading to the Spirit Temple, there’s a crucial task waiting for you back at the Gerudo Fortress. You absolutely need to rescue all four of the captured carpenters. Think of it as your mandatory pre-dungeon quest. Without completing this, the path to the Desert Colossus, where the Spirit Temple stands, will remain blocked. It’s like needing a special keycard to access the next level, and in this case, that keycard is the Gerudo’s Card. This shows how the game cleverly links side objectives with main progression, encouraging you to explore every nook and cranny of Hyrule.
Once you’ve successfully freed all the carpenters from their cells within the fortress, your next objective is to locate the guard stationed near the large gate.This isn’t just any guard; they’re the gatekeeper to the Haunted Wasteland. Show them the Gerudo’s Card you earned by rescuing the carpenters, and they’ll gladly open the path for you.This simple act of showing your earned “VIP pass” highlights how your actions in one area directly impact your ability to progress in another. It’s a satisfying reward for your efforts in navigating the tricky Gerudo Fortress.
Navigating the Treacherous Haunted Wasteland
Alright, you’re officially in the desert, but don’t think it’s a straight shot to the temple. This area, aptly named the Haunted Wasteland, lives up to its reputation. To navigate this sandy maze, you absolutely need the Lens of Truth equipped. Trust me, without it, you’ll be wandering aimlessly. While not strictly necessary, having the Hover Boots will definitely make crossing the quicksand sections much smoother. Alternatively, if you’re skilled with the Longshot, you can use it to traverse some of the gaps. It’s also a good idea to have a doubled magic meter, just in case you make a few wrong turns. This reliance on specific items obtained from previous dungeons emphasizes the interconnectedness of your adventure.
Your primary guide through this desolate landscape will be a series of flags planted in the sand. Follow these flags meticulously! They mark the safe path across the treacherous quicksand. If you deviate from the flag route, the wasteland will swallow you whole, and you’ll find yourself back at the very beginning. So, keep your eyes peeled and stick to the path the flags lay out for you with unwavering precision. This simple yet unforgiving mechanic teaches you the importance of observation and careful navigation.
Your journey through the flags will eventually lead you to a small stone building. Don’t just sprint past this structure; it holds a valuable secret! Head inside to collect Gold Skulltula #96.While you’re inside, equip your Fire Arrows and light the two unlit torches. Doing so will cause a treasure chest containing some rupees to appear. This early reward for exploration in a transitional area highlights that even the path to the main dungeon holds valuable collectibles and resources.
Once you’ve secured the Skulltula and rupees, climb to the top of the stone structure. Now, activate your Lens of Truth. You should be able to see a ghostly figure, a Poe, floating away in the distance. This ethereal guide is your key to reaching the Desert Colossus. Keep the Poe in sight and follow its spectral trail across the wasteland. This unique method of navigation, relying on a visual cue revealed by a specific item, adds a layer of intrigue to your desert crossing.
Reaching the Desert Colossus and the Spirit Temple
Continue to follow the Poe, and it will lead you directly to the imposing Desert Colossus. You can’t miss it – a colossal statue dominating the desert landscape. This magnificent structure is your final destination in this sandy expanse: the Spirit Temple. The sheer scale of the Desert Colossus creates a sense of awe and anticipation for the challenges that lie within.
However, before you even step through the temple’s entrance, you’ll encounter Sheik. This enigmatic figure will appear and teach you a new melody for your ocarina: the Requiem of Spirit.Make sure you commit this song to memory; it’s absolutely essential for navigating the unique challenges that await you within the Spirit Temple. This crucial moment, right before entering the dungeon, underscores the importance of the ocarina songs you’ve learned throughout your journey.
Entering the Spirit Temple as Young Link
A Temple Divided: The Need for Two Timelines
As you step inside the Spirit Temple, you’ll immediately notice something peculiar. There are inscriptions and symbols that hint at the temple requiring the efforts of someone both young and grown. This isn’t your typical dungeon; it’s intricately designed around the concept of time itself, meaning you’ll need to utilize your ability to switch between your child and adult forms to progress. This unique mechanic sets the Spirit Temple apart, adding a layer of complexity and requiring you to think in terms of two distinct timelines.
