Confronting Two-Toed Tom in South of Midnight marks a significant challenge as players seek to uncover Hazel’s mother’s fate. This towering alligator, complete with a mini-island on its back, acts as the initial boss encounter during your adventure, appearing prominently in Chapters Four and Five.
Players face off directly against him at the conclusion of Chapter Five, titled Everything that Rises. Mastering this boss fight requires careful evasion of his attacks and an understanding of his key weaknesses.
This guide will provide detailed strategies to overcome Two-Toed Tom in South of Midnight.
Strategies to Defeat Two-Toed Tom
Phase One: Initial Tactics
The battle with Two-Toed Tom unfolds across three distinctive phases on separate landmasses. During the first phase, he unleashes a powerful lunging bite attack, which you can evade by dashing to the side—signalized by a red path on the ground. Additionally, he performs a sweeping tail swipe that requires a double jump to avoid.
After successfully dodging his attacks, you will have the opportunity to ring a nearby church bell—his primary vulnerability. Use your Pull Strand ability to activate the bell, stunning him for a brief period and revealing a Stigma Wound on his tongue. Seize this window to strike his tongue and inflict damage. Be aware that after this encounter, the stigma will erupt, necessitating a dodge to avoid the blast.
Once he takes cover underwater, he will start hurling rocks in your direction. Staying mobile is key here; the rocks will target specific red circles on the ground. When he resurfaces, you can ring the bell again to resume your attack (indicated by the bell icon below his health bar).
After striking his tongue two more times, Two-Toed Tom will retaliate by swatting the bell with his tail, sending it cascading to a neighboring landmass. You’ll need to navigate platforms to reach that area and trigger the second phase of the confrontation.
Phase Two: Resuming the Bout
In the second phase, you’ll notice that Two-Toed Tom employs the same initial attacks, necessitating a familiar strategy to defeat him. However, you’ll find that the bell is positioned farther away this time. Utilize your Pull Strand ability strategically from the extreme edge of the landmass to reach the bell.
After stunning him and striking his tongue twice again, he will once more send the bell flying with his tail. As before, traverse platforms to reach the new location and trigger the final phase of the encounter.
Phase Three: The Final Stand
This final phase introduces a new challenge: Two-Toed Tom will execute a delayed bite attack instead of the lunging variant. To dodge this, employ your double jump and glide techniques. He will also continue to use tail swipes and throw rocks during this stage.
To ring the bell this time, you’ll need to get creative since it’s now out of range for your Pull ability. Instead, focus on the rocks to the right of the platform—use your Pull to manipulate them, then follow up with your Push ability to propel a rock at the bell. The goal is to stun him repeatedly while inflicting damage until Two-Toed Tom’s health is fully depleted.
Successfully defeating Two-Toed Tom unlocks the Gater Tamer achievement. Keep in mind that if you complete this fight without taking any damage, you will also achieve the Gator Master achievement.