It's attacks look the exact same when first starting, there's no attack patters it's completely random, and it does a ranged attack point blank thats impossible to dodge
#why is the shovel knight boss so hard?
craggy sequoia
agile osprey
He does one of two attacks.
The ranged attack is uh... frustratingly difficult, yes. At least he always attacks at the same rate. (people say once every 4 seconds?)
also the reward is small
wanton holly
lost perch
The Long Range attack;
Easy to Read at Long Range
But Too Fast to read at Close Range
If you're preparing for him to Throw the Scythe and he does the slash instead, then you're likely to prematurely jump and get hit by that
Apparently nobody thought it would be a good idea to throw in a an heart or two to pick up as you go
He goes all the way back if you mess up once as opposed to just going back back one
Overall it makes for a highly un-fun boss