Zelda Wiki

Want to contribute to this wiki?
Sign up for an account, and get started!

Come join the Zelda Wiki community Discord server!

READ MORE

Zelda Wiki
Register
Advertisement

Shadow Beasts,(TP)[1] also known as Twilit Messengers,(TP)[2] Shadow Beings,(TP)[3], and Fell Beasts,(TP)[4] are recurring Enemies in The Legend of Zelda series.[name reference needed]

Characteristics[]

Twilight Princess[]

Midna's Comment
Midna says:

Link! Pay attention!

Shadow Beasts are dark, willowy beings that drop out of Portals all across Hyrule and in the Twilight Realm. Most travel in packs but some can be found alone. Shadow Beasts are Twili members that have been corrupted and turned into monsters by the false king of the Twili, Zant.[5] Shadow Beasts are strong enough that only a few were needed to overrun and defeat the scores of Soldiers guarding Princess Zelda, despite the fact that the latter had advantageous numbers. It is also hinted by Barnes that they are not only composed of transformed Twili, but also have the ability to turn Humans into their kind,[6] meaning that they are not restricted to one species.

If one Shadow Beast is left standing during a group battle, it will let out a howl that revives the others.[7] Because of this, at least the last two must be defeated at the same time in order to truly defeat a group.[8] Once there are only a few left, most attacks with a wide area of effect can finish them,[9] although some (such as the Jump Strike or the Mortal Draw) will not. Defeating a group of Shadow Beasts allows Link to warp to the point where they were defeated.

Different Shadow Beasts are seen in the cutscene which shows Zant taking Hyrule Castle and Princess Midna's history of the Twili. These are larger than conventional Shadow Beasts, and bear a different head-dressing; a round silver plate with a special marking on them. However, these monsters are never seen during actual gameplay, so their status and any exclusive powers remain a mystery. It can be speculated that these variations of Shadow Beasts are equivalent to royal guards as they are always present next to Zant.

In the Palace of Twilight there are Twili who have not fully turned into Shadow Beasts.[10] They can be transformed back into Twili by bringing a Sol near them.

Other Appearances[]

Super Smash Bros. Brawl[]

Shadow Beasts appear as a Trophy (Super Smash Bros.) and Sticker in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Trophy Information[]

# Trophy Significant Games Description How to unlock
205 SSBB Shadow Beast Trophy Model
Shadow Beast
Twilight Princess A loyal minion sent in from the Twilight Realm by Zant. Shadow Beasts suddenly appear from portals in the sky and attack in groups. As long as one is left alive, any others will be revived, so you must leave at least two living and defeat them at the same time. If you wipe them all out successfully, a warp point will open. Random

Sticker Information[]

Sticker Artwork from Effect in The Subspace Emissary Usable by
SSBB Shadow Beast Sticker Icon
Shadow Beast
Twilight Princess [Darkness] - Attack +28 This sticker is only usable by Ganondorf

My Nintendo Picross: Twilight Princess[]

MNPTP Shadow Beast Sprite

The thirty-fourth puzzle in the Picross series and the thirty-third puzzle in the Mega Picross series depict a Shadow Beast.

Trivia[]

  • There exists in the code for Twilight Princess an unused Enemy model which may have been an early version of a Shadow Beast.[11]

Nomenclature[]

The Japanese name for Shadow Beasts, 影の使者 (Kage no Shisha), alongside their ability to revive fallen Shadow Beasts may be a reference to the phrase 死者を生かす (Shishawoikasu), meaning "to raise the dead."

TMC Forest Minish Artwork Names in Other Regions TMC Jabber Nut Sprite
Language Name Meaning
Japan Japanese 影の使者 (Kage no Shisha) Shadow Messenger
French Republic FrenchEU Assassin des ombres Shadow's Assasin
Federal Republic of Germany German Dämon der Finsternis Demon of Darkness
Italian Republic Italian Mostro dell'ombra Shadow Monster
Kingdom of Spain SpanishEU Bestia de las Sombras (SSBB) Same as English.
Community of Latin American and Caribbean States SpanishLA Asesino de las Sombras Shadow Assasin

Gallery[]

References

  1. Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 202
  2. Art & Artifacts, Dark Horse Books, pg. 293
  3. "The black beast you slayed was a shadow being. It had come to seize the power of light I wield." — Ordona (Twilight Princess HD)
  4. "My brethren in Hyrule have already had their light stolen by these fell beasts." — Ordona (Twilight Princess HD)
  5. "It was a peaceful place... until Zant took control of the Twilight Realm and transformed all of the Twili into shadow beasts." — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
  6. "They sure didn't seem impressed by my bombs! How long do you think we can hold this sanctuary against beasts that strong, huh? Once they attack, it's OVER! Remember the lady from the general store? Just one of those things attacked her, and a whole gang from town went to save her! And what happened? She was already gone, and there were TWO monsters waitin'! ...You connectin' the dots? That means that if we get attacked by them, then we'll be..." — Barnes (Twilight Princess)
  7. "If you leave the last one alive, it's just going to use that shriek to bring the others back." — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
  8. "No need to take these little pests on one at a time, right? You can take them all at once! So... You can handle this by yourself, can't you?" — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
  9. "You just hold down B and I'll expand an energy field. Enclose all of your enemies within it and release the button!" — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess)
  10. "Wait! This guy isn't an enemy, Link. They might look different, but... they're inhabitants of this world... They're my people. Zant... How could he..." — Princess Midna (Twilight Princess HD)
  11. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess/Unused Models§Early Shadow Beast, The Cutting Room Floor, retrieved April 27, 2015.
Advertisement