Template:Enemy Shadow Beasts,[1] also referred to as Shadow Beings,[2] Black Beasts,[3] Shadow Assassins or Twilit Messengers,[4] are the muscle behind Zant's Twilight invasion in Twilight Princess.
Characteristics and Weaknesses
The Shadow Beasts are dark, willowy beings that drop out of Portals all across Hyrule and in the Twilight Realm, always in packs of three or more except for the very first battle in the Ordon Spring. They are Twili that have been corrupted and turned into monsters by Zant.[1] Shadow Beasts are strong enough that only a few were needed to overrun and defeat the many Hylian Soldiers guarding Princess Zelda, despite the fact that the latter had advantageous numbers. It is also hinted by Barnes that they are not only composed of transformed Twilis, but also have the ability to turn Humans into their kind,[5] meaning that they are not restricted to one species.
If there is ever only one standing Shadow Beast during a group battle, it will utter an unearthly howl that rejuvenates the others.[6] Thus, at least the last two must be killed at the same time in order to truly defeat a pack.[7] Once there are only a few left, most area attacks can finish them off,[8] though some will not function correctly, such as the Jump Strike or the Mortal Draw.
Different Shadow Beasts are seen in the cutscene which shows Zant taking Hyrule Castle and Midna's history of the Twili. These are larger than the normal ones, and bear a different head-dressing; a round silver plate with a special marking on them. However, these monsters are never seen during actual gameplay, so their status and any exclusive powers remain a mystery. One possible theory is that they are a sort of honorguard for Zant, as they always appear near him, generally in flanking positions.
Non-canon Appearances
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Shadow Beasts appear as a Trophy and Sticker in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
Trophy Information
| Game | Image | Description | How to Unlock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Smash Bros. Brawl | File:Shadow Beast Trophy.png | A loyal minion sent in from the Twilight Realm by Zant. Shadow Beasts suddenly appear from portals in the sky and attack in groups. As long as one is left alive, any others will be revived, so you must leave at least two living and defeat them at the same time. If you wipe them all out succesfully, a warp point will open. | Random |
Sticker Information
| Name | Image | Artwork from | Effect in The Subspace Emissary | Usable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Beast | File:Shadow Beast Sticker.png | Twilight Princess | [Darkness] - Attack +28 | This sticker is only usable by Ganondorf |
Etymology
The Japanese name for Shadow Beasts, Template:Japanese, alongside their ability to revive fallen Shadow Beasts may be a reference to the phrase Template:Japanese, meaning "to raise the dead".
Trivia
- There exists in the code for Twilight Princess an unused enemy model (see right) which may have been an early version of the Shadow Beast.[9]
- When Link first fights multiple Shadow Beasts, if the spin attack is used on the last two, one will still survive, so Midna can teach Link the energy field attack.
- The Shadow Beasts' hands resemble that of the enemy Zant's Hand in terms of the middle two fingers are shorter.
Gallery
Special Shadow Beast
Special Shadow Beast
- Twilight Messenger.png
Shadow Beast in combat
- HH Shadow Beast.jpg
Shadow Beast concept art from Hyrule Historia
Shadow Beast in the official Twilight Princess website
- HW Midna - Standard Outfit (Master Quest).png
Midna's costume based off the Shadow Beasts in Hyrule Warriors
- HW Zant - Standard Outfit (Master Quest).png
Zant's costume based off the Shadow Beasts in Hyrule Warriors
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "It was a peaceful place... until Zant took control of the Twilight Realm and transformed all of the Twili into shadow beasts." — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "Beware... A shadow being... It approaches..." — Ordona (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "The black beast you slayed was a shadow being. It had come to seize the power of light I wield." — Ordona (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ Template:Cite web
- ↑ "They sure didn't seem impressed by my bombs! How long do you think we can hold this sanctuary against beasts that strong, huh? Once they attack, it's OVER! Remember the lady from the general store? Just one of those things attacked her, and a whole gang from town went to save her! And what happened? She was already gone, and there were TWO monsters waitin'! ...You connectin' the dots? That means that if we get attacked by them, then we'll be..." — Barnes (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "If you leave the last one alive, it's just going to use that shriek to bring the others back." — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "No need to take these little pests on one at a time, right? You can take them all at once! So... You can handle this by yourself, can't you?" — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "You just hold down B and I'll expand an energy field. Enclose all of your enemies within it and release the button!" — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ Template:Cite web
 Names in Other Regions 
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | Name | Meaning | |
 |
Japanese | Template:Japanese | Shadow Messenger |
 |
FrenchEU | Assassin des ombres | Shadow's Assasin |
 |
German | Dämon der Finsternis | |
 |
Italian | Mostro dell'ombra | |
 |
Spanish | Bestia de las Sombras Template:ExpGame | Beast of the Shadows |
 |
SpanishLA | Asesino de las Sombras | Shadow Assasin |
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