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Potions are medicinal drinks with magical properties in Template:LZS that can heal Link, refill his Magic Meter, or both, as well as other mixtures with unique effects. Potions are often contained in Bottles, in which cases Link cannot 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 series, 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
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 A Link Between Worlds. 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 most other games. The replenishment rate of this Potion differs and, notably, has recently declined in functionality in the past few games. From A Link to the Past to The Minish Cap, the Red Potion restores 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 had 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 the Red Potion.
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 not feature the magic bar, however, the Green Potion does not exist. In 3D console games, it appears in Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, and The Wind Waker. In The Wind Waker, it can be obtained once 15 spoils of Green Chu Jelly are given to Doc Bandam at the Chu Jelly Juice Shop, and can be bought for 10 Rupees after that.[3] A similarly green-colored Potion in Skyward Sword, called the Stamina Potion, completely replenishes Link's Stamina and slows its consumption rate. It can also be upgraded to completely prevent Stamina loss for a limited time.
Blue Potion
The Blue Potion is the "jack-of-all-trades" of its kind; in its most common form, it fully replenishes the Magic Meter and the majority, if not all, of Link's hearts. Blue Potions are 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, where it is available at the Magic Shop. Link can obtain it at 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 spoils 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 will 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, where it is the first Potion available from Syrup's hut. It has only a healing value of ten hearts. It appears 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 Water of Life is the first Potion in the series, which appears as usable item in The Legend of Zelda. Link can purchase Water of Life after he has shown the Letter to an Old Woman living in a cave.[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 for one use. The red 2nd Potion will lasts for 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]
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]
In The Faces of Evil and The Wand of Gamelon, Water of Life is used to recover Link's and Zelda's health, and is the only form of recovery during a stage in these games. Link and Zelda may carry Water of Life inside of Canteens they receive from certain characters. In The Faces of Evil, the Canteen can be refilled by Hamsha and the Fairies of Spearfish Falls, as well by bottles of Water of Life found in Fortress Centrum, Glutko, Lupay, and Serigon Caves. In The Wand of Gamelon, it can be refilled by the Fairies of the Fairy Pool. If no Canteen is present, then the Water of Life they give will simply restore Link's and Zelda's health.
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.[11] 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 used.
Magic Potion
The Magic Potion is identical to effect of the Secret Medicine. This red-colored Potion can be found in the Template:OoX. 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.[12][13] In Oracle of Ages, a Magic Potion is also used to cure King Zora of his deathly illness.[14]
Tings
Tings are Potions in The Wind Waker that are accessible only when using the Tingle Tuner. Link can purchase three types of Tings from Tingle, which correspond to the usual effects of the 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. Further participation in Tingle's sidequests will cause Tingle to cut his prices.
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. Link merely has to scoop the Jelly up with a Bottle before using 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, which will either replenish or decrease Link's health. Yellow Chu Jelly cannot be drunk, and is instead used as a substitute to Lantern Oil. Rare Chu Jelly 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 stores 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 in other games.[15]
In A Link Between Worlds, the Purple Potion is instead used 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.[16] 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. If Shadow Link or Gramps uses a Purple Potion in Hero Mode, it becomes quite possibly the most devastating attack in the series, capable of dealing 32 Hearts worth of damage.
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 AM and noon according to the internal DS clock. The Yellow Potion in Spirit Tracks can be bought at the Goron Country Store and the Papuchia Shop for 200 Rupees.[17]
In A Link Between Worlds, the Yellow Potion instead makes Link invincible for a short period of time. The Yellow Potion can be acquired at the Witch's House for 100 Rupees and 10 Monster Horns are required.
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, and can be upgraded by giving Bertie the proper Insects to infuse into the Potion, powering up their effects.
| Item | Buying Price | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Heart Potion Heart Potion | Heals eight hearts of Link's health. | |
| Air Potion Air Potion | Slows down the depletion of Link's Air Meter for a limited time. | |
| Stamina Potion Stamina Potion | Slows down the depletion of Link's Stamina Meter for a limited time. | |
| Revitalizing Potion Revitalizing Potion | Heals four of Link's hearts and revives his shield fully. | |
| Guardian Potion Guardian Potion | Halves the damage that Link takes for a limited time. |
Energy Potion
In A Link Between Worlds, the Energy Potion is used to quickly refill the Energy Gauge. Unlike other Potions in the game, it is not a Potion that is purchased and stored in a Bottle, but can instead be found in areas that require large usage of the Energy Gauge, such as in dungeons or Treasure Hunter rooms. It immediately refills the Energy Gauge when picked up, making it more similar to Magic Jars than typical Potions. In dungeons, these Potions are usually found inside purple-colored pots or skulls.
Potion Shops
There have been several Potion brewers throughout the Zelda series, 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 and possibly Granny from Ocarina of Time. 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 Potions.
In the games in which these characters don not 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.
Other Appearances
Ancient Stone Tablets
Gold Potions appear in Ancient Stone Tablets, the Satellaview sequel to A Link to the Past. 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.
The Gold Potion's use is similar to and may be the precursor to the Chateau Romani, Elixir Soup and Great Fairy's Tears of later Zelda titles.
Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland
In Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland, Tingle can craft various Potions for use. One of the Potions he can brew is the Hand Potion, which can be sprinkled on hand statues in dungeons to whisk Tingle immediately away out of them. Another type of Potion Tingle can create are several Power-Up Potions. These Potions works 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 they still have some health remaining.[18] They, however, cannot be used on Tingle, whose health has been replaced by Rupees, or Drifter Bodyguards.