To begin your exploration of the temple’s initial sections, you’ll need to revert to your younger self. First, play the Prelude of Light on your ocarina to warp back to the Temple of Time. Head to the pedestal where the Master Sword rests and return it to its slumber, transforming you back into Young Link. Now, with youthful agility restored, play the Requiem of Spirit that Sheik just taught you. This will warp you directly back to the Desert Colossus, ready to enter the Spirit Temple as Young Link. This specific sequence of ocarina songs and actions is the key to unlocking the initial challenges of the Spirit Temple.
Inside the Temple: Meeting Nabooru
With Young Link back in the desert, re-enter the Spirit Temple. Head straight up the stairs in the entrance hall and then take an immediate left. You’ll find yourself in a room with a small crawl space, and there you’ll meet a Gerudo woman named Nabooru. This encounter is pivotal, as Nabooru will give Young Link his first objective within the temple.
Approach Nabooru and initiate a conversation. When she inquires about your presence, respond with “Nothing, really”.Then, follow up by stating your true feelings with “I hate Ganondorf!”. This particular dialogue will prompt Nabooru to ask for your assistance in retrieving the Silver Gauntlets. Agree to help her; this sets the stage for Young Link’s initial exploration and puzzle-solving within the Spirit Temple. This interaction not only drives the narrative forward but also provides Young Link with a clear purpose within this part of the dungeon.
Young Link’s Path: Puzzles and Items
The Stalfos Encounter
After your conversation with Nabooru, look for a small crawl space to your right. Squeeze through this opening, and you’ll find yourself facing a locked door. Use one of your Small Keys to unlock it and proceed. This marks the beginning of the temple’s challenges designed specifically for Young Link.
Be prepared for a fight in the next room! You’ll encounter a Stalfos, a skeletal warrior, and a Fire Keese, one of those pesky flaming skulls. Focus on taking down the Stalfos first, as it poses a greater threat with its sword attacks. Once both enemies are defeated, the path forward will become clear. This initial combat encounter serves as a warm-up for the puzzles and challenges ahead.
Now, scan the room until you spot a diamond-shaped switch located behind a fence. Equip your Boomerang and aim carefully. Throw it in such a way that it goes around the fence and strikes the diamond switch. If your aim is true, the fence will lower, creating a bridge that you can now cross. This simple yet effective puzzle introduces the need for precise aiming with your items.
Skulltulas and Climbing
Head back slightly to the previous room and look for another crawl space to your right, positioned between the two doors. Go through this opening, and you’ll find yet another locked door. Use another one of your Small Keys to unlock it and step inside. The temple’s layout often encourages revisiting areas and finding hidden paths.
As you enter this new room, be on the lookout for Skullwalltulas clinging to the wall.Take them out with your Slingshot or Boomerang before attempting to climb the rocky wall.Once you reach the top, immediately turn around and look back at the doorway you just came through (06:32)]. You should see Gold Skulltula #94 attached to the wall above the entrance (06:32)]. Use your Slingshot or Boomerang to collect the token (06:32)]. This emphasizes the importance of thorough exploration and looking in all directions for hidden collectibles.
Dungeon Map and Torches
Ascend the stairs in the previous room. You’ll notice a lit torch nearby. Equip a Deku Stick and use the lit torch to set it ablaze. Now, carefully jump down to the lower level and use your lit Deku Stick to ignite the two unlit torches that stand in front of the large statue in the center of the room. If you successfully light both torches, a treasure chest will appear. Open it to obtain the Dungeon Map, which will give you a better overview of the Spirit Temple’s layout. This classic Zelda reward aids in navigation and planning your next moves.
After acquiring the map, climb the wall located next to the statue you just interacted with. Then, ascend the stairs again and proceed through the next door. This sequence of actions leads you deeper into the temple’s intricate structure.
Silver Rupees and a Small Key
Go through the next door, and you’ll find yourself in a room filled with those annoying Beamos statues that shoot lasers. The most efficient way to deal with them is to use bombs or Bombchus. Once all the Beamos are destroyed, search the room for five silver rupees scattered around. Collect all of them, and a metal torch in the room will light up. Now, use this lit torch to ignite the other three wooden torches in the room. If you manage to light all three, a small chest containing a Small Key will appear. Grab it; you’ll need it soon. This introduces a classic Zelda puzzle involving collecting silver rupees to unlock further progression.
Moving Blocks and Another Skulltula
Now it’s time for a bit of block-pushing! In the center of this room, you’ll see several movable blocks. Your objective is to maneuver these blocks so that the one with a sun symbol on its face is positioned directly underneath the beam of sunlight shining through the window above. When you successfully align the block with the light, a door in the room will unlock. Head through the newly opened passage. This type of environmental puzzle tests your spatial reasoning skills.
