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Stalfos are recurring enemies in The Legend of Zelda series, originating in the original The Legend of Zelda and appearing in every main game in the series since in some form. They are skeleton warriors, born from the anger and regret of those that have fallen in battle. As Hyrule has a long history of bloody warfare between various groups over the magical powers of the Triforce, there is no shortage of regret filled skeletons in the ground; be they vile bandits or once-gallant knights.

Stalfos, like most undead in the land of Hyrule, are highly sensitive to sunlight which hurts them, so they are seldom seen outside during the day, and will even break off combat to bury themselves in the ground if the sun rises. Of course, in caves and dungeons there is no sunlight and those Stalfos far from Hylia's grace can remain active for hundreds of years, waiting to tear unwitting adventurers' limb-from-limb.

Stalfos are the only creatures to have appeared in every Zelda video game since the original, beating out the Octorok with the release of Twilight Princess, and have even appeared in most spin offs such as Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland and Link's Crossbow Training.

While most Stalfos are Hylian or human skeletons, other creatures are capable of becoming Stalfos as well. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess introduces the Stalhound, skeletal dogs, while Breath of the Wild has skeletal monsters such as Bokoblins and Lizalfos, as well as skeletal horses.

The Legend of Zelda series[]

The Legend of Zelda[]

Stalfos only appear in Dungeons, and in the first quest, walk around aimlessly and only take a few hits before being defeated. But in the second quest, they shoot their swords at you, much like the overworld Lynels.

The Legend of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link[]

Stalfos are found in various palaces, and this time, they use a sword and a shield. There are two varieties of Stalfos in this game, one being red and the other blue. The blue is the strongest and can jump and perform a downthrust while the reds are unable to do so.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past[]

In this game, the regular Stalfos throw their bones at Link rather than using a sword, and they can jump to avoid his attacks. There are also larger Stalfos called Stalfos Knights that use a sword and can be only damaged by a bomb. A stronger version of these two types of Stalfos called Parutamu are also found in this game. They have the same attacks as regular Stalfos.

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening[]

Stalfos have no attacks other than the ability to jump into Link. A large Stalfos called Master Stalfos appears as the mini-boss of Catfish's Maw. He must be battled four times in four separate rooms to be defeated.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time[]

Stalfos Ocarina of Time artwork

In this game, Stalfos once again have swords and shields as their weaponry, but are frequently battled in pairs. In the Forest Temple and while escaping Ganon's Castle, Link must slay the second Stalfos within a certain amount of time after beating the first. If he defeats one, but fails to fell the other quickly enough, the beaten Stalfos will be revived and must be defeated again. To make things more fair and manageable though, only the one targeted by Link will strike. In this game, it is said that a Hylian who lost his way in the Lost Woods will become a Stalfos

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask[]

Igos du Ikana and his servants are Stalfos knights. Aside from them, no other Stalfos appear in the game.

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages/The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons[]

Regular Stalfos appear throughout both games, similar in appearance and attack method to those from Link's Awakening, there is also a Stalfos known as Cap'n who was once the husband of Queen Ambi and was transformed in Stalfos after being lost at sea.

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker[]

They are larger than their previous incarnations, and as such, much slower. They are swinging around Gigantic Maces this time and can loose balance while using them.After dealing them enough damage they will be shattered into several fragments and the head can be targeted.

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords[]

There are two types of Stalfos in this game. The first type walks around and only damages the Links by contact, but the second type attacks by jumping around and throwing bones at him like their A Link to the Past incarnation.

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures[]

In this game there are standard-sized Stalfos as well as larger ones. Some merely walk around, while others throw bones at Link and jump away when he attacks them. Other Stalfos wield swords, Additionally there are four giant Stalfos fought during the battle against Ganon.

The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap[]

In this game there are two type of Stalfos, blue and red. The blue ones will try to dash toward Link in hope to hurt him or will try to crush him by jumping over him, while the red ones will only throw their bones at him.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess[]

They once again carry a sword and a shield as weaponry, but their shield can be metalic or wooden, and they resurrect if their bones aren't bombed once they are defeated.

