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The Mirror Shield is a recurring Shield in The Legend of Zelda series.[2][name reference needed] It is a powerful Shield that allows Link to reflect Light Beams or Magic from one place to another.

Location and Uses[]

A Link to the Past[]

In A Link to the Past, its first appearance, the Mirror Shield is the strongest Shield that Link can obtain and is found in Turtle Rock. It is more advanced than the previous two shields, known for its ability to stop beams, such as those fired by Laser Eyes, and attacks from enemies such as Lynels, and it can even reflect Wizzrobe projectiles. However, it cannot stop the beams of a Beamos. It is very large, with only half of Link's body being visible behind it during gameplay. It cannot be stolen by Pikits, but in A Link to the Past & Four Swords, the game's GBA remake, it can still be eaten by Like Like. Because of this, a shop in the Dark World will sell a replacement Mirror Shield if Link loses it in this version of the game.

Link's Awakening[]

In Link's Awakening, the Mirror Shield is found in Eagle's Tower.[1] Because the Shield can protect its user from Fire, Wind and lasers from Beamos,[3][1] it is essential for getting to the last Dungeon, Turtle Rock, as it is used to pass through Fires.[4] The Mirror Shield is also unable to be eaten by Like Likes.[citation needed]

Ocarina of Time[]

In Ocarina of Time, the Mirror Shield is the third and final shield that Link acquires in his adventure. It is found in the Spirit Temple as one of its key items (alongside the Silver Gauntlets) on a ledge that can only be reached after defeating an Iron Knuckle on the Adult Link portion of the temple. Unlike the slightly smaller Hylian Shield, the Mirror Shield has a polished surface, allowing it to reflect light and offensive magic. This allows the Hero of Time to solve the light puzzles in the Dungeon, specifically the Spirit Temple and Ganon's Castle. Otherwise, the Mirror Shield acts the same except for the fact that it also destroys the projectiles spat at Link by Octoroks, Deku Scrubs, and Business Scrubs, instead of reflecting them. It can somewhat reflect one of Ganondorf's magic attacks. The shield itself is indestructible, as it cannot be stolen and eaten by Like Likes. It cannot be used by Link as a child, due to its size.

The Mirror Shield also plays an important role in defeating Twinrova, the Boss of the Spirit Temple, as it is required. When Koume and Kotake are separate, the Mirror Shield can be used to reflect - and in turn, direct to the other sister - the fire or ice beam that a sister will fire at Link to cause damage. When in their combined form, the Mirror Shield can absorb Twinrova's elemental magic energies, and after three of the same type of energy is absorbed, a wind-like beam of that particular element is automatically fired that can stun Twinrova temporarily for a quick few slashes.

The original N64 version of the game featured the Mirror Shield with a controversial symbol resembling the Islamic star and crescent symbol (as with Blocks and Switches), but this was changed in later releases and remakes to the Crest of the Gerudo seen since Majora's Mask because of Nintendo's policy of avoiding real-world religious imagery.

Comparison of the two different versions of the Mirror Shield

Majora's Mask[]

In Majora's Mask, the Mirror Shield appears depicted as a decagonal shield with a picture of an unhappy or screaming face upon it. It is found in a Treasure Chest within Beneath the Well after Link bargains his way past several Gibdos. Once obtained, it permanently replaces the Hero's Shield and functions similarly to its Ocarina of Time counterpart. It can reflect light, and is vital for progressing through the Ikana Castle and solving the few light puzzles in the Stone Tower Temple. Light directed from the Mirror Shield also has the ability to instantly defeat most undead enemies, such as Floormasters and ReDeads. It destroys the projectiles spat at Link by Octoroks and Deku Scrubs, instead of reflecting them.

Oracle of Seasons[]

In Oracle of Seasons, the Mirror Shield appears as third and final Wooden Shield upgrade. The Mirror Shield can only be obtained in a Linked Game, via upgrading the Wooden Shield into the Iron Shield, and the Iron Shield into the Mirror Shield through both gameplay and use of a password. These upgrades can be performed in either order. As in Ocarina of Time, the Mirror Shield can block Twinrova's energy attacks, although it cannot reflect them, nor can it reflect anything else the other Shields cannot.[verification needed] It is simply able to block things that the Iron Shield cannot.

