Enemy Compendium
Welcome, aspiring engineer, to the comprehensive guide to the various foes you'll encounter across New Hyrule! Understanding your enemies is key to a successful journey and the restoration of the Spirit Tracks. This compendium details common adversaries, their weaknesses, and the best strategies to overcome them.
Overworld Enemies (Train Encounters)
While traversing the Spirit Tracks, you'll frequently be ambushed by these persistent pests. Keep your Cannon ready!
- Armored Train:
- Description: A heavily armored train that often appears in pairs or trios. They are slow but can withstand multiple cannon shots.
- Strategy: Focus fire on one Armored Train at a time to eliminate it quickly. If you have the Cannon Upgrade, their armor will be less of an issue. Use your whistle to stun them briefly if they get too close, allowing for easier targeting.
- Locations: Throughout all regions of New Hyrule, especially in the Forest, Snow, and Ocean Realms.
- Bokoblin Train:
- Description: A smaller, faster train piloted by Bokoblins. They often carry valuable cargo or attack in swarms.
- Strategy: These trains are less durable than Armored Trains but make up for it in speed and numbers. Prioritize them if they are carrying a Cargo Crate you need. A single well-aimed cannon shot is usually enough.
- Locations: Common in the Forest and Snow Realms.
- Dark Train:
- Description: A ghostly train that phases in and out of existence, making it difficult to hit. It often appears in the Dark Realm.
- Strategy: Timing is crucial here. Fire your cannon just as the Dark Train materializes. The Bow and Arrow, once acquired, can also be used to hit them with greater precision if you're struggling with the cannon.
- Locations: Primarily found in the Dark Realm, but occasionally seen in other regions during specific story events.
Dungeon & Field Enemies
These are the foes you'll face on foot, within the various temples and throughout the overworld's explorable areas. Your sword and various items will be your best allies.
Forest Temple
- Bokoblin:
- Deku Baba:
- Description: Plant-like enemies that emerge from the ground. They have a tough outer shell.
- Strategy: Wait for them to open their mouths, then strike with your sword. Alternatively, a well-placed shot from the Boomerang can stun them, allowing for an easy sword strike.
- Locations: Forest Temple, Forest Sanctuary.
- Poe:
- Description: Ghostly enemies that float around, often in dark areas. They are immune to direct sword attacks.
- Strategy: Use the Boomerang to hit them, which will briefly solidify them, allowing you to strike with your sword. Alternatively, the Whirlwind can push them into walls, stunning them.
- Locations: Forest Temple, Tower of Spirits (later floors).
Snow Temple
- Freezard:
- Description: Ice-elemental enemies that breathe freezing mist, capable of temporarily freezing Link.
- Strategy: The Torch (or any other fire source like a lit arrow) is your best friend. Light the torch and touch them to melt their icy exterior, then strike with your sword. The Bow and Arrow with a lit arrow works wonders.
- Locations: Snow Temple, Snow Sanctuary.
- Ice Keese:
- Description: Bat-like enemies covered in ice. They fly erratically and can freeze Link on contact.
- Strategy: Similar to Freezards, fire is effective. A lit Bow and Arrow shot will instantly defeat them. Otherwise, wait for them to swoop down and strike with your sword.
- Locations: Snow Temple, Ice Realm.
Tower of Spirits
The Tower of Spirits presents unique challenges, often requiring the assistance of Phantom Zelda.
- Phantom:
- Description: Large, armored knights that guard the Tower of Spirits. They are impervious to Link's attacks from the front.
- Strategy: This is where Phantom Zelda shines. Draw a path for Zelda to sneak behind the Phantom and possess it. Once possessed, you can use the Phantom's strength to defeat other enemies, activate switches, or even carry Link across hazards. If you need to defeat an unpossessed Phantom, you'll need to hit its vulnerable back with your sword after stunning it (e.g., with the Boomerang or by luring it into a trap).
- Variations:
- Regular Phantom: Standard armored knight.
- Whip Phantom: Carries a whip, which can be used to cross gaps or retrieve items.
- Bow Phantom: Wields a bow, useful for hitting distant targets.
- Bomb Phantom: Can throw bombs, good for destroying cracked walls.
- Terrorpin:
- Description: Small, turtle-like enemies that retract into their shells when approached.
- Strategy: Use the Whirlwind to flip them onto their backs, exposing their vulnerable underside. Then, strike with your sword.
- Locations: Tower of Spirits, various dungeons.
Bosses
Each major dungeon culminates in a challenging boss battle. These require specific strategies and often utilize the dungeon's signature item.
- Stagnox (Forest Temple Boss):
- Description: A giant, armored insect. Its weak point is its glowing abdomen.
- Strategy:
- Phase 1: Stagnox will charge at you. Use the Boomerang to hit the glowing orb on its back, stunning it.
- Phase 2: Once stunned, its abdomen will be exposed. Rush in and strike with your sword.
- Phase 3: After taking damage, Stagnox will fly and drop smaller enemies. Clear these out, then repeat the boomerang and sword strategy.
- Reward: Heart Container, Force Gem.
- Fraaz (Snow Temple Boss):
- Description: A large, elemental ice and fire monster.
- Strategy:
- Phase 1: Fraaz will switch between ice and fire forms. When it's in its ice form, use the Torch (or a lit Bow and Arrow) to melt its ice. When it's in its fire form, use the Whirlwind to extinguish its flames.
- Phase 2: Once its elemental shield is down, it will be vulnerable. Strike with your sword.
- Phase 3: Fraaz will split into smaller ice and fire copies. Use the same elemental weakness strategy to defeat the copies, then repeat the process for the main body.
- Reward: Heart Container, Force Gem.