Stage 5-Boss: Punch Bowl

The Approach

To complete this stage and unlock the next island, you must defeat Bashmaster, the Unbreakable. Select a partner from the available Buddy Barrel, then hop into the nearby Barrel Cannon to launch yourself down to this hammer-wielding polar bear.

Phase 1

Bashmaster, the Unbreakable utilizes a variety of attacks—during the first phase, his hammer swing is the easiest to counter. When you see Bashmaster raise his hammer above his head, stay out of range to avoid the impact.

Hop onto the hammer just after it hits the ice, then jump over and bop the polar bear’s head. A successful attack causes Bashmaster, the Unbreakable to tumble off of the platform.

When Bashmaster leaps off-screen, a small shadow appears on the platform. Roll away from the shadow and jump up just as the polar bear lands to neutralize the effect of his slam attack.

If you see Bashmaster, the Unbreakable tap the ice with his hammer’s handle or twirl the weapon in his hands, it indicates that ice cubes are about to drop into the area. During this phase, all of the ice cubes land near Bashmaster, the Unbreakable. Keep your distance and hop over the ice cubes as the polar bear kicks them toward you. When you spot the frozen Watermelon Fuse Bomb, hop onto it and use a quick Ground Pound to free it from the ice.

Once you free the Watermelon Fuse Bomb, toss it into Bashmaster, the Unbreakable to send him toppling off of the platform. Use these tactics to stay healthy and counter the polar bear’s attacks—knock Bashmaster off of the platform three times to end the battle’s first phase.

Phase 2

During the battle’s second phase, Bashmaster, the Unbreakable introduces a new attack. Each time the polar bear summons ice cubes, look for the shadows that appear on the platform. During this phase, multiple shadows appear on the platform—this indicates an incoming charge attack. Stand in one of the gaps between to avoid the ice cubes as they fall. After they land, hop onto a stack of ice cubes and wait for Bashmaster, the Unbreakable to charge across the platform.

Once all of the ice is in place, Bashmaster, the Unbreakable charges toward you. As he approaches the center of the platform, he drops and slides through the remaining stacks. Jump over the polar bear and his spiked hammer; if he’s spinning during his slide, turn around and follow him to the edge of the platform, but if he isn’t spinning, move to the opposite edge of the platform.

If Bashmaster, the Unbreakable spins through the end of his charge, the attack leaves him dizzy. While he’s vulnerable, jump up and bop his head to knock him off the platform. If he doesn’t spin, hang back and wait for his next attack.

During this phase, Bashmaster’s slam attacks are powerful enough to send shards of ice rippling across the surface of the platform. When he leaps out of view, locate the shadow on the platform, move to the other edge of the platform, and jump as he lands to maintain your footing.

After the impact, leap over the incoming ice shards and prepare for the next attack. Dodge his attacks and bop Bashmaster, the Unbreakable each time he makes himself dizzy. Knock him off of the platform three times to begin the battle’s third phase.

Phase 3

During the battle’s final phase, Bashmaster, the Unbreakable utilizes an upgraded ice cube attack. As you avoid the ice cubes, keep a close eye on the polar bear—his behavior will have a major effect on the nature of the attack. If he kicks the ice cubes toward you, hop along the stacks as they slide across the platform. Perform a series of Ground Pounds to free any trapped Watermelon Fuse Bombs, then toss them at Bashmaster, the Unbreakable to knock him off of the platform.

If Bashmaster, the Unbreakable whirls his hammer as ice cubes fall into the area, it means the next attack is coming very quickly. Instead of kicking the ice cube when it lands, he smacks it with his hammer. The force turns the ice cube into a spiked projectile. Stay back and hop over the projectile as it speeds toward you.

During this phase, Bashmaster, the Unbreakable also uses an enhanced form of his hammer swing. After he raises the hammer above his head, he hops toward you and slams the weapon down with enough force to send icicles rippling across the platform.

You must react as soon as Bashmaster begins his attack. Retreat far enough to escape the initial impact, but stay close enough to avoid the icicles, hop onto the hammer, and bop Bashmaster, the Unbreakable before he recovers from his attack. If you’ve managed to hang onto your partner, use his or her jumping ability to help accomplish this. Otherwise, you must time your counterattack very carefully.

During the battle’s final phase, Bashmaster, the Unbreakable’s slam attacks revert back to their original power. Look for the shadow that appears on the platform, run to the opposite side of the area, and jump up just before the polar bear lands.

Stay healthy and counterattack at each opportunity. Knock Bashmaster, the Unbreakable into the water three times to trigger the encounter’s finale. Follow the on-screen prompts to end the battle with a punishing melee combo. After you complete stage 5-Boss: Punch Bowl, you automatically travel to stage 6-1: Homecoming Hijinxs.