The Behemoth is a great beast of biblical origins. In Castlevania, it is usually portrayed as a half rotting giant bull-like creature.
Origins
Behemoth and Leviathan by William Blake, from his Illustrations of the Book of Job.
The Behemoth is a beast mentioned in the Book of Job 40:15-24, where it is referred to as the largest living thing in existence and also implied to be aquatic. Suggested identities range from a mythological creature to an elephant, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, or buffalo. Some creationists believe it to be a description of a sauropod, due to its tail being described as like a "cedar tree".
The name "Behemoth" also comes from the same root word as "Bahamut". Metaphorically, the name has come to be used for any extremely large or powerful entity.
Appearances
Castlevania: Rondo of Blood
First appearance of the Behemoth in the series. Its glowing eyes can barely be seen approaching in the background the moment the player crosses the drawbridge and enters the castle at the end of the first section of the Entrance stage. Shortly afterward, the Behemoth breaks into the building through a wall and starts rushing at the player. Since it is more likely that Maria has not been rescued yet, this chasing scene can prove to be rather difficult for Richter. If the player cannot kill the Behemoth but manages to make it to the next section of the stage, the creature will ram into a wall and die.
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The reanimated carcass of the Behemoth returns once more as part of Shaft Ghost's fight at the end of the Clock Tower.
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Castlevania: Dracula X
A graphically enhanced reenactment from its appearance in Rondo of Blood; the Behemoth chases after Richter in the very first level of the game. Upon defeat, it drops a Food item; otherwise, the player can just run away or lure it into falling down a chasm at the end of that section of the stage.
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Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
A corpse of a Behemoth (probably the same Richter avoided) can be seen in the Colosseum. However, it is only as a scenario ornament and nothing else.
Castlevania (N64)
One of the major boss battles in the game. The Behemoth is first found presumably dead in a large arena at the Castle Center. Once the player activates the big crystal revealed after exploding the previously sealed wall, the Behemoth will come back to life, making it probably an undead creature. This appearance is so far the first time the Behemoth has shown its real power in the series other than just chasing the player. It shoots huge laser beams from the eye inside its mouth, causing a great nuclear-like explosion. It also rushes at the player, finishing with a heave that throws them far away. It's worth mentioning that the more hits it takes, the more skin, muscle tissue, and bones it loses; so depending on how the player fights it, the creature will have a different appearance. Also, if the player manages to take down its legs, it will collapse and start roaring in pain, no longer being able to move or attack, thus awarding the victory in the player's favor as all they have to do then is finish it off.
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Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness
Same appearance as in the previous game, only its name has been changed and its HP slightly reduced.
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Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance
A carcass of a Behemoth can be found in the Skeleton Cave. As in Symphony of the Night, it appears only as an ornament to the level.
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
In Portrait of Ruin, this is an early undead boss the player must first flee from, and later come back to fight. The Behemoth resembles a giant bull who's hind quarters have been torn off. During its introductory scene, the heroes must run ahead of the creature, smashing pillars along the way. The beast will continue on its path, smashing through walls and leaving rubble behind, leaving the heroes with no means to give further pursuit.
After obtaining the Acrobat Cube in the City of Haze, Jonathan and Charlotte will have the means necessary to reach what looks like a coliseum, where they must fight and kill the Behemoth. It is a fairly straightforward fight, but since the heroes will most likely not be at a high level and have not yet got access to more powerful weaponry, it may prove to be a challenging battle.
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Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles
In Dracula X Chronicles, the Behemoth appears on the second stage. It could be considered a mid-boss who stalks the player until it reaches a large wall after passing through the entrance of the castle. It takes a considerable amount of effort to kill it as it dies in 12 hits. One trick is to gather at least 40 Hearts (usually carried over from the previous level) and use the Holy Water's item crash, Hydro Storm, to defeat it. Once beaten, the Behemoth leaves behind a Sound Item.
Gallery
Artworks
(July, 1993)
Screenshots
Trivia
- A later boss in the series, Gergoth, shares several traits the Behemoth had in Castlevania (N64) and Legacy of Darkness, being a rotting monster with the ability to shoot lasers from its mouth, and a weakness on its legs.
- In Castlevania (N64) the Behemoth has 340 HP, which makes it have the most health out of any boss in the game. Only Dracula surpasses it with the combined HP of his two forms: his first form has 160 HP and his second form has 200 HP for a total of 360 HP.