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass[]

There are two varieties of Stalfos in this games. the regular ones that throw bones, and the ones known as the Stalfos Warriors, which are recognizable for their hat and their use of a sword.

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks[]

In Spirit Tracks, they are the same as their Phantom Hourglass incarnation but they are more agressive and seem to attack more often. Both variants found in Phantom Hourglass are the same ones found in Spirit Tracks.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword[]

In this game, Stalfos have two swords at the same time which are used offensively, but also defensively. The player must slash in the spot left open by their swords with the motion controls to defeat them. A variant named Stalmaster is also seen in the game. This Stalfos has four arms and weapons rather than two, and is more difficult to defeat.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds[]

In A Link Between Worlds, they are the same as their A Link to the Past incarnation.

The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes[]

They are also the same as their A Link to the Past incarnation. A huge Stalfos named Stalchampion serves as the boss of the Desert Temple.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild[]

Human Stalfos are absent from Breath of the Wild, but several new versions make their debut in the game; the Stalkoblin, the Stalmoblin, the Stalizalfos, the Stalhorse and the Stalnox, the last of which act as minibosses. They are reanimated skeletons of various living creatures found in Hyrule, and can only be fought at night.

Hyrule Warriors series[]

In Hyrule Warriors, Hyrule Warriors Legends and Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition, the Stalfos are captains commanding Stalchildren who serves as common troops. Stalmasters also appears as stronger captains that serve as elite troops.

In-game description[]

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time[]

Lure it close to you and watch its movement carefully! Attack it when it drops its guard! -Navi

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker[]

These skeleton warriors attack by violently swinging their gigantic maces around. Even if they're shattered to pieces, they'll reform unless their heads are destroyed.

The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap[]

Appears in dungeons. Blue ones jump, and red ones throw bones. See what happens when you remove their heads with the Gust Jar.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess[]

What is this thing?! No matter how much we tear it apart, it just comes right back together again... Are we gonna have to bash his bones into bits to keep him from reforming?! -Midna

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword[]

This skeleton soldier is born of the dead. In its previous life, it was an ordinary knight, but undeath has improved its combat abilities. It is possible to overpower it with a well-timed shield bash during the creature's attack. -Fi

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild[]

Stalkoblin[]

BotW Hyrule Compendium Stalkoblin

A Stalkoblin as seen in Breath of the Wild.

The remains of Bokoblins appear in the dark of the night. While they're fragile enough to crumble from a single blow, as long as a skull remains intact, they'll continue to pull themselves back together and go on fighting. Sometimes the body will pick up the wrong skull, but this doesn't seem to be a problem... -Sheikah Slate

Stalmoblin[]

BotW Hyrule Compendium Stalmoblin

A Stalmoblin as seen in Breath of the Wild.

The remains of Moblins appear in the dark of night. Even the toughest Moblins become fragile when they're little more than a pile of bones, so they'll crumble after just a few attacks. However, as long as a skull remains intact, they'll continue to pull themselves back together to go on fighting. -Sheikah Slate

Stalizalfos[]

BotW Hyrule Compendium Stalizalfos

A Stalizalfos as seen in Breath of the Wild.

The remains of Lizalfos appear in the dark of the night. They're as sly as ever, even now that they're just some bones stacked atop each other. However, their bodies are much more fragile, and a single solid hit can reduce them to pieces. If a skull remains intact, they will pull themselves back up and continue to fight. They've been known to grab the wrong skull at times, but they never seem to mind... -Sheikah Slate

Stalhorse[]

BotW Hyrule Compendium Stalhorse

A Stalhorse as seen in Breath of the Wild.

This skeletal horse is ridden by monsters. It was once a regular horse, but Ganon's power revived it from death. It cannot maintain its bone structure in the daytime. -Sheikah Slate

Stalnox[]

BotW Hyrule Compendium Stalnox

A Stalnox as seen in Breath of the Wild.

The mere remains of what was once a giant monster known as a Hinox. These skeletal beasts appear at nighttime. Much like their living counterparts, the Stalnox will tear entire trees from the ground to use as weapons. Furthermore, even if it appears defeated at first, it will keep coming back for more as long as its eye is left intact. -Sheikah Slate

List of games[]

Main games[]

Remakes[]

Spin-off[]

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