How to Beat Gleeok (Dungeon 4)

Gleeok (Dungeon 4: The Snake)

Welcome, brave adventurer, to the fourth dungeon, famously known as The Snake! This treacherous labyrinth is home to the multi-headed terror, Gleeok. Located in the northeastern section of the overworld, nestled within the perilous mountains, this dungeon demands careful preparation and strategic thinking. Be ready for a challenging gauntlet of enemies, cunning puzzles, and a formidable boss encounter.

Recommended Gear & Preparations

Before you even think about stepping foot into Gleeok's lair, ensure your inventory is well-stocked and your equipment is optimized. The right gear can turn a desperate struggle into a triumphant victory.

• White Sword: Absolutely essential for dealing significant damage to Gleeok and the dungeon's tougher enemies. If you haven't acquired it yet, prioritize finding it (e.g., by having 5 Heart Containers and visiting the Old Man in the cave north of the starting screen).
• Magical Shield: Provides crucial defense against projectile attacks, especially from the numerous Wizzrobes and the fire breath of Gleeok. Its larger size blocks more projectiles than the regular shield.
• Blue Ring: This item is a game-changer. Halving all damage taken makes the entire dungeon, and particularly the boss fight, significantly more manageable. Highly recommended if you can afford it (buy from the Item Shop for 250 Rupees).
• Bombs: You'll need plenty for opening secret passages and defeating certain armored enemies like Darknuts. Stock up to your maximum capacity (8 Bombs initially, 16 with the Bomb Upgrade).
• Magic Boomerang: While the regular Boomerang works, the Magic Boomerang (found within this very dungeon!) travels further and faster, making it incredibly useful for stunning enemies, retrieving items from a distance, and even damaging some weaker foes.
• Magic Wand: Not strictly necessary, but its projectile attack can be helpful against some foes, especially if you're conserving sword durability or prefer ranged combat.
• Potions (Life Potion/2nd Potion): Always a good idea to carry at least one Life Potion for emergency health restoration. The 2nd Potion (red) is even better as it fully restores health.

Dungeon Walkthrough: The Snake's Coils

This dungeon is characterized by its winding, serpentine layout, hence its unofficial name. Pay close attention to your map and compass to avoid getting lost.

Entering the Labyrinth (Starting Room)

Upon entering Dungeon 4, you'll find yourself in a room with a few Stalfos. These skeletal warriors are easily dispatched with your sword. Clear them out and proceed through the right-hand door.

The Compass Room (1F, 2nd Room East)

This room often contains several Zols (blob-like creatures that split into Gels when hit) and Gels. Defeat them to reveal the invaluable Compass. The Compass will show you the location of the Triforce piece on your map, which is incredibly helpful in navigating this complex dungeon. Once secured, exit through the top door.

Bombing for Progress (1F, 3rd Room East, then North)

You'll enter a room with a few menacing Wallmasters. Be extremely careful not to get caught by these disembodied hands, as they will drag you back to the dungeon entrance! Avoid them or dispatch them quickly. Look for a cracked wall on the right side. Use a Bomb to blast it open, revealing a secret passage. Head through this newly opened path.

The Manji Room (1F, 4th Room East, then North)

You've arrived in a distinctive room often referred to as "The Manji Room" due to its layout resembling a manji symbol. Please note: While this room has a manji-like shape, this is Dungeon 4 (The Snake), not Dungeon 3 (which is officially named "The Manji"). This room is often filled with formidable Darknuts. These armored foes are tough; their armor is impervious to frontal attacks. Attack them from the sides or behind with your sword. Your primary objective here is to find the Map. It's usually located in a hidden passage or after defeating all enemies in a specific section of this large, multi-chambered room. Once you have the map, you'll have a much clearer picture of the dungeon's intricate layout. After securing the Map, exit through the top-right door.

Key Hunting & Wizzrobe Gauntlet (1F, North-East Section)

You'll now be in a series of interconnected rooms, often populated by dangerous Wizzrobes and annoying Bubbles. Wizzrobes are particularly dangerous, teleporting and firing magic projectiles. Use your Magical Shield to block their magic and attack them quickly with your White Sword. Bubbles are invulnerable but can temporarily disable your sword; avoid contact. Your primary objective in this section is to find Keys. There are several locked doors throughout the dungeon, and you'll need at least two to progress efficiently. Look for:

• Key 1: Often found after defeating all enemies in a specific room (e.g., a room with multiple Wizzrobes).
• Key 2: Might be hidden under a pushable block. Experiment by pushing blocks in rooms where you've cleared all enemies. Look for discolored blocks or blocks that stand out.

