Faron Woods: The First Trial

Guide Link through Faron Woods: The First Trial in Skyward Sword HD. Master core mechanics and locate the Kikwi Elder in this tutorial area.

Welcome, brave hero, to the surface world! Your inaugural descent from Skyloft lands you squarely in the vibrant and mysterious Faron Woods. This initial area serves as a crucial tutorial, introducing you to the core mechanics of exploration, combat, and interaction with the surface inhabitants. Your primary objective here is to locate the Kikwi Elder, a wise forest creature whose guidance is essential for progressing towards the Skyview Temple.

Arrival and Initial Exploration

Upon landing, you'll find yourself in a small, enclosed area. Take a moment to adjust to your new surroundings. Fi will provide some initial guidance, highlighting the importance of your Adventure Pouch and the Dowsing ability.

Key Objectives:

• Familiarize yourself with surface controls and environment.
• Learn to utilize Dowsing for locating key objectives.
• Progress through the woods, encountering new enemies and allies.

Enemies Encountered:

• Deku Baba: These plant-like creatures are your first taste of surface combat. They attack by lunging their heads.
• Bokoblin: Red-skinned goblins wielding wooden clubs. They are more aggressive than Deku Babas and often appear in groups.

Combat Tips:

• Deku Baba: Observe the direction their mouth opens. Swing your sword in the opposite direction to sever their stem. A well-timed horizontal or vertical slice is usually effective.
• Bokoblin: Pay attention to their stance. They will guard certain directions. Swing your sword to bypass their guard, or use a Shield Bash (thrusting the Nunchuk forward) to stun them before attacking.

Meeting the Kikwis and Learning Dowsing

As you venture deeper into the woods, you'll encounter your first new race: the Kikwis. These adorable, plant-like creatures are shy and often hide in plain sight. Your first encounter will be with a frightened Kikwi hiding in a bush.

Step-by-Step: Locating the First Kikwi

1. From your landing spot, head straight forward. You'll soon see a small, green creature hiding in a patch of tall grass.
2. Approach the grass and Fi will prompt you to use your sword to cut it down.
3. After cutting the grass, the Kikwi will reveal itself. This is Machi, a nervous but friendly Kikwi.
4. Machi will explain that the Kikwi Elder, Bucha, is missing and that the forest is in turmoil.

Dowsing for Kikwis

After speaking with Machi, Fi will unlock the Dowsing ability for Kikwis. This invaluable tool allows you to scan your surroundings for specific targets, indicated by a pulsing sound and a visual cue on your screen.

Step-by-Step: Finding the Remaining Kikwis

Your next task is to locate two more Kikwis who can provide clues to the Elder's whereabouts. Use your Dowsing ability frequently to pinpoint their locations.

1. Kikwi #1 (Oolo):
   • Head east from Machi's location.
   • You'll come across a large, hollow log. Use your Dowsing to confirm the Kikwi's presence inside.
   • Crawl through the log to find Oolo, another timid Kikwi. He'll direct you further into the woods.
2. Kikwi #2 (Lopsa):
   • Continue following the path from Oolo. You'll encounter more Deku Babas and Bokoblins.
   • Eventually, you'll reach an area with several large trees and some vines.
   • Use Dowsing to locate Lopsa, who is hiding high up in a tree.
   • To get Lopsa down, you'll need to perform a Roll Attack. Sprint towards the tree and press the A button to roll into the trunk. Lopsa will tumble down.
   • Lopsa will inform you that the Elder was last seen near the Great Tree.

Reaching the Great Tree and the Kikwi Elder

With the information gathered from Oolo and Lopsa, your path to the Great Tree becomes clear. This area introduces more environmental puzzles and combat encounters.

Step-by-Step: Path to the Great Tree

1. From Lopsa's location, head towards the northern part of the woods.
2. You'll encounter a large, thorny vine blocking your path. Use your sword to cut it down.
3. Proceed through a narrow passage, where you might encounter a group of Bokoblins. Remember your Shield Bash!
4. You'll eventually arrive at the base of the colossal Great Tree.

Locating the Kikwi Elder (Bucha)

The Great Tree is immense, and Bucha is not immediately visible. He's hiding in a rather precarious spot.

1. Upon reaching the Great Tree, look for a series of climbable vines on its exterior.
2. Ascend these vines, carefully navigating around any obstacles or gaps.
3. Midway up, you'll spot a large, round, green creature clinging to the side of the tree. This is Bucha, the Kikwi Elder.
4. Approach Bucha, and he will be startled, falling to the ground below.
5. Descend the vines yourself and speak with the Elder.

Rewards and Progression:

Upon successfully locating and speaking with Bucha, he will express his gratitude and provide you with a crucial item:

• Slingshot: This new item is essential for solving environmental puzzles and stunning enemies from a distance. It uses Deku Seeds as ammunition.

Bucha will also reveal the location of the Skyview Temple, which is now your next major destination. He'll explain that the entrance is sealed by a strange mechanism, and the Slingshot will be vital for opening it.

Common Pitfalls and Missables

• Missing Kikwis: If you're struggling to find a Kikwi, remember to use your Dowsing ability frequently. Its range is quite generous.
• Running out of Stamina: Climbing vines and sprinting consume stamina. Keep an eye on your stamina wheel to avoid falling or becoming exhausted during combat.
• Ignoring Combat Training: The early Bokoblin encounters are designed to teach you directional combat. Don't just button-mash; observe their guards and react accordingly. Mastering this early will make later encounters much smoother.
• Not Exploring: While the main path is clear, take some time to explore off-the-beaten-path areas. You might find valuable rupees, hearts, or even rare bugs.

Next Steps: Towards Skyview Temple

With the Slingshot in hand and the Kikwi Elder's guidance, your journey in Faron Woods is far from over. You now have the tools and knowledge to proceed towards the Skyview Temple, where greater challenges and mysteries await. Prepare to utilize your new Slingshot to overcome obstacles and continue your quest to save Zelda!