Moblin

The Moblin is the primary muscle of Ganon's army. Common as foot soldiers and quite unintelligent, they've been around since the very first Zelda game where they started as anthropomorphic bulldogs. By Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons, they were combined with Butablins, and took on a more piggish appearance. Other related species include the smaller but more intelligent Bokoblin, the tiny Miniblin, and the more militaristic Bulblin. Moblins have appeared in most games in The Legend of Zelda series, except for Majora's Mask, Twilight Princess, and Phantom Hourglass.

Variations

The Legend of Zelda

Moblins first appeared in the original The Legend of Zelda. They keep to the wooded areas, such as the Lost Woods, and throw spears. Like most enemies from this game, they come in two colors - red and blue; blue being the stronger of the two. They are vulnerable to most weapons except fire. [citation needed]

Not all Moblins are enemies, however. Some hide in secret caves across Hyrule and give Link Rupees.

The Adventure of Link

In The Adventure of Link, Moblins appear leaner and more muscular in this game, as opposed to the short, squat appearance previously. They still serve Ganon, though he is deceased in this game. They still use spears, either holding or throwing, and live in wooded areas, although some can be found on bridges or caves. They appear in orange, red, and blue (from easiest to hardest, respectively).

A Link to the Past

In A Link to the Past, Moblins only appear in the Dark World. They walk around quite quickly, and throw pitchforks at Link from any distance within the screen. Moblin projectiles can be easily blocked with the shield. Moblins, as well as Taurus, behave in a similar manner to soldiers. Thus, they may be the Dark World equivalent of soldiers, as Moblins and Taurus also appear where soldiers are in the Light World.

Link's Awakening

In Link's Awakening, Moblins appear in two forms: "Pig" Moblin and common Moblin. Common Moblin only appear in the Mysterious Woods and the Moblin Hideout. These Moblins home in on Link, like the guards in A Link to the Past, while some simply wander and fire arrows.

There is also a Boss named Great Moblin, who kidnaps Madam MeowMeow's Bow-Wow and resides in the Moblin Hideout.

Link's Awakening marks the transition in appearance of Moblins, with two types of Moblins. The 'Pig' Moblins move and attack exactly like their Moblin counterparts (both with swords and shields and bows) and can be found in Tal Tal Heights, near the Wind Fish's Egg.

Ocarina of Time

Moblins only appear in the Sacred Forest Meadow when Link is an adult. Normal-sized Moblins patrol the hedge maze with spears and proceed to charge if they see Link. A bigger and stronger variation of the Moblin, the Great Moblin, guards the entrance of the Forest Temple with a giant club. If he sees Link, he begin to slam it on the ground, causing a shock wave which can prevent forward progress. In the Master Quest version, one more club-wielding Moblin is in the Spirit Temple. They can be killed by the hookshot or arrows, but are generally best avoided by stealth. With good timing, death by sword is also a possibility. Also, it takes three bombs to kill the Great Moblin, which gives Link a random amount of Rupees.

Interestingly, Moblins cannot be Z-targeted in Ocarina of Time.

Oracle series

In Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons, Moblins are one of the most common enemies. They act exactly as they did in Link's Awakening, still coming in red and blue variants; the blue ones are usually harder to find and to defeat. In Oracle of Ages, blue Moblins often appear in the past where red ones are placed in the exact same place in the present. Similarly, blue Moblins tend to appear during winter in Oracle of Seasons. A rare, one of a kind Golden Moblin can appear in a certain region of Holodrum. There is also a character known as the Great Moblin. Link is able to transform into a green Moblin with the Moblin Ring.

The Wind Waker

In The Wind Waker, Moblins are again Ganon's primary soldiers. They appear to have a keen sense of smell, as they appear to be sniffing out Link when he is sneaking through Forsaken Fortress. They are often seen patrolling Ganon's territory (such as reefs or submarines) or temples. Bokoblins and Miniblins often accompany them, and one Moblin in particular serves as the mini-boss of Dragon Roost Cavern. They are sometimes carried into battle on Kargarocs.

Moblins are the least intelligent known of the goblin race. They typically carry polearms (which can be picked up and wielded by Link), and also carry lanterns that they can throw. Moblins are adept at handling a frontal assault by defending with their spears, so attacking from the sides or back is recommended. Moblins have immense reach with their spears, but their wide swings mean that two or more Moblins in proximity are likely to injure or even kill each other. If disarmed, a Moblin proceeds to unleash mighty, lightning-fast punches until it gets its spear back. Valuable Skull Necklaces can be stolen or gained from defeating them or by using the grapping hook, which can be sold to a sailor near the bomb shop, Beedle, or the man in the Auction House after the second Forsaken Fortress mission.

If Link does a thrust attack with his sword that hits a Moblin's rear-end, it starts to cry and walk on its tiptoes, due to the pain inflicted in a delicate place. If Link takes out a bomb while engaged with a Moblin, the Moblin then flees in terror, returning to the fight after the bomb explodes.

There are two kinds of Moblins in The Wind Waker: brown and blue. The brown Moblins can take more hits and carry lanterns along with their spears that they throw at Link when he gets close to them, acting as a smokescreen of sorts as well as to hurt him with fire. The blue Moblins can't take as many hits and do not have lanterns.

Maggie from Windfall Island maintains a long-distance relationship with a Moblin named Moe who lives in the Forsaken Fortress. They communicate through letters, and Moe indicates a disturbing "hunger" to see Maggie. Maggie takes this to mean that he wants to marry her. It is apparent through Maggie's actions that she is in love with him, much to her father's disapproval.

The Minish Cap

In The Minish Cap, the Moblins don't literally serve anybody, but aid Vaati in stopping Link from rescuing Princess Zelda in Dark Hyrule Castle. The pink ones appear in Western Wood and the black ones appear in Dark Hyrule Castle. According to the Swordsman Newsletter, defeating them is a good source of income, however, this isn't necessarily true.[21] According to the Royal Hyrule Library's weekly top titles, the book Married to the Moblin is the top seller. However, Link cannot read the book in game.[22] These Moblins may wield either spears (like in The Wind Waker) or bows.

Skyward Sword

In Skyward Sword, Moblins appear as fat, red monsters that are twice the size of Link. They brandish a wooden, square-shaped shield and a long spear. Link can cut its shield down into small pieces, leaving the Moblin shieldless and open for attack. Link can also jump behind the Moblin by dashing into its shield and climbing over it, exposing the monster's backside for an attack, although the Moblin will turn around if you try this a second time.