We’re less than one month away from the release of Echoes of Wisdom, and we’ve been fortunate to see a lot of footage already from the upcoming game. The previews thus far showcase a large number of enemies, so we’ve put together a list of every enemy or potential enemy that has been confirmed to date, as well as their history in the series. Many have been shown off as echoes, meaning we’ll be able to use Zelda’s new ability to copy them.
There are 32 confirmed enemies as far as we know, with 19 of them confirmed as echoes. There are also 11 more potential enemies shown that have varying likelihoods of hostility. Once the game releases, Echoes of Wisdom could have the largest variety of enemies any Zelda game has had in years. For reference, Breath of the Wild only had 20 enemy varieties (including bosses), and Tears of the Kingdom had 37.
We’ve also seen eight potential enemies that are new to Echoes of Wisdom. For reference, the name of each new enemy is marked next to a special symbol. Please note that the names of these characters are unconfirmed by Nintendo and are purely speculative at the time this article was written.
Enemies confirmed as echoes:
Moblin
Moblins appear in their classic 2D style, and will be usable as echoes. The end of the most recent trailer showed new shadow Moblins formed out of the rifts appearing across Hyrule. It’s unclear what will be different about these new shadow enemies and what other forms they may take.
Angler Fry
The Angler Fry makes its second appearance ever in the Zelda series, the first since Link’s Awakening. It was a minor enemy that only appeared during the boss battle with the Angler Fish. It is an echo in Echoes of Wisdom, giving Zelda the ability to light up dark underwater passages and fight enemies.
Bombfish
Bombfish make their second ever appearance since Twilight Princess. Bombfish explode on contact, and they can be caught and used as underwater bombs. A Japan exclusive video shows an echo of them being used as a bomb on land as well.
Blade Trap
In the announcement trailer, Zelda is seen riding a Blade Trap echo to fight enemies. Blade Traps are trap enemies featured in almost every game since the start of the series, but have been absent since Tri Force Heroes. Their last appearance was A Link Between Worlds.
Sand Crab
Sand Crabs are enemies seen in beach regions in many two-dimensional games, starting with A Link to the Past. They’ll be usable as an echo, although their exact use is still unknown.
Crow
Crows are a common enemy in the 2D and sometimes 3D games. They’re much more annoying than their real life counterparts because they’re known for swooping down at players when they least expect it. Crows first appeared in A Link to the Past and have been in nearly every 2D game since.
Deku Baba
Deku Babas are carnivorous plant enemies that first appeared in Ocarina of Time, and most recently in Skyward Sword. In Echoes of Wisdom, Zelda will be able to create echoes of Deku Babas to attack enemies. This is their first inclusion in a 2D game, although a variation called a Fire Baba has appeared before in Spirit Tracks.
Zol
Zols are simple gel-like enemies which sometimes split into two smaller variants of themselves. Zols are earlier forms of Chuchus and have not been seen since Four Swords Adventures. Zelda is seen in the Traversing Hyrule trailer using an echo of a Zol to complete a side quest.
Candle Zol 
Candle Zols are band new enemies in Echoes of Wisdom. Zelda will be able to use them as echoes to burn enemies and flammable objects in her environment. She can also use them to light up dark passageways.
Lizalfos
Lizalfos fist appeared in Ocarina of Time, and have since become some of the most recognizable enemies in the series. They will be obtainable as an echo. This will be their first time making a 2D appearance, unless you count a similar lizard-like enemy called a Geru in The Adventure of Link.
Peahat
Peahats are another common enemy and have been around since the very first Legend of Zelda. Zelda is seen in the reveal trailer using a Peahat echo to fly across a chasm. They may also be tied to a side quest seen in the Traversing Hyrule trailer, where a Hylian asks to see a “flying plant.”
ReDead
ReDeads are undead enemies originally seen in Ocarina of Time. Their screams have the ability to temporarily paralyze the player. Zelda can use ReDeads as an echo to paralyze enemies. Echoes of Wisdom will be their second 2D appearance after Tri Force Heroes, although their counterpart enemy Gibdos have appeared in many games since the first NES Zelda.
