Octorok

Octoroks (pronounced ) are a recurring enemy in.

Characteristics
Octoroks are octopus-like creatures that are best known for their method of attack; shooting circular projectiles from its cylindrical snout in short intervals, attempting to hit Link from afar. The rock shooting capabilities of the Octorok varies from game to game, as does the way they appear and where they are encountered. In the 2D games such as and, Octoroks are land-dwelling creatures that slowly crawl and shoot rocks at random in the cardinal directions. In most of the 3D console games, Octorocks are instead truer to their real-life counterparts, as they are encountered in water-filled areas such as lakes or seas, and pop out to shoot directly at Link's direction. In, the land-dwelling variety are even known for their ability to jump, and have flying variants as well in and SS undefined.

These foes are also known for their large heads and eyes, seen vividly in the 3D console titles. In the 2D games, they appear somewhat more porcine or spider-like. In Skyward Sword, however, the design of the Octorok more heavily resembles the Deku Scrub, as it covers itself in shrubbery or rocks, and hides just underground. If Link picks one up, it pops up from the ground and hurts him.

The Octorok has otherwise changed little in terms of behavior across the series since its debut in The Legend of Zelda. Most Octoroks, primarily in the 2D games, are smaller then Link, and are of little threat in the areas they are encountered. The 3D games introduced much larger variants, with some even taking the role of bosses or mini-bosses, such as the Big Octos of and  and Cyclok of. Regardless of size, Octoroks are seldom seen isolated. Their populations typically consists of only a few Octoroks, but can reach up to fourty as seen in a few instances of. Other times many Octoroks may populate a single area but may not be in close proximity. An example being the Zora's River in Ocarina of Time, in which many Octoroks swam along the lengthy river.

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

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 sometimes use his Shield, and in some cases, the Sword, to reflect the projectile that the Octorok shoots back at its face. While this technique usually does not work on land-dwelling Octoroks, the water-born variety are more than vulnerable to this technique, and in some cases is the only means of defeating them without long-ranged weapons, as they will submerge once Link moves too close. In Majora's Mask, Octoroks can also be frozen with Ice Arrows to create a solid platform onto which Link can climb.

Varieties
While the grand majority of Octoroks differ in color, there are few species that inhibit unique traits.

Red and Blue Octoroks
In the 2D Zelda games, Octoroks usually appear in red and blue colors, with the latter being the stronger variety. In The Adventure of Link, these foes are sedentary creatures that can jump. These Octoroks can be found only in caves and marshes, the latter of which provides a mobile version that creeps up on Link under the cover of tall grass. Octoroks in A Link to the Past sometimes stop and spew rocks in all four cardinal directions, a trait also seen in blue Octoroks in Four Swords Adventures. In the, Link can take the form of one of these Octoroks while wearing the , although he will be green in color rather than red or blue, and cannot attack.

Only red Octoroks appear in A Link to the Past, Link's Awakening, and. At least one red Octorok in is sentient, and works as the pitcher for Lorule's sport of Octoball Derby.

Flying Octorok
The Flying Octorok is a variant unique to Link's Awakening. These enemies will take flight if Link tries to slash at them. Link must aim his strikes to hit them as they aim to land behind him, which they will then shoot back after landing. Link can use the Roc's Feather to jump high and slash his sword in their direction. They are also susceptible to Spin Attacks and thrusts.

Pink and Purple Octoroks
The standard Octoroks seen in Ocarina of Time and are purple, a trend carried into Phantom Hourglass and. These colored varieties are typically of the water-dwelling kind, though this also varies by game. 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.

Golden Octorok


In and, Golden Octoroks are among the Golden Monsters. As with the rest of the Golden Monsters, it moves faster and inflicts more damage onto Link, as well as takes more hits to defeat. The Golden Beasts of Oracle of Seasons appear after talking to the appropriate Old Man, and only within certain seasons, while those in The Minish Cap appear as the result of certain Kinstone Fusions.

Octomine
Another exotic form of Octorok is the Octomine, found in Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks. They are an explosive species that can only be found underwater. In the former game, they come in two distinct varieties: a sleeping type that remains stationary and an active kind that propels itself through the water, either upwards or from left to right and vice versa. Link encounters these creatures while operating the Salvage Arm; if he fails to take caution and avoid them, the crane will eventually sustain excessive damage and be rendered inoperable until he has it repaired at the Shipyard.

In Spirit Tracks, Octomines can be found beneath the sea in the Ocean Realm. In this game, only the upward-moving variety appear. They pose no threat to Link or his Train as they are unable to make contact. Similar to the floating Barrels seen above the water's surface, the hero can destroy nearby Octomines by shooting them with the Cannon. Destroyed Octomines yield Rupees and Train-repairing green Hearts.

Sky Octoroks
In addition to those rooted in the ground, Skyward Sword also has Sky Octoroks that are adapted to living in 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 to their small, barren rock island and boosting through the pink-and-purple spotted creature.

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. In terms of appearance, they are red and look like 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 three 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. The Link 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 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 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
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.

Evolution
In Skyward Sword, Octoroks, particularly the "Grass" variant, have an appearance and attack pattern nearly identical to Deku Scrubs. This, coupled with the fact that all incarnations of Octorok and Deku share both attack patterns and physical features, hints that there might be a biological connection between these two species. The Deku are also conspicuously absent during Skyward Sword (which is the first game chronologically in the Zelda Timeline), yet appear in many other later games. This suggests that the incarnations of Octoroks seen in this game would eventually evolve into the Deku by the time of The Minish Cap.

Trivia

 * Unira, the urchin enemy from , bears a strong resemblance to the Octoroks from The Legend of Zelda.
 * Although Octoroks do not appear in Twilight Princess, the Toadpoli behave similarly.
 * Squig, Squog, Squoinker, and Dark Squiglet of  are similar to Octoroks in that they are small enemies that spit rocks at their prey.