Octorok

The Octorok is a conventional, octopus-like enemy that has appeared in every Zelda game to date except Twilight Princess, and has changed quite dramatically over the course of the series in terms of physicality and coloration.

Characteristics
The famous Octorok is an octopus-like creature that is best known for its method of attack; it shoots circular projectiles from its cylindrical snout in short intervals, attempting to hit Link from afar. The rock shooting capabilities of the Octorok can occur at random intervals as in The Legend of Zelda, in the cardinal directions, as in A Link to the Past, or simply in Link's direction, like in Majora's Mask.

This foe is also known for it's top-heavy appearance and large eyes, seen vividly in the console titles; it adopted more of a spider-like appearance in titles such as A Link to the Past, Four Swords, and the Oracle games, and by comparison looks a bit more squid-like in The Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass, and Spirit Tracks. However, in Skyward Sword, which is the first 3D game in which Octoroks appear as land-based creatures, bushes adorn the top part of these enemies, making their resemblance much closer to that of a Deku Scrub.

Debuting in the original Legend of Zelda, the Octorok has changed little in terms of behavior across the series, varying the most in the fields of adaptivity and coloration. Standard Octoroks, primarily in the 2D titles, are smaller than Link, receiving a significant size increase into the console games, to reach their largest physical size in The Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass, and Spirit Tracks, rivaling the size of the King of Red Lions, S.S. Linebeck, and Spirit Train, respectively. Regardless of size, Octoroks are seldom seen isolated. For example, few instances in Four Swords Adventures showcase Octorok population densities in upwards of forty creatures per screen. In addition, many Octoroks may populate an area but may not be in close proximity - the Zora's River region in Ocarina of Time is a good example of the distance between these creatures within a single region.

Only in Ocarina of Time and The Wind Waker does the Octorok appear as a mini-boss, the former waging against Link in a spiked circular arena deep within Lord Jabu Jabu, the latter appearing several times across the Great Sea with different numbers of eyes, safeguarding treasures from Rupees to Pieces of Heart. One of the Big Octos, as they are called in both titles, in The Wind Waker holds the very Great Fairy hostage that will reward Link an extension to his Magic Meter if rescued.

Varieties
While the grand majority of Octoroks differ in color, there are few species that inhibit unique traits. The Adventure of Link introduces the only jumping Octorok to the series, while Link's Awakening provides the Zelda saga with its only Winged Octorok, one that can evade sword slashes, but not an attack using the Roc's Feather. Other than that, however, Octoroks differ only in their coloration and physical appearance between games.

Red and Blue Octoroks
Since the Octorok debuted in The Legend of Zelda, the apparent strength of the foe has been polarized through differences in color. Speaking of, the two mainstream varieties that exist in The Legend of Zelda, Four Swords Adventures, and the Oracle titles are of the red and blue variety, the latter being the stronger and the only one of the two to spit rocks.

Only the red and the red Winged variety appear in Link's Awakening, the former of which is the solitary staple in the previous two titles, The Adventure of Link and A Link to the Past.

Pink and Purple Octoroks
The standard Octoroks seen in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask are purple, a trend carried into Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks. In The Wind Waker, a pink and purple variety exist, the former shoots Bombs instead of rocks and appears frequently across the expanse of the Great Sea, while the latter remains a traditional rock-shooter appearing only in freshwater locales such as the Forest Haven. In Four Swords Adventures, a purple variety exists as well, however, it hesitates for a beat before shooting a volley of four rocks at Link in a row.

Gold Octorok
The Minish Cap, like The Legend of Zelda, incorporates a red and stronger blue version, but adds a Gold version which only appears as a product of a specific Kinstone Fusion. This Gold variety can also be encountered in Oracle of Seasons, and in both games, this iteration of Octorok requires many more hits than the average version to take down.



Land and Sea Octoroks
The Octorok has adapted to life both within the water and on land, the former providing a protective barrier of water to hide beneath between projectile shots, and can be encountered even underwater, as seen in Spirit Tracks

Land-dwelling Octoroks, which are generally red or blue, appear in The Legend of Zelda, The Adventure of Link, A Link to the Past, Link's Awakening, the Oracle series, the Four Swords series, and Skyward Sword. Water-borne Octoroks, generally pink or purple, appear in Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, and The Wind Waker. Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks are the only Zelda titles to date that showcase both water and land-dwelling Octoroks.

Octomine
Another exotic form of Octorok is the Octomine found in Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks, an explosive species that can only be found underwater. They are found in two forms: its sleeping form where they lie completely still and a wide awake form which propels itself underwater either up and down, or left and right.

Winged Octorok
The Winged Octorok is an enemy unique to Link's Awakening, and appears to be an evolved form of the Octorok. These enemies will take flight if Link try to slash at them, Link must use the Roc's Feather to jump high and slash his sword in their direction. They also seem oblivious to charged spin attacks, so either holding the sword and walking into them, or simply unleashing a spin attack will hit them, as the Winged Octorok will be unable to fly away in time.

Weaknesses
The Octorok, regardless of terrain, can be defeated by any conventional weapon, such as the sword, bow and arrow, bombs, boomerang (only stuns in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask) and the like. In the same vein as the Dead Man's Volley, Link can also in some titles, use his shield, and in some cases, the sword, to reflect the projectile that the Octorok shoots back at its face, vanquishing it. While this technique usually does not work on land-dwelling Octoroks, the water-born variety are more than vulnerable to this technique.

Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland
What appear to be Octoroks make brief and minor appearances in Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland; however, not as enemies. They appear in hidden mini-games run by Salona. Instead of shooting rocks, the Octorok will fire balls, which Tingle must deflect back at various targets behind the Octorok. In terms of appearance, they are red and look like a traditional Octorok found in the 2D Zelda games with characteristics of those found in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. Despite this, they not referred to as "Octoroks" in the game: the Salona calls the creature an 'Octopus'.

There is also an ingredient Tingle can acquire in the game called 'Salty Octopus', which looks similar to an Octorok.

Animated series
Octoroks appear in three episodes of the animated series. They first appear in "The White Knight" after a Tinsuit calls an Octorok from the Underworld, who grabs a swordless Link and throws him into a nearby barn. The young hero then gets out a Magic Rope and ties it around the Octorok, but the octopus-like foe begins to run away as it drags Link with him. Fortunately, Prince Facade appears and halts the Octorok in its path, blocking one of the Octorok's attacks with his shield and quickly defeating it with a shot from his crossbow. An Octorok also briefly appears in "Kiss'n Tell", where the foe uses its tentacles to trip Princess Zelda and thus take her into the Underworld.

In "Doppelganger", while Link and Zelda are in the Underworld chasing Zelda's evil clone, three Octoroks begin to shoot rocks at them. The young hero grabs the princess and uses the Force Field Ring as the two fall, zapping the Octoroks in the process. In their final appearance of "The Moblins are Revolting", Octoroks join the struggle formed by the Brotherhood of Underworld Monsters, where they try to attack North Castle. A Moblin commands that various Vires carry several Octoroks so that they can fire bombs inside the castle; however, the Octoroks are accidentally defeated with arrows shot by a group of Stalfos.

Interestingly, in "The White Knight" and "The Moblins are Revolting" episodes, Octoroks shoot lightballs that explode when they come in contact with something; however, in the "Doppelganger", they can be seen shooting the usual rocks instead.

The Legend of Zelda comic
Octoroks make several minor appearances throughout the issues of the Legend of Zelda comic published by Valiant Comics. Their depiction is almost identical as their artwork from The Adventure of Link. They first appear in Missing in Action as one of the enemies that go after Princess Zelda and the Triforce of Wisdom. To the First Power also shows these foes capturing Link outside one of the Underworld entrances under the orders of a Wizzrobe. Octoroks once again appear in Queen of Hearts, where they battle against Link and Queen Seline to keep them from breaking the magic container that will give the queen  her magical powers back.

The Crystal Trap
In The Crystal Trap, Octoroks appear after Princess Zelda frees Link from the Crystal. If the heroes choose to leave the Midoro Palace, they will struggle since Link feels too weak to walk. They eventually reach a forest and decide to rest, but suddenly Octoroks ambush them, and although Zelda tells Link that they should run away, the young hero feels too tired and thus must stay and fight. Choosing to stay and fight results in Zelda and Link taking cover from the Octoroks' attacks, with the young hero giving the princess some advice to defeat the Octoroks. By the use of her bow, Zelda defeats the monsters, but is exhausted from the battle. They then witness a Pink Fairy glowing out from the corpse of one of the dead Octoroks. The fairy thanks the heroes for freeing her from the monsters and rewards them by showing them where to find the weapon that will defeat Ganon: the Spear.

If the heroes choose to run away, Zelda will put her arm around Link's shoulders and begin to run. Trying to pull Link with all her might, she fails since she cannot outrun the Octoroks' attacks while carrying Link. A rock strikes Zelda's leg, causing the heroes to collapse and giving the foes a chance to surround them. The page ends with a Game Over as Zelda realizes she cannot hope to defeat all of the Octoroks by herself.

The Shadow Prince
The Shadow Prince briefly mentions the Octoroks when Charles of Moria is bragging of his accomplishments as a knight. He comments about the time that he defeat twenty Octoroks with just one swing of his ax, although Link is unimpressed by this feat, saying that "Octoroks are easy prey."

Super Smash Bros. Series
Octoroks appear as enemies in the Underground Maze level of Adventure Mode in Super Smash Bros. Melee. They can, but rarely, be found in other modes in boxes. Like in the Zelda games, Octoroks will start shooting rocks at the approaching fighter. For every Octorok a player KOs, 150 points are added to their Octorok KO bonus. They also appear as a trophy.

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Octoroks appear as a sticker.

Trivia

 * An early screenshot of Ocarina of Time revealed several Octoroks walking on land like their 2D equivalents.
 * In Majora's Mask, shooting an ice arrow at an Octorok freezes them into a solid platform. This is an essential skill to learn in order to complete the Great Bay Temple as well as to reach the upper valley of Ikana Canyon.
 * Interestingly, in the Oracle games, wearing the Octo Ring will turn Link himself into a green Octorok, however, he will not be able to attack.
 * The Japanese name for "Winged Octorok" is Pata Octo, pointing to the fact that pata pata is an onomatopoeia of something flapping in the wind.
 * Although Octoroks do not appear in Twilight Princess, a rather similar enemy in term of behavior called Toadpoli appears.
 * In Skyward Sword, Octoroks have an appearance and attack patterns similar to Deku Scrubs.
 * There are similar enemies in Super Paper Mario called Squig, Squog, Squoinker, and Dark Squiglet, being small enemies that spit rocks at their prey.