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Bottom of the Well

The hands have learned a new trick.

Drain the well as a child and win the Lenses of Truth through the remake’s Dead Hand encounter.

  1. Witness Kakariko's shadow

    Visit Kakariko as an adult after completing the Forest, Fire and Water Temples. Watch the scene in the village and learn the Nocturne of Shadow from Sheik. If you have not learned the Song of Storms, visit the windmill musician now and show him the Ocarina.

    References: Respec · tested Switch 2 route

  2. Return as a child

    Travel to the Temple of Time and place the Master Sword in its pedestal. Return to Kakariko's windmill as child Link and play the Song of Storms for the musician. The mechanism speeds up and drains the well outside.

    References: Polygon · Johnny Yu · Bottom Well Dungeon

  3. Enter the hidden chamber

    Climb down the dry well and crawl through the narrow opening. Descend the ladder, defeat the Skulltula and walk through the apparently solid wall behind it. The dungeon uses false walls and floors, so move deliberately.

    References: Polygon · Johnny Yu · Bottom Well Dungeon

  4. Drain the inner channels

    Follow the shallow channel around the outer edge of the main chamber, avoiding the suspicious center. At the far end, find the large stone face pouring water and play Zelda's Lullaby on its Triforce mark. The channels drain.

    References: Polygon · Johnny Yu · Bottom Well Dungeon

  5. Descend to the new Dead Hand encounter

    From the drained statue ledge, follow the exposed crawlspace. Clear the Skulltula and pass the door. The chest ahead hides an invisible floor pit: drop through it to reach the foggy encounter room.

    References: Polygon · Johnny Yu · Bottom Well Dungeon

  6. Break the limbs, then strike the face

    Approach an emerging arm to bait its lunge; retreat and attack while it recovers. Destroy the limbs to expose Dead Hand’s body. Guard until its head lowers, strike the face, then repeat when the limbs return. If grabbed, press buttons to break free.

    References: Polygon · Johnny Yu · Bottom Well Dungeon

  7. Take the Lenses of Truth

    Open the chest after the fight. Equip the Lenses of Truth; D-pad Up now toggles the effect. It reveals the hidden exit and ladder. Switch it off when you have understood the room, since it consumes magic.

    References: Polygon · Johnny Yu · Bottom Well Dungeon

  8. Prepare for the Shadow Temple

    Retrace the crawlspace and entrance ladder to leave. Return to the Temple of Time and become adult Link. Refill magic, bring Din's Fire and play the Nocturne of Shadow to reach the high graveyard entrance.

    References: Respec · tested Switch 2 route

Track this chapter

Check steps as you complete them in the game. You can undo any check.

Sources and edition changes

Switch 2 edition · sources checked November 5, 2026

This guide follows the 2026 Nintendo Switch 2 remake. Routes were checked against edition-specific walkthroughs and Nintendo documentation. We have not personally completed a console playthrough.

The N64 guide and its saved progress remain separate. Checklist totals measure this guide, not the game's completion percentage. New features are documented where the available evidence supports them.

Nintendo update notes: version 1.1.1 ↗

Changes to keep in mind

  • Dead Hand’s emerging limbs are defeated before its main body appears.
  • The Lenses of Truth use an Equipment shortcut on D-pad Up.
  • Edition-specific guides checked on 5 November 2026. This is documentary verification; HyruleAtlas has not replayed these steps on a Switch 2 console.
  • The Lens is the only well reward needed for this main-story route. Map, Compass, optional keys and tokens remain side exploration.