Sheik
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Description
When Link is returned to the future world of Hyrule in OoT, the first person he meets is a skinny, sun-bitten young man, who introduces himself as Sheik, Survivor of the Sheikahs.
Sheik has red eyes, blond hair, tan skin, and a stringy, muscular body. He wears the same kind of clothes that Impa does -- tight-fitting, flexible armor/clothes, with the Sheikah symbol displayed proudly on his chest. This same symbol is worn by Impa and can be found on the Mask of Truth and Gossip Stones. His head, arms, and fingers are wrapped in gauze, and his vest is threadbare. This get-up gives Sheik the appearance of having traveled all over Hyrule, doing many things.
Sheik acts as a mysterious guide for Link, appearing when least expected, and disappearing just as quickly. Using his harp, he teaches Link songs that allow him to warp to all of the temples in Hyrule. After teaching Link a lesson with his poetry, and teaching him a song, he disappears using Sheikah magic, before Link can learn any more about him. He casts a flash spell, or calls up some kind of distraction, to disorient Link before disappearing. While Link battles in the temples, Sheik goes around Hyrule, doing deeds that oppose Ganondorf's power. For example, he saves Princess Ruto from under the ice, and attempts to keep the shadow spirit from escaping from the Kakariko Village well.
When Link is at last old enough to awaken, Zelda, still disguised as Sheik, meets him in the Temple of Time. By this time, the Sheikah are thought to have died out, and Impa is incognito. So, Zelda takes advantage of this situation to claim herself to be the last surviving Sheikah. Whether the Sheikah have really died out, or if they are just in hiding, is not known.
Little is really known about the Sheikah, so it is unknown how accurate Zelda's disguise is. But it seems to fool Ganondorf pretty well for seven years, and the Sheik disguise looks pretty similar to Impa's outfit. Zelda can even perform some Sheikah magic, like the disappearing trick. It is also unknown where Zelda learned to disguise herself as a Sheikah. There are several possibilities:
- Sheikah appearance and customs are common knowledge among the Royal Family
- She learned it from Impa
- She knows about the Sheikah because she has the Triforce of Wisdom
- Impa took her to a hidden Sheikah community, where she learned their ways
- She copied the appearance from a real Sheikah
The nature of Zelda's disguise is also mysterious. She probably uses the Triforce of Wisdom to produce the disguise. When she takes off the disguise, the Triforce of Wisdom symbol appears and spreads outward, which indicates she was using its power to disguise herself. It is also unclear whether the Sheik disguise changes Zelda's body physically, or whether the disguise is like clothing that just covers the real body.
Sheik in SSBM
Sheik is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Melee, together with her alter ego Zelda, to whom she can transform whenever she wants to. She is one of the fastest characters, but on the other hand she is really easy to control. She can also jump (or fly!) high distances. Her ninja-like-movements are weak, but really fast, so they can be easily chained.
| Button | Special Attack |
| Neutral B | Needle Storm |
| Forward B | Chain |
| Up B | Vanish |
| Down B | Transform |
- Sheik trophies:
This is Zelda's alter ego. Using a variation of the name of the ancient Sheikah tribe, she appears before Link and teaches him melodies instrumental to his success. It's believed that she's not just a quick-change artist, but rather that she is able to instantaneously alter her clothing and her eye and skin color by using her magical skills.
Strategically switching between Zelda and Sheik is key. Compared to her Zelda form, Sheik is nimble and has gorgeous moves, but she lacks a strong knockout attack. The number of needles thrown in Needle Storm is based on how long you hold the B Button before releasing it. Use the Control Stick to wave the Chain after brandishing it.
The best strategy to use when playing as Sheik is to let her flow from one powerful attack into another, like a river of quicksilver. Zelda has some techniques with more punch, however, so in one-on-one battles, use Transform as needed. Sheik only travels a short way when using Vanish, but the move comes with a small explosion that damages foes around her.
Images
(Below) Sheik Trophies.
Relevant Quotes
- Ruto inside Water Temple:
[...] A young man named Sheik saved me from under the ice... [...]
- Ruto, after you beat Morpha:
If you see Sheik, please give him my thanks, OK?
- Zelda after removing the Sheik disguise:
It is I, the Princess of Hyrule, Zelda.
I apologize for meeting you in disguise, but it was necessary to hide from the King of Evil. Please forgive me...
I passed myself off as a Sheikah and hoped that you would return. I waited for seven years...
Here are several quotes by Sheik in various locations. Sheik appears near any of the 6 temples in Hyrule.
