Sheik reveals himself to Link shortly after Link is freed from the Chamber of Sages after his seven-year slumber.[31] He introduces himself as the "survivor of the Sheikah".[32] He informs Link that he must awaken the Seven Sages in order to bring peace back to Hyrule.[33] Alerting him of the need to acquire the Hookshot in order to enter the Temples, Sheik stays in front of the Pedestal of the Master Sword.[34] He later appears when Link arrives at the Sacred Forest Meadow. He tells Link about the Songs for Warping that can access Temple entrances and teaches him the "Minuet of Forest" before disappearing again.[35] Further along, Sheik approaches Link at the Fire Temple entrance in the Death Mountain Crater, teaching him the Bolero of Fire before walking away, using a wall of flame to halt Link's inquiring advance.[36]
Sheik once again mysteriously appears in the Ice Cavern to inform Link of the fate of the Zoras and to teach him the "Serenade of Water".[37][38] He then waits outside the Water Temple for Link to free it from Morpha's influence and awaken the Sage of Water before disappearing once again.
When Kakariko Village comes under attack from a mysterious force, Link discovers that Sheik is already there. Together they encounter and are defeated by an invisible monster thought to be the Evil Shadow Spirit. Sheik teaches Link the "Nocturne of Shadow" and urges Link to help Impa fight the Evil Shadow Spirit.[39] When Link discovers that he must venture back in time in order to do so, Sheik offers a helping hand informing Link on how to use the Master Sword and the Pedestal of the Master Sword in order to travel back and forth through Time.[40] He teaches Link the "Prelude of Light" before vanishing once again.[41]
At the entrance of the Spirit Temple, Sheik appears to have been waiting for Link from atop a large rock formation and once again informs him that he must enter the Temple as a child, utilizing the Pedestal of the Master Sword in the Temple of Time.[42] He gives Link a lesson on performing the "Requiem of Spirit" before using the desert winds as cover to vanish.[43]
With all Six Sages freed, Link is instructed to return to the Temple of Time where Sheik awaits. Sheik congratulates Link on his efforts and offers an explanation on what happened to Hyrule during Link's disappearance before finally revealing his true identity as Princess Zelda.[44][45]
The following section is not part of the Zelda canon and should not be taken as such.
In the Ocarina of Time manga by Akira Himekawa, Sheik first appears to Link having tended his wounds after being defeated by Volvagia. Sheik is a spy for Ganondorf and later shows up to tell Link of a rumor that Princess Zelda had been spotted in the Desert of Illusions, before vanishing again. On Link's way through the Desert, he nearly succumbs to blistering sands before Sheik pulls him out and continues to travel with him. Later that night, Link is attacked by illusions and images of his past, but Sheik is unaffected; Link wonders if it could be due to a lack of past in Sheik's life. Upon reaching the Gerudo's Fortress, Sheik knocks Link out, and the Hero is captured.
Once Link frees himself, he fights through the ranks of the Gerudo, before Sheik comes to him with his Sword and Shield. Throwing them to Link, Sheik attacks the invisible Twinrova, who were watching nearby. They accuse Sheik of being a traitor. Sheik is knocked unconscious after rebuking the accusation.
After escaping with the unconscious Sheik, Link finds a cave to rest in. He leaves to find water, flustered after getting too close to Sheik. He returns to find that Sheik, having awoken with the face wrappings off, appears to be a woman. Fully transforming, Sheik is revealed to be Princess Zelda, who later explains that she had Impa lock her consciousness away and assume the disguise of a Sheikah boy.
Zelda has the option of transforming into Sheik by pressing down the Stick while holding the B Button. Sheik has a completely different moveset than Zelda that are not based on magic, as her moves and weapons are quick and similar to those of a ninja.
This is Zelda's alter ego. Using a variation of the name of the ancient Sheikah tribe, she appears before Link and teaches him melodies instrumental to his success. It's believed that she's not just a quick-change artist, but rather that she is able to instantaneously alter her clothing and her eye and skin color by using her magical skills.
