Chrono Cross: Walkthrough Part 3

All the monsters here are slightly stronger than before, but still no match for you. For a complete walkthrough from the Another World version, check here. The chests are in different locations, though. For starters, go left one screen. The chest straight to the north (guarded by a Cuscus) holds five Capsules. Go to the top left of this screen to pick up a Mythril. Go back to the lower left and keep going till you reach the huge lake to the north (you'll come back to the little waterfall cave later). The chest inside the water to the top right holds a Trap Carnivore Element.

Go into the cave and up again one screen. There's a hole in the land on the left side of the screen. If you didn't block this in Another World to stop the flow of fish, a Wraith will be in front of the hole. Beat it to get a Mushroom. If you did block it up, just head to the lower right of this screen (of the main bit, not the very bottom) and poke around there; you'll get the Mushroom anyway. Now head back to the waterfall cave (where the Aroma Pouch used to be). Talk to the man there and accept his offer; he'll eat the dubious mushroom and turn into Funguy! He'll join you automatically. Pick up the chest behind him for a Forest Charm (the only one you never got in Fort Dragonia). That's it for this place. Head back to where you got the Mushroom and go up one screen to reach the entrance to the Viper Manor sewers again.

Now that you've got Norris, the Viper Manor is open for exploration... well, what's left of it, anyway. Start by heading down the well and going through the doorway (like you did to get to Norris's office before). Or, you can go through Shadow Forest as noted above to get to the same spot. Anyway, the underwater section is now teeming with Alphabats. (If you have problems with these, I have no clue how you got to this point.) Start by going to the island of land near the top right and pushing the barrel into the water. Now go to the lower left, onto the large land mass, up and around, and push the second barrel in. They'll form a bridge leading to the blue staircase to the left. Go in and tighten the valve to stop the water flow. Ah, but how to get to the water? Go back out the well and search the rubble to the right. At one point (near the top of the rubble; you can see a soldier among the stones to the right) you can climb up the rubble, and if you examine the end of the path near the soldier you'll see a sinkhole. Jump in.

Now you're in sewer central, where besides Alphabats you'll also be confronted by Witchettys. They're not too tough, but they can create Gloops, which is annoying. Get them with Red Elements. For starters, go into the water and hold right. You'll manage to snag the topmost path; head up and follow it for a precious Revive Element. Go back in the water stream and hold right again to reach the lower path.

Follow the path to the staircase down, then go up the topmost left path and hit the wheel at the end. