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This page is about the enemy in Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks. For other uses, see Phantom (Disambiguation)

Phantoms are recurring Enemies in The Legend of Zelda series.[1][2] They serve as guardians for the Temple of the Ocean King and the Tower of Spirits in Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks, respectively.

Characteristics[]

A Phantom is an extremely powerful enemy, able to knock out Link with only one swipe of its sword. They appear in many varieties, most with different abilities. These enemies are presented in a similar fashion in both Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks. When a Phantom attacks Link, it forces him to automatically return to the door from which he entered the area, but it will only cost him one heart of his health. Phantoms are nearly indestructible, so naturally, Link must sneak around them rather than attack them head-on.[3] With its strong armor, a Phantom can walk straight through spikes, fire, and even lava without damaging itself. Despite their durability, they can be briefly stunned by being hit in the back, and some weapons and methods are capable of defeating them.

In both of their appearances, Phantoms' locations can be viewed on Link's map, along with a cone indicating their line of sight.[4] Phantoms follow preset paths, although if they detect Link they will shout threats at him and relentlessly track him down.[5] The Phantom is able to track Link by sound or sight, although it cannot enter or see into "Safe Zones".[6][7] As such, if Link escapes into one, the Phantom will give up on chasing him and return to its patrol.

Phantoms are sometimes aided by subordinate creatures called Phantom Eyes. These enemies fly through corridors, searching for intruders. If they spot Link, they will chase him, letting out a ringing sound to alert Phantoms. If one follows Link too long before he can reach a Safe Zone, it will entangle him and impede his movements to allow the Phantoms to catch him.[8] Because they follow sound, Phantoms will go investigate loud noises, such as explosions set off by Bombs or the clanging of a Sword, but this can be used to Link's advantage if he needs to trick a Phantom into leaving its post.[9]

Phantom Hourglass[]

In Phantom Hourglass, Phantoms patrol the Temple of the Ocean King. When one attacks, it steals 30 seconds worth of Sand of Hours from the Phantom Hourglass. However, after the abilities of the Spirit of Wisdom have been fully restored and equipped, the amount of time lost will be cut down to between five and ten seconds. Phantoms can also be stunned with Oshus's Sword, if the Spirit of Power is half restored and Link strikes the phantom in the back it will be temporarily stunned.

Phantoms in Phantom Hourglass are invincible to all weapons barring the Phantom Sword, which was created specifically for defeating them. However, there are two ways to defeat a Phantom without using the Phantom Sword: the first is to push a rolling boulder into the path of a Phantom and crush it, and the second is to continuously cause it to fall into a pit. Phantoms are also able to pick up Small Keys and Force Gems, thus requiring Link to stun or slay them to obtain the treasure.[10]

After the Ghost Ship is cleared, Oshus reveals that Phantoms are emanations of Bellum, which created them from the Sand of Hours to protect itself as well as obtain more Life Force.[11]

The Phantoms are also playable within Phantom Hourglass' multiplayer Battle Mode. Here, players will take turn playing as Link and the Phantoms in a game of competing to collect Force Gems.

Types of Phantoms[]

PH Phantom Model

Throughout the Temple of the Ocean King, Link will encounter three types of Phantom, two of which have their own special abilities. Another type is seen only in the multiplayer mode.

Swift Phantom[]
Main article: Swift Phantom
PH Swift Phantom Model

A red-armored Phantom which can run faster than Link, as well as pick up dropped items.

Gold Phantom[]
Main article: Gold Phantom
PH Gold Model

A gold-armored Phantom which initially moves slowly, but can teleport to follow Link if he is spotted by a Phantom or Phantom Eye.

Phantom Trio[]
PH Phantom Model 2

Three Phantoms that only appear in the multiplayer Battle Mode. They are basically a normal Phantom in gray armor, though they can pick up power-ups to activate obstacles on the field or empower themselves. However, they cannot pick up Force Gems. They can always see Link, with the exception of when he is in a safe zone.

