Template:Character Deku Link is one of the forms Link turns into in Majora's Mask. Link is transformed into this form at the beginning of the game, and can be later achieved by wearing the Deku Mask. It is one of four mask transformations in the game.
Transformation
Deku Link seeing his reflection
After stumbling through the Lost Woods in pursuit of the Skull Kid, Link falls through a large hole leading to the parallel world of Termina. At the end of the hole, Link finds Skull Kid wearing the Majora's Mask. He eerily laughs and transforms Link into a Deku Scrub.[1] The Happy Mask Salesman later finds Link and informs him that he can be returned to his original form if the instrument stolen from him, the Template:It, is retrieved. Link accepts the quest and explores Clock Town over the course of three days and, after interacting with various townsfolk, manages to confront the Skull Kid atop the Clock Tower. He quickly uses a Bubble Blast to knock the Ocarina out of Skull Kid's hands, scoops it up, and begins to play. Link's Deku form causes the Ocarina of Time to appear as the Pipes of Awakening.[2] Undeterred, Link plays the "Song of Time" to travel back in time to the first day.
He then presents the recovered instrument to the Happy Mask Salesman, who teaches Link the "Song of Healing." The magical properties of the song eases Link's soul, and he returns to his human form. The eradication of the curse causes the Deku Mask to materialize, granting Link the ability to transform at will into a Deku Scrub when worn. Link then starts his quest to find a way to retrieve the Majora's Mask that is manipulating the Moon to crash into Termina.
Link's new form is required while he is exploring the Southern Swamp. With it, he can hop across the toxic water, infiltrate the Deku Palace, reveal the entrance to Woodfall Temple, and explore and conquer the temple itself.
Deku Link is the incarnation of the Deku Butler's Son, who was turned into a tree while hunting for mushrooms in the forest,[3] possibly as a curse by the possessed Skull Kid.[4][5]
Abilities
While in Deku Link form, Link gains many unique abilities which can be used to fight enemies and to solve puzzles. These abilities prove invaluable in several locations throughout Termina.
Water Hopping
Deku Link is incapable of swimming, and thus instead travels on the surface of bodies of water through a series of hops. He can bounce up to five times on a water's surface, with the fifth bounce significantly higher than the previous four. If Deku Link falls into the water after the fifth bounce, he will sink and re-emerge back onto the ground. This ability prevents Deku Link from being damaged by toxic water or from being affected by the speed or direction of the current. This ability is primarily employed in areas with poisonous water, such as the Southern Swamp and the Woodfall Temple. In Majora's Mask 3D, Deku Link requires extra speed to hop farther before performing a Spin Attack.
Deku Flower flight
By burrowing into a Deku Flower, Deku Link can launch himself into the air in brief flight and drop Deku Nuts onto enemies.[6] The elevation and duration of the flight varies from flower to flower, though any flight can be extended if Deku Link passes through a powerful air stream. As well as granting Link access to previously inaccessible areas, launching from a Deku Flower is also a powerful attack move. This is necessary to defeat enemies such as Snappers, and can also be used to defeat the boss of the Woodfall Temple, Odolwa.
Bubble Blast
This power is granted to Deku Link after he restores the body of the Great Fairy in North Clock Town. It allows Link to release powerful bubbles at the expense of draining the Magic Meter.[7] This attack is useful to break airborne objects or to defeat flying enemies. The disadvantage is that the range is inefficient compared to that of Arrows. In Majora's Mask 3D, a sight was added when going into first person perspective. Also, the bubble does not burst if charged for too long, its charging time is decreased, it travels faster, and in a straight line, making it more reliable to defeat some enemies.
Spin Attack
By tapping the A-Button while moving, Deku Link will twirl on one foot at an accelerated pace. This spin can stun enemies and break weak objects such as pots, although it is rarely a powerful enough attack to kill an enemy. In Majora's Mask 3D, the tip of Deku Link's hat transforms into a root when using the Spin Attack.
Deku Shield
Deku Link possesses a unique Shield in the form of a large Deku Nut husk. It is similar to Goron Link's shield in that it renders Link immobile, but is also impervious to most attacks from any direction (excluding fire-based attacks). This defense is reminiscent of Young Link's attempt to use the Hylian Shield in Ocarina of Time.
Other Abilities
Due to Deku Link's small size, he is able to stand on Lily Pads without them sinking below him. This ability makes the exploration of poisonous waters in the Southern Swamp possible. However, this ability also makes it impossible for Deku Link to press down most Floor Switches. His small size also makes him too short to grab and climb onto most ledges.
As Deku Link is also made of wood, he is especially vulnerable to fire-based attacks. Mere contact with a flame of any sort will be typically enough to instantly knock him out, reemerging from where he last entered the area.
Instrument
While in Deku form, Link's Ocarina of Time takes the form of the Pipes of Awakening (also referred to as the Deku Pipes).[8] This instrument is known for its high volume.[9] It is required to play the "Sonata of Awakening" with maximum effect.
The Pipes of Awakening are primarily used to rise the Woodfall Temple from the swamp and grant access to the it.
Non-Canon Appearances
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Deku Link appears as a Sticker in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
| Name | Image | Artwork from | Effect in The Subspace Emissary | Usable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deku Link | File:Deku Link Sticker.png | Majora's Mask | [Electric] - Resistance +5 | All |
Trivia
- Despite Link being left-handed, when Deku Link opens Treasure Chests, he lifts their contents with his right hand.
- Deku Link is the only one of Link's transformations in the game (excluding the Fierce Deity) that cannot press down a floor switch, making his "Elegy of Emptiness" statue useless.
- While thinking in an event for the Deku, Eiji Aonuma had a dream about being chased by one. The next day, Takumi Kawagoe showed him a movie he created for the Deku which was exactly as Aouma's dream.[10] This scene was later used when Link is transformed into a Deku by Skull Kid.
Gallery
- MM Deku Link.png
Deku Link artwork from Majora's Mask
Deku Link in-game
- Dekupipes.png
Deku Link using the Pipes of Awakening
Deku Link's statue
Link transforming into Deku Link
Deku Link firing a Bubble Blast at Skull Kid
Deku Link concept art from Hyrule Historia
Deku Link concept art from Hyrule Historia
Deku Link 25th Anniversary artwork
 Names in Other Regions 
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | Name | Meaning | |
 |
Italian | Link Deku Template:ExpGame | Deku Link |
References
- ↑ "Hee, hee! Now, that's a good look for you! You'll stay here looking that way forever! " — Skull Kid (Majora's Mask)
- ↑ "Huh? When did you get that instrument?!?" — Tatl (Majora's Mask)
- ↑ "My son often used that mask to find mushrooms in the forest." — Deku Butler (Majora's Mask)
- ↑ "It's strange, but the way you look right now sort of looks like this tree... " — Tatl (Majora's Mask)
- ↑ Template:Cite book
- ↑ "All right, listen up! If you press and hold (A) as a Deku Scrub while standing on a Deku Flower, you can dive into it. If you wait a bit before releasing (A), you'll launch out of the flower. Press (A) while flying to descend." — Tatl (Majora's Mask)
- ↑ "You've been granted Magic Power! In your current form, press (B) to shoot bubble blasts. Press and hold (B) to blow a big bubble. Release (B) to shoot it. Your Magic Power decreases when you shoot. Replenish it with Magic Jars and Potions." — N/A (Majora's Mask)
- ↑ "Deku Pipes! Those will work great!!!" — Monkey (Majora's Mask)
- ↑ "Wait...You don't happen to have something that can make a lot of noise...like a loud instrument with sound that carries a long way?" — Monkey (Majora's Mask)
- ↑ Template:Cite person