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Tektites are recurring Enemies in The Legend of Zelda series.[3]

Characteristics[]

Tektite are jumping, one-eyed mites or spider-like creatures. Due to their carapaces and spindly legs, some iterations of Tektite closely resemble the Japanese spider crab. These foes tend to appear in small groups, and have the tendency to leap around the landscape. Tektites usually have only four legs. They normally inhabit mountainous areas, Dungeons, and sometimes lakes. Despite their wide range of mobility and adaptability to various surroundings, Tektites are usually vulnerable, and can be defeated with one or two Sword attacks. Projectile weapons, such as the Slingshot, Bow, or Hookshot, are also useful, especially for defeating Tektites out of range.

Tektites typically come in two colored varieties: Red Tektites and Blue Tektites, often signifying their strengths and behavior. Tektites have a specific variant, Water Tektites, which can skim and leap across the surface of water like pond skaters; similarly, Blue Tektites can jump on water, but they cannot skim across it.

The Legend of Zelda[]

The Legend of Zelda Manual Description
The Legend of Zelda logo
Tektite
These spidery things jump about all over the place. Red ones move about a lot and blue ones move only a little. Tektites have little fighting power.

Tektites in The Legend of Zelda are encountered in the Overworld. They can jump around anywhere aimlessly, including on impassable mountain walls. Tektites can be defeated in one of several ways, which includes being slashed by Link's Sword or one of its beams, being caught within a Bomb explosion, contact with the Red Candle or Blue Candle, or from being hit by an Arrow. Tektites cannot be defeated from the Magical Boomerang, although it stuns them temporarily.

Tektites in red and blue varieties, the former of which is depicted orange in the game. The red variety jumps around more than the blue type. When defeated, red Tektites may drop either a Heart, a Fairy, or one Rupee, while blue Tektites may drop either a Heart, one Rupee, five Rupees, or a Clock.[note 1]

The Adventure of Link[]

Unlike most appearances, Tektites in The Adventure of Link have six legs and are heavily armored. They can shoot fireballs from their eyes to attack and perform very high vertical jumps. Tektites are vulnerable only to Fire and Thunder magic, but in the original Family Computer Disk System version, Tektites can also be damaged from the Magical Sword. When defeated, Tektites reward 50 Experience, and can drop either a Magic Jar or a Treasure Bag containing 200 Experience.

Tektites are encountered in Maze Island and in the plains and caves of Eastern Hyrule.

A Link to the Past[]

Both blue and red Tektites appear as enemies in A Link to the Past. They behave similarly to one another, except the red Tektites are stronger and faster than their blue counterparts. Tektites retain most of their behavior from The Legend of Zelda in general, except they are more evasive of Link's attacks, and Tektites always dodge Link's Sword Beams. Other than the two standard Tektite varieties, Water Tektites make a returning appearance.

Both color varieties of Tektites are encountered on Death Mountain.

Link's Awakening[]

Both Tektites and Water Tektites appear in Link's Awakening, and Tektites are encountered in Tal Tal Heights. Tektites were not originally associated with any color, due to the Game Boy's monochromatic palette. In Link's Awakening DX, Tektites are colored red, and in Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch, they are blue. In Link's Awakening and Link's Awakening DX, a Tektite's sprites makes it appear to have only two legs, but its two hind legs are just hiding behind its front legs.

Compared to earlier appearances, Tektites move slower and usually pause for a few seconds between each jump. A Tektite can be defeated from having Link slash it with his Sword twice, although other weapons can defeat Tektites within a single hit.

Ocarina of Time[]

Both red and light-blue Tektites appear in Ocarina of Time as enemies, as well as Water Tektites. Tektites are motionless until they notice Link, at which point they turn slowly to face Link and jump after him. Tektites cannot jump as high as in earlier appearances. When Link moves far away from Tektites, they stop following him. Tektites are unaffected by Din's Fire, although the Megaton Hammer can flip them over. Link can use either the Hookshot or the Longshot to temporarily stun a Tektite.

Red Tektites are encountered in the Death Mountain Trail. Light-blue Tektites are encountered in aquatic areas, including Lake Hylia, Zora's River, and inside of the Water Temple. The light-blue type can jump on water but cannot skim across, unlike Water Tektites. Light-blue Tektites have twice the durability of their red counterparts.

Majora's Mask[]

Only the light-blue Tektites return in Majora's Mask. Tektites are similar as in Ocarina of Time, even reusing the same model. Unlike before, light-blue Tektites appear mainly in a snowy environment, Snowhead, but there are also a few in the Great Bay Temple. Although the Megaton Hammer does not return, Tektites can still be flipped over from Goron Link's Goron Pound.

