Octorok

An Octorok from Ocarina of Time.
Octorok
Type	Octopus
Debut	The Legend of Zelda

The Lanmola is an enemy that made several appearances in the early Zelda games. Lanmolas often appear as bosses, or sometimes as lesser enemies.

Information

One of the most widely known of all Zelda enemies, the octorok has been a heavy-hitter that has appeared in some form in every single Zelda game thus far. They come in two major variants, although they are not officially distinguished. Most common is the 'land' octorok which, in appearance, is a very rugged looking creature built for living in any sort of habitat. The less common 'water octorok' makes its home in bodies of water. It spends its time submerged until it detects danger, at which point it will emerge to attack.

The common denominator among the two is that both are capable of storing large rock-like objects in their body. These are stored and are propelled through their mouths, which are designed in such a way as if it was the barrel of a gun. Any good shield can deflect the attack, but when dealing with multiple octorok, it's not always that easy. Though land ocotoroks are easily killed by conventional means of close-range weapons, water octoroks are very quick to submerge underwater when the threat draws too close. As such, the most effective way to defeat them is by deflecting their own 'rock' back at them by means of a shield. Alternatively most other methods of attack, such as arrows, are equaly effective. Their habitat is perhaps the most varied of any species, as they will be found in swamps, rivers, deserts, forest, grasslands, mountains, caves, and just about anywhere else.

Although typically red, octoroks have other color variations. In Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask they are a pinkish color. In the 2D games, they are typically colored red. Blue octoroks have higher defense (in Four Swords Adventures, a blue octorok can take over ten hits). Also in Four Swords Adventure is a purple variation which, while weak physically, are able to fire rocks out repeatedly at a time, making them extremely deadly if caught off guard. There is yet another variation in Link's Awakening where there are winged octoroks that are able to jump into the air.

Trivia

• Until "Twilight Princess", Octoroks had been the only Zelda enemy to be in every single Zelda game.
• The Octoroks even appear as enemies in "Super Smash Bros. Melee" and have their own trophy.