Talus

One way you might find yourself taken by surprise in this new open-world Hyrule, is climbing a hill, hopping on a large boulder for a better view, only for that boulder to come to life and start attacking you.

This is a Talus, a new monster type in Breath of the Wild. It comes in various forms depending on where it's found, and it's main mode of attack is hiding in plain sight until you make the mistake of stepping on it.

As a fighter, it will be big and tough, with the sturdiness of solid granite. Its moveset will pull from its various battles, especially the new boss battle in Echoes of Wisdom.

Likelihood rating: Probably not.

Character Sheet: Talus

TALUS

Now, let's go over the new characters brought to us by Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. I have the time, so, let's just do the character sheets. Also, I just remembered that somebody sent me a list of Kirby characters, so I'll go through them after this list is done.

1. Tri

2. Dohna

3. Darston

4. Conde

5. Dampe

6. Null

7. Talus

8. Volvagia

9. Mogryph

10. Skorchill

Taluses are large golems made of rock, probably named after the giant Greek automaton Talos, that first appeared in Breath of the Wild, adding a new danger to your standard gameplay by having even the rocks come to life to attack you. Echoes of Wisdom included at Talus as a boss, giving us just enough to work with that they gain playability.

Here's the moveset I came up with:

Side B: Rock Throw

The Talus will pick up and throw a heavy boulder.

Side B: Stone Fist

It will launch its fist forward to slam into its opponents.

Up B: Arm Spin

It will spin its arms around in a vortex, whipping up a dust cloud.

Down B: Seismic Slam

It will slap its hands down on the ground hard.

Final Smash: Stage Talus

The entire stage will start to rumble and move, revealing itself to be one big Talus that will tromp around and try to get the players off of it.

Entrance: It will start as a boulder, then rise.

Taunts: Up, it will raise its arm and wave it around. Side, it will turn side to side, trying to see anything. Down, it will crumble for a second.

Kirby Hat: Kirby made of rock.

Kart: Rolling like a boulder.

Special Move: Causing another Talus to rise from the track.

Spirit Battle: A giant battle on Bokoblin Camp, with three Bokoblins helping.

Victory Screen: It will go back to its resting state.

Losing Screen: It will fall apart and explode.

Color Swaps: A standard appearance, covered in moss, covered in black ore, made of red rock, made of metallic ore, wearing a Bokoblin encampment, the Seismic Talus, and a gold Talus.

Thanks for reading! Next up, Volvagia reigns fire!

Gloom's Lair

GLOOM'S LAIR

The second addition to the Hyrule Map added for Tears of the Kingdom was an expansive maze of underground areas to explore, most commonly infested with Gloom.

This stage will be a flat Final Destination-type stage floating in the Hyrulean underground, with gloom coating the walls and caverns behind it. Every now and then, Gloom Hands will spawn on the stage as a miniboss.

Potential theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGFL_TSwHjw

Great Sky Island

GREAT SKY ISLAND

There were two important areas added to the Hyrule map for Tears of the Kingdom to help make it distinct from Breath of the Wild. The first was a number of islands floating in the sky, bearing most of the ancient Zonai technology.

A stage representing that would be set on the general islands and features of Great Sky Island, with the main platforms made up of the rocks and architecture seen there. On occasion those platforms will change around, with Zonai Wings floating in as temporary platforms and the white dragon flying by underneath and above as a platform from time to time.

Potential theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yuKMCPzokA

Mineru

MINERU

In these memories, Zelda will be brought before King Rauru’s sister, a master of magic, to find a way to return to her own time.

This sister is Mineru. Thanks to a magical ability of her own, she is able to make her spirit persist centuries after her body has passed on, allowing her to wait until the present time, when Link finds her, constructs a new body for her from Zonai parts, and recruits her as the fifth sage.

As a fighter, Mineru will use a combination of her own magic, and the abilities of the Zonai golem that her spirit inhabits in the present, bringing with it all the strength and speed the construct possessed.

Likelihood rating: Could happen.

Queen Sonia

QUEEN SONIA

As Link finds his way down from the island and back into his familiar Hyrule, he will come across a number of small puddles in the middle of enormous glyphs on the ground, called Tears. These tears will react to Link’s presence, showing him visions of the ancient past, where Zelda was transported. There, she meets the ancient King Rauru and his queen.

This queen is named Sonia, a human who fell in love with the Zonai Rauru. She is the ancestor of Zelda, and is Zelda’s primary source in teaching her the ways of ancient magic. In the end, she is murdered by Ganondorf, kicking off the ancient war.

