As you explore Hyrule, you may notice a misplaced pool of gloom on the surface layer of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. As you get closer, you’ll see a group of dark hands creeping out with one eye in the middle.
The so-called Gloomy hands (aka Red Hands by players, and officially known as Gloom Spawn by the game) will charge at you with their deceptively fast speed and grab you, destroying your heart in the process with their gloom status effect.
The Gloom Hands are terrifying at first – especially as you journey through the Lost Woods and rid the Korok Forest of gloom – but if you’re prepared, you’ll soon learn there’s nothing to be afraid of. Here’s how to beat them.
How to beat Gloom Hands in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Gloom Hands are exactly what they sound like: dark red hands covered in gloom. They’re scattered all over Hyrule, but you won’t know when to fight them until it’s too late.
Image: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon
A pool of gloom will open on the ground and Gloom Hands will begin to climb out of the hole. If you’re ever frightened by these creepy crawling hands, we suggest you do the following:
- Climb to higher ground
- Prepare ranged AOE (area of effect) attacks such as bomb flower or chuchu jelly darts
- Equip any armor that can withstand darkness or prepare sunflower dishes in case you take damage from gloom
Once the Gloom Hands start crawling out of their hole, fuse one of your bombflowers into an arrow and shoot it into the center of the five hands.
Image: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon
It takes about six bombflower arrows to defeat all the Gloom Hands – they usually spawn in a group – but if some are still alive, use the remaining bombflower arrows or an AOE ranged attack like elemental chuchu jelly.
In addition, make sure that quickly kill all five Gloom Hands as they will respawn if you give them enough time.
If you happen to get grabbed by a Gloom Hand, don’t forget that shake your analog sticks out of their grasp as quickly as possible. If your squirming is chaotic enough, you’ll break out of their grasp without losing any heart.
Image: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon
One way to avoid being completely grabbed is to take the high ground. The Gloom Hands won’t be able to track you, so you’re free to rain down fire from above.
Once you defeat all Gloom Hands, a Phantom Ganon will spawn in their place. When you’re up for the challenge, put on your shield and get ready to block!
If not, you can always leave and return when you think you’re ready.