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{{Infobox Mechanic
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[[File:MagicTennisPuppetZelda.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Dead Man's Volley against Puppet Zelda in ''Twilight Princess'']]
  
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|image=
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'''Dead Man's Volley''',<ref>{{Cite|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|PH}}</ref> often colloquially referred to as {{Name|Tennis}}, is a particular battle technique that involves the rhythmic parrying of an energy beam between [[Link]] and a boss, often [[Ganon]]dorf or one of his [[Phantom Ganon]] clones. Many bosses in the {{LZS|Series}} are difficult or impossible to harm with ordinary attacks; possibly because they are simply too tough, have magical protection, the ability to block all attacks or because they are simply flying out of reach. Much like a tennis player would return a serve, the two parties bat a ball of energy back and forth until one falters. The energy ball will then impact the one who is either not fast enough to continue the volley or tires first.
 
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{{Media
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|Screenshot ALttP= File:Agahnim Fight.png
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|Screenshot LA= File:LA Dead Man's Volley.png
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|Screenshot LADX= File:NMF2.png
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|Screenshot LANS= File:LANS Dead Man's Volley.png
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|Screenshot OoT= File:OoT Ganondorf Dead Man's Volley.png
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|Screenshot OoT3D= File:OoT3D Dead Man's Volley.png
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|Screenshot OoS= File:OoS Dead Man's Volley.png
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|Screenshot OoA= File:OoA Dead Man's Volley.png
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|Screenshot FS= File:FS Dead Man's Volley.png
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|Screenshot TWW= File:Dead Man's Volley TWW.jpg
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|Screenshot TWWHD= File:TWWHD Dead Man's Volley.png
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|Screenshot FSA= File:Phantom ganonFSA.jpg
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|Screenshot TMC= File:TMC Dead Man's Volley.png
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|Screenshot TP= File:MagicTennisPuppetZelda.jpg
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|Screenshot TPHD= File:TPHD Dead Man's Volley.png
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|Screenshot PH= File:PH Dead Man's Volley.png
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|Screenshot SS= File:SS Dead Man's Volley.png
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|Screenshot SSHD= File:SSHD Dead Man's Volley.png
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|Screenshot ALBW= File:ALBW Dead Man's Volley.png
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|Screenshot TFH= File:TFH Dead Man's Volley.png
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}}
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|caption=
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|pronunciation=
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|game= {{ALttP}}<br/>{{LA}}<br/>{{OoT}}<br/>{{OoS}}<br/>{{OoA}}<br/>{{FS}}<br/>{{TWW}}<br/>{{FSA}}<br/>{{TMC}}<br/>{{TP}}<br/>{{PH}}<br/>{{SS}}<br/>{{ALBW}}<br/>{{TFH}}<br/>{{TotK}}
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|other= {{NL}}<br/>{{HW}}<br/>{{HW|L}}<br/>{{HWAoC}}
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|purpose=
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|related=
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}}
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{{Term/Store|Dead Man's Volley||Series, PH}}<ref name="Cubus">{{Cite|If you want to save {{Color|PH Blue|Tetra}}, you'll have to play a match of {{Color|PH Green|dead man's volley}} first! So... Are you a big enough boy to return these volleys?|Cubus Sisters|PH}}</ref>{{Note|Despite its frequent recurrence in the series, Dead Man's Volley was only ever named once, in {{PH}}.{{Verify}}<!-- Please check canon guides. It's hard to believe none of them call it something.--> The term is applied to the whole series though it loses meaning out of context. See [[#Nomenclature|Nomenclature]].}} refers to a technique in certain {{Term|Series|Boss|link}} battles where [[Link]] swings his {{Term|Series|Sword|link}} at an oncoming projectile, turning it back on its caster to inflict damage or cause a [[Critical Point]]. In many games, the {{Term|Series|Boss}} will return Link's volley. A rhythmic rally ensues where the projectile is knocked back and forth until one party fails to counter and is struck by it. Dead Man's Volley is typically used against primary antagonists or their clones.
   