As a fighter, Sonia will act as an echo of her husband, both showing the ability to use the techniques that act as runes for Link in the present. She will be slower and less powerful than her husband, but with a higher magical propensity.

Likelihood rating: Probably not.

Zonai Construct

ZONAI CONSTRUCT

Link will set out across the sky island, encountering several automatons who both assist and attack him.

These are the Zonai Constructs, machines built by the ancient Zonai to perform various tasks. They had fighter builds who acted as guards and sometimes as combat practice, as well as steward builds who perform various forms of assistance, as well as many others.

As fighters, they will move at average speed and hit with about average power. Their movesets will pull primarily from the Zonai parts and pieces that can be used to build and create.

Likelihood rating: Probably not.

Rauru

RAURU

After several years of waiting, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild finally saw a sequel in Tears of the Kingdom. Investigating ancient tunnels far beneath Hyrule Castle, Link and Zelda come across the ancient decrepit form of Ganondorf, sealed away by a glowing hand. Their presence awakens the Dark Lord, with the Master Sword being destroyed and Link blacking out. He later comes to on an island floating in the sky, and finds himself being instructed by the spirit of a strange goat creature.

This is King Rauru, an ancient king of Hyrule and a member of the Zonai, a long extinct race with advanced technology and magic all their own. King Rauru was the one to seal away Ganondorf, whose arm replaced Link’s own to allow him to use their magic.

Being the person through whom Link can use the Zonai abilities in the game, Rauru’s moveset will pull from those. He will be fairly slow, but with a lot of magical power behind him.

Likelihood rating: Could happen.

Tulin

TULIN

As Link makes his way up Rito village in search of someone who can help him reach Vah Medoh, he will come across the wife and son of a local warrior.

This son is Tulin, the son of Teba, descendant of Revali. Though he acts as a mere NPC in Breath of the Wild, he steps up to take his father’s place in Tears of the Kingdom as the Sage of Wind.

As a fighter, Tulin will take greatly after his father, most of his movepool pulling from the same moves, though with little additions from his own power set, and overall being lighter and speedier.

Likelihood rating: Could happen.

Purah

PURAH

If you head to the other lab first, you will find it inhabited by a scientist who has transformed herself into a little girl thanks to an accident.

This is Purah, Impa’s sister, and one of the leading scientists of Hyrule. In Age of Calamity, players will get to meet her in her prime, while by the time of Tears of the Kingdom, she will have reversed the de-aging process, having aged herself up to a mature adult again.

As a fighter, we’ll be breaking her away from her partner Robbie, using instead the tech seen around Hyrule new to Tears of the Kingdom, where she has become the lead scientist of the region.

Likelihood rating: Piranha Plant clause.

Paya

PAYA

As you reach Kakariko Village and Impa’s house, you will find a young girl there who looks just like her grandmother in her youth.

This is Paya, Impa’s soft-spoken granddaughter, who develops an immediate crush on Link. She will act as an important NPC throughout both Breath of the Wild games.

As a fighter, she will be an echo of her grandmother, but without as much raw power behind her attacks due to her reticent nature.

Likelihood rating: Piranha Plant clause.

Phantom Ganon

PHANTOM GANON

Determined to save Hyrule, Link will traverse the Forest Temple to find the first of seven sages. Upon beating the temple’s resident ghosts, he will come face to face with Ganondorf, who will summon a shadowy duplicate of himself to attack.

This is Phantom Ganon, a regular appearance in most Zelda games featuring Ganondorf, often as a boss. It is most remembered for its “tennis match” style battles that it has engaged in on more than one occasion.

As a fighter, it will be similar in stats to Ganondorf, though lacking a bit in raw power. Its moveset will pull from all of its appearances across the series.

Likelihood rating: Piranha Plant clause.

Gibdo

GIBDO

In some of the later dungeons, the players will also encounter mummies that creep around after Link.

These are the Gibdoes, standard enemies in most desert levels of the series. In the most recent installment, Tears of the Kingdom, they took on a more buglike appearance.

As fighters, they will be slow, with moderate power behind them, but a high level of defense. Their moveset will pull from all across their appearances in the franchise.

Likelihood rating: Probably not.

Gleeok

GLEEOK

Another boss in another dungeon turns out to be a three-headed dragon breathing fire.

This is the Gleeok, Hyrule’s version of a Hydra. Gleeoks appear frequently throughout the series, most often in the 2D games, often used in games where teamwork is required.

