Talk:Ganondorf (5e Creature)

Design notes

This is partially for my own sake, but if anyone is morbidly curious:
Compared to a PC, Ganondorf is roughly equivalent to a gerudo with grotesquely good ability score rolls, who is a high level witch and fighter gestalt, and who took the Spellcasting Adept feat. He gets legendary actions, but otherwise doesn't have any class/race features a comparable gestalt PC could have near his level. Most of his resistances/immunities are based on spells or the Triforce of Power, but he has damage vulnerabilities for no explicit reason. His statistics are designed to have almost the same CR regardless of whether he primarily uses weapons or his best spells.

One of the problem with Zelda enemies is that even by game logic and restrictions, they generally use terrible tactics. Ganondorf/Ganon is no exception, but this version of him is capable of closely mimicking each of his canonical boss fights. Spoilers:

• The Legend of Zelda: He transforms long before Link arrives on the scene, so would use the Ganon statistics from the get-go. He casts greater invisibility whenever possible. His legendary actions are spent casting scorching ray, and he uses bite attacks both as opportunity attacks and possibly on his turn if he isn't casting spells. In this game he cannot be slain without silver arrows, but for balance reasons, these statistics just give him a vulnerability to silvered piercing weapons in his Ganon form.
• A Link to the Past: He transforms long before Link arrives on the scene, so would use the Ganon statistics from the get-go. He primarily attacks with his moblin spear, and frequently casts aesthetically-different-but-functionally-identical versions of both warping step and scorching ray. He occasionally leaps up and slams down, shaking the ground to stunning Link—which can be mimicked with hold person. Near the end of the fight he begins casting greater invisibility. In this game he cannot be slain without silver arrows, but for balance reasons, these statistics just give him a vulnerability to silvered piercing weapons.
• Ocarina of Time: He uses the normal Ganondorf statistics. He repeatedly casts fly on himself as a legendary action, and offensively relies on casting dead man's volley and wave of obliteration. Occasionally he uses a more powerful spell. This is the only canonical version of Ganondorf that does actually transform into Ganon after hitting 0 hit points. Ganon by this point has likely run out of magic points, but regardless relies solely on powerful scimitar attacks.
• Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons: He transforms long before Link arrives on the scene, so would use the Ganon statistics from the get-go. He relies on a combination of spear attacks, while freuqently casting the spells death bolt, misty step (constantly), and splitting orb. He occasionally leaps up and slams down, shaking the ground to stunning Link—which can be mimicked with hold person.
• Wind Waker: He technically lacks the Triforce of Power during the fight, and never transforms, and so would use the statistics of Ganondorf, Dethroned. He casts jump on himself, but otherwise relies almost exclusively on scimitar attacks. In this game he cannot be slain without the Master Sword, but for balance reasons these statistics merely give him a vulnerability to artifact weapons.
• Four Swords Adventures: He transforms long before the Links arrive on the scene, so would use the Ganon statistics from the get-go. He uses virtually all his actions to cast lightning bolt, while using legendary actions to cast warping step.
• Twilight Princess: He uses the normal Ganondorf statistics. Prior to the boss fight, Ganondorf shows he is capable of casting major image, and possibly other spells to communicate with and influence Zant. While in humanoid form, Ganondorf relies mostly on scimitar (or sword of the sages) attacks, and at least partially does so from horseback (he could feasibly have the benefits of the Mounted Warrior feat without affecting his CR). He transforms into Ganon prior to reaching 0 hit points, but reverts to his humanoid form and continues fighting. While in Ganon form, he only casts misty step and uses his bite attack. In this game he cannot be slain without the Master Sword, but for balance reasons these statistics merely give him a vulnerability to artifact weapons.
• Skyward Sword: Use the statistics of Demise (who is technically probably not Ganondorf).
• A Link Between Worlds: If the statistics of "Yuganon" ever get made, then use those. Otherwise use the Ganon statistics, and spam a combination of moblin spear + warping step.
• Breath of the Wild: Use the statistics of Calamity Ganon.
• Super Smash Bros. (non-canon): He never transforms, but still has the Triforce of Power, so the variant "Without Transformation" statistics should be used. He relies primarily on unarmed strikes, but mixes in spells shield, dark dive, and ganon's fist.
• Hyrule Warriors (Legends) (non-canon): Normally Ganondorf never transforms, but still has the Triforce of Power, so the variant "Without Transformation" statistics should be used. He attacks with weapons, but very frequently mixes in shield, death bolt, splitting orb, lightning bolt, wave of obliteration, and occasionally circle of death. Ganon appears in this game as a separate entity from Ganondorf, with completely different capabilities from every canonical appearance, but could be represented by exchanging some witch spells for wizzrobe spells.

Outside of actual combat, mimicking some of Ganondorf's exact capabilities may require magic items or GM fiat. Most notably he can instantly and indefinitely imprison Princess Zelda in unbreakable crystal—but not Link—for seemingly no reason other than because the plot demands it. - Guy (talk) 09:00, 10 December 2017 (MST)

help

help i deleted it all by accident but it won’t let me revert it

I fixed it