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[[File:ALBW Red Potion.png|20x20px]] [[|]] In the Zelda series, Potions are medicinal drinks with magical properties that can heal Link, refill his Magic Meter, or both, although there are also Potions with unique effects. Potions are often contained in Bottles, in which cases Link can not buy or obtain a Potion unless he has an empty Bottle. In games without Bottles as items, Potions are standalone items.

Common Potions

These potions, the Red, Green, and Blue Potions are the most common in the Zelda franchise, as they perform the most basic and relevant behaviors to Link: that of health replenishment, magical restoration, and for the most part, a combination of the two, respectively. They first appear in A Link to the Past, where they were called Medicines, and have been seen in the series numerous times since.

Red Potion

Main article: Red Potion

The Red Potion is the most prevalent concoction found in the Zelda series, seen often between the release of A Link to the Past, in which is was called Medicine of Life, to that of Spirit Tracks. In all of its incarnations, it operates as a health potion. It can be found in Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, The Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass, and other games. The replenishment rate of this potion differs and interestingly has recently declined in functionality in the past few games. From A Link to the Past to The Minish Cap, the Red Potion has restored all of Link's hearts. However, with the release of Twilight Princess and eventually A Link Between Worlds this potion has fallen to restoring only eight hearts,[1] and finally came to an all-time-low of a six heart restoration in Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks.[2] The DS games eliminated the need for Link to carry Red Potions in Bottles as their containers are provided. As seen in The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, it appears that Red Chu Jelly shares similar properties to Red Potion.

Green Potion

Main article: Green Potion

The Green Potion, first introduced in A Link to the Past as Medicine of Magic, is the chemistry concoction that usually responds exclusively to the Magic Meter, restoring the entire magic bar, regardless of the meter's size. Often, this potion can be bought in potion shops alongside the Red Potion at a cheaper cost. Out of the three common potions, Green Potion costs the least in terms of rupees. In games that don't feature the magic bar, however, the green potion does not exist. It survived the jump to 3D, available in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. In The Wind Waker, it can be obtained once 15 "globs" of Green Chu Jelly were given to Doc Bandam, and can be bought for 10 rupees after that.[3] It appears again with a different function in Skyward Sword, completely replenishing Link's stamina and slowing its consumption rate. It can also be upgraded to completely prevent stamina loss for a limited time.

Blue Potion

Main article: Blue Potion

The Blue Potion is the "jack-of-all-trades" of its kind: in its most common form, it replenishes not only a full magic meter, but the majority if not all of Link's hearts, as well. Blue Potion is often the most expensive purchase at a potion shop, and rightly so, considering its dual replenishment qualities. It debuted in A Link to the Past as Medicine of Life and Magic or Cure-All Medicine, and it is available at the Magic Shop. Link can obtain it in the Potion Shop as an adult in Ocarina of Time. Majora's Mask requires Link to give Kotake a Mushroom before she will sell Blue Potions at the Magic Hags' Potion Shop. Similarly in The Wind Waker, Link must give 15 globs of Blue Chu Jelly to Doc Bandam before he will begin selling Blue Potion at the Chu Jelly Juice Shop. Every time Link collects 4 Boko Baba Seeds, he can hand them over to Hollo of the Koroks and he'll make a Blue Potion.

While the Blue Potion is usually associated with restoring both health and magic, it is seen in games with the absence of a Magic Meter. This potion appears in The Minish Cap. The Blue Potion is the first potion available from Syrup's hut. It has only a healing value of ten hearts. It is seen again in Twilight Princess, where it heals all of Link's hearts.[4] This Potion requires Link to have his own Bottle to be carried.

Other Potions

All Hearts
Water of Life Template:LOZ
Zelda Game & Watch
Red Potion Template:ALTTP
Template:OOT
Majora's Mask
The Wind Waker
The Minish Cap
Secret Medicine Link's Awakening
Magic Potion Template:OOA
Template:OOS
Blue Potion Twilight Princess
Yellow Potion Phantom Hourglass
Spirit Tracks
Heart Potion +
Heart Potion ++
Skyward Sword
Ten Hearts
Blue Potion The Minish Cap
Eight Hearts
Red Potion Twilight Princess
Purple Potion Phantom Hourglass
Spirit Tracks
Heart Potion Skyward Sword
Six Hearts
Red Potion Phantom Hourglass
Spirit Tracks

There are many other potions which appear in the series in many forms, but most work in the same fashion as Red Potion, providing Link health. These potions are usually red, but they do come in a variety of colors, especially in recent Zelda titles. The amount of life these potions restore to link also varies, as well as their names. While most potions are used manually, some act as some fairies do, refilling Link's health when he is devoid of hearts. Most of these potions do not require a Bottle to be obtained.

