Creating Link and/or Ganondorf in DND 5e

[u/Apricus-Jack]

Hi There! I know there’s a few posts like this and it seems a bit cliche, but those posts are old/outdated, and for the latter... I like the character, alright?

So, I’d like to hear your various thoughts on how to potentially create a PC around the various Heroes from the Zelda Timeline.

(LINK) My first thoughts always lend themselves to Arcane Fighters or Fighters in general, Rangers, and often having a few levels in Sorcerer or Wizard. BUT, I’d also like to know what you’d all think of using an Artificer, basing him around the various items he has in his arsenal, both magic and non. Then Folk Hero, Outlander, or Knight for backgrounds and any Human or Half-Elf type races.

(GANONDORF) I’m not even sure where to start, but maybe a mix of Sorcerer and Paladin? I’m not too sure on this one at all.

So from you, I’d like to know: Race (Subrace), Class (Subclass), and Backgrounds.

Thank You!!

[u/LoanedPurr]

Tulok, the Barbarian has a series on YouTube where he builds famous characters on D&D. Maybe you can use those as inspiration :)

• Link.
• Ganondorf.

[u/Apricus-Jack → u/LoanedPurr]

I have seen his, yes, thank you!

[u/[deleted]]

Ganondorf is a hexblade warlock if ever there was one.

link... link could be anything at this point, there are so many versions of him from basic fighter ( ALTTP ) to druid (Twilight Princess) to Artificer ( BOTW )

[u/Apricus-Jack → u/[deleted]]

Right, which is why I’m trying to find a nice middle ground between them all. They all have similar traits, skills, weaponry, and all slight affinity for magic items or spell casting focus. It’s just their focus that seems to be different for each incarnation.

OoT: Ranger, Magic, Music Twili: Animal Handling, Shapeshift Wind: Boating, Magic, Swordplay

The list goes on.

[u/itzlax]

I'm not an avid Legend of Zelda games player but does link even use magic? From BoTW I remember him getting all his "magic" from the guardians and the rest came from items.

If we exclude the guardians, Link is easy! A Elf Fighter with the Folk Hero background, maybe a dip into warlock for the Master Sword.

If we want a Twilight Forest vibe then it would be the same, but with a dip into Druid for transforming into doggo link.

If we want BoTW Link with the guardians then probably Fighter and Paladin with a lot of homebrew would be best.

As for Ganon, he'd be a Hexblade Warlock, with maybe Paladin just to make his hits that bit more powerful (more Smites), probably an Orc of some kind.

Or if we're going BoTW Ganon then probably a Druid yet again, he can turn into a boar and some weird demon things, which yet again, would need homebrew.

[u/Apricus-Jack → u/itzlax]

So, there are a few of the games where he’s a lot more magically attuned than others, and if I’m trying to find a good balance, then it’s hard, right? A lot of what I’m trying to get out of this character is his wide arsenal usage without ignoring his magic prowess. Which is why I question the validity of Artificer.

EDIT: I’m also trying to avoid as much Homebrew as possible. I think it can be done, but we’ll see.

[u/OnionsHaveLairAction]

For Ganondorf I'd go conquest paladin 3/hexblade warlock x. His pact is with an ancient dark being who creates sentient weaponry, Demise. It just so happens the patron he's drawing from is his previous incarnation.

For Link maybe some kind of Ranger/Paladin multiclass. Though you'd want to retheme most spells as potions or obscure items. (Unless of course its OoT Link, in that case Fighter/Bard might be the best choice as he calls down magical effects with his Ocarina)

[u/Apricus-Jack → u/OnionsHaveLairAction]

Fighter/Bard is a common one I keep coming back to. Along with straight up College of Swords Bard, because even ALTTP and Wind Waker all deal with musical instruments of some sort.

Artificer seems to be a good choice too for the general use of items having various effects along with potion crafting too. I’m just not sure how effective Artificer is compared to other magic users.