Zora Mask
The Zora Mask
First appearance	Ocarina of Time (1998)
Appearances	Ocarina of Time Majora's Mask
Power(s)	(Ocarina of Time) Disguises Link as a Zora (Majora's Mask) Transforms Link into Zora Link

The Zora Mask is recurring item in the Legend of Zelda series. As its name implies, it is a mask in the shape of a Zora's face.

Appearances Edit

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Edit

"All right! You actually decided to become a Zora! Are you actually ready to marry me now?"

— Princess Ruto

The Zora Mask in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is one of four special masks rewarded to Link for completing the Happy Mask side quest. It has no special features and is mostly used for comedic purposes such as getting odd reactions from other people.

If Link shows the Zora Mask to King Zora XVI, he will think he is being mocked. While most Zora are able to see through Link's disguise, Princess Ruto's dialogue seems to indicate that she believes Link to have become a Zora and asks if he is ready to marry her, although she could simply be playing along.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask Edit

"You got the Zora Mask! This mask contains the spirit of a legendary guitarist! Wear the mask with (C) to inhabit the body of a Zora. Press (C) again to return to normal."

— In-game description

The Zora Mask is the third of four transformation masks Link can obtain during his travels in Termina. The mask allows him to transform into the Zora guitarist, Mikau of The Indigo-Go's, and use his special abilities. The Zora Mask is needed to navigate the currents of Great Bay Temple, as well as to infiltrate the Pirates' Fortress and to explore Pinnacle Rock.

When Link first enters Great Bay, he finds a dying Zora named Mikau floating near the shore. Gerudo Pirates fatally wounded him when he attempted to rescue the eggs of a fellow band member named Lulu. Link pushes him towards the shore, but his wounds are too great. Mikau summons the strength to play last song explaining his dilemma and then asking for someone to rescue the eggs and to heal his soul.

Link plays the "Song of Healing" giving Mikau a vision of him and Lulu joining the band. Mikau then disappears, leaving behind the Zora Mask imbued with his spirit. Link takes the mask with him, and whenever he puts it on, he transforms into Zora Link, which appears to be a combination of Mikau's body and his own. Link is able to impersonate Mikau while in his Zora form, which allows him to help The Indigo-Go's and their singer, Lulu. When Link tries to play his Ocarina of Time while wearing the Zora Mask, it manifests itself as Mikau's Guitar of Waves.

Powers Edit

As a Zora, Link's ability to swim is tremendously increased, and he is able to breathe underwater and sink to the bottom of a body of water to perform terrestrial actions such as walking (although his evasive side jumps and back flips suffer due to the water's density). His offensive capabilities include acrobatic punches and kicks, using a pair of fins on his forearms as both short and long-range weapons (of similar purpose to the Sword and the Boomerang, respectively), and on land, the ability to perform a somersaulting kick attack, that serves as a slightly slower equivalent to Link's Jump Attack.

Pressing R while on land causes Zora Link to hold one of his arm fins up, allowing him to use it much as he would a shield. While doing so, Link can press B to surround himself with an effective bio-electric barrier, which has both offensive and defensive properties. When most enemies touch him while in this state, they will either sustain damage or be stunned temporarily. While swimming, the bio-electric barrier may also be used simply by pressing the R button, allowing Link to swim undeterred by enemies. The barrier can also be activated while being held by certain enemies, such as Dexihands, Like Likes, and Majora's Wrath. This deals damage to the foe and frees Link from their grasp. Maintaining the barrier gradually depletes the Magic Meter, and when fully drained, it cannot be used until the meter is restored. As a Zora, Link is more vulnerable to fire and ice attacks. If hit by either, the screen will fade to black, and Link will be reset to the entrance of the room in a similar manner to when he falls into a bottomless pit.