Strategically switching between Zelda and Sheik is key. Compared to her Zelda form, Sheik is nimble and has gorgeous moves, but she lacks a strong knockout attack. The number of needles thrown in Needle Storm is based on how long you hold the B Button before releasing it. Use the Control Stick to wave the Chain after brandishing it.
The best strategy to use when playing as Sheik is to let her flow from one powerful attack into another, like a river of quicksilver. Zelda has some techniques with more punch, however, so in one-on-one battles, use Transform as needed. Sheik only travels a short way when using Vanish, but the move comes with a small explosion that damages foes around her.
The following section is not part of the Zelda canon and should not be taken as such.
Sheik appears again in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Although she did not appear in Twilight Princess, the character model was based on a design drafted during the game's development.[16]Hyrule Historia contains designs of Twilight Princess Zelda as she would appear as Sheik, drawn specifically for Super Smash Bros. Brawl.[46]
She has mostly the same moveset from Super Smash Bros. Melee, and shares a Final Smash with Zelda, the Light Arrows, although Sheik's deals more damage. In addition, Sheik can now crawl, wall jump, and use her Chain move as a tether recovery.
In The Subspace Emissary mode from Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Sheik is first introduced after Solid Snake saves Zelda and Peach when they are captured inside the Halberd. Although he orders them to stay put, Zelda transforms into Sheik to escape along with Peach to the battleship's front deck. Eventually, they reach their destination when suddenly Fox in his Arwing destroys one of the airship's turrets, shooting near where Peach was walking. Thinking that Fox was aiming at Peach, Sheik teleports onto Fox's Arwing and, using her hand, shatters the cockpit window. This forces Fox to eject out of the Arwing and land on the battleship's front deck along with Sheik. Although the two begin to fight, Peach stops them by offering a cup of tea to Fox. Confused at first, Fox looks over to see that Sheik has already begun drinking the tea, thus realizing that Sheik and Peach are not his enemies as he accepts Peach's offer and joins them.
The persona Zelda adopted to escape from Ganondorf. She completely hid all traces of her Zelda identity and appeared to Link as the last member of the Sheikah tribe. She taught Link essential ocarina melodies and then vanished in an instant. She didn't appear very often--rather, she would show up to support Link in crucial situations.
Sheik's Final Smash. After grabbing a Smash Ball, Sheik will be able to wield a bow of light. The arrow fired from this bow has the power to pass through multiple targets, so it will damage all enemies in the direction it flies. This, coupled with its shield-breaking power, makes it even more terrible. Even in Sheik form, Zelda's ability as an archer is undiminished.
The following section is not part of the Zelda canon and should not be taken as such.
Sheik appears as a playable character in Hyrule Warriors. She appears in the story when Zelda goes missing. Unlike her previous incarnations, Sheik does not go to great lengths to hide her feminine physique.
Sheik uses a Harp as her primary weapon, with which she can unleash elemental effects from, as well as playing the "Song of Storms" along with the other Songs for Warping from Ocarina of Time. As Sheik performs combo attacks, an elemental Song note will appear beneath her Special Attack Gauge. The notes allows Sheik to perform different charge attacks based on the element, which is done by hitting her Strong Attack button (Strong I). These notes do not have a time limit and will go away if Strong I is hit. A different Strong Combo will switch it out.
The note Sheik gets from her Strong II Combo is for "Serenade of Water"; it surrounds Sheik in a shield of Bottled Water that can absorb up to four Hearts worth of damage.
The note Sheik gets from her Strong III Combo is for "Bolero of Fire"; it creates a fire glyph that explodes into a flame geyser with a delayed detonation.
The note Sheik gets from her Strong IV Combo is for "Song of Storms"; it produces an electric whirlwind that surrounds Sheik even while moving.
The note Sheik gets from her Strong V Combo is for "Nocturne of Shadows"; it produces a field of Darkness that paralyzes enemies and damages them.
The note Sheik gets from her Strong VI Combo is for "Prelude of Light"; it creates a rectangular field of Light that will regenerate her Special Attack Gauge when standing in it.
