The Sludge Like Boss in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a fight that occurs when Link is helping the Zora in their domain. With the help of Prince Sidon, Link will use various water methods to defeat the enemy and proceed on his path to complete the Water Temple.
After engaging with Prince Sidon and completing some tasks for him, the Sludge Like will reveal itself. Prince Sidon will offer his assistance with a new ability that Link can take advantage of, officially making Sidon one of Link's companions in Zelda: TOTK. This ability will create a water bubble of protection around Link that he can then use to attack.
Prince Sidon's Power of Water Ability
First and foremost, this boss is just a Sludge covered Like Like enemy. Unfortunately, that means that before Link can do any damage to it, he will need to get rid of the Sludge. To do that, he will need to use water to rinse it off. While Link can do this with either the Chuchu Jelly in Zelda: TOTK or Splash Fruit, it's better to save that for the boss fight with the Mucktorok at the end of the Water Temple. For this fight, Prince Sidon will introduce his ability, the Power of Water, which Link can activate whenever he is within range of Prince Sidon.
Whenever Link uses Sidon's Power of Water ability, Sidon will place a bubble of water around Link that acts as a protective barrier. Link can use this barrier for protection, or if he swipes to attack, it will send a wave of water toward an enemy. This should be used as the primary method for removing sludge from the Sludge Like in Zelda: TOTK, as it is the most effective and won't waste any of Link's resources. Simply rush up to Sidon and activate the bubble and then position Link to send the wave towards the Sludge Like to knock off the Sludge barrier and expose it.
How To Defeat The Sludge Like Boss
While fighting the Sludge Like boss, there will be piles of Sludge around the arena. Link may want to clear some of these; otherwise, navigating the fight could be pretty challenging as Sludge slows Link down and makes him very vulnerable. The main methods of attack for the Sludge Like are spitting Sludge whenever Link is far away and attempting to bite him whenever he is close enough. The priority, as stated, is to knock the Sludge off. Use Sidon's ability to clear it off, and it will be evident that it worked as the boss will then resemble a traditional Like Like.
Consider equipping armor with a beneficial stat boost for this fight, such as the Barbarian or Fierce Deity Armor in Zelda: TOTK that increases Link's attack power.
Once it is in this exposed state, Link can attack it with normal weapons. Try to get within a close enough distance that the Sludge Like will attempt to bite Link and expose its tongue. When it does, have Link use one of his powerful weapon fusions in Zelda: TOTK to deal additional damage, which will then put it in a stunned state. Continue attacking it until it resets, at which point it will recover itself in Sludge. At that point, repeat the same method until the Sludge Like boss in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is defeated, after which Link and Sidon can proceed through the Water Temple to face the Mucktorok.