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{{Plural|Series|Boss}} to be defeated by Dead Man's Volley may have other projectile attacks that require special tactics to volley, or that cannot be volleyed at all and must be dodged. Usually the volleying attack is a single flashing ball of energy. In games where Link rallies back and forth with the boss, these rallies tend to become longer as the battle progresses. These can be shortened by standing closer to the boss, giving them less time to react.
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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 [[Possessed Zelda#Twilight Princess|Puppet Zelda]] in {{TP}}. Though this battle technique first appeared in {{ALttP}}, during Link's initial meeting with [[Agahnim]], Dead Man's Volley is first referenced by name during the battle with the [[Cubus Sisters]] atop the prow of the [[Ghost Ship (Phantom Hourglass)|Ghost Ship]] in {{PH}}.
  
   
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Humorously, Link can perform a volley with items like a {{Term|SS|Bug Net|link}}, {{Term|Series|Bottle|link}}, or {{Term|Series|Shovel|link}} in some games.
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==Technique==
  
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Since {{ALttP}}, 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 so the enemy have little time to react. 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, [[Possessed Zelda#Twilight Princess|Puppet Zelda]] merely requires the reflected shots to hit her in order to be defeated. In {{SS}}, Link has to hit the energy ball in the right direction, either vertical or horizontal, to successfully return the magic at [[Ghirahim]].
  
   
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==Mainline appearances==
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===Users of the Technique===
  
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==={{ALttP|-}}===
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*'''[[Agahnim]]''' in ''A Link to the Past''<ref>{{Cite|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|ALttP}}</ref>
  
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Dead Man's Volley first appears in the battles against [[Agahnim]], who is too powerful to be harmed by anything but his own magic.<ref>{{Cite|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|ALttP}}</ref> Agahnim has multiple magical attacks, one of which is a flashing white ball of energy that can be volleyed back at him to cause damage. His second attack is a blue cluster projectile that splinters when struck – it must be avoided.
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*'''[[Shadow Nightmares#Agahnim's Shadow|Agahnim's Shadow]]''' in {{LA}}
  
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*'''[[Phantom Ganon]]''' in {{OoT}}, {{TWW}} and {{FSA}}
  
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*'''[[Ganon]]dorf''' in ''Ocarina of Time''
  
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*'''[[Blue Stalfos]]''' in {{OoA}}
  
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*'''[[Twinrova]]''' in the {{OoX}}
  
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*'''[[Gouen]]''' in {{FS}}
  
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*'''[[Vaati]]''' in ''Four Swords'' and {{TMC}}
  
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*'''[[Possessed Zelda#Twilight Princess|Puppet Zelda]]''' in {{TP}}
  
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*'''[[Cubus Sisters]]''' in {{PH}}
  
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*'''[[Bilocyte]]''' in {{SS}}
  
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*'''[[Ghirahim]]'s''' final fight in ''Skyward Sword''
  
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*'''[[Yuga Ganon]]''' in {{ALBW}}
  
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*'''[[Lady Maud]]''' in {{TFH}}
  
   
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In the second encounter with Agahnim, he produces two clones which can only perform the one attack that can be volleyed. Link can volley a clone's attack at the real Agahnim, but the clones themselves cannot be harmed.
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==Non-Canon Appearances==
  
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{{noncanon|start}}
  
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===''Hyrule Warriors''===
  
⚫
In {{HW}}, a form of Dead Man's Volley is performed as one of Link's [[Great Fairy#Hyrule Warriors|Great Fairy]] weapon type attacks. The button combo B, B, Y, (Y, Y, X, in Warriors controls) has the Great Fairy briefly release Link from his giant [[Bottle]], and the two volley an orb of light back and forth. The Great Fairy then grabs it and attacks surrounding enemies with the blast. As the attack animation is done automatically, Link does not need to volley the orb for the attack to succeed.
  
