Ghirahim

Ghirahim is one of two main antagonists in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. His main goal throughout the game is to revive his ruler who he refers to as the The Demon King by using Zelda's spirit. He appears multiple times throughout the game as the boss of Skyview Temple and the Fire Sanctuary, and to call upon other bosses such as Scaldera and Koloktos.

Appearance

Ghirahim is a tall and slender fellow with pale gray skin and white hair. Diamonds are a common motif in his design as his attire and most of his attacks are decorated with diamonds.

Story

Ghirahim is a member of a Demon Tribe that attempted to take over The Surface but was stopped by The Goddess. What happened to him between then and the events of Skyward Sword are unknown.

Throughout the game, Ghirahim makes many attempts to revive the Demon King by sacrificing Zelda. His first attempt occurs when Link and Zelda are riding on their [Loftwing|Loftwings]. Ghirahim summons a tornado and knocks Zelda off of her bird into the Sealed Grounds below, but he fails to capture her.

Ghirahim appears again for a brief moment when Link enters the Skyview Temple. He nearly reaches Zelda at the end of the temple where he is stopped by Link. The boss fight with Demon Lord Ghirahim proceeds, and he states to have not used his full power.

In the next temple, the Earth Temple, Ghirahim appears again in the boss arena, but he will not be fought this time. Instead, he summons the boss of that temple, Scaldera.

Later in Lanayru Province, Ghirahim appears again after the Lanayru Mining Facility in the Temple of Time. He blows up the boulders blocking the way and attempts to yet again kidnap Zelda. Impa, the servant of the Goddess, blocks Ghirahim's attack with a large blue force field, giving Zelda time to go through the Gate of Time. Link then distracts Ghirahim long enough to allow Impa through the Gate of Time before she destroys it. Ghirahim, in frustration of losing Zelda again, promises in a fit of rage to kill Link, and Ghirahim teleports away.

Ghirahim makes a brief appearance in the end of the Ancient Cistern to summon another boss. He awakens a Shiva-like statue as the boss of the Ancient Cistern, Koloktos.

Ghirahim again reappears in the Fire Sanctuary for a fight similar to that of the Skyview Temple. He is much more powerful in this fight because his projectiles are much harder to dodge, and his arms are now hard and metallic. Ghirahim seems to be losing his calm persona in this appearance as he freaks out about losing Zelda yet again. It is now known that Ghirahim is searching for a Gate of Time, since the one in the Temple of Time was destroyed.

Ghirahim makes his final stand by arriving at the Sealed Grounds where Demise was just destroyed. He ambushes Link and captures the newly awakened Zelda. He escapes to the past to try to revive Demise in the past, since he was destroyed in the present. Ghirahim summons a horde of enemies to keep Link from approaching Zelda and himself. Link eventually fights through the horde, but Ghirahim has already begun Zelda's sacrifice, and Ghirahim reveals his true form. His entire body is almost entirely hard metal except for a gemstone in his chest. Link manages to defeat Ghirahim, but Demise had already awaken at this point. Ghirahim reveals himself to actually be Demise's equivalent to Link's Fi. Ghirahim is Demise's sword. Demise transforms Ghirahim into his true sword form while Ghirahim laughs hysterically. It can be assumed that Ghirahim has completely lost his calm attitude and gone completely insane. Template:Spoiler/End

Boss

Skyview Temple Boss Strategy

		I have no confirmed information about this man, other than he refers to himself as a "Demon Lord." I sense a powerful and evil aura, and I estimate his level of ability as highly adept. However, according to analysis, he has yet to reveal his true power.

Demon Lord Ghirahim is the first boss of Skyward Sword. Link encounters him in Skyview Temple as both search for Zelda. In battle, he prefers to toy with his enemy, initially opting to go weaponless and cunningly block attacks.

Phase 1

		Speech analysis indicates absolute confidence in his own abilities. Master, you must watch for Ghirahim's ability to grasp your sword with his bare right hand. It is highly probable that he observes the angle you hold your sword at and prepares his defense accordingly. I recommend attacking from the direction opposite his hand.

		Should he catch hold of your sword, I recommend swinging in the direction Ghirahim's hand opens.

		My analysis confirms that Ghirahim's fingers always point upward when he holds your sword, Master. The probability of escaping his grip by swinging your sword upward is approximately 100%.

Ghirahim will slowly advance towards you as the fight begins. If your sword isn't drawn, Ghirahim will slap you for one heart damage. This can be blocked with a shield bash, causing Link to automatically draw his sword, but it's best to have your sword drawn before Ghirahim gets close enough.

With the sword out, Ghirahim will hold his hand out in front of him with a purple aura and try to catch your sword between his fingers as you swing it. If you don't quickly pull the sword free, Ghirahim will take it away and use it against you. To get the sword back, block one of his strikes with a shield bash and it will fly out of Ghirahim's hands so you can retrieve it. Ghirahim may also throw the sword at you after a few strikes, or if you're too far away, signaled by raising it above his head. Dodge it, then run over to it to pick it up before he does. You can block it with your shield or a shield bash, but then it will be deflected toward Ghirahim and he will likely get to it first.

