Great Fairy Ocarina of Time
In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, the Great Fairies play a crucial role in aiding Link throughout his epic quest across Hyrule. These mystical beings reside in hidden fountains scattered across the land and offer powerful enhancements when found. While they may not appear frequently during the main storyline, their influence can dramatically shift the tide of battle. The Great Fairy Ocarina of Time encounters are more than just side objectives they’re essential power-ups that make surviving the challenges of the game much more manageable. From enhancing your magic meter to unlocking powerful new abilities, each Great Fairy offers something unique and invaluable.
Who Are the Great Fairies?
Mystical Beings of Hyrule
The Great Fairies are ancient and magical entities who reside in secluded fountains around Hyrule. In Ocarina of Time, there are six Great Fairy Fountains that Link can access throughout the game. Each Great Fairy is linked to specific locations and grants Link a new ability or enhancement once summoned using Zelda’s Lullaby on the Triforce platform located in each fountain.
These encounters are not only useful from a gameplay perspective but also serve to deepen the mystical atmosphere that surrounds Hyrule. The Great Fairies in Ocarina of Time are easily recognized by their distinctive design towering, glamorous, and slightly eerie in their exaggerated beauty.
How to Find Great Fairy Fountains
Unlocking Hidden Power
Most Great Fairy Fountains are hidden behind bombable walls or accessible only after acquiring certain items. To receive their powers, Link must stand on the Triforce mark inside the fountain and play Zelda’s Lullaby on the ocarina. Here’s a list of the known Great Fairy locations and their respective rewards:
- Near Hyrule Castle: Grants Din’s Fire
- Death Mountain Summit: Grants Magic Meter and Spin Attack
- Zora’s Fountain: Grants Farore’s Wind
- Desert Colossus: Grants Nayru’s Love
- Death Mountain Crater: Enhances Magic Meter (double size)
- Ganon’s Castle: Enhances Defense (halves damage taken)
These locations span the length of Link’s journey and are tied to both the child and adult timelines. Some can only be accessed once you become Adult Link, while others are best visited early in the game for maximum advantage.
Individual Great Fairy Powers
Din’s Fire Great Fairy Near Hyrule Castle
This is usually the first Great Fairy encountered in the game. Located near Hyrule Castle, behind a bombable wall close to the path to the castle gardens, this fairy bestows Din’s Fire. It’s a powerful fire-based magic attack that burns all enemies surrounding Link. It’s particularly useful for clearing groups of enemies and is also necessary for progressing in certain dungeons like the Shadow Temple.
Magic Meter and Spin Attack Death Mountain Summit
After acquiring Bombs, players can reach the summit of Death Mountain, where another Great Fairy awaits. She upgrades Link’s spin attack and grants him the Magic Meter, allowing him to begin using magical abilities. The enhanced spin attack not only has a wider radius but also deals greater damage. The Magic Meter is essential for utilizing many magical tools acquired later.
Farore’s Wind Zora’s Fountain
This ability allows Link to create a warp point within a dungeon, and return to it at will. It can only be used within dungeon environments but is incredibly helpful for navigation, especially in large or multi-layered temples. The Great Fairy who gives this spell can be found in a hidden fountain behind a bombable wall in Zora’s Fountain, accessible after acquiring the Silver Scale and Bombs.
Nayru’s Love Desert Colossus
Granted by the Great Fairy near the Spirit Temple, Nayru’s Love envelops Link in a magical barrier that reduces damage for a limited time. It’s especially useful in boss battles or any prolonged encounters. The barrier remains active until it expires naturally or the player leaves the area. This fairy is found by bomb-blasting a wall near the Desert Colossus after using the Song of Storms to refill the dried-up oasis.
Magic Meter Enhancement Death Mountain Crater
Later in the game, you can visit the Death Mountain Crater Great Fairy Fountain to receive an upgrade that doubles the size of your Magic Meter. This is one of the most important enhancements in the game as it gives you more room to use magical attacks and support spells without running out too quickly. It’s best accessed as Adult Link with the appropriate gear to survive the heat, such as the Goron Tunic.
Defense Boost Ganon’s Castle
The final Great Fairy is found near the ruined Ganon’s Castle after Link becomes Adult Link. She grants a permanent defense upgrade that halves all incoming damage. This is a game-changer, especially during the final battles. The entrance is located behind a giant stone block that requires the Golden Gauntlets to lift. This upgrade is optional but incredibly useful in facing Ganondorf and the ultimate form, Ganon.
Strategic Importance of Great Fairies
Game-Changing Upgrades
The upgrades provided by the Great Fairies in Ocarina of Time are not just minor perks; they significantly alter gameplay. Increasing your defense and magic capabilities allows for more aggressive combat styles and provides a cushion for new players still mastering the controls. Having Din’s Fire or Nayru’s Love on hand can often mean the difference between survival and a game over, especially in the later temples and boss fights.
Moreover, abilities like Farore’s Wind make dungeon exploration less tedious by reducing backtracking. These magical enhancements give players more freedom to approach challenges in their own way, which adds a layer of flexibility to an otherwise linear progression structure.
Tips for Visiting Great Fairy Fountains
- Always carry Bombs: Most entrances are hidden behind bombable walls.
- Play Zelda’s Lullaby: Every Great Fairy requires this song to appear. Learn it early from Impa in Kakariko Village.
- Check equipment: Some areas require specific gear like the Goron Tunic or Hover Boots.
- Explore thoroughly: Some fountains are well-hidden and easy to miss if you don’t examine the environment closely.
- Prioritize early upgrades: Getting Din’s Fire and the Magic Meter early makes the rest of the game significantly easier.
Legacy and Fan Appreciation
Memorable Encounters
The Great Fairies are remembered not just for their gifts, but also for their distinctive personality and dramatic appearance. Their flamboyant laughter, sparkling entrances, and mystical auras have made them memorable figures within the Zelda series. Many fans still remember the first time they encountered a Great Fairy, struck by the surreal mix of beauty and eeriness that defines their presentation in Ocarina of Time.
These magical beings have continued to appear in other Zelda titles such as Majora’s Mask, The Wind Waker, and Breath of the Wild, though their designs and abilities often change to suit each game’s aesthetic. Still, the role they played in Ocarina of Time laid the foundation for how magical upgrades and optional helpers would be handled in later entries.
The Great Fairies in Ocarina of Time serve as more than just side content they are pivotal allies that provide game-changing benefits. Their fountains are scattered throughout Hyrule, each offering Link an edge in battle, exploration, or survival. Whether you’re new to the game or returning for another playthrough, seeking out each Great Fairy should be a priority. Their enhancements not only make the game more manageable but also enrich the overall adventure, making Link’s journey feel all the more mythical and rewarding.
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