   
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If timed correctly, the volley can be performed with a swish of the {{Term|ALttP|Net|link}}.
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==={{LA|-}}===
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[[Agahnim's Shadow]], the second form of the final boss [[Shadow Nightmare]], is defeated with Dead Man's Volley the same way as the real Agahnim in {{ALttP|-}}. It has two attacks: the energy-ball attack to be volleyed, and the splintering cluster to be dodged.
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The energy ball can be volleyed with the {{Term|LA|Shovel|link}}; and in {{LA|NS|-}}, Link can also use an empty [[Fairy Bottle]] to deflect Agahnim's blasts.
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==={{OoT|-}}===
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[[File:OoT Phantom Ganon Battle.png|thumb|right|Dead Man's Volley against Phantom Ganon]]
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{{OoT}} introduces back-and-forth rallies to Dead Man's Volley. It occurs in the second phase of the battle against [[Phantom Ganon]] when he casts yellow energy orbs at Link. At the end of the game [[Ganondorf]] uses the same attack. Both can be volleyed with a {{Term|OoT|Bottle}}.
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Ganondorf has a second magical attack where he launches multiple projectiles at Link. An ordinary sword swipe is not sufficient to fend off the attack as it deflects some but not all of the projectiles. A well-timed [[Spin Attack]] volleys all the projectiles back at Ganondorf, stunning him immediately.{{Verify|OoT}}
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Phantom Ganon's projectile changes color from yellow to blue as it is volleyed back and forth (yellow when cast, blue when returned by Link, yellow when returned by Phantom Ganon, etc.).
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==={{OoS|-}} / {{OoA|-}}===
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The {{Term|OoA|Blue Stalfos|link}} {{Term|Series|Sub-Boss}} in {{OoA}} has two magical attacks similar to those of Agahnim's Shadow. However, the energy-ball attack does not cause damage. Instead, it turns Link into a vulnerable baby for a few seconds. When it is volleyed back at Blue Stalfos, the boss turns into a skull-faced [[Keese]] for the same amount of time, during which it is vulnerable to sword strikes.
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In the first phase of the battle against [[Twinrova]], Link volleys [[Koume]]'s fire attack to [[Kotake]], and Kotake's ice attack to Koume. This combines Dead Man's Volley with the [[Mirror Shield]] reflection tactic used to defeat Twinrova in {{OoT|-}}.
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==={{FS|-}}===
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In {{FS}}, [[Gouen]] launches a colored orb which can only be volleyed by the Link of that color. Instead of rallying with the boss, the {{Plural|FS|Links|link}} can bat the orb back and forth between each other until it hits the boss.
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The same tactic is used at the end of the game against [[Vaati]].
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==={{TWW|-}}===
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In {{TWW}}, Dead Man's Volley is used against Phantom Ganon only. As in {{OoT|-}}, Link and Phantom Ganon volley energy orbs back and forth until the latter is struck by his own attack. This is the first game in which the tempo of the rally increases with each volley.
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In [[Ganon's Tower]], Phantom Ganon begins using a greater multi-projectile attack similar to Ganondorf's in {{OoT|-}}. In can be returned with a Spin Attack.
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==={{FSA|-}}===
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[[Phantom Ganon]] launches colored energy orbs to be volleyed by the Link of the same color in {{FSA}}. During the second encounter in the [[Temple of Darkness]], Phantom Ganon creates multiple clones that throw colorless orbs which dissipate on contact.
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==={{TMC|-}}===
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In {{TMC}}, during the final battle, [[Vaati's Wrath]] launches four energy orbs simultaneously. Link returns them all by creating three copies of himself using the [[Four Sword]].
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==={{TP|-}}===
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In {{TP}}, Link performs Dead Man's Volley against [[Possessed Zelda]] when she uses her sword to cast balls of energy. As in {{TWW|-}}, a rally ensues that increases in pace until Zelda is struck by her own attack. Zelda has no Critical Point — the attack inflicts damage on her directly.
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An {{Term|TP|Empty Bottle}} can be used to volley the attack.
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==={{PH|-}}===
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In {{PH}}, during the boss battle against the [[Cubus Sisters]], one of the four sisters will launch a blue-white orb at Link. They receive Link's return shot by batting it to and fro amongst each other for a while before sending it back at Link. Link wins a rally when one of the sisters is hit or killed by a return shot.
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==={{SS|-}}===
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In {{SS}}, [[Bilocyte]] spits green projectiles which Link must deflect with his sword back towards the boss's protective frills.
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In the final battle against [[Ghirahim]], Link returns Ghirahim's sword beams at him by swiping in the right direction, either vertical or horizontal.
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==={{ALBW|-}}===