As soon as you step into the next area, which is a set of stairs, immediately turn around and look back at the doorway you just came through (10:42)]. You should spot Gold Skulltula #95 clinging to the wall above the entrance (10:42)]. Quickly take it out with your Slingshot or Boomerang and collect the token (10:42)]. This hidden collectible rewards players who are observant and check their surroundings thoroughly.
The Iron Knuckle and the Silver Gauntlets
Continue up the stairs and go through the door at the top. Follow the short path ahead, and you’ll enter a room with a formidable-looking Iron Knuckle sitting on a throne. This heavily armored enemy is the mini-boss of Young Link’s section of the Spirit Temple.
This Iron Knuckle is a tough opponent, so be prepared for a challenging fight. Be patient, dodge its powerful axe attacks, and strike when you see an opening in its defenses. Once you finally manage to defeat this armored foe, the door behind the throne will unlock. Head through the door and open the large treasure chest to claim your well-deserved reward: the Silver Gauntlets. These powerful gloves will be essential for your later exploration of the Spirit Temple as Adult Link. Obtaining them is the primary goal of Young Link’s journey in this part of the temple.
The Shift in Time: Becoming Adult Link
Nabooru’s Fate
As soon as you obtain the Silver Gauntlets, a cutscene will automatically play. This scene reveals what happens to Nabooru after you leave her. You’ll witness the witches, Koume and Kotake, capturing her and seemingly subjecting her to some form of dark magic. This plot development explains Nabooru’s absence in the subsequent adult section of the temple and foreshadows a future encounter with her.
Returning to Adulthood
Young Link’s task in this initial part of the Spirit Temple is now complete. It’s time to bring out the strength and abilities of Adult Link.Play the Prelude of Light on your ocarina to warp back to the Temple of Time.Head to the pedestal and draw the Master Sword, which will transform you back into your adult form.With your adult body restored and the Silver Gauntlets now in your possession, play the Requiem of Spirit to warp directly back to the Desert Colossus and the entrance of the Spirit Temple.This sequence of time-traveling is crucial for accessing the next set of challenges within the temple.
Adult Link’s Return: Conquering the Spirit Temple
The Giant Block and the Compass
Back at the Spirit Temple entrance as Adult Link, head straight up the stairs and then take a right. Remember that massive gray block you encountered as Young Link? Now, thanks to the Silver Gauntlets, you possess the strength to move it.Push the block all the way until it falls into the large hole in the floor.This is the first obstacle that requires the enhanced strength of the Silver Gauntlets.
After pushing the block, look up at the ceiling and you’ll spot a diamond-shaped switch.Use your Bow and Arrow or your Longshot to hit the switch.This will unlock the door located on the left side of the room.Proceed through this newly opened doorway.
In this next room, you’ll encounter a Wolfos, a quick and agile wolf-like enemy. Defeat it first. Once the Wolfos is gone, look for a Triforce symbol on the floor. Stand directly on the Triforce and play Zelda’s Lullaby on your ocarina. A treasure chest will magically appear on a platform across the room. Use your Longshot to hook onto the chest and pull yourself over to claim the Compass. This essential item will help you navigate the rest of the Spirit Temple.
Boulders, Time Blocks, and a Skulltula
Return to the previous room where you pushed the giant block and go through the other door in that room, the one you haven’t explored yet.This next area is filled with rolling boulders, so watch your footing! Your objective here is to collect all five silver rupees scattered throughout the room.One of these rupees is floating in mid-air, so you’ll need to equip your Hover Boots to reach it.This section tests your agility and your ability to utilize different items for navigation and collection.
While you’re in this room with the boulders, keep an eye out for a blue, shimmering block.This is a Time Block. Stand directly in front of it and play the Song of Time on your ocarina.The block will vanish, revealing Gold Skulltula #97 ! Use your preferred method, such as the Longshot, to retrieve the token.This hidden collectible requires the use of a specific ocarina song to uncover.
Like-Like and the Cobra Mirror
After collecting all the silver rupees in the boulder room, a door will open. Head through it, but be cautious! This next room is home to a Like-Like, also known as a Shield Eater. This creature will attempt to devour your shield, so defeat it quickly. Once the Like-Like is gone, a treasure chest will appear containing a Small Key.