As a fighter, the Gleeok will be large and heavy, with devastatingly powerful moves befitting a boss. Their moveset will pull from all of their major battles, especially their most recent appearance in Tears of the Kingdom.

Likelihood rating: Probably not.

Character Sheet: Korok

KOROK

And here's all the characters that I gave a definitive YES to during my second chance round. They are:

1.       Fierce Deity Link

2.       Kalin

3.       Darbus

4.       Ralis

5.       Gulley

6.       Osfala

7.       Irene

8.       Rosso

9.       Queen Oren

10.   Paya

11.   Rune

12.   Kanan

13.   Talon

14.   Ingo

15.   Gwonam

16.   Tetra’s Crew

17.   Kokiri

18.   Goron

19.   Zora

20.   Rito

21.   Korok

22.   Gerudo

23.   Stalchildren

24.   Ganon Blight

Next, we have the Koroks, descendants of the Kokiri first appearing in Wind Waker, who later became the bane of every player's existence in Breath of the Wild thanks to a certain infamous sidequest, which resulted in them being everyone's favorite punching bag in Tears of the Kingdom. It's perfectly reasonable for them to be echoes of Makar.

Here is their moveset:

Standard B: Deku Nut

About the same.

Side B: Deku Leaf

Maybe not as strong.

Up B: Flower Launch

Varying levels of height.

Down B: Plant a Tree

Same.

Final Smash: Great Deku Tree

I could see them still doing this one.

Entrance: They will appear out of a swirl of petals.

Taunts: Up, "Wah-hah!" Side, doing their little dances. Down, falling over with a big backpack.

Kirby Hat: Their little leaf faces.

Kart: Carved out of wood.

Special Move: They will blow a Deku leaf to give them a boost.

Spirit Battle: A horde battle on Great Deku Tree.

Victory Screen: A whole bunch of them will do their dances.

Losing Screen: Of all the races that would be affected by being frozen over, I'm amazed its never happened to these guys or any other forest-dwellers. Instead, how about we have the player Korok strapped to a rocket just as its launched into the sky.

Color Swaps: Every notably distinct Korok model besides the noted players.

Thanks for reading! Next up, Gerudo guards her village!

Character Sheet: Rito

RITO

And here's all the characters that I gave a definitive YES to during my second chance round. They are:

1.       Fierce Deity Link

2.       Kalin

3.       Darbus

4.       Ralis

5.       Gulley

6.       Osfala

7.       Irene

8.       Rosso

9.       Queen Oren

10.   Paya

11.   Rune

12.   Kanan

13.   Talon

14.   Ingo

15.   Gwonam

16.   Tetra’s Crew

17.   Kokiri

18.   Goron

19.   Zora

20.   Rito

21.   Korok

22.   Gerudo

23.   Stalchildren

24.   Ganon Blight

Next up are the Ritos, bird people first appearing in Wind Waker as, somehow, the descendants of the Zora people, similar to the Kokiri and Koroks, except that the Ritos' existence didn't apparently erase the Zoras from ever appearing in a Zelda game ever again the way the Koroks' existence seems to have done. The two races have since become contemporaries in the Breath of the Wild continuity.

Here is their moveset:

Standard B: Reflection

Same as Medli's, but not as strong.

Side B: Grappling Hook

Let's actually keep this one around, most being proficient with it.

Up B: Updraft

A general flight ability.

Down B: Medli's Song

It won't have quite as strong effect as Medli's herself.

Final Smash: Valoo

I think I can be okay with this. Either that, or a whole flock of them will descend upon the stage firing arrows.

Entrance: They will swoop in and land on the stage.

Taunts: Up, they will fly up and spin for a second. Side, they will dig into a bag and pull out a couple letters. Down, they will sing a tune for a second.

Kirby Hat: Feathers and beaks, Falco-style.

Kart: Flying over the track.

Special Move: They will be able to take off and fly for a short while.

Spirit Battle: A horde battle on Dragon Roost Island.

Victory Screen: They will all fly around each other excitedly.

Losing Screen: How have all three of these races been frozen over at one point or another? I can't do that one again. Um, maybe Valoo's volcano erupts.

Color Swaps: Every notably distinct Rito model besides the noted players.

Thanks for reading! Next up, Korok hides in plain sight!

