Death Sword

Death Sword is the mini-boss of the Arbiter's Grounds in Twilight Princess.^[1]

Characteristics[]

Midna's Comments

When Link is in human form

Use your senses to find enemies you can't see with your eyes!

When Link is in wolf form

When he comes in to attack, that's when we need to counter with our own attack!

Once Link inflicts damage and is in human form

You can't do anything about an enemy circling in the air while you're in beast form!

Once Link inflicts damage and is in wolf form

This thing just depresses me... Get him down here and introduce him to your blade!

When Death Sword is stunned

[Link], hurry! Now's your chance!

When asked again

You're going to have to use both your wolf powers and your human skills!

When Link enters the room, he finds a large sword embedded in the ground, bound by ropes with mystic talismans attached. Cutting one of the ropes causes the evil within the blade to awaken and burn away the rest. The sword seemingly lifts itself from the ground and swings itself next to Link, thus beginning the battle.

In order to fight back, Link must first transform into wolf form and use his senses to see the sword's wielder. When it attacks and gets its sword stuck in the floor, Wolf Link must jump at it and start biting to make it visible. Afterwards, Link must then change back into human form and shoot it with the Bow while it is floating in the air (alternatively, he can also use the Clawshot or the Gale Boomerang). Afterwards, it flies in circles around Link attempting to strike him with its Sword, at which point it gets stuck again, leaving it vulnerable for a counter-attack.

Upon its vanquishment, Death Sword violently shakes its head and then roars loudly in defeat. The sword itself then poofs like any enemy would as it turns into a cluster of insects which then fly away. Afterwards, the path leading to the Spinner will open up.

Trivia[]

Both Death Sword and Phantom Zant share a unique mini-boss theme.
Before the battle with Death Sword begins, its sword is embedded in the floor with a myriad of ropes adorned with ofuda, which are a type of talisman that are generally used by the Shinto for danger protection.

Nomenclature[]

Death Sword shares its French name, Faucheur, with Gomess. The name is an allusion to the Grim Reaper, who is known in French-speaking regions as "la Faucheuse". Death Sword also shares its German name, Todesklinge, with Blue Stalfos.

Names in Other Regions
Language		Name	Meaning
	Japanese	ゴベラの剣 (Gobera no Ken)	Sword of Gobela
	French^EU	Faucheur	Reaper
	German	Todesklinge	Death Blade
	Italian	Spada Mortis	Sword of Death (Latin)
	Spanish^LA	Espada de la Muerte	Sword of Death

Gallery[]

Death Sword before its liberation
In-game model of the sword itself
Concept art from Hyrule Historia

References

↑ Art & Artifacts, Dark Horse Books, pg. 298

Bosses in The Legend of Zelda series

The Legend of Zelda

Aquamentus · Dodongo · Manhandla · Gleeok · Digdogger · Gohma · Patra · Ganon

Enemies	Beth (Poe) · Big Poe · Boo · Composer Brothers · Ghini · Ghini Lv. 2 · Ghost (Majora's Mask) · Ghoul Rat · Giant Ghini · Goo Specter · Hyu · Icy Big Poe · Imp Poe · Joelle · Key Bandit Poe · Lantern Poe · Mini-Ghini · Moa · Nocturn · Peahat · Phantom Rider · Poe · Poe Sisters · Prankster Poe · Rupee Wraith
Sub-Bosses	Giant Ghini · Grim Repoe · Meg · Phantom Ganon · Poe Sisters
Bosses	Amy · Big Poe (Boss) · Cubus Sisters · Death Sword · Jalhalla · Phantom Ganon · Phantom Zant · Pumpkin Head · Shadow Hag