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This article is about the enemy. For the boss, see Moldorm (Boss).

Moldorms are recurring enemies in The Legend of Zelda series.[2][3]

Characteristics[]

The Legend of Zelda[]

The Legend of Zelda Manual Description
The Legend of Zelda logo
Moldorm
The huge worm living in the labyrinths. It grows smaller as Link attacks. Not so strong.

Moldorms in The Legend of Zelda slowly slither around the ground in a random pattern. Link can defeat them by hitting them with his Sword. When defeated, they may drop either a Heart, a Fairy, or one Rupee.[note 1]

Four Swords[]



Four Swords Adventures[]

Moldorms are very rare enemies, being only seen in the Desert Temple and the Pyramid. They act the same as in Four Swords.

The Minish Cap[]

Moldorm (Figurine from The Minish Cap)
TMC Moldorm Figurine Sprite
Moldorm
Appears in various areas.
These guys move quickly and randomly.
Trap them in a corner and take them
out quickly.

Moldorms in The Minish Cap appear in dungeons and in caves accessed with the Mole Mitts. They move erratically and are more resilient than many other enemies, taking two hits from the Four Sword to defeat, and three or more from other Swords.

Twilight Princess[]

Moldorms in Twilight Princess appear in the sands of Gerudo Desert, as well as in Quicksand found within the Arbiter's Grounds. They will leap up from the sand to attack Link. He can use the Clawshot to pull them from the ground, leaving them vulnerable to other weapon attacks until they manage to burrow back into the sand. After defeating enough Moldorms,[how many?] a larger Moldorm will leap from the sand. This variation takes two hits to defeat instead of one.

Phantom Hourglass[]



Skyward Sword[]

Moldorms in Skyward Sword reside out of sight underground. They are encountered only when Link enters an underground tunnel with the Mogma Mitts. Striking their tail segment with the Mogma Mitts will destroy the rear segments and increase their movement speed, with three strikes required to defeat them. One appears as a Sub-Boss in the Fire Sanctuary.

Spinoff appearances[]

Link's Crossbow Training[]



In Link's Crossbow Training, Moldorms appear in the "Gerudo Moldorm: Defender" Stage. They dig under the sand and spiral towards Link, occasionally jumping out of the sand allowing Link to shoot them. If a Moldorm gets close to Link, it will jump out and damage him, causing him to lose points.

Trivia[]

  • Moldorms' weak spot was inspired by the Honey Ant, while the fluid that sprays from the spot when struck by a Sword was based on an obsession of the effects designer.[5]

Nomenclature[]

Moldorms are known as テール (Tail) in Japanese. Swamolas are known as モルドアーム (Morudoāmu) in Japan, just like Moldorms from The Legend of Zelda. Moldorms in Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword are known as Moldworms in Japan.

TMC Forest Minish Artwork Names in other regions TMC Jabber Nut Sprite
LanguageNameMeaning
JapanJapaneseモルドアーム (Morudoāmu) (TLoZ | SS)[6][7]
デグテール (Degu Tēru) (LA)[8]
Same as English.
Big Tail
NetherlandsDutchVuur-Worm (TLoZ)[9]
FranceFrenchEUMoldorm (TLoZ)[10]
This table was generated using translation pages.
To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference.

See also[]

Notes

  1. If Link defeats 10 enemies without getting hit or teleporting with the Flute, then the 10th enemy defeated will drop five Rupees. However, if the 10th enemy is defeated with a Bomb, then it will drop four Bombs. If Link defeats 16 enemies without getting hit or teleporting, then the 16th enemy will drop a Fairy. After the 16th enemy, Link must get hit and reset the counter to zero in order to achieve this effect again. Defeating Armos, Like Likes, Keese, or Gels will not be counted.[4]

References

  1. "Moldorms scurry around erratically, running into walls." (Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 193)
  2. Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 193 (TLoZ | FS | FSA | TMC | TP | PH | SS)
  3. "Gerudo Moldorm: Defender
    Something's coming! Keep your eres on your radar--and on the ground!
    " — Stage Select (Link's Crossbow Training)
  4. n.a., Forced Drops, redcandle.us, published n.d., retrieved August 17, 2017.
  5. "The weak spot on Moldorm's rear end is modeled after a honey ant. The juice that sprays out from the weak spot when struck by a sword was based on an obsession of the effects designer's." (Hyrule Historia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 63)
  6. Hyrule Encyclopedia, Ambit Ltd., pg. 209
  7. Hyrule Encyclopedia, Ambit Ltd., pg. 209
  8. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Certain Victory Strategy Guide (1993), Futabasha, pg. 24
  9. The Legend of Zelda manual, pg. 37
  10. The Legend of Zelda manual, pg. 37
The Legend of ZeldaThe Adventure of LinkA Link to the PastLink's AwakeningOcarina of TimeMajora's MaskOracle of SeasonsOracle of AgesFour SwordsThe Wind WakerFour Swords AdventuresThe Minish CapTwilight PrincessPhantom HourglassSpirit TracksSkyward SwordA Link Between WorldsTri Force HeroesBreath of the WildTears of the Kingdom
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