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As a kingdom, Hyrule must protect itself. And in many games there are castle guards that protect the important landmarks of the kingdom.
A fervent sense of duty runs through the veins of every Hyrulean Soldier, as it is their calling to protect the royal palace and maintain order. Hyrulean Soldiers make up the bulk of the Royal Guard. - From the Zelda.com encyclopedia
A Link to the Past
In A Link to the Past, castle guards appeared around Hyrule during the rainstorm at the beginning of the game. They prevented Link from straying too far from the castle, and they provided helpful advice. However, their fellows, and later themselves, fell victim to the evil influence of Agahnim, after which they would attack Link on sight. They are easy to defeat with a few sword swipes. They come in several varieties; the weakest wear green armor and wield a sword, dagger or bow. Those with bows usually hide in bushes and assault you when you get close. Stronger soldiers are blue and wield swords or bows. Red soldiers are the strongest and wield spears. Stronger varieties of soldiers include Knights and Bomb Knights, and even more powerful are the Ball and Chain Troopers.
Ocarina of Time
A Hylian Soldier in Ocarina of Time
In Ocarina of Time they guard Hyrule Castle and Kakariko Village. In order to meet with Princess Zelda as a child, you must infiltrate the castle and get past the guards. You can sell the Keaton Mask to the soldier in Kakariko Village who guards the gate to Death Mountain, which to enter you must give the guard Zelda's Letter. Following Zelda's flight from Hyrule Castle, before you obtain the Master Sword, a dying guard can be found in the alley, slain by Ganondorf. After Ganondorf takes over, the guards seem to disappear. Though, it is possible that the Poe Collector was actually the guard that had been waiting in that storehouse seven years previous.
Majora's Mask
In Majora's Mask, there are soldiers that guard each exit of Clock Town. They will not let any children get past them. Link may only pass in Goron form and Zora form. Deku Link may not exit as he is seen as a child. In human form, Link may exit as they notice his sword and assume that he is an experienced swordsman. Using the Lens of Truth, Link can locate an invisible soldier that has been injured. If you give him a potion he will reward you with the Stone Mask, the mask that granted him the ability to be invisible. There is also another guard seen with Viscen.
Oracle of Ages
Guards play a very minor role in the Oracle of Ages. They are seen guarding the flower garden just outside of Ambi's Palace. If Link is caught by the guard, he is kicked out of the garden. After entering the palace, however, the guards inside become hostile whenever Link is spotted by them. They do one heart damage and will not stop until the room is left.
Four Swords Adventures
Four Links facing a horde of possessed Hyrulean Soldiers
In Four Swords Adventures the soldiers appear to have been possessed once more, being one of the most populous foes in the game. They resemble their A Link to the Past counterparts greatly. A massive soldier known as Chief Soldier is powerful enough to serve as the boss of two stages: Lake Hylia and Death Mountain Foothills.
Guard types as sorted by weaponry:
- Archer
- Ball & Chain Trooper
- Bomber
- Swordsmen
The Minish Cap
In The Minish Cap, they are found guarding Hyrule Castle and Hyrule Town. In the town, they would block Link from straying to places that were unsafe. In the castle, they would try and prevent Link from entering the castle. This triggers a segment reminiscent of Ocarina of Time's Hyrule Castle Courtyard segment.
Twilight Princess
In Twilight Princess, There many soldiers that patrol in Hyrule Castle Town. They are very cowardly and many townspeople complain of their uselessness. Due to their cowardly ways a group of vigilantes take it upon their own hands to restore and preserve peace in Hyrule. If Link enters Castle Town as a wolf, the soldiers will surround him, looking as if they are trying to attack him, but if Link then uses the dark energy attack he uses on the Shadow Beasts, they will run away screaming, a lot of times leaving behind rupees or a bundle of arrows. In the Hyrule Castle stage in Twilight Princess, strange ghostly Stalfo-like spirits wearing Hyrule soldier outfits guide Link over a floor pieces that fall away to safe pieces and finally to the next room. They can only be seen as Wolf Link. It seems strange that they can only be found in one room, and their real identity is never revealed.
Trivia
Template:Spoiler Template:YouLink Dying Soldier
| Dying Soldier Video |
- After you see the cutscene when Zelda and Impa are being chased by Ganondorf, go to the back alleys of the Market, to see a soldier surrounded by bottles. He will tell you that Ganondorf has betrayed the King of Hyrule, and that he tried his best to stop Ganondorf from chasing them, but was injured. If Link tries to speak to him again, Navi will say, "He's not moving anymore..."