Dodongo's Cavern

Dodongo's Cavern is the second dungeon of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Here are the ways of saving time in this dungeon:

Put the first bomb at the near side of the wall and stand at the other side out of the blast range - then you can run straight through without waiting for the blast to clear. The same applies to almost any such wall.

Go into the lava on the far right of the room and climb on top of the pillar while it's at ground level, then ascend. It's actually quicker still, if you can manage it, to back-walk around the edge of the lava to the ladder at the far end, and climb the ladder.

There's a cunning way to beat the lizards (of which you'll fight four altogether in this dungeon). Each lizard has 6HP, and when they drop to 3HP or below they swap places which is time-consuming. Usually this adds up to three swaps at least. But you can do it in a minimal one swap. For each lizard, first do a jump-attack with your Kokiri Sword (6HP -> 4HP) and then do a jump-attack with a Deku Stick. This will kill it instantly - it won't be able to retreat. You may have to pick your moment to get this right (and you will break a Stick) but the time invested is worth it. Beat the second one as normal.

Roll attack as you jump from edges to get a tiny bit more distance on your jumps.

For the big stairs, grab the last-but-one bomb on the right instead of the spare bomb on the left.

It's far faster to backflip up the big stairs. (There are six steps altogether.) At the top, you have the option of climbing the last ledge or jumping to it from the last step, which is faster. Break the pots you pass (on either side) if you want to collect twenty rupees and a heart.

Slingshot the bat on the left, then go to it and slingshot the one ahead of you, if you're worried about bats burning your Deku Shield - but that's really nothing you should be worried about. Move the statue two spaces to the left, to climb the ladder.

Ignore the bats on the first bridge.

Jump into the gap on the left in the room with the blades. Backflip your way to the far side and you can avoid Navi's lecture on corners; but this is very difficult.

Timing of the bomb you have to throw at the bomb-able wall is imperative since it's difficult to consistently land it on the narrow ledge. You should throw the bomb after 7.5 seconds give or take. More lizards: stay on the big platform near the entrance for the first lizard, then move to the big platform at the exit for the second one. You need the space. Also, it's quickest. Keep using those Power Crouch Stabs.

If you're on fire, you can slash your sword to put it out.

Boss guide: King Dodongo

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