Character Stats & Progression

Unlike many traditional RPGs, Majora's Mask doesn't feature a complex leveling system or attribute points to allocate. Instead, Link's progression is tied to acquiring key items, masks, and permanent upgrades that enhance his capabilities. This section details how to strengthen Link and his various forms throughout your adventure in Termina.

Heart Containers & Pieces of Heart

Link's primary measure of health is his Heart Containers. Each full Heart Container grants him two units of health. You begin your journey with three Heart Containers, but you can significantly increase this total to a maximum of 20 by collecting both full Heart Containers and Pieces of Heart.

Full Heart Containers

These are typically awarded after defeating a dungeon boss. There are four main dungeons in Termina, each yielding one full Heart Container upon completion:

Woodfall Temple: Defeat Odolwa.
Snowhead Temple: Defeat Goht.
Great Bay Temple: Defeat Gyorg.
Stone Tower Temple: Defeat Twinmold.

Pieces of Heart

For every four Pieces of Heart you collect, Link gains an additional full Heart Container. There are a total of 52 Pieces of Heart scattered across Termina. Finding all of them is a significant undertaking, but each one contributes to Link's overall durability. Here are a few examples of early-game Pieces of Heart and how to obtain them:

Clock Town (East):
- Postman's Race: On the Final Day, after 6 PM, find the Postman in East Clock Town. Speak to him and agree to race. If you can beat him to the Post Office, he'll reward you with a Piece of Heart.
- Swordsman's School: Achieve a perfect score (100 points) in the Expert Course at the Swordsman's School in East Clock Town. This requires precise sword swings.
Clock Town (North):
- Deku Playground: As Deku Link, successfully complete the Deku Playground mini-game three days in a row. The prize changes daily, but on the third day, you'll receive a Piece of Heart.
- Deku Scrub Scramble: After obtaining the Land Title Deed from the Deku Scrub in Southern Swamp, trade it with the Deku Scrub in North Clock Town. He'll give you a Piece of Heart and the Swamp Title Deed.
Southern Swamp:
- Pictograph Contest: Take a pictograph of the Deku King and show it to the man at the Tourist Information Center in the Southern Swamp. If it's a good picture, he'll give you a Piece of Heart.

Magic Meter

The Magic Meter allows Link to use various magical abilities, such as shooting bubbles as Deku Link, rolling as Goron Link, or using the Great Fairy's Sword. You start with a standard Magic Meter, but it can be upgraded to double its capacity.

Magic Meter Upgrade: To obtain the larger Magic Meter, you must first collect 15 Stray Fairies within the Woodfall Temple. Once you have all 15, take them to the Great Fairy of Woodfall, located in the cave just outside the temple entrance. She will reward you by doubling your Magic Meter.

Quiver & Bomb Bag Upgrades

Increasing your capacity for arrows and bombs is crucial for both combat and puzzle-solving.

Quiver Upgrades

You start with a Quiver that holds 20 arrows. There are two upgrades available:

Large Quiver (30 Arrows): Win the Archery Mini-game in the Swamp Shooting Gallery in the Southern Swamp with a perfect score (2,180 points or more).
Biggest Quiver (40 Arrows): Win the Archery Mini-game in the Town Shooting Gallery in East Clock Town with a perfect score (2,120 points or more). This can only be done after obtaining the Large Quiver.

Bomb Bag Upgrades

Your initial Bomb Bag holds 20 bombs. Two upgrades are available:

Big Bomb Bag (30 Bombs): Purchase it from the Bomb Shop in West Clock Town for 50 Rupees.
Biggest Bomb Bag (40 Bombs): After purchasing the Big Bomb Bag, help the old woman in North Clock Town (on the first night) by protecting her from Sakon the thief. He attempts to steal her Bomb Bag. Successfully defending her will earn you the Biggest Bomb Bag.

Masks & Transformations

Masks are the core of Link's progression in Majora's Mask. While some masks offer minor utility or open up side quests, the three primary transformation masks fundamentally change Link's abilities and allow access to new areas and combat strategies.

Deku Mask: Obtained at the very beginning of the game from the Skull Kid. Transforms Link into a Deku Scrub, allowing him to glide, shoot bubbles, and use Deku Flowers. Essential for navigating the Southern Swamp and Woodfall Temple.
Goron Mask: Acquired in the Goron Village after playing the "Goron Lullaby" for Darmani's ghost. Transforms Link into a Goron, granting him immense strength, the ability to roll at high speeds, and immunity to lava. Crucial for Snowhead Mountain and Snowhead Temple.
Zora Mask: Found in the Great Bay after helping Mikau, the dying Zora guitarist. Transforms Link into a Zora, enabling him to swim effortlessly, use Zora Fins as boomerangs, and generate an electric barrier. Vital for exploring the Great Bay and Great Bay Temple.
Fierce Deity Mask: The ultimate transformation mask, obtained by collecting all 20 non-transformation masks and speaking to the Moon Children on the Final Day. This mask transforms Link into a powerful warrior with a massive sword that shoots energy beams. It is primarily used for the final boss battle against Majora.

Swords & Shields

Your offensive capabilities are directly tied to your sword. While shields offer defensive benefits, they don't have direct upgrade paths beyond replacement.

Swords

Kokiri Sword: Link's starting weapon.
Razor Sword: For 100 Rupees, you can temper your Kokiri Sword into the Razor Sword at the Mountain Smithy in Mountain Village. This sword is more powerful but will break after 100 swings or after resetting time.
Gilded Sword: After obtaining the Razor Sword, you can temper it further into the Gilded Sword. This requires a bottle of Gold Dust, which you win by placing first in the Goron Race (as Goron Link) after melting the ice in the Goron Racetrack. Bring the Gold Dust and your Razor Sword to the Mountain Smithy. The Gilded Sword is permanent and significantly more powerful than the Razor Sword.
Great Fairy's Sword: This powerful two-handed sword is obtained by collecting all 15 Stray Fairies in the Stone Tower Temple and returning them to the Great Fairy of Ikana, located in the cave near the temple entrance. It cannot be put away once drawn and requires magic to use its spin attack.

Shields

Hero's Shield: Link's starting shield.
Mirror Shield: Found in the Stone Tower Temple. This shield can reflect light, which is essential for solving puzzles and defeating certain enemies within the temple.