Stalmaster

Stalmaster
Stalmaster artwork from Skyward Sword
Race/Species	Stalfos
Game(s)	Skyward Sword
Other Media	Hyrule Warriors
Dungeon(s)	Ancient Cistern Sky Keep

Stalmaster is a mini-boss in Skyward Sword.^[1] It is a four-armed, well-armored Stalfos that is fought in the Ancient Cistern. It is fought again in the Sky Keep on the way to collect the Triforce of Courage.

Characteristics

Fi's Comment

	Stalmaster
	This is an elite captain of the undead soldiers. When provoked, it has the ability to strike with all four of its sword-wielding arms. I recommend inflicting damage when the slight gap presents itself as it readies its swords to attack.

Initially, Stalmaster only uses two of its arms in combat, wielding two swords much in the same fashion of a regular Stalfos. After taking a certain amount of damage, it unfolds its two other arms, which also hold weapons. The full arsenal of the Stalmaster is three swords and an ax. In this four-armed phase, the Stalmaster will generally position its swords so that it can only be struck from one direction at a time. The Stalmaster is very aggressive while in its four-armed phase, often striking with all four arms in quick succession. It has a strong charging attack where it first guards itself with all four weapons, then lunges forward and swings them outward. Like the regular Stalfos, the Stalmaster gradually loses portions of its rib cage as it takes damage. When it is close to defeat, its helmet falls off and spawns Hearts.

Another Stalmaster is fought as a mini-boss in the Sky Keep. This Stalmaster is accompanied by Cursed Bokoblins.

Other Appearances

Hyrule Warriors

Non-Canon Information

Stalmasters appear in Hyrule Warriors as Captains rather than as a mini-boss. Their attack patterns are similar to that of Darknuts, as their eyes will glow red before lunging forward to strike with their swords. Doing so also leaves them vulnerable and exposes their Weak Point Gauge. As with Darknuts, they are also weak to the Boomerang when charging their attack.

In Hyrule Warriors Legends only, Dark Stalmasters appear as Sealed Troops on the final mission of the Scenario, "Liberation of the Triforce". They are summoned by Ganon once Princess Zelda gives the power of the Light Arrows to her allies. They are used in an attempt to weaken the Light Arrows' power.

Trivia

When the Stalmaster's helmet falls off, it is revealed to have a third eye. This feature, in addition to its four arms, may be a reference to Hindu deities such as Shiva and Kali. The Ancient Cistern in which the Stalmaster first appears in makes many references to Indian religious themes.

Nomenclature

Names in Other Regions
Language		Name	Meaning
	Japanese	スタルマスター (Sutarumasutā)	Stalmaster
	French^CA	Maitre Stalfos	Master Stalfos
	French^EU	Maître Stalfos	Master Stalfos
	German	Stalmeister	Stalmaster
	Italian	Bistalfos	Double Stalfos
	Spanish^LA	Stalfos Supremo	Supreme Stalfos