Epona: Difference between revisions

  |Model OoT3D= File:OoT3D Young Epona Model.png

|game= {{OoT}}<br>{{MM}}<br>{{TMC}}<br>{{TP}}<br>{{BotW}} {{Exp|By scanning the Super Smash Bros. Link amiibo for the first time}}

|other= {{LCT}}<br>{{SSBB}}{{exp|as a Sticker}}<br>{{OoT|Himekawa|-}}<br>{{MM|Himekawa|-}}<br>{{SSB4|3DS}}{{exp|as a Trophy}}<br>{{HW}}

{{Term/Store|Epona||Series, OoT, OoT3D, MM, MM3D, TMC, TP, TPHD, BotW, LCT}} (pronounced {{IPA|iˈpoʊ.nə}} {{Respell|ee|POH|nə}})<ref>{{Cite web|quote=That first DLC pack unlocks Epona, which is like the best thing ever.|published= October 10, 2014|retrieved= October 24, 2014|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5dQDMUqPbo&t=3m15s|title=Nintendo Minute – September Favorites|site=YouTube}}</ref> is a recurring character in {{TLoZ|Series}}.<ref>{{Cite Book|quote= |book= E |publisher= |page= 239,{{Exp Game|OoT}} 244,{{Exp Game|MM}} 270,{{Exp Game|TMC}} 276 {{Exp Game|TP}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|{{Big|Horseback Target Practice}}<br>Ride Epona across Hyrule Field, and shoot the bull's-eyes. Consecutive hits boost your score!|Stage Select|LCT}}</ref>

Link can obtain Epona in {{BotW}} by scanning either the {{SSB|-}} Link or {{TP|-}} Zelda 30th Anniversary Link [[amiibo]]. Unlike other horses in the game, Epona does not need to be tamed and can be immediately mounted. Once registered at a [[Stable]], Epona cannot be obtained more than once through the amiibo, even if deceased as she can be revived by [[Malanya]] if she is registered when she dies.  

Like the [[Giant Horse]], her mane cannot be groomed and she receives a special bridle and saddle called Epona Gear.<ref>{{Cite Book|quote= |book= CaC|publisher= |page= 161}}</ref>

Though not stated in-game, Epona is the namesake of [[Epona Co.]], a 150 year old company that makes horse goods from horse gear to fine items like brushes and riding wear worn by stable workers.<ref name="EponaCo">{{Cite Book|quote= {{Big|Epona Co.}} An established, all- encompassing horse goods maker with over one hundred and fifty years of experience. Our company name comes from the cultural developments between man and horse born from the beloved partner of a legendary hero, which serves as our motto. We handle everything from saddles and bridles to fine items like brushes and riding wear.|book= CaC|publisher= |page= 337}}</ref> Their company logo can be seen on the hats of Stable workers and the base of the [[Horse]] statue at the [[Sanidin Park Ruins]] indicating they were involved in its construction. As a result, Epona is famous and legendary horse among the stable managers/innkeepers as they recognize her when Link registers her and will force Link to name her Epona as they will not accept any other name.

Epona appears during Link's intro and victory animations in {{HW}}. In the Master Quest DLC pack, she is also a [[Horse (Item)#Epona|weapon]] type for Link, allowing him to ride her in battle. She is very fast and is able to cause damage to enemies while running due to her sheer size. She has a good area of effect attacks, though her large size also makes her easy to be hit. Her second and third weapon tiers are based on her designs from {{TP|-}} and {{OoT|-}}, respectively. Unlike other weapons in the game, Epona's additional tiers are not earned via special requirements, but are instead available right from the start provided they are earned in battle.

The scene where Epona jumps over the broken bridge in Gerudo Valley was specially requested by [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]. A similar scene is shown when Epona escapes from Lon Lon Ranch, which had more than one exit, so a cutscene was made for each. The idea of horses and these scenes were inspired by Western movies.<ref name="IwataAsks">{{Cite web|url= http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/zelda-ocarina-of-time/1/4|title= What We Couldn't Do with The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|site= Nintendo official website}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/zelda-ocarina-of-time/4/2|title= Everyone Loves Horses|site= Nintendo official website}}</ref>

*During development of {{OoT|-}}, Link would use a whip to control Epona. After using the whip, Link would have to give her a carrot.<ref>{{Cite web|quote= '''Q: How do you control the horse?'''<br>'''Miyamoto:''' With whips and carrots. For each time you use the whip, you have to give the horse a carrot. If you only use the whip, then we'd feel sorry for the horse.|author= |published= November 26, 1997|retrieved= March 26, 2016|url= http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/11/27/the-z-files-4|title= The Z-Files|site= IGN|type=}}</ref>

{{wp|Epona}} is named after the Celtic Goddess of horses and fertility.<ref name="IwataAsks"/> It is built from the Celtic word ''epos'', meaning "horse".<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://behindthename.com/name/epona |site= behindthename.com |title= Given Name EPONA}}</ref>

* [[Catherine]]

* [[Cloud]]