Whomp's Fortress
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Whomp's Fortress is the stronghold home of the Whomp race and their leader, the Whomp King. In the game Super Mario 64, the fortress is the second course and could be accessed via a painting on the first floor of Princess Peach's Castle. Only one Power Star is needed to open the door to the painting. Whomp's Fortress contains a Warp, a Cannon, 141 Coins, a Blue Coin Block, and a Metal Cap block. Hoot the Owl resides in a tree at the base of the fortress; the friendly bird helped Mario reach a Power Star located in a cage suspended in mid-air. After Mario defeated the Whomp King and collected the levels first Power Star, a tall tower and a Bill Blaster appeared on top of the fortress.
The entrance is on the first floor, behind the star door labeled "1", meaning it requires 1 Power Star to enter.
Super Mario 64
Star 1: Chip Off Whomp's Block
For the first star, Mario has to defeat the Whomp King who is standing on a flat platform on top of the fortress. On his way to the top, Mario is hindered by several platforms which move away from his feet, as well as Whomps, Thwomps and sleeping Piranha Plants which awake when Mario runs fast past them. However, there is a Vanish Cap available to avoid those enemies when Mario has already found the switch. Upon facing the angry Whomp King, Mario has to trick the King into falling down in order to try hitting Mario. Mario can then jump on the Whomp King's back and Ground Pound on the adhesive tape on it. If Mario has done this three times, the Whomp King will release his Power Star.
Star 2: To the Top of the Fortress
The second Power Star is located on top of a tall tower which has appeared after the Whomp King's defeat. When Mario has climbed up to the flat platform as before, he will find a Bill Blaster shooting Bullet Bills at him. Mario has to use ledges around the tower to get to the top and to get the Power Star.
Star 3: Shoot into the Wild Blue
For the third Power Star, Mario has to go to a different area of the fortress. After passing the Thwomps, he has to go down a ramp and cross a water basin to meet the level's Bob-omb Buddy. With the nearby cannon, he has to shoot himself onto a ledge on the wall of the fortress, where several coins and a Power Star are found. It is also possible to jump onto the ledge (by jumping on the wall and then on the ledge) to get the Star.
Star 4: Red Coins on the Floating Isle
The Red Coin mission of Whomp's Fortress. Despite the name of the mission, only two of the eight red coins are located on the floating islands in the level - unless, the "Floating Isle" in the title refers to Whomp's Fortress as a whole, which is indeed floating in the air.
Star 5: Fall Onto the Caged Island
Mario's next Power Star was located on one of the floating isles. His only method to reach it was with Hoot the Owl's assistance, who had to fly him to the cage that contained the Power Star.
Star 6: Blast Away the Wall
Super Mario 64 DS
In Super Mario 64 DS, the grassy turf at the base of the fortress stretches all around the stronghold, providing useful shortcuts. The remake also added a seventh Power Star mission, the Switch Star of the Fortress.
Star 7: Switch Star of the Fortress
A Switch Star mission, of course, Mario had to find the switch (which was obscured by an orange block) and run to the other side of the fortress to nab it.