Water of Life

The first potion in the series, only a usable item in The Legend of Zelda, Link can purchase the Water of Life after he has shown the Letter to an Old Woman.[5] It will completely refill Link's vitality whenever he chooses to drink it. The water comes in two varieties. The blue Life Potion lasts one use. The red 2nd Potion will last two uses, turning into a Life Potion after the first use. The items disappears from the inventory after consumption.[6]

In Template:AoL, the Water of Life is hidden in a cave just west of the Midoro Palace and must be given to an Old Woman in the Harbor Town of Mido who asks Link for his help in saving her sick daughter.[7] To enter the cave, Link must have the hammer to break the boulder sealing it. The Water of Life itself is guarded by three Dairas. After returning the medicine to the elderly woman, she rewards Link by allowing him inside her house,[8] where he meets an Old Man who teaches him the Fairy magic.[9]

Water of Life from Game & Watch Zelda

In Game & Watch Zelda, Link may carry a single bottle of the Water of Life at a time. This bottle will contain a single dose of the potion, which will automatically heal Link to the maximum five hearts if he should die.[10] The Water of Life can also be used voluntarily at any point.[10]

The Water of Life also appears in the Legend of Zelda comic. In Trust Me, after the townsfolk of the Water Town of Saria build a dam following Zelda's advice since their land was infertile, the dam unfortunately does not work and the princess comes to the conclusion that the land is cursed. At that moment, Ganon appears and presents a bottle which contains the magical Water of Life,[11] and says that it will heal Saria's fields.[12] However, he refuses to give it over until Link is captured, and the desperate citizens do so to obtain the Water of Life from the Prince of Darkness.[13]

Secret Medicine

In Link's Awakening, Link can purchase a unique Secret Medicine from a woman named Crazy Tracy for 42 Rupees, but only 28 rupees for the first purchase. This is the first potion to work automatically, as it will activate when Link loses all of his hearts, completely refilling them, and then it will disappear from his inventory.[14] Only one Secret Medicine can be carried at a time. According to Crazy Tracy, this is rubbed on Link when he purchases it, rather than being drunk from a bottle. Even so, the Secret Medicine is seen in Link's inventory until it is applied.

Magic Potion

This potion is similar to Secret Medicine. This red-colored potion can be found in both Template:OOS and Template:OOA. In these games, it can be obtained through purchase from Syrup's shop, by taking it if Maple drops one, or as contents of a Gasha Nut. In either game, only one of these potions can be held at once. The Magic Potion is consumed automatically when Link would otherwise die, filling all of his lost hearts instantly.[15][16] In Template:OOA Magic Potion is also used to cure King Zora of his deathly illness.[17]

Tings

Tings are accessible when using the Tingle Tuner in The Wind Waker. Link can purchase three types of these potions called Tings, from Tingle which correspond to the usual effects of Red, Green, and Blue potions for 20, 30, or 60 Rupees respectively. Once bought, Tingle will deliver the Ting to Link by balloon, as seen on the Game Boy Advance screen, which will instantly replenish all his hearts, his magic, or both depending on the color bought. Furthering participation in Tingle's sidequests will cause Tingle to cut his prices.

Chu Jelly

Main article: Chu Jelly

While Chu Jelly is used to make potions in The Wind Waker, it can be used directly after defeating Chuchus in Twilight Princess. All Link has to do is scoop the jelly up with a Bottle before drinking it. Depending on the color, Chu Jelly will have the same effects as potions of the same in color in the game. Purple Chu Jelly has random effects, and Link cannot drink Yellow Chu Jelly, as it works as Lantern Oil. Rare Chu Jelly has shares the same effects as Great Fairy's Tears, refilling all of Link's health and boosting his sword's strength until he receives damage.

Purple Potion

In Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks, Purple Potions restore eight of Link's Hearts and can be bought at various store for the price of 150 Rupees. The Purple Potion will also restore eight of Link's Hearts when he has none left, much like Fairies do in other games.[18]

In A Link Between Worlds, the Purple Potion is used not to restore life as in Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks, but is used instead to damage enemies, making it the first Potion in a Zelda game that behaves like this. Whenever Link drinks a Bottle of Purple Potion, he lets out an attack that damages all enemies in the immediate area.[19] Link can buy a dose of the Purple Potion from the Witch's House for 60 Rupees. As an added cost, Link must also supply the Witch with ten Monster Guts in order for her to brew it.

Yellow Potion

Yellow Potions are the most powerful potions and restore all of Link's life hearts in Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks.