In Snowhead, Tektites hide in the snow or within snow boulders. While they are on ice, Tektites can slide across and spin uncontrollably.

Oracle of Seasons / Oracle of Ages[]

In Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages, Tektites appear in orange and blue varieties, similarly to The Legend of Zelda, and Water Tektites also return. Both the orange and blue Tektites had their sprites reused from Link's Awakening. Blue Tektites are the stronger type, as they take twice as many hits to defeat, jump farther than orange Tektites, and follow after Link.

In both games, Tektites appear in various locations of the overworld. In Oracle of Seasons, Tektites are encountered in Spool Swamp and the Temple Remains, while in Oracle of Ages, Tektites appear in Talus Peaks, Rolling Ridge, Moonlit Grotto, and Black Tower.

Four Swords[]

Tektites in Four Swords have a different design consisting of a gray body and a red horn on top. They are similar to their appearances in earlier two-dimensional installments of The Legend of Zelda series. The Links can encounter them on Death Mountain.

Four Swords Adventures[]

Tektites appear in both red and blue varieties in Four Swords Adventures. They are located in Death Mountain, the Desert of Doubt, and the Realm of the Heavens. The difference with Blue Tektites is that they can jump higher than their red counterparts.

The Minish Cap[]

Tektite (Figurine from The Minish Cap)
TMC Tektite Figurine Sprite
Tektite
Appears on Mount Crenel, etc.
They move by jumping long distances.
Their movement can be unpredictable,
so attack them when they are still.

Tektites in The Minish Cap are designed after their appearance in Four Swords. Tektites appear in three varieties—Red, Blue, and Golden—all of which appear on Mount Crenel. Red Tektites also appear on Mount Crenel's Base. Only one Blue Tektite is ever encountered, specifically at the summit of Mount Crenel. A Golden Tektite appears only as the result of Kinstone Fusions with Hailey, a Mountain Minish, and Tingle respectively.

Twilight Princess[]

Both red and blue Tektites appear in Twilight Princess, behaving similarly as in Ocarina of Time. However, both have the same amount of health, the same vulnerabilities, and the same movement patterns, including floating on water, making this a rare instance where the differences between red and blue Tektites are solely cosmetic.

Both varieties appear in the Cave of Ordeals, while only red Tektites appear in Goron Mines and blue Tektites in Lakebed Temple.

Phantom Hourglass[]

Both red and blue Tektites are enemies in Phantom Hourglass, appearing only in the Isle of Ember. Both Tektites have a behavior of jumping after Link, and the red variety is now both the faster and stronger type.

Spirit Tracks[]

In Spirit Tracks, Tektites appear in cave areas, but only while Link is on the Spirit Train. Tektites do not retain their usual jumping ability; instead, they climb on a cave's walls and ceilings while trying to get on to the Spirit Train, which they leap at when close enough. Link can defeat a Tektite by using the Cannon on the Spirit Train.

A Link Between Worlds[]

In A Link Between Worlds, Tektites appear in both red and blue varieties. Their design and behavior is based on their appearance in A Link to the Past, like with many other subjects returning from the game. Unlike before, Blue Tektites are encountered in Hyrule, outside the Eastern Palace, while the red type appears in Lorule, on Death Mountain.

Tri Force Heroes[]



Tektites in Tri Force Heroes can be found in the Secret Fortress, the Cove of Transition, and the Water Temple. Only the blue variety appears, and they take on their design from A Link Between Worlds. Just like in the three-dimensional The Legend of Zelda games, blue Tektites have the ability to jump on water.

Spinoff appearances[]

Zelda's Adventure[]

Tektites appear as enemies in Zelda's Adventure, returning in the usual red and blue varieties. Unlike most other appearances, Tektites behave like regular spiders and do not jump around. Red Tektites are encountered in the Shrine of Earth and the Forest of Ogbam, while blue Tektites appear in the Meadow of Skotness, Gubasha Desert, and Ubato Hills.

Link's Crossbow Training[]



Only red Tektites appear as enemy targets in Link's Crossbow Training.

In other media[]

The Legend of Zelda TV Series[]

Tektites (That Sinking Feeling)

Tektites as seen in the animated series

Tektites make an appearance in two episodes of the The Legend of Zelda TV series. In "The White Knight", various Tektites arrive at the castle and attack Prince Facade. While Facade is taking care of the Tektites, Moblins come in and kidnap Zelda. In "That Sinking Feeling", Tektites are shown to be capable of shooting spider webs out of their mouth. As Link and Zelda are enjoying a picnic, they are interrupted when an Underworld entrance begins to raise and a gang of Tektites come out from it.[5] Link and Zelda are successful in defeating a few of them, but then several Tektites wrap the princess up in spider webs while the young hero loses his Crissword to one of the foes that sneaked up behind him. Link eventually manages to defeat all of the foes and rescue the princess.

