Holmill Echo in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom – A Complete Guide
If you’re deep into Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, you’ve likely discovered that Echoes play a massive role in Zelda’s journey. Whether you’re soaring through the skies or burrowing underground, these magical companions offer more than just combat advantages. One of the most essential Echoes in the game is the Holmill Echo, particularly if you’re on a quest to uncover hidden treasures and collect Might Crystals. In this guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about finding and using the Holmill Echo, from navigating the Gerudo Desert to mastering its digging abilities.
What Are Echoes in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom?
Before we dive into Holmill, let’s cover the basics. In Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Echoes are spirit-like creatures that Zelda can summon to assist in various aspects of the game. Each Echo possesses unique abilities some aid in combat, while others provide critical support for exploration, such as gliding across long distances or digging through the earth. These Echoes become essential as you progress through the game, helping you solve puzzles and access areas that would otherwise be unreachable.
The Holmill Echo, in particular, is a game-changer when it comes to digging and finding hidden items like Might Crystals. But before you can put this mole-like Echo to work, you’ll need to find it—and that’s where things can get tricky.
Where to Find the Holmill Echo
The Holmill Echo is found deep in the Gerudo Desert, specifically in the Ancestor’s Cave of Rest. But reaching this cave isn’t as simple as walking in a straight line it’s an adventure in itself. Let’s break down how you can find the Holmill Echo and make the most out of it.
Step 1: Navigate Through the Gerudo Desert
After completing the Stilled Suthorn Forest, the game gives you a choice: head to the Gerudo Desert or Jabul Waters. While you’ll eventually need to explore both areas to fix the rifts, the Gerudo Desert holds a key advantage it’s home to several Echoes, including Holmill, that make exploration easier.
As you make your way through the desert, you’ll need to keep an eye out for dangerous enemies like Lanmolas, large worm-like creatures that make platforming in the area more challenging. Defeating these enemies will clear your path to the next important destination: the Ancestor’s Cave of Rest.
Step 2: Find the Ancestor’s Cave of Rest
The Ancestor’s Cave of Rest is located north of Gerudo Town, past the Lanmola spawn point. If you’re unsure where to go, look for the telltale signs a red spawn point and a sandstorm obscuring your map. Once you’ve navigated the tricky conditions and defeated any nearby enemies, you’ll come across a waypoint statue that marks the entrance to the cave.
Step 3: Obtain the Holmill Echo
Upon entering the Ancestor’s Cave of Rest, you’ll encounter a large rift blocking your way to the ancestor’s tomb. To advance, you need to use Tri’s Bind ability to move a giant boulder and reveal a hidden room. Inside, you’ll find two Holmills. These mole-like creatures won’t be easy to catch—they burrow into the ground when approached. Using Tri’s Bind ability, you can pull them out, and after a brief battle, you’ll gain the ability to summon the Holmill Echo.
How to Use the Holmill Echo
Now that you’ve unlocked the Holmill Echo, it’s time to put it to use. Holmill is especially valuable for its digging ability, which is essential for unearthing hidden items and navigating certain areas of the map.
Digging for Treasure
When summoned, Holmill will attempt to burrow into any nearby patches of dirt or sand. Not all ground is diggable, so you’ll need to find specific spots marked by small squares of dirt or areas with sandy floors. Holmill will automatically start digging when summoned over these spots, uncovering hidden treasures like Might Crystals, which are essential for upgrading Zelda’s abilities.
In some cases, digging with Holmill can lead to hidden caves that contain valuable items like Heart Pieces. One notable example is a cave east of Kakariko Village, where digging reveals a Heart Piece, adding to your overall health pool.
Using Holmill for Platforming
In certain areas, Holmill’s digging ability can reveal suspended platforms that would otherwise be unreachable. For example, in caves with sandy floors, Holmill can dig through the sand, revealing pathways to higher platforms. This makes Holmill a vital companion when traversing difficult areas that require precise jumping or platforming.