In Phantom Hourglass, the yellow potion can only be purchased from the Masked Ship for 200 Rupees. This shop ship appears only between 10 a.m. and noon according to the internal DS clock. The Yellow Potion in Spirit Tracks can be bought in the Goron Country Store and the Papuchia Shop for 200 Rupees.[20]

A Link Between Worlds sees the return of the Yellow Potion, but it has a new use. Instead of restoring life, they instead make Link invulnerable for a short period of time. The Yellow Potion can be acquired at the Witch's House in A Link Between Worlds. It costs 100 Rupees. However, as an added cost, 10 Monster Horns are required. Monster horns can be found across Hyrule and Lorule from chests and dropped from certain enemies. The Yellow Potion is stored in one of Link's bottles and is not its own unique item as in Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks.

Gold Potion

Gold Potion

Gold Potion is only featured in the A Link to the Past Satellaview 'expansion', Ancient Stone Tablets. As well as replenishing both health and magic, it temporarily allows the Hero of Light to charge Spin Attacks twice as quickly and makes them twice as strong with sword attacks until the first hit.

Gold Potion is apparently the precursor to the Elixir Soup found in The Wind Waker, Chateau Romani, and the Great Fairy's Tears found in Twilight Princess, which work in a similar manner.

Potions in Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland

In Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland, the medicines, perfumes and (to a lesser extent) soups and stews that Tingle can produce can all be argued to be potions. Most of these, however, have no magical properties and are often only have value when sold. Some, like the sprays and bombs are better classified as weapons. Some of the products, however, are undeniably comparable to potions in the canonical Zelda games. Power-Up Potions work in the same way as health potions, and can only be used on Bodyguards hired through a Bodyguard Salon. Power-Up Potions will restore some or all of a Bodyguards hearts so long as he or she still has some health remaining.[21] Power-Up Potions cannot be used on Tingle, whose health has been replaced by rupees, or Drifter Bodyguards.

These potions can also be sold to the Town Guard to heal his wife.

Item Description Ingredients Recipe Obtained Use
Tingly Tingly (Power-up Potion) "Power-up potion. But you wouldn't want to drink it yourself..."
  • Minced Meat
  • Ground Shell
Received from Missy, the Jeweler's daughter after providing the ingredients for her to study. Cures the Guard's wife, and heals four hearts of any bodyguard's health. Can be sold to the Guard for 42 rupees.
Tinglene Tinglene (Power-up Potion) "Power-up potion made from ingredients overflowing with goodness."
  • Minced Meat
  • Ground Shell
  • Skull
Purchased from the Explorer's Medic in Gooey Swamp for a minimum of 2000 rupees. Heals eight hearts of any bodyguard's health. Can be sold to the Guard for 530 rupees.
File:Mega-Tingly TRR.png Mega-Tingly (Power-up Potion) "The ultimate power-up potion. Save this for when you really need it."
  • Minced Meat
  • Ground Shell
  • Skull
  • Marbled Meat
Recieved from the Shaman in Mount Desma. Heals all of any bodyguard's health. Can be sold to the Guard for 1400 rupees.

Another type of potion used in this game is the Hand Potion, which can be sprinkled on a hand statue to whisk Tingle immediately out of a dungeon.

Potion Shops

There have been several potion brewers throughout the Legend of Zelda games, and they use different ingredients to create their potions. Syrup, a witch who has appeared in several games, apparently uses Mushrooms to create her potions, and so do Kotake and Koume in Majora's Mask. In The Wind Waker, Doc Bandam from Windfall Island uses Chu Jelly obtained from ChuChus to create different potions, while Hollo the Korok uses the magic inside Boko Baba Seeds to make Blue Potion.

In the games in which these characters don't appear, the origin of potions is unknown, although in Twilight Princess, it is possible that at least some of them are made with Chu Jelly as in The Wind Waker. Evidence for this is that the remains of a defeated ChuChu leaves a blob that when scooped into a bottle will act as a potion. However, Trill states that Red Potion is made from a mix of mushrooms and herbs.

Potions in Skyward Sword

Skyward Sword's Potion collection is unique in having mostly new potions added to the collection. These can be bought from Luv at her Potion Shop at the Bazaar.

Item Buying Price Effect
Heart PotionHeart Potion Heart Potion
20 Rupees
Heals eight hearts of Link's health.
Air PotionAir Potion Air Potion
20 Rupees
Slows down the depletion of Link's Air Meter for a limited time.
Stamina PotionStamina Potion Stamina Potion
50 Rupees
Slows down the depletion of Link's Stamina Meter for a limited time.
Revitalizing PotionRevitalizing Potion Revitalizing Potion
30 Rupees
Heals four of Link's hearts and revives his shield fully.
Guardian PotionGuardian Potion Guardian Potion
200 Rupees
Halves the damage that Link takes for a limited time.

Trivia

  • In Majora's Mask, Green Potion can be bought at the Southern Swamp Potion Shop for 10 Rupees. However, the Curiosity Shop will buy it for 20.

