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Moldorm (The Legend of Zelda)
| Moldorm | |||
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 Artwork for A Link to the Past | |||
| First appearance | The Legend of Zelda (1986) | ||
| Latest appearance | The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD (2021) | ||
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- Not to be confused with Lanmola, also referred to as Sand Worm.
Moldorms, also known as Swamolas,[1][2] Water Worms,[3] Moldworms, and Sandworms,[4] are subterranean enemies that first appear in The Legend of Zelda. They appear as giant worms or centipedes, depending on the game, and typically have many segments. Their primary name seems to come from "mole," "moldwarp" (an early English word for mole still used in various forms in other Germanic languages), "mold" (meaning "soil" in many of the aforementioned languages), or "mud" (the modern English equivalent), as well as "worm;" "mold" is used is many later games to refer to burrowing enemies, though some of this is muddled in translation.
History[edit]
The Legend of Zelda series[edit]
The Legend of Zelda[edit]
In The Legend of Zelda, Moldorms are worms with many identical segments. They come out of the center of rooms, most often ones with sandy floors, and start winding around. To defeat them, Link must hit the last segment, causing them to shrink one segment at a time. With powerful enough weapons, multiple segments at a time can be destroyed.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past[edit]
In The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Swamolas are green and leap out of the water of the Swamp of Evil in the Dark World. They act similar to the Lanmola boss in the Desert Palace and are said to be related,[1] but are much shorter. If Link is far from them when they jump, they simply go back into the water, but if he is close, they follow him in the air a short distance with a wavy motion.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask[edit]
- Main article: Twinmold
In The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, two giant Moldorms comprise the fourth boss, Twinmold. In The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D, young Moldorms called Moldbabies are added to the fight.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker[edit]
- Main article: Molgera
In The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, a giant Moldorm called Molgera appears as a boss, while smaller larvae (possibly normal Moldorms) assist it in battle.
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap[edit]
In The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, Moldworms hide under the ground in areas only accessible while small, primarily near Lon Lon Ranch, and slowly emerge segment by segment before slowly looping around, quite similar to their first appearance. However, they also try to eat Link. If they succeed, he will travel through each segment before coming out the back, at which point he will take damage and become dirty, which attracts nearby Pestos to him. While underground, a small moving bump of dirt can be seen where their head is.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess[edit]
In The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Moldorms now pursue Link from under the sand in Gerudo Desert and the Arbiter's Grounds, leaping at him when they get close enough. If they land on solid rock, they flop around helplessly until they reach the sand again, where they will wriggle until they burrow back under. They move quite fast and are usually found in groups of three, recognizable by the clouds of sand they kick up. They have three large fangs, thee small eyes, and are quite small and short in this game. The ones in the Arbiter's Grounds are marginally larger and twice as durable as the ones outside.
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass[edit]
In The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, Sandworms appear much larger and live on the Isle of Gust and the Temple of Wind. Here, they hide under the sand and will burst out to eat Link if they hear him making too much noise, likely in reference to giant sandworms in franchises such as Dune and Tremors. Their movements can be tracked by rapid bursts of sand, though this only appears when in pursuit. When they stop pursuing, they will move away without this effect. If Link is swallowed, the player must rapidly rub the stylus against the screen to wiggle him free. They will also go after bombs, which will kill them, and will in fact stop pursuing Link in order to eat a bomb. If defeated, they will simply respawn after a short period of time.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword[edit]
In The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Moldorms appear as centipedes in Mogma Mitts-accessible tunnels. They have weak tail ends, similar to those of boss Moldorms, inspired by the enlarged abdomen of the honey ant. Destroying the tail end causes the Moldorm to shorten and pick up speed, but it will be defeated after three hits.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds[edit]
Based off their A Link to the Past design and behavior, Swamolas in The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds appear in Misery Mire. Fiery versions called Flamolas appear in Turtle Rock.
Link: The Faces of Evil[edit]
Moldorms[citation needed] appear in Ganon's Lair, where they resemble their original artwork as large earthworms. They simply crawl back and forth, though their short size makes them difficult to hit with the sword.
Gallery[edit]
Molgera from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, with two Moldorm-like larvae
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | モルドアーム[5][6] Morudoāmu モルドワーム Morudowāmu |
Moldorm (before The Minish Cap) Moldworm/Mold Worm (The Minish Cap onwards) |
References[edit]
- ^ a b M. Arakawa. The Legend of Zelda - A Link to the Past Player's Guide. Page 97. "The Swamolas of Misery Mire are believed to be cousins of the Lanmolas found in the Light World desert. Instead of the heat and sand of the desert though, these creatures were accustomed to mud and slime. They swam to the surface in order to collect food."
- ^ Stratton, Steve, and Cory Van Grier. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds Prima Official Game Guide. Page 45.
- ^ Stratton, Bryan, and Stephen Stratton. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past/Four Swords Prima's Official Strategy Guide. Page 15.
- ^ Stratton, Stephen, and Fletcher Black. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass Prima Official Game Guide. Page 25.
- ^ Zelda no Densetsu instruction booklet, page 36.
- ^ Zelda no Densetsu: Kamigami no Triforce Shogakukan guide, Jou volume, page 128, and Ge volume, page 138.
- Annelids
- Arthropods
- The Legend of Zelda enemies
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past enemies
- Link: The Faces of Evil enemies
- The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap enemies
- The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess enemies
- The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass enemies
- The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword enemies
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds enemies