Power-Up Potions can also be sold to the Town Guard to heal his wife.
| Item | Description | Ingredients | Recipe Obtained | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tingly (Power-up Potion) "Power-up potion. But you wouldn't want to drink it yourself..." |
|
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 (Power-up Potion) "Power-up potion made from ingredients overflowing with goodness." |
|
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." |
|
Recieved from the Shaman in Mount Desma. | Heals all of any bodyguard's health. Can be sold to the Guard for 1400 rupees. |
Tingle can also create other products that can be seen as similar to Potions, such as medicines, perfumes, and soups and stews. Most of these, however, provide no magical properties and only have value as items to be sold.
The Legend of Zelda Comic
The Water of Life appears in the Legend of Zelda comic published by Valiant Comics. 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,[19] and says that it will heal Saria's fields.[20] 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.[21]
Hyrule Warriors
Potions in Hyrule Warriors appear as both usable items and as special Mixtures that can be crafted in the Bazaar's Apothecary which will give temporary boosts to certain attributes of a Warrior for the duration of the next battle.
As items, Potions can be used in battle to recover a Warrior's health. These cannot be used unless a Warrior has a Bottle Badge crafted, and multiple Bottle Badges can be crafted to allow a Warrior more Potion uses. The type and quality of Potions is increased by the number of Illustration Pieces collected, with more pieces resulting in higher quality Potions. Higher quality Potions will restore more hearts, as well as restore the Special Attack gauge. Red, Purple, Blue, Green, and Yellow Potions exist, and are unlocked in that order.
Mixtures crafted in the Apothecary provide Warriors with a specified boost that lasts for the duration of the next battle. These can range from increased rates in weapon or Material drops, a boost in a Warrior's attack power, allowing a Warrior to break an enemy's guard, and many others. Mixtures require Rupees and a certain amount of Materials to be crafted. As more Illustration Pieces are acquired, more Mixtures are unlocked.
Gallery
- LinkPotion.png
Link drinking a Life Potion artwork from The Legend of Zelda
- Link's Awakening - Potion.png
Secret Medicine artwork from Link's Awakening
- Magic Potion.png
Magic Potion artwork from the Oracle series
- Purplepotion.png
Purple Potion from both Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks
- Yellowpotion.png
Yellow Potion from both Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks
- PurplePotionALBW.png
Purple Potion from A Link Between Worlds
- YellowPotionALBW.png
Yellow Potion from A Link Between Worlds
Water of Life from The Legend of Zelda comic
- HW Purple Potion.png
Purple Potion from Hyrule Warriors
- HW Yellow Potion.png
Yellow Potion from Hyrule Warriors
See Also
References
- ↑ "You got some red potion! Drink it with Y or X to replenish 8 hearts." — N/A (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "Red Potion: 100 Rupees. Restores up to six hearts. What a deal!" — Beedle (Spirit Tracks)
- ↑ "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)
- ↑ "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)
- ↑ "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)
- ↑ "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)
- ↑ "PLEASE. MY DAUGHTER IS SICK. HELP HER!" — Old Woman in Harbor Town of Mido ()
- ↑ "THE WATER OF LIFE! QUICK COME WITH ME." — Old Woman in Harbor Town of Mido (The Adventure of Link)
- ↑ "THIS MAGIC WORD WILL GIVE YOU POWER." — Old Man (The Adventure of Link)
- ↑ 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)
- ↑ "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)
- ↑ "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)
- ↑ "That's Syrup's magic ointment. Works great when your hearts run out." — Syrup (Oracle of Seasons)
- ↑ "We believe we need a special medicine called a Magic Potion to cure King Zora's illness." — Zora (Oracle of Ages)
- ↑ "Purple Potion: 150 Rupees. Restores eight hearts when you fall!" — Beedle (Spirit Tracks)
- ↑ "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)
- ↑ "That's a yellow potion! It restores all your hearts! It's only 200 Rupees!" — Shopkeeper (Spirit Tracks)
- ↑ ""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 (Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland)
- ↑ The Magical Water of Life - Ganon (Valiant Comic Issue #2)
- ↑ [It] will restore your fields, giving you all the food you need! - Ganon (Valiant Comic Issue #2)
- ↑ ...After you capture the evil Link! - Ganon (Valiant Comic Issue #2)
 Names in Other Regions 
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language | Name | ||||
| Potion | Water of Life | Life Potion | 2nd Potion | ||
 |
Japanese | Template:Japanese | Template:Japanese | ||
 |
French | Potion | |||
 |
German | Elixier | |||
 |
Italian | Pozione | |||
 |
Spanish | Poción | |||
 |
SpanishLA | Agua vital | Agua roja | Agua azul | |
| Names in Other Regions
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language | Name | ||||
| Secret Medicine | Magic Potion | Purple Potion | Yellow Potion | ||
|
Japanese | 紫の薬 Template:ExpGame | 黄色い薬 Template:ExpGame | ||
 |
FrenchCA | Potion violette Template:ExpGame Potion mauve Template:ExpGame |
Potion jaune | ||
 |
FrenchEU | Potion violette Template:ExpGame | Potion jaune Template:ExpGame | ||
|
German | Lila Elixier Template:ExpGame | Gelbes Elixier Template:ExpGame | ||
|
Italian | Pozione viola Template:ExpGame | Pozione gialla Template:ExpGame | ||
 |
SpanishEU | Poción púrpura Template:ExpGame | Poción amarilla Template:ExpGame | ||
|
SpanishLA | Pócima secreta | Poción mágica | Poción púrpura | Poción amarilla |
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