Gallery


See also: Milk

References

  1. "You got some red potion! Drink it with Y or X to replenish 8 hearts." — N/A (Twilight Princess)
  2. "Red Potion: 100 Rupees. Restores up to six hearts. What a deal!" — Beedle (Spirit Tracks)
  3. "I'm sorry, but could you bring these [Green Chu Jelly globs] to me in groups of...oh, say, about fifteen? You see, I can't make any potion without a specific minimum amount of Chu Jelly...and I can't accept any until you've got enough for me. Sorry. Really, I am." — Doc Bandam (The Wind Waker)
  4. "You got some blue potion! Set it to and use it with Y or X to replenish all of your hearts." — N/A (Twilight Princess)
  5. "Letter to little old lady / When you choose this letter at the sub menu and press button B, Link can show the letter to the little old lady who lives inside one of the many caves." (Legend of Zelda manual, pg. 23)
  6. "Water of Life / Drink this and all of Link's LIFE hearts will turn red. Red water turns blue when Link sips it. Drink the blue water and that's the last of the water." (The Legend of Zelda manual, pg. 25)
  7. "PLEASE. MY DAUGHTER IS SICK. HELP HER!" — Old Woman in Harbor Town of Mido ()
  8. "THE WATER OF LIFE! QUICK COME WITH ME." — Old Woman in Harbor Town of Mido (The Adventure of Link)
  9. "THIS MAGIC WORD WILL GIVE YOU POWER." — Old Man (The Adventure of Link)
  10. 10.0 10.1 "This is automatically used when Link's life has reached zero and revives him with up to five hearts. It can also be used whenever you need it by pressing the bottom of the + Control Pad to revive LINK's life to its maximum. However, Link can have only one bottle on him at one time and it can be used only once." (Zelda (Game & Watch) manual, pg. 9)
  11. The Magical Water of Life - Ganon (Valiant Comic Issue #2)
  12. [It] will restore your fields, giving you all the food you need! - Ganon (Valiant Comic Issue #2)
  13. ...After you capture the evil Link! - Ganon (Valiant Comic Issue #2)
  14. "Secret Medicine / If you have this in your possession when all of your Heart Containers are empty, they will be fully restored." (Link's Awakening manual, pg. 19)
  15. "Magic Potion / If you have a Magic Potion, your life energy will be completely replenished the instant it reaches zero. A Magic Potion is very useful, but it can be used only once, and you can carry only one at a time. [...] It is rumored that a witch makes and sells Magic Potions in her shop in some far-off corner of the world." (Oracle of Ages manual, pg. 43)
  16. "That's Syrup's magic ointment. Works great when your hearts run out." — Syrup (Oracle of Seasons)
  17. "We believe we need a special medicine called a Magic Potion to cure King Zora's illness." — Zora (Oracle of Ages)
  18. "Purple Potion: 150 Rupees. Restores eight hearts when you fall!" — Beedle (Spirit Tracks)
  19. "You got some purple potion! Use it to unleash an attack that will deal big damage to surrounding foes!" — N/A (A Link Between Worlds)
  20. "That's a yellow potion! It restores all your hearts! It's only 200 Rupees!" — Shopkeeper (Spirit Tracks)
  21. ""Watch The Hearts" - You have to hear this! Make your Bodyguard work too hard and they'll collapse. You could be in real trouble if it's a dangerous place. So before things come to that... ...as the employer, you should always have a supply of power-up potions... if you throw it at your Bodyguard, they'll recover... You can throw it so it hits them, or get them to walk over it... Basically, as long as they touch the potion, they will feel its effects... Of course... You can also pay rupees to get your Bodyguard to recover their energy... But if you don't want to lose rupees, make sure you always carry power-up potions. But remember, once they have collapsed, it's too late to give them any power-up potion... Make sure you get it to them before that!" — Salona on Sunshine Seashore (Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland)
TMC Forest Minish Artwork Names in Other Regions TMC Jabber Nut Sprite
Language Name
Potion Water of Life Life Potion 2nd Potion
Japan Japanese Template:Japanese Template:Japanese
French-speaking countries French Potion
Federal Republic of Germany German Elixier
Italian Republic Italian Pozione
Spanish-speaking countries Spanish Poción
Community of Latin American and Caribbean States SpanishLA Agua vital Agua roja Agua azul
TMC Forest Minish Artwork Names in Other Regions TMC Jabber Nut Sprite
Language Name
Secret Medicine Magic Potion Purple Potion Yellow Potion
Canada FrenchCA Potion violette Template:ExpGame
Potion mauve Template:ExpGame
Potion jaune
Community of Latin American and Caribbean States SpanishLA Pócima secreta Poción mágica Poción púrpura Poción amarilla
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