Piranha
Piranhas, previously seen in Link’s Awakening, Oracle of Seasons, and Four Swords, are fish enemies that hide underwater before jumping out to attack. They are characterized by their shark-like dorsal fins which can be seen peaking out from the water. A screenshot on the Japanese website confirms Zelda can use piranhas as an echo.
Beetle
Beetles are four-legged insects with one eye seen in the most recent trailer. This will be their first appearance since The Minish Cap. They are seen swarming around two mounds, likely their nest. Keen-eyed fans have noticed triangle icons above the nests, meaning Zelda can create echoes of their mounds, likely to send swarms of Beetles against enemies.
Keese
The classic bat enemy returns in Echoes of Wisdom. Keese have appeared in every single Zelda game except Zelda II: Adventure of Link. (We’re not sure why, to be honest.) Zelda is seen spawning an echo of a Keese in a cave and using it to fly across a gap.
Sea Urchin
Sea Urchins are barbed enemies seen only in Link’s Awakening and Four Swords Adventures. Yes, they look a lot like the classic Gordo enemies from the Kirby games, in case you’re wondering. They appear as an echo whose main use is likely for combat. Their tough spiky exterior is self explanatory.
Skulltulas/Walltulas
In the reveal trailer, Zelda is seen creating echoes of Skulltulas and using their webs to climb across a gap. Skulltula have been around in many console Zelda titles, but this will be the enemy’s second appearance in a 2D game, the first being Spirit Tracks. In the “Traversing Hyrule” trailer, Zelda shows off her Bind and Reverse Bond abilities with a different looking spider variant, potentially a Walltula. If so, it would be the first appearance of Walltulas in a 2D game.
Spark
Sparks are enemies made of pure electricity which have been absent from the series since Spirit Tracks. A Japan-exclusive video shows Zelda using a Spark echo to temporarily paralyze a Gyorg.
Enemies unconfirmed as echoes:
Ganon
Any Zelda fan worth their salt knows that Ganon needs no introduction. He is seen at the start of the reveal trailer in his classic pig form before Link defeats him, but things go awry when Ganon’s trident seems to create strange rifts that spread across Hyrule and snatch people away. Some fans are speculating there could be other forces controlling Ganon, as his glowing red eyes are similar to when Link fights a mindless version of him in the linked Oracle games.
Darknut
The announcement trailer begins with a shot of Link fighting some Darknuts on his way to rescue Princess Zelda. Darknuts are one of the tougher enemies in the series and a favorite mini-boss for many fans. They’ve been around since the original Legend of Zelda, but have been sorely missed for almost two decades. Their most recent appearance was Twilight Princess in 2006. But if Zelda gets to encounter them too, that will finally change.
Bari
Bari are common jellyfish-like enemies that pulse with electricity that shocks the player on contact. Sometimes they split into smaller variants when attacked. They first appeared in A Link to the Past, and most recently in A Link Between Worlds.
Octorok
One of the first enemies encountered in the original Zelda NES game. Octoroks have appeared frequently in just about every Zelda game except Twilight Princess. They’re mainly seen in promotional art so far for Echoes of Wisdom, but a video on the Japanese website of the game shows what could be a fire Octorok. Zelda is also seen using a wind-up Octorok in the reveal trailer, but notably this item is not an echo.
Rope
Ropes are fast moving snake enemies fist appearing in NES Zelda, and have appeared as enemies in almost every 2D game since. Echoes of Wisdom is no exception.
Tektite
A common enemy since the NES Zelda, Tektites are jumping arthropods that can hop across the water. Tektites were absent from the Wild era of games, and were last seen in Tri Force Heroes.
Wolfos
In a video on the Japanese website, Zelda is shown using her bind ability to fight a Wolfos. Wolfos have only appeared in Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask in the past, meaning this will not only be the enemy’s first 2D appearance but their first inclusion in 24 years.
Gyorg
In another video exclusive to Japan, Zelda uses an Angler Fry to attack a large shark enemy, possibly a Gyorg. Gyorgs are a type of monster shark seen at sea in The Wind Waker and Phantom Hourglass.
Sand Pirhana
In the screenshots of Gerudo desert, a shark-like creature is seen swimming in the sand. It may act similar to the Gyorg seen in Spirit Tracks, called a Malgyorg. While we don’t get more of a look at this creature aside from a blur in the distance, there seems to be an eye placement that resembles a Pirhana more than a Gyorg.
