Ocarina of Time Walkthrough – Inside The Great Deku Tree

As soon as you start the game, you’ll witness a short scene in which the Great Deku Tree talks briefly about the forest children, known as the Kokiri, and explains his role in things. He then mentions the lone boy in the village who does not have a fairy, then we witness his nightmare…

Our hero Link is standing next to a drawbridge that is lowered. A white horse gallops out with a woman in a cowl and a little girl atop it. She looks so sad… =( Link then realizes an evil looking man is there on a black stallion. The man raises a hand towards Link and-GASP! That’s the end of the dream… What could it mean?

After witnessing the rather confusing (for now) nightmare, you’ll then see the Deku Tree summoning one of the many fairies of the forest to go find a particular boy who will change the destiny of Hyrule forever – why, of course…

A quick fly over the village shows you all the sights before Navi finally figures out where our hero resides. Inside, she yells at him very annoyingly (oh, don’t worry, it only gets worse) until he wakes up.

Once you gain control of your character, walk outside and you’ll meet up with your childhood friend, Saria. Climb down and talk to her if you wish. She simply expresses her excitement over your new fairy and urges you to continue on to see the Great Deku Tree.

If you try to go to the Great Deku Tree, the path is blocked off by a Kokiri by name of Mido. He considers himself a rival for Saria’s affection and is particularly put out that you’ve suddenly become favorites of the Deku Tree as well. He makes an excuse by saying he won’t let you past until you get a Sword and Shield. We will need a total of 40 Rupees in order to purchase the shield from the shop, so I suggest getting the sword first because it will make the gathering process easier.

The sword is a little tricky to find. There’s a small fenced in area called the Forest Training Center, which is in the southwestern area of the village (bottom left on your map). Head up there and you’ll find a small hole in the wall next to a sign. Step up to the hole and press A to crawl in, then just hold forward until you pop out on the other side.

In this area, round the corner and gather the Blue Rupee (5), then turn around and wait for the giant boulder to pass. Quickly follow it and take the first right to find another Blue Rupee (5). Wait for the boulder again if you like or continue on if you’re quick enough. The next alcove holds a giant chest with the Kokiri Sword inside.

Tap the gear button on the bottom screen, (or pause the game and make your way to the Equipment menu if you are playing the n64 version). Select the Kokiri to equip it. Work your way back to the hole and crawl back through.

In order to get the shield, we’ll need 40 Rupees. It’s very easy to accumulate this much, as this village is full of little secret spots, and a lot of them can be acquired repeatedly by simply entering a building and coming back out again. Here’s several places where they can be found:

• Collect the two Blue Rupees that were near the rolling boulder by the Kokiri Sword.
• Talk to the Kokiri right outside the crawl hole. Target the rock and perform a backflip by holding back and pressing ‘A’.
• Inside of Mido’s House, located directly across the crawl hole. Open the treasure chests to get some rupees.
• Right behind Mido’s house, collect a blue rupee.
• Climb the ramp next to Saria’s house, located right beside your house. Follow the ramp to the center of town to get a rupee.
• Between Mido’s House and the Shop, there are two platforms in the water. Run across them and Link will automatically jump across, giving you five rupees.
• Inside of the shop, there is a secret five rupees to the side.

Once you’ve acquired 40 rupees, head over to the Shop (it’s the northeast building). Upon approaching, a girl sitting above the doorway tells you to Z target her and talk to her with A. Nice to know you can do that. Enter the building and purchase the Deku Shield.

Once you get both of the required items, make sure you have them both equipped before speaking with Mido. After downright insulting you, he lets you pass reluctantly.

Head on through. Near the end of the path, three enemies known as Withered Deku Baba pop up, the first enemies you’ll meet in the game. These things are pathetic, they don’t even move or attack. Simply slash them to bits and collect the Deku Sticks they drop.

At long last, head forward and talk to the Great Deku Tree. He explains that the nightmares you’ve experienced are because of the evil descending upon Hyrule. He goes on to say that he’s been cursed and that you can break this curse if you’re willing. When he’s done talking, say yes and and enter his mouth.

Main Room – As soon as you enter, you’ll immediately encounter another new enemy: the regular version of the Deku Baba. These things can be pretty nasty. It’s a good opportunity for you to test out your targeting + shield techniques. You’ll probably get a few Deku Nuts in the process. Go ahead and equip both Deku Sticks and Deku Nuts. And if you got hurt at all by the Babas, slash the nearby weeds (they grow back) because they have a chance to drop Recovery Hearts.

Make note of the web on the floor, which we can’t do anything with yet. Now it’s time to ascend the wooden tower: you can start by either climbing the ladder or heading over to the vines, which will cause Navi to rant and rave about their climbable nature. Once you get up there, work your way clockwise around the area. You’ll come to some more vines with spiders on them. Ignore them and open the large chest to find the Dungeon Map. There’s one of these in each dungeon, showing you what all of the rooms look like. (Nice thing to have really.)

