Octorok

Octoroks (pronounced ) are recurring enemies in. They are -like monsters best known for their method of attack; shooting rock projectiles from their cylindrical snouts in short intervals, hence their name. They are typically common to the overworld, such as Hyrule, but occasionally also appear inside dungeons.

The characteristics of Octoroks and their method of attack varies from game to game, as does their habitat where they are encountered. In the 2D Zelda games, Octoroks are generally land-dwelling creatures that slowly crawl and occasionally shoot rocks. They usually appear more porcine or spider-like, and are one of the more common and weaker enemies in those games. They can be defeated by any conventional weapon, such as the Sword, Bow and Arrow, Bombs, or Boomerang.

In the 3D console games, however, Octoroks are often aquatic creatures that live in lakes or seas, much like their real-world counterparts. They pop out and shoot rocks at Link from afar, and immediately submerge underwater if he comes too close. These Octoroks can often be defeated by deflecting their rocks back at them with the Shield, or by shooting projectile weapons at them.

A few variants of the Octorok have also appeared in the series, with notable varieties including the Flying Octorok, Golden Octorok, and Octomine. The Big Octo is a significantly larger Octorok that often appears as a mini-boss. The similarly named Big Octorok also appears as a boss in.

The Legend of Zelda
In, Octoroks are encountered throughout the overworld of Hyrule, and are one of the earliest monsters Link can encounter on his quest. They slowly crawl about in an aimless path, and randomly shoot rocks in either of the four cardinal directions. Their rocks can be blocked by the Shield if Link is facing in their direction, however. Octoroks come in red and blue-colored varieties, with the blue being the stronger one.

The Adventure of Link
In, Octoroks appear as overworld enemies, most commonly found in caves and tunnels. Unlike their previous appearance, Octoroks in The Adventure of Link differ as they possess the ability to jump, and shoot rocks with every hop they make. Although while they are much more active and aggressive in their approach to attack, they are otherwise still weak enemies whose rocks can be blocked with the Shield. Red and blue Octoroks appear, with the blue variety being the strongest.

In the Japanese Famicom Disk System version, blue Octoroks also appear inside palaces. In the overseas release, however, blue Aneru take their place instead, which behave similarly to Octoroks.

A Link to the Past
In, Octoroks return to their roots as grounded enemies encountered in the overworld of Hyrule, but behave slightly differently compared to their previous incarnations. Octoroks beeline in straight paths as they quickly scurry about, stopping only to unleash a barrage of rocks in every direction. Their quick and sudden movements and aggressive onslaught makes them harder to predict and defend against. However, like their previous incarnations, their rocks can be blocked with the Shield. They are common to eastern Hyrule, close to the Eastern Palace, and to the north close to the entrance to Zora's Waterfall, as well as the Great Swamp.

A rare variant, known as the Octoballoon, appears on the south-eastern ledge of Lake Hylia, which explodes into smaller Octoballoons when approached or struck. The Dark World counterpart of the Octorok is the Slarok, which behaves identically but is significantly stronger.

Link's Awakening
In, Octoroks appear similarly to those in The Legend of Zelda, as slow enemies that crawl along the ground and occasionally shoot a single stone at intervals. They can be found all over Koholint Island, but are especially prolific at Toronbo Shores. As slow, weak enemies, they are easily dispatched with the Sword. However, when Link first arrives to the shores in search for his missing blade, he may find himself at odds against their numbers and projectile attacks. Their stones can be blocked with the Shield when it is held up, serving as Link's only defense against them until he retrieves his Sword.

A winged variety, known as the Flying Octorok, also appears and is first encountered in Ukuku Prairie. This Octorok is able to fly overhead to evade Link's Sword. They will usually land behind him to attack.

Ocarina of Time
Octoroks in look and behave significantly differently compared to their earlier incarnations, as purple octopuses with glowing, green eyes that lurk in the water instead of on land. These Octoroks are the first of the "aquatic" Octoroks, who pop out of bodies of water to attack Link from afar with their projectile stones. When approached, they will immediately submerge underwater to avoid harm. Since they cannot be attacked directly or stunned, Octoroks can only be killed by either shooting Arrows at them, or by using the Shield to deflect the rocks they spit back at them, which will defeat them in one hit. They can be found in Lake Hylia as well as Inside Jabu-Jabu's Belly as parasites.

A much larger Octorok, known as the Big Octo, appears as the mini-boss Inside Jabu-Jabu's Belly. This Octorok instead crawls along a cramped space, similar to earlier Octoroks, attempting to crush and shove Link as it moves.

Majora's Mask
Octoroks in appear the same as in Ocarina of Time. They live in bodies of water, and can normally only be killed by shooting Arrows at them or by deflecting their shots with the Shield. Octoroks however, like most enemies, can also be frozen into a solid block of ice by shooting at them with Ice Arrows. Once frozen, they can then be used as platforms to cross wide gaps of water until they thaw out. This is used to cross a body of water in the Great Bay Temple, and most notably at the Ikana River to cross over to the upper portion of Ikana Canyon — both places where Octoroks can be found.

