Helmaroc King
Artwork of the Helmaroc King from The Wind Waker
First appearance	The Wind Waker (2003)
Appears in	The Wind Waker Four Swords Adventures
Sex	Male
Homeland	(The Wind Waker) Great Sea (Four Swords Adventures) Hyrule
Hometown	(The Wind Waker) Forsaken Fortress (Four Swords Adventures) The Mountain Path
Race	Kargaroc

"I may as well tell you that the bird that kidnapped both you and Link's sister has made its foul nest to the north, on the heights of the Forsaken Fortress."

— Quill

The Helmaroc King, also known as the Monstrous Helmaroc King, is a recurring character in the Legend of Zelda series. He is depicted as an exceptionally large, antagonistic Kargaroc wearing a steel mask.

Appearances Edit

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker Edit

Main article: Helmaroc King (The Wind Waker)

The Helmaroc King is a servant of Ganondorf. He is first seen early in the game, flying over Outset Island. He is attempting to kidnap Tetra while her crew gives chase. Eventually, the pirates shoot the Helmaroc King out of the sky and he drops Tetra into the Forest of Fairies.

After Link rescues Tetra, the Helmaroc King returns to Outset Island and kidnaps Link's sister, Aryll. Quill informs Link and Tetra that the beast resides at the Forsaken Fortress and that is surely where he is taking Aryll. With this knowledge, Link and the pirates travel to the fortress to rescue her.

Link successfully infiltrates the Forsaken Fortress, but is eventually captured by the Helmaroc King who throws him into the sea at Ganondorf's request.

At this point, Link is rescued by the King of Red Lions and discovers that the Helmaroc King is bringing young, pointy-eared girls to Ganondorf in an effort to find Princess Zelda.

Later, Link returns to the Forsaken Fortress for a final time to save Aryll. He manages to reach his sister while Tetra and her pirate gang distract the Helmaroc King. Shortly after Tetra's pirates manage to get the girls out, the Helmaroc King returns to its roost. The roost begins to flood, forcing Link upwards to the top of the tower. After Link knocks the bird down into the water with his Skull Hammer, he reaches the roof. The hatch on the roof closes rapidly, but before it is sealed, the Helmaroc King resurfaces and glides up through the shrinking aperture. Link then exposes its face by smashing away its mask. After Link delivers the coup de grace on the Helmaroc King's exposed head, the Helmaroc King attempts to fly away, only to be caught within the searchlights, and utter a final screech before expiring in an explosion of feathers.

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures Edit

Main article: Helmaroc King (Four Swords Adventures)

The Helmaroc King is the guardian of The Mountain Path. When the four Links begin traversing The Mountain Path, Kaepora Gaebora warns them of the beast's roost near the summit of Death Mountain. Once the Links reach this area, the Helmaroc King becomes hostile and attempts to prevent them from reaching the Tower of Flames, but is ultimately bested.

Non-canonical appearances Edit

Super Smash Bros. Brawl Edit

The Helmaroc King appears as a collectible trophy. Interestingly, the description of the trophy states that the Helmaroc King and the Helmasaur King from The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past are the same entity in different forms. The validity of this statement is unconfirmed.

Etymology Edit

The name "Helmaroc King" is likely a portmanteau of helm, referring to the protective headgear it wears, and Roc, a giant bird of Persian mythology. The suffix "-roc" is also used to denote other birdlike enemies throughout the series. The prefix "Helm-" is also used to denote other helmed enemies throughout the series.

See also Edit

• Kargaroc

Gallery Edit

Artwork of Link's battle with the Helmaroc King in The Wind Waker

The Helmaroc King as it appears in Four Swords Adventures

The Helmaroc King as it appears in its trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl

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