A good strategy is to point your sword in one direction so that Ghirahim moves his hand there and then to strike from the opposite direction. Ghirahim will be vulnerable for a few seconds after your first strike lands.

Phase 2

		I have detected a change in Ghirahim's fighting style from the beginning of the battle. I theorize that this change happened because of the small amount of damage he sustained.

Once Ghirahim sustains enough damage, a cut scene will show him licking his lips and materializing his sword. From this point on, Ghirahim will fight more seriously. Instead of heedlessly advancing towards you, he will try to keep his distance, often backing away, even jumping back to avoid your attacks.

		Analysis indicates that the daggers Ghirahim shoots will align on a single plane in one of three orientations: horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. With good timing, you might be able to repel them with a single swing of your sword, but my judgment shows that this maneuver will be difficult.

Ghirahim launches most of his attacks from a distance. He will conjure throwing knives arranged in a line and launch them at you. A well-timed sword slash at the correct angle will reflect the knives back at Ghirahim, as will a shield bash. Unfortunately, Ghirahim will block these and sustain no damage. Simply raising your shield or dodging can also protect you from harm.

		Ghirahim will repeatedly move around you, Master. I recommend engaging him with your sword as he makes his attack. It is probable that the moment before Ghirahim readies his attack, he will reveal the direction he will move as he attempts to flank you. If you are unable to establish the correct timing to attack, I suggest using your spin attack.

He will also attack by dashing at you and sweeping with his sword, signaled by crouching for a moment with his sword at his side. Note which side he's holding his sword, as this will tell which side of you he'll attack from. If he's holding it to his right, he'll attack you from your left, and vice-versa. This is especially important in parrying and countering this attack. A dodge will only succeed if you side-hop away from the direction of attack, or backflip. Sword slashes must be directed toward him in order to be effective (i.e. if he dashes to your right, swing to the right). A spin attack however should work from either side if timed well. After his attack misses or is halted is your chance for a counterattack.

Blocking is another great option for dealing with Ghirahim's charge attack. Simply blocking with your shield will protect you from damage, though Ghirahim will be ready to dodge any attempted counter-attack. A shield bash will knock him off balance, leaving enough time for several sword hits.

		I can now confirm that Ghirahim has the ability to teleport. Further study reveals that he may be vulnerable immediately after teleportation. This is your chance to attack. However, be aware Ghirahim may use his sword to guard against just such an attack.

Another tactic Ghirahim employs is to teleport directly in front of you, or more frequently directly behind you, with his sword raised, ready for an attack. If you stand there too long, he'll attack you, but if you hastily strike without regard to his sword, he may block your attack and immediately counter it. When he disappears, be prepared to look for the position of his sword, and make sure you attack his unguarded side.

At close range, he will either dodge your attacks or raise his sword the same as when he teleports. Mind his sword or risk a block and counter-attack.

Fire Sanctuary Boss Strategy

Ghirahim will appear again in the Fire Sanctuary, but this time, he is in a much more powerful state.

Phase 1

Ghirahim is a lot more fierce in this battle. He will continue to summon projectiles, but these he holds close to himself in various arrangements. They can be shot at you, but they are generally defensive as they block your slashes. He will continue to block your sword with his hand, but as opposed to last time, the projectiles will hit you if you don't get your sword away quickly enough.

Phase 2

Once Ghirahim takes enogh damage, he will summon two swords which he uses. The battle continues similarly for the rest of the way. He uses his swords to make blocks that you must get around. He no longer grabs your sword as he no longer has a free hand. He does, however, have many vicious counters for if you accidentally hit his swords. These can be avoided by dodging out of the way or lifting your shield quickly. Either of these dodges will leave Ghirahim open to attack.

Ghirahim continues to use his teleport but in much more creative ways. He still teleports behind you, but he can also teleport above you. If he jumps upwards and disappears, begin to sprint in any direction. He will come down upon your previous location, and his swords will get stuck in the ground, leaving him open for attack.

Sealed Grounds Boss Strategy

Ghirahim appears as a boss yet again in the Sealed Grounds. He summons a horde of monsters to keep Link from approaching him, but this of course fails. Link approaches Ghirahim, and Ghirahim reveals his true form.

Phase 1

Ghirahim lifts himself and Link up on a platform which he created himself. Ghirahim carries no sword in this phase, so he uses physical attacks like punches and kicks. Since Ghirahim's metallic skin is invulnerable to attacks, the strategy of this fight involves knocking Ghirahim off of the platform. Once he is knocked off, he will summon another platform to catch himself with. You must now perform a fatal blow into the gemstone on his chest. Repeat this method again until Ghirahim is near the edge of the platform. Ghirahim will now have a purple aura around his hands. If you hit his hands, he will flip over you and push you near the edge. Avoid hitting his hands and knock him off of the edge again. Repeat this again to finish this phase.