ReDead
ReDeads (リーデッド, Riideddo) are zombie-like monsters similar to Gibdos which debuted in Ocarina of Time and have appeared in every console game since. While their appearance changed from game to game, their behavior has remained relatively the same - namely their tactic of freezing targets in their tracks with a petrifying scream.
Many people see these creatures as some of the, if not the most frightening enemies in The Legend of Zelda series, among others such as Wallmasters, Floormasters, and Gibdos.
Attack Behavior
Before they are visible to the player, ReDeads make their presence known with low-pitched moans. They normally are seated in a fetal position (although some stand) 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.
Strategy
ReDeads (and similarily Gibdos) are quite slow, both in walking and recovering from an attack, making them fairly easy to slay. In addition, when a ReDead or a Gibdo, is slain, any other ReDeads or Gibdos in the area walk towards and crouch beside the fallen ReDead/Gibdo until its body fades away, ignoring the player 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, however Gibdos, do not creep towards fallen ReDeads. It should also be noted that if the other ReDead(s) are left alone (assuming they're in a group), after they return to their set place, they may occasionally shriek and walk about despite Link being a fair distance away from their grasp; they also shriek on the way back to their set spot if the player was to carelessly move near one.
Both, ReDeads and Gibdos have a flaw, they're blind, meaning the player can walk by normally or with the Iron Boots, and will pass by unnoticed, with the exception of Deku Nuts. If the player pulls out or puts away any weapon, or runs about near them, they'll hear it and attempt to paralyze the player.
Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask
In Ocarina of Time, the player 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 will make them dance and they will not attack you. In Ikana Castle, the ReDeads perform several dances depending on the individual creature; a Gossip Stone 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.[citation needed]
The Wind Waker
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 1 heart of damage before they release Link, only to try to attack him again.
They are immune to most weapons, so they must be approached and slashed with the sword. Bombs are also 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, but they are still slow, and one can use the same strategy as the previous games to easily finish them off.
ReDeads don't moan like they do in other games. Their scream and stare have also been revamped considerably. The shriek now sounds like the noise an elephant makes, as opposed to the human-like screams used in earlier games, 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 be a strange hypnotic shriek effect. They are usually found in the Earth Temple and underneath the private cabana. They are also seen in The Ghost Ship and Ganondorf's Castle.
Twilight Princess
In Twilight Princess, ReDeads return as ReDead Knights. They are demonic warrior monsters found in the Arbiter's Grounds and the Cave of Ordeals. They can be killed by two bomb arrows, the Ball and Chain, or with a jump strike. At first, they are lying down, and they are invincible. Then, when they stand up, they are vulnerable. They have a paralyzing scream, like in most games, which leaves you open for attack (although in Twilight Princess, their shriek is very low pitched, compared to the high pitched screams of their predecessors). If their scream wasn't enough, they have tattered red cloaks, and carry huge, rusty, bandage-covered swords that they drag behind them. They are mummified, and their small, round faces look almost featureless from a distance.
However there is a cunning and nearly painless way to avoid them if in the right place at the right time. After you gain the Hidden Skill #3, the Back slice, rapidly press the A button, and turn the analog stick in the direction you want to go. Then, as they bring down their sword, you will evade the attack and slice them. That leaves them vulnerable to attack. This technique can be dangerous if there are several ReDeads grouped together. Another useful method is by using your Ball and Chain, keep your distance and throw; you usually don't take any damage. They can also be killed in your wolf form by L-targeting and pressing A towards it and rapidly biting it twice. Take heed however, in numbers, such ReDead Knights will gang up on Link and create a much more frustrating battle as time goes on. One way to fight when the ReDead Knights gang up on Link is to change into a wolf and target a ReDead Knight. When one of them scream, target it and rapidly press A. The moment the scream is over, Link will jump attack the ReDead Knight. Yet another technique, is to power up a Jump Strike and hit the ReDead with the sword part. This will kill the ReDead in one hit. It may be dangerous to use if the room is full of ReDeads though.
Their bandaged appearance apparently caused a number of fans to mistake them for Gibdos.
Other Appearances
Link's Crossbow Training
ReDead Knights appear in Link's Crossbow Training in Level 7-1. They act they same as in Twilight Princess, and as ReDeads are shot down, more appear to attack. They rise up like vampires awaking from a coffin, usually very close to the camera in an attempt to startle or scare you. They take about 2-3 hits to kill with the normal arrows, but using the bomb arrows is the best way to kill the groups that appear.
Super Smash Bros. Melee
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 Adventure mode, while the player is trying to find the Triforce to end the stage. They can be knocked out by the player (ReDead KO), netting 800 bonus points.
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.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
ReDead only appears as a sticker in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, in its Ocarina of Time look.