In, the Octoroks appear blue and sparkle to visually indicate that they can be frozen by the Ice Arrows.

Big Octos also appear in Majora's Mask, where they appear in the Southern Swamp blocking several passages to other locations of the swamp.

Oracle Series
In the, Octoroks appear the same as in Link's Awakening. They can be commonly found throughout the lands of Holodrum and Labrynna in and, respectively. A blue-colored variety also appears, which is stronger and more durable than the regular red variety.

In Oracle of Seasons, a Golden Octorok also appears, which shows up after Link has spoken to an Old Man wearing a golden robe. The Octorok can be found in Spool Swamp in the summer. This variety is much more aggressive and far stronger than the ordinary varieties.

The Octo Ring can be worn to transform Link into the appearance of a green Octorok.

Four Swords
In, Octoroks appear much like their Link's Awakening and Oracle series incarnations. They slowly wander the area and shoot rocks at intruders. They are very simple enemies, and can be easily defeated with just the Sword. They can be found in the Sea of Trees and Vaati's Palace.

The Wind Waker
In, Octoroks come in two types: a freshwater and a sea-inhabiting type. Both types of Octorok behave identically to those from Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, as they will emerge from their respective bodies of water to shoot a spiked rock, which can then be deflected using either the Shield or by striking it with the Sword. The deflected rock will instantly defeat the Octorok as it hits it. Freshwater Octoroks are characterized by their purplish color and swirly pattern on their mantle. They most notably appear in the rivers leading up to the Forest Haven. Sea-inhabiting Octoroks are pinkish and have a spiky, shell-like mantle. They also differ in that the projectiles they spit are explosive. They are encountered only in the Great Sea.

A gigantic variety, known as Big Octos, also appear throughout the Great Sea. They emerge from whirlpools, and attack Link as the whirlpool gradually brings him and the King of Red Lions into its mouth. They can only be defeated by shooting Bombs into their eyes with the Cannon or by shooting Arrows with the Bow.

Four Swords Adventures
In, Octoroks are encountered in a few stages, most commonly near large bodies of water, such as The Coast and The Swamp. They are typically found congregating in small to large groups, attacking occasionally as they patrol their territory. They come in three color varieties, ranging between the common red, blue and rarer purple. The red variety simply scurries about and shoots rocks, while the blue variety behaves more like the Octoroks from A Link to the Past, as they will stop to shoot a barrage of rocks in every direction. Purple Octoroks are the most hostile of all, as they will consciously aim at the Links and unleash a flurry of rocks at them.

The Minish Cap
Octoroks in behave much like their Four Swords incarnation. They can be found throughout Hyrule in various areas, most commonly around the Hyrule Fields and Lon Lon Ranch. They come in red and blue-colored varieties. Red Octoroks are docile creatures, rarely shooting rocks unless Link is in close proximity to them. The blue variety however, common to Lake Hylia, are much more aggressive and constantly expel rocks around them even when Link is not around.

Golden Octoroks also appear, as a much more rarer and violent variety. They appear once Link has fused Kinstones with certain people.

An ordinary Octorok covered in vines is also faced as the boss of the Temple of Droplets, however, it appears gigantic due to Link being in Minish size, lending the boss's name, Big Octorok.

Phantom Hourglass
Octoroks in come in two distinct varieties: a short and squat land-dwelling variant akin to their traditional appearance, and a sea-inhabiting type very much like those in The Wind Waker.

Land Octoroks appear as slow-moving red creatures. They shoot rocks at Link whenever he is nearby, and are typically encountered in small groups. They are basic enemies who can be killed by most weapons, but can also be momentarily stunned with the Boomerang. Unlike most incarnations of this type, they are semi-rare enemies that are usually encountered inside caves or dungeons as opposed to the surface. They appear in the basement of Astrid's house on the Isle of Ember, inside the Temple of Fire, on Molida Island, and in the Temple of Courage.

Sea Octoroks differ as they are significantly larger, and appear pink with an oversized, yellow mantle bearing a swirly symbol. Like those of The Wind Waker, they appear from the depths of the sea to attack.

In addition to the two types, there are also Octomines, which lurk underwater. Cyclok is a giant, flying Octorok that appears as the boss of the Temple of Wind.

states that the Octoroks and their variants are the minions of Bellum (who was notably referred to as Grande Octo/Big Octorok during development).

Spirit Tracks
Octoroks in appear the same as those in Phantom Hourglass, with both a land and water-based variant. The land Octoroks are identical to those seen previously, and are encountered in a few places. They can be found inside the Snow Temple and in a cave at the Trading Post. A large group of them can also be found on a small island at the Ocean Sanctuary, where they constantly shoot rocks across a strip of land. These Octoroks also appear in Level 1 of the Take 'Em All On! mini-game at Hyrule Castle Town.

Notably, Mini Freezards, such as those in the Snow Temple, can be melted away with fire to reveal land-dwelling Octoroks beneath their frozen bodies. The 'eye' of the Mini Freezard is actually the Octorok's snout.

