Moblin

The Moblin is the primary muscle of Ganon's army. Common as foot soldiers and dumb as rocks, they've been around since the very very first Zelda game, where they started as anthropomorphic bulldogs. Over time, they evolved into a more piggish appearance. In later games, Moblins change into the smaller, more agile form Bokoblin, or smaller still, the Miniblin.

In Japan, Moblins are called Moriburin, which is a combination of "Mori" (meaning forest) and "goblin". This explains why they were called "Molblins" in the first game. In Japanese, a vowel isn't always pronounced and the "L" and the "R" are the same letter, thus "Molblin" is a perfect romanization of "Moriburin".

The Legend of Zelda
Moblins first appeared in the original The Legend of Zelda. They keep to the wooded areas, such as the Lost Woods, and throw spears. Like most enemies from this game, they come in two colors - red (orange) and blue; blue being the stronger. They are vulnerable to most all weapons except fire.

Not all Moblins were evil or enemies. Some hide in secret caves across Hyrule and give you rupees, with the quote, "ITS A SECRET TO EVERYBODY". In Twilight Princess, there is a Goron in Hyrule Castle Town who says "It's a secret to everybody." This may be a reference to this line, though it is said in a different context. Also, it is referenced in Ocarina of Time. If Link bribes the guard at the gate of Hyrule castle, talking to the guard again will result in him saying "KEEP IT A SECRET FROM EVERYBODY".

The Adventure of Link
In The Adventure of Link, Moblins appear leaner and more muscular in this game, as opposed to the short, squat appearance previously. They still serve Ganon, though he is deceased in this game. They still use spears, either holding or throwing, and live in wooded areas, although some can be found on bridges or caves. They come in orange, red, or blue (from easiest to hardest).

Link's Awakening
Link's Awakening involves two forms of Moblins.

Moblins only appear in the Mysterious Forest and the Moblin Hideout. These Moblins home in on Link, like the guards in A Link to the Past, while some simply wander and fire arrows. The manual refers to them as Goriyas, but the game never calls them anything but Moblins.

There is also a Boss named Great Moblin, who kidnapped Madam Meow-Meow's Bow-Wow and resides in the Moblin Hideout.

Link's Awakening marks the transition in appearance of Moblins. These enemies move and attack exactly like their Moblin counterparts (both with swords and shields, and bows), and can be found in Tal Tal Heights, near the Wind Fish's Egg.

Ocarina of Time


Great Moblins only appear in the Sacred Forest Meadow when Link is an adult, and have grown to giant size. Most patrol the hedge maze with spears, and will charge if they see Link. The last one guards the entrance of the Forest Temple, with a giant club. If he sees Link, he will slam it on the ground, causing a shock wave which will prevent forward progress. In the Master Quest, one more club-wielding Moblin is in the Spirit Temple). They can be stunned by the hookshot or arrows, but are generally best avoided by stealth.

Oracle games
In Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons, Moblins are one of the most common enemies. They act exactly as they did in Link's Awakening. They come in red and blue variants; The blue ones are usually harder to find and to defeat. There is also the character of the Great Moblin.

The Great Moblin
The Great Moblin terrorizes the populace in Holodrum and Labrynna. In whichever game the player plays first, Link drives him out of that land. If the player links the two games, he goes into the other land, where Link can further his plot. If the game is not linked, he will not recognize Link in that second land.

In Labrynna he builds a Moblin Keep in the mountain, and prevents the Gorons from growing Bomb Flowers, so he can sell his hand-made bombs.

In Holodrum, he builds another Moblin Keep, as more of a fortress with cannons in the walls, shelling anyone who comes near. His henchmen are greedy as well. Link finds his minions surrounding Dimitri, intending to sell him ("Bwee! I found somethin' weird! If we catch it and sell it, we'll be rich!!! And the Great Moblin will be very pleased!!!"). To rescue him, Link must pay 80 rupees.

If the player is in Holodrum while playing a linked game, the Great Moblin kidnaps Princess Zelda, hoping to make a profit ("Such fine clothes... You must be a high-class girl! Rupees, jewels, everything! Give me your valuables!"). After a brief skirmish he flees back to the Moblin Keep.

After Link destroys the Holodrum Moblin Keep, the Great Moblin will move into an abandoned house in the south-eastern corner of Sunken City. There he and his minions make bombs, recuperating their funds to rebuild the Keep once more. If Link drops a bomb or Ember Seed on their pile of bombs and escapes, the house explodes, and the Great Moblin and his henchmen flee. They soon return and rebuild the house (in a much shabbier state), and continue making bombs once more. Link can blow up this second house too, and they will flee again. If Link tries to ignite their pile of bombs a third time, the Great Moblin says, "Bwee-hee! So it was you! You'll pay!!! An eye for an eye!". They throw Link into the house and run away as it explodes, killing Link.

The Wind Waker
In The Wind Waker, Moblins are again Ganon's primary soldiers. They appear to have a keen sense of smell, as they appear to be sniffing out Link when he is sneaking through Forsaken Fortress. They are often seen patrolling Ganon's territory (such as reefs or submarines) or temples. Bokoblins and Miniblins often accompany them.

They typically carry polearms (which can be picked up and wielded by Link), and also carry lanterns that they can throw. Moblins are adept at handling a frontal assault by defending with their spears, so attacking from the sides or back is recommended. Moblin have immense reach with their spears, but their wide swings mean that two or more Moblins in proximity are likely to injure or even kill each other, If disarmed, a Moblin will unleash mighty, lightning-fast punches until it gets its spear back. Valuable Skull Necklaces can be stolen or gained from defeating them, which can be sold to a sailor near the bomb shop.

Maggie maintains a long-distance relationship with a Moblin named Moe. They communicate through letters, though Moe's indicate a disturbing "hunger" to see Maggie.

The Minish Cap
Quote from The Minish Cap Spear Moblin  figurine: "Appears in the Minish Woods, etc. They rush you on sight. They also block head- on attacks with their spears, so circle around to attack."

Quote from The Minish Cap Bow Moblin  figurine: "Appears in various areas. They fire arrows at you on sight. Block these with your shield and then close in to attack."

Other Appearances

 * In A Link to the Past, there are pig soldiers that replace the Hylian soldiers in the Dark World. While they resemble later forms of Moblins, they are never referred to as such, and thus cannot be considered as such. However, they do resemble the pig moblins in Link's Awakening, who are moblins. In its Satellaview direct sequel, BS The Legend of Zelda: The Ancient Stone Tablets, there are no Moblins, on account of the fact that the Dark World is not present.


 * In Oracle of Ages/Seasons, the player can acquire a magical ring that transforms Link into a Moblin. He cannot use any attacks in this form, but he is ignored by any Moblins (except the Great Moblin), and cannot be eaten by Like Likes. Can only be found in the possession of Maple, or inside of a Gasha Nut.


 * Moblins do not appear in Twilight Princess, but in their place are Bulblins. A Moblin can be briefly seen in an early trailer for the game. It is unknown why Nintendo decided to not include them.


 * Moblins also did not appear in Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland, but in their place are Oinkers.