Unveiling the Rewards: What You Get for Collecting All Stray Fairies in Majora’s Mask
Collecting Stray Fairies in The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask is a crucial part of the game, and it offers significant rewards. Each dungeon is home to 15 hidden Stray Fairies, and rescuing them isn’t just about a completionist tick-box – it’s about bolstering Link’s abilities. In short, for each set of 15 Stray Fairies you collect and return to their corresponding Great Fairy Fountain, you are rewarded with a permanent upgrade to Link’s powers and abilities, such as extended magic meters, and in one special instance, the powerful Great Fairy Sword. These upgrades can be essential for progressing through the game and facing its many challenges.
The Power of the Great Fairy’s Gift
The most immediate and noticeable benefit is that each Stray Fairy collected heals Link; restoring 3 hearts in the English version and 1 heart in the Japanese version. However, the main purpose is returning all 15 of a dungeon’s fairies to their respective Great Fairy. This triggers a unique reward tied to that specific Great Fairy. Each Great Fairy location is tied to one of the four main dungeons in Termina.
- Woodfall Temple: Returning all 15 Stray Fairies here awards Link with an extended magic meter. This is incredibly helpful as Link uses magic for many essential items and transformations.
- Snowhead Temple: Completing this dungeon’s fairy quest earns Link the ability to double his defense. This significant boost helps Link take more hits from enemies before being defeated.
- Great Bay Temple: This reward grants Link the ability to charge up his Spin Attack to a greater degree, increasing its power and range, which is useful in tight situations.
- Stone Tower Temple: Lastly, collecting all the fairies in the Stone Tower Temple allows you to get the mighty Great Fairy Sword, which is the second strongest sword in the game, dealing significantly more damage than the Gilded Sword.
The Great Fairy Sword
It’s important to note that the Great Fairy Sword is not a traditional sword. Unlike other swords that are instantly equipped, this powerful weapon must be assigned to a (C) button slot. It does an incredible four times the damage of the starting Kokiri sword and twice the damage as the Gilded Sword. However, its power comes at a price – it is bulky, swings at a wide arc, and is therefore somewhat harder to control.
FAQs: Stray Fairies in Majora’s Mask
Below are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the mechanics and rewards of collecting Stray Fairies:
1. What happens if I play the Song of Time after collecting Stray Fairies?
Unfortunately, any collected Stray Fairies are lost when you play the Song of Time. Additionally, any already activated Great Fairies will disappear and need to be reactivated by returning stray fairies. This encourages careful planning and execution in each three-day cycle.
2. How can I find Stray Fairies easily?
The Great Fairy Mask is incredibly useful for locating Stray Fairies. When worn, it causes the fairies to be drawn towards Link, making them much easier to spot, especially in the labyrinths of the dungeons. It’s highly recommended to use the mask to make the search less frustrating.
3. Do Stray Fairies heal you every time you collect one?
Yes, each Stray Fairy you collect restores 3 hearts in the English version and 1 heart in the Japanese version. This makes searching for fairies a useful way to replenish health during your adventures in each dungeon.
4. Is the Great Fairy Sword better than the Gilded Sword?
While the Great Fairy Sword deals twice the damage of the Gilded Sword, it is a cumbersome weapon that is harder to use. The Gilded Sword is a more balanced weapon, but it doesn’t have the raw power of the Fairy Sword. Each have their place in battle, and you should consider their strengths and weaknesses before using them.
5. Do Stray Fairy locations change between game cycles?
No, the locations of Stray Fairies remain consistent across multiple three-day cycles. Once you know where they are, you can reliably find them each time you enter a dungeon.
6. Can I collect Stray Fairies in any order?
You can, however, the Great Fairies you need to return them to are tied to specific dungeons, and you need the upgrades from previous dungeons to progress through the subsequent ones. Therefore, progressing through each dungeon in order is advised.
7. Do Great Fairy rewards carry over if I play the Song of Time?
Yes, the rewards you receive from the Great Fairies, such as an extended magic meter or increased defense, are permanent upgrades and are not lost when you play the Song of Time. Only the fairies themselves are reset.
8. Is there a visual indicator for how many Stray Fairies I’ve collected in a dungeon?
Yes, in the pause menu, when viewing the map of the temple, a number appears on the map of that temple stating how many Stray Fairies you have collected. This allows for players to know whether they’ve already located them or if they have more to locate.
9. How many stray fairies are there in total in the game?
There are a total of 60 stray fairies in the game; 15 each in each of the four main temples.
10. Can I collect stray fairies after beating a dungeon?
Yes, you are free to return to a dungeon at any time and collect the stray fairies there. This means that you can collect them at your own pace without having to locate them all at once while completing a dungeon.
11. What happens if I donate rupees to a Great Fairy?
If you donate rupees to the Great Fairies in Breath of the Wild, they will upgrade your armor. However, in Majora’s Mask, rupees are not used in this way. In Majora’s Mask, the only use for rupees when dealing with fairies is the purchase of the Magic Meter and the Great Fairy Mask in Clock Town.
12. Is the Great Fairy Mask essential for finding all the fairies?
While not essential, the Great Fairy Mask makes finding Stray Fairies much easier and reduces the frustration of navigating maze-like dungeons. The fairies will gravitate towards Link while he has this mask on, saving time and effort in locating them all.
13. What is the most efficient order to collect Stray Fairies?
It’s generally recommended to collect the fairies from each dungeon as you encounter them. Doing so will provide you the boosts you require to progress through the subsequent areas. Collecting the stray fairies in Woodfall Temple, Snowhead Temple, Great Bay Temple, and then Stone Tower Temple is the most efficient order, as it will give you a greater magic bar, defense, spin attack, and finally the Great Fairy Sword.
14. Does collecting all Stray Fairies contribute to 100% completion?
Yes, collecting all Stray Fairies and receiving each reward is crucial for achieving a 100% completion rate in Majora’s Mask. These quests add depth and challenge, enriching the overall gaming experience.
15. Where is the Great Fairy Fountain for returning Stray Fairies from Woodfall Temple?
The Great Fairy Fountain for the Woodfall Stray Fairies is located just outside of the entrance to the dungeon. Look to the right after entering the area for the hut with a Great Fairy.
Conclusion
The Stray Fairies in Majora’s Mask are more than just collectibles. They’re a key component of your progression, granting valuable upgrades that make a tangible difference. So, equip the Great Fairy Mask, explore every nook and cranny of Termina’s dungeons, and reap the rewards of your diligent searches. Your dedication will pay off with enhanced abilities and, ultimately, a more complete and satisfying adventure in this classic Zelda title.