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Dead Man's Volley is used against [[Yuga Ganon]] in the second phase of the battle in {{ALBW}}. Like in some earlier games, the [[Bug Net]] can also be used to reflect his magic orbs. The orbs can vary in speed during this battle, and if [[Link]] fails to strike them swiftly enough, they will briefly bounce before falling onto him, giving him a moment to try and escape their damage. After several exchanges between them, Yuga Ganon will be struck by his own magic and get stunned, then [[Wall Merging|merge]] into the wall as a Painting.
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For the third and final round of Dead Man's Volley, Yuga Ganon will throw two magic orbs in alternation.
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==={{TFH|-}}===
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In {{TFH}}, Dead Man's Volley is used against [[Lady Maud]], where the magic orb will take the color of whichever of the [[Links]] is targeted. After hitting the orb, it will turn yellow and fly back towards [[Lady Maud|The Lady]], resulting in the orb being volleyed between her and the Links at increasing speeds. If the orb is not struck swiftly enough by the targeted Links, it will bounce upward and change color to that of another Link, who must then be the one to return the volley. If the Links miss the orb altogether, it will land on the ground and shock them, causing damage. Once the orb has been volleyed enough times, The Lady will catch the orb, spin around, and throw it back in a much larger and faster form. If this final orb is returned to The Lady, it will shock her and knock her back onto the ground. The Links can then strike her with their Swords until she recovers.
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=== {{TotK|-}}===
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In {{TotK}}, a form of Dead Man's Volley can be used against [[Demon King|Demon King Ganondorf]] in which he will launch [[Gloom]] based projectiles that can be sent back with the Master Sword, causing damage to the Demon King. Using any other weapon besides the Master Sword for the volley will break immediately.
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There are three variations of this attack. In the first variation, the Demon King will send three flying Gloom orbs towards Link. These orbs can be dodged due to their slow movement or can be sent back to Ganondorf and deal damage if Link swings the Master Sword at them. The second variation has the Demon King summoning a ring of Gloom orbs on the ground around Link. These orbs will close in until one hits Link unless he runs in-between the orbs before they close in to dodge. With the Master Sword equipped, a timed [[Spin Attack]] will launch all orbs back towards Ganondorf and deal damage. The final Variation is a wave of Gloom orbs that are launched on the ground from Ganondorf. These orbs can be dodged once the orbs have become spread out enough. You can hit some with the Master Sword to send them back to Ganondorf and deal damage.
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If Link does not have the Master Sword, it's recommended to dodge these attacks. Getting struck by any of the Gloom orbs will cause Link to permanently lose one [[Heart Container|heart container]] for the remainder of the battle.
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==Spinoff appearances==
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{{Noncanon|Start}}
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==={{HW|-}}===
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In {{HW}}, a form of Dead Man's Volley is performed as one of Link's attacks as part of the [[Great Fairy (Item)|Great Fairy]] weapon. The button combo {{Exp|Y, Y, X in Warriors controls|B, B, Y}} has the Great Fairy briefly release Link from his giant [[Bottle]], and the two volley an orb of light back and forth. The Great Fairy then grabs the orb and attacks surrounding enemies with the blast. As the attack animation is performed automatically, Link does not need to volley the orb for the attack to succeed.
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Dead Man's Volley also appears in {{HW|L}} when fighting against Phantom Ganon. Unlike its other appearances, where the orb is volleyed a random number of times before the boss is hit, Phantom Ganon will always be hit by the orb after the Warrior volleys the orb three times, exposing his [[Weak Point Gauge]]. After Phantom Ganon has taken a certain amount of damage, he will change his tactics and no longer attack the Warrior with orbs, thus preventing Dead Man's Volley from being used.
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==={{HWAoC|-}}===
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In {{HWAoC}}, a variation of Dead Man's Volley appears when fighting against the [[Battle-Tested Guardian]]. Unlike other variations, this version utilizes the Battle-Tested Guardian's laser instead of an orb, and requires a [[Perfect Guard]] to deflect the projectile instead of a [[Sword]]. The laser is deflected in a similar manner to a regular [[Guardian Stalker]]'s laser being deflected, but the Battle-Tested Guardian will deflect back towards the [[Warrior]] for a random number of times before bring hit, exposing its [[Weak Point Gauge]]. Alternatively, the Battle-Tested Guardian may choose to dodge the deflected laser instead, and resume fighting the Warrior.
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Because the Perfect Guard requires a {{Term|HWAoC|Shield|link}} to be used, only [[Link]] (equipped with a one-handed [[Weapon]]), [[Urbosa]], or [[Riju]] can initiate the Dead Man's Volley.
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{{Noncanon|End}}
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==Crossover appearances==
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{{Noncanon|Start}}
 
