How do I defeat a Stalnox in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

Defeating a Stalnox in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild requires a mix of strategy, timing, and resource management. Stalnoxes are skeletal versions of Hinoxes, and they appear primarily at night or in specific locations like the Thyphlo Ruins or the Coliseum Ruins. They are large, slow-moving enemies with a single glowing eye that serves as their weak point. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to defeat them effectively.

First, letÔÇÖs break down the mechanics of fighting a Stalnox. The Stalnox has two phases: the first phase involves attacking its glowing eye, which is its weak point, while the second phase occurs when its health is low, and it detaches its eye, making it harder to hit. The eye is the key to defeating the Stalnox, as hitting it deals significant damage and stuns the creature, giving you an opportunity to attack its body. The Stalnox will also throw its eye at you, which you can dodge or parry with a shield. When the eye is detached, you need to chase it down and attack it to finish the fight.

To begin the fight, approach the Stalnox carefully. It is often found lying on the ground, appearing as a pile of bones until you get close. Once it awakens, it will stand up and start attacking. The first step is to target its eye. You can use a bow to shoot the eye from a distance, which will stun the Stalnox and cause it to fall to the ground. This is the best time to deal damage. Run up to its body and use a powerful melee weapon to attack. Repeat this process until the StalnoxÔÇÖs health is low.

When the StalnoxÔÇÖs health drops to a certain point, it will detach its eye, and the eye will start bouncing around the battlefield. This is the second phase of the fight. The eye will try to avoid you, so you need to chase it down. Use your bow to shoot the eye while itÔÇÖs moving, or wait for it to land and then attack it with a melee weapon. Be careful, as the StalnoxÔÇÖs body will still try to attack you during this phase. Keep moving to avoid its attacks while focusing on the eye.

Preparation is key to defeating a Stalnox. Make sure you have a strong bow, such as a Royal Bow or a Lynel Bow, and plenty of arrows. Elemental arrows, like fire or ice arrows, can be particularly effective. You should also have a few strong melee weapons, as the Stalnox has a lot of health. Additionally, consider wearing armor that boosts your attack power, such as the Barbarian Set or the Phantom Set. If youÔÇÖre low on health, cook some hearty meals or elixirs to restore your hearts during the fight.

One common mistake is not managing your stamina properly. Dodging the StalnoxÔÇÖs attacks and chasing its eye can drain your stamina quickly, so make sure you have enough stamina or use stamina-restoring items like Endura Carrots or Stamina Elixirs. Another mistake is not focusing on the eye. Attacking the StalnoxÔÇÖs body without hitting the eye first will result in minimal damage, so always prioritize the eye.

For advanced techniques, consider using UrbosaÔÇÖs Fury, a Champion ability that deals massive area-of-effect damage. This can be especially useful in the second phase when the eye is bouncing around. You can also use Stasis+ to freeze the Stalnox temporarily, giving you a chance to line up a shot on its eye. If youÔÇÖre skilled with parrying, you can use your shield to deflect the StalnoxÔÇÖs thrown eye, which will stun it and give you an opening to attack.

Alternative approaches include using stealth to get close to the Stalnox before it wakes up. If youÔÇÖre sneaky enough, you can land a few free hits on its eye before the fight even begins. Another option is to use the environment to your advantage. For example, if youÔÇÖre fighting a Stalnox near cliffs or water, you can try to knock it off the edge or into the water, though this is more situational.

In specific scenarios, such as the Thyphlo Ruins, where visibility is low, use brightbloom seeds or a torch to light your way. This will help you keep track of the StalnoxÔÇÖs eye, especially during the second phase. In the Coliseum Ruins, be aware of other enemies that might interfere with the fight, and clear them out beforehand if possible.

In summary, defeating a Stalnox requires a combination of ranged and melee attacks, careful stamina management, and strategic use of abilities and items. Focus on its eye, prepare with strong weapons and armor, and avoid common mistakes like neglecting stamina or ignoring the eye. With these strategies, youÔÇÖll be able to take down a Stalnox efficiently and continue your journey through Hyrule.