What to know
- You must complete the missing frog rescue quest in Nox’s Bayou before Willis becomes available.
- The quest starts after defeating the Nox Beast and finding a frog hidden behind a waterfall.
- After reuniting the frog with his band in Backwaters, pay 100 Bones for their trip to Ossex.
- Defeating Willis rewards the Pneumatic Armlet Trinket, one of the notable optional rewards in the game.
The Frog Side Quest is one of the more memorable optional activities in Mina the Hollower because it combines exploration, escort mechanics, and a secret boss encounter. Many players discover the frog but are unsure where to take him or how the Willis fight actually works. Here’s the complete walkthrough from start to finish.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Starting Area | Nox’s Bayou |
| Main Requirement | Defeat Nox Beast |
| Quest NPC | Missing frog in a bucket |
| Destination | Frog band in Backwaters |
| Additional Cost | 100 Bones |
| Secret Boss | Willis |
| Boss Location | Music Hall, Ossex Bowery |
| Reward | Pneumatic Armlet Trinket |
Where to find the missing frog in Mina the Hollower
The quest becomes available after defeating the Nox Beast in Nox’s Bayou.
As you use the shortcut area after the boss, climb down the rope and move left through a hidden waterfall passage. Continue to the upper-left exit. Inside the next room you will find a small frog sitting inside a bucket. This is the missing band member needed for the side quest.
The entire quest route takes place between Nox’s Bayou, Backwaters, and Ossex. The most important section is transporting the frog through swamp hazards and enemy-filled paths. If the frog gets separated from you or falls behind, don’t panic. The game respawns him at the nearest shoreline, allowing you to continue without restarting the entire quest.
How to escort the frog to the NPCs in Ossex
Step 1
Pick up the frog and begin moving back through the Bayou paths. Clear enemies before attempting to move the frog through dangerous sections. It is much easier to create a safe route first.
Step 2
Use Mina’s burrow ability frequently to avoid damage while keeping the frog moving forward. Continue toward the Backwaters region.
Step 3
Reach the large swamp area containing moving platforms. Push or guide the frog north until he reaches the group of frog musicians waiting in the area.
Once reunited, the band rewards you with the Tumbling Tutu.
Paying for the band’s trip to Ossex
After the reunion, speak with the frog band again.
They explain that they want to travel to Ossex but lack the funds. Select the option to help them and pay 100 Bones. This step is mandatory for unlocking the next phase of the quest.
How to start the Willis boss fight
After funding the band, travel to the Music Hall in Ossex Bowery.
The entrance appears blocked because a bouncer stops visitors from entering normally. Instead, use Mina’s signature burrowing ability and move underneath the crowd gathered near the entrance. This allows you to bypass the guard and enter the hall.
Inside, you should find the frog band performing.
Once inside the Music Hall, locate the large pirate shark named Willis near the stage.
Interact with him to trigger the secret boss encounter. Willis is not a traditional damage-race boss. Instead, the battle revolves around stunning him and using the audience as a weapon.
How to fight and defeat Willis in Mina the Hollower
- Stay aggressive and keep landing attacks whenever safe. Unlike many bosses, simply reducing Willis’s health with standard attacks is not enough.
- Watch for the stagger state. After taking enough hits, Willis becomes temporarily exhausted and vulnerable.
- Move close and grab him immediately. The vulnerability window is limited, so do not hesitate. Throw Willis into the crowd.
- This deals the major damage required to progress the fight. Standard attacks mainly serve to create these opportunities.
- Repeat the process. The entire encounter follows this loop: attack, stagger, grab, throw.
Many players fail because they focus too heavily on damage instead of positioning for the next stagger. Keep enough distance to react to his attacks and save your aggression for safe openings.
Willis attack patterns explained
| Attack | How to Counter |
|---|---|
| Close-range swings | Back away or burrow |
| Charge pressure | Move sideways and reposition |
| Arena control attacks | Focus on survival until next opening |
| Recovery bait | Wait for a full stagger before committing |
The safest strategy is to treat the fight like an endurance battle. Your goal is not maximum DPS. Your goal is creating as many stagger opportunities as possible while avoiding unnecessary damage. Players who stay patient generally clear the encounter much more consistently.
Frog quest rewards
| Reward | How to Obtain |
|---|---|
| Tumbling Tutu | Reunite frog with band |
| Pneumatic Armlet Trinket | Defeat Willis |
The Pneumatic Armlet is the major reward and the primary reason most players complete this optional questline.
The Frog Side Quest is one of the best hidden questlines in Mina the Hollower because it leads directly to a secret boss encounter rather than ending with a simple collectible reward. Once you rescue the missing frog, escort him back to Backwaters, pay the band’s travel expenses, and sneak into the Music Hall, you’ll unlock the unique Willis battle. Remember that the key mechanic is staggering Willis and throwing him into the audience, as regular attacks alone won’t finish the fight efficiently. The quest ultimately rewards both the Tumbling Tutu and the valuable Pneumatic Armlet Trinket.
