Unlocking Summer & Finding Dimitri
After conquering the challenges of the Poison Moth's Lair and acquiring the Gale Seed, your next objective is to unlock the power of Summer and recruit a new animal companion, Dimitri. This section will guide you through the precise steps to achieve both, ensuring you're well-equipped for the journey ahead.
Acquiring the Summer Season
To unlock the power of Summer for your Rod of Seasons, you must find the Summer Fairy. Unlike the previous seasons, her location requires a bit more preparation and environmental manipulation. You'll need the Flippers to navigate underwater and the ability to change seasons to Winter to freeze a specific waterfall.
- Obtain the Flippers:
- If you haven't already, your first step is to acquire the Flippers. These are found in the Sunken City, specifically in the underwater cave located in the northeast section of the city.
- To reach this cave, you'll need to navigate the submerged pathways. The Flippers are a crucial item for accessing many water-based areas and will be essential for reaching the Summer Fairy.
- Navigate to the Sunken City:
- From the Poison Moth's Lair, head south through the Woods of Winter until you reach the southern exit.
- Continue east, past the Samasa Desert entrance, and then head north into the Sunken City region.
- Alternatively, if you've already activated the warp point in Sunken City, use a Mystery Seed on a Mystery Stump to warp there directly.
- Locate the Waterfall and Prepare for Winter:
- Once in the Sunken City, head to the western side of the area. You'll notice a prominent waterfall.
- Equip your Rod of Seasons and change the current season to Winter.
- Observe as the environment transforms: the waterfall will freeze solid, creating an icy path.
- Access the Summer Fairy's Cave:
- With the waterfall frozen, you can now walk directly across it.
- On the other side, you'll find a small cave entrance.
- Enter the cave.
- Receive the Power of Summer:
- Inside the cave, you'll find the friendly Summer Fairy.
- Speak to her, and she will bestow upon your Rod of Seasons the ability to change the season to Summer.
- Exit the cave.
Important Note: The Rod of Seasons now has three seasonal powers: Winter, Spring, and Summer. You can cycle through them by pressing the assigned button. Mastering the use of these seasons is crucial for solving puzzles and accessing new areas. Remember that the Rod of Seasons can only be used on specific Season Tiles or Mounds of Earth, not just anywhere on the overworld.
Finding and Recruiting Dimitri
With the power of Summer in hand, your next task is to locate and befriend Dimitri, the friendly Zora-like creature who will become your next animal companion. Dimitri is found in the Western Coast region, and his rescue requires the newly acquired Summer season.
- Navigate to the Western Coast:
- From the Sunken City (where you found the Summer Fairy), head south and then west.
- Continue west until you reach the Western Coast area. This region is characterized by its coastal features and bodies of water.
- Locate Dimitri's Pond:
- Once on the Western Coast, explore the area. You'll soon come across a small pond or inlet, distinct from the larger ocean.
- In this pond, you'll clearly see a large, orange, fish-like creature trapped – this is Dimitri! He's struggling in the shallow water.
- Change the Season to Summer:
- Stand near the pond where Dimitri is trapped.
- Equip your Rod of Seasons.
- Use the Rod to change the current season to Summer. If you're not on a Season Tile, you may need to find one nearby. There's often one conveniently placed for such puzzles.
- Observe as the environment transforms: the intense heat of the summer sun will cause the pond where Dimitri is trapped to dry up completely, leaving him stranded but free from the water.
- Speak to Dimitri:
- With the pond now dry, Dimitri is no longer confined.
- Approach him and initiate a conversation.
- He will express his gratitude for your timely rescue and, in return, offer to join you on your adventure as an animal companion. He'll be delighted to assist you.
Dimitri's Abilities and Importance
Dimitri is a unique and invaluable companion, essential for progressing through certain areas of Holodrum. His aquatic prowess opens up entirely new pathways.
- Swimming Up Waterfalls: Dimitri's most crucial ability is his capacity to swim directly up waterfalls. This allows you to reach otherwise inaccessible ledges, caves, and higher elevations that Link cannot reach on his own. Many dungeons and secret areas are hidden behind waterfalls.
- Eating Enemies: Dimitri can also consume certain enemies, particularly those found in water or smaller foes on land. Simply direct him towards an enemy, and he'll take care of it, clearing paths and providing a unique combat option. This can be particularly useful against Octoroks or other aquatic nuisances.
- Navigating Water: While Link can swim after acquiring the Flippers, Dimitri offers faster and more versatile movement through water bodies, especially those with strong currents or obstacles. He can also traverse deeper waters that Link might struggle with.
Companion Switching & Management
You can only have one animal companion active at a time. As you progress, you'll encounter other companions like Ricky and Moosh. To switch between them, you have a few options:
- Finding their Flute: Each companion has a specific flute associated with them (e.g., Dimitri's Flute). Playing the flute from your inventory will summon that companion to your side, dismissing any current companion.
- Using the Animal Companion Item: If you've acquired the "Animal Companion" item (sometimes found in shops or as a reward), you can use it to cycle through your available companions. This is a convenient way to swap them out on the fly.
- Specific Story Segments: Sometimes, the game will automatically switch your companion based on the immediate needs of the area or a specific plot point. For instance, if an area explicitly requires Dimitri's waterfall-climbing ability, he might appear automatically.
- Animal Village: Later in the game, you'll gain access to the Animal Village, which serves as a hub for your animal companions. You can often find them there and switch them out as needed.
Common Pitfalls & Tips
- Incorrect Summer Fairy Location: Many players mistakenly search for the Summer fairy in the Western Coast (where Dimitri is found) or other random places. Remember, she's in the Sunken City, behind a waterfall that must be frozen in Winter.
- Forgetting the Flippers: You absolutely need the Flippers to reach the Summer Fairy's cave in Sunken City. Without them, you cannot navigate the submerged paths to the frozen waterfall.
- Not Changing to Winter for the Fairy: The waterfall blocking the Summer Fairy's cave only freezes in Winter. Ensure your Rod of Seasons is set to Winter before attempting to cross.
- Not Changing to Summer for Dimitri: Dimitri will remain trapped until you explicitly change the season to Summer with the Rod of Seasons, drying up his pond. Don't just stand there!
- Season Tile Placement: Remember that the Rod of Seasons can only be used on specific Season Tiles or Mounds of Earth. If you can't change the season, look for one of these designated spots nearby.
- Experiment with Dimitri: Don't be afraid to try Dimitri's abilities in different situations. You might discover new ways to interact with the environment or defeat enemies. His waterfall-climbing ability is key to many secrets.
- Dimitri's Flute: Keep an eye out for Dimitri's Flute. It's often a reward for a side quest or found in a specific location, and it makes summoning him much easier.
With Summer unlocked and Dimitri by your side, you are now ready to explore new areas and overcome challenges that were previously impossible. Dimitri's ability to ascend waterfalls will be key to reaching the next dungeon and continuing your quest to restore the seasons to Holodrum.
