Puppet Zelda sends a ball of dark energy towards Link in Twilight Princess.
Dead Man's Volley[1] is a particular battle technique that involves the rhythmic parrying of an energy beam between two adversaries: Link, and a boss, often Ganondorf or one of his Phantom Ganon clones. Many bosses in The Legend of Zelda series are difficult or impossible to harm with ordinary attacks; either because they're just too tough, have magical protection, the ability to block all attacks, or because they're simply flying out of reach. To hit these bosses requires a "game" of Dead Man's Volley to reflect their energy ball attack back at them with the sword, much like a tennis player would return a serve. The energy ball will then impact the one who is either not fast enough to continue the volley or tires first. In the Zelda universe, this technique is often only a section of a boss's overall fighting technique, although it has been seen to comprise the entire battle, such as Puppet Zelda in Twilight Princess. The first game in the series that included this tactic was A Link to the Past, which required Link to use the Master Sword to reflect Agahnim's magical bolts back at him and was the only means to cause damage. As an in-game hint, Link is told that he must find a way to reflect Agahnim's evil magic back on him.[2]
Technique
Since A Link to the Past, playing Dead Man's Volley has become a standard tactic for battling powerful bosses, but with a new twist. The boss will start the attack by procuring a ball of dark energy and throw it at Link. Link must parry the energy ball back at the boss who will often be able to answer Link's reflection by one of his own. This results in a dangerous game of skill as the two combatants volley the shot back and forth between them, waiting for the other to make a mistake and get hit. Over the course of the battle, the speed and the amount of volleys required of the energy ball will increase, making it harder for Link to keep from getting hit. Link can increase his chances of hitting the enemy with the reflected shot by standing very close — the enemy will not be able to react fast enough to answer. Eventually, upon a certain amount of volleys, the boss will tire, and be hit by his own magic energy, leading to a Critical Point. As an exception, Ganondorf's Puppet Zelda merely requires the reflected shots to hit her in order to be defeated.
Users of the Technique
The duel against Agahnim in 'A Link to the Past
- Agahnim from 'A Link to the Past
- The Nightmare's second from from Link's Awakening
- Phantom Ganon from Ocarina of Time, in the second-half of the battle
- Ganondorf from Ocarina of Time, in his human form
- Blue Stalfos from Template:OOA
- Twinrova from Template:OOS/Template:OOA
- Vaati in Four Swords
- Phantom Ganon in The Wind Waker, in each of this fights
- Phantom Ganon in Four Swords Adventures
- Vaati in The Minish Cap
- Puppet Zelda in Twilight Princess, Ganondorf's first form
- Cubus Sisters from Phantom Hourglass
Easter Eggs
- The Bug Catching Net can be used to reflect Agahnim's energy attacks in A Link to the Past.
- In Ocarina of Time, an empty bottle could also be used to reflect energy shots.
References
- ↑ "If you want to save Tetra, you'll have to play a match of dead man's volley first! So... Are you a big enough boy to return these volleys?" — Cubus Sisters (Phantom Hourglass)
- ↑ "Listen well, Link. Even with the Master Sword, you cannot inflict physical harm on the wizard. You must find a way to return his own evil magic power to him." — Sahasrahla (A Link to the Past)