Magic & Spells
Magic is a crucial resource in Termina, powering many of Link's essential abilities and transformations. Understanding how to acquire, manage, and utilize your magic meter effectively will be key to overcoming the challenges Majora's Mask throws your way. A well-managed magic supply can mean the difference between success and failure in the face of Termina's impending doom.
Beyond simply powering items, magic is intrinsically linked to Link's various forms and the unique abilities they possess. From Goron Link's devastating roll to Zora Link's protective barrier, and even the powerful elemental arrows, your Magic Meter will be constantly called upon. Mastering its use and ensuring you have ample reserves is paramount for puzzle-solving, combat, and exploration throughout your three-day cycle.
The Magic Meter
Your Magic Meter is displayed as a green bar beneath your health hearts. It depletes as you use magic-consuming items or abilities. Initially, your Magic Meter is a single bar, but it can be upgraded to a double bar, significantly increasing your magical reserves and allowing for more sustained use of powerful techniques.
Upgrading Your Magic Meter: Double Magic
To double your Magic Meter, you must restore the Great Fairy of Wisdom in Snowhead. This requires collecting all five Stray Fairies hidden within Snowhead Temple. Follow these detailed steps:
- Acquire the Bow: The Bow is found in a chest within the Snowhead Temple. After navigating through the first section of the temple, you will reach a large room with a central platform and several Freezards. Defeat the enemies and proceed. The Bow is located in a chest in the room directly after this central room, accessible by shooting a crystal switch with an arrow to open the door.
- Travel to Snowhead Temple: Once you have the Bow, head to the Snowhead region. You'll need to have learned the Goron Lullaby to access the temple itself, by waking the Goron Elder's son in the Goron Shrine.
- Locate the Great Fairy of Wisdom's Fountain: The Great Fairy Fountain for Snowhead is located directly to the left of the Snowhead Temple entrance. You'll need to use the Goron Mask to punch through the thick ice blocking the entrance.
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Restore the Great Fairy of Wisdom: Inside the fountain, you'll find the Great Fairy in a shattered state. To restore her, you must collect all five Stray Fairies scattered throughout Snowhead Temple. Bring them to her, and she will grant you the Double Magic Meter.
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Stray Fairy Locations (Snowhead Temple):
- Fairy #1: In the very first room of the temple, after entering, use the Goron Mask to punch the snow pile on the right side of the room. The fairy is hidden inside.
- Fairy #2: In the main pillar room (the central chamber with the large rotating pillar), on the upper level, use the Goron Mask to roll across the gap to the platform with the fairy. You'll need to gain momentum to make the jump.
- Fairy #3: In the room with the large block puzzle (the one where you push blocks to create a path), on the lower level, use the Goron Mask to punch the large, square ice block located in the corner near the entrance to the next section. The fairy is concealed within this specific block.
- Fairy #4: In the room with the rotating bridge (the one where you need to hit a crystal switch to rotate a bridge), on the upper level, use the Goron Mask to roll across the bridge to the platform on the far side. The fairy is waiting there.
- Fairy #5: In the room containing the large ice block that blocks a doorway, use a Fire Arrow to melt the ice and reveal the fairy. Note: Fire Arrows are obtained in Snowhead Temple itself, after defeating the boss, Goht. You will likely need to return to this room after clearing the temple to collect this final fairy.
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Stray Fairy Locations (Snowhead Temple):
- Receive the Upgrade: Upon restoring her, the Great Fairy of Wisdom will double your Magic Meter, allowing you to cast more spells and use magic-based items for significantly longer periods. This upgrade is invaluable for later dungeons and boss fights.
Great Fairy of Power: Spin Attack Upgrade
While not directly related to the Magic Meter's capacity, the Great Fairy of Power grants a powerful magic-consuming ability. To receive the enhanced Spin Attack, you must collect all 15 Stray Fairies from the Clock Town region and bring them to the Great Fairy of Power's Fountain in East Clock Town. This Great Fairy Fountain is located in the small cave accessible from the northeast corner of East Clock Town. Upon restoring her, she will grant you the powerful Great Spin Attack, which consumes magic but has a much larger radius and deals more damage than the standard Spin Attack.
Magic-Consuming Abilities & Items
Several crucial abilities and items in Majora's Mask rely on your Magic Meter. Conserve your magic wisely, especially during dungeon crawls and boss battles, as running out can leave you vulnerable.
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Arrows (Fire, Ice, Light): Each special arrow type consumes a small amount of magic per shot. These are essential for solving puzzles, activating switches, and defeating specific enemies or bosses.
- Fire Arrows: Obtained in Snowhead Temple after defeating Goht. Used to melt ice and light torches.
- Ice Arrows: Obtained in Great Bay Temple after defeating Gyorg. Used to freeze water and enemies.
- Light Arrows: Obtained in Stone Tower Temple after defeating Twinmold. Used to reveal hidden objects and damage powerful foes.
- Spin Attack: Charging a Spin Attack as Link (human form) consumes a portion of your magic. This powerful area-of-effect attack is excellent for clearing groups of weaker enemies but should be used sparingly against tougher foes to conserve magic. The Great Spin Attack (from the Great Fairy of Power) consumes more magic but is significantly more potent.
- Goron Link's Roll: While rolling as Goron Link, continuously holding the A button to maintain maximum speed will steadily drain your magic. This is vital for traversing large areas quickly, crossing specific gaps, and for certain puzzles or races.
- Zora Link's Barrier: Zora Link's electric barrier, activated by holding the B button, consumes magic rapidly. It's an excellent defensive and offensive maneuver in water, repelling enemies and damaging them, but your magic will disappear quickly if used continuously.
- Deku Link's Bubble Attack: While not a significant drain, Deku Link's charged bubble attack consumes a tiny amount of magic. It's useful for ranged attacks and activating distant switches.
- Great Fairy's Sword: While not directly consuming magic for its attacks, this powerful sword is obtained from the Great Fairy of Kindness in Ikana Canyon. It requires a full Magic Meter to be wielded effectively, as its power is tied to your magical reserves.
- Lens of Truth: This item, found in the Pirate's Fortress, allows Link to see invisible objects and enemies. It consumes magic continuously while active, making it crucial to manage its use in areas with many invisible threats or puzzles.
- Stone Mask: While not directly consuming magic, the Stone Mask (found in Ikana Canyon) allows Link to become invisible to most enemies. This can be a magic-saving strategy by allowing you to bypass combat that would otherwise require magic-consuming abilities.
Restoring Your Magic
Running out of magic at a critical moment can be disastrous. Always be on the lookout for ways to replenish your reserves, especially before entering a boss chamber or a challenging puzzle sequence.
- Green Potions: These can be purchased from various shops (e.g., the Curiosity Shop in Clock Town), found in chests, or crafted by combining specific items (e.g., collecting mushrooms for the Witch in Woodfall). They instantly restore a significant portion of your Magic Meter.
- Magic Jars: Small green jars dropped by defeated enemies or found in pots will restore a small amount of magic. Larger magic jars restore more. Break every pot and defeat every enemy you encounter to maximize your chances of finding these.
- Magic Beans: While primarily used for growing platforms, some specific Magic Bean sprouts can occasionally drop magic jars when watered with fresh spring water.
- Fairy Fountains: Visiting any Great Fairy Fountain will fully restore your health and magic. This is a great way to top off before entering a dungeon or challenging a boss, especially if you're near one.
- Song of Soaring: Using the Song of Soaring to warp to any activated owl statue will fully restore your magic and health. This makes it an excellent emergency escape and replenishment tool, allowing you to quickly reset before a difficult encounter.