- Inside the Temple of Time when Link pulls out the Master Sword:
I've been waiting for you, Hero of Time... When evil rules all, an awakening voice from the Sacred Realm will call those destined to be Sages, who dwell in the five temples. One in a deep forest... One on a high mountain... One under a vast lake... One within the house of the dead... One inside a goddess of the sand... Together with the Hero of Time, the awakened ones will bind the evil and return the light of peace to the world... This is the legend of the temples passed down by my people, the Sheikah. I am Sheik. Survivor of the Sheikahs... As I see you standing there holding the mythical Master Sword, you really do look like the legendary Hero of Time... If you believe the legend, you have no choice. You must look for the five temples and awaken the five Sages... One Sage is waiting for the time of awakening in the Forest Temple. The Sage is a girl I am sure you know... Because of the evil power in the temple, she cannot hear the awakening call from the Sacred Realm... Unfortunately, equipped as you currently are, you cannot even enter the temple... But, if you believe what I'm saying, you should head to Kakariko Village... Do you understand, Link?
- In front of Forest Temple:
The flow of time is always cruel... Its speed seems different for each person, but no one can change it... A thing that doesn't change with time is a memory of younger days... In order to come back here again, play the Minuet of Forest.
- Inside the temple of time, after you beat the Forest Temple:
You destroyed the wicked creatures that haunted the temple and awakened the Sage... But there are still other Sages who need your help. In order to awaken all the other Sages, you must become even more powerful. You must travel over mountains... under water... and even through time... If you want to return to your original time, return the Master Sword to the Pedestal of Time. By doing this, you will travel back in time seven years... The time will come when you will have to return here quickly... I will teach this to you for when that time comes... The song to return you to the Temple of Time... The Prelude of Light...
- Inside Death Mountain Crater near the Fire Temple:
It is something that grows over time... a true friendship. A feeling in the heart that becomes even stronger over time... The passion of friendship will soon blossom into a righteous power and through it, you will know which way to go... This song is dedicated to the power of the heart... Listen to the Bolero of Fire...
- Inside Ice Cavern:
This ice is created by an evil curse... The monster in the Water Temple is the source of the curse. Unless you shut off the source, this ice will never melt.... If you have courage enough to confront the danger and save the Zoras, I will teach you the melody that leads to the temple.
Time passes, people move.... Like a river's flow, it never ends... A childish mind will turn to noble ambition... Young love will become deep affection... The clear water's surface reflects growth... Now listen to the Serenade of Water to reflect upon yourself....
- In Lake Hylia after you beat Morpha in Water Temple:
As the water rises, the evil is vanishing from the lake... Link, you did it! (Link warps in) Did Ruto want to thank me? I see... We have to return peace to Hyrule for her sake, too. Don't we? Look at that, Link... Together, you and Princess Ruto destroyed the evil monster! Once again, the lake is filled with pure water. All is as it was here.
- In Kakariko after beating Morpha in the Water Temple:
Looks like you're coming around... Link... A terrible thing has happened! The evil shadow spirit has been released! Impa, the leader of Kakariko Village, had sealed the evil shadow spirit in the bottom of the well.... But the force of the evil spirit got so strong, the seal of the well broke, and it escaped into the world!! I believe Impa has gone to the Shadow Temple to seal it again, but...she will be in danger without any help! Link! Impa is one of the six Sages. Destroy the evil shadow spirit and save Impa! There is an entrance to the Shadow Temple beneath the graveyard behind this village. The only thing I can do for you is teach you the melody that will lead you to the Shadow Temple... This is the melody that will draw you into the infinite darkness that absorbs even time... Listen to this, the Nocturne of Shadow!!
- Outside the Spirit Temple:
Past, present, future... The Master Sword is a ship with which you can sail upstream and downstream through time's river... The port for that ship is in the Temple of Time... To restore the Desert Colossus and enter the Spirit Temple, you must travel back through time's flow... Listen to this Requiem of Spirit... This melody will lead a child back to the desert.
Translation Notes
| Country | Name |
| Japanese | シーク ('SHĪKU') |
| English | Sheik |
| French | Sheik |
| German | Shiek |
Sheik's name is written in katakana as SHĪKU in Toki no Ocarina. Compare this to Sheikah, which is written in Katakana as SHĪKĀ. This indicates that the name is pronounced the same way as the English word "she."
"Sheik" is the standard spelling in the American and French versions. In the German version, however, Sheik's name is spelled "Shiek." This is because, in German, "ei" is pronounced as in "reign," while "ie" is pronounced as in "belief." To preserve the original pronunciation, the name had to be changed to "Shiek."
Note that Sheik is referred to as "he" and a "young man" in OoT, so the proper pronoun to refer to Sheik is the masculine one.
Miscellaneous Notes
There are subtle differences between the official art and the in-game model of Sheik. Very small things, such as his fingers being wrapped a little bit differently, and the light/dark blue pattern of his clothes being a little different.
See also
- This page was last modified on 16 February 2006, at 05:45.
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