Continue right, jumping across to the last platform and approach the door. After Navi’s done explaining how a door works, head on through.

First Deku Scrub Room – You’ll meet another new enemy here: a Deku Scrub. You’ll have to stay back to keep it from burrowing. Simply target it and use your shield to reflect its shot back at it. Quickly hunt it down before it can get back in its nest-thing. Go smack it with your- hey! It gives you a clue instead. When you fall really far, hold the analog stick in the direction you’re facing to roll. Nice. It’ll leave behind some Recovery Hearts and the next door will open.

Slingshot Room – Here, jump on the platform (which begins to crumble) and to the next platform (or climb up the vines if you fell). Open the large chest to find the dungeon’s treasure: the Fairy Slingshot. Are you ready to sling some fairies? Perhaps one in particular that’s been following you around and nagging you? Unfortunately, this puppy uses Deku Seeds for ammo, which you can now find when you slash bushes, etc.

If you need some hearts, climb up the nearby vines to a hidden alcove where a small chest contains a Recovery Heart. When you’re ready to go, look back at the entry door. The platform we used to get here broke, so we’ll have to improvise. There’s a suspicious looking ladder directly above the door that you can target to make aiming at it easier. Shoot it with your new Slingshot, causing the ladder to fall down (and watch it fit like a glove). Head back to the main room.

Main Room – Go back right (to where you got the Dungeon Map) and shoot the Skullwalltulas. If you don’t get them now, they will attack you when you climb the vines and potentially knock you off. Climb the vines and once you get to the very top, climb either left or right. Once you’ve climbed over a good distance, release the vines to drop down onto the platform. This is the highest level of the room.

Follow the obvious path, but watch out for the shadows! Another new enemy will appear: a Big Skulltula. These nasty things are a little frustrating in that you can only attack their backside. They only attack you if you get close though. Stand close enough to make them come down, then simply wait for them to show their vulnerable side, and then strike with your sword. Go through the door up here.

Platform/Compass Room – Step on the switch in this room to make the three platforms in the floor rise temporarily. Jump along them to the opposite side of the room and open the large chest to find the Compass. There’s one of these in each dungeon as well – they show where you are on the map, which door you came from, where the chests and elevators are as well as the boss of the dungeon.

Optional: Gold Skulltula #1

Jump down and kill the Big Skulltula on the right, then the Deku Baba in front of the vines. Once they’re both dead, climb back up the vines, then step on the switch again and use the platforms to get to the left alcove this time. The small chest contains a Recovery Heart, but of more interest, there’s a Gold Skulltula directly behind it. Kill it and touch the token to collect it. There are 100 of these spiders throughout the world of Hyrule, and by collecting all of the tokens, you can get prizes in one of the villages.

Jump down and climb back up the vines. The door we originally came from has bars in front of it… In order to make them go away, we have to solve the puzzle. There are two torches here, one of which is unlit. Whip out a Deku Stick and go walk by the torch so that your stick gets lit. It’ll only last for a bit, so run over to the other torch and walk next to it so the end lights it. After the door opens, slash your sword to quickly put away and conserve your stick (otherwise it’ll burn up).

Main Room – Go back out to that upper area with all the Big Skulltulas and kill one of them. After it’s gone, if you look over the edge, you’ll see the web is directly in the middle of the floor way down below. The game doesn’t give you much guidance at this point, but you’re supposed to leap off the top floor and fall right to the center of that web to break it. If you only hit the edge of the web, it’ll just bounce up and down like a trampoline, cushioning your fall (climb back up if you do miss). Once you manage to break the web, you’ll fall down into a cavern partially filled with water.

Optional: Gold Skulltula #2

Look back up at the vines that lead back to the upper floor. There is a Gold Skulltula crawling around. Shoot it with your Slingshot and climb up to get the token.

Optional: Gold Skulltula #3

There is another Gold Skulltula, this one on the grating at the north end of the room. Use your Slingshot to kill it and then jump over from the nearby platform to claim the token.

Main Room (Low) – Climb up on the nearby platform and step on the switch. This lights a nearby torch that burns the cobwebs that were covering it (HINT HINT). Light a Deku Stick and jump to the shallow part of the water (where you can stand on without swimming), then run to the opposite platform. If you’re fast enough, you can make it to the door that’s covered in the cobwebs and burn them up. Nice.

Second Deku Scrub Room – Use your shield to reflect its attack, just like the last one. Chase it down and it’ll give you another hint that will be useful later in the dungeon. Once he runs off, slash the nearby bushes for Deku Seeds if you were low. Now, to open the next door, we have to shoot the silver eye switch above it with the Slingshot. Go on through.

