King Dodongo

King Dodongo is a boss monster that appears in Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This ferocious beast is many times the size of regular Dodongos and has an impenetrable stone-like hide. It inhabits Dodongo's Cavern, located halfway up the Death Mountain Trail.

To ready an attack, King Dodongo inhales air and releases a blast of damaging flame if allowed to inhale completely. During this time, Link can toss bombs, or a nearby Bomb Flower, into its mouth. If successful, the bomb will explode inside, causing King Dodongo to collapse. King Dodongo is vulnerable to sword attacks while it is down. If Link does not apply enough damage during this critical point, King Dodongo will rear up, curl into a ball, and roll around the arena. If Link stands close to the lava, the external walls, or hides beneath or behind his shield, he can avoid damage. King Dodongo hits an arena wall at the end of its rampage; it unfolds and moves about until Link is close enough to target again, repeating the cycle.

When defeated, King Dodongo curls into a ball and rolls into the lava pool. The lava hardens, trapping King Dodongo, half-submerged. Link receives a Heart Container as a reward.