===''Battle Quest''===
  
===''Battle Quest''===
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In {{BQ}}, the Dead Man's Volley appears when fighting [[Wizzrobe]]s in [[Multiplayer|Co-Op Play]]. Wizzrobe will occasionally throw a glowing orb that is the same color as one of the Links. The color shows which Link is being targeted and must volley the orb. Only Links holding swords will be targeted by the attack. If the orb is volleyed by Wizzrobe, it will gain speed and may change color. It is also possible that the orb will split into three orbs, each targeting a different Link holding a sword.
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In {{BQ}}, Dead Man's Volley is used in Nintendo Land of Wizzrobe.
  
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{{noncanon|end}}
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{{Noncanon|End}}
   
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==Trivia==
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==Nomenclature==
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The name "Dead Man's Volley" is from {{PH}}. The {{Term|PH|Cubus Sisters}} call it that in a taunt before the boss battle on the {{Term|PH|Ghost Ship}}.<ref name="Cubus"/> The name "Dead Man's Volley" is a reference to the horror theme of that dungeon.
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*The Bug Net can be used to reflect Agahnim's energy attacks in ''A Link to the Past'', Ghirahim's [[Skyward Strike]]s in ''Skyward Sword'', and Yuga Ganon's attacks in ''A Link Between Worlds''. In ''Link's Awakening'', Link can reflect Nightmare's energy shots with his [[Shovel]] if timed correctly. In ''Ocarina of Time'', ''The Wind Waker'', and ''Twilight Princess'', an empty [[Bottle]] can also be used to reflect energy shots.
  
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*The name Dead Man's Volley is likely a reference to the book ''{{wp|Dead Man's Folly}}'' by Agatha Christie.
  
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*In Splatoon [http://splatoonwiki.org/wiki/DJ_Octavio DJ Octavio] used a variant of Dead Man's Volley
  
   
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The name is a play on the title of the murder-mystery novel ''{{wp|Dead Man's Folly}}'' by Agatha Christie.
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==Etymology==
  
 
{{Names
  
{{Names
 
|align= left
  
|align= left
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|en=
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|enBr=
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|enM=
+
|enBrM=
 
|ja=
 
|ja=
 
|jaM=
 
|jaM=
 
|esL= Voleibol Infernal
  
|esL= Voleibol Infernal
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|esLM= Infernal Volley
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|esLM= Infernal Volleyball
 
|esS= Vóleibol Infernal
  
|esS= Vóleibol Infernal
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|esSM= Infernal Volley
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|esSM= Infernal Volleyball
 
|frC= Volley maudit
  
|frC= Volley maudit
 
|frCM=
 
|frCM=
 
|frF= Volley Vicieux
  
|frF= Volley Vicieux
 
|frFM=
 
|frFM=
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|de= Höllisches Volleyball
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|de=
 
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|deM=
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|deM= Hellish Volleyball
 
|it=
 
|it=
 
|itM=
 
|itM=
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|ptP=
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|ptPM=
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|ptB=
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|ptBM=
  ⚫
|nl=
  +
|nlM=
  +
|ru=
  +
|ruM=
 
|ko=
 
|ko=
−
|koM= }}
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|koM=
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|zhT=
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|zhTM=
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|zhS=
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|zhSM= }}
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==See Also==
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* {{Term|Series|Reflect|link}}
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* {{Term|Series|Mirror Shield|link}}
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* {{Term|Series|Shield Bash|link}}
   
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{{Notes}}
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==Gallery==
  
