Thousand-Year Arachnid Moldarach boss battle guide — Zelda: Skyward Sword HD

The third boss battle in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is against a huge insect called the Thousand-Year Arachnid Moldarach, a monster that dwells at the heart of the Lanayru Mining Facility.

Polygon’s The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD Thousand-Year Arachnid Moldarach boss battle guide deconstructs the boss’ two phases. We’ll give you tips, tricks, and tactics to defeat your opponent by explaining its attacks, movement patterns, and how to counter its abilities.

Moldarach, Phase 1

At the start of the fight, Moldarach attacks with its left pincer. If it grabs you with its smaller claw, it hoists you up, and you have to wriggle your way free of its grip.

Image: Nintendo via Polygon

As the monster attacks, it exposes two eyes on both claws. Swing your sword to match the angle of its open pincers and hit its eyes. Both eyes need to be hit several times before each arm explodes. Remove both arms, and you’ll move on to the phase.

Moldarach, Phase 2

In Moldarach’s second phase, it burrows under the sand. Use your Gust Bellows to expose it.

While you do this, smaller Arachas become unearthed at the same time. Quickly take them out so you don’t have any distractions. If you don’t remove the sand around the boss quick enough, Moldarach tries to stab you from beneath the sand with its tail.

Image: Nintendo via Polygon

When the boss becomes exposed, stab it in the eye on the base of its body. If you don’t hit it fast enough, it will take a swing at you with its tail. Stab it in the eye three times to defeat Moldarach.