Aracha
Arachas are scopion enemies with a giant eye, previously seen only in Skyward Sword. One is seen chasing after Zelda in Gerudo Desert in Japan-exclusive footage.
Giant Goponga Flower
An enemy previously only seen in Link’s Awakening, the Giant Goponga Flower inhabits swamps and shoots fireballs while blocking Link’s path. In Link’s Awakening, it can only be defeated with the Chain Chomp. As seen in Japan exclusive footage, it is sitting in the middle of deep water in a swamp. It’s unclear how or if Zelda will be able to defeat the plant in Echoes of Wisdom.
Torch Slugs
Appearing for the first time in 18 years, the Torch Slug is a fire enemy first seen in Ocarina of Time. Its only appearance since has been Twilight Princess. In Echoes of Wisdom, Torch Slugs pose a threat to Zelda while scaling Eldin Volcano.
Moldorm
Also seen on the cliffs of Eldin, the Moldorm is another classic enemy. The Moldorm is a fast-moving worm enemy that bounces off of walls across the floor in unpredictable directions.
Unconfirmed potential enemies:
Stone Golem
In the final shot of the reveal trailer and in pictures released on the Japanese website, Zelda is seen confronting a giant stone golem of sorts. It contains a purple and black core similar to the color scheme of the rifts, so fans have speculated it is connected in some way to them.
Giant Fish
In one shot in the reveal trailer, a giant purple and blue fish is seen swimming in the background while Zelda swims away from a giant vortex. People have speculated this could be a boss. Its glowing blue fins look similar to coral seen in the sand in a shot of the Traversing Hyrule trailer.
Armadillo
A potential new enemy to Echoes of Wisdom that has been heavily featured in Nintendo’s promotional material for the game. Zelda is shown using an echo of an Armadillo and reverse bond to quickly travel along with it while it rolls.
Mole
Zelda is seen creating an echo of a Mole, which borrows underground, creating a hole that she can drop enemies down. Moles have appeared as characters in the series before, but these moles appear to be non-sentient.
Vortex Fog
In Japan exclusive footage, Zelda is seen using an echo of a potential enemy resembling a frog in a tornado to clear out a group of beetles. Perhaps it is a lesser form of the cyclone god Cyclos from Wind Waker.
Moth
Japan exclusive footage shows Zelda using a Moth echo to fly across a gap like a paraglider. Moths have appeared as enemies in Majora’s Mask and the Oracle games before.
Living Tile
An echo of a yellow square creature with one eye and a tile on top of it is seen in the echo subsceen in a Japan exclusive video. It may be related to the flying tiles of past games or Tile Worms seen in Twilight Princess.
Soldier
Hyrulean soldiers have appeared as enemies in the past when they are possessed. While the extent of the soldiers’ hostility is unknown here, Zelda is shown in the first trailer escaping from a prison with the help of a Sheikah, possibly Impa. Wanted posters with Zelda’s face were seen around Hyrule in the most recent trailer, and many have speculated she needs to wear a hood to hide her identity from the soldiers. Videos on the Japanese website show Zelda sneaking around a library trying to avoid being spotted by guard soldiers.
River Zora
While the River Zora appear to have more of a story role, they historically have been enemies in past games. These River Zora appear to be peaceful this time, shown to have a penchant for music and welcoming Zelda to their village “with friendly hellos and where good times flow.” Echoes of Wisdom will likely paint them in a more sympathetic light, maybe we’ll even see the traditionally peaceful Sea Zora as the enemies this time around.
Deku Scrub
While appearing to be peaceful in Echoes of Wisdom, variants of Deku Scrubs have appeared as both friends and enemies in past games. It’s possible some Deku Scrubs may attack Zelda before she earns their trust, as they are usually depicted as fearful and defensive at first despite their peaceful nature. They are typically seen hiding in Deku Flowers and shoot Deku Seeds from their mouths when threatened.
Cucco
Hyrule’s special feathered species returns once again in Echoes of Wisdom. Something amazing happens when you attack them. Nothing bad will happen, I promise.
