Gramps

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Gramps is a character that appears in A Link Between Worlds.^[3]^{[note 1]} He is an elderly citizen in charge of the game's StreetPass functionality, Shadow Link Battles, and stands in the StreetPass Meadow on the western side of Kakariko Village.

Gramps also acts as a secret Boss. Once all 50 Challenge Medals have been collected, Gramps can be challenged to a duel in a similar fashion to fighting a Shadow Link. He wields upgraded versions of all the items and gear available to Link.

Biography[]

Upon first speaking to Gramps, he will explain how StreetPass works and help Link create his Shadow Link. Once a Shadow Link has been created for the first time, Gramps will plant the StreetPass Tree just west of Link's House. The Apples on the Tree will increase with the number of challenges that are completed.^{[citation needed]} Gramps can be spoken to at any time to make changes to the Shadow Link's inventory, look at the list of Challenges and earned Medals, or have him repeat an explanation of how StreetPass works. Occasionally when speaking to him, Gramps will ask Link if he has visited the Apple Tree. If Link says that he hasn't, Gramps will wonder aloud that Link must prefer oranges to apples.^{[citation needed]} However, if Link claims that he has visited the Tree when he really hasn't, Gramps will catch him in the lie.^{[citation needed]}

Speaking to Gramps after obtaining all 50 Challenge Medals prompts him to challenge Link to a duel.^[1] Defeating him rewards Link with 5 Rupees, and allows Link to rematch him at any time.^[5] Gramps explains that his bounty is so low because he pays for all the Shadow Link bounties out of his own pocket, and reveals that he established the Shadow Link Battles so that he could meet someone who is stronger than him.^[6]

Gramps is also shown during the credits sequence, following scenes of the Sages returning home and the Hyruleans celebrating. Unlike the other characters, Gramps is not seen to be celebrating, but simply standing in the StreetPass Meadow.

Gramps bears numerous notable similarities to Link: he wears a Green Tunic, wields a vast arsenal of items, and has the capability to wield the Master Sword. According to the Rumor Guy in the Lost Woods, Gramps dubiously claims to be 80 years old. ^[7] Despite his advanced age, he has been seen doing one-fingered handstands, hinting at his formidable strength. ^[8]

In battle[]

ALBW Gramps Battle — Link and Gramps preparing to face off against each other in the Sky Arena

Going by the player name of "Legendary", Gramps has 20 Hearts, all 50 Challenge Medals and fully upgraded gear; the Master Sword Lv3, Hylian Shield, Red Mail (although it is not visible on him), Pegasus Boots, Stamina Scroll and the Bee Badge. He will use two of any item in its upgraded form and may also use Blue, Yellow or Purple Potion. In addition, Gramps also knows the Great Spin.

The battle against Gramps will take place in a randomly selected arena. However, the Desert Arena is usually only chosen if he has equipped the Sand Rod. He is extremely agile, and will frequently dodge Link's attacks or defend himself with his Shield.

Characteristics[]

The battle will differ somewhat depending on the arena and the items that Gramps brings to the fight. In particular, the Purple Potion can be difficult for Link to combat against if Gramps is given the opportunity to use it. It will deal up to 8 Hearts of damage, except in Hero Mode where it can instantly deal up to 32 Hearts of damage. It's not recommended to bring Bees, which are completely ineffective on Gramps as he carries the Bee Badge. It's best to circle around Gramps and continually stun him with the Boomerang, opening a chance to safely attack him and preventing him from using his items.

Trivia[]

Gramps is tied with Shadow Link for the highest potential damage output of any vulnerable enemy in the series, able to deal 32 Hearts of damage with a single use of the Purple Potion in Hero Mode.
Gramps is the only Hylian Boss and one of the few friendly Bosses of the series. Along with Dark Link in Spirit Tracks, Gramps is also one of two secret Bosses in the games.
Due to the battle being a StreetPass battle, Gramps is the only Boss who is unable to actually kill Link if he defeats him.
Gramps musing that Link prefers oranges is a reference to the idiom of comparing apples and oranges.

