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Poes are recurring Enemies in The Legend of Zelda series.[2] They are cloaked spirits that freely roam Graveyards and other haunted locales about Hyrule and other lands. They carry a Lantern with them that serves as the container for that specific Poe Soul. Poes are spirits of the dead that became monsters because of an unresolved attachment to the mortal world.[3]

As ghosts, Poes can disappear and reappear as part of their strategy and can easily move through walls. Most Poes are known for being wicked, vengeful spirits, however some Poes are helpful and serve as guides, although not without their deceitful trickery. Poes can be defeated with merely the Sword in most games, however, they often have high health or defense mechanisms in place to hinder Link. The Bow can also be an effective weapon, and in some cases is the only weapon that can defeat them. When a Poe is defeated, its physical body disappears and its lantern is dropped and breaks, sometimes releasing its Poe Soul, which may be collected in certain games. These Souls are often important as sidequest items, or can be sold for Rupees.

The Poe bears many similarities to Ghinis, behavior-wise, and may serve as a replacement to them in console Zelda games since A Link to the Past, as Poes behave similarly to them in that title. Poes have since developed separately from the Ghini, and now often employ different strategies and behavior. Poes are not common in the early 2D games, and Ghinis otherwise take their place in those games.

Other variations of Poes have also appeared. The Big Poe is a much larger, and in some cases, stronger variant of the Poe. Prankster Poes of Tri Force Heroes bear a close resemblance to Link. The Composer Brothers and Poe Sisters are notable Poes that appear in several games, the latter as mini bosses. Jalhalla and the Big Poe of Four Swords Adventures are a pair of Poe bosses.

Characteristics[]

A Link to the Past[]

In A Link to the Past, Poes appear at the Graveyard near the Sanctuary in the Light World, flying sporadically around the area and circling tombstones. They always tend to appear in large groups. Their behavior is similar to that of Ghinis. Much like the Ghini, they also have high health and endurance, and tend to take many hits before they are slain. Poes usually drop items, such as Magic Jars or Arrows when defeated.

Their Dark World equivalent is the Hyu, which acts and appears in similar areas to the Poe, but also appears in the Village of Outcasts.

Ocarina of Time[]

Navi's Comments
Navi says:

Poe
If you stare at it with Z Targeting, it will disappear...

show more...
In Hyrule Field

Poe
This Poe doesn't disappear even if you stare at it. It doesn't spook easily, does it...

In Ocarina of Time, Poes take on the appearance of hooded wraiths with glowing eyes, and faces shrouded underneath their oversized cloaks. Their distinctive lanterns immediately identify them and is the only part of them that will not turn invisible. Targeting a Poe will cause it to temporarily become invisible, although they will reappear in even, predictable intervals. They attack by swinging their lanterns madly at Link. These Poes appear predominately in the Kakariko Graveyard, and rise from their disturbed tombstones, much like Ghinis of earlier games. A second kind of Poe with a square-shaped head also appears around Hyrule Field when Link is an adult and appears in the same spawn spots as Big Poes, except that they will only appear when Link is not riding Epona. These Poes do not disappear when Z-Targeted, and instead circle around Link and drop flames around him. All Poes will leave Poe Souls when defeated, which can be collected inside Bottles.[4] These Souls can then be sold to the Poe Collector when Link is an adult for a sum of Rupees. The Poe Soul is a purple-flamed face with melancholy, which will disappear after a short while of inactivity.

The aforementioned Big Poes are a variety that only appear in Hyrule Field when Link is an adult and appear only when Link is riding Epona. These Poes can only be killed with the Bow, as dismounting Epona will make them vanish. Only ten Big Poes exist, and they drop unqiue Big Poe Souls when defeated, which can be sold to the Poe Collector for more Rupees and an empty Bottle as a reward after giving him all ten.

There is also an individual Poe encountered in the Haunted Wasteland called the Phantom Guide. It is a helpful spirit that guides Link to the Spirit Temple through the wasteland, and is necessary to follow to avoid getting lost and starting over.[5] It can only be seen with the Lens of Truth.[6]

The Composer Brothers are a pair of notable Poes that appear in the Kakariko Graveyard and are fought as enemies if Link disturbs their tombstones before learning the "Sun's Song". After they are defeated, they reveal that they were the song's composers and left it inscribed in the Royal Family's Tomb.[7] The Poe Sisters also appear as mini bosses in the Forest Temple. These four Poes steal the fire in the central room and impede Link's progress, forcing him to hunt down each Poe Sister before ultimately facing the fourth sister in battle, Meg.

Majora's Mask[]

Tatl's Comments
Majora's Mask 3D
Tatl says:

That's a Poe. If you try to use L-Targeting, it vanishes.

show more...
Majora's Mask

What?! You don't know about the Poe? If you try to use Z Targeting, it vanishes.