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<gallery>
  
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File:Agahnim Fight.png|Dead Man's Volley against Agahnim in ''A Link to the Past''
  
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File:NMF2.png|Dead Man's Volley against Agahnim's Shadow in ''Link's Awakening''
  
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File:OoT Phantom Ganon Dead Man's Volley.png|Dead Man's Volley against Phantom Ganon in ''Ocarina of Time''
  
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File:OoT Ganondorf Dead Man's Volley.png|Dead Man's Volley against Ganondorf in ''Ocarina of Time''
  
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File:Dead Man's Volley TWW.jpg|Dead Man's Volley against Phantom Ganon in ''The Wind Waker''
  
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File:Phantom ganonFSA.jpg|Dead Man's Volley against Phantom Ganon in ''Four Swords Adventures''
  
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</gallery>
  
   
 
{{Ref}}
  
{{Ref}}
   
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{{Categories
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[[Category:Sword Techniques]]
  
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|mechanics= ALttP, LA, LADX, LANS, OoT, OoT3D, OoS, OoA, FS, TWW, TWWHD, FSA, TMC, TP, TPHD, PH, SS, SSHD, ALBW, TFH, NL, HW, HWL, HWDE, HWAoC
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[[Category:Minigames]]
  
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}}

Latest revision as of 04:18, 23 February 2024

Dead Man's Volley[1][note 1] refers to a technique in certain Boss battles where Link swings his Sword at an oncoming projectile, turning it back on its caster to inflict damage or cause a Critical Point. In many games, the Boss will return Link's volley. A rhythmic rally ensues where the projectile is knocked back and forth until one party fails to counter and is struck by it. Dead Man's Volley is typically used against primary antagonists or their clones.

Bosses to be defeated by Dead Man's Volley may have other projectile attacks that require special tactics to volley, or that cannot be volleyed at all and must be dodged. Usually the volleying attack is a single flashing ball of energy. In games where Link rallies back and forth with the boss, these rallies tend to become longer as the battle progresses. These can be shortened by standing closer to the boss, giving them less time to react.

Humorously, Link can perform a volley with items like a Bug Net, Empty Bottle, or Shovel in some games.

Mainline appearances

A Link to the Past

Dead Man's Volley first appears in the battles against Agahnim, who is too powerful to be harmed by anything but his own magic.[2] Agahnim has multiple magical attacks, one of which is a flashing white ball of energy that can be volleyed back at him to cause damage. His second attack is a blue cluster projectile that splinters when struck – it must be avoided.

In the second encounter with Agahnim, he produces two clones which can only perform the one attack that can be volleyed. Link can volley a clone's attack at the real Agahnim, but the clones themselves cannot be harmed.

If timed correctly, the volley can be performed with a swish of the Bug Catching Net.

Link's Awakening

Agahnim's Shadow, the second form of the final boss Shadow Nightmare, is defeated with Dead Man's Volley the same way as the real Agahnim in A Link to the Past. It has two attacks: the energy-ball attack to be volleyed, and the splintering cluster to be dodged.

The energy ball can be volleyed with the Shovel; and in Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch, Link can also use an empty Fairy Bottle to deflect Agahnim's blasts.

Ocarina of Time

OoT Phantom Ganon Battle

Dead Man's Volley against Phantom Ganon

Ocarina of Time introduces back-and-forth rallies to Dead Man's Volley. It occurs in the second phase of the battle against Phantom Ganon when he casts yellow energy orbs at Link. At the end of the game Ganondorf uses the same attack. Both can be volleyed with a Bottle.

Ganondorf has a second magical attack where he launches multiple projectiles at Link. An ordinary sword swipe is not sufficient to fend off the attack as it deflects some but not all of the projectiles. A well-timed Spin Attack volleys all the projectiles back at Ganondorf, stunning him immediately.[verification needed]

Phantom Ganon's projectile changes color from yellow to blue as it is volleyed back and forth (yellow when cast, blue when returned by Link, yellow when returned by Phantom Ganon, etc.).