However, when using Holmill in open areas like Hyrule’s overworld, be cautious. Jumping into one of Holmill’s holes on the main map will cause Zelda to respawn, as the game doesn’t support platforming in this way on the 3D map.
Holmill Echo’s Strategic Uses
While Holmill’s primary function is digging, there are a few additional uses that can enhance your gameplay experience. Here’s how you can maximize Holmill’s potential:
Access Hidden Caves and Heart Pieces
As mentioned, Holmill is your go-to Echo for digging up hidden items. Throughout the game, you’ll encounter areas with suspicious patches of dirt or sand that are ripe for excavation. These spots usually contain important items like Might Crystals or Heart Pieces. If you’re a completionist, you’ll want to ensure that you explore every inch of the map with Holmill to collect all the hidden treasures.
Boost Combat Strategy with Echo Combinations
Holmill’s abilities aren’t limited to digging. When combined with other Echoes, Holmill can be used strategically in combat and puzzle-solving scenarios. For example, you can summon Holmill to distract enemies by burrowing underground, giving you time to summon a combat-focused Echo like the Swordfighter for offensive strikes.
How to Solve Puzzles Using Holmill
One of the best parts of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is the intricate puzzle design. Holmill plays a key role in solving some of the more challenging puzzles, particularly those involving underground passageways. Here’s how you can leverage Holmill in puzzle-solving scenarios:
1. Dig to Reveal Hidden Levers
Some puzzles require you to activate hidden levers or switches that are buried underground. By summoning Holmill in the right spot, you can dig through the dirt and reveal these levers, allowing you to progress further in the game.
2. Create Underground Pathways
In certain dungeons, Holmill’s digging ability can create pathways through otherwise inaccessible areas. For example, in the Gerudo Desert, you may need to dig under large walls of sand to reach treasure rooms or important quest objectives.
Maximizing Holmill’s Potential in the Endgame
As you approach the later stages of Echoes of Wisdom, Holmill continues to be a valuable companion. While combat becomes more challenging and enemies more formidable, Holmill’s digging ability will be essential for finding the last few Might Crystals and unlocking powerful upgrades for Zelda. Be sure to revisit earlier areas of the game with Holmill to dig up any hidden treasures you may have missed the first time around.
The Value of the Holmill Echo
In Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, the Holmill Echo is more than just a digging tool it’s a key part of Zelda’s toolkit for exploration and puzzle-solving. Whether you’re uncovering hidden Heart Pieces, collecting Might Crystals, or solving intricate puzzles, Holmill is an Echo you’ll rely on time and time again. Its ability to dig through the earth opens up new possibilities in the game, making it an essential Echo for any player aiming to complete every quest and find every secret.
As you continue your journey through Hyrule, don’t forget to summon Holmill when you come across a suspicious patch of dirt or a sandy cave floor you never know what treasures lie beneath!
FAQ Section
Q1: Where can I find the Holmill Echo?
A1: The Holmill Echo is located in the Ancestor’s Cave of Rest, north of Gerudo Town. After completing the Stilled Suthorn Forest, head to Gerudo Desert and follow the main questline to find the cave.
Q2: What is Holmill used for in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom?
A2: Holmill is primarily used for digging through dirt and sand to uncover hidden items like Might Crystals and Heart Pieces. Holmill can also be used strategically in combat and puzzle-solving.
Q3: Can I use Holmill anywhere in the game?
A3: No, Holmill can only dig in specific areas marked by small squares of dirt or sandy floors. If you summon Holmill in an area where it can’t dig, it will be vulnerable to enemy attacks.
Q4: How do I get the Holmill Echo?
A4: To get the Holmill Echo, you must defeat two Holmills inside the Ancestor’s Cave of Rest. Use Tri’s Bind ability to pull them out of the ground and defeat them to gain the ability to summon Holmill.
Q5: What can Holmill dig up?
A5: Holmill can dig up Might Crystals, which are used to upgrade Zelda’s abilities, as well as Heart Pieces and other hidden treasures scattered throughout the game.
