Bosses — illustrated reference

Explore 25 bosses entries with artwork and gameplay notes.

Spoiler notice: This guide discusses story progression or late-game content.

01

Minibosses

Lizalfos

An agile sword-wielding reptile. Block or avoid its attack, then counter before it jumps away.

Big Octo

Jabu-Jabu miniboss fought around a rotating platform. Stun it with the Boomerang and attack its rear weak point.

Stalfos

A skeleton swordsman carrying a shield. Watch its jump and sword attacks, then counter while its defense is open.

Meg

The purple Poe Sister creates copies around Link. Identify the real sister by her distinctive movement and shoot her.

Flare Dancer

Fire Temple miniboss with a small core inside a fiery body. Pull or blast the core free, then pursue it.

White Wolfos

A white wolf miniboss guarding the Ice Cavern's final reward. Block its swipes and counter from the side or rear.

Dark Link

Water Temple miniboss that mirrors swordplay. Change attack methods and exploit openings rather than repeating predictable sword strikes.

Dead Hand

A pale underground miniboss accompanied by grasping hands. Make it emerge, escape the hands and strike its lowered head.

Gerudo Thief

A dual-sword fighter guarding the imprisoned carpenters. Avoid the capture attack and counter during openings.

Dinolfos

An aggressive reptilian swordsman encountered in later combat trials. Guard its strikes and counter during openings.

Iron Knuckle

A heavily armored axe fighter. Bait its slow swing, step out of range and counter before the next attack.

02

Master Quest Additions

Lizalfos

An agile sword-wielding reptile. Block or avoid its attack, then counter before it jumps away.

Stalfos

A skeleton swordsman carrying a shield. Watch its jump and sword attacks, then counter while its defense is open.

Dinolfos

An aggressive reptilian swordsman encountered in later combat trials. Guard its strikes and counter during openings.

Iron Knuckle

A heavily armored axe fighter. Bait its slow swing, step out of range and counter before the next attack.

03

Dungeon bosses

Gohma

Deku Tree boss. Stun the red eye with a slingshot shot or Deku Nut, then attack the exposed eye with the sword.

King Dodongo

Dodongo's Cavern boss. Throw a bomb into its open mouth, attack while stunned and avoid its rolling charge.

Barinade

Jabu-Jabu boss. Use the Boomerang to sever connections and expose its body while avoiding the electric jellyfish.

Phantom Ganon

Forest Temple boss. Shoot the real rider emerging from a painting, then return his energy attacks with the sword.

Volvagia

Fire Temple boss. Use the Megaton Hammer when its head emerges from a hole, then strike while it is stunned.

Morpha

Water Temple boss. Pull its core from the water tentacle with the Longshot, then attack before it retreats.

Bongo Bongo

Shadow Temple boss. Stun its hands, use the Lens of Truth to see its eye and stop its charge before attacking.

Twinrova

Spirit Temple boss. Reflect the sisters' opposing elements; after they merge, absorb three matching blasts and return the stored energy.

04

Final Boss

Ganondorf

The Gerudo king seeks the Triforce and conquers Hyrule during Link's absence. He awaits at the top of his castle.

Ganon

The final beast-form battle. Avoid the blades and reach the tail; recover the Master Sword to finish the confrontation.