Deku Scrub

Deku Scrub
Artwork of a Deku Scrub from Ocarina of Time
First appearance	Ocarina of Time (1998)
Appears in	Ocarina of Time Majora's Mask Oracle of Ages Oracle of Seasons Four Swords Adventures The Minish Cap Tri Force Heroes
Race	Deku
Alternate form(s)	Business Scrub Mad Scrub

"It will hide in the grass if you get close to it. Bounce the nuts it spits back at it!"

— Navi

Deku Scrubs (デクナッツ, Deku Nattsu^?, Deku Nuts) are recurring characters in the Legend of Zelda series. The term "Deku Scrub" is sometimes used to refer to the entire Deku race. It can also be used to refer specifically to the type of Deku which is not a Business Scrub or Mad Scrub. Deku Scrubs themselves are non-aggressive toward Link, except in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Biology

Deku Scrubs are small creatures about half the height of Adult Link. They appear to be made of wood, suggesting that they may have evolved from plants. They have red glowing eyes and generally also have leaves or other plant-like growths sprouting from their heads. Deku Scrubs, along with some Business Scrubs, are capable of spinning the leaves on their head like a helicopter to fly great distances. As suggested by the Deku Royal Family, it is possible that monarchical Deku have fancier head growths, or that perhaps the monarchs are chosen by how extensive their head growths are. Deku Scrubs have the ability to spit Deku Nuts and Magic Bubble at their enemies through their cylindrical mouths. Despite being made of what appears to be wood, a Deku cannot swim without drowning. On the other hand, their light weight allows them to hop over short distances of water, as well as stand on Lily Pads. Because of their plant-like nature, Deku Scrubs are also very vulnerable to fire, and perish very quickly if they come into contact with it. Deku are able to use Deku Flowers to launch themselves to normally unreachable places.

Government

In Majora's Mask, Deku Scrubs have a monarchical government based in Deku Palace. They are ruled by the Deku King and Deku Princess, who are served by Deku Palace Guards and a Butler. However, outside of Termina, no indication of a Deku Scrub government has been shown, besides Gohma, who they refer to as their queen in Ocarina of Time. In Four Swords Adventures, the Deku Scrubs have become followers of Ganon.

Appearances

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Deku Scrubs are enemies in Ocarina of Time. Except for the fact that Deku Scrubs are brownish with green leaves and Mad Scrubs are reddish with orange leaves, they are identical in appearance. The majority of Deku Scrubs appear Inside the Deku Tree where they are subservient to Queen Gohma. If Link deflects their nuts back to them, using his shield, they will run around in a panic, before offering advice in exchange for mercy if approached. In this way Link can learn how to defeat the three Deku Scrub Brothers, who are guarding the entrance to Queen Gohma's lair and act as the mini-bosses of the dungeon.

There are also several Deku Scrubs in Lost Woods, with one making his home in the top of the tree with the drum like target hanging from it, rewarding Link with a larger Deku Seeds Bullet Bag if he hits a bullseye three times in a row. Other Deku Scrubs can be found in the Forest Stage where they will judge Link based on the mask he is wearing, either giving him Rupees, doing nothing, or pelting him with Deku Nuts. If Link wears the Skull Mask a greater reward will be presented to him by a larger Deku Scrub, who claims it looks like their sacred totem.

Navi's Note

“It will hide in the grass if you get close to it. Bounce the nuts it spits back at it!”

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

Deku Scrubs generally live in the Deku Palace in the Southern Swamp. At the beginning of the game the Skull Kid uses the power of the Majora's Mask to turn Link into a Deku Scrub. Deku Scrubs in Termina are friendly to other races and engage in commerce with them. They are protective of their own territory, however, allowing only certain Deku Scrubs into Deku Palace and placing guards around Woodfall Temple. They apparently had good relations with the monkeys of Woodfall prior to the Deku King mistakenly believing one had captured their Princess. Once the situation is resolved with the help of Link, they go back to being at peace. Mad Scrubs are the only Deku Scrubs that appear as actual enemies, while the Deku Palace Guards are simply antagonistic, playing a role similar to the Hyrulean Soldiers in Ocarina of Time.

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons

Deku Scrubs can be found throughout Labrynna and Holodrum, usually in caves. They are very similar to Business Scrubs of the game, but they do not need to be defeated and will trade with Link freely.

In the quest for the Noble Sword, Link has to play the Phonograph for a Deku Scrub in order to find the correct way to travel through the Lost Woods to find the Noble Sword.

However, some Deku Scrubs (especially near Mount Cucco) will attack Link. If defeated, they will give Link some information on talking with them.

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures

Deku Scrubs live in the Lost Woods, though a few can be found in the Temple of Darkness and Frozen Hyrule. Although they tend to be antagonistic toward Link, they do not physically attack him. The Deku Scrubs reveal that the source of the darkness that has come over the Lost Woods is not Vaati, as would be expected, but Ganon. They are loyal to Ganon, and say that he is responsible for awakening them from their slumber, and that his power will turn all of Hyrule's forests into Lost Woods, allowing them to move freely. They say that people who wander lost in the Lost Woods for too long will become Deku Scrubs themselves, a similar story to the one regarding the origin of Skull Kids and Stalfos in Ocarina of Time.

In the Lost Woods, The Links must help Deppi and Dekki dispose of items that are bad for Deku Scrubs in order to receive the Power Bracelet they need to proceed. There also is a shovel and a Great Fairy, kept under tight security by the Deku Scrubs. The Links will need to find the shovel to uncover a hidden tunnel and continue their quest. If they also find the Great Fairy, she will upgrade the shovel to a Lv. 2 shovel, making their search much easier. In the Temple of Darkness, the Deku Scrubs are busy erecting monuments to Ganon. In Frozen Hyrule, two Deku Scrubs can be found, one running the Terrorpin Hockey mini-game and the other having erected Snow Walls.

The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

"Deku Scrub" is sometimes used as a general term to refer to the species. More specifically, all of the Deku being referred to are Business Scrubs.

The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes

Totem Dekus are a new to type of Deku Scrub that appear as enemies in Tri Force Heroes.

Other appearances

Subseries warning: This article or section contains information on a subseries within the Legend of Zelda series and should be considered part of its own separate canon.

Hyrule Warriors Legends

Promotional Render of Skull Kid in his Standard Outfit (Koholint) from Hyrule Warriors Legends

As part of the Link's Awakening DLC, Skull Kid's Standard Outfit (Koholint) is a Deku Scrub Recolor of his Standard Outfit.

Subseries warning: Subseries information ends here.

Theories

Forest Octorok

Due to their similar attack patterns and anatomy, Octoroks could be a variation of Deku Scrub.

Gallery

Artwork of a small Deku Guard from Majora's Mask

Artwork of a big Deku Guard from Majora's Mask

See also

• Business Scrub
• Mad Scrub
• Octorok
• Kokiri