Spirit Tracks[]

In Spirit Tracks, Phantoms return as guardians of the Tower of Spirits. While normally these Phantoms will not harm innocent people, they are corrupted by evil spirits due to the disappearance of the Spirit Tracks.[12] Because of this, they attack Link, thinking he is an intruder. They behave and attack much like the Phantoms in Phantom Hourglass, although this time around they cannot be completely defeated. When a Phantom is somehow destroyed, such as if it sinks into sand, it will reappear in its original position.

Phantoms are an important element in Spirit Tracks because, due to having her spirit separated from her body, Princess Zelda can possess Phantoms, becoming Phantom Zelda, which is needed to climb higher into the Tower of Spirits. To take control of a Phantom, three Tears of Light in the area must be collected beforehand. Link is then required to strike the back of the Phantom with his sword, which stuns the Phantom and allows the princess to take control of it.[13] After she does so, the eyes of the Phantom glow and its armor turns pink. Once the Lokomo Sword is acquired, the Tears of Light are not necessary to power the sword, as it already contains the power necessary to stun the Phantoms. Alternatively, Link can strike the back of a Phantom with an arrow from the Bow of Light to stun it enough to possess it.

When Princess Zelda possesses a Phantom, she can speak to them, through which Link can obtain information about the area that the Phantom patrols. It can provide insight into a Phantom's everyday life. Evidently, they treat their job like a normal person would treat any other, mentioning things from their day-to-day life like how "Bob quit last week," or how the "break room is a broom closet."

Complete list of Phantom Quotes

Types of Phantoms[]

Including the regular Phantom, there are four types of Phantoms in Spirit Tracks. When Zelda possesses a Phantom, she will also inherit all of the abilities that the specific Phantom has.

Torch Phantom[]
Main article: Torch Phantom
ST Torch Phantom Model

A Phantom equipped with red armor and a flaming sword. Its sword can illuminate dark rooms, light up torches, and stun Nocturns that haunt the corridors in the upper dark rooms in the tower.[14]

Warp Phantom[]
Main article: Warp Phantom
ST Warp Phantom Model

A blue-armored Phantom with the ability to warp anywhere within a room. Under Zelda's control, the Warp Phantom is limited to only warping to the locations of Phantom Eyes.[15]

Wrecker Phantom[]
Main article: Wrecker Phantom
ST Wrecker Phantom Model

A black-armored Phantom that can transform into a boulder, stun other Phantoms by rolling into them, and break through cracked blocks and other obstacles.[16]

Other Appearances[]

Hyrule Warriors[]

Main article: Phantom Arms

A Phantom possessed by Toon Zelda appears as her Phantom Arms Weapon in Hyrule Warriors. In Hyrule Warriors, it is part of the Phantom Hourglass & Spirit Tracks DLC pack.

Super Smash Bros. Series[]

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U[]

Main article: Phantom Zelda
SSB4 Phantom

Zelda using the Phantom Slash from Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U

Phantom Zelda appears as Zelda's down special move in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, replacing her Sheik transformation from previous games. The attack, called the Phantom Slash, can be used as either a ranged attack or as a way to block incoming attacks or projectiles. The move can be charged, causing the Phantom to travel farther, as well as adding a second attack. If the Phantom takes at least 13% of damage, it will be destroyed. Zelda will then have to wait 6 seconds in order to summon it again. It also appears as a Trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.

Trophy Information[]
# Trophy Appears in Description How to unlock
3DS Logo WiiU
191 SSBfN3DS Phantom Trophy Model N/A Spirit Tracks Sturdy guardians of the Tower of Spirits. Anjean says that normally they wouldn't attack anyone with a good heart, but evil spirits have possessed them and made them dangerous. If Link manages to stun one, Princess Zelda will swoop in and...possess it herself?! Random
Phantom

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[]

Phantom — Spirit Battle Information

SSBU Phantom Spirit Icon
Phantom
SSBU Primary Spirit Icon Primary Spirit
No. 258
Team Power SSBU Shield Type Icon Shield | 3800 Rank ★★ ADVANCED Fighter(s)
Stage Spirit Train (Battlefield) Theme "Full Steam Ahead" SSBU Zelda Stock Icon 6 Clear Zelda
Rule(s) Hazard(s)
Condition(s)
 · The enemy's down special has increased power
 · The enemy favors down specials
 · The enemy is invisible
Main article: Phantom Zelda

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Phantom Zelda once more serves as Zelda's down special move. The Phantom functions slightly different than its appearance in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. Zelda also has a new victory animation where she poses alongside a Phantom. Phantom also appears as a Spirit which can be enhanced into the Spirit, Phantom Zelda.

