How many stages does the Talos fight have?
Talos has three combat stages separated by two transitions. His remaining-health checks for entering the transitions are about 65% and 15%. A transition changes the arena sequence; reaching the first threshold does not mean the fight is over.
These percentages refer to remaining health, rather than the amount of damage already dealt. The first transition therefore begins around a third of the way through his health bar. Keep resources for the later stages instead of using the first transition as your signal that only a finishing hit remains.
What should you do during a transition?
The transition sequence opens the corresponding arena door before combat continues in the next stage. Watch for the door opening and the changed space around you. Use the newly opened passage to continue, rather than trying to force an attack while the arena is changing.
In the final stage, Talos’s arena attacks include hazards directed at Rose’s current section of the floor. As a movement suggestion, keep an exit from your current position and inspect the next landing area. A place that was clear during one attack is not a permanent safe spot.
What do you claim after defeating Talos?
Find Talos at Throne of the Builder in Clock Tower. After the encounter, interact with the reward orb to claim The Builder and Fist of Talos. Fist of Talos is the spell that matters for the Chapel sword interaction described in the Excalibur guide.
Fist of Talos the spell and Fists of Talos the fist weapon have similar English names but different acquisition routes. The fist weapon has its own chest in Clock Tower. Use its equipment entry when looking for the weapon.
Why is Smash still missing after the fight?
Defeating Talos enables the separate Smash tutorial. Continue to the tutorial room linked below and complete that unlock. The boss room and the ability tutorial are different locations; the reward orb does not replace the tutorial interaction.
Once Smash is unlocked, press Down + Jump while airborne to strike the ground. Golden cracks identify the relevant destructible objects; reinforced ones need a stronger impact from a higher drop. The Builder’s earlier beam-and-weight puzzle has its own guide and can be solved before Smash is available.
Health and transition reference
| Stage | Remaining health | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Opening → about 65% | First transition and its opening door. |
| 2 | About 65% → 15% | Continue through the next combat area. |
| 3 | After the transition near 15% | Keep an exit from floor hazards, then finish the fight. |
Find each stage on the map
Select a stage to highlight its room. These references locate the places described above; they do not show every jump or prove a continuous accessible route.
- Fight Talos at Throne of the BuilderClock Tower / Throne of the Builder ↗
- Complete the separate Smash tutorialClock Tower / Final Trap ↗
Effects and acquisition locations
Open an entry for its controls and acquisition conditions. A room reference highlights the whole room; a character link identifies the reward encounter.
Swipe the table sideways to see acquisition locations.
| Equipment or power | Effect | Acquisition |
|---|---|---|
 Talos | Talos is in Clock Tower. | Clock Tower / Throne of the BuilderRoom reference ↗ |
| The Builder | Fist of Talos: A descending fist concentrates damage below it and shakes surrounding platforms. | Clock Tower / Throne of the BuilderRoom reference ↗ |
 Fist of Talos | A descending fist concentrates damage below it and shakes surrounding platforms. | Clock Tower / Throne of the BuilderRoom reference ↗ |
 Smash | Dive downward to break fragile blocks and strike enemies below. | Clock Tower / Final TrapRoom reference ↗ |
 Fists of Talos | Repeated hits build a stronger damage bonus. | Clock Tower / Builder's BureauMap location ↗ |