Stalfos

Template:Enemy Stalfos are recurring enemies in Template:LZS. They are skeletal knights that attack with their bones or Swords.

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Characteristics and Weaknesses

Stalfos artwork from Twilight Princess

Stalfos artwork from
Twilight Princess

Stalfos are undead, skeleton warriors who can be found mostly in dungeons as mini-bosses. They tend to attack with either one or two Swords. Some of them also wield Shields to protect themselfs, although they can also use their Swords to block attacks. Stalfos from The Wind Waker wield clubs instead. Some Stalfos can also attack by throwing bones or their skull, or by jumping and then dropping above Link.

When defeating a Stalfos in Twilight Princess, it becomes a pile of bones. If Link does not get rid of the bones, the Stalfos will eventually regenerate. Link can drop a Bomb on the pile of bones to completely destroy the Stalfos. He can also throw the Ball and Chain to destroy the Stalfos, and then its bones when the ball comes back at him, or shoot a Bomb Arrow to defeat it with a single hit. In the Forest Temple from Ocarina of Time, Link fights a pair of Stalfos which must be defeated in quick succession. By not doing so, the first Stalfos that is defeated will eventually regenerate. When enough damage is dealt to a Stalfos in The Wind Waker, its body explodes, leaving its skull bouncing around the room. Link must then destroy the skull before its full body regenerates. Link can use a Bomb to quickly destroy the Stalfos body, and the Skull Hammer to destroy the skull in a single hit.

Varieties

Coloration

File:StalfosOrangeOracle.png

File:StalfosRedOracle.png

File:StalfosBlueOracle.png

File:StalfosGreenOracle.png

In The Adventure of Link, Stalfos come in three varieties: white, red, and blue. White Stalfos are considerably weaker than their red and blue counterparts, both of which possess jumping and thrusting attacks. In Oracle of Ages, there are two types of Stalfos: blue and orange. The blue variety is a standard Stalfos that simply walks around. The orange variety tends to jump away from Link's Sword slashes, and have the ability to toss bones. In The Minish Cap, the blue variety only jumps, while the red one uses bones as their primary weapon. Furthermore, a special kind of Stalfos known as the Blue Stalfos is the mini-boss of the Ancient Tomb. In Oracle of Seasons, both the blue and orange Stalfos also appear, with red and green varieties appearing as well. Each of them have their own unique abilities.

Parutamu

File:RedParutamu.gif

In The Adventure of Link, Parutamu are armored Stalfos with horned helmets. They behave like their red and blue counterparts, but are more durable and deal more damage.

Stalfos Knight

File:StalfosKnight ALttP.png

In A Link to the Past, a larger variety known as the Stalfos Knight appear in the Ice Palace. These Stalfos are much larger, tougher, and carry large Swords. Link cannot defeat them with his Sword alone, as he must use a Bomb to destroy ther remains.^[1] Stalfos from The Adventure of Link are known by the Japanese name of Stalfos Knights, Stalfon.

Shrouded Stalfos

File:ShroudedStalfos.png

Link's Awakening and the Template:OoX include Shrouded Stalfos alongside normal Stalfos. Shrouded Stalfos throw spears at Link, while Sword Stalfos fight with Sword and Shields in a similar manner to Darknuts.

Master Stalfos

File:MasterStalfosLA.png

In Link's Awakening, the Master Stalfos is a large Stalfos that appears several times in the Catfish's Maw, where he steals the Hookshot from a Treasure Chest. His appearance and behavior is similar to the Stalfos Knights from A Link to the Past.

Ikana Stalfos

File:MM Igos du Ikana's Lackeys.png

In Majora's Mask, Stalfos are the long-dead skeleton knights of the Ikana Kingdom, Igos du Ikana and his two lackeys.^[2] To defeat both lackeys before they regenerate, Link must reflect light with his Mirror Shield onto their remains. Igos du Ikana is the largest and most powerful Stalfos in Majora's Mask. He can exhale a poisonous breath, detach his head which flies around the room trying to bite Link, and make his body invulnerable to attacks.

Skull Keeta, the captain of the Stalchildren, served under the King, Igos du Ikana.^[3]

Big Dark Stalfos

File:BigDarkStalfos.png

Four Swords Adventures includes two new types of Stalfos: the Dark Stalfos and the Big Dark Stalfos. Dark Stalfos appear in the Temple of Darkness as invincible dark shadows wielding Swords. Only by entering the Dark World, their true form can be seen and fought. They fight like Chief Soldiers, with heavy lunging swings. Big Dark Stalfos are Knights of Hyrule who have been transformed into monsters and sent to the Dark World by Ganon. They hold the Royal Jewels needed to access the Tower of Winds, where Princess Zelda is held. They appear as boss enemies at the end of certain stages.

