View source for Helmasaur

{{Infobox|enemy
| image    = [[File:LttP - Helmasaur.png|200px]]
| caption  = Helmasaur from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]]''
| game     = ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask|Majora's Mask]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords|Four Swords]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap|The Minish Cap]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes|Tri Force Heroes]]''
| location = 
'''''A Link to the Past'''''<br/>[[Dark Palace (A Link to the Past)|Dark Palace]]<br/>[[Skull Woods (A Link to the Past)|Skull Woods]]<br/>[[Turtle Rock (A Link to the Past)|Turtle Rock]]<br/>[[Ganon's Tower (A Link to the Past)|Ganon's Tower]]
'''''Four Swords'''''<br/>[[Chambers of Insight]]
'''''The Minish Cap'''''<br/>[[Mt. Crenel Base]]<br/>[[Mt. Crenel]]<br/>[[Cave of Flames]]<br/>[[Veil Falls]]
'''''Twilight Princess'''''<br/>[[Lakebed Temple]]
| weapon   = '''''A Link to the Past'''''<br/>[[Magic Hammer]]<br/>'''''Majora's Mask'''''<br/>[[Hookshot]]<br/>'''''The Minish Cap'''''<br/>[[Gust Jar]]<br/>'''''Twilight Princess'''''<br/>[[Clawshot]]<br/>'''In General'''<br/>[[Sword]]<br/>[[Bomb]]
}}

'''Helmasaurs''', also known as '''Iron Masks''' and '''Hiploops''', are recurring enemies in [[The Legend of Zelda (Series)|''The Legend of Zelda'' series]].{{Ref|''[[The Legend of Zelda: Encyclopedia]]'', pg. 184}} They make use of their hard masks in their front as a defense against most weapons. The easiest way to damage them is from behind or to forcibly remove their masks by various means.

==''A Link to the Past''==
[[File:Helmasaur-1.png|left]]Helmasaurs are first encountered within the [[Dark Palace (A Link to the Past)|Dark Palace]], the first dungeon in the [[Dark World]]. These creatures wear an armored green mask on their head, making them invulnerable to sword slashes. The rest of their body is a soft brown color and is susceptible to most weapons. Their only form of attack involves charging directly into [[Link (A Link to the Past)|Link]], which does a full heart of damage.

Link is able to defeat a Helmasaur with a single slash from his [[Master Sword]]. However, the attack must hit the enemy from the back or the side, as its armored mask prevents damage from the front. If Link has full power, he can shoot his [[Beam Blade]] attack right at the Helmasaur and can defeat them with two strikes, regardless of where he hits them from.

There are several alternative ways to defeat this creature. Link can sprinkle some [[Magic Powder]] on the Helmasaur, causing it to turn into [[Slime]], making it easy to defeat. After Link acquires the [[Magic Hammer]] from the Dark Palace, he can use it to defeat the enemy in one hit.

The boss of the [[Dark Palace (A Link to the Past)|Dark Palace]] is the [[Helmasaur King]], an oversized version of a Helmasaur. A more difficult variation of this boss is encountered within the [[Palace of the Four Sword]].

==''Link's Awakening''==
{{Main|Iron Mask}}
[[File:Iron Mask.png|right|48px]]
In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening|Link's Awakening]]'', there is a very similar enemy referred to as an [[Iron Mask]]. It is very similar to a Helmasaur and is defeated in a similar fashion.

==''Majora's Mask''==
{{Main|Hiploop}}
[[File:Hiploop with Mask.png|left|76px]]
Called by their original Japanese name in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask|Majora's Mask]]'', Hiploops are encountered in both the [[Woodfall Temple]] and the [[Stone Tower Temple]]. In the game, they charge at [[Link (Ocarina of Time)#Majora's Mask|Link]] many times knocking him off the edge of something. Without their masks on they look more like insects in this game than the dinosaur look seen in the other games of the series. Link can turn the enemies around by using his shield, or taking off their mask using the hookshot.

==''Oracle of Seasons'' & ''Oracle of Ages''==
{{Main|Iron Mask}}
In both ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons|Oracle of Seasons]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages|Oracle of Ages]]'', the same Iron Masks from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening|Link's Awakening]]'' make their re-appearance.

==''Four Swords''==
In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords|Four Swords]]'', Helmasaur are red creatures that wear a white pointed helmet. This shares a resemblance with the Iron Masks that appear in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX|Link's Awakening DX]]'', ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons|Oracle of Seasons]]'', and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages|Oracle of Ages]]''. If a Helmasaur sees [[Link (Four Swords)|Link]], they will charge at him, and he must dodge and then slash at their exposed back.

A simpler method employs the [[Magnetic Glove]], which is usually found in areas where Helmasaurs appear. The Magnetic Glove will pull off their helmet, making them vulnerable to all attacks. They will run away, but after a bit they will just move around randomly, hurting Link if he touches them.

==''The Minish Cap''==
[[File:Minish Cap Sprite for Helmasaur.gif|left|50px]]
Returning in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap|The Minish Cap]]'', they look just like they did in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords|Four Swords]]''. Be careful of their sharp, protective mask, as the Helmasaur will charge at [[Link (The Minish Cap)|Link]] once they see him. They can be defeated with one slash to their backside, but you can also blow off their mask using the [[Gust Jar]] as a simpler approach to remove their defense.

{{clear}}

==''Twilight Princess''==
[[File:Helmasaur from Twilight Princess.png|right|200px]]
In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]'', they can be found in the [[Lakebed Temple]], [[City in the Sky]], [[Cave of Ordeals]], and [[Hyrule Field]]. In this game they look more dinosaur-like, having greyish-green skin and wearing a mask on the top of their head. In the game, they will charge at [[Link (Twilight Princess)|Link]] requiring him to dodge them. If Link can get to the backside of this monster, he can then attack it by slashing at it with his sword. He can also remove the mask with the [[Clawshot]], causing it to lose its only form of defense. After it loses its mask, it can still charge at Link though, so it is best to take it out quickly. After defeating it, the enemy will leave behind its mask, which can be picked up and used by Link for tossing at enemies and for weighing down switches. He also picks up the mask if he uses the clawshot on it.

===Helmasaurus===
{{Main|Helmasaurus}}
This is a unique variation of the Helmasaur that only appears in ''Twilight Princess''. It can be found at the City in the Sky and cannot have its mask removed. This means that the only way of defeating it is to wait for it to charge and then dodge, hacking away at its backside.

==''Tri Force Heroes''==
{{stub|section}}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Helmasaur-2.png|Helmasaur from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]]''
File:Helmasaur-3.png|Helmasaur from ''A Link to the Past''
File:Hiploop (Majora's Mask).png|Hiploop without its helmet from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask|Majora's Mask]]''
File:Helmasaurus.png|Helmasaurus from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]''
</gallery>

{{References}}

{{Listbox|A Link to the Past|Enemies}}

{{Cat|A Link to the Past Enemies}}
{{Cat|Majora's Mask Enemies}}
{{Cat|Four Swords Enemies}}
{{Cat|The Minish Cap Enemies}}
{{Cat|Twilight Princess Enemies}}
{{Cat|Tri Force Heroes Enemies}}