Gremlin (Lords of Shadow)

Gremlins are enemies of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow. They roughly equivalent to the gremlins in the original series but are more directly tied into the mythology of the Lords of Shadow world.

Background
Gremlins are small, winged imps, famous for causing havoc wherever they go. Gremlins travel in large groups, infesting buildings until the occupants either escape in fear or die. Gremlins are able to breath fire, an ability inherited from there demon ancestors, but there small bodies cannot withstand too much punishment. They are very voltile and tend to explode if hit hard enough.

Gremlin guano, though distgusting, was a substance extremely valuable to Aghartian culture. It is flammable and burns slowly, but with a very hot bluish flame. These characteristics made it a good energy source and so it was commonly used during the first age of the mythical city, at least until replaced by the more powerful Dark Crystals.

Gabriel first encounters the Gremlins when he enters the Dark Dungeon in the city of Agharta. He learns that the blue flames that lightup as he traverses the passages are fueled by Gremlin Guano. One comes out of a hole in swinging a rope with fire at the end at him, before backing off and flying back, and then joined by more. While fighting another swarm of Gremlins, the Black Knight grabs one out of the air and smashes it in his fist. Gabriel later encounters Gremlins in the Land of the Vampires inside the Bernhard family castle, and the later in the Land of the Dead in a few places.

Strategy
Gremlins are relatively easy. They can be killed either by hitting them a few times with the combat cross (as they are flying enemies aeriel based attacks work the best when they are higher in the air), or grabbing them, and initiating a timed event. In which case Gabriel grabs them forces his fist into there stomach, and lets go. The gremlin then flutters off and explodes after a short period of time, or if hit with the whip. If Gabriel is too close he will be hit by the blast. Sometimes an exploding Gremlin may damage other gremlins or enemies nearby when they explode. Killing them quickly and they will not have a chance to use some of there more devastating attacks.

The trial for the Dark Dungeon involves fighting Gremlins without using the whip grab skill. It is is a fairy easy task. Just be careful about trying to search knights or using the keys if imps are around. Clear them first.