1-8: Big Montgomery's Fort

1-8: Big Montgomery's Fort

Welcome to 1-8: Big Montgomery's Fort, the thrilling conclusion to World 1! This level serves as the grand arena for your first major boss encounter against the formidable Big Montgomery. Unlike typical levels, 1-8 is a direct path to the boss fight, focusing entirely on the showdown. Prepare for a rolling good time!

Level Overview and Pre-Boss Collectibles

Upon entering 1-8, you'll find yourself on a short, linear path leading directly to a large boss door. There are no complex platforming challenges or hidden areas in this pre-boss section. Your primary objective here is preparation: gather any available yarn balls and ensure you're ready for the battle ahead.

• Path Length: Very short, leading straight to the boss arena.
• Enemies: None before the boss door.
• Pre-Boss Collectibles:
• Smiley Flower #1: This flower is located directly above the boss door. To collect it, simply jump or flutter jump up to grab it before entering the fight. It's hard to miss!
• Yarn Balls: There are typically 5-10 yarn balls scattered along the path to the boss door, ensuring you can start the fight with a full stock (up to 20). collect them all.

Collectibles Checklist

This level contains a total of 5 Smiley Flowers, 5 Wonder Wools, and 20 Stamp Patches. All Wonder Wools and the remaining 4 Smiley Flowers are obtained during or immediately after the Big Montgomery boss fight.

Big Montgomery Boss Battle Strategy

Big Montgomery is a giant, rolling Monty Mole, and he's eager to test Yoshi's mettle. The fight takes place in a circular arena with several elevated platforms and a central, slightly raised area. Your goal is to flip Big Montgomery onto his back and then attack his exposed belly with yarn balls.

Phase 1: Rolling Attack

Big Montgomery will primarily roll around the arena, attempting to flatten Yoshi. He'll occasionally jump, creating small shockwaves upon landing. To damage him, you need to exploit his weakness:

1. Dodge his rolls: Stay agile and use Yoshi's flutter jump to avoid being hit. The elevated platforms can provide temporary safety, but don't rely on them too much as he can still reach you with his jumps.
2. Wait for his jump: Big Montgomery will periodically jump high into the air. As he lands, he'll briefly expose his underside.
3. Ground Pound: Immediately after he lands from a jump, perform a Ground Pound (down + jump) on the ground near him. This will cause him to flip onto his back, exposing his vulnerable belly. The timing is crucial here; too early or too late, and he won't flip.
4. Attack with Yarn: While he's on his back, quickly throw as many yarn balls as you can at his belly. Each hit deals damage. You can usually get 3-4 hits in before he rights himself.
5. Repeat: He will right himself after a few seconds. Repeat this process until he is defeated.

Phase 2: Burrowing Attack (After taking some damage)

Once Big Montgomery has taken some damage (typically after 3-4 successful attacks), he'll introduce a new attack: burrowing underground. He'll pop up in different locations, attempting to surprise Yoshi.

1. Watch for tremors: When he burrows, look for small dirt mounds and ground tremors to predict where he'll emerge. These tremors will intensify as he gets closer to a pop-up spot.
2. Lure him out: Position yourself near a spot where he's about to emerge. He'll often try to pop up directly beneath Yoshi.
3. Repeat Ground Pound & Attack: As he pops out, he'll often be briefly vulnerable. Perform a Ground Pound near him to flip him, then attack with yarn balls. The principle remains the same: Ground Pound to flip, then yarn balls to damage.

Recommended Loadout

• Yarn Balls: Ensure you have a full stock (up to 20) before entering the boss door. There are usually some available just outside. Having a full stock is essential for maximizing damage during his vulnerable state.
• Power Badges: While not strictly necessary for the first boss, if you're struggling, consider equipping the "More Yarn Balls" badge to increase your carrying capacity, or the "Auto-Flutter" badge if you find yourself falling into his rolling path frequently. The "Don't Fall in Pits" badge is not useful here as there are no pits.

Wonder Wool Collection Guide (During Boss Fight)

The 5 Wonder Wools for this level are tied to specific conditions during the Big Montgomery boss fight. Collecting all 5 will unlock a new Yoshi pattern.

• Wonder Wool #1: Defeat Big Montgomery.
  • This is the most straightforward Wonder Wool. Simply win the boss fight by depleting Big Montgomery's health. It's awarded automatically upon his defeat.
• Wonder Wool #2: Defeat Big Montgomery within 90 seconds.
  • To achieve this, you need to be efficient with your attacks. Focus on consistent Ground Pounds immediately after his jumps and rapid-fire yarn balls while he's flipped. Don't waste time dodging unnecessarily; keep moving and look for openings. A full stock of yarn balls is crucial here.
  • Strategy Tip: Try to hit him with 3-4 yarn balls each time he's vulnerable. If you miss an opportunity, quickly reset and wait for the next.
• Wonder Wool #3: Defeat Big Montgomery without taking any damage.
  • This requires precise dodging and perfect timing. Big Montgomery's attacks are predictable: he rolls, then jumps. Focus on staying out of his rolling path and using flutter jumps to avoid the shockwaves from his landings. When he burrows, watch the ground tremors carefully to anticipate his emergence and move away quickly.
  • Strategy Tip: Prioritize dodging over attacking if you're unsure. It's better to miss an attack window than to take damage. Patience is key.
• Wonder Wool #4: Defeat Big Montgomery by only flipping him with Ground Pounds.
  • This Wonder Wool encourages you to master the core mechanic of the fight. Ensure that every time Big Montgomery is flipped onto his back, it's a direct result of your Ground Pound. There are no other common ways to flip him in this fight, so as long as you're consistently using Ground Pounds after his jumps, you should earn this.
  • Common Pitfall: Accidentally hitting him with a yarn ball at the wrong angle might sometimes cause a minor stun, but it won't count as a flip. Stick to Ground Pounds for the flip.
• Wonder Wool #5: Hit Big Montgomery with at least 15 yarn balls while he is flipped.
  • This Wonder Wool encourages aggressive attacking. Each time Big Montgomery is flipped, throw as many yarn balls as you can at his belly. If you're consistently hitting him with 3-4 yarn balls per flip, you'll reach the 15-hit target within 4-5 successful flips.
  • Strategy Tip: Make sure your yarn balls are actually connecting with his belly. Sometimes they can hit his shell if he's starting to right himself. Aim for the center of his exposed underside.

After successfully defeating Big Montgomery, a celebratory animation will play, and you will automatically collect all remaining Smiley Flowers and Wonder Wools you've earned based on your performance. This marks the completion of World 1, and you'll be treated to a delightful cutscene before moving on to World 2!

Common Pitfalls & Tips

• Running out of Yarn: While there are usually yarn balls before the fight, try not to waste them. If you run low during the battle, you can sometimes find more by eating the small enemies (if any appear, though rare in this fight) or by hitting specific environmental objects, but it's best to start with a full stock. Replenishing yarn during the fight can be risky and time-consuming.
• Timing Ground Pounds: The most crucial part of this fight is the timing of your Ground Pounds. Too early, and he won't flip. Too late, and he'll be back on his feet. Practice the rhythm of his jumps and landings. A good visual cue is to Ground Pound just as he hits the ground after his high jump.
• Patience: Especially for the "no damage" Wonder Wool, don't rush. Focus on dodging and waiting for the perfect opening. Big Montgomery's patterns are simple; learn them, and you'll master the fight.
• Flutter Jump for Safety: Yoshi's flutter jump is your best friend for avoiding Big Montgomery's rolls and shockwaves. Use it liberally to reposition yourself or gain height.