Oracle of Seasons / Oracle of Ages

The Blue Stalfos Sub-Boss in Oracle of Ages has two magical attacks similar to those of Agahnim's Shadow. However, the energy-ball attack does not cause damage. Instead, it turns Link into a vulnerable baby for a few seconds. When it is volleyed back at Blue Stalfos, the boss turns into a skull-faced Keese for the same amount of time, during which it is vulnerable to sword strikes.

In the first phase of the battle against Twinrova, Link volleys Koume's fire attack to Kotake, and Kotake's ice attack to Koume. This combines Dead Man's Volley with the Mirror Shield reflection tactic used to defeat Twinrova in Ocarina of Time.

Four Swords

In Four Swords, Gouen launches a colored orb which can only be volleyed by the Link of that color. Instead of rallying with the boss, the Links can bat the orb back and forth between each other until it hits the boss.

The same tactic is used at the end of the game against Vaati.

The Wind Waker

In The Wind Waker, Dead Man's Volley is used against Phantom Ganon only. As in Ocarina of Time, Link and Phantom Ganon volley energy orbs back and forth until the latter is struck by his own attack. This is the first game in which the tempo of the rally increases with each volley.

In Ganon's Tower, Phantom Ganon begins using a greater multi-projectile attack similar to Ganondorf's in Ocarina of Time. In can be returned with a Spin Attack.

Four Swords Adventures

Phantom Ganon launches colored energy orbs to be volleyed by the Link of the same color in Four Swords Adventures. During the second encounter in the Temple of Darkness, Phantom Ganon creates multiple clones that throw colorless orbs which dissipate on contact.

The Minish Cap

In The Minish Cap, during the final battle, Vaati's Wrath launches four energy orbs simultaneously. Link returns them all by creating three copies of himself using the Four Sword.

Twilight Princess

In Twilight Princess, Link performs Dead Man's Volley against Possessed Zelda when she uses her sword to cast balls of energy. As in The Wind Waker, a rally ensues that increases in pace until Zelda is struck by her own attack. Zelda has no Critical Point — the attack inflicts damage on her directly.

An Empty Bottle can be used to volley the attack.

Phantom Hourglass

In Phantom Hourglass, during the boss battle against the Cubus Sisters, one of the four sisters will launch a blue-white orb at Link. They receive Link's return shot by batting it to and fro amongst each other for a while before sending it back at Link. Link wins a rally when one of the sisters is hit or killed by a return shot.

Skyward Sword

In Skyward Sword, Bilocyte spits green projectiles which Link must deflect with his sword back towards the boss's protective frills.

In the final battle against Ghirahim, Link returns Ghirahim's sword beams at him by swiping in the right direction, either vertical or horizontal.

A Link Between Worlds

Dead Man's Volley is used against Yuga Ganon in the second phase of the battle in A Link Between Worlds. Like in some earlier games, the Bug Net can also be used to reflect his magic orbs. The orbs can vary in speed during this battle, and if Link fails to strike them swiftly enough, they will briefly bounce before falling onto him, giving him a moment to try and escape their damage. After several exchanges between them, Yuga Ganon will be struck by his own magic and get stunned, then merge into the wall as a Painting.

For the third and final round of Dead Man's Volley, Yuga Ganon will throw two magic orbs in alternation.

Tri Force Heroes

In Tri Force Heroes, Dead Man's Volley is used against Lady Maud, where the magic orb will take the color of whichever of the Links is targeted. After hitting the orb, it will turn yellow and fly back towards The Lady, resulting in the orb being volleyed between her and the Links at increasing speeds. If the orb is not struck swiftly enough by the targeted Links, it will bounce upward and change color to that of another Link, who must then be the one to return the volley. If the Links miss the orb altogether, it will land on the ground and shock them, causing damage. Once the orb has been volleyed enough times, The Lady will catch the orb, spin around, and throw it back in a much larger and faster form. If this final orb is returned to The Lady, it will shock her and knock her back onto the ground. The Links can then strike her with their Swords until she recovers.

Tears of the Kingdom

In Tears of the Kingdom, a form of Dead Man's Volley can be used against Demon King Ganondorf in which he will launch Gloom based projectiles that can be sent back with the Master Sword, causing damage to the Demon King. Using any other weapon besides the Master Sword for the volley will break immediately.