When activating Focus Spirit, Sheik performs "Saria's Song". When deactivating it in front of a group of enemies with the A button, sprouts grow from the ground and suddenly burst into Trees. Sheik's Special Attack has her strum her Harp in rhythm, causing a huge wave of notes on surrounding enemies. She also uses a kunai for basic, quick attacks.
Sheik is later revealed to be Zelda in disguise during "The Water Temple".[47] She had been in disguise to protect her identity from the enemy forces. From this point in the game, Sheik and Zelda both become options for Scenarios. If either Sheik or Zelda are selected as Warriors, Ruto will take Zelda's place as leader of the Hyrulean Army.
The following section is not part of the Zelda canon and should not be taken as such.
Sheik returns in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U as a separate character, no longer being a transformation of Zelda. Due to this, several new special moves exclusive to the Super Smash Bros. series were added to both characters' movesets. These include the Burst Grenade and Bouncing Fish for Sheik, and the Phantom Slash for Zelda.
In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Sheik claimed to be a surviving Sheikah. However, this was just a cunning disguise for Princess Zelda so that she could escape Ganondorf. In Smash Bros., she's the complete opposite of Zelda, striking with fast attacks that can keep an opponent off balance.
Sheik's Burst Grenade side special throws a small grenade that draws in nearby fighters before exploding. Once the button has been released, it'll hop or explode after a time. The down special Bouncing Fish is an attack where Sheik strikes with both heels, falling similarly to the way a fish might flop around.
Clear All-Star Mode as SheikNintendo 3DS version
RandomWii U version; can be obtained in Classic Mode, All-Star Mode, Trophy Rush, Smash Tour, Crazy Orders, or purchased from the Trophy Shop
Sheik's Final Smash uses a gigantic bow to fire a Light Arrow across the screen. If multiple foes are in its path, it will strike them all, ignoring shields like they're not even there. Sheik's Light Arrow is more damaging than Zelda's, and it launches its victims at a lower angle.
Contrarily, Sheik was referred to using feminine pronouns on the official Zelda website.[11]Eiji Aonuma has said that, according to a survey, American players preferred female characters that were more independent, citing Sheik and Tetra as examples.[12]
On August 5, 2014, Bill Trinen, Nintendo's senior product marketing manager and head translator for Ocarina of Time, stated in an interview that since Sheik is just Princess Zelda in disguise, and since Princess Zelda is female, Sheik is also female.[13]
Matching the pronoun usage in the game, Zelda Wiki refers to Sheik with masculine pronouns for his appearance in Ocarina of Time.
↑Sheik is referred to with feminine pronouns in the Tips.[20] Sheik is also referred with masculine pronouns once again in new voice lines from Palutena's Guidance.[21]
The Super Smash Blog for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate refers to Sheik with masculine pronouns,[22] however the official Nintendo Tumblr, Nintendo Versus Twitter and Super Smash Bros. Facebook all refer to Sheik with feminine pronouns.[23][24][25]
↑"Sheik always covered her face and muffled her voice to protect her identity, but Link soon learned that this helpful soul was in fact his good friend Princess Zelda. Her unusual dress and demeanor came from being raised as a Sheikah by her protector Impa." — Zelda Universe , Zelda.com, published n.d., retrieved June 28, 2014.
↑"We recently received information from a survey conducted in the US that indicated that, among our female characters, users had a preference for those that were more on the independent side, such as Sheik and Tetra" — Zelda Developer Was Stumped By New Zelda Game's Puzzles , Kotaku, published November 25, 2009, retrieved October 2, 2011.