The Shadow Prince[]

In The Shadow Prince, Link encounters various Tektites if he chooses to hide behind a boulder to prevent from being seen by Charles of Moria. Link races up a hill to hide behind the boulder, and just as he dives to hide, he turns around to find a pack of Tektites have surrounded him. He easily defeats one, but is then grabbed by the rest of the monsters. The page ends with a Game Over with the young hero getting killed by the Tektites.

Crossover appearances[]

Nintendo Land[]

Battle Quest Prize Tektite
Monita says:

Tektites have built-in gyro-sensors that prevent them from ever getting dizzy. Their shells are highly resistant, so try to slice through the gaps or shoot straight for the eye.

Tektites appear in Nintendo Land in Battle Quest. They have highly resistant shells, thus requiring that the sword be sliced through the gaps of their shells. The gaps can be either horizontal or vertical, and requires different directional strikes.

The Tektite also appears as one of the 200 Prizes that can be won with Coins. Interacting with the Prize animates the Tektite, and Monita will comment on it.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[]

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Tektite appears as a Spirit with the ability, Jump Up, which increases the jump height of a Fighter.

Tektite — Spirit Battle Information

SSBU Tektite Spirit Icon
Tektite
SSBU Primary Spirit Icon Primary Spirit
No. 181
Team Power SSBU Shield Type Icon Shield | 1600 Rank ★ NOVICE Fighter(s)
Stage Hyrule Castle (Battlefield) Theme "Overworld Theme - The Legend of Zelda" SSBU Ivysaur Stock Icon 3 Ivysaur
Rule(s) Hazard(s)
Condition(s)
 · The enemy loves to jump

Tektite — Spirit Information

SSBU Tektite Spirit Icon

Tektite
No. 181
Lv. 1
Type SHIELD Strength 382
Rank ★ NOVICE Defense 431
Slot(s) Power 861
Trait Jump 🠅
Increases jump height.

Cadence of Hyrule[]

Tektites appear as enemies in Cadence of Hyrule where they move to the beat of the music. They can only move diagonally onto any tile, including up and down short cliffs and objects. They move every three beats, crouching on the second beat before hopping onto another tile on the third beat.

Nomenclature[]

TMC Forest Minish Artwork Names in other regions TMC Jabber Nut Sprite
LanguageNameMeaning
JapanJapaneseテクタイト (Tekutaito) (TLoZ | ALttP)[6][7]Same as English.
NetherlandsDutchSpinners (TLoZ)[8]
FranceFrenchEUTektite (TLoZ | TAoL)[9][10]
This table was generated using translation pages.
To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference.

Gallery[]

See Also[]

Notes

  1. If Link defeats 10 enemies without getting hit or teleporting with the Recorder, then the 10th enemy defeated will drop five Rupees. However, if the 10th enemy is defeated with a Bomb, then it will drop four Bombs. If Link defeats 16 enemies without getting hit or teleporting, then the 16th enemy will drop a Fairy. After the 16th enemy, Link must get hit and reset the counter to zero in order to achieve this effect again. Defeating Armos, Like Like, Keese, or Gels will not be counted.[4]

References

  1. "Octoroks, Tektites / Leevers too"The Legend of Zelda US rap commercial, YouTube, retrieved October 24, 2014.
  2. "Tektites!"The Legend of Zelda US commercial, YouTube, retrieved October 24, 2014.
  3. Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 208 & 209 (TLoZ | TAoL | ALttP | LA | OoT | MM | OoS | OoA | FS | FSA | TMC | TP | PH | ST | ALBW | TFH)
  4. n.a., Forced Drops, redcandle.us, published n.d., retrieved August 17, 2017.
  5. "It's an underground entrance. We're being attacked!" — Princess Zelda (The Legend of Zelda TV Series, Episode 6)
  6. Hyrule Encyclopedia, Ambit Ltd., pg. 187
  7. Nintendo Official Guidebook—The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Vol. 1, Shogakukan, pg. 126 Nintendo Official Guidebook—The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past & Four Swords, Shogakukan, pg. 19
  8. The Legend of Zelda manual, pg. 29
  9. The Legend of Zelda manual, pg. 29
  10. Encyclopedia, Les Éditions Soleil, pg. 209
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