Chapter 25 – Final Boss
Table of Contents
Phase 1:
Puppet Ganon can punch the ground, summon Keese from the rafters by twirling around and – if you get too close – pound the ground. Defeating Keese can provide Arrows and Magic Jars to replenish your supplies.
Manually target the strings that support Puppet Ganon with the Boomerang. You have time for one or two attacks like this before it tries to punch you. The strings require two hits to sever them except for the red string, which never breaks. Every string that you cut reduces the puppet’s effectiveness, but the real target is one holding the tail. Take too long and Ganondorf will lift the puppet into the rafters to repair its strings.
Once the tail is disabled, get into a position where you can shoot a Light Arrow at the blue sphere on the end of it. Ganondorf will repair any broken strings then redeploy the puppet. Watch out, as the number of Keese that Puppet Ganon can summon gets larger as it takes damage.
Three hits on Puppet Ganon’s tail will cause it to transform, changing the strategy.
Phase 2:
Tilt the camera to see the reflection in the water. Keep moving so that you maintain some momentum. When Puppet Ganon stops spinning, run to where its tail is about to land. Shoot a Light Arrow at the weak spot as before. If you get hit by the falling puppet but are in the right position you may still have time to pick yourself up and shoot a Light Arrow.
Several Keese will appear after Puppet Ganon takes damage. Defeat them as quickly as possible and watch for Puppet Ganon’s next attack. Hit the weak spot twice more to end this phase of the battle.
Phase 3:
It is possible to briefly stun Puppet Ganon by hitting its head with a Bomb or with the Skull Hammer (the first method is by far the easiest of the two). This will give you time to aim at the blue orb and shoot a Light Arrow. This strategy requires you to get close to the Boss and risk taking damage.
You can try taking pot shots from a distance, or even from on top of the balconies around the edge of the room if you use the Hookshot to get up there. The Boss’ movements are so unpredictable that this fight is always going to be risky. Kill some Morths if you run out of magic or arrows.
Interlude:
Stand on the raised area in the center and jump to the rope left behind after the destruction of Puppet Ganon. Climb up to the platform high above.
Find a beam that you can attach the Grappling Hook to. Climb up the rope to reach the next layer. There is an opportunity to grab some supplies here.
Find another beam and use the Grappling Hook life before to reach the final layer. Destroy the lid on the Warp Cauldron to create a shortcut between the top and bottom of this room.
Face toward the doorway and use the Hookshot to pull yourself up there.
Ganondorf:
Ganondorf will block all direct attacks and cannot be Parried as easily as other enemies. Keep him occupied so that Zelda can shoot a Light Arrow at him. Attack him with the Master Sword while he is stunned.
After Zelda is knocked unconscious you have to change your strategy. Whenever Ganondorf leaps through the air you can perform a Parry Attack that hurts and temporarily stuns him. Time the Parry Attack quite late or it will tend to miss. Keep damaging Ganondorf until Zelda recovers.
Ganondorf is now wise to your tactics and will dodge any Light Arrows that Zelda fires at him. Talk to Zelda (or wait for her to talk to you) to change her strategy. L-Target Ganondorf and keep your Mirror Shield raised to deflect a Light Arrow at him. If you are successful, Ganondorf will be stunned very briefly. Don’t try to attack him: just L-Target him and prepare to use a Parry Attack. This will trigger the fatal blow against Ganondorf.