There are three variations of this attack. In the first variation, the Demon King will send three flying Gloom orbs towards Link. These orbs can be dodged due to their slow movement or can be sent back to Ganondorf and deal damage if Link swings the Master Sword at them. The second variation has the Demon King summoning a ring of Gloom orbs on the ground around Link. These orbs will close in until one hits Link unless he runs in-between the orbs before they close in to dodge. With the Master Sword equipped, a timed Spin Attack will launch all orbs back towards Ganondorf and deal damage. The final Variation is a wave of Gloom orbs that are launched on the ground from Ganondorf. These orbs can be dodged once the orbs have become spread out enough. You can hit some with the Master Sword to send them back to Ganondorf and deal damage.

If Link does not have the Master Sword, it's recommended to dodge these attacks. Getting struck by any of the Gloom orbs will cause Link to permanently lose one heart container for the remainder of the battle.

Spinoff appearances

Non-Canon Information

Hyrule Warriors

In Hyrule Warriors, a form of Dead Man's Volley is performed as one of Link's attacks as part of the Great Fairy weapon. The button combo B, B, Y has the Great Fairy briefly release Link from his giant Bottle, and the two volley an orb of light back and forth. The Great Fairy then grabs the orb and attacks surrounding enemies with the blast. As the attack animation is performed automatically, Link does not need to volley the orb for the attack to succeed.

Dead Man's Volley also appears in Hyrule Warriors Legends when fighting against Phantom Ganon. Unlike its other appearances, where the orb is volleyed a random number of times before the boss is hit, Phantom Ganon will always be hit by the orb after the Warrior volleys the orb three times, exposing his Weak Point Gauge. After Phantom Ganon has taken a certain amount of damage, he will change his tactics and no longer attack the Warrior with orbs, thus preventing Dead Man's Volley from being used.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity

In Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, a variation of Dead Man's Volley appears when fighting against the Battle-Tested Guardian. Unlike other variations, this version utilizes the Battle-Tested Guardian's laser instead of an orb, and requires a Perfect Guard to deflect the projectile instead of a Sword. The laser is deflected in a similar manner to a regular Guardian Stalker's laser being deflected, but the Battle-Tested Guardian will deflect back towards the Warrior for a random number of times before bring hit, exposing its Weak Point Gauge. Alternatively, the Battle-Tested Guardian may choose to dodge the deflected laser instead, and resume fighting the Warrior.

Because the Perfect Guard requires a Shield to be used, only Link (equipped with a one-handed Weapon), Urbosa, or Riju can initiate the Dead Man's Volley.

Crossover appearances

Non-Canon Information

Battle Quest

In Battle Quest, the Dead Man's Volley appears when fighting Wizzrobes in Co-Op Play. Wizzrobe will occasionally throw a glowing orb that is the same color as one of the Links. The color shows which Link is being targeted and must volley the orb. Only Links holding swords will be targeted by the attack. If the orb is volleyed by Wizzrobe, it will gain speed and may change color. It is also possible that the orb will split into three orbs, each targeting a different Link holding a sword.

Nomenclature

The name "Dead Man's Volley" is from Phantom Hourglass. The Cubus Sisters call it that in a taunt before the boss battle on the Ghost Ship.[1] The name "Dead Man's Volley" is a reference to the horror theme of that dungeon.

The name is a play on the title of the murder-mystery novel Dead Man's Folly by Agatha Christie.

TMC Forest Minish Artwork Names in Other Regions TMC Jabber Nut Sprite
Language Name Meaning
Canada FrenchCA Volley maudit
French Republic FrenchEU Volley Vicieux
Federal Republic of Germany German Höllisches Volleyball Hellish Volleyball
Kingdom of Spain SpanishEU Vóleibol Infernal Infernal Volleyball
Community of Latin American and Caribbean States SpanishLA Voleibol Infernal Infernal Volleyball

See Also

Notes

  1. ↑ Despite its frequent recurrence in the series, Dead Man's Volley was only ever named once, in Phantom Hourglass.[verification needed] The term is applied to the whole series though it loses meaning out of context. See Nomenclature.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "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)
  2. ↑ "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)
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