Traverse these rooms, collecting keys and Rupees as you go. Remember to check your map frequently to plan your route.

The Magical Boomerang (1F, West of Manji Room)

From the "Manji Room," head west (you may need a key for a locked door) into a room guarded by several Gohmas. These giant spiders open their single eye to attack. To defeat them, wait for their eye to open, then strike it with your sword or a projectile (like a bomb or even your regular boomerang). Once all Gohmas are defeated, you can claim the Magical Boomerang. This upgraded boomerang travels further and faster than the regular one, making it incredibly useful for stunning enemies and retrieving items from across gaps. It's a significant upgrade for the rest of the dungeon and beyond.

The Raft Room (Optional, 1F, South-West Section)

If you find yourself in a room with a large body of water and a dock, you might have stumbled upon the Raft. While not strictly necessary for completing this dungeon, it's a valuable item for exploring the overworld and accessing new areas. If you wish to obtain it, you'll need to navigate the water, often by defeating specific enemies or finding a hidden path to the dock. This is usually found in the southwestern part of the dungeon. If you already have the Raft, you can skip this room.

Reaching the Boss Chamber (2F, Central North)

After collecting enough keys and navigating the various enemy-filled rooms, you'll eventually find a staircase leading to the second floor (2F). On 2F, continue navigating through rooms filled with more Wizzrobes, Darknuts, and Bubbles. Your goal is to reach the central-northern section of the second floor. You'll encounter a final locked door leading to the boss. Ensure you have full health, a good supply of bombs, and ideally a Life Potion before proceeding through this door. This is your point of no return before the boss fight!

Boss Battle: Gleeok

Gleeok, the multi-headed dragon, is the fearsome guardian of Dungeon 4's Triforce piece. This fight requires precision, timing, and a cool head. There are two main variations of Gleeok: a two-headed version and a four-headed version. Dungeon 4 features the two-headed Gleeok.

Gleeok's Attack Pattern

• Fire Breath: Each of Gleeok's heads will periodically breathe fireballs directly at Link. These can be blocked with your Magical Shield or dodged.
• Detached Head Attack: This is Gleeok's signature move. Once a head is defeated, it will detach from the body and fly around the room, continuing to breathe fire. These detached heads are invulnerable and will harass you throughout the remainder of the fight.

Strategy for Two-Headed Gleeok

1. Positioning is Key: Upon entering the boss chamber, Gleeok will be in the center. Position yourself strategically to attack one head without being directly in front of the other. The corners of the room can offer some temporary respite from direct fire.
2. Target One Head Relentlessly: Focus all your attacks on a single head until it is defeated. The White Sword is your primary weapon here. Stand close and unleash a flurry of slashes. Each head has a significant amount of health, so be persistent.
3. Dodge and Block Fire: While attacking one head, continuously watch for fireballs from both heads. Use your Magical Shield to block projectiles, or quickly move out of the way. The Blue Ring will significantly reduce the damage you take if you get hit.
4. Beware the Detached Head: Once the first head is destroyed, it will detach and fly around the room, still breathing fire. This detached head is invulnerable, so ignore it and focus on the remaining attached head. Its erratic movement can make dodging more challenging.
5. Repeat for the Second Head: Shift your focus to the second attached head. Continue to dodge the fire from both the remaining attached head and the now-detached head. Maintain your aggressive sword attacks until the second head is vanquished.
6. Victory! After both heads are destroyed, Gleeok's main body will explode in a shower of Rupees, signifying your hard-earned victory.

Recommended Loadout for Gleeok

• Primary Weapon: White Sword (equipped)
• Shield: Magical Shield (equipped)
• Ring: Blue Ring (equipped)
• Secondary Item: Life Potion (for emergencies)
• Strategy Tip: If you're struggling, try to get in close to one head and rapidly swing your sword. The damage output is high, and you can often defeat a head before taking too much damage, even with the fire.

Rewards and Completion

With Gleeok defeated, collect your well-earned Heart Container to permanently increase your maximum health by one unit. This is a crucial step in Link's journey to become stronger. After collecting the Heart Container, proceed to the back of the room to claim the Triforce Piece, completing Dungeon 4: The Snake! You are now one step closer to assembling the Triforce of Wisdom and confronting Ganon. Congratulations, hero!