Character Sheet: Paya

PAYA

And here's all the characters that I gave a definitive YES to during my second chance round. They are:

1.       Fierce Deity Link

2.       Kalin

3.       Darbus

4.       Ralis

5.       Gulley

6.       Osfala

7.       Irene

8.       Rosso

9.       Queen Oren

10.   Paya

11.   Rune

12.   Kanan

13.   Talon

14.   Ingo

15.   Gwonam

16.   Tetra’s Crew

17.   Kokiri

18.   Goron

19.   Zora

20.   Rito

21.   Korok

22.   Gerudo

23.   Stalchildren

24.   Ganon Blight

Naturally, the granddaughter of Impa and reincarnation of Hinata, Paya, would inherit her grandmother's playstyle. Which, now that I think about it in this context, makes my comment kinda funny in context of Impa's playstyle being very Naruto-esque.

Here is her moveset:

Standard B: Shadow Clones

More or less the same.

Side B: Quick Cuts

About the same, except she will fumble the hat as it lands.

Up B: Sheikah Teleportation

Also about the same.

Down B: Fireworks

She will be a bit panicky getting away from them in time.

Final Smash: Giant Toad

Same, except her Toad will be a bit smaller and less powerful.

Entrance: She will be scrubbing the floor, get to her feet, and bow politely.

Taunts: Up, she will take off her hat and put it on her back. Side, she will blush brightly and cover her face. Down, she will write in her diary for a second.

Kirby Hat: Her hat.

Kart: Based on a Sheikah hat.

Special Move: She will jump from her kart, deliver a series of cuts to a nearby opponent, and return before it crashes.

Spirit Battle: On Sheikah Shrine, with Impa as backup.

Victory Screen: She will say I did it, notice the camera looking, then turn into a blushing mess.

Losing Screen: Panicking over the mess she made and trying to clean it up a little.

Color Swaps: All based on Impa, but with both her Wild and Tears design.

Thanks for reading! Up next, Rune breaks the sacred law.

Character Sheet: Phantom Ganon

PHANTOM GANON

Now, let us go through and cover all characters now added thanks to their appearance in Tears of the Kingdom, either newcomers or old characters given more to work with, and at least one that got added through association. They are:

1. Tulin

2. Mineru

3. Purah

4. Rauru

5. Sonia

6. Zonai Construct

7. Gibdo

8. ReDead

9. Gleeok

10. Phantom Ganon

Phantom Ganon has been a recurring trope throughout the Zelda series since all the way back in Ocarina of Time, often as a miniboss summoned by Ganondorf to fight Link at the end of one of the dungeons. It is also very well known for being the "tennis boss" as the structure of many of its boss fights feature it lobbing a ball of energy at the player, with the player reflecting it back multiple times. In Tears of the Kingdom, it was tied in more specifically with the Gloom Hands, acting as the boss of Gloom's Lair, wielding a sword, creating duplicates, and warping around, so I think we have enough to work with here.

Here is the moveset I came up with:

Standard B: Energy Orb

Based on the most famous of attacks, Phantom Ganon will charge up an energy orb and throw it. The orb can be blocked with a shield, which the phantom can then knock back with a second press.

Side B: Duplicate

The phantom will create duplicates of itself for a second, which will then be able to take hits coming its way, and disappear immediately.

Up B: Warp

We could just have the floating, but considering Ocarina's version had it too, we'll have the phantom warp, stepping into a magic portal and appearing somewhere else.

Down B: Gloom Hands

The phantom will spread out gloom underneath its feet, with hands emerging from it to grab other players.

Final Smash: Puppet Ganon

The Puppet Ganon boss from Wind Waker will appear on the stage, slam down, then spin around a lot, smacking players off the stage.

Entrance: The phantom will ride in on its horse out of a painting.

Taunts: Up, the Phantom will float up and raise its sword. Side, it will sweep back and forth for a second. Down, it will fall down to one knee like its been hit.

Kirby Hat: The dark helmet it tends to wear.

Kart: Its horse.

Special Move: It will fire an energy orb, that can be reflected back, but it can also reflect it back. (Or maybe a simpler form would be "it can deflect items back at other players")

Spirit Battle: A one-on-one battle on The Great Deku Tree.

Victory Screen: It will raise its sword and laugh evilly as Gloom spreads.

Losing Screen: It will fall down to one knee, burn up, and disappear.

Color Swaps: Ocarina version, Ocarina 3D version, Wind Waker version, Four Swords version, Tears version, and alternate colors for Ocarina, Wind Waker, and Tears.

Thanks for reading! Next up, we have a second chance round to work through!

