Finding every Poe ghost and mastering the Song of Storms in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time requires precise timing, specific gear, and an understanding of how Hyrule's spectral mechanics work. Whether you're hunting down Big Poes for bottle rewards or draining the well in Kakariko Village, knowing exactly where to look saves hours of aimless wandering across both young and adult Link's timelines.
The primary keyword is Ocarina of Time Poe. This guide breaks down exact spawn locations, bottle requirements, how to trigger the Song of Storms, and common pitfalls players face when hunting ghosts across Hyrule.
Essential Equipment for Poe Hunting
Before you can capture a single spirit, you need the right tools. Trying to catch ghosts barehanded or with the wrong inventory setup leads to wasted time and missing rewards.
- Empty Bottles: You must have at least one empty glass bottle equipped to your C-buttons. When you defeat a standard Poe, you can scoop its floating essence into the bottle.
- The Fairy Ocarina or Ocarina of Time: Required for playing songs that alter the environment or summon weather changes.
- The Hookshot or Longshot: Essential for reaching elevated platforms, rooftop Poe spawns, and distant targets quickly during nighttime hunts.
- Sun's Song: Learned in the ReDead-infested Royal Family's Tomb in Kakariko Graveyard, this melody instantly shifts time from day to night, letting you force Poe spawn windows without waiting.
Where to Find Standard Poes and Big Poes
Standard Poes appear in specific outdoor zones at night, while Big Poes are restricted to a special side quest in Hyrule Field once you become an adult.
Hyrule Field Big Poe Hunt
To start the Big Poe side quest, ride Epona to the Hyrule Castle Town drawbridge ruins. A ghost shop owner pays 50 rupees and awards a bottle point for each of the 10 Big Poes scattered across the field.
- Location 1: Near the stone wall close to the entrance of Lon Lon Ranch.
- Location 2: Hidden behind the trees near the southern path leading to Lake Hylia.
- Location 3: Right next to the large cluster of trees in the central-eastern sector of the field.
- Location 4: Close to the river bank near the Gerudo Valley entrance.
- Location 5: Hiding near the signpost posted along the path toward Kakariko Village.
To register a hit, you must shoot a Big Poe with an arrow while riding Epona. Once defeated, ride close to the floating blue flame and bottle it immediately before it fades away.
Standard Poe Locations
If you're hunting standard purple and green Poes for puzzle triggers or dungeon completion, check these spots after sunset:
- Kakariko Graveyard: Frequent wandering spirits appear between the headstones. Use the Sun's Song to reset the night if none spawn immediately.
- Lost Woods: Ghostly entities occasionally drift through the misty maze sections near the Sacred Meadow entrance.
- Inside Temples: The Forest Temple and Shadow Temple feature fixed Poe encounters that serve as mini-bosses or puzzle keys. Defeating them usually extinguishes barriers or unlocks doors.
Mastering the Song of Storms
The Song of Storms is one of the most versatile melodies in the game. It alters weather patterns, drains water levels, powers up windmills, and opens hidden grottos.
How to Learn the Song of Storms
- As an adult Link, travel to Kakariko Village and enter the windmill.
- Speak to the frustrated musician inside who stands by the spinning mechanism.
- Pull out your Ocarina and listen to him play the frantic tune.
- Repeat the notes back to learn the Song of Storms permanently.
- Travel back in time to your childhood and play the song for the same man inside the windmill to drain the water from the bottom of the well.
Key Uses for the Song of Storms
- Draining the Well: Playing the song as a child causes the heavy rains to empty the Kakariko Village well, granting you access to the Bottom of the Well dungeon and the Lens of Truth.
- Uncovering Hidden Grottos: Playing the melody in barren areas of Hyrule Field often forces a secret fairy fountain or business scrub cave to pop out of the ground.
- Activating Beacons: Certain environmental puzzles require instant rain to grow beanstalks or fill cisterns.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Players often struggle with Poe hunting due to a few simple mechanical oversights. Keep these tips in mind to make your spirit collection efficient:
- Don't swing your sword too early. If you run straight at a Poe with your blade drawn, it will vanish before you get close enough to strike. Walk slowly or use a crouch-walk approach.
- Don't forget that Big Poes only register for the ghost shop side quest if you are riding Epona and use regular arrows. Defeating them on foot or using magic arrows ruins the catch.
- Avoid hunting during daylight hours. Most spirits disappear the moment the in-game clock hits morning. Always keep the Sun's Song ready on your inventory screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I sell all 10 Big Poes to the ghost shop?
The ghost shop owner rewards you with a permanent empty bottle after you deliver your tenth Big Poe. After that, you can continue selling them for quick rupees.
Can I catch Poes without a bottle?
No. An empty bottle is the only item in the game capable of containing a Poe's essence. If your bottles are full of milk, red potions, or fairies, you won't be able to pick up any ghosts.
Why won't the Big Poes spawn in Hyrule Field?
Big Poes only appear when you are riding Epona at night. If you are walking on foot, or if it is daytime, they will not load on your screen.
Where is the best place to farm easy rupees using Poes?
Once you learn the spawn points for the Hyrule Field Big Poes, riding Epona along the outer perimeter fence at night lets you rack up 500 rupees in just a few minutes.