What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Spoiler warning: This guide covers the final boss and ending sequence of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. To beat Demon King Ganondorf, bring food cooked with Sundelions, defend until his attacks create an opening, and use Flurry Rushes or parries in the first two phases. In the final Demon Dragon fight, dive onto its glowing back weak points, then strike the Secret Stone on its head.
Prepare before the final approach
Ganondorf’s attacks inflict gloom, so prepare to recover from it as well as ordinary damage. Cook meals with Sundelions and bring enough healing and strong weapons to withstand mistakes. Gloom-resistant armor can help; upgrading armor at Great Fairy Fountains is also recommended. These are useful options, not required gear. The Master Sword and weapon fusions can help deal damage if available.
GameSpot’s guide advises placing a Travel Medallion before the preceding Demon King’s Army battle: it says that after that encounter, Link proceeds directly to Ganondorf’s cavern and cannot save or fast travel there. Since this is route-specific guidance, check your current in-game situation before depending on it.
Phase 1: Human-form Ganondorf
Watch Ganondorf’s windup and weapon, not a fixed attack sequence. At close range he may swipe or spin; from farther away he can charge. Weapon changes alter the timing and shape of his attacks, and his ordinary melee swings can be evaded.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches#1 Best Overall
- Enhanced performance and visuals exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2.
- Explore the skies, caves, and vast lands of Hyrule in a massive open-world adventure.
- Wield new and returning abilities to craft solutions, vehicles, and weapons.
- Discover the mystery behind the spreading gloom threatening the kingdom.
- Use the ZELDA NOTES app to share, compare, and earn daily bonuses.
- Keep enough distance to read his approach, but stay close enough to respond to his attack.
- When an attack is about to connect, backflip or side-hop at the right moment to trigger a Flurry Rush.
- Alternatively, parry with your shield to create an opening.
- If dodge timing is difficult, try shooting him in the face with an arrow to stun him briefly. This can work, but is not guaranteed.
- Attack during the opening, then return to defense rather than assuming every swing will land.
Phase 2: Transformed Ganondorf and phantom copies
While the copies are present
Ganondorf summons phantom copies. If you have completed the relevant Sage quests, your companions join the fight and can keep the copies occupied while you focus on the main Ganondorf. His large two-handed attack can create an updraft before a gloom eruption; use the paraglider to get above the floor hazard.
After the allies leave
Later, Ganondorf absorbs the copies and removes the allies from the battle. He adds gloom projectiles and homing attacks, so keep moving and use the attack animations to find safe openings. Some of these later attacks can reduce your maximum hearts; ordinary healing may not restore hearts lost this way.
Rank #2
![The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51PuJ83o9KL._SL160_.jpg)
- Ultrahand: Using the new Ultrahand ability, Link can pick up, move, and rotate almost any object, and can even attach objects together to create bridges, vehicles, and more!
- Fuse: Magically fuse almost any object to Link’s current weapon, shield, or arrow to increase durability, damage, or even add a new effect. Experiment with lots of different combinations to come up with surprising—and sometimes hilarious—results!
- Ascend: Add a new dimension to your exploration with Ascend, which gives Link the ability to pass through solid objects above him. Rise up through ceilings, hillsides, and even certain enemies to create seemingly impossible shortcuts.
- Recall: Use Recall to make objects in motion move backward through time, letting Link ride fallen boulders skyward, recover thrown weapons, or send projectiles back where they came from.
GameSpot’s guide also warns that Ganondorf may counter a Flurry Rush in the later solo portion. After your own counter, be ready to defend again instead of automatically repeating the same response. The attack labels used in guides are descriptions, not official move names.
Phase 3: Demon Dragon
After the transformation cutscene, the fight moves into the sky, with the Light Dragon helping Link. The objective is to destroy the Demon Dragon’s glowing back sections, then strike the Secret Stone on its head.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallRank #3
![The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41i3ez7HjYL._SL160_.jpg)
- Persistent internet and compatible smart device required. Data charges may apply.
- QR Code is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED.
- Jump or dive toward a glowing section on the Demon Dragon’s back and attack it. Nintendo Life describes using the Master Sword on the back or firing arrows while diving.
- Avoid incoming magical orbs as you descend. Red gloom pools on the dragon cause gloom damage; Nintendo Life reports that this clears after returning to the sky.
- Use the Light Dragon as a recovery point if you fall or need to reposition, then dive toward another glowing section.
- Once the back sections are destroyed, reach the Demon Dragon’s head and attack the Secret Stone to finish the encounter.
Which approach should you use?
| Situation | Practical approach | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| You are confident with dodge or parry timing | Use side-hops or backflips for Flurry Rushes, and parry when you can read the attack. | Creates openings through defense, but mistimed responses leave you exposed. |
| Dodge timing is giving you trouble | Try a face shot with an arrow to interrupt Ganondorf. | The stun is temporary and may not work every time; arrows and damage output matter. |
| You prefer close-range attacks in the Demon Dragon fight | Dive onto a glowing back section and attack with the Master Sword. | Requires accurate positioning during the descent. |
| You prefer attacking from the air at range | Fire arrows while diving toward a glowing section. | Requires aiming during the descent. The reviewed guides do not establish this as universally better than melee. |
Choose the defensive or ranged option that you can execute reliably; the guides do not establish one universally superior strategy.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
