Ghirahim - The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Guide - IGN (2024)

Also known as: Lord Ghirahim, Demon Lord Ghirahim

Ghirahim (Geer-Ah-Him) is the main antagonist for the majority of Zelda: Skyward Sword. His attempt to kidnap Zelda by conjuring a tornado sets the story in motion. He claims to be the ruler of the surface. He wants to use Zelda to resurrect an ancient demon, Demise.

It is possible that Ghirahim was present during the conflict that caused the Goddess to create Skyloft. The opening cinematic features two silhouettes bearing a striking resemblance to his hair, eyes, smile, and high-collared cape. If this figure is indeed Ghirahim, he has been alive for generations.

Stylistically inspired by Japanese anime, Ghirahim has a much more composed and slick manner of being than Ganon, Link's usual antagonist. He bears a striking resemblance to Vaati from The Minish Cap. He also has markings on his attire that are startlingly similar to those found on the Gilded Sword from Majora's Mask. Ghirahim is actually the spirit of Demise's sword sent to revive him.

When asked if Ghirahim reminded him of David Bowie, Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma agreed that there were similarities; to contrast with Ganon, he was given a "unisex-like, genderless feel."

Here are detailed boss battle strategies to help you figure out how to beat Ghirahim.

Ghirahim Round 1

If you attack Ghirahim in a straightforward manner, he will snatch your sword. You must struggle to break it free of his grasp; if you fail, then you must run and pick it up. When Ghirahim approaches you with his hand raised, he is monitoring your actions and moving his hand in the same direction as your sword.

To make sure he doesn't grab it, wait for him to hold his hand up and come very close, and lure it to any direction of your choice. Then slowly (but not too slowly) move your sword to the OTHER direction and then slash at him a bunch, starting with the direction opposite his hand. If you move your sword to the other side too quickly, the Wii Remote will interpret it as a slash, so be careful!

After hitting him a bit, he will change tactics and fire some small projectiles at you. These can be smacked back at him with a perfect slice in the pattern of the projectiles. For instance, if they are in a vertical line, slash in a vertical line. You'll want to back away from him while he lines up this attack. It is easier to repel the projectiles using a Skyward Strike than a regular slash, but it still has to be in the correct angle.

He will also do a dash attack. Hold your shield out and use the nunchuk jab to repulse Ghirahim when he runs into you. Then, swipe at him a bit. If you lose your shield, however, you'll have to use a Spin Attack or regular swipes to hit him. If using regular swipes, you will have to make sure to aim to either your right or left, whichever side he is attacking, or you'll miss.

Occasionally Ghirahim will warp in close to you with his sword raised. When he does this, horizontally slash at him.

Ghirahim Round 2 Video

Ghirahim will appear in the sanctum, explaining that he's learned about the second Gate of Time. He has no idea where to find it, however, so you're still safe...for now. He'll fight you for refusing to surrender its location, and this battle's a bit different than the last.

Ghirahim will start off in much the same way as the previous fight, tracking your movements. The best way to confuse him is to hold your sword still directly in front of you, then suddenly slash. Try not to strike the daggers he summons this time -- you want to swing right between them, then follow up your strike with a few blows.

You can use Shield Bash counter attacks to stop his projectiles after you attack him. After he takes a few hits, he'll summon twice as many daggers, meaning you have a smaller window within which to attack him. Fortunately, since your sword is stronger, this part of the battle won't take quite as long.

In the second half of the battle, Ghirahim will summon not one, but two swords and renew his attack. When defending, he'll hold the swords in much the same way as a Stalfos, leaving one side open to strike. Hit him with a horizontal slash that connects with his unprotected side and then slash a few more times for extra damage.

If you fail to strike him, he'll unleash a powerful counterattack immediately and without fail. He'll also summon complicated series of daggers to send your way, such as a ring of them around you both horizontally and vertically. Spin Attacks will cut them out of the air -- look for the pattern of daggers: If they surround you, perform a horizontal Spin Attack; If they arch over your head, perform a vertical Spin Attack.

Ghirahim's other dagger attacks can be Shield Bash-ed to send them flying back in his face. The best times to hit him are when he's defending and when he unleashes another new attack -- he'll jump into the air and try to dive bomb you from above. Sprint out of the way and go in hacking at him when he lands.

Try not to get too close to him during the latter stage of the fight, since he'll be more aggressive and less defensive. It's easiest to just wait for him to try to attack from above. Keep at it, and soon enough he'll retreat.

Tip: For Rounds 1 and 2 against Ghirahim, should you be having any trouble in attempts at tricking him by holding he sword out in front of you or in an opposite direction then swiftly changing it to conufse him and gain an opening for an attack there is a second method that mean be simpler: When he gets closed enough to Link you can feint him out by holding your shield up in front of him, doing so will keep him from seeing where Link's sword is going to come at him, you can also begin to trick him by having your sword go into a certain direction then shield feinting and then going into the other direction with a slash. You may be able to gain an easier hit.

Ghirahim Round 3 (Sealed Grounds)

The point of the first few rounds of this fight is to get Ghirahim to the edge of the platform. To do this, perform a Shield Bash to counter his attacks and then swipe at him to get him to the edge.

When you knock Ghirahim off the ledge, you can perform a Fatal Blow from the upper ledge by swiping down with the Nunchuk and Wii Remote. If you fall down, you can still perform.

Ghiramhim will change tactics after this. When you get him to the edge of the platform, his hands will glow purple and you will have to carefully watch for the gap. You can take your time with this.

The third platform requires the same technique. Once you get to the ground things change up a bit.

Ghirahim will now start using an energy attack you which can then swing back at him. He will continue to send the energy flying back at you. If you continue swinging it back, Ghirahim will eventually miss, and get hit by his own attack, stunning him, leaving him open for an attack.Alternatively, you can simply block his sword attacks with a shield bash, which will also leave him open for a quick second. You MUST aim for the glowing diamond on his chest. Use a stabbing thrust attack to hit him.

For the final round, Ghirahim will summon a sword. You must block his sword strikes now, then chip away at the sword itself by using perpendicular strikes.

Take your time with this -- he'll hold his sword up forever as you plan a swipe. Wait for him to hold the sword horizontally or vertically, then swing at a right angle to it.

Pay attention to the orange core you expose. Once you can swipe at the orange core a few times, you'll have a chance to nail Ghirahim in the chest again.

You only need to break his sword twice.

After you defeat Ghirahim for the final time, Demise will appear, absorbing Ghirahim into his sword and challenging you to a duel.

Ghirahim Round 3 Video