Animal Companion Abilities & Uses

Throughout your adventure in Holodrum, Link will encounter three potential animal companions: Moosh the Flying Bear, Dimitri the Swimming Dodongo, and Ricky the Boxing Kangaroo. While you can only permanently partner with one, each offers unique abilities crucial for navigating specific terrain and solving puzzles. Your choice of companion will subtly alter certain dungeon layouts and overworld paths, making subsequent playthroughs fresh.

Choosing Your Companion

The first animal companion you encounter and assist will become your permanent partner for the rest of the game. This choice is made early on, typically after completing the second dungeon, the Snake's Remains. Be mindful of who you help first!

Moosh: If you find and help Moosh in the Western Woods before encountering the others, he will be your companion.
Dimitri: If you rescue Dimitri from the Moblin ambush in the Nuun Highlands before meeting the others, he will be your companion.
Ricky: If you retrieve Ricky's Gloves from the Great Moblin's Keep and return them to him in the North Horon area before meeting the others, he will be your companion.

Once you've made your choice, the other two animals will still appear in specific locations, but they will only offer temporary assistance or minor dialogue. Your chosen companion can be summoned at designated "Animal Flute" spots by playing the Animal Flute (obtained after securing your partner), which is a key item that will replace the Flute you initially receive.

Moosh, the Flying Bear

Moosh is a gentle giant with the ability to hover over gaps and slam the ground with surprising force. He's excellent for traversing areas with many small chasms or for reaching elevated platforms.

Abilities:

Hover Jump: By holding down the A button, Moosh can hover over pits and small bodies of water. This is essential for crossing gaps that Link cannot jump over normally. Release the A button to descend.
Ground Pound: Pressing the A button while on solid ground (or after a short hover) will cause Moosh to slam down, creating a small shockwave. This can stun nearby enemies and activate certain switches or break cracked floors.

Strategic Uses:

Crossing Gaps: Many areas, particularly in the Western Woods and some later dungeons, feature numerous pits that Moosh can easily bypass. For example, in the Dancing Dragon Dungeon, Moosh's hover can help you reach otherwise inaccessible platforms.
Activating Switches: Some floor switches require a heavier impact than Link can provide. Moosh's Ground Pound is perfect for these. Look for discolored or cracked floor tiles.
Stunning Enemies: The Ground Pound can temporarily immobilize groups of weaker enemies, giving Link a chance to attack or escape.
Reaching Items: Certain Gasha Seeds or Heart Pieces are located across small gaps or on raised ledges that only Moosh can help Link reach.

Dimitri, the Swimming Dodongo

Dimitri is a friendly Dodongo who excels in aquatic environments. He can swim against strong currents and even devour certain obstacles, making him invaluable for water-heavy regions.

Abilities:

Swimming: Dimitri can swim in any body of water, including deep currents that would sweep Link away. He moves faster than Link's own swimming ability.
Eating Obstacles: Dimitri can consume certain blocks and even some enemies by pressing the A button. This is crucial for clearing paths and solving puzzles.

Strategic Uses:

Navigating Waterways: The Nuun Highlands and the Poison Moth's Lair are prime examples of areas where Dimitri's swimming is indispensable. He can carry Link through swift rivers and across large lakes.
Clearing Paths: Look for specific types of blocks in dungeons or the overworld that Dimitri can eat. These often hide secret passages or items. For instance, in the Unicorn's Cave, Dimitri can clear paths through submerged blocks.
Crossing Deep Water: If you see a large expanse of water with no obvious path, Dimitri is likely the solution. He can even swim up waterfalls in certain areas.
Boss Fights: In some boss encounters, Dimitri's ability to eat projectiles or enemies can be a unique advantage.

Ricky, the Boxing Kangaroo

Ricky is a spirited kangaroo known for his powerful punches and incredible jumping ability. He's ideal for scaling cliffs and dealing with enemies that require a strong, direct attack.

Abilities:

Punch Attack: Pressing the A button will cause Ricky to unleash a powerful punch. This can destroy certain obstacles, push heavy blocks, and deal significant damage to enemies.
High Jump: By holding down the A button, Ricky can charge up a jump, allowing him to clear large gaps and leap over cliffs that Link cannot climb.

Strategic Uses:

Scaling Cliffs: Many areas in North Horon and the Eastern Suburbs feature cliffs that Ricky can easily jump over, opening up new routes and shortcuts. This is particularly useful for reaching the Syrup's Woods area early on.
Breaking Obstacles: Ricky's punch can destroy cracked walls, certain types of rocks, and even some enemy defenses that Link's sword cannot break. For example, some barriers in the Wing Dungeon can be shattered by Ricky.
Pushing Blocks: Heavy blocks that Link struggles to move can be easily pushed by Ricky's powerful punches, revealing hidden pathways or switches.
Combat Advantage: Ricky's punch is a strong offensive tool, capable of dispatching tougher enemies quickly. He can also jump over enemy attacks, making him agile in combat.