Like the other Shields, the Mirror Shield can be eaten by Like Likes. The Mirror Shield can be regained by purchasing one at any Shop for 80 Rupees, as it appears in shops after upgrading the Iron Shield.

Oracle of Ages[]

In Oracle of Ages, the Mirror Shield appears as the third and final Wooden Shield upgrade. It can only be obtained in a Linked Game, via upgrading the Wooden Shield into the Iron Shield, and further upgrading into the Mirror Shield through both gameplay and using a password. These upgrades can be performed in either order. As in Ocarina of Time, the Mirror Shield can block Twinrova's energy attacks, although it cannot reflect them, nor can it reflect anything else the other Shields cannot.[verification needed] It is simply able to block things that the Iron Shield cannot.

Like the other Shields, the Mirror Shield can be eaten by Like Likes. The Mirror Shield can be regained by purchasing one at any Shop for 80 Rupees, as it appears in shops after upgrading the Iron Shield.

The Wind Waker[]

In The Wind Waker, the Mirror Shield is found in the Earth Temple. It is obtained by defeating three Stalfos, the Minibosses of the Earth Temple. It is the second and final Shield and automatically replaces the Hero's Shield once obtained.

The Mirror Shield is required to solve light puzzles.[5] It occasionally must be paired with another light beam to successfully solve a puzzle, usually by utilizing Medli's Harp as it acts much, if not the same, as the Mirror Shield does regarding light. Light that bounces off the Mirror Shield can also paralyze certain enemies such as ReDeads. Using the Mirror Shield is the only way to solidify Poes and thereby required to defeat Jalhalla, and allows Dark Chuchus to be turned to stone.

The Mirror Shield can also cause certain stone statues to break and reflect light along a large network of mirrors, as seen in the Earth Temple. The ability to break stone statues is needed to carry on past Floor 31 of the Savage Labyrinth. Lastly, it proves invaluable in the final battle, during which Link uses it to reflect Princess Zelda's Light Arrows onto Ganondorf when he begins to dodge them, giving the Hero of Winds an opportunity to land the finishing blow.

The Minish Cap[]

After defeating Vaati, Link can find Biggoron at the peak of Veil Falls and let him eat his Small Shield. If Link returns later, Biggoron will give him the Mirror Shield as compensation. While Link guards with the Mirror Shield, any projectiles that hit it are converted into a beam that shoots back in the direction that Link is facing. The Mirror Shield does not fire a beam when hit by an enemy at close range. The design is the same as the Mirror Shield from The Wind Waker.

Tears of the Kingdom[]

In Tears of the Kingdom, a Mirror Shield is created by using Fuse with any Shield on a Mirror Zonai Device. As it functions as the mirror device itself, it only reflects sunlight or other bright light sources and does not reflect or protect against magic.[verification needed] The reflected light can be pointed at minor enemies, which stuns them for a short time and makes them drop their weapons.

Other Appearances[]

Ancient Stone Tablets[]



The Mirror Shield is found in Level 8 in Ancient Stone Tablets.

SoulCalibur II[]

In SoulCalibur II, the Mirror Shield from Ocarina of Time is one of shields available to Link. Paired off with the Master Sword, the Mirror Shield can be bought in the Pollux Shop, Rigel Shop or the Aldebaran Shop for 2200 Gold while playing the Weapon Master Mode. Although Link's offense and defense stays the same when he equips this shield, all of the hits the young hero takes are counters, and 33% of damage received is inflicted back to the opponent.[6]

Image Cost Attributes In-game Description
SCII Master Sword and Mirror Shield Model
2200 Gold
Hits taken are counters
33% of damage received is inflicted back onto opponent
A mirror-like shield found in the Spirit Temple. It is an amazing work of art, and there are few who would argue that it is not one of the finest shields in Hyrule. It is said that its surface reflects not only light but hostile intent as well.