↑Until the right time, Princess Zelda's consciousness shall sleep... ...To awaken as a young Sheikah boy. (Ocarina of Time (Himekawa) Part 2, Viz Media, pg. 61)
↑This is Zelda's alter ego. Using a variation of the name of the ancient Sheikah tribe, she appears before Link and teaches him melodies instrumental to his success. It's believed that she's not just a quick-change artist, but rather that she is able to instantaneously alter her clothing and her eye and skin color by using her magical skills. — Trophy (Super Smash Bros. Melee) Strategically switching between Zelda and Sheik is key. Compared to her Zelda form, Sheik is nimble and has gorgeous moves, but she lacks a strong knockout attack. The number of needles thrown in Needle Storm is based on how long you hold the B Button before releasing it. Use the Control Stick to wave the Chain after brandishing it. — Trophy (Super Smash Bros. Melee) The best strategy to use when playing as Sheik is to let her flow from one powerful attack into another, like a river of quicksilver. Zelda has some techniques with more punch, however, so in one-on-one battles, use Transform as needed. Sheik only travels a short way when using Vanish, but the move comes with a small explosion that damages foes around her. — Trophy (Super Smash Bros. Melee)
↑ 16.016.1"Sheik doesn't appear in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, but we based her model on a design that was drafted up during the development of that game." — Sheik , Super Smash Bros. DOJO!! (archive), retrieved October 22, 2014.
↑Sheik , Smash Bros. DOJO!! (archive), published January 21, 2008, retrieved June 28, 2014. The persona Zelda adopted to escape from Ganondorf. She completely hid all traces of her Zelda identity and appeared to Link as the last member of the Sheikah tribe. She taught Link essential ocarina melodies and then vanished in an instant. She didn't appear very often--rather, she would show up to support Link in crucial situations. — Trophy (Super Smash Bros. Brawl)
↑"Much like Impa, she's a remaining survivor of the Sheikah." — Hyrule Warriors Direct , YouTube, published August 4, 2014.
↑In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Sheik claimed to be a surviving Sheikah. However, this was just a cunning disguise for Princess Zelda so that she could escape Ganondorf. In Smash Bros., she's the complete opposite of Zelda, striking with fast attacks that can keep an opponent off balance. — Trophy (Super Smash Bros. for Wii U)
↑Sheik advances forth and slices through the opponents she hits. She can catch only one opponent with this move, but catching an opponent is pretty easy and the move is very powerful. — Tips (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate)
↑His attacks may be fast, but they aren't very strong. That's why he will try to end the fight quickly. — Palutena (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate)
↑"Now Sheik joins the battle wearing the Sheikah costume from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Keep the pressure on your opponent by using his speedy dash to quickly close in on (or get away from) your opponent!" — Super Smash Blog , Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for the Nintendo Switch system | Official Site, published October 1, 2018, retrieved October 2, 2018.
↑"Sheik dons the Sheikah costume from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate! She utilizes all her signature moves and quick attacks to apply high pressure on foes, leaving them little room for counter-attacks!" — Nintendo, Nintendo of America , Tumblr, published October 2, 2018, retrieved October 2, 2018.
↑"Sheik joins the battle in Super #SmashBrosUltimate, wearing the Sheikah costume from The Legend of #Zelda: Breath of the Wild! As a speedy character, she can put the pressure on foes with quick movements and attacks." — @NintendoVS on Twitter, October 2, 2018 (Archive)
↑"In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the speedy Sheik now wears the Sheikah costume from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Her quick attacks and movements can apply high pressure on foes, leaving them little room to strike back!" — Super Smash Bros., Super Smash Bros. - SSBU - Sheik , Facebook, published October 2, 2018, retrieved October 2, 2018.
