Giant Archer
The first boss, waiting at 500 metres in Bamboo Valley. For most players he's also the first time they send arrows back on purpose, and he's the perfect teacher for it.
What he does
The Giant Archer stands on a floating rock and glides along ahead of you, keeping his distance. He pauses, draws his bow and shows a trail of red dots: that's the exact path his next shot will take. Then he fires.
Most of his attacks are a fan of three arrows spread slightly apart. Every third attack is different: one heavy arrow, bigger and slower, which hits harder and counts double if you send it back. After each attack he rests a moment, then aims again.
How to beat him
Send his arrows back. Draw a line across the red dots, tilted so it faces up toward him. The arrow bounces off your line and flies home. Returned arrows curve a little toward him on the way, so the angle doesn't need to be perfect.
- When he starts aiming, look at where the dots cross the space between you and him.
- Draw a short line across the middle of the dots, leaning back toward him.
- All three arrows of a fan hit the same line, so one line handles the whole volley.
- Save your best line for the heavy arrow: sent back, it takes two of his three hits in one go.
Why you don't need to rush
He holds completely still while aiming, so the dots never lie. Take the moment: press, let time slow, and place the line calmly. Straight after a hit he can't be hurt for half a second, so if three returned arrows arrive together, only the first counts. That's normal; the next attack will come.
Best ink
Steel sends arrows back noticeably faster, which makes the return flight straighter and more reliable. The pen works fine too. Avoid fire here: it burns his arrows away instead of returning them.
Common mistakes
- Drawing at him instead of across the dots. The line only matters where the arrow will be.
- A flat roof. A roof blocks the arrow but sends it down, not back. Tilt it.
- Drawing too close to the ninja. It works, but the arrow then has further to travel back and can drop short. The middle of the dots is best.
Reward
50 coins, a burst of points and, the first time, the Giant slayer badge. Next up, 500 metres later in the Red Desert: the Catapult.