The aquatic Octoroks are similar to the sea-based variety from Phantom Hourglass, but appear red with a greenish mantle. They emerge from the watery depths to attack Link from afar.

Octive is a variant of the Octorok that acts like the aquatic-based variety, but is encountered solely in the Snow Temple. The Ergtorok is another variety that is a variant of the Octive, which lurks in the sand instead. Octomines also appear and are encountered beneath the waves of the Ocean Realm.

Skyward Sword
In SS undefined, Octoroks have a similar behavior to aquatic Octoroks from previous 3D console games, but differ as they are encountered on the ground instead of in water, and are even found in The Sky. The ground-based variety closely resembles and behaves similarly to Deku Scrubs, as they hide themselves in the ground and poke their heads out to spit rocks when Link is near. Like the aquatic Octoroks, their attacks can be deflected back at them with the Shield. The grass-variety, which covers itself with tufts of grass, can be found in the Faron Woods. The rock-variety instead covers itself with a large rock. Other than their choice of camouflage, they are otherwise identical.

Octoroks in The Sky are instead adapted to life above the clouds, which fly using the propeller-like leaves on their mantles and live on the small, barren rock islands scattered throughout The Sky. As Link flies his Loftwing through The Sky, the enemy will fire homing rocks at him. They can be killed by flying close and boosting through them.

A Link Between Worlds
In, Octoroks are based on those from A Link to the Past, but differ as they no longer fire rocks in each direction at once. Octoroks instead scurry about their territory, and stop to fire a single rock from their mouths. As with the Octoroks from A Link to the Past, they can be commonly found in eastern and southern Hyrule.

In Lorule, a friendly Octorok named Octo plays Octoball Derby with a boy and a girl. Instead of shooting rocks, it uses its talent to throw balls. Slaroks also appear as the Lorulean counterpart of the Octorok enemy.

Tri Force Heroes
In, Octoroks are known as Water Octoroks. Although they appear identical to those in A Link Between Worlds, Water Octoroks actually behave more like their 3D console game counterparts, as they are encountered in pools of water where they pop out to shoot rocks at the Links from afar, and submerge if approached. As the Links do not have any Shields to block or deflect their rocks, Water Octoroks must either be attacked using projectile weapons or by stunning them with other items, such as the Water Rod, which will also force them out of the water. Water Octoroks are common to Levels of the Riverside.

Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland
In, a creature similar to Octoroks called Octopuses appear in the hidden mini-games run by Salona. Instead of shooting rocks, the Octopuses shoot balls, which Tingle must deflect back at various targets behind them. Appearance-wise, they are red and resemble the traditional Octoroks found in the 2D Zelda games, with the characteristics of those found in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask.

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

Animated series
Octoroks appear in several episodes of the Animated series. They first appear in "The White Knight" after a Tinsuit calls an Octorok from the Underworld, which grabs a swordless Link and throws him into a nearby barn. The hero then takes 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. Link grabs the Princess and uses the Force Field Ring as the two fall, zapping the Octoroks in the process. In their final appearance in "The Moblins Are Revolting", Octoroks join the struggle formed by the Brotherhood of Underworld Monsters, where they try to attack the 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 light balls 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 to 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 Link 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 defeated twenty Octoroks with just one swing of his ax, although Link is unimpressed by this feat, saying that "Octoroks are easy prey."

Philips CD-i Games
Octoroks appear as enemies in, and. In the first two games, Octoroks appear as large enemies encountered on land that spit arching stones. They have a considerably high amount of health, requiring several Sword strikes to defeat, but can also be instantly defeated by throwing a Bomb at them or by using the Power Glove. In The Faces of Evil, they can be found in Firestone Lake and Fortress Centrum. In The Wand of Gamelon, they are exclusively found on the shores of Tykogi Tower. In Zelda's Adventure, Octoroks bare a much closer resemblance to real-world octopuses. They are usually encountered near bodies of water, most notably in the Shrine of Water. They however do not spit rocks at Zelda. They take several hits of the Wand to defeat.

Super Smash Bros. Series
In, Octoroks appear as enemies in the level of. 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. These Octoroks are only found on land, despite being based on the aquatic Octoroks found in Ocarina of Time. They also appear as a Trophy.

In, Octoroks appear as a Sticker. In, they appear as enemies in the mode and as a Trophy in their Skyward Sword incarnation as the grass-variety.

Trivia

 * Unira, the urchin enemy from , bears a strong resemblance to the Octoroks from The Legend of Zelda.
 * At the time of The Wind Waker's release, Octoroks had appeared in every game to date, which is referenced in their Figurine with the line "Winner of the Perfect Attendance Award". However, as Octoroks were absent from, this was changed to "Series: Exemplary enemy" in.
 * Toadpolis from Twilight Princess behave similarly to the aquatic Octoroks, and are also defeated in the same manner by deflecting their projectiles back at them. Spumes from Skyward Sword also have a similar behavior.
 * Squig, Squog, Squoinker, and Dark Squiglet of  are similar to Octoroks in that they are small enemies that spit rocks at their prey.