📖 Surviving Don't Starve as Link: No Fairy Required
Link the Hero in Don't Starve
The comprehensive guide to playing as the Hero of Hyrule in the unforgiving wilderness of Don't Starve
Contents
Introduction to Link in Don't Starve
Link, the iconic hero from Nintendo's Legend of Zelda series, has found his way into the harsh wilderness of Don't Starve thanks to dedicated fan modders. While never an official crossover, Link has become one of the most beloved character mods in the Don't Starve community, bringing his heroic abilities, iconic gear, and Hylian charm to Maxwell's mysterious world.
Why Link in Don't Starve?
Link's adventures in Hyrule have prepared him well for the challenges of the Constant. His courage in fighting monsters, experience with strange magic, and talent for cooking dubious foods make him a natural fit for Don't Starve's bizarre world. Plus, who wouldn't want to swing the Master Sword at Spiders and Hounds?
Link in Single-Player Don't Starve
The Original Link Mod
200 Health
150 Hunger
180 Sanity
Created in 2013, this mod has earned over 423,000 visits and 142,000 subscribers on Steam Workshop. It portrays Link as a seasoned adventurer with boosted physical stats but a higher metabolism, encouraging a hunter's playstyle.
Link's Starting Gear
- Master Sword - An unbreakable primary weapon
- Boomerang - Returns to Link automatically
- Red "Goron" Tunic - Protection from summer heat
- Blue "Zora" Tunic - Acts as a rainproof coat
- Bunny Hood - Grants a burst of running speed
Important Notes
- Compatible with the Reign of Giants DLC
- Not officially updated for Shipwrecked (may cause crashes)
- Last updated in April 2020 (v1.11)
- Some users report occasional crashes in newer game versions
Link in Don't Starve Together
While the original creator never ported Link to multiplayer, the community took on the challenge, creating several versions of Link for Don't Starve Together over the years.
Spyder's Port
One of the earliest DST ports of Link, adapting TheDanaAddams' character art and design. This version preserved Link's overpowered stats and starting gear, making him quite formidable in multiplayer.
"Link the Hero (Stable Version)"
Zone Cryptid's popular re-upload, which fixed crashes in the character select screen. This version garnered over 25,000 subscribers before being removed from the Workshop due to IP concerns.
"BOTW Link (Balanced)"
After previous mods were removed, WRAE created a "balanced" version inspired by Breath of the Wild. This version featured craftable weapons with limited durability, mirroring BOTW's gameplay.
Chinese Link Mods
Chinese modders created advanced Link mods like "The Legend of Zelda: Link 1.4" featuring BOTW-style progression, Spirit Orbs to upgrade stats, and a Master Sword Altar. These mods remain available but require some effort to access.
Chinese Link 1.4 Unique Features
- Spirit Orbs - Collect them to upgrade Link's stats
- Master Sword Altar - A structure to pull the legendary blade
- Elemental Swords - Fire, Ice, Wind, and Moonlight variants
- Minish Cap - Shrinks Link, making him invisible to enemies
- Hestu - Unlockable structure builder
Community Reactions
Super overpowered but makes it kind of fun. It truly feels like playing as Link!
What Players Love:
Nostalgia Factor
Players enjoy the blend of Zelda nostalgia with Don't Starve's unique art style and gameplay.
Unique Abilities
Link's special gear and abilities offer a fresh gameplay experience different from standard characters.
Community Concerns:
Mod Stability
Recent reports of crashes in newer game versions, particularly with Reign of Giants.
Availability Issues
Many DST versions have been removed from the Workshop, making it harder to play as Link in multiplayer.
Fan Theories
While there's no official lore connecting Zelda and Don't Starve, fans have created their own theories. Some imagine Maxwell tricking Link into entering the Constant, while others note the similarities between Don't Starve's pigmen and Zelda's Moblins. The community enjoys discussing how Link's experience fighting monsters and surviving in the wild makes him perfectly suited for Don't Starve's challenges.
Videos & Streams
Memorable Moments
- Link using his Ocarina (Pan Flute) to lull a Deerclops to sleep
- The automatic Boomerang trivializing bird and rabbit hunting
- Link dashing away from danger with the Bunny Hood's speed boost
- Viewers spamming Twitch chat with "HEY! LISTEN!" whenever streamers miss something important
Installing Link Mods
Don't Starve (Single Player)
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Download the mod: Find "Link, The Hero" on Klei Forums in the Downloads > Custom Characters section
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Extract files: Unzip the downloaded file to get the mod folder
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Locate mods directory: Find your Don't Starve installation folder, then navigate to the "mods" folder
Steam: ...\Steam\steamapps\common\dont_starve\mods
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Install mod: Copy the extracted mod folder into the mods directory
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Enable in-game: Launch Don't Starve, click "Mods" and enable "Link, The Hero" mod
Don't Starve Together
Important Notice
Most English DST Link mods have been removed from the Steam Workshop due to IP concerns. The methods below require more effort and come with no guarantees.
Option 1: Chinese Link Mods
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Access Chinese Workshop: Use a VPN or change your Steam download region to China
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Search for Link mods: Look for "The Legend of Zelda: Link 1.4" or similar titles
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Subscribe and enable: Subscribe to the mod and enable it in the in-game mod menu
Option 2: Manual Installation
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Find mod files: Check community forums or mod repositories for archived Link mod files
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Locate mods directory: Navigate to your DST mods folder
Steam: ...\Steam\steamapps\common\Don't Starve Together\mods
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Install manually: Create a new folder with a unique name and place the mod files inside
Create Your Own Link Mod
If you're technically inclined, you can create or customize your own Link mod using these tools:
- Extended Sample Character - Template mod by Dragon Wolf Leo
- TexTool/TexCreator - For editing textures and sprites
- Spriter - Animation tool used by the original creator
- Lua - Programming language for game logic