Helmasaur
Artwork of a Helmasaur from A Link to the Past
First appearance	A Link to the Past (1992)
Appearances	A Link to the Past The Minish Cap Twilight Princess
Location(s)	(A Link to the Past) Dungeons (The Minish Cap) Dungeons (Twilight Princess) Lakebed Temple Hyrule Field Temple of Time City in the Sky (Four Swords) Realm of Memories
Attack method	Ramming
Effective weapon(s)	Sword Hookshot Clawshot

"Appears in various areas. Their fronts are protected with metal masks, but their backsides aren't! Pop off that mask for an easy battle."

— Figurine

Helmasaurs (ヒップループ, Hippurūpu^?, Hiploop) are recurring enemies in the Legend of Zelda series. They are portrayed as small beasts, protected by armor shells which fail to mask their backsides. In their appearances, attacking their exposed backsides provides a successful method of killing them. Still, all games give Link the ability to destroy or forcibly remove their protective casings, making their bodies entirely vulnerable.

Appearances Edit

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Edit

Link can either use a Bomb or the Magic Hammer to destroy their masks, penetrating their defenses and rendering them easily defeated through means of Link's sword. A considerably stronger Helmasaur, Helmasaur King, is the boss of the Palace of Darkness, and a stronger version can be found in the Palace of the Four Sword.

The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap Edit

Helmasaurs are agile, tiny red creatures with metallic conical helmets, and the feet of a chicken. They will quickly charge at Link when they notice him. As usual, the enemies can be destroyed by striking their rears, but using the Gust Jar removes their armor, making slaying them an easier task.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Edit

Helmasaurs are small, green rhino-like creatures with a dark swirl present on their thighs, the only area their holed shells do not cover. If they are to take notice of Link, they will charge at him with their sharp horn, squealing violently in the process. They first appear in the Lakebed Temple, where at first Link can only kill them by slashing their backside due to their strong shells. One can be easily balked by striking it on any part of the armor. Link later acquires the Clawshot, which grants him the ability to forcibly remove their shell, rendering them defenseless and allowing Link to attack them more directly. Helmasaurs can also be spotted throughout Hyrule Field and in the City in the Sky. Another version of the Helmasaur, the Helmasaurus, is also present in the game.

Link can use the Helmasaur's shell to weigh down switches when nothing else is available, or if the number of other heavy objects needed falls short.

Etymology Edit

The name "Helmasaur" appears to be a portmanteau of "helm," referring to their protective armor, and "saur," a derivative of the Greek word sauros, meaning "lizard" or "reptile," as in "dinosaur."

Gallery Edit

A Helmasaur's mask from The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

Artwork of Link fighting Helmasaurs in The Minish Cap

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See also Edit

• Hiploop
• Helmasaur King
• Helmasaurus
• Iron Mask