Sandship

Scervo Strategy

At the beginning of each phase, sprint forward and do a running jumpslash to attack Scervo, then do a vertical spin attack. One of two things will be happening:

If Scervo is stunned

This can happen one of two ways: either the jumpslash and the spin attack landed, or Scervo blocked the jumpslash, started a slow attack, and the spin attack stunned him. Either way, stab until Scervo is knocked backward on one foot, then close distance with a jumpslash. Repeat this combo until he is knocked to the edge.

If Scervo is not stunned

This happens if Scervo blocked the jumpslash and started a quick attack. If the spin attack does not stun him, he's about to attack, so shield bash his attack to stun him, then stab as above.

Following this strategy will defeat all three phases of Scervo. There are small differences between phases; in his second phase, Scervo will sometimes have a slight pause before a direct stab, making the shield bash timing harder. In the third phase, Scervo almost always blocks the first attack. But the same strategy works for all phases.

Hit The Mast Target from Scervo's area

It is possible with a precise bow shot to hit the switch on the mast without going back to the main deck.

Skip the Mast Section

Discovered by sva; Improved Deathwarp by Nimzo

It is possible to skip climbing the masts after obtaining the bow in Sandship. First, make sure you save at the bird statue in front of the bow. This is usually done before getting the Small Key anyway.

After obtaining the bow, exit to the main deck and shoot the targets on the lifeboat and the mast. Damage down to 2 hearts or less on the spiked grating covering the mast ladder, then shoot the timeshift stone to shift to the past; a cutscene will lock the door to belowdecks. Normally, dying at this point will reset you to a location just outside that door; however, it is possible to deathwarp while voiding out to respawn back at the bird statue.

Climb the left hand ladder leading to the upper part of the main deck, but do not move at all at the top. Pull a bomb, place it in front of you, then pick it up. Run straight forward until you pass the post supporting the lifeboat, then turn left and jump off the Sandship. The bomb should explode and kill you just before you land in the water; upon choosing to Continue, you will respawn at the bird statue. Use the bird statue to exit the dungeon, then reenter. Now when you shoot the timeshift stone, the mast cutscenes will not play and you can continue to piston segment.

Piston Section Route

The piston section of the Sandship is the most complicated route-wise; with several doors to go through, it can be easy for newer runners to get lost. In addition, there are several small timesavers in this section that can add up.

Route Overview

  • After entering the belowdecks area, drop over the railing and run through the double doors.
  • Go down the hallway and enter the second door on the left.
  • Deal with the Technoblins (detailed below) and push the block onto the switch.
  • Raise the lifeboat to hit the timeshift stone; lower the lifeboat back down.
  • Go through the arch and whip the switch to open the door; exit through that door.
  • Turn left and shoot the eye through the stopped fan; go through the door that unlocks.
  • Pull the block on the right once, then stand on the switch and shoot the eye through the small gap.
  • Leave this room, pull the bow, and damage down to 2 hearts on the grate in front of you.
  • Turn left and go in the door on the right.
  • Run forward, turn, and shoot the timeshift stone through the grate on the ceiling.
  • Use your sword to activate the first piston.
  • Pick up the arrow refill, then leave through door and enter the door directly across from you.
  • Use your sword to activate the second piston.
  • Exit this room, then turn right down the hall and enter the door on the left.
  • Go to the window on the left and drop down it to the engine room.

Technoblin Strategies

These are strategies for dealing with the Technoblins in the room with the push-block and the two closed windows.

Method 1 - Hide

Discovered by sva

Upon entering the room, run to the block and hide behind it. The Technoblins will lose sight of you and wander back to their starting positions, allowing you to push the block unmolested. This is roughly the same speed as the Bow strat below; possibly slightly faster. It does save two arrows.

Method 2 - Bow

The standard strategy is to shoot both Technoblins with charged bow shots. While this is the safest method, it is also slower than the bomb method by about 3 seconds.

Early Cycle in Engine Room

With good movement, it is possible to make an earlier cycle in the piston room below decks. This saves about 10 seconds.

The key to this strategy is to run past the ladder before whipping the first post, as that sets your angle back in the direction you need to go when you land.

Tentalus Strategy

Phase 1

The tentacles are most easily eliminated using fully-charged arrow shots; Skyward Strikes should only be used if you run out of arrows. Tentacles will always drop arrows if there are not already two arrow drops on the stage. It takes four felled tentacles to raise Tentalus from the water.

The hitbox on Tentalus' eye is rather strange. Try to set your aim on the top part of Tentalus' eye while it's closed, then shoot as she opens her eye to hit immediately. If you miss, aim again while sidestepping left or right to avoid her attack. It is possible to hit her while she is swinging, but easier to hit her once the strike has landed and her head stops moving.

Once stunned, it takes five strikes to cause Tentalus to recoil. Spin attacks and Skyward Strikes do not do extra damage. Rather than swinging as fast as possible, it is slightly faster to time your five slashes.

Between rounds, you can stand in a corner next to the wall, and no tentacles will be able to spawn underneath you. Then you can pick off the next four tentacles and repeat.

Phase 2

Once you reach the higher deck, shoot Tentalus' eye immediately, then hit her eye five times again until she recoils. Wait a couple seconds and hop into the water. You'll respawn at the other end of the deck, and Tentalus' eye will open as her hydra hair starts to attack, giving you a small opening to shoot her eye again. This shot must be done quickly; it is recommended to use the A button to shoot rather than the quick charge with the C button, as the quick charge takes too long.

If you miss the shot, you can backflip into the water and try again, or just fend off the hydra hair with your sword until you have an opening.

Unused Strategies

Beamos Skip

Discovered by Aruki

In the boss key room there's a Beamos blocking a small passage where you're supposed to shoot a arrow. By performing a precise shot it is possible to shoot through it without first destroying the Beamos.

As you need to to activate the timeshift stone anyways, this is arguably slower than just killing the Beamos.

Reach the bow from the main deck

It is possible to reach the area where you fight Scervo from the main deck. Climb the main mast and take the zipline up to the second mast. Drop down to the area of the deck with Nayru's emblem on it; there will be a chain fence there. You can then use a bomb to Highflip over the chain fence and into the partially loaded bow area.

Once you reach this area, you are stuck until you reset or die, since the door isn't loaded.

Swim under the Sandship

From the mast that is closest to the bow, it is possible to perform a precise backflip to land in the water without voiding. From there, it is possible to swim OoB under the sandship. Unfortunately, this is too low to do anything interesting.

Last updated 07/21/2021 – gymnast86