Other Appearances

Ambiguously Canon Information

Game & Watch Zelda

In the Template:G&WZ, Stalfos hide themselves below the platform Link is on and attack upwards. However, their attacks are slow and in a sweeping motion, making them easy to dodge. Between one and four Stalfos appear on each floor. They cannot be attacked by Link.

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Link's Crossbow Training

In Link's Crossbow Training, Stalfos appear in various Defender-type stages. Several of them hold Shields much like their Twilight Princess counterparts. Their Shields can be shot several times to be destroyed, allowing the Stalfos to be hit. The Shield can also be destroyed with a single Bomb Arrow.

File:Captin stalfos.gif

Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland

In Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland, the boss known as Captain Stalfos is the leader of a troupe of skeleton pirates. Although he shares his name with Stalfos, his crew members are not Stalfos, and are generally friendly.

Non-Canon Information

Animated Series

Stalfos (Hitch in the Works) — Stalfos from the animated series

In The Legend of Zelda animated series, Stalfos appear as one of Ganon's most common soldiers. For the most part, Ganon uses the Stalfos to carry him around on a platform since his teleportation powers are limited in the overworld. In "The Ringer," Ganon disguises several Stalfos in cloaks so that they may transport him to the Magician's Contest,^[4] and in "The Missing Link," Ganon arrives to North Castle with Stalfos carrying him once again.^[5] Unlike the games, Stalfos can be seen wielding a variety of weapons such as long rods, Bombs, maces, axes, Bows, and the usual Sword, out of which they can shoot Sword Beams from. Stalfos seem to be able to withdraw Bombs from their chest any time they please, as seen in "The Ringer" and in "The Missing Link." They usually attack in groups, although Link easily defeats them with just one Zap from his Crissword.

Like all of Ganon's minions, Stalfos are capable of speaking and have a rough, raspy voice. They appear in seven episodes out of the thirteen total: "The Ringer," "Sing for the Unicorn," "Doppelganger," "Stinging a Stinger," "Hitch in the Works," "The Missing Link," and "The Moblins are Revolting."

Captain N: The Game Master

Stalfos appear in two episodes of Captain N: The Game Master. Like in the Zelda animated series, they are capable of speaking, although they are only heard in one episode.^[6] In "Quest for the Potion of Power," Link fights and defeats two Stalfos as he, Princess Zelda, and Kevin are making their way through the Parapa Palace. Stalfos also appear in "Having a Ball," where they confront Link, Zelda, Kevin, and Princess Lana while they are in the desert. However, they pose no real threat to the heroes since Kevin and Link easily dispose of them using the Zapper and the Sword, respectively.

The Legend of Zelda Comic

Stalfos make several appearances throughout the issues of The Legend of Zelda comic published by Valiant Comics. They first appear in "To the First Power" as one of the enemies that capture Link under the orders of a Wizzrobe. They appear again in "Queen of Hearts," where they battle against Link and Queen Seline to keep them from breaking the magic container that will give the queen her magical powers back. Stalfos are last seen as one of the monsters ambushing Princess Zelda after she fails in defeating Ganon in "Day of the Triforce."

The Shadow Prince

In The Shadow Prince, Princess Zelda, Link, and Charles of Moria encounter Stalfos when they accidentally fall into the Underground Tunnel, which is a maze infested with these skeletal warriors. After the fall, Link notices a piece of paper sticking out of a rock and tells Zelda and Charles he has found a map, hoping that it is not fake.

If Link thinks the map is fake, he will throw it away and tell Zelda and Charles to follow him.^[7] With the Stalfos pursuing them, Link tries to get the group out of the tunnel, but he trips on a Stalfos since the tunnel is so dark. The page ends with a Game Over as Zelda cries to Link saying that he picked the wrong path, claiming that they will die at the hands of the Stalfos.^[8]

However, if Link decides that the map is real, he will tell the Zelda and Charles to follow him after examining the routes just as the Stalfos begin to approach them.^[9] Eventually, they safely exit back out to the woods, leaving the Stalfos howling at the end of the tunnel.^[10]

Philip's CD-i Games

Stalfos appear in The Faces of Evil, The Wand of Gamelon, and Zelda's Adventure as regular enemies. In The Faces of Evil, a stronger variety called Fire Stalfos has the ability to shoot fireballs out of its Sword.

Stalfos (comic) — Stalfos from the *A Link to the Past* comic

A Link to the Past Comic

In the A Link to the Past comic, two Stalfos appear in the Ice Palace. When Link asks Kholdstare that he let him see the map of the Dark World, Kholdstare refuses and unleashes two Stalfos to attack Link. When the young hero sees that they keep re-spawning even after defeating them, he begins to focus his power on the Master Sword,^[11] whose power causes for the Stalfos to be permanently defeated.

