Beating the bird boss in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker can be tricky, especially for first-time players. This flying foe is encountered twice throughout Link’s quest – first in the Forbidden Woods as the untransformed Jalhalla, and again at the Earth Temple as the Great Valoo under the influence of Ganondorf’s magic. With minimal safe ground to traverse, wide-sweeping attacks, and the ability to conjure electrified pillars from the sky, prevailing requires patience, precision, and knowing the right strategies. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to take down this feathery fiend once and for all.
The Basics
Before diving into the specific strategies for each encounter, let’s go over some core tips that apply universally when facing the bird in Wind Waker:
- Stay mobile and keep your distance. Since many of the bird’s attacks cover a wide area, staying on the move and not getting too close is key. Only approach to attack after dodging something.
- Master parrying and dodging. Many of the bird’s attacks can be avoided by parrying with your shield at the right time. Time your dodges well to avoid damage.
- Use ranged weapons when possible. The boomerang or arrows allow you to deal damage from a safe distance.
- Watch for attack patterns. The same moves are used during both battles. Learning when to expect pillars of electricity, wing gusts, or snapping beak strikes will help you react properly.
Keeping these core strategies in mind will give you an advantage, but the specifics of each battle require some additional tactics…
Forbidden Woods – Jalhalla
When you first encounter the bird boss in the Forbidden Woods, it will be in an incomplete form known as Jalhalla. Here are some tips for this fight:
- Use the Gust Jar to draw in and damage its molten core when exposed.
- Move between the safe ground areas on each side of the room to avoid dangerous lava.
- Equip bombs and lure Jalhalla over them when it charges.
- Collect light from the Froaks around the area to power up your sword when possible.
The incomplete Jalhalla has less health and attacks than the full form. Remain patient, counter its swooping charges and fireballs, and unleash powered-up sword strikes or bombs whenever you get the chance to damage its core.
Earth Temple – Great Valoo
For the second encounter at the Earth Temple, the bird has been transformed into the Great Valoo under Ganondorf’s control. This battle is much more challenging. Key strategies include:
- Use columns as cover when Valoo clones himself.
- Equip Mirror Shield to block and reflect his fire breath.
- Counter his diving attack with parries and strikes.
- Dodge quickly when he summons pillars of electricity.
- Attack his tail when he slams the ground and is stunned.
This version of the boss has more health and dangerous moves at its disposal. Play defensively and wait for openings after dodging the electric pillars, claw slams, and swooping attacks before moving in to damage Valoo’s tail with your sword. The Mirror Shield is also a vital item for this fight.
Key Attack Patterns
Learning to recognize and respond to the bird’s attack patterns is crucial for victory. Here are the main moves to watch out for during both boss battles:
- Electric Pillars – Valoo will shoot bolts of electricity into the air that summon rotating pillars of energy around the arena. Carefully move between them as they appear.
- Fire Breath – Keep your distance when Valoo rears back and inhales, then switch to the Mirror Shield when he breathes a stream of fire to reflect it back at him.
- Wing Gusts – Jalhalla and Valoo will flap their wings, creating gusts of wind that knock you back. Use your shield to block it or just avoid the wind blasts.
- Aerial Dive Bomb – Both bosses will fly high and attempt to dive bomb your position. Dodge or use parries and counterattacks.
- Claw Slams – When grounded, Valoo may rear up and repeatedly slam his claws down. These can be dodged and leave him briefly stunned.
Staying aware of these moves and their timing is key to surviving the onslaught of attacks and recognizing opportunities to deal your own damage.
Recommended Items
Having the right equipment can make achieving victory much simpler. Here are some recommended items to take into each boss battle:
Item | Uses |
---|---|
Mirror Shield | Reflecting fire breath, blocking wing gusts |
Hero’s Bow | Ranged damage when crystallized |
Boomerang | Stunning, hitting cores |
Bombs | Dropping under boss for big damage |
Bottles | Fairies for emergency healing |
Come equipped with these useful tools and weapons to give yourself the best chance of taking down the bird quickly and without taking too much damage.
Best Strategies Per Phase
The key to mastering these fights is having strategies tailored to each phase of the battle. Here are tips for each stage:
Jalhalla
- Exposed Core – Unleash charged sword spins and Gust Jar blasts directly on the core.
- Fireball Barrage – Hide behind objects, reflect with shield, attack with boomerang.
- Lava Floor – Carefully hop between safe platforms using Hookshot.
Great Valoo
- Cloned – Take cover behind columns to avoid being burned.
- Electric Pillars – Weave between them as they appear and dissipate.
- Slam Recovery – Move in and strike his tail with your sword.
- Fire Breath – Equip Mirror Shield to reflect it back at him.
Memorizing the optimal counters and attacks for each of the bird’s phases and moves will enable you to chip away at its health safely. Be patient and don’t get greedy!
Boss Arena Environments
The differing arena environments also impact your strategy against the bird boss. Here’s how to handle each:
Forbidden Woods
- Lava covers much of the ground, limiting movement.
- Hide behind objects like the central tree to avoid attacks.
- Collect light from Froaks when possible to empower sword.
Earth Temple
- More open space makes dodging electric pillars easier.
- Pillars around the room provide cover from certain attacks.
- Use central safe ground area when claw slams create shockwaves.
Keep these stage differences in mind, and exploit the objects and layout of each area to gain any advantage possible during both encounters!
Conclusion
Vanquishing the possessed bird boss in Wind Waker requires patience, well-timed dodging and parrying, and choosing the right moments to counterattack or unleash your most powerful tools and weapons. Learning its patterns, the optimal strategies for each phase, and utilizing the environment to your advantage are all key. With practice and persistence, you can defeat Jalhalla and the Great Valoo to claim two major victories on your quest to thwart Ganondorf’s control of the Great Sea. Just stay focused and don’t give up!