Spiked Log & Water Room – As soon as you enter, Navi will exclaim that you can dive in the water. Jump in the water and swim to the left side of the room where you’ll find an underwater switch. Get above it, hold down A and dive underwater. Use the Analog Stick to maneuver towards the switch. This will cause the water to lower temporarily. Quickly swim back to the first platform and climb up the ramp. Wait for the floating platform in the water to come to this side, jump on, and easily ride under the log of death.

Jump up on the other side once you get there, then go kill the Big Skulltula. After he’s gone, get on either the left or right side the stone block. Navi will tell you about pushing and pulling blocks. Great. Once positioned, push/pull it until it’s under the doorway, and then let go. To climb the block, walk into it and press the button to climb up. Get up and enter the door.

Torch Room – In this room, kill the Deku Baba and Withered Deku Baba and collect the goodies they drop. There are two unlit torches and one lit one; I think you know what to do. Once they’re both lit, go through the open door.

Larvae Room – As soon as you enter, hang back and target the Big Skulltula straight ahead. From this far back, he doesn’t come down and his back is to you! Shoot him with your Slingshot twice to kill him before you even enter the room. >=D

Go on forward and watch out for the three shadows that are in the center of the room. Stepping near them causes the eggs to fall from the ceiling, which immediately hatch into a new enemy: Gohma Larva. These things are only a pain in groups, simply target one, get close and slash away.

There are two cobwebs in this room, but although we can burn both, we can only continue through the far one for now. Whip out a Deku Stick and light it on the nearby torch, then run it all the way to the farthest cobweb. After it burns up, slash your sword to conserve the stick and crawl through the hole. NOTE: The other cobweb leads to a wall that is blocked off. There is a Gold Skulltula located in the unreachable room and we will return when we have the appropriate items needed.

Main Room (Low) – Back in the lowest floor of the main room (so far), we’re now on the upper level of it. Kill the Deku Babas if you like, then push the nearby stone block off the edge so we have a major shortcut! Nice. This last cobweb in the floor we can’t just jump through like we did the last one, so we’ll have to burn it. The two torches up here are too high up for us (jerks) but the one we used earlier when we burned our very first cobweb is low enough…

Jump down near your new stone-block shortcut and light a Deku Stick. Quickly jump back up and get to the cobweb. At this point, you can either roll with A or swipe your Deku Stick by pressing the C button again. Either way, the cobweb will burn, revealing the deepest part of the dungeon.

In this final area of the dungeon, you can dive for Recovery Hearts if necessary. Get up on land and reflect the Deku Nuts back at the Deku Scrubs. Each one you hit will get stunned, but if you stun them in the wrong order, then you’ll have to start all over again…

If you remember from earlier, one of the Deku Scrubs we tackled gave you a clue for this exact puzzle. 2, 3, 1. Get the middle one first, then the right, and finally the left.

Go snag him before he leaves, this one gives you another clue, this time about the boss in the next room. Snag some hearts if you need them, then enter the boss door.

At the start of the battle, look up at the queen on the ceiling, which will begin the battle. Although she looks pretty intimidating, she’s a piece of cake.

Her main attack is to wobble towards you and then try to basically fall on top of you, which can be easily defended against using your shield or simply moving out of the way. Her other form of offense is to climb onto the ceiling and make three eggs, which will fall to the ground and hatch to become Gohma Larvae after a short bit. The Larvae are easily defeated with two sword swipes or a Jump Attack, but they can be killed quickly by simply slashing each egg before they hatch.

3 Ways To Stun Her

To harm Gohma, you have to use either Deku Nuts or your Slingshot when her eye is red (right before or after either of her “attacks”). This will cause her to fall down and be vulnerable to your sword. The Slingshot is by far the most effective. Regardless which way you do it, once she’s stunned, smack the heck out of her for as long as you can.

The easiest way to defeat her is to simply wait for her to climb on the ceiling and stun her then (this stun is far longer). If you do it right, you can finish this boss off in less than a minute.

After the cool scene of her disintegrating, snag the Heart Container left in her remains, then step into the shiny light to teleport out of the dungeon. Congratulations!

After defeating the boss and stepping into the light, you’ll appear back outside, only to hear another lecture from the Deku Tree as he finally reveals what happened to him: An evil man from the desert came and demanded the Deku Tree give up one of three Spiritual Stones, which, when gathered together, can open a door into the Sacred Realm. Once there, the evil man would be able to attain the Triforce, a remnant of raw power left behind by the three Goddesses who created the land of Hyrule.

After his epic story, the Deku Tree insists that the evil man from the desert must be stopped and never allowed to enter the Sacred Realm. Because the Deku Tree would not give him the Spiritual Stone of the Forest, the evil man cast a curse upon the tree which cannot be lifted. Lame. Next, the Deku Tree urges you to seek out “the Princess of Destiny” in Hyrule Castle and gives you the stone that the man was after. Oooo, shiny! The Great Deku Tree, the guardian of the Kokiri, then dies… Well, that’s no good.