Character Sheet: Gleeok

GLEEOK

Now, let us go through and cover all characters now added thanks to their appearance in Tears of the Kingdom, either newcomers or old characters given more to work with, and at least one that got added through association. They are:

1. Tulin

2. Mineru

3. Purah

4. Rauru

5. Sonia

6. Zonai Construct

7. Gibdo

8. ReDead

9. Gleeok

10. Phantom Ganon

Gleeoks have been a feature of the Zelda series since the very beginning, generally appearing as a three-headed dragon that acts as a boss or mini-bosses. Though they've been featured regularly, it wasn't until Tears of the Kingdom, where they were brought in as new mini-bosses for the game, that they gained enough to earn themselves a spot in the roster.

Here is the moveset I came up with:

Standard B: Elemental Breath

Mostly based on their Tears version, the Gleeok will breathe fire, ice, or lightning from one of its three heads, each one having something different.

Side B: Windstorm

The Gleeok will whip up heavy winds around itself with its wings, blowing opponents around.

Up B: Flight

The Gleeok will flap its mighty wings and launch itself high up into the air.

Down B: Tail Strike

The Gleeok will slash its tail forward in a circle, slamming into opponents and sending them flying. Another option could be a head-switching command, something that would swap between the ice, fire, and lightning heads being the main attacker.

Final Smash: Ultimate Elemental Attack

The Gleeok will perform one of its elemental finishers from Tears. If the switching mechanic is part of it, then it would be different each time, with the giant fireball crashing down onto the stage, ice chunks falling from the sky, and a lightning storm striking everything.

Entrance: The Gleeok will fly in and slam down onto the stage.

Taunts: Up, the fire head will blow fire into the air. Side, the lightning head will sweep its head sideways, creating a streak of lightning. Down, the ice head will create a frozen patch on the ground.

Kirby Hat: A little hat with three little fake heads on top.

Kart: Based on an Aquamentus.

Special Move: Each head will blow an element in three directions.

Spirit Battle: A giant battle on Hyrule Field.

Victory Screen: The heads will roar as lightning flashes behind them.

Losing Screen: They will let out one last roar and collapse before disappearing.

Color Swaps: Legend of Zelda model, Legend of Zelda artwork, Oracle of Seasons model, Phantom Hourglass model, Tears of the Kingdom fire, ice, lightning, and trio versions.

Thanks for reading! Next up, Phantom Ganon serves the first volley.

Character Sheet: Gibdo

GIBDO

Now, let us go through and cover all characters now added thanks to their appearance in Tears of the Kingdom, either newcomers or old characters given more to work with, and at least one that got added through association. They are:

1. Tulin

2. Mineru

3. Purah

4. Rauru

5. Sonia

6. Zonai Construct

7. Gibdo

8. ReDead

9. Gleeok

10. Phantom Ganon

Gibdos are the standard "mummy" enemy of the Zelda series. They have appeared in several games over the series, all with a generally standard appearance. In Ocarina/Majora, they were basically reskins of the ReDead enemy, while in Tears of the Kingdom, they were part bug for some reason. Either way, throughout their various appearances, they have now compiled a solid moveset.

Here is the moveset I came up with:

Standard B: Scream

The Gibdo will let out the debilitating scream that they and the ReDeads of Ocarina and Majora were known for, freezing characters in their tracks.

Side B: Grapple

They will launch forward and wrap themselves around an opponent, dealing damage and not letting go.

Up B: Insect Wings

Their wings from Tears of the Kingdom will burst out of their backs, and they will be able to fly upward for a short distance.

Down B: Sandstorm

As they can in such games as Hyrule Warriors, the Gibdo will create a swirl of sand around itself, protecting them and whipping around characters standing too close.

Final Smash: Queen Gibdo

Might as well embrace the bug (after all, if Darknuts can be jackals and Wizzrobes can be toucans . . . ). The queen from Tears of the Kingdom will appear on the stage and attack.

Entrance: It will rise from the sand.

Taunts: Up, it will lean back and let out its scream. Side, it will stumble forward for a second and look around. Down, it will sink into quicksand for a second.

Kirby Hat: Its bandages.

Kart: Based on typical "Sand Temple" designs.

Special Move: It will create a swirl of sand around itself to protect from harm.

Spirit Battle: A horde battle on Gerudo Valley.

Victory Screen: More and more of it will rise from the sand and march upon the defeated players.

Losing Screen: It will slump to the ground and return to the sand.

Color Swaps: The original game, Link to the Past, Link's Awakening, Ocarina/Majora, Twilight Princess, Four Swords, Minish Cap, and Tears of the Kingdom.

Thanks for reading! Next up, ReDead lurks in the shadows.