Now, backtrack to the room where you shot the diamond switch on the ceiling.You should see a locked door here. Use the Small Key you just obtained to open it.Be aware that another Like-Like might be lurking in this area.Climb the wall in this room.Once you reach the top, equip your Lens of Truth.You’ll see a ghostly hand enemy, a Floormaster, floating around.Defeat it to clear the path.The Lens of Truth continues to be a valuable tool for revealing hidden dangers.
In the same room where you fought the Floormaster, you’ll notice a large snake statue and several sun symbols etched on the wall. Your task is to push the snake statue until its head is touching the third sun symbol from the left. When you position it correctly, a door in the room will unlock. Proceed through this newly opened passage. This puzzle requires careful observation and precise manipulation of the environment.
Back to the Main Room and Another Small Key
You’ll find yourself back in the large, central chamber of the Spirit Temple. Head up the main staircase, but be on your guard! The Armos statue on your right will suddenly come to life.You can either fight it or try to quickly run past it.
Look up at the giant statue in the center of the room. You’ll see a Triforce symbol on the palm of one of its hands. Jump towards it (you might need a running jump). Once you land on the hand, play Zelda’s Lullaby on your ocarina. A treasure chest will magically appear on the other hand of the statue. Use your Longshot to hook onto the chest and pull yourself across to claim another Small Key. This puzzle combines platforming with the use of a specific ocarina song and the Longshot.
The Final Skulltula and Another Locked Door
Drop back down to the main floor and climb the wall again. This time, take the other set of stairs leading upwards (03:48)]. When you reach the top platform, keep an eye out for Navi. When she turns green and hovers near a specific spot, it indicates a hidden Hookshot target (03:48)]. Play the Scarecrow’s Song on your ocarina to summon Pierre to that location (03:48)]. Now, use your Longshot to hook onto Pierre, and you’ll be able to reach Gold Skulltula #98 (03:48)]! Defeat it and collect the final Skulltula token within the Spirit Temple (03:48)]. This requires utilizing a specific ocarina song learned outside the main dungeons.
Drop back down to the main floor once more. Look for a Hookshot target on the ceiling near the Armos statue that came to life earlier.Use your Longshot to hook onto it and pull yourself up to the next level.Climb the stairs here, and you’ll find another locked door.Use one of your remaining Small Keys to open it.
5.6 Eye Lasers and Flying Enemies This next room is a bit of a shooting gallery. You’ll encounter more of those laser-shooting Beamos statues. Take them out quickly with bombs or Bombchus. Then, switch to your Fire Arrows to deal with the flying enemies in the room. Once all threats are eliminated, the door to the next area will open. This encounter tests your ability to adapt your combat strategy based on the types of enemies you face.
Getting the Mirror Shield
The Armos Puzzle
After dealing with the Beamos and flying enemies, you’ll enter a room with four Armos statues standing around. Look down, and you’ll see a sun symbol etched into the floor. This looks like a puzzle involving these ancient guardians.
Your goal here is to get one of the Armos statues to stand directly on the sun switch on the floor. You can achieve this by attacking an Armos to awaken it and then carefully maneuvering it so that it steps onto the sun symbol. Once an Armos is positioned correctly on the switch, the door to the next area will unlock. This requires a bit of strategic maneuvering and understanding of the Armos’s movement patterns.
The Second Iron Knuckle and the Mirror Shield
Head through the door you just unlocked, and you’ll come face-to-face with another Iron Knuckle ! This heavily armored foe is guarding a very important item: the Mirror Shield.Prepare for another challenging fight. Utilize the strategies you learned from the previous Iron Knuckle encounter. Once you defeat this formidable opponent, a treasure chest containing the Mirror Shield will appear.This shield is absolutely crucial for solving many of the remaining puzzles in the Spirit Temple and for ultimately defeating the final boss.
Getting the Boss Key
Reflecting Light
With the shiny new Mirror Shield in your possession, head back to the room with the four Armos statues. Look above the door you just came through, and you’ll see another sun symbol on the wall.Equip your Mirror Shield and position yourself so that you can reflect the sunlight streaming into the room directly onto this sun symbol. If you aim correctly and hold the reflection steady, a previously barred door in the room will open. This is the first instance where the Mirror Shield’s primary function is essential for progression.
