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ReDead

from Zeldapedia, the Legend of Zelda wiki

ReDead
Artwork of a ReDead from Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask
Artwork of a ReDead from Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask
First appearance Ocarina of Time (1998)
Appearances Ocarina of Time
Majora's Mask
The Wind Waker
Location(s) (Ocarina of Time)
Bottom of the Well
Royal Family's Tomb
Shadow Temple
(Majora's Mask)
Ikana Castle
(The Wind Waker)
Earth Temple
Private Oasis
Weapon(s) Biting
Stunning screams
Effective weapon(s) Sword
"Its gaze will paralyze you. If it bites you, tap any button to escape!"
Navi

ReDeads (リーデッド Riideddo?) are recurring enemies in the Legend of Zelda series. They are zombie-like creatures with a highly emaciated, humanoid appearance. They can be found in dark and distant locations such as underground caverns and inside graves. Many people argue that these creatures are the most frightening enemies in the Legend of Zelda series, competing against Wallmasters, Floormasters, and Gibdos.

ReDeads attack by stunning their prey with their gaze. They can also let out blood-curdling screams to both terrify and stun their unfortunate victim. Once the victim is stunned, they will advance upon it, attach themselves, and suck out its life force.

Contents

[edit] Appearances

[edit] The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask

"During Ganondorf's dark reign, many evil beings walked the earth, but none were as horrible as the ReDead. These skeletal creatures froze people who strayed too close, then they sucked the life from the unfortunate victims."
— Nintendo Power Player's Guide description

In Ocarina of Time, ReDeads are most commonly found in dark, seemingly desolate areas such as caverns and graves. Inside the Royal Family's Tomb, Link must avoid the ReDeads found there in order to reach the tomb door where the "Sun's Song" is engraved. This song can be played near ReDeads in order to stun them for a set period of time, which is by far the safest way to combat Redeads- they even have the ability to stop Link's attacks in midair.

The ReDeads in Hyrule Castle Town when Link is an adult do not freeze Link on sight, although they still let out their piercing shriek. This is due to the camera movement, which remains in a static position while in the marketplace. ReDeads are most abundant within the Shadow Temple, and in Master Quest, there is one ReDead in the Forest Temple.

In Majora's Mask, if Link wears the Captain's Hat, Gibdo Mask or Garo's Mask, ReDeads will start dancing, making them easy targets for Link to kill, as they will do no harm while dancing (yielding large amounts of Rupees). They are killed instantly if they are struck by a beam of light reflected off the Mirror Shield. Also, if Link burns the bandages on a Gibdo with the use of fire, a ReDead will be revealed to be underneath the bandaging.

[edit] The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

A ReDead from The Wind Waker

The appearance of ReDeads are different than their Ocarina of Time counterparts. They are teal-skinned, voodoo-esque zombie creatures with recessed eyes and elongated, hoop-bearing earlobes. Like their predecessors, they scream and paralyze Link on sight. Unlike previous generations, however, their shriek is more like the sound an elephant makes, and when they catch sight of Link, their jaws and arms stretch downward while their eyes bulge and turn red, creating a terrifying visage. They are found in the Earth Temple, Ganon's Tower, the Savage Labyrinth on Outset Island and the basement maze in the Cabana on the Private Oasis.

Redeads in Wind Waker lack the power to freeze Link with their screams while he preforms a jump attack at them in midair. Instead, Link's move should follow through, knocking the zombie off balance and giving a Link a chance to go after it with a series of sword slashes to defeat it before it can retaliate. This is best done by performing a jump attack with the Skull Hammer, as it has longer range and connects much more frequently than a sword would. It should still be attacked with a sword after it is hit by the hammer.

Interestingly, if Link shoots an arrow or throws his boomerang at a distant ReDead, it will turn to stare at Link, but will not be stunned. Also, Link can L-target Redeads from a distance and hit them with the Grappling Hook to snatch large amounts of Rupees.

[edit] Other appearances

Non-canon warning: This article or section contains non-canonical information that is not considered to be an official part of the Legend of Zelda series and should not be considered part of the overall storyline.

[edit] Super Smash Bros. Melee

Redeads appear as enemies. They can be found in the Underground Maze during Adventure Mode or in Melee Mode where they will randomly appear from crates or barrels (though this is quite rare).

Non-canon warning: Non-canonical information ends here.

[edit] Theory

Theory warning: This section contains theoretical information based on the viewpoints or research of one or several other users. It has not been officially verified by Nintendo and its factual accuracy is disputed.

[edit] Burial Customs

The differences in appearance and habits between the two forms of ReDead (one in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, and a second type in The Wind Waker) may suggest changes in burial customs over the centuries. The ReDeads found in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask were all found buried under hills, or graveyards, and seem to be wearing carved Death Masks over their faces.

The ReDeads found in The Wind Waker all have a grayish skin tone, and are very puppet like. Since these corpses were all buried below sea level, perhaps they were punished for evil doings, and forced to haunt Hyrule forever. Some suggest this theory because the islands on the Great Sea are really the mountaintops of the land of Hyrule.

It is possible that ReDeads were once regular, deceased Hylians who happened to be re-animated through exposure to dark magic, or that they are, like Poes, restless spirits. Considering their numbers in the devastated Hyrule Castle Town, when Link wakes up from a seven-year slumber in Ocarina of Time, and their abundance under the Kakariko Graveyard and inside the Shadow Temple, this theory seems highly plausible.

Super Smash Bros. Melee explicitly states that they are beings created of magic rather than actual undead, but the trophy descriptions contain errors fairly often and this is not considered canon.

Theory warning: Theories end here.

[edit] See also

[edit] Gallery