Ocarina of Time Manga

In the Ocarina of Time manga, one Stalfos (or, rather, the floating disembodied head of one) returns to Ganondorf to report an encounter with Link. Strangely, Ganon calls this Stalfos by the name of the Twilight Princess boss, Stallord.

Hyrule Warriors

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SSB4 Stalfos — The Stalfos enemy from *Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS*

In Hyrule Warriors, Stalfos appear as captains.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U

In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, Stalfos in their Ocarina of Time incarnation appear as enemies. In the Nintendo 3DS version of the game, they appear in the Smash Run mode. In the Wii U version, shadowy Stalfos appear inside the Master Fortress. They are powerful enemies who can parry most attacks with their Shields and deal heavy damage with Sword slashes. They are vulnerable to attacks from above, below, and behind them. Stalfos can be grabbed in the Wii U version, but not in the 3DS version.

Stalfos also appear as a Trophy in the Nintendo 3DS version of the game.

Trophy Information

Image	Description	How to Unlock
File:SSB4 Stalfos Trophy.png	These powerful enemies from the Legend of Zelda series block attacks with their shields, even while they're attacking, making them very difficult to deal with. However, when their attention is focused in front, they're vulnerable to attacks from behind...	Random

Etymology

Stalfos is both singular and plural. Their name is a portmanteau of "stal-" and "fos," meaning "skeletal humanoid."

Trivia

According to Fado, a Stalfos is the result of someone getting lost in the Lost Woods in Ocaria of Time.^[12]

Gallery

StalfosLoZArt.png

Stalfos artwork from The Legend of Zelda
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Artwork of Link battling Stalfos from The Legend of Zelda
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Blue Parutamu artwork from The Adventure of Link
StalfosLoZLA.jpg

Artwork of Link fighting Stalfos from Link's Awakening
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Stalfos artwork from Ocarina of Time
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Stalfos artwork from The Wind Waker
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Stalfos from The Legend of Zelda
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Red Stalfos from The Adventure of Link
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Blue Stalfos from The Adventure of Link
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Blue Parutamu from The Adventure of Link
StalfosBlue ALttP.png

Blue Stalfos fromA Link to the Past
StalfosRed ALttP.png

Red Stalfos from A Link to the Past
HeadThrowingStalfos.png

Stalfos throwing its head in A Link to the Past
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Floating Green Stalfos head from A Link to the Past
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Orange Stalfos from Link's Awakening
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Green Stalfos from Link's Awakening
ShroudedStalfosLA.png

Shrouded Stalfos from Link's Awakening
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Stalfos from Ocarina of Time
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Shrouded Stalfos from the Oracles series
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Stalfos from Four Swords Adventures
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Stalfos from The Minish Cap
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Stalfos from Twilight Princess
Stalfos Sword from Twilight Princess
Stalfos Sword from Twilight Princess
Stalfos Machete SS 3.png

Stalfos Sword from Skyward Sword
Stalfos Shield from Twilight Princess
Stalfos Shield from Twilight Princess
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Stalfos from Phantom Hourglass
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Stalfos Warrior from Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks
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Stalfos from A Link Between Worlds
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Red Stalfos from A Link Between Worlds
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Early Stalfos from Ocarina of Time
Link fighting a group of Stalfos Warriors in Spirit Tracks
Link fighting a Stalfos in Skyward Sword
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Stalfos Million Publishing guide artwork from The Legend of Zelda
Parutamu.png

Parutamu Futashiba guide artwork from The Adventure of Link
Stalfos from the animated series
Stalfos from the animated series
Stalfos from Captain N: The Game Master
Stalfos from The Legend of Zelda comic
Stalfos from BS The Legend of Zelda
Stalfoes FoE.png

Stalfos from The Faces of Evil and The Wand of Gamelon
Fire Stalfos from The Faces of Evil
Stalfos from Zelda's Adventure
Stalfos from Hyrule Warriors
Stalfos from Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

Template:See Also

References

↑ "You cannot destory the Skeleton Knight with the sword alone. When he collapses, he is vulnerable to another weapon." — Sahasrahla (A Link to the Past)
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↑ Stalfos carrying Ganon in "The Missing Link"
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↑ "Anybody who comes into the forest will be lost. Everybody will become a Stalfos. Everybody, Stalfos." — Fado (Ocarina of Time)

Names in Other Regions
Language		Name	Meaning
	Japanese	Template:Japanese Template:Japanese Template:ExpGame Template:Japanese Template:Japanese Template:Japanese	Stalfos Stalfon Skull Knight Sword Skull Knight
	French	Stalfos Chevalier Squelette	Skeleton Knight
	German	Stalfos Stalfos-Ritter Template:ExpGame	Stalfos Knight
	Italian	Stalfosso
	Korean	Template:Korean	Stalfos
	Spanish	Stalfos