Nomenclature[]

Names in other regions
Language		Name
	French^CA	Ancien StreetPass Ancien
	French^EU	Papy Papy StreetPass
	German	Onkel StreetPass-Onkel
	Italian	Nonno Nonno StreetPass
	Spanish^EU	Abuelo Abuelo StreetPass
	Spanish^LA	Abuelo StreetPass Abuelo
This table was generated using translation pages. To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference.

Notes

↑ This character is also known as Old Man StreetPass on Zelda.com.^[4] However, because Encyclopedia takes precedence, it is not considered canon.

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 "Well done. It looks like you've finally completed all the challenges. You're only the second person who's ever done that. Want to know who the first person to do it was? [I do] You do, do you? Well then. Want to try your hand at battling that Shadow Link? [Yes] I see... Then I'm going to give this everything I've got!" — Gramps (A Link Between Worlds)
↑ "[Gramps.] You wanna hear about ol' Gramps, eh...? Well, this one isn't a rumor. It's something I actually saw with my own two peepers. But I probably shouldn't say anything. You know me—I'm not one to gossip. I might get in trouble if I told you. But on the other hand, if you really want to know, I mean...OK, WELL... So, Gramps in Kakariko Village? Near the town square? He's 80 years old, or so he says. I don't think he's just some ordinary old man who's just hangin' around... So, this one time, I saw him at the crack of down. You'll never guess what he was doing! [Handstands?] Yes! Handstands! So you saw him too, Link?! He was doing handstands! Not any ordinary handstands. One-fingered handstands! Really! I saw it! Either he's doing a sort of intense physical training or he's got some secret abilities he's hiding. But I don't want to be on that guy's bad side, so I didn't tell you nuthin'! Now you've heard it. Go on, now. That gossip ain't gonna spread itself!" — Rumor Guy (A Link Between Worlds)
↑ Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 300 ^(ALBW)
↑ [1], Official A Link Between Worlds Website, retrieved April 24, 2020.
↑ "Now, putting that aside... Would you like to battle again? [No] I see... That's a shame. If you ever feel like fighting, come talk to me again." — Gramps (A Link Between Worlds)
↑ "I lost... I'm glad to know there are still heroes as strong as you in this world. By the way, do you want to know why the reward for defeating me is so...modest? [Yes] Well, you see...the Rupee reward you receive for defeating a Shadow Link comes out of my own pocket. Yep, I started offering a prize because I wanted to meet someone stronger than myself. I thought if a powerful Shadow Link yielded a hefty reward, worthy challengers would appear. But I had a hard time deciding how many Rupees to give to fighters who defeated me... Ha! I'm not so bold as to put a high price on my head. That's why the reward is so meager." — Gramps (A Link Between Worlds)
↑ "[Gramps.] You wanna hear about ol' Gramps, eh...? Well, this one isn't a rumor. It's something I actually saw with my own two peepers. But I probably shouldn't say anything. You know me—I'm not one to gossip. I might get in trouble if I told you. But on the other hand, if you really want to know, I mean...OK, WELL...So, Gramps in Kakariko Village? Near the town square? He's 80 years old, or so he says. I don't think he's just some ordinary old man who's just hangin' around... So, this one time, I saw him at the crack of down. You'll never guess what he was doing!" — Rumor Guy (A Link Between Worlds)
↑ "[Handstands?] Yes! Handstands! So you saw him too, Link?! He was doing handstands! Not any ordinary handstands. One-fingered handstands! Really! I saw it! Either he's doing a sort of intense physical training or he's got some secret abilities he's hiding. But I don't want to be on that guy's bad side, so I didn't tell you nuthin'! Now you've heard it. Go on, now. That gossip ain't gonna spread itself!" — Rumor Guy (A Link Between Worlds)