A Link to the Past
Magic Powder
The magic powder is a Y-item in ALttP. When used, Link will sprinkle magic dust that can turn certain enemies into slime or into fairies.
Location
Magic powder is gotten by following a short side-quest:
- In the Lost Woods, collect the magic mushroom.
- At the witch's hut, press with the mushroom equipped to give it to the witch stirring the cauldron. She will tell you to come back later for a reward.
- Leave the screen by any means (transition, warp between worlds, flute away, etc.) and return.
- Go into the witch's hut, and the magic powder will be on the ground next to the shopkeeper where it can be picked up.
The magic powder will replace the mushroom in the top-right corner of the Y-item menu.
Info
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| MP cost [1] | 8 |
| Damage class | Magic powder 0xA |
| Animation length (in frames) | 29f |
| Item dash animation length | 28f |
| Item dash turn? | No |
| Item dash glitch transitions? | Yes |
| Ancilla ID | 0x1A |
[1]: Magic use is halved when the player has half magic.
Magic powder has its own damage class that affects enemies in unique ways. With most enemies, it will either have no effect, or it will transform the enemy into a harmless slime. With four specific enemy sprites—antifairies, bees, bunny beams, and buzzblobs—powder will transform the enemy into a fairy. The sweeping lady in Kakariko Village is also transformed into a fairy if she's sprinkled with magic powder. None of the bosses are affected by powder damage.
Other effects and tech
Fake powder allows Link to use powder without actually having it in his inventory. If the player does have magic powder, fake powder can enable its use even if the player doesn't have enough magic to use it normally.
Magic powder, either through using the real powder or through fake powder, is a requirement for getting the half magic upgrade. The player needs to sprinkle the powder at the magic bat's altar, and he will "curse" Link with the upgrade.
Magic powder can be used to set search index for ancilla glitches. It tends to see little use for this purpose in speedrun contexts though. It's generally an optional item that's out of the way to grab in speedrun routes, and it's less convenient for getting high index values in comparison to the lamp.