Hyrule Warriors[]

In Hyrule Warriors, the Mirror Shield from Majora's Mask appears as a Defense Badge. It decreases the damage taken from battles with Darkness as a recommended element. Its damage reduction effect can also be further increased by crafting its enhanced Badges. In Hyrule Warriors and Hyrule Warriors Legends, the Mirror Shield from The Wind Waker also appears paired with the Lokomo Sword from Spirit Tracks as the third tier of Toon Link's Light Sword weapon.

Cadence of Hyrule[]



Trivia[]

  • The Mirror Shield may be a direct reference to the Mirror Shield of the Kid Icarus series, used by Pit to defend against Medusa's eye beams. The Mirror Shield is first used in The Legend of Zelda series to similarly defend against Laser Eyes. The Shield in both series is likely a reference to the Greek myth of Perseus, where he used a shield to reflect the image of Medusa so he could avoid her gaze. The Kid Icarus series also includes Light Arrows, both items predating their appearance in The Legend of Zelda series.
  • The Mirror Shield also appears in The Frog For Whom the Bell Tolls. Link's Awakening borrows much from this game, including the game's engine and the cameo appearance of Prince Richard. In this game, the shield is used to reflect a mammoth boss's image, causing it to hesitate and leave itself open to attack. The Mirror Shield is found in the Ice Cavern and is the strongest shield in the game. For The Frog The Bell Tolls - Mirror Shield
  • The Happy Mask Salesman's backpack has a Mask in the shape of Majora's Mask's Mirror Shield.
  • In the Collector's Edition version of Majora's Mask, the Mirror Shield causes a slight graphical error. When reflecting light, a green and black stripe slowly slides across the light-ray every second or so. This is likely a result of poor emulation.
  • The Japanese Nintendo 64 release of Majora's Mask has a different Mirror Shield in the game's programming as an unused item. It has a finished select icon and appears identical to what would later be the revised Mirror Shield of Ocarina of Time, predating the GameCube edition. However, the use of this item crashes the game.
  • In The Wind Waker, the Mirror Shield momentarily vanishes from Link's back during the cutscene after the final battle, due to him dropping it following the final blow against Ganondorf. It reappears following the end credits when he departs from Outset Island.
  • In The Minish Cap, unused text implies that the Mirror Shield, along with the Magic Boomerang and the unused Fire Rod, was sold for 350 Rupees instead.[7]
  • Despite being in a Big Chest in Turtle Rock in A Link to the Past, it is not required to complete the game.

Nomenclature[]

TMC Forest Minish Artwork Names in other regions TMC Jabber Nut Sprite
LanguageNameMeaning
JapanJapaneseミラーシールド (Mirā Shīrudo) (ALttP | OoT)[8][9]
カガミの盾 (Kagami no Tate) (ALttP)[10]
Same as English.
Same as English.
GermanyGermanSpiegelschild (LANS)Mirror Shield
ItalyItalianScudo specchio (LANS)
This table was generated using translation pages.
To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference.

Gallery[]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening — Nintendo Player's Guide, Nintendo of America, pg. 72
  2. Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 131(ALttP | LA | OoT | MM | OoS | OoA | TWW | TMC)
  3. "You've got the Mirror Shield! You can now turn back the beams you couldn't block before!" — N/A (Link's Awakening DX)
  4. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening — Nintendo Player's Guide, Nintendo of America, pg. 77
  5. "This mirror-plated shield can reflect beams of light." — Inventory (The Wind Waker HD)
  6. "Reflects attacks, but may cause Link to lose balance" — N/A (Soulcalibur II)
  7. "Mirror Shield 350 Rupees"The Minish Cap Text Dump, Zelda Legends, retrieved August 8, 2015.
  8. Nintendo Official Guidebook—The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Vol. 1 (Shogakukan 1) pg. 22
  9. Nintendo Official Guidebook—The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Shogakukan) pg. 152
  10. Nintendo Official Guidebook—The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past & Four Swords (Shogakukan) pg. 16
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