At first, the pair of Iron Cleft twins you face as bosses in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door may seem impossible to beat due to their overwhelming defenses. Not a single attack seems to work on these two metallic enemies, not even from moves that penetrate protection present on other foes. However, there is a solution you can learn that will let you overcome the challenge posed by both Clefts.

You encounter the Iron Adonis Twins, also identified as two Iron Cleft enemies, as you try to win a qualifying match for Rank 11 in the Glitz Pit. This battle tower features many fearsome opponents, but all of them can be beaten through normal combat strategies up until the Twins. One of the best challenges in Paper Mario: TTYD comes from this fight, where you have to team up with a specific ally to win.

How To Defeat The Iron Cleft Twins In Paper Mario: TTYD

Knock One Iron Cleft Into Another

When using the Tattle ability of party member Goombella, you learn that no attack will work against the Iron Cleft's defense, but the only way to beat it is to knock one into the other. Each Iron Cleft only has 6 HP and 4 Attack, so they aren't as bulky or damaging as other enemies you've fought. Unfortunately, none of your party have the skills to throw around the Adonis Twins when you first fight them.

After losing your first match with the Twins, go outside the Glitz Pit and help save the Mystic Egg from the hot dog stand. Doing this will cause a new friend to appear in the locker room once you lose to the Iron Cleft brothers again in the Pit. This person will hand you the Mystic Egg, which can hatch into a powerful new partner in Paper Mario: TTYD for combat, a young Yoshi with a determination to help you finally win this fight.

The skills and stats of Yoshi always remain the same after they hatch from the Mystic Egg, but you can determine your Yoshi's color in Paper Mario: TTYD by waiting various amounts of time before they emerge from the Egg.

Losing to the Adonis Twins a third time causes the Mystic Egg to hatch into Yoshi, who can use the Gulp ability to eat an Iron Cleft and spit it back into the other one during the battle. This skill costs 4 FP every time you use it, so make sure your party is rested for Yoshi to do this multiple times. This attack does decent damage, but it'll take a few Gulps to defeat both the Iron Clefts together.

Managing to win this battle will allow Mario and his friends to advance from the minor leagues of the Glitz Pit. With Yoshi protected, you can use their Gulp skill to quickly take out both Iron Clefts and beat them in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and discover new enemies to challenge for even better rewards.