Fire Temple (Ocarina of Time)


 * For the dungeon in, see Fire Temple (Spirit Tracks).

The Fire Temple is the second dungeon that Link must face as an adult in. The dungeon’s main item is the Megaton Hammer and its boss is Volvagia.

Entrance to the Temple
The Fire Temple is located deep within the Death Mountain Crater and is only accessible to Link by use of the Goron Tunic, which is given to him by Darunia's son, Link, in the hopes that he will rescue the other Gorons. Being in an active volcano, the Fire Temple is filled with many lava pits including the boss room. In the boss room is a giant rock platform where the battle takes place.

Themes and Navigation
The Fire Temple is relatively linear; Link's progress in it is based on opening jails so that the imprisoned Gorons can be freed. When a Goron is released, he gives Link a clue or tip regarding the use of the so-called special crop, although some offer other facts; Link also receives keys to open locked doors. Throughout the Temple, there are bridges and platforms over magma that must be crossed, as well as complex mazes (one of them consisting of fire walls). Once the Megaton Hammer is found, after defeating the mini-boss Flare Dancer, Link may use it to break obstacles or create new paths. The dungeon as a whole is notable for having a nearly-symmetrical architecture: From floor three upwards, the interior of the temple is divided into two, although Link only needs to visit the western territory to succeed on his quest (in fact, the other portion can only be accessed from the third floor by using the "Scarecrow's Song"). It's believed that the upper rooms represent the interior of the twin volcanoes from Death Mountain Crater.

The Temple is home to an ancient dragon, Volvagia, who is known to destroy entire villages and even eat creatures and humans. Defeated by an ancient hero with the Megaton Hammer, he was resurrected by the evil Ganon. The only real defense against the dragon is the aforementioned Hammer, which Link can put in practice as soon as the dragon is hesitating in one of the fire holes placed in the battle arena's floor.

Master Quest
Compared to earlier dungeons, the Fire Temple is very tricky in the version of Ocarina of Time. Honoring the name of the dungeon, the first rooms require Din's Fire to light several torches. The element of difficulty in this dungeon comes not from dangerous enemies (which are mostly absent), but from the wide range of tricky puzzles. Additionally, most make use of the Hookshot. Some invisible walls and time blocks are found in the dungeon. Also, some switches need the Spin Attack to be activated, including one that is hidden inside a crate and can't be seen. There are fewer Gorons than in the normal version as well. Most doors are blocked with iron bars, and the Big Key and Megaton Hammer come very early. New enemies include several Stalfos, Lizalfos (found in the boulder room) and even an Iron Knuckle.

Enemies and Traps
 File:Boulder OOT.png|Boulders File:DoorMimic.png|Door Mimics File:Fire Wall2.png|Fire Barrier File:OOT Fire Keese.png|Fire Keese File:FlyingTileG Large.png|Flying Tile File:MM_GoldSkulltula1.png|Gold Skulltula File:IronKnuckle_OoT.png|Iron Knuckle (Master Quest only) File:LikeLike2.png|Like Like File:OoT Lizalfos.png|Lizalfos (Master Quest only) File:Red Bubble.png|Red Bubble File:Stalfos OoT.png|Stalfos (Master Quest only) File:Torch Slug OoT.png|Torch Slug 

Trivia

 * In the original version of Ocarina of Time, the Fire Temple's music sampled a group of men chanting Islamic prayer. This, like the original Gerudo Symbol, was removed from later versions of the game by Nintendo because of the religious association. These Islamic chants were replaced by a MIDI Synthesizer in later releases, ports, and the 3DS remake.
 * In the original Ocarina of Time, the first room of the Temple can be seen from the other side of the entrance tunnel. In, the tunnel fades into darkness like most of the other dungeon entrances.
 * Despite it being strongly advised that Link purchase the Goron Tunic before entering the Fire Temple, the majority of rooms in it are not dangerously hot. In general, the only rooms where the heat will prove lethal to Link if he stays there long enough are the minority of rooms that contain large pools of magma. This includes the boss room, so it is necessary to kill Volvagia very quickly if Link does not have the Goron Tunic equipped.

Gallery
 File:OoT Fire Temple Artwork.png|Artwork of the temple's entrance File:FireTemple.jpg|Entering the Fire Temple in Ocarina of Time File:Hammer.jpg‎|Link obtaining the Megaton Hammer in Ocarina of Time File:OoT Lava.png|The room full of lava and a bridge to cross it in Ocarina of Time File:Fireoot.jpg|Dungeon Map of the Fire Temple 