Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Boss Guide: Tips, Weaknesses, and Rewards
Key Takeaways
- Colgera is weak to bomb arrows and has 3 phases; aim for its weak spots to stun it.
- Gohma's eye is its only vulnerability—use a bow with keese eyeballs for a guaranteed hit.
- The final battle against Ganondorf has 4 phases; save your best weapons (like fused Gerudo scimitar + silver lynel horn) for phase 2.
- Each main boss drops unique loot, such as Colgera's Jaw (used for powerful armor upgrades) and Gohma's Leg (crafts into a heat-proof weapon).
Introduction
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom throws some of the toughest bosses in the series at you. I've died more times than I'd like to admit—especially to the Gibdo Queen my first run. But after 200+ hours and multiple playthroughs, I've learned the exact strategies that work. This guide covers every main boss, their weaknesses, phase changes, and the loot you'll get. No fluff, just what works.
Boss 1: Colgera (Wind Temple)
Colgera is a giant skeletal creature that flies around the sky near the Wind Temple. It has 3 phases, each introducing a new attack pattern.
- Phase 1: Colgera flies at you. Shoot bomb arrows at its glowing blue weak spots (3 on its head). Each hit stuns it for a few seconds.
- Phase 2: It drops ice pillars from above. Use Tulin's gust ability to launch yourself upward and shoot weak spots mid-air. Don't bother with melee—you'll fall off.
- Phase 3: It charges and summons small ice bats. Focus on the weak spots again; ignore the bats unless they swarm you.
- Rewards: Colgera's Jaw (for armor upgrades) and a Sage's Will. The Jaw reduces cold damage when upgraded.
Boss 2: Gohma (Fire Temple)
Gohma is a giant spider with a single glowing eye. This fight is all about positioning.
- Phase 1: Gohma climbs walls and shoots fireballs. Use Yunobo's charge ability to knock it off the wall, then shoot the eye with a bow. Keese eyeballs fused to arrows home in on the eye—use them.
- Phase 2: It burrows underground and erupts with lava. Stay on elevated platforms. When it surfaces, its eye is exposed for 3 seconds. Use a multi-shot bow (like the Great Eagle Bow) for maximum damage.
- Phase 3: It summons fire-breathing mini-Gohmas. Ignore them and focus on the main boss. Use Zonai devices like fire-proof armor or a fire hydrant to cool down lava pools.
- Rewards: Gohma's Leg (crafts into a heat-proof weapon) and a Hearty Radish. The Leg can be fused to a one-handed sword for a fire-damage bonus.
Boss 3: Mucktorok (Water Temple)
Mucktorok is a squid-like boss that covers the arena in mud. Annoying but easy once you know the trick.
- Phase 1: It shoots mud balls that slow you down. Use Sidon's water shield to cleanse mud. Attack its glowing tentacles with a two-handed weapon (I prefer a fused Royal Claymore).
- Phase 2: It splits into 3 smaller Mucktoroks. Only the one with a red aura is real. Focus on it while dodging the fake ones.
- Phase 3: It creates a whirlpool in the center. Stay at the edges and use bomb arrows when it surfaces.
- Rewards: Mucktorok's Tentacle (fuses to a spear for a water-damage effect) and a Zora Spear blueprint.
Boss 4: Queen Gibdo (Lightning Temple)
This is the hardest main boss—don't try it without full heat-resistant armor.
- Phase 1: She flies and shoots lightning bolts. Use Riju's lightning ability to reflect bolts back at her. Each hit knocks her down for 5 seconds.
- Phase 2: She spawns 6 Gibdo swarms. Use a two-handed weapon with a shock emitter fused to it to clear them quickly.
- Phase 3: She burrows and erupts from the ground with a shockwave. Parry the shockwave with a shield (timing is tight—practice). After parrying, hit her glowing abdomen with a fused weapon.
- Rewards: Queen Gibdo's Wing (used for upgrading the Lightning Helm) and a Hearty Salmon.
Final Boss: Ganondorf
Ganondorf has 4 phases, and each demands a different approach.
- Phase 1: Humanoid form with a sword. Parry his attacks and counter with a two-handed weapon. He has 3 combos: a slash, a thrust, and a spinning move. Learn the parry timing.
- Phase 2: He transforms into a giant beast. Aim for its legs to trip it. Use bomb arrows on its chest when it falls.
- Phase 3: He rides a phantom horse. Use a spear with a long reach to hit him off the horse. A fused Soldier's Spear works well.
- Phase 4: Final form—a swirling ball of darkness. Shoot it with ancient arrows (if you have any) or fused keese eyes for a guaranteed hit. This phase is pure DPS race.
- Rewards: Demon King's Bow (best bow in the game for damage) and a Hearty Durian (full health restore).
Comparison Table: Boss Weaknesses and Rewards
| Boss | Weakness | Best Weapon | Key Reward |
| ------ | ---------- | ------------- | ------------ |
| Colgera | Bomb arrows, weak spots | Great Eagle Bow | Colgera's Jaw |
| Gohma | Eye, fire resistance | Multi-shot bow + keese eyeballs | Gohma's Leg |
| Mucktorok | Mud cleanse, tentacles | Royal Claymore | Mucktorok's Tentacle |
| Queen Gibdo | Lightning reflect, shock emitter | Two-handed weapon + shock emitter | Queen Gibdo's Wing |
| Ganondorf | Parry, ancient arrows | Two-handed fused weapon | Demon King's Bow |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I skip any bosses in Tears of the Kingdom?
A: No, all main bosses are required to complete the story. But you can skip some mini-bosses like Stone Talus or Lynels in the overworld if you just want to finish the game quickly.
Q: What's the best weapon fusion for boss fights?
A: For most bosses, fuse a silver lynel horn to a Gerudo scimitar (for high damage) or a Royal Claymore. For Queen Gibdo, add a shock emitter. For Gohma, use fire-breath lizalfos horn.
Q: How do I get ancient arrows for Ganondorf?
A: Ancient arrows are rare. You can find them in treasure chests in the Depths, or craft them by fusing a diamond to an arrow. Save them for Ganondorf's final phase—they deal 50 extra damage.