ReDead

ReDeads are zombie-like monsters similar to Gibdos that debuted in Ocarina of Time. While their appearance may change from game to game, their behavior has remained relatively the same - namely their tactic of freezing targets in their tracks with a petrifying scream.

According to fans, ReDeads rank amongst the most frightening enemies in The Legend of Zelda series, akin to others such as Dead Hands, Wallmasters, Floormasters, and Gibdos.

Characteristics
In Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, before they are even seen, ReDeads make their presence known with low-pitched moans. They normally stand still or sit in the fetal position until Link approaches, at which they will rise and slowly shuffle towards him. When they get close enough, they will paralyze Link with a bone-chilling scream, jump onto his back, and bite his head and neck repeatedly. Interestingly, Link cannot become paralyzed in areas with a fixed camera position, such as Castle Town's ruined marketplace, possibly because of the way the camera usually zooms in when the monster screams.

ReDeads are quite slow, both in walking and recovering from an attack, making them fairly easy to slay. In addition, when a ReDead is slain, any other ReDeads in the area walk towards and crouch beside the fallen ReDead until its body fades away, ignoring Link and making killing the whole group easier; this behavior is never explained in the game, although plausible explanations could be that they are mourning its death or even eating its corpse.

Both ReDeads and Gibdos have a flaw; they're blind, meaning Link can walk by normally or with the Iron Boots, and will pass by unnoticed, with the exception of Deku Nuts. If Link pulls out or puts away any weapon, or runs about near them, they'll hear it and attempt to paralyze him with their vivid scream. If one attaches itself to Link, the only method of escaping is mashing the A and B buttons on the controller to escape, then stab it with the sword after being freed. The longer the ReDead is attached to Link, the more damage he suffers.

ReDeads also appear in The Wind Waker as turquoise tribal-like zombies. This time, they're even more skeletal, their torso consisting of their bony ribs and spine with no flesh or organs in between their bones and skin. The same applies to their hips as well. Another alteration from the first generation of ReDead are their ears, which bear large golden hoop earrings. Their bodies are covered in white tribal markings, their eyes are black and lifeless and glow red when they unleash their paralyzing screech. Also, their mouth is no longer a black circle, but rather a full set of teeth and gums. Since they do not have masks, as in previous games, they were given their haunting facial features.

Their method of attack is the same as usual, often hiding in coffins and leaping out when Link gets too close. The main difference being that they only deal one heart of damage before they release Link, only to try to attack him again.

Weaknesses
In Ocarina of Time, Link can play the Sun's Song to freeze them for a short amount of time. In Majora's Mask, light reflected off the Mirror Shield will kill them instantly. Wearing the Garo's Mask, Gibdo Mask, or Captain's Hat makes them dance and they will not attack Link. In Ikana Castle, the ReDeads perform several dances depending on the individual creature; a Garo Ninja offers a possible explanation of this peculiarity by stating that the ReDead of Ikana Castle were once a troupe of performers when they were alive.

There is also a Gossip Stone on the peir by the Octorocks in Ikana Canyon that says, "It seems that the ReDeads in Ikana Castle will dance when the Gibdo Mask, Garo Mask, or the Captains Hat is worn... But that does not change things much."

Some of the ReDeads' weaknesses change in The Wind Waker. Like most common enemies, ReDeads may be slain by Link's sword. However, they are immune to most weapons, with the exception of Bombs which are effective and can be thrown safely at a distance that will not get the ReDead's attention. Using the Hookshot is unwise because it brings Link straight into the monster's grasp. The Mirror Shield can be used to stun them if there is light nearby. They also boast high defense and a high drop rate of valuable items, especially when hit with the Grappling Hook, but they are still slow, and one can use the same strategy as the previous games to easily finish them off. Unlike most enemies in the game, ReDeads remain on screen for a while after they have been killed, perhaps referencing the similar phenomenon in Ocarina of Time. If Link attacks a ReDead with a Jump Attack just as it is screaming, he will not freeze, and will damage the ReDead.

Also in The Wind Waker, ReDeads don't moan continuously as they did in previous games, remaining still and silent when Link is not nearby. However, they do moan when they take damage and also when they are defeated. Their scream and stare have also been revamped considerably, and their dark, empty eye sockets suddenly glow red when the ReDead spots its prey. In addition, Link will be frozen in fear, rather than what would seem to be a strange hypnotic shriek effect. Unlike in previous games, these Redeads do not appear to be blind, as they will look up at Link whenever he moves close to them (but not within striking range). This means that unlike previous Redeads, they cannot be fooled by walking slowly, and will always attack once Link comes within range. They are usually found in the Earth Temple and underneath the private cabana. They are also seen in the Ghost Ship, the Savage Labyrinth and Ganondorf's Castle.

Varieties
In Twilight Princess, ReDead Knights are first encountered in the Arbiter's Grounds. Instead of sucking the life out of Link, they wield a giant sword. They can be destroyed using standard sword attacks or long range weaponry. Link can avoid being hit with a sword by holding down the analog stick while frozen, as the enemy will not attack until Link is unfrozen.

In the Arbiter's Grounds, some ReDead Knights are accompanied by Stalkin.

Super Smash Bros. Series
In Super Smash Bros. Melee, ReDeads appear inside the Hyrule Temple and randomly from broken crates. They suck energy from the player, and they are most commonly found in the Adventure mode stage Underground Maze while the player is trying to find the Triforce to finish the stage. They can be knocked out by the player, netting 800 points from the bonus "ReDead KO".

According to the ReDead trophy in Super Smash Bros. Melee, the ReDeads in Ocarina of Time, at least those in the deserted Castle Town marketplace, are not actually undead people, but monsters created by evil magic. However, since there is no mention of this fact in Ocarina of Time itself, it is generally not considered to be canon.

ReDead only appears as a sticker in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, in Ocarina of Time style.

Trivia

 * The Spooky Mask greatly resembles the faces of ReDead in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask.
 * In Majora's Mask, a Gibdo will turn into a ReDead when shot by a Fire Arrow. If inside the Gibdo Well, it is possible to speak to these ReDead while wearing the Gibdo Mask.
 * In Ocarina of Time, when a defeated ReDead is left by living ReDead, the living one(s) will gather around the defeated one. It is unknown whether they are intended to be mourning its death, or eating the decomposed flesh.
 * In Twilight Princess, the faces of the four poes that steal the flames in Arbiter's Grounds resemble the ReDeads from Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask.
 * In Ocarina of Time 3D, the model of the ReDead has been greatly updated, now resembling the artwork more.
 * Although the ReDead is not present in Skyward Sword, its functionality has been partially replaced by this game's version of the Skulltula, which has the ability to paralyze and latch onto its prey.