Trivia[]

  • In Spirit Tracks, the mutters and complaints made by Phantoms when Link talks to them are developers' "frustrations".[17]

Nomenclature[]

TMC Forest Minish Artwork Names in other regions TMC Jabber Nut Sprite
LanguageNameMeaning
JapanJapaneseファントム (Fantomu)[18]Phantom
This table was generated using translation pages.
To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference.

Gallery[]

See Also[]

References

  1. Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 282 (PH)
  2. Art & Artifacts, Dark Horse Books, pg. 317(ST)
  3. "Wait, Link! The evil that cursed this temple made these monsters. Phantoms are very dangerous enemies. Their armor is nearly impenetrable, and they strike very hard." — Leaf (Phantom Hourglass)
  4. "All you can do is sneak by the Phantoms so they don't see you. You can watch their movements on your map. This is where the Phantoms are. The cone shows where they are looking." — Leaf (Phantom Hourglass)
  5. "I should have watched the paths that the Phantoms walked more carefully... They're patrolling the same areas, again and again..." — Ghost (Phantom Hourglass)
  6. "The area that you are standing on is called a safe zone! Only Link can enter safe zones. Magic keeps the Phantoms out of them! Phantoms can't see Link when he's in a safe zone, so you can trick them." — Ciela (Phantom Hourglass)
  7. "Ok, so if a Phantom spots you, just run to a safe zone! That's easy! Right, Link?" — Ciela (Phantom Hourglass)
  8. "Allow me to explain! Those are Phantom Eyes. They act as extra eyes for the Phantoms. If one sees you... The Phantoms will find you, and then it only gets worse. So be cautious!" — Leaf (Phantom Hourglass)
  9. "The Phantoms hear when a switch is hit... Hit switches quietly or lure them away with sound." — Ghost (Phantom Hourglass)
  10. "Phantoms sometimes carry keys... But what could I have done to take one...?" — Ghost (Phantom Hourglass)
  11. "Even among the monsters born of the Sand of Hours, some are especially evil. The Phantoms who roam my temple take after the evil of their master. Supernatural strength, wrapped in plate armor... virtually invincible. They prowl the temple, searching for victims. No one can harm them. Of course, they were created to be untouchable." — Oshus (Phantom Hourglass)
  12. "Sounds like a Phantom, my dear. They're the guardians of the Tower of Spirits. Though they look quite sinister, they won't harm anyone with a good heart." — Anjean (Spirit Tracks)"There is one possible explanation... With the Spirit Tracks gone, perhaps an evil spirit has possessed the Phantom..." — Anjean (Spirit Tracks)
  13. "Hitting the Phantom in the back with your sword should stop it for a while... But first, you need to gather all three of the Tears of Light. That will power up your sword. Then you'll be able to face the Phantom!" — Anjean (Spirit Tracks)
  14. "Yay! I'm a Torch Phantom, so I've got this great sword to light the way! Now there's no need to worry about the dark!" — Princess Zelda (Spirit Tracks)
  15. "Hey, check it out! I'm a Warp Phantom now! Hee!/You know those eyeball monster things? They're called Phantom Eyes. If you draw a line to a Phantom Eye, I can teleport straight there!" — Princess Zelda (Spirit Tracks)
  16. "Hey, look! I'm a Wrecker Phantom! Now I can roll around and smash things up!" — Princess Zelda (Spirit Tracks)
  17. Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 291
  18. Encyclopedia (TOKYOPOP) pg. 287 (ST)
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

Phantom Hourglass


Bosses

Blaaz · Cyclok · Crayk · Cubus Sisters · Dongorongo · Gleeok · Eox · Bellum Triforce piece

Sub-Bosses

Giant Eye Plant · Massive Eye · Jolene · Phantoms

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