In Majora's Mask, Poes appear identically to those of Ocarina of Time. They carry lanterns with them which remain visible when they are Z-Targeted and leave behind Poe Souls when defeated. Their Poe Souls can be sold to the Curiosity Shop for a sum of Rupees, though they have little else use aside from profit. Ordinary Poes appear in the Stone Tower Temple. As with Ocarina of Time, Big Poes also appear and drop Big Poe Souls when defeated. All Poes are encountered in the Ikana region and surrounding area.

The Composer Brothers and Poe Sisters make a reappearance in Majora's Mask, appearing around the Ikana region as well. The Composer Brothers were the composers of the "Song of Storms" and playing it to the brother Sharp after learning it from Flat will calm him and revive the dried up Ikana River.[8] The Poe Sisters are optional mini bosses fought at the Spirit House and defeating all four earns a Piece of Heart.

Oracle of Ages[]

Main article: Allan

In Oracle of Ages, a lone Poe named Allan appears inside a fenced tomb in Yoll Graveyard. He slightly resembles the Ghost in Link's Awakening.

Oracle of Seasons[]

Main articles: Amy and Margaret

Two Poe Sisters called Amy and Margaret serve as Mini-Bosses for the Explorer's Crypt.

The Wind Waker[]

Poe (Figurine from The Wind Waker)
TWW Poe Figurine Model
Poe
Habitat: Earth Temple
Best Attack: Possession

These ghostly creatures have no physical form, so physical attacks pass right
Tingle's Comments
Tingle says:

It's a Poe! Eeeeew, creepy! If he drops his torch, you'll be cursed, sir! For now, run!

show more...
After obtaining the Mirror Shield

It's a Poe!

Use your Mirror Shield to find the real one...then stab it!

In The Wind Waker, Poes have a distinctively different appearance, and appear as multicolored ghosts with mask-like facial features. Their bodies appear to be sack-like, as their heads are tied up in a knot. They harass Link by ramming, throwing, and burning him with their lamps. If Link attacks them enough to make them drop their lanterns, they can also jump into his body, possessing him and temporarily reversing his movement controls. After the possession is over with, they leave and disappear, as if they had been defeated. The Poes are now permanently translucent[9] until direct light is shone on them using the Mirror Shield (or Medli's Harp in the Earth Temple).[10] The Poes will then become solid and run frantically about the room in an attempt to avoid Link's now effective attacks. They appear in the aforementioned Earth Temple and also inhabit the Ghost Ship, among other places.

The boss of the Earth Temple, Jalhalla, is composed entirely of Poes, and is said to rule over all Poes.[11] It splits into many Poes after being thrown into the spiked walls of the boss room.

Twilight Princess[]

Midna's Comments
When Link is in human form
Midna says:

I have a bad feeling about this... Let's hurry up and finish him off.

Ohh... I get it! You can't see it with your human vision. In that case, why not use your beast senses?

show more...
When Link is in wolf form

I have a bad feeling about this... Let's hurry up and finish him off.

Since you can transform into a beast, this guy is nothing!

When Link is in human form, after he uses his Senses

Wolves can see things with their senses that humans can't, right?

When Link is in wolf form, after he uses his Senses

I have a bad feeling about this... Let's hurry up and finish him off.

After defeating one Poe

We have to search for the three ghosts that fled...

But we'd get destroyed just looking around randomly...

You don't suppose there's any clue as to their whereabouts, do you?

Let's look for a clue that'll help us find those ghosts!

After obtaining the Poe Scent

Let's use the scent of those three ghosts that fled to track them down!

After defeating two Poes

Two more ghosts left for us to catch...

Be careful, and make sure you don't get lost trying to figure out which scent you're chasing.

After defeating three Poes

Good. We're down to one ghost... Just follow that last scent trail!

In Twilight Princess, four Poes also appear in the Arbiter's Grounds. Similarly to the Poe Sisters from Ocarina of Time, they steal the fire from the four Torches in the central room, thereby impeding Link's progress and must be defeated to retrieve the fire. They can only be seen and attacked as Wolf Link and carry Poe Souls which can be ripped from them. The last Poe has the strategy of duplicating itself and encircling Link. Along with the Imp Poe encountered in Jovani's house, they are the only Poes required to be defeated in the game.

Phantom Hourglass[]

In Phantom Hourglass, Poes have a radically different look in comparison to their earlier incarnations. They resemble brightly colored puffer fish with body markings, and notably lack lamps. They appear aboard the Ghost Ship and attack by teleporting back and forth, periodically spitting a ball of blue fire at Link. They can only be struck when visible and will actively avoid Link's attacks.

A Link Between Worlds[]

In A Link Between Worlds, Poes are based on those from A Link to the Past. They fly sporadically and circle around the general area. As ghosts, they are able to move through walls as well. Like the Poes of A Link to the Past, they generally take several hits of the Sword to defeat. As enemies they appear in the secret passage connecting the Graveyard and the Sanctuary.

