Deep within the Lost Woods of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, there lies a mysterious and easily overlooked location known as the Forest Stage. While many players may rush through this enchanting woodland on their journey to save Hyrule, those who take time to explore will find a hidden chamber filled with playful Deku Scrubs who have a strange interest in costumes and masks. The Forest Stage offers unique interactions, rare rewards, and an important use for the Mask of Truth and other masks. Understanding its mechanics and secrets adds depth and charm to your Ocarina of Time experience.
Finding the Forest Stage
Location in the Lost Woods
The Forest Stage is hidden within the Lost Woods, a maze-like area known for its echoing music and looping paths. To find the Forest Stage, begin at the entrance of the Lost Woods from Kokiri Forest and follow this route:
- Right
- Left
- Right
- Left
- Left
After taking this path, you’ll arrive in a seemingly ordinary clearing. However, this is actually a disguised grotto. Walk to the center of the clearing and you’ll drop into the underground Forest Stage. It’s easy to miss if you’re not paying attention, making it one of the more well-hidden secrets in the game.
Purpose of the Forest Stage
Role in the Mask Trading Side Quest
The Forest Stage plays an important part in the Happy Mask Side Quest, which becomes available after you become a child and reach the Market. As you collect and wear different masks, the Deku Scrubs in the Forest Stage will react based on the mask you’re wearing. Their reactions can range from praise to fear to excitement, and in some cases, you’ll even receive upgrades or items as rewards.
Child Link Only
It’s important to note that the Forest Stage can only be accessed and interacted with while you’re playing as Young Link. Adult Link cannot use this area, nor do the masks serve a purpose in the Forest Stage once you’ve grown up. This detail makes it crucial to explore the area early in your adventure, especially before finishing the Happy Mask side quest.
Masks and Reactions
How the Forest Stage Works
When you enter the Forest Stage while wearing a mask, several Deku Scrubs will emerge from the ground and assess your appearance. Each mask has a unique effect on their behavior. The outcome depends on whether the Scrubs love, like, or dislike the mask. If they love it, you may be rewarded with a special upgrade. If they dislike it, they may react negatively or even attack.
Notable Mask Reactions
- Skull Mask: The Deku Scrubs like this mask and will give you a Deku Stick capacity upgrade, allowing you to carry more sticks.
- Mask of Truth: The Scrubs love this mask and will reveal hidden lore about the Kokiri and Link’s origin. This is the only place in the game where this information is shared.
- Bunny Hood, Spooky Mask: The Scrubs find these interesting but offer no rewards.
- Keffei Mask or other non-standard masks: No special reaction; generally not used at the stage.
It’s worth revisiting the stage with every new mask you obtain to see what the Scrubs think. Some reactions are humorous or insightful even without rewards.
Forest Stage Rewards and Secrets
Deku Stick Upgrade
The Deku Stick upgrade from the Skull Mask is one of the few opportunities to increase your inventory limit. After receiving this reward, you’ll be able to carry up to 20 Deku Sticks, which is particularly helpful in combat and puzzle solving during the early game.
Hidden Lore from the Mask of Truth
The Mask of Truth, which is obtained later in the mask quest, allows you to hear the thoughts of animals and Gossip Stones. When worn in the Forest Stage, the Deku Scrubs will recognize its power and reveal mysterious insights into the Kokiri people and Link himself. This dialogue suggests that Link may not be a true Kokiri, hinting at the deeper story that unfolds later in the game. While not essential to finishing the game, this hidden lore is one of the few direct pieces of narrative hidden in gameplay interactions.
No Enemies, No Combat
The Forest Stage is a peaceful zone with no combat, making it one of the few safe havens within the Lost Woods. Despite being underground and surrounded by monsters in other parts of the forest, this location is used purely for interaction and rewards.
Why the Forest Stage Matters
Optional but Enriching
While not required for completing the main storyline of Ocarina of Time, the Forest Stage enriches the player’s experience. It encourages exploration, rewards curiosity, and contributes to world-building in subtle ways. Players who skip this area miss out on unique interactions and permanent upgrades.
Design Philosophy
The Forest Stage reflects Nintendo’s design philosophy of rewarding exploration. It’s not pointed out by Navi or marked on your map. Only players who explore every nook of the Lost Woods will discover it. This approach makes discoveries feel personal and memorable, which is a hallmark of the Zelda series.
Foreshadowing and Mystery
The hints revealed by the Deku Scrubs wearing the Mask of Truth serve as subtle foreshadowing for major story twists later in the game. This gives attentive players a deeper connection to the narrative and sets up the emotional impact of Link’s true origins.
Tips for First-Time Visitors
- Visit the Forest Stage after getting at least two or three masks to maximize reactions.
- Make sure you wear the Skull Mask to receive the Deku Stick upgrade before finishing the mask quest.
- Return with the Mask of Truth after obtaining it to learn more about Link’s mysterious background.
- Mark the route to the Forest Stage on paper or memory; it’s easy to get lost in the Lost Woods.
- Remember, the area only functions when you are Young Link.
The Forest Stage in Ocarina of Time is a hidden gem tucked deep within the Lost Woods. Although entirely optional, it offers valuable rewards and hidden lore that enhance your understanding of the game’s world and characters. Through unique interactions with the Deku Scrubs, the Forest Stage gives players a rare chance to engage with the environment in a playful and rewarding way. From inventory upgrades to narrative mysteries, this location is a prime example of how Ocarina of Time encourages exploration and curiosity. For players who want to experience everything the game has to offer, a visit to the Forest Stage is absolutely worth the trip.