Keese

Keese are recurring enemies in the Legend of Zelda series. They are bats, usually black-skinned, that attack Link by flying toward him. Keese are nimble creatures that prove to be more of a nuisance than a feared enemy. They are most often found in caves and dungeons, but they can sometimes be found in the Overworld as well.

There are also many variations on Keese, such as the Fire and Ice versions.

Appearances

The Legend of Zelda

Keese are featured in every dungeon in The Legend of Zelda. In fact, some dungeons have rooms with nothing in them besides large numbers of Keese. When a Vire is signifantly damaged, it will split into two Keese.

A Link to the Past

In A Link to the Past, Keese will remain dormant and leave Link alone until he moves close to it. As Link approaches a Keese will start to fly around, with its only to attack being to fly right into Link. Keese do not take much damage and are easily defeated with a wide variety of weapons. The Fighter's Sword and Boomerang will defeat a Keese with just one hit. Keese first appear within the Secret Passage as Link is escorting Princess Zelda to the Sanctuary. Beyond this early appearance, Keese mainly appear in the dark tunnels on Death Mountain. The Dark World counterpart to a Keese is a Chasupa.

Dark World Keese

This is an unused Dark World enemy that looked just like Light World Keese. Its programming doesn't seem to exist in the game anymore, and its graphics can only be found in the Japanese versions of the game. It also has the ability to shoot fireballs at Link.

Link's Awakening

As usual, Keese in Link's Awakening only appear in caves and dungeons. They can be encountered as early as Tail Cave and behave in almost the exact same way as previous incarnations.

Ocarina of Time

An example of a Keese from Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask.

		Keese When you get close to it, use (Z) Targeting. Even if it flies away, you can still target it.

Keese are found mostly in dungeons. In Ocarina of Time, they can be killed with a variety of weapons, but the two most often recommended are the Fairy Bow (as it can kill multiple Keese if they are lined up correctly) or the Hookshot (in case one is running low on arrows, etc). There are three different varieties of Keese: Normal, Fire, and Ice.

Fire Keese

Main article: Fire Keese

If a Keese has contact with flame, it will encase its outer body with fire, thus making it a Fire Keese. If Link has his Deku Shield equipped, and tries to defend against the Fire Keese, the shield will burn up. Fire Keese are commonly found throughout Dodongo's Cavern and the Fire Temple, but are also seen in places like the Spirit Temple.

Ice Keese

Main article: Ice Keese

If a Keese flies through Blue Fire, it will encase its body in ice, thus making it Ice Keese. These bats are a bit more annoying than Fire Keese, as well as more scarce. If Link comes in contact with an Ice Keese, it will freeze his body, slowly draining hearts. Link can easily defend against it with his shield, however, making them significantly easier.

Majora's Mask

		What?! Don't you know about the Keese? Use Z Targeting when it gets close. Even if it flies off, I'll follow it for you.

Majora's Mask's Keese are almost exactly the same as the ones in Ocarina of Time. Following the trend, both Fire Keese and Ice Keese appear. They can be found in Ikana Well, Stone Tower, and the Stone Tower Temple. If Link wears the Stone Mask, he is invisible to Keese, making it handy for avoiding large groups of them. In addition, Majora's Mask features Bad Bats – large bat creatures sinilar to Keese that can be found pretty much everywhere and deal a bit more damage than their smaller counterparts.

Oracle Games

The Keese in Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons are similar to the ones found in Link's Awakening. This is due to the fact that Flagship used certain data from Link's Awakening when programming these games. They do, however, move more erratically than those found in Link's Awakening. Fire Keese also appear in both Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons. Big Keese sometimes accompany the Blue Stalfos located in the Ancient Tomb.

Four Swords

Keese appear very often in Four Swords, most notably in Talus Cave. Their only attack is to fly into Link, but they can be killed with a simple slash of the Four Sword.

The Wind Waker

Fire and Normal Keese from The Wind Waker

In The Wind Waker there are three variations of Keese. Normal Keese and Fire or Ice Keese. Normal Keese are just another enemy and can be killed with most any weapon. Fire and Ice Keese, however, are dangerous to touch and could possibly freeze or set Link on fire, respectively.

Four Swords Adventures

Keese will make an attempt to fly into any of the Four Links. Any weapon found will easily defeat them.

The Minish Cap

Like in every other Zelda game, Keese are really simple to defeat but can be quite annoying. The best method is to keep away and hit them with the Boomerang. From close range, a simple sword strike will eliminate them as well.

Keese
	Appears in various areas. These bats live in dungeons and caves. Their movement is unpredictable, so use range weapons from a safe distance.

Twilight Princess

In Twilight Princess, Keese are mostly found in dark places – caves, dungeons, or generally any place where the Lantern is needed, and the Cave of Ordeals. Just like their role in other Zelda titles, Keese are more annoying than any actual danger (the exception being large groups of them, of course). If Link uses the Hidden Skill 'Shield Attack', a Keese will fall to the ground and be vulnerable.

There are four variations of Keese found within Twilight Princes: Normal, Fire, Ice, and Shadow.

Fire Keese

Main article: Fire Keese

Fire Keese are usually found in fire type areas, such as the Goron Mines. They are also in the Cave of Ordeals. If a Fire Keese touches Link while he is wearing the Ordon Shield or the Wooden Shield, it will burn up; however, they will have no effect on the Hylian Shield.

Ice Keese

Main article: Ice Keese

Ice Keese are found in Snowpeak, the Snowpeak Ruins or the Cave of Ordeals. They are easily one of the most annoying enemies in the game because they freeze you upn contact. They can be pretty difficult if in large groups. If they are, it is a bit easier handling them with Wolf Link, because he is so much faster. Link can stun them with the Gale Boomerang, making them significantly easier to defeat.

Shadow Keese

Main article: Shadow Keese

Shadow Keese are found in the Twilight, naturally, and they act the exact same as normal Keese, only their appearance has changed.

Phantom Hourglass

Keese appear as a relatively simple enemy in Phantom Hourglass. They are found in almost every cave, and are easily defeated with a hit from any weapon. Their design is similar to the Keese in The Wind Waker.

Fire and Ice Keese appear as well, burning and freezing Link upon contact. Because of this, they can't be defeated with the sword.

Spirit Tracks

Keese return in Spirit Tracks, functioning the same way as in Phantom Hourglass. Fire and Ice Keese appear as well. If Link uses the Whirlwind on a fire or ice Keese, they will lose their ice or flame. Most fire or ice Keese are near a source of whatever element they are, and if they fly back into that element they will gain their coat again.

Skyward Sword

		Target lock: Keese Found in many locations, these winged monsters are attracted to dark places, such as caves. They often gather in colonies, are active at night, and sleep in the day. Those who come too close and awaken them often fall victim to attack.

Keese reside in the overworld and within dungeons. When they swoop low enough to be within reach, Link can use a sword slash to defeat them, though Keese can be defeated with almost weapon in the player's arsenal. For example, Link can defeat multiple Keese at once with a single crack of the whip.

Following the game's art style, Keese have a somewhat cartoonish and very colorful appearance. As with the most games, variations of regular Keese also appear.

Dark Keese

Main article: Dark Keese

Dark Keese are an enemy in Skyward Sword. If Dark Keese touches Link he becomes cursed and will not be able to use any of his items or equipment including his sword. Because of this, be extra careful when facing them.

Fire Keese

Main article: Fire Keese

A Fire Keese from Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.

Fire Keese can be found around Eldin Volcano. They can still be defeated with the sword, but if they touch Link he will catch on fire.

Thunder Keese

Main article: Thunder Keese

This new variation of Keese, named Thunder Keese, resides in the Lanayru Mining Facility. They are yellow in appearance, and, like many enemies there, surround themselves with electricity when attacking. Wait until the sparking stops to strike.

Battle Quest

		Keese are bat-like monsters usually found in dark places. If you get close, they will head right for you and then fly off somewhere. How rude!

Keese appear in Battle Quest in a very similar fashion as their previous appearances. They usually travel in packs and will try to fly right into Link. Link can defend himself using his shield or he can place a well timed sword attack to defeat a Keese in one strike. They will also fall to one arrow from the archer.

Gallery

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  Keese Artwork from The Legend of Zelda

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  Keese Artwork from The Legend of Zelda

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  Keese Sprite from The Legend of Zelda

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  Keese Sprite from A Link to the Past

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  Keese Sprite from Link's Awakening, Oracle of Seasons, and Oracle of Ages

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  Keese (The Wind Waker) Concept Art from Hyrule Historia.

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  Keese Sprite from The Minish Cap

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  Keese Figurine from The Minish Cap

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  Artwork of Keese from Twilight Princess

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  Fan Artwork of a Keese from Spirit Tracks created by timoteilol.

References

1. http://tcrf.net/The_Legend_of_Zelda:_A_Link_to_the_Past_(SNES)#Dark_World_Bat
2. "Keese prefer to peacefully hang from the ceiling in dark places, but they can quickly sneak up on anyone who doesnÕt keep a sharp ear out for the chilling sound of their flapping wings. They move constantly, which makes them very difficult to defeat." — (The Great Hyrule Encyclopedia).