Deer are recurring Animals in The Legend of Zelda series.[1]
Characteristics[]
Breath of the Wild[]
Deer are brown ruminants with cloven hooves found in the forested regions of Hyrule Kingdom. They are most immediately recognized for the branching antlers that appear on males of the species.[2][3] Though they will use their antlers in self-defense, Deer are more likely to run away from danger as they are notoriously skittish and timid.
Three different Deer appear in Breath of the Wild. The most populous individuals are the Mountain Bucks and Mountain Doe that can be found roaming in wooded areas and grassy plains throughout Hyrule, such as Hyrule Field and the Lanayru Great Spring. The third and largest Deer in Hyrule is the Tabantha Moose found in the cold Regions of Hebra and Gerudo.[4] It is a hardy animal that cannot be ridden, but serves as a source of rare meats.[5]
Deer can be hunted using Weapons and drop Raw Meat when killed. Due to overpopulation of the Retsam Forest, Dantz has begun to task travelers with the Deer Hunting Mini-Game.[1] Using Stealth, Link can mount and ride Mountain Bucks and Mountain Does like he would a Horse.[6] When mounted, the Deer will try to buck Link off until it is soothed, at which point it will allow him to ride it. Unlike Horses, Link is unable to spur the Deer while riding to get a speed boost, and they cannot be registered at Stables.[7] When Link dismounts from the Deer, it will flee. Riding a Deer in this way is necessary for the completion of "The Crowned Beast" Shrine Quest to gain access to Mezza Lo Shrine.
Other Appearances[]
The Crystal Trap[]
Oracle of Ages (Himekawa)[]
In the Oracle of Ages manga by Akira Himekawa, Deer first appear after Link and Impa enter the forest Nayru is hiding in. Alongside the other animals, they aggressively confront the two, demanding they go back.[8] Since he was able to speak with animals in Holodrum,[9] Link tells the forest dwellers they mean no harm and that Princess Zelda sent them to find Nayru.[10] The Deer and animals are surprised Link can speak to them, realizing he is a Hylian of the old blood.[11] Meanwhile, Nayru stops strumming the Harp of Ages in her glade. A doe stands nearby and asks Nayru with the smaller animals around her to continue singing.[12] The doe watches as Link and Impa converse with the oracle. When Impa is revealed to be possessed by Veran,[13] the doe leads a charge against the Sheikah to protect Nayru. However, once the doe and other animals make contact with Impa, Veran leaves her host and possesses Nayru instead.[14] Veran enters Labrynna's past using Nayru, leaving the Harp of Ages behind.[15] The doe spectates as Link and Ralph fight over the Harp before Link accidentally strums it and is transported to the past.
Gallery[]
Deer grazing in Hyrule Field from A Link Between Worlds
The Mountain Buck as it appears in the Hyrule Compendium from Breath of the Wild
The Mountain Doe as it appears in the Hyrule Compendium from Breath of the Wild
The Tabantha Moose as it appears in the Hyrule Compendium from Breath of the Wild
Concept artwork of a Mountain Buck
Link riding a Mountain Buck, as seen in-game
See Also[]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "So what I need is for you to hunt some deer out in Retsam Forest. They're overpopulated these days, and it's destroying the forest." — Dantz (Breath of the Wild)
- ↑ "They're well known for their huge, branching antlers, which they'll swing in self- defense if threatened." — Hyrule Compendium (Breath of the Wild)
- ↑ "It's easily distinguished by its immense antlers, which these moose shed and regrow yearly." — Hyrule Compendium (Breath of the Wild)
- ↑ "The largest breed of deer in Hyrule..." — Hyrule Compendium (Breath of the Wild)
- ↑ "Their meat is tender and high quality, so it works well in a stew." — Hyrule Compendium (Breath of the Wild)
- ↑ "Deer are cautious by nature so it can be tricky getting close, but if you can capture one, you may be able to take it for a ride." — Hyrule Compendium (Breath of the Wild)
- ↑ "Looks like you've caught yourself a new steed! Do you want to register it? Not a problem. Let me just— Oh, for the love of Hylia... That's not a horse! We only board horses here, stranger. No exceptions." — Tasseren (Breath of the Wild)
- ↑ "Go back. Go back. Go back." (Oracle of Ages (Himekawa), VIZ Media, pg. 22)
- ↑ "In Holodrum I could speak with animals... Maybe I still can." (Oracle of Ages (Himekawa), VIZ Media, pg. 22)
- ↑ "We mean no harm. Princess Zelda sent us here to find Nayru." (Oracle of Ages (Himekawa), VIZ Media, pg. 23)
- ↑ "He can speak to us. His ears are pointed. He's a Hylian. A Hylian of the old blood!" (Oracle of Ages (Himekawa), VIZ Media, pg. 23)
- ↑ "What's wrong, Nayru? Sing some more. Please?" (Oracle of Ages (Himekawa), VIZ Media, pg. 24)
- ↑ "I'm not Impa! My name is Veran!!" (Oracle of Ages (Himekawa), VIZ Media, pg. 27)
- ↑ "You possessed Impa then jumped to Nayru?!" (Oracle of Ages (Himekawa), VIZ Media, pg. 29)
- ↑ "All that's left...Is this Harp." (Oracle of Ages (Himekawa), VIZ Media, pg. 41)