Bow: Difference between revisions

'''Bows''', also known as '''Hero's Bows''' or '''Fairy Bows''', are recurring items in [[The Legend of Zelda (Series)|''The Legend of Zelda'' series]].

 

Bows are used as Link's primary ranged weapon, using [[Arrow|Arrows]] as ammunition; these projectiles must be equipped in order to use the Bow, and are consumed upon firing. With the Bow, Link can snipe faraway [[Switch|Switches]], enemies, and other objects. Sometimes, Link will be able to use different types of Arrows with the Bow, such as [[Fire Arrow|Fire Arrows]] or [[Bomb Arrow|Bomb Arrows]].

 

Being a staple item in the series, the Bow is almost always a dungeon item; in the 3D games, the Bow is typically guarded by a [[Sub-Boss]]. In 2D games, the Bow can shoort Arrows in any cardinal direction, while in the 3D games, Link will typically switch to a first-person view when aiming the Bow and can fire at any angle. Since its debut, the Bow has received several different upgrades, as well as different types of Arrows to use in conjunction with it.

 

A recurring, upgraded Bow, the [[Bow of Light]], has the ability to fire [[Light Arrow|Arrows comprised of sacred light]]. A variant of the Bow, the [[Crossbow]], also appears in ambiguous and non-canon media, firing Arrows from a wider angle.

In ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'', the Bow is one of the dungeon items of [[Level 1: The Eagle]], although it is instead found in [[Level 5: The Lizard]] in the [[Second Quest]]. Once [[Link (The Legend of Zelda)|Link]] has purchased an Arrow from a [[Shop]] for 80 [[Rupee|Rupees]], he can use the Bow to fire Arrows; each shot consumes 1 Rupee. Arrows shot from the Bow deal 2 damage, instantly kill [[Pols Voice|Pols Voices]], and are the only weapon capable of damaging [[Gohma (The Legend of Zelda)|Gohma]]. Link can later upgrade his Arrows to the [[Silver Arrow|Silver Arrows]], which deal double damage and are required to defeat [[Ganon]].

In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]]'', the Bow is the dungeon item of the [[Eastern Palace (A Link to the Past)|Eastern Palace]]; Arrows are now introduced as their own, separate resource, enabling [[Link (A Link to the Past)|Link]] to shoot the Bow without spending Rupees. Arrows shot from the Bow deal piercing damage, making it stronger than the [[Fighter's Sword]], and is the only weapon capable of damaging certain enemies, e.g. the [[Eyegore|Eyegores]]. Like in the previous game, Link can upgrade his Arrows to Silver Arrows, which deal double damage compared to regular Arrows and are required to defeat Ganon. The Bow is also required to play the [[Shooting Gallery]] at the [[Village of Outcasts]].

In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening|Link's Awakening]]'', the Bow is purchased from the [[Town Tool Shop]] in [[Mabe Village]] for 980 Rupees; however, Link can steal it instead. Link must first have purchased the [[Shovel]] before he can obtain the Bow. It functions mostly identically to its previous appearances, being able to shoot strong Arrows that damage certain enemies the [[Sword (Item)|Sword]] cannot. However, the Bow is mostly optional in this game, only being required to defeat the [[Armos Knight (Link's Awakening)|Armos Knight]] and for a specific puzzle in [[Turtle Rock (Link's Awakening)|Turtle Rock]]. The Bow is also one of the items that Link can trade to the [[Secret Goriya]] for the [[Boomerang]].

In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]'', the Fairy Bow is the dungeon item of the [[Forest Temple]]. It is the first Bow to shift [[Link (Ocarina of Time)|Link]] into a first-person view while aiming it, and is an overall upgrade to the [[Fairy Slingshot]] - Link can use it to snipe faraway enemies and Switches, and its shots are more powerful than those of the Slingshot. This is the first Bow to be able to use multiple types of Arrows, as Link can obtain the [[Fire Arrow|Fire Arrows]], [[Ice Arrow|Ice Arrows]], and [[Light Arrow|Light Arrows]] to use in place of regular Arrows.

In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask|Majora's Mask]]'', the Hero's Bow is the dungeon item of the [[Woodfall Temple]]. It functions almost identically to the Fairy Bow in ''Ocarina of Time'', but with an altered appearance. Link can obtain the Fire, Ice, and Light Arrows to use with it.

 

In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past + Four Swords|Four Swords]]'', the Bow can be obtained as a temporary item in certain stages. It functions mostly identically to the Bow in ''A Link to the Past'', although [[Link (Four Swords)|Link]] can charge shots to increase their speed.

In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|The Wind Waker]]'', the Hero's Bow is the dungeon item of the [[Tower of the Gods]]. It functions identically to its previous 3D appearances, except now Arrows fly in a completely straight line. Link can obtain the Fire, Ice, and Light Arrows to use with it.

Similarly to ''Four Swords'', the Bow in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures]]'' can be randomly found as a temporary item in certain stages. It is often used to solve puzzles, but also works as a ranged weapon. [[Link (Four Swords Adventures)|Link]] can present the Bow to the [[Great Fairy]] to upgrade it to the Level 2 Bow, which shoots three Arrows at once.{{Ref|FSA|557|In-game description}}

In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap|The Minish Cap]]'', the Bow is located in northwest [[Castor Wilds]], through a small hole that Link can only pass through at [[Minish]] size. The Bow is used to solve puzzles and defeat enemies, and is required to activate (and thus defeat) Eyegore Statues. Unlike in previous games, the Bow is much less powerful, and is overshadowed by the completed [[Four Sword]].

 

Link can also obtain the Light Arrows to use with the Bow; however, they must be obtained ''before'' Link travels to the [[Palace of Winds]].