Stalfos: Difference between revisions

'''Stalfos''' are a very common enemy in the [[The Legend of Zelda (Series)|''The Legend of Zelda'' series]]. The only game they don't appear in is ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask|Majora's Mask]]''. They appear as large skeletal figures, and are usually fairly difficult to kill. Sometimes they are weaponless, and sometimes they wield large swords and shields (with the exception of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|The Wind Waker]]'', where they wield large spiked clubs). Stalfos are usually found in dungeons.

The original appearance of the Stalfos is probably actually the easiest version to defeat as well. They are found right away in [[Level 1: The Eagle|Level 1]], they deal a half a heart of damage, and only take a few slashes to defeat. They wield two swords and often have keys embedded into their ribcage.{{Ref|[http://www.zeldadungeon.net/gallery/displayimage.php?album{{=}}537&pid{{=}}14997#top_display_media The Legend of Zelda Instruction Manual] (US GBA Version), pg. 26|These skeleton soldier will come at you with two-handed sword. They may look menacing, but they can easily defeated.}}{{Ref|[http://www.zeldadungeon.net/gallery/displayimage.php?album{{=}}52&pid{{=}}523#top_display_media The Legend of Zelda Instruction Manual] (US NES Version), pg. 35|A skeleton that's got a sword in each hand. Little attacking power.}} In the second quest, Stalfos will shoot a beam sword, similar to that of [[Link]]'s beam sword.

The Stalfos of this game are armed with a sword and shield with no armor. They come in two colors, red and blue, blue being the stronger of the two. The red Stalfos attack simply by swinging their sword and can be defeated by a sword slash while crouching. The blue Stalfos has the same attack but can also jump and downthrust in mid jump; you defeat them the same way as you would a red Stalfos.

{{main|Stalfos (A Link to the Past)}}

{{main|Stalfos Knight}}

Stalfos in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]]'' come in multiple variations and colors. Smaller Stalfos come in both Red and Blue and will jump away from Link when he draws near. Some of these Stalfos will toss bones towards Link if he strikes to attack them. The second type comes in the form of [[Stalfos Knight]]s. These skeletons are significantly larger and first appear within the [[Ice Palace]].

A change to the usual Stalfos, the type that appear in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening|Link's Awakening]]'' have no sword and prefer to jump or throwing bone-like projectile at Link. They come in two variants: A Green Stalfos and Orange Stalfos.

These skeletal enemies will slowly travel around the room, ready for battle. When you approach a Green Stalfos, it will launch itself into the air and try to stomp down on you. Quickly dodge their stomp attacks by moving away, then turn around and try to attack swiftly with your sword. Spin attacks may be useful when trying to defeat this Stalfos.  

Orange Stalfos will wander the room like the green variety, but instead of jumping on you they will jump away from you. When it lands, it will throw a bone club at you. Be ready to avoid its club since it is one of the few projectiles that can travel diagonally. Attacking from a distance may be a good idea when fighting an Orange Stalfos.  

These skeletal warriors make their return from previous Zelda titles. Watch out for their jump attack, which can do a great deal more damage to you than their regular sword attacks. Use Z targeting to get close while using your shield, then take a quick stab as soon as you see them let their shield down. Try to circle around them when they jump at you. Also, if you get right in their face, you can easily "force them" to attack and get a quick stab in. If done right, you can take them out very quickly this way. They are found in the [[Forest Temple (Ocarina of Time)|Forest Temple]], the [[Water Temple]], the [[Shadow Temple]], the [[Spirit Temple]], and in [[Ganon's Castle]].

Many of their sword techniques mimic Link's (i.e. the jump attack). This enemy can be prevented from jumping at you with a sword slash by keeping your shield up, holding Z and keeping as close to it as possible because it may jump and mid air slash at you if you're too far away.

A superstition exists with the [[Kokiri]] where if any adult becomes lost in the [[Lost Woods]], they turn into one of these creatures. This supposedly happens to [[Grog]] in the [[Biggoron's Sword]] [[Ocarina of Time Trading Sequence|sidequest]] when [[Fado (Ocarina of Time)|Fado]] gives Link the [[Poacher's Saw]].

===Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons===

These Stalfos that appear in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|The Wind Waker]]'' are large, skeletal enemies and they are probably larger in ''The Wind Waker'' than they are in any other Zelda title. To defeat a Stalfos you can hit them with your sword to break their bodies into bones, then slash away at the bouncing skull. An easier way to kill a Stalfos in ''The Wind Waker'' is to use a bomb to quickly demolish their bodies, then stun the bouncing skull with the [[Boomerang]] and then finally finish it with the [[Skull Hammer]].

In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap|The Minish Cap]]'' Stalfos are found in red and blue varieties. The blue Stalfos will walk towards Link and hop away when he swings his sword at them. They can be defeated by cornering them and slashing at them or forcing them to jump down a hole. Red Stalfos will usually stand a distance away from Link and hurl bones at him. They can be defeated by simply slashing them. An effective way to kill Stalfos in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap|The Minish Cap]]'' is to use the [[Cane of Pacci]] or the [[Gust Jar]] to suck or flip their heads off.

[[File:Stalfos Artwork (Twilight Princess).png|right|250px|thumb|Stalfos artwork from Twilight Princess]]

In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]'', Stalfos are skeletons who have a sword, shield, and minor armor, much like they did in ''Ocarina of Time''. They can be found in the [[Arbiter's Grounds]]. In order to take them out, Link must first defeat them in a sword fight, then bomb their remains that they crumble into once he has hit them enough times. One good strategy for taking out multiple Stalfos simultaneously is to simply to fire bomb arrows at them from afar, as it will instantly kill them. Alternatively, Link can strike these enemies with the [[Ball and Chain]] to instantly kill them.

The Stalfos that appear in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass|Phantom Hourglass]]'' appear as a collection of bones on the ground. Once Link draws near, the bones will form a skeleton enemy and begin to throw bones toward Link. Stalfos are quite agile and will jump away if Link tries to strike them with his sword. Use the jump attack with your blade. Alternatively, the [[Grappling Hook]], bombs, and the boomerang work wonders against these boney foes. There is also another variety that wears hats, uses a sword, and is much more difficult to deal with. The [[Hammer]] also dispatches Stalfos in one hit.

These Stalfos have the same design as they did in ''Phantom Hourglass''. The Stalfos that hold swords also return, now called [[Stalfos Warrior|Stalfos Warriors]]. Occasionally, they drop Stalfos Skulls when defeated.

Stalfos have three main attacks. They will quickly swing one sword horizontally, perform a cross-chop with both swords, or raise both swords above its head in preparation for a powerful two-part attack. The Stalfos is defenseless while its swords are above its head, so this is your chance to run around behind it and slash away. There is also a more powerful version of Stalfos with four arms and more life called [[Stalmaster]]s

A Stalfos is the mini-boss of [[Skyview Temple]]. When Link returns for the [[Sacred Water]], three will appear in the room where he fought [[Ghirahim]]. {{Clear}}

Stalfos return with a more traditional style of combat. The Stalfos will attempt to dodge a slash attack by jumping away from Link. If Link follows and slashes again fast enough, he will land a hit and can then move on to attack. If too slow, the Stalfos will jump away, and if Link makes no attempt to follow the Stalfos, it will attack by throwing a bone. They return in two colours, but are the same in terms of combat style, simply dealing more damage and having more health. It is advised to attack with ranged items as they deal good amounts of damage and Stalfos rarely dodge item attacks, though some items (such as the hookshot) have no effect.