{{{2}}} is the fanon term for a narrow space of time where Link has the opportunity to inflict damage on a dungeonboss with his sword, or another item, but commonly utilizing the Master Sword at most of these events. Usually after required steps have been completed, the temple boss will become tired, expose a weak spot, or faint, giving Link a much needed chance to strike with his sword. In Twilight Princess, critical points in boss battles are denoted by a change of music, shifting from the common boss music to a more triumphant-sounding theme. It has been a facet of every 3D Zelda game to date, plus The Minish Cap, to consistently incorporate around three Critical Points (or more if the young hero doesn't do enough damage) in a boss battle before the boss is defeated, or changes technique, whereas the standard of three is repeated and so on.
When Link stuns her with a Deku Nut or slings her exposed eye while she is on the ceiling with the Slingshot, Gohma will submit to Link, stunned, with her vulnerable eye open to attack.
After Volvagia pops its head out of one of the volcanic holes in the boss arena, Link will pummel its face with the Megaton Hammer, leaving it open to extra attack.
In her second form, charge the Mirror Shield with three of the same energy (i.e. fire or ice) thrown at Link by Twinrova, release it back to Twinrova, and then go in for the strike when she lies injured on one of the platforms.
Note: Twinrova does not have a critical point in the first round because only the Mirror Shield can be used to deflect oncoming blasts of fire and ice and direct them back at the witches, not the Master Sword. Also, Phantom Ganon has no critical point as long as he's riding his horse.
Once Link shoots Gyorg with an arrow or the Zora Boomerang, Gyorg will sink to the bottom and be susceptible to attack. The only way to cause damage though, is to transform into Zora Link and perform a water corkscrew into the fish's side.
Once Link finds an opportunity to attack, Majora's Wrath will be paralyzed, allowing Link free reign to slash at it.
* These bosses can be hurt outside their critical point.
Note: Twinmold does not have a critical point, because it has a constantly open weak point.
Another Note: All of the bosses' critical points can be reached by shooting the sword beams out of Fierce Deity Link's sword. This method is much quicker and proves to be easier, too.
After all its vines are cut with the Boomerang, the plant in the center is more than susceptible to attack. It is possible to defeat Kalle Demos after experiencing only one of its Critical Points.
When the bird misses Link with his beak, sticking it into the ground after his face mask has been shed, it is open to attack by a weapon other than the Skull Hammer.
Once Jalhalla is thrown into one of the spiked pillars positoned about the room, Link can wreck havoc on the collective Poes that spill out and make up the main form of Jalhalla.
After using a Parry Attack, Ganondorf will show his only Critical Point.
Note: Gohma does not have a critical point during the first phase, because Link first has to disarm her armor, and until then no attack (not even the rock from the ceiling) will deplete her life meter.
Once Link withers the stalk of the Chu Chu with the Gust Jar, it will capsize and Link can strike it with his sword. (Also works with the Big Blue ChuChu)
After flipping his spiky midsection with the Cane of Pacci, his center crystal is vulnerable to sword strike and reachable by using his lifeless neck as a bridge.
In its head form, when Link strikes the skull with the Spinner, after getting close enough on the adjacent wall, he will be able to go in and strike Zant's Sword with his own.
After nailing the spider on the ceiling with the Hero's Bow, it will fall in front of an ancient statue, which will crush the spider with a large stone fist, when activated using the Dominion Rod. A sword is not used to inflict damage during Armoghoma's Critical Point.
In its second form, whenever Link is able to grapple to the dragon's back using the Double Clawshot, Link will be able to deal heavy damage to the gem that rests there.
Once he falls to the floor, either by an arrow, a Ball and Chain hit or from Midna's magical arm, Link will be able to strike him with the Master Sword or bite at him in Wolf Link form, all concentrated at the scar on his stomach.
In the horsetrack phase, after Zelda fires a Light Arrow at him, he will be paralyzed and open for sword attack. In the sword duel, Link can reach Ganondorf's Critical Point three ways: By locking swords, performing a Back Slice, or even by distracting him with the Fishing Rod - after any of these events he will tire, allowing a narrow space of time for damage infliction.
Note: Blizzeta in the Snowpeak Ruins does not give Link a chance at a critical point because in order to destroy the Twilit Ice Mass, every time Link hits her with the Ball and Chain she will be hurt. Puppet Zelda does not have one either, the only way to damage her is for her own energy ball to backfire, as a product of a Dead Man's Volley between her and Link.
In his first form, after Link pulls Bellum towards him, removing the full-body goo that encompasses him, Link may strike. In his final form, Link must stop time in order to get a hit in.
After Link uses the Whirlwind on Stagnox's backside, the purple smoke around it is blown away, stunning Stagnox for Link to slash its rear end. During the second form, Link must use the Whirlwind to blow one of the spawned enemies at Stagnox to knock him onto his back to expose his back end again.
When Zelda pulls Byrne off of one of the pillars around the room by tugging on his gauntlet, he is open to attack. During his second phase, when he remains on the ground, he is open when Zelda stops his charging attack and holds him in place.
After Link disables the laser cannons of the lead wagon, the train will reduce its velocity, remaining vulnerable and allowing Link to take the advantage to hit its head with the projectiles of the Spirit Train.
Though optional, Link can use the Shield Bash technique in the first battle as Ghirahim tries to charge at him. A succesful block with stun Ghirahim, allowing Link to attack him. As for the third fight, in the first phase Link must knock Ghirahim off the platform, then use a Fatal Blow to attack the diamond on his chest; in the second phase, Ghirahim's sword must be knocked out of his hand (or Link can win a Dead Man's Volley), after which the diamond MUST be stabbed at. In the final phase, Link must break Ghirahim's sword before he can stab at the diamond.
After Link throws a bomb into Scaldera's mouth, the boss will explode internally, removing some of its rocky armor and allowing Link to attack its weak point, the eye. However, Link must be quick, as the eye can shift away from him.
In the first phase of the battle, Link can use the Slingshot to stun the eyes inside its claws when they are open, so Link can slash perpendicular to their orientation several times during the stun; this is optional, since Link can simply slash the claws whenever they're open.
In the first two battles, Link must cut off all the beast's toes, then drive the Sealing Spike into its head after it falls onto its back. This can also be done at the start of the final battle, but the Groosenator (which can also be used in the second battle) must be used to access the spike for the remainder of the battle, with Link himself being launched for the third attack.
In the first phase, Link uses the Whip to rip off the boss' arms in order to access its weakness, the red core. In the second phase of the battle, Link does the aforementioned arm-ripping, but now must attack Koloktos with one of his own swords, as the boss has caged up the red core.
In both phases, after cutting off its tentacles, Link must shoot its eye with the Bow, then run up to the boss and attack the eye with the Goddess Longsword.
In the first phase of the battle, Link has to use a shield bash to break Demise' guard, after which he must attack quickly. In the second phase of the battle, after attacking the Demon King with lightning (but only if Demise does not attack with or does not possess lightning; if Demise does attack, the attacks will cancel). Link may freely slash away at the boss, but, as mentioned, he must be quick. Link may also use a shield bash in this phase, but it is difficult, so the previous method is preferred.
Note that Ghirahim has no Critical Point in his second battle, and in the first he can be hit outside of the completely optional one. Likewise, Moldarach's Critical Point is optional during the first phase, and there is none in the second. Levias has no critical point whatsoever.