↑But something I could never expect happened... After you opened the Door of Time, the Master Sword sealed you away in the Sacred Realm... Your spirit remained in the Sacred Realm...and then the Triforce fell into Ganondorf's hands. He went on to invade the Sacred Realm... Ganondorf had become the Evil King, and the Sacred Realm became a world of evil. All of this is an unfortunate coincidence. I passed myself off as a Sheikah and hoped that you would return. I waited for seven years... — Princess Zelda (Ocarina of Time 3D)
↑Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 238 (OoTOcarina of Time)
↑When evil rules all, an awakening voice from the Sacred Realm will call those destined to be Sages who dwell in the five temples. One in a deep forest... One on a high mountain... One under a vast lake... One within the house of the dead... One inside a goddess of the sand... — Sheik (Ocarina of Time 3D)
↑Unfortunately, equipped as you currently are, you cannot even enter the temple... But, if you believe what I'm saying, you should head to Kakariko Village... — Sheik (Ocarina of Time 3D)
↑This song is dedicated to the power of the heart... Listen to the Bolero of Fire... — Sheik (Ocarina of Time)
↑We meet again, Link... If you came here to meet the Zoras, you wasted your time... This is all there is... With one exception, the Zoras are all now sealed under this thick ice sheet... — Sheik (Ocarina of Time)
↑A childish mind will turn to noble ambition... Young love will become deep affection... The clear water's surface reflects growth... Now listen to the Serenade of Water to reflect upon yourself.... — Sheik (Ocarina of Time)
↑Destroy the evil shadow spirit and save Impa! There is an entrance to the Shadow Temple beneath the graveyard behind this village. The only thing I can do for you is teach you the melody that will lead you to the Shadow Temple... This is the melody that will draw you into the infinite darkness that absorbs even time... Listen to this, the Nocturne of Shadow!! — Sheik (Ocarina of Time)
↑If you want to return to your original time, return the Master Sword to the Pedestal of Time. By doing this, you will travel back in time seven years... — Sheik (Ocarina of Time)
↑The time will come when you will have to return here quickly... I will teach this to you for when that time comes... The song to return you to the Temple of Time... The Prelude of Light... — Sheik (Ocarina of Time)
↑The Master Sword is a ship with which you can sail upstream and downstream through time's river... The port for that ship is in the Temple of Time... To restore the Desert Colossus and enter the Spirit Temple, you must travel back through time's flow... — Sheik (Ocarina of Time)
↑Listen to this Requiem of Spirit... This melody will lead a child back to the desert. — Sheik (Ocarina of Time)
↑I have been waiting for you, Link. Link, the Hero of Time... You have overcome many hardships and awakened six Sages. And now you have a final challenge—a showdown with Ganondorf, the King of Evil... — Sheik (Ocarina of Time 3D) Before that...I have things I want to tell only to you. Please listen. Another unknown legend of the Triforce passed down by the Shadow Folk, the Sheikah... — Sheik (Ocarina of Time 3D) If you would seek the sacred triangle, listen well... The resting place of the sacred triangle, the Sacred Realm, is a mirror that reflects what is in the heart...the heart of one who enters it... If an evil heart, the Realm will become full of evil; if pure, the Realm will become a paradise. The Triforce...the sacred triangle... It is a balance that weighs the three forces: Power, Wisdom, and Courage. If the heart of the one who holds the sacred triangle has all three forces in balance, that one will gain the True Force to govern all. But if that one's heart is not in balance, the Triforce will separate into three parts: Power, Wisdom, and Courage. Only one part will remain for the one who touched the Triforce...the part representing the force that one most believes in. If that one seeks the True Force, that one must acquire the two lost parts. Those two parts will be held within others chosen by destiny who will bear the Triforce mark on the backs of their hands. — Sheik (Ocarina of Time 3D) Seven years ago, Ganondorf, the King of Thieves, used the door you opened in the Temple of Time and entered the Sacred Realm. But when he laid his hands on the Triforce, the legend came true. — Sheik (Ocarina of Time 3D) The Triforce separated into three parts. Only the Triforce of Power remained in Ganondorf's hand. The strength of the Triforce of Power enabled him to become a mighty, evil king, but his dark ambitions were not satisfied. To gain complete mastery of the world, Ganondorf started looking for those chosen by destiny to hold the two other Triforce parts. The one who holds the Triforce of Courage is...you, Link! And the other, who holds the Triforce of Wisdom...is the seventh Sage, who is destined to be the leader of them all... — Sheik (Ocarina of Time 3D)
↑It is I, the Princess of Hyrule, Zelda. I apologize for meeting you in disguise, but it was necessary to hide from the King of Evil. Please forgive me... — Princess Zelda (Ocarina of Time 3D)
↑The pictures at the bottom right represent what Zelda from Twilight Princess would look like if she transformed into Sheik. They were drawn for Super Smash Bros. Brawl. (Hyrule Historia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 174)