A group of nine Poes also appear in the Lost Woods. They help guide Link to the resting place of the Master Sword, however, they also try to mislead him by moving in tricky formations and having Link follow the correct Poe through the woods.[12] The Poes test him several times doing this. If Link fails and makes a wrong turn, he will have to start over from the beginning. After the Master Sword has been retrieved, they will no longer appear in the Lost Woods, and entering the woods will immediately bring Link back to the sword's resting place.

Tri Force Heroes[]

In Tri Force Heroes, Poes appear in Levels of The Ruins. They appear in four different colors: white, green, red, and blue. The white Poes can be attacked by any Link, however the colored Poes can only be attacked by the Link whose color corresponds with it. Some of the Poes also float at higher elevations, requiring that the Links form a Totem to reach it, with the top Link as the one who matches the target Poe. A Poe boss called the Grim Repoe is also battled in Palace Noir. When the Links enter its boss room, they first encounter three colored Poes and must defeat them to make Grim Repoe appear, however these Poes will actively flee from the Links, making fighting them difficult.

In addition to these Poes, there are also Prankster Poes, Key Bandit Poes, and a Lantern Poe.

Tears of the Kingdom[]

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A Bargainer Statue used to exchange Poes.

In Tears of the Kingdom, Poes themselves are items that reside in The Depths, rather than enemies. Poes are spirits that have lost their way in reaching the afterlife and are scattered all around The Depths. Link can exchange Poes at Bargainer Statues, for various items and armors including the Dark Series armor and Depths Armor Set with enough Poes. The value of Poes consist of Grand Poes at 20, Large Poes at 5, and normal Poes at 1, with the more valuable Poes often found in high and hard to reach places.

Other Appearances[]

Ocarina of Time (Himekawa)[]

A Poe makes an appearance in the Ocarina of Time manga by Akira Himekawa, mocking Link that Hyrule Castle is no more and that Ganon's Tower reigns supreme.[13] Link slashes the ghost with the Master Sword, only to be scolded by Navi to not waste its energy.[14][15]

Cadence of Hyrule[]

Poes appear as enemies in Cadence of Hyrule. They emulate the behavior of the Ghost enemy in Crypt of the NecroDancer, turning intangible and stationary when the player moves towards them and chasing them when they move away.

Nomenclature[]

TMC Forest Minish Artwork Names in other regions TMC Jabber Nut Sprite
LanguageNameMeaning
JapanJapaneseポウ (Pou) (ALttP | OoT)[16][17]Same as English.
GermanyGermanIrrlicht (OoT3D | MM)Will-o'-the-wisp
This table was generated using translation pages.
To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference.

Gallery[]

See Also[]

References

  1. "Poes look rather different in Phantom Hourglass." (Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 198)
  2. Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 198 (ALttP | OoT | OoT3D | MM | MM3D | TWW | TWWHD | TP | TPHD | PH | ALBW | TFH)
  3. "The Stalfos skeleton soldiers who attack inside labyrinths are often soldiers who lost their lives in battle. This is different from Poes, which are spirits that become monsters due to a lingering attachment to the world of the living." (Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 102)
  4. "You caught a Poe in a bottle! Something good might happen!" — N/A (Ocarina of Time)
  5. "Your second trial is... the Phantom Guide!" — Guard (Ocarina of Time)
  6. "One with the eye of truth shall be guided to the Spirit Temple by an inviting ghost." — N/A (Ocarina of Time)
  7. "To tell the truth, each of us was studying a different song, one to summon the sun and another to summon the moon. If you were really sent by a member of the Royal Family, I will tell you about the results of our study. We inscribed it on the royal tombstone." — Composer Brothers (Ocarina of Time)
  8. "You who do not fear the dead, learn well the song that is inscribed behind me... And if you ever meet my brother, I'd like you to inform him... The thousand years of raindrops summoned by my song are my tears. The thunder that strikes the earth is my anger!" — Flat (Majora's Mask)
  9. "These ghostly creatures have no physical form." — Nintendo Gallery (The Wind Waker)
  10. "Shining light on them with the Mirror Shield makes them take form." — Nintendo Gallery (The Wind Waker)
  11. "This gigantic ghost rules over all Poes." — Nintendo Gallery (The Wind Waker)
  12. "These woods will trick you into going back the way you came! But all hope is not lost! If you can follow me, then you can walk a little deeper into the woods. Watch carefully!" — Poe (A Link Between Worlds)
  13. "Hee Hee Hee... Hyrule Castle disappeared a long time ago... Now this is Ganon's Tower, where the master lives... Our Lord Ganondorf." — Poe (Ocarina of Time, Himekawa)
  14. "Hmph! Get lost! H-huh? I'm suddenly exhausted." — Link (Ocarina of Time, Himekawa)
  15. "Link, you've used too much of the sword's power. You have to use it more wisely." — Navi (Ocarina of Time, Himekawa)
  16. Nintendo Official Guidebook—The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Vol. 1, Shogakukan, pg. 126
  17. Nintendo Official Guidebook—The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Shogakukan) pg. 146
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