The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Guide | How to Beat Dead Hand

If you are playing The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, you will eventually run into Dead Hand. This mini-boss lives deep inside the Bottom of the Well in Kakariko Village. It is easily one of the creepiest fights in the game, and its long arms can catch you off guard if you do not know how the pattern works in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Dead Hand Location

You can only fight Dead Hand as Young Link. Before you even enter the dungeon, you need to drain the water out of the well. Travel to the future as Adult Link, go inside the Kakariko Village windmill, and learn the Song of Storms from the Music Man.

Once you know the song, return to the past, go back to the windmill, and play the Song of Storms to drain the well.

Drop down the ladder at the Bottom of the Well and walk through the fake wall right in front of the entrance plaque. Follow the water to the north end of the main room until you see a Triforce symbol on the floor. Play Zelda's Lullaby there to lower the water level inside the dungeon.

From that spot, drop off the ledge and crawl through the small tunnel in the wall. Follow the hallway past the Skulltula and open the door at the end in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

You will see a chest across the room, but the floor in front of it is fake. Drop straight down through that invisible pit to land in the foggy arena where Dead Hand waits.

Beating Dead Hand

When you land in the room, you will only see four pale arms sticking out of the dirt. Walk toward the mound in the center of the floor to start the fight.

Dead Hand will not show its main body until you interact with its arms. Walk close to one of the hands until it lunges forward to grab you. As soon as it twitches, backflip or step away so it misses. Once the hand hits the floor, hit it with your Kokiri Sword.

If a hand does manage to grab you, Dead Hand will rise out of the ground and slowly walk over to bite you. Mash all your buttons as fast as you can to break free before it reaches you.

After you hit the arms enough times, the main body of Dead Hand will burst out of the dirt. Do not rush in right away. Hold up your Deku Shield or Hylian Shield and let it walk toward you.

Wait until Dead Hand stops and lowers its long neck to bite. Step back slightly or use your shield to block the bite, then immediately slash at its face with your sword. Keep swinging until it flinches and sinks back underground in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Finishing the Fight

Once the main body retreats, the arms will pop back out of the dirt. Repeat the exact same process. Bait a hand into lunging, dodge the grab, and attack it until the main body returns.

It usually takes three or four cycles of hitting the face to defeat Dead Hand for good. When it falls, a chest will spawn in the middle of the room containing the Lens of Truth, which you will need to survive the Shadow Temple later in the game.

FAQ

Q. Do I have to beat Dead Hand to finish the game?

A. Yes. Dead Hand guards the Lens of Truth. You need this item to see invisible platforms, fake walls, and hidden enemies throughout the Shadow Temple and the Haunted Wasteland.

Q. Can I defeat Dead Hand as Adult Link?

A. No, you cannot enter the Bottom of the Well as Adult Link. The crawlspace entrance at the bottom of the drained well is too small for him to fit through, so you must complete this fight as Young Link.

Q. What happens if Dead Hand grabs me?

A. If one of the arms catches you, Dead Hand will emerge and walk toward you to deal heavy damage. You can escape its grip before it bites by rapidly pressing your buttons and wiggling the control stick.