Dead Man's Volley

Dead Man's Volley is a particular battle technique that involves the rhythmic parrying of an energy beam between Link and a boss, often Ganondorf or one of his Phantom Ganon clones. Many bosses in the are difficult or impossible to harm with ordinary attacks; possibly because they are simply too tough, have magical protection, the ability to block all attacks or because they are simply flying out of reach. Much like a tennis player would return a serve, the two parties bat a ball of energy back and forth until one falters. The energy ball will then impact the one who is either not fast enough to continue the volley or tires first.

In the Zelda universe, this technique is often only a section of a boss's overall fighting technique, although it has been seen to comprise the entire battle, such as Puppet Zelda in. Though this battle technique first appeared in, during Link's initial meeting with Agahnim, Dead Man's Volley is first referenced by name during the battle with the Cubus Sisters atop the prow of the Ghost Ship in.

Technique
Since, playing Dead Man's Volley has become a standard tactic for battling powerful bosses, but with a new twist. The boss will start the attack by procuring a ball of dark energy and throw it at Link. Link must parry the energy ball back at the boss who will often be able to answer Link's reflection by one of his own. This results in a dangerous game of skill as the two combatants volley the shot back and forth between them, waiting for the other to make a mistake and get hit. Over the course of the battle, the speed and the amount of volleys required of the energy ball will increase, making it harder for Link to keep from getting hit. Link can increase his chances of hitting the enemy with the reflected shot by standing very close so the enemy have little time to react. Eventually, upon a certain amount of volleys, the boss will tire, and be hit by his own magic energy, leading to a Critical Point. As an exception, Puppet Zelda merely requires the reflected shots to hit her in order to be defeated. In SS undefined, Link has to hit the energy ball in the right direction, either vertical or horizontal, to successfully return the magic at Ghirahim.

Users of the Technique

 * Agahnim in A Link to the Past
 * Agahnim's Shadow in
 * Phantom Ganon in, and
 * Ganondorf in Ocarina of Time
 * Blue Stalfos in
 * Twinrova in the
 * Gouen in
 * Vaati in Four Swords and
 * Puppet Zelda in
 * Cubus Sisters in
 * Bilocyte in SS undefined
 * Ghirahim's final fight in Skyward Sword
 * Yuga Ganon in
 * Lady Maud in

Battle Quest
In, the Dead Man's Volley appears when fighting Wizzrobes in Co-Op Play. Wizzrobe will occasionally throw a glowing orb that is the same color as one of the Links. The color shows which Link is being targeted and must volley the orb. Only Links holding swords will be targeted by the attack. If the orb is volleyed by Wizzrobe, it will gain speed and may change color. It is also possible that the orb will split into three orbs, each targeting a different Link holding a sword.

Hyrule Warriors Series
In, a form of Dead Man's Volley is performed as one of Link's attacks as part of the Great Fairy weapon. The button combo has the Great Fairy briefly release Link from his giant Bottle, and the two volley an orb of light back and forth. The Great Fairy then grabs the orb and attacks surrounding enemies with the blast. As the attack animation is performed automatically, Link does not need to volley the orb for the attack to succeed.

Dead Man's Volley also appears in when fighting against Phantom Ganon. Unlike it's other appearances, where the orb is volleyed a random number of time before the boss is hit, Phantom Ganon will always be hit by the orb after the Warrior volleys the orb three times, exposing his Weak Point Gauge. After Phantom Ganon has taken a certain amount of damage, he will change his tactics and no longer attack the Warrior with orbs, thus preventing Dead Man's Volley from being used.

Trivia

 * The Bug Net can be used to reflect Agahnim's energy attacks in A Link to the Past, Ghirahim's Skyward Strikes in Skyward Sword, and Yuga Ganon's attacks in A Link Between Worlds. In Link's Awakening, Link can reflect Nightmare's energy shots with his Shovel if timed correctly. In Ocarina of Time, The Wind Waker, and Twilight Princess, an empty Bottle can also be used to reflect energy shots.

Etymology
The name "Dead Man's Volley" could be a reference to the book  by Agatha Christie.