Phalanx
Real Name	Trail Drifter
Latin Name	Aeris Velivolus
Form	Dragon
Temperament	Apathetic
Attacks	None

Phalanx, also known as the Air Sailor, is the thirteenth of sixteen Colossi which the protagonist, Wander, must slay in Shadow of the Colossus.

LocationEdit

Phalanx is located in a great desert to the southwest of the Shrine of Worship. Proceed south past the moutain where Valus dwelt until you reach the southern plains. Turn west and continue until you reach the expanse of desert. Cross the platform to awaken Phalanx.

BattleEdit

Phalanx is, by far, the most peaceful of all the Colossi that Wander fights. It does not try to attack him regardless of what he does. It does not even pay him any mind unless Wander climbs onto its back. Unlike Avion, which keeps airborne by flapping its massive wings, Phalanx uses its small wings to merely steer itself. Its massive bulk is kept aloft by three series of gas bladders located at its front, middle, and posterior.

Phalanx will remain airborne, circling its desert home, until you bring it down. Aim your bow at one of the gas bladders and pull back until the charge meter is completely filled. This will ensure that the arrow flies faster at the target. Lead the target very slightly and release the arrow. If you struck the bag, it will deflate and turn a dim color. Once you have pierced all three, Phalanx will no longer be able to remain in the sky, and swoop down low to the ground. Even at its slowest, Phalanx is still far too fast to reach on foot. Agro is required in order to chase it.

Its four front wings will be lowered such that they skim the surface of the desert. Ride up next to one and jump off of Agro's back. The ridges in the wing can be climbed like a wall. Eventually, Phalanx will recover and rise back into the air. Run along the length of its body until you come to a raised dorsal ridge. There are three located along its length, and there is a Magic Sigil located under each. Stab the sigil with fully-charged sword strikes.

During this time, Phalanx will try to shake the nuisance off its back. It will squirm whenever the sigil is struck, perform a barrel roll, and even dive into the desert when these two moves fail to dislodge Wander. The signal that the third is about to occur is when the flap closes down upon the sigil. When Phalanx dives into the desert sands, simply jump off to reduce the amount of damage taken.

After a moment, Phalanx will burst from the sand, its gas bladders healed. Repeat the procedure until you bring it down for good.

In Hard mode Phalanx will close its flaps much sooner than in normal.

Meaning of NameEdit

Phalanx is an ancient Greek word for "finger." It refers also to the military formation, where an entire force is brought down upon an enemy at once, rather than in waves.

Aeris Velivolus translates as "Air Sailor."

Aeris is a word shared in Latin and Greek that refers to "sky" or "of the air."

Velivolus in Latin means "flying with sails." This refers to Phalanx's method of using its small wings as sails to steer itself through the air.

Trivia Edit

• "Phalanx has millions of eyes, while the other colossi have two." this was proven false because in his introduction you can see one of his three eyes, which looks like the eyes of the other colossi, but are extremely difficult to see during the fight,

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