Head through the now-open barred door, and you’ll find a small chest containing another Small Key. Grab it; you’ll need it soon to unlock more of the temple’s secrets.
Anubis Encounter and Another Climb
Now, backtrack to the room where you had to use the Lens of Truth to reveal the Floormaster. You should see a locked door here. Use the Small Key you just found to open it. Be prepared, as you’ll encounter an Anubis in this room. Remember, these mummy-like creatures are only vulnerable to fire, so equip your Fire Arrows or use Din’s Fire to take it down quickly.
After defeating the Anubis, head into the next room. You’ll see a large, rotating rocky structure with a Hookshot target. Use your Longshot to latch onto the target and pull yourself up. Be careful as you ascend; there’s a Blade Trap moving around that you’ll want to avoid touching. This combination of using the Longshot for traversal while avoiding a hazard requires careful timing and execution.
Zelda’s Lullaby and the Eye Switch
After making your way up the rotating wall, enter the next room. You’ll see a barred door with a Triforce symbol on it. Stand directly in front of the door and play Zelda’s Lullaby on your ocarina. This will trigger a hidden mechanism within the room.
Now, look around the room for a section of wall in the northwest corner that looks a little suspicious or cracked. Use a bomb to blow it open, revealing a golden eye switch. Shoot the eye switch with an arrow. This will cause a Hookshot target to appear on the ceiling. Use your Longshot to reach the target and pull yourself up. You’ll land on a platform with a switch. Step on the switch, and a treasure chest containing the Boss Key will appear ! You’re now ready to face the final challenge of the Spirit Temple.
Getting to the Boss Room
Rotating Statue and Light Reflection
Head back to the room just before the Boss Key puzzle room. You should see a set of stairs leading up to a door. Go through the door. In this room, you’ll find a crystal switch. Hit it to activate a mechanism. You’ll also encounter a couple of Lizalfos, so take them out. After dealing with the enemies, look for a section of wall on the left that looks like it can be blown up. Use a bomb to create an opening.
Inside the newly opened area, you’ll see some mirrors. Your goal is to rotate these mirrors so that the beam of light they are reflecting hits the large mirror that you can see through the bars in the wall. This might require some careful adjustments to the mirror angles, but keep at it until the light is directed correctly.
Lowering the Platform
Now, make your way all the way back to the room where you had to lure one of the Armos statues onto the sun switch on the floor. Equip your Mirror Shield and position yourself so that you can reflect the sunlight onto that same sun switch. If you do it correctly, a large platform in the main chamber of the temple will lower, granting you access to the final area.
The Statue’s Demise and the Boss Door
The lowered platform will now allow you to reach the head of the massive Desert Colossus statue in the main room. Get up there and equip your Mirror Shield. Your final puzzle before the boss is to reflect sunlight onto the statue’s face. Keep the light focused on its face until it cracks and crumbles away, revealing a hidden passage. Use your Longshot to hook onto the wall across the passage and pull yourself over.You’ll find the door to the boss room here. Use the Boss Key to unlock it. The end of the Spirit Temple is finally within reach!
Facing the Boss: Twinrova
Twinrova’s Forms and Weaknesses
Prepare yourself for the final confrontation of the Spirit Temple! You’ll be facing Twinrova, who is actually the combined form of the two witches, Koume and Kotake.Get ready to dodge both fire and ice attacks as they try to take you down.
Battle Strategy
The first phase of this fight involves the two witches attacking separately.Koume attacks with fire magic, while Kotake uses ice.The key to this stage is to use your Mirror Shield to absorb their magic and reflect it back at the other witch.So, reflect Koume’s fire magic at Kotake, and reflect Kotake’s ice magic at Koume.After you successfully reflect their magic at each other four times, they will merge into their true form: Twinrova.
Once Twinrova combines, she’ll alternate between fire and ice attacks.Your strategy now is to use your Mirror Shield to absorb three consecutive attacks of the same element.This will charge up the shield with that element’s energy.Release the stored energy back at Twinrova, and she’ll be stunned for a short period.This is your chance to rush in and attack her with your sword or the powerful Megaton Hammer.Repeat this process of absorbing three identical attacks and then counter-attacking until Twinrova is defeated.
Victory and the Spirit Medallion
Congratulations, you’ve successfully defeated the powerful Twinrova ! Collect your well-deserved reward: the Spirit Medallion.You have conquered the Spirit Temple and proven your courage once again!