Guides / The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Cave of Ordeals
The Cave of Ordeals is an optional 50-floor combat gauntlet located in the Gerudo Desert, requiring Link to fight through increasingly difficult waves of enemies to reach the bottom. Progressive obstacles like spinner tracks and heavy blocks block descent at certain intervals, requiring Link to have collected key inventory items from the main quest to complete the entire run. Completing groups of ten floors releases fairies into the Great Fairy Fountains across Hyrule, culminating in a unique restorative reward on the final floor.
Items
0/2
Enemies
Appears in multiples on later floors and sheds armor once taking enough damage.
Can be harvested before it fully dissolves for a health refill.
Rare Chu that refills all health when bottled and drank.
Defeating them allows Link to rip out their soul using Wolf Link's attack prompt.
Activated when Link draws close and hops aggressively toward him.
Freezes Link on contact and must be melted or shattered.
Shops and people
- Great Fairy: Restores Link's health and releases fairies to specific overworld Great Fairy Fountains (Floors 10, 20, 30, 40)
Tips
- Bring four bottles filled with Rare Chu Jelly, Great Fairy's Tears, or Blue Potion before attempting the full 50-floor run.
- Do not attempt the full descent until obtaining the Double Clawshots, as you cannot advance past Floor 30 without them.
- Equip the Magic Armor in the final rooms to survive heavy damage from multiple Darknuts, provided you have a high rupee count.
- Dig as Wolf Link on floors containing dirt patches to unearth buried hearts and supplies between fights.
Not listed for this area: secrets.
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