Although Poes are a common enemy in the Legend of Zelda series, only the Poes in Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask drop Poe Spirits, which can be captured in a bottle and then sold to the Poe Collector or drank by Link. Drinking bottled Poes will always have an effect on Link’s health, but whether the effect is positive or negative is unknown until Link drinks the Poe. Therefore, Ocarina of Time players roll the dice each time they choose to drink a bottled Poe Spirit, as Link could either gain or lose Hearts.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is not only one of the best 3D Zelda games, but also one of the most critically acclaimed Nintendo titles of all time. Since its 1998 release on the Nintendo 64, Ocarina of Time has been ported to several generations of Nintendo consoles, including the Nintendo Switch as of 2021 (via Nintendo Switch Online). A remake of Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo 3DS was also released in 2011 to universal acclaim from critics and audiences, with the game translating well to the handheld console.
While Poes have appeared in the Legend of Zelda universe since 1991’s A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time introduced Poes which dropped Poe Spirits when killed. Link can catch Zelda's Poes in bottles and then sell them to the Poe Collector, or he can choose to drink them. When Link drinks a bottled Poe, it will either increase or decrease Link’s health. If Link’s health is low, drinking a Poe could replenish some of his health, but it could just as easily kill him.
Drinking Poe Spirits In Zelda: Ocarina Of Time Has Health Effects
There are many, much safer ways to replenish Link’s health in Ocarina of Time than drinking Poes, such as drinking recovery Potions, visiting a Great Fairy, or simply resting. Like many Zelda titles, players can increase the number of Hearts in Link’s Health Gauge in Ocarina of Time by collecting Pieces of Heart throughout Hyrule. Every four Pieces of Heart in the Legend of Zelda series up to and including Breath of the Wild form a Heart Container, adding an additional Heart to the Link’s health bar. Players can add up to nine additional Hearts to their health bar in Ocarina of Time using this method.
Drinking bottled Poe Spirits in Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time will result in either positive or adverse effects on Link’s health. If players are short on Hearts or their Health Gauge is low, they shouldn’t risk damaging Link’s health further by drinking a Poe. If players have collected many Pieces of Heart and Link has a full Health Gauge, he can comfortably drink a Poe without worrying about the repercussions. However, Link can also sell Poe Spirits kept in Ocarina of Time's bottles to the Poe Collector for 10 rupees each - exactly enough money to purchase one Recovery Heart at any of the game's shops.