Dead Man's Volley

Dead Man's Volley is a commonly reoccurring battle technique in the Zelda series. First appearing in A Link to the Past, the Dead Man's Volley involves what is essentially a game of Tennis between Link and an opponent. This opponent is usually Ganondorf, Phantom Ganon, or some other manifestation of the Evil King.

In a Dead Man's Volley, the two characters will lob a damage-causing object (usually a ball of dark energy) back and forth. The volley will proceed at gradually faster rates until one character falters and is hit. In Link's case, this results in significant damage, but it is often the only way to defeat the enemy that initiates it.

This battle practice was first seen in the battle with Agahnim in A Link to the Past, though its most iconic appearance was in the battle with Ganondorf in Ocarina of Time. Though it is intended for Link to use the Master Sword to deflect the volley, it has often been possible to use Bottles as well. The name "Dead Man's Volley" was not officially seen in-game until the Cubus Sisters in Phantom Hourglass used the title for their little "game."