The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword - Bugs and Potions Guide Table of Contents 1. Version History 2. General Tips 3. Bugs and locations 4. Selling 5. Potions 6. Bug Heaven Wrangler Run 7. Credits 8. Legal 9. Contact ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ {1. Version History} ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MM/DD/YYYY 1/17/2012 ver. 0.95 submitted to GameFAQs. 1/20/2012 ver. 1.0 added info for Bug Heaven and route for the Bug Heaven Wrangler run necessary for Beedle's Beetle quest. Also changed some of the topic dividers and added Fi's comments on all of the Bugs. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ {2. General Tips} ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Regarding technique =================== In general, it is best to use a horizontal sweep to catch bugs, as opposed to swinging the net vertically. It helps you judge distance better overall. Furthermore, few bugs try to evade your net by flying above or below it. To make your net face to the left (the easiest swing is from right to left), turn the Wii Remote so that the Face buttons are facing the palm of your hand. This makes it much easier to swing at what you want to catch. Regarding the Big Bug Net ========================= The Bug Net can be upgraded to the Big Bug Net for 2 Dusk Relics, 2 Amber Relics, 3 Jelly Blobs, and 100 rupees. It increases the diameter of the net, and it does, in fact, make it easier to catch bugs. Sadly, by the time you get The Dusk Relics necessary to make it, you probably won't need it too badly. It is worth getting if you have trouble catching bugs, but its certainly not required. Regarding the Bug Medal ======================= The bug medal can be obtained from Beedle's Airshop for the low, low price of 1000 rupees. It's primary use is to show, on your map, the locations of bugs in the area. Since bugs tend to spawn in the same locations rather than roam around the map, it tends to be a waste of valuable adventure pouch space. It does, however, have a (limited) use beyond that. If you are out hunting bugs, it will show on your map whether or not a given spawn point has any bugs. This can save you time when no good spawn points are available for the bug you're looking for, allowing you to reset the area and try again without having to trek out and back again. Regarding Bug Heaven ==================== Bug Heaven can be reached as soon as you finish the fight with Bilocyte (well, it can be reached before that, but the only thing there is a Deku Hornet nest). In Bug Heaven, you can find every bug in the game. This isn't quite as convenient as it sounds, though. There is no save statue, Bugs don't spawn unless you're playing the minigame, you can't keep any of the bugs you collect, and while the bugs do respawn over a short period of time, there is no doorway to quickly respawn them. There is a minigame there that you will probably have to play at least once: Stritch's Bug Heaven, Which comes in Beginner(20 rupees) and Wrangler (50 rupees) flavors, the Wrangler run detailed in its own section below. Ultimately, Bug Heaven comes so late in the game that you won't need the rewards from playing it. But if you like bug catching, it's a fun way to spend a few minutes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ {3. Bugs and Locations} ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The best place to find any given bug is usually located near an entrance to a building or cave. As such, I've listed some of my favorite bug catching spots for each species below, along with any notes on their behavior that seemed pertinent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Blessed Butterfly Notes: Follow my notes on technique, and you should have no problem catching them. Fi's Assessment: Sensitivity to Human Presence: 70%. Usable as a potion ingredient. It flutters in an unpredictable fasion. Swinging your bug net multiple times might bring unexpected success. This species tends to gather in places where something lies hidden. Best places to find them: Literally everywhere. You can't miss 'em. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deku Hornet Notes: One of the easiest bugs to catch in the game.Simply face the cloud of angry hornets, hold the net in the horizontal position discussed above, and jiggle the net back and forth. They'll probably be the only bug you max out on. Fi's Assessment: For these, she doesn't have one, since you can't target them. Best places to find them: -Entrance to Deep Woods ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eldin Roller Notes: They're fairly easy to catch. Also the best bug to farm for sale to Stritch in the early parts of the game. Fi's Assessment: Sensitivity to Human Presence: 90%. Usable as a potion ingredient. This insect is extremely fast when it is fleeing. I project a 20% boost in capture rate if cornered. Best places to find them: -Right in front of the Earth Temple. -Dig patch of earth near entrance to Volcano Summit ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Faron Grasshopper Notes: Best to approach slowly. They startle easily, and take large leaps away from you. Fi's Assessment: Sensitivity to Human Presence: 80%. Usable as a potion ingredient. Usually found hiding in grassy areas. If you rush after this insect, it will flee. If your approach escapes it's notice, it will continue to hop around. Best places to find them: -outside of Skyview Temple -Near bird statue outside of Ancient Cistern (Floria Waterfall). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gerudo Dragonfly Notes: Though they move faster, they're similar to the butterflys. Approach slowly. Fi's Assessment: Sensitivity to Human Presence: 80%. Usable as a potion ingredient. I recommend attempting to catch it when it pauses in the air. Best places to find them: -Various patches of dry vegetation in Lanayru Desert. There is a decent spot by The southeastern power station. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lanayru Ant Notes: Surprisingly easy to squish underfoot. If you're willing to wait, the top two locations listed will net you (Hah!) a REDICULOUS number of ants per run. Fi's Assessment: Sensitivity to Human Presence:60%. Usable as a potion ingredient. I Project a 50% probability of failing to notice this insect simply because it's small. After discovering its location, you can catch it comparitively easily. Best places to find them: -Entrance to Sand Sea -Barrels at the pirate stronghold (outside) -Behind the Southeastern Power station (see Sand Cicada) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sand Cicada Notes: Much like Volcanic Ladybugs, you CANNOT roll into the surface they're on to catch them. For these, I recommend a vertical swipe with the net, though you may prefer a diagonal or horizontal swipe depending on number and grouping. Fi's Assessment: Sensitivity to human presence: 90%. Usable as a potion ingredient. This insect wil fly away at the slightest sign of danger. I recommend you look carefully for it as soon as you hear it, then approach slowly. Best places to find them: -Behind the Southeastern power station is hands down the easiest (and therefore best) place to find them. Why? Because, unlike the other places they can be found, that location is close to a door, making them easy to respawn. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Skyloft Mantis Notes: They're similar to the Faron Grasshopper, but much slower. Fi's Assessment: Sensitivity to Human Presence: 70%. Usable as a potion ingredient. Be aware that this insect is surprisingly agile when it is fleeing, so you must approach it cautiously. Best places to find them: -Pots around Skyloft/The Lumpy Pumpkin ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sky Stag Beetle Notes: Best caught by rolling into the wall/tree they're on. Fi's Assessment: Sensitivity to Human Presence: 70%. Usable as a potion ingredient. Roll into walls or other objects to knock them down, making them easier to catch. Best places to find them: -Wall of Knight Academy, near row of 4 pots -Large tree near the Bazaar/Parrow and Orielle's house ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Starry Firefly Notes: Slow, but they tend to fly just above your reach (Even with the Big Bug Net). Fi's Assessment: Sensitivity to Human Presence: 60%. Usable as a potion ingredient. This rarely uncountered insect is not considered difficult to catch. Best places to find them: -In the pumpkin patch behind the Lumpy Pumpkin, at night. -Pond in Waterfall Cave ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volcanic Ladybug Notes: I learned the hard way that, unlike the Sky Stag and Woodland Rhino Beetles, these cannot be caught by rolling into the wall they're found on. They're slow, and they don't startle easily, so you shouldn't have trouble catching them. Fi's Assessment: Sensitivity to Human Presence: 65%. Usable as a potion ingredient. Approach carefully, making as little noise as possible. get close with the Bug Net and catch it with a quick swing. Not considered a difficult catch. Best places to find them: -Their best location is the area with the waterfall in the Vocanic Summit area -A little way down the mountain from the Earth Temple ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Woodland Rhino Beetle Notes: Best caught by rolling into the wall/tree they're on. Fi's Assessment: Sensitivity to Human Presence: 60%. Usable as a potion ingredient. Roll into a wall or other object to knock this insect down. This strategy increases your chance to catch this insect by 50%. Best places to find them: -Behind the Temple (where you first met Gorko) -Near Entrance to Sealed Temple, up a small incline ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~~~~~~~~~~ {4. Selling} ~~~~~~~~~~ You can sell bugs to Stritch. all you need to do is talk to him his room in the Academy at night. He will only buy three types of bugs per night. If he's not buying the bug you want to sell, sleep in the bunk bed nearby until he is. [Bug Name] [Rupee Value] Blessed Butterfly 5 Deku Hornet 1 Eldin Roller 40 Faron Grasshopper 40 Gerudo Dragonfly 30 Lanayru Ant 20 Sand Cicada 50 Skyloft Mantis 10 Sky Stag Beetle 20 Starry Firefly 30 Volcanic Ladybug 20 Woodland Rhino Beetle 20 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~~~~~~~~~~ {5. Potions} ~~~~~~~~~~ Infusing potions is the primary use for bugs, outside of selling them for money, or killing them (you horrible person, you). Listed below is every potion you can get, its effects, its cost in rupees, and the bugs required to create it when applicable. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Name] [Cost][Bugs Needed] | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Stamina Potion | 50|N/A | |-Slows stamina, 3 min. | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Stamina Potion + | 20|3x Volcanic ladybug, 2x Sky Stag Beetle, | |-Stops Stamina, 3 min. | |2x Gerudo Dragonfly, 1x Faron Grasshopper | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Heart Potion | 20|N/A | |-Restores 8 Hearts | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Heart Potion + | 20|3x Blessed Butterfly, 1x Woodland Rhino | |-Restores all hearts | |Beetle, 1x Volcanic Ladybug | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Heart Potion ++ | 30|3x Blessed Butterfly, 3x Deku Hornet, | |-Restores all hearts, 2x | |1X Sand Cicada, 1x Eldin Roller | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Air Potion | 20|N/A | |-Slows Oxygen, 3 min. | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Air Potion + | 20|2x Sky Stag Beetle, 2x Skyloft Mantis, | |-Stops Oxygen, 3 min. | |2x Lanayru Ant | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Revitalizing Potion | 30|N/A | |-Fully replennishes shield | | | | gauge, restores 4 Hearts | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Revitalizing Potion + | 20|2x Woodland Rhino Beetle, | |-Auto fixes shield when | |2x Skyloft Mantis, 3x Deku Hornet | | broken, restores 8 hearts | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Revitalizing Potion ++ | 30|2x Woodland Rhino Beetle, 3x Lanayru Ant, | |-Auto fixes shield when | |1x Gerudo Dragonfly, 1x Sand Cicada | | broken, restores 8 hearts x2| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Guardian Potion | 200|N/A | |-1/2 damage taken, 3 min. | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Guardian Potion + | 40|1x Faron Grasshopper, 2x Eldin Roller | |-Stops damage taken, 3 min. | |3x Blessed Butterfly, 3x Starry Firefly | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ {6. Bug Heaven Wrangler Run} ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ During the course of the game, a side quest requires you to beat Bug Heaven's Wrangler difficulty run in 3 minutes to get Beedle's pet beetle back from Stritch. To complete it, you are required to collect the following: 2 Faron Grasshoppers 1 Woodland Rhino Beetle 1 Skyloft Mantis 1 Blessed Butterfly 1 Lanayru Ant 1 Sand Cicada 1 Gerudo Dragonfly 2 Eldin Rollers They can be collected in any order. Here is my path to get all of them within the 3 minute time limit (my best time was 1:55:49, though I can probably do better). Ignore The Sky Stag Beetle and turn right. Swing across the water, and you should find a [Gerudo Dragonfly] at the base of the incline. Run up the incline, and you will find your first [Eldin Roller]. Carefully approach the tree to catch the [Sand Cicada] on it. Turn around and walk along the top sectionto find a [Lanayru Ant]. Drop down into the center area to find a [Blessed Butterfly], and another Gerudo Dragonfly if you missed the first one. Drop down the hole, and check the nearby pillars for a [Woodland Rhino Beetle], which you should catch with the net so that it doesn't fall in the water. Cut down the spider web and break the pots for a second [Eldin Roller] and your first of three [Faron Grasshoppers]. Leave the room through the opening you have to crawl through to drop onto a patio. Break the nearby pot to get a [Skyloft Mantis], and you will pass by two more Gerudo Draoonflies. Use the clawshot to grab the ivy, and at the top you will find another Sand Cicada if you missed the first one. Climb the second wall of ivy, pass another Blessed Butterfly, and you will find your second [Faron Grasshopper] in the grass. If you followed this walkthrough precisely, you should have caught everything you need. Beyond the point I left off at, you get an extra chance at catching a Sand Cicada, as well as a Woodland Rhino Beetle that won't fall in water. In the opposite direction of the path you took to get the last grasshopper, you can also get another Eldin Roller. You need to catch the Skyloft Mantis, though, as it is the only one that doesn't seem to have a convenient spawn location. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~~~~~~~~~~ {7. Credits} ~~~~~~~~~~ Special thanks to: CJayC for creating GameFAQs SBAllen for keeping the site running Nintendo The Skyward Sword Message Board for helpful information related to completing the game. ...and YOU! ~~~~~~~~ {8. Legal} ~~~~~~~~ Copyright 2012 Bryan Simmons. This may be not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal, private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide on any other web site or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a violation of copyright. All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their respective trademark and copyright holders. ~~~~~~~~~~ {9. Contact} ~~~~~~~~~~ You may contact me at: rbmalpha@yahoo(dot)com I don't check it often, and I won't read anything unless the subject line reads: (Game Name)(Guide Name)(re:)