The Authoritative Dragon Mechanic

Dragons have had a few appearances in the Zelda franchise. Generally, they are enemies (normally bosses), and every once in a while they are solely a story-point (i.e. Valoo). Many people have talked about incorporating dragons a bit more on the forums, but mainly in reference to a flight mechanic. There's been highly staggered views in this.

Thus being said, I would like to announce that THIS THREAD (you heard it, this one) is now the home in Zelda Universe for those seeking to discover...

The AUTHORITATIVE Dragon Mechanic.

And now...let's start with a simple question.

Would Link ride one, be one, fight along side one, or should it be forgotten?

NOTE: Even if the majority is for the latter, this thread will (hopefully) continue. Maybe it will surprise all you naysayers and you might decide to jump right into the den.

INB4LOCKZAND1ST!!!

All of the options can be played out. You ride the dragon, it gets hurt and bites you. You become a dragon and then fight along side each other. The other dragon gets really sick eventually and you forget about it.

The End.

Maybe the Hyrulians had just recently discovered dragons, and only a few people would be selected to be able to ride the dragons, (Sort of an Eragon style thing) and Link was chosen to ride the biggest, best dragon. That would be a great way to travel instead of Epona.

My general idea of the system would be to start out with Link somehow making the acquaintance of a dragon that is not much bigger than he is (maybe rescuing it, i.e., at the end of the first or second dungeon). Over the course of the game, the dragon grows in both size and strength, so in the last third of the game, it can fly with you on its back, into lands you previously could not cross.

The dragon would become a very important dungeon mechanic, and every other dungeon, you would find something to upgrade it (as you may find a hookshot). These upgrades can also be found outside the dungeons (again, as you may find a hookshot), so it doesn't become a formulaic process.

At a certain point in the game, you should acquire something that lets you control the dragon separately from Link, like Makar in WW. Except this time, you should be able to access that link (hehe, link) from anywhere in the dungeon.

I also think that to preserve the classic sense of Zelda, there should be times when you have to go in a dungeon alone.

I like this thread!

I'm thinking that it would be used as a flying device, maybe working a bit like the Wing Cap in Super Mario 64, except that it could breathe fire

But there would have to be some restraint as to when you could use it, or maybe you would be able to use the dragon late in the game.

Hmm...perhaps you can't fly in dungeons? Or rather, it would be annoying to fly in dungeons, so you would end up walking anyway?

If we follow the latter, flight could still be incorporated in the bigger dungeons. Then it wouldn't be just a transport.

Originally Posted by linebecklacky

Maybe the Hyrulians had just recently discovered dragons, and only a few people would be selected to be able to ride the dragons, (Sort of an Eragon style thing) and Link was chosen to ride the biggest, best dragon. That would be a great way to travel instead of Epona.

This.

Basically just copy Avatar, where theres a sacred tribe and you have to gain their trust to ride dragons. I don't even mind that it's the same. This mechanic and story progression would just be awesome to experience.

Also imagine a huge dungeon incorporating the flight of these dragons, the possibilities are huge.

Some backstory on dragons would be awesome, plus they should be treated as a race and not just some random monster/plot point like they always are.

Link seriously needs more fights against dragons. Specifically in caves with lots of gold.

Dragons are gay.

Most over-used fantasy beast of all time. So sick and tired of dragons it is not funny. I do not want Zelda to follow the same track. A flying mount would be okay, but preferably something original to the series. Perhaps the bird thing from the OoT Manga.

But really dragons? Can't you be a little bit more original and less cliche?

Okay how bout a dragon that's feathery and looks like a bird. Or a dragon chicken.

I'd accept Aquamentus, Gleeok and some Elemental Valoo-type dragons in Zelda, as characters only, but I draw the line at a game focused on dragons. Dragons annoy me when they're the focus of a game. The only time I'd accept a dragon steed is if there was a game that was focused on animals and creatures large and small, with multiple types of transport animal (horse, dragon, bird, fish) and more focus on the guardian deities we see such as Jabu-Jabu.

Originally Posted by AzraelBlack

Dragons are gay.

Most over-used fantasy beast of all time. So sick and tired of dragons it is not funny. I do not want Zelda to follow the same track. A flying mount would be okay, but preferably something original to the series. Perhaps the bird thing from the OoT Manga.

But really dragons? Can't you be a little bit more original and less cliche?

I will say it again: What about Roc, you know, The One of the feathers and cape
it will be less cliche and also will make more sense.

And This tune will work fine as a call... and i also like it

Roc isn't a dragon. Roc is a mythical bird species, although the only time we've actually seen a bird of relation to the Roc in Zelda itself is with the Helmaroc King.

i'd like to ride a dragon, but not a boring, western one. it would, however, be very fun to ride something like Volvagia. that would actually be pretty original, as the only dragon you can ride in games are always some boring western ones. save those for bosses as they are fun to fight against, but not with.

Originally Posted by GamenerdAdvance

Roc isn't a dragon. Roc is a mythical bird species, although the only time we've actually seen a bird of relation to the Roc in Zelda itself is with the Helmaroc King.

I was responsing to AzraelBlack

Originally Posted by fedex_714

I was responsing to AzraelBlack

Oh wow, you post facepalm pics. That stuff is totally hardcore. :/

Given that the discussion was regarding dragons in Zelda, and you were talking about Roc, after somebody previously made a comment about making a dragon that had bird-like qualities, I wouldn't say it was that silly of me to make the mistake of assuming that you had mixed up Roc with some other mythological creature.

Of course. In a game so original as Zelda, it's only natural that you have a really original take on the dragon. It's design should be something we don't normally think about. How about a dragon with influence of a grazing beast, such as an ox or a mountain goat? I've seen cat-like, bird-like, and lizard-like...we should break the formula.

Also, since it seems dragons are unconsciously western or eastern based, how about we take the eastern approach?

EDIT Sorry, this was in reply to The Hive Mind.

I think I would prefer an item that allowed Link to fly. Why?

Because Dragons are the single most over used beast in Fantasy and Sci-Fi.

That's why it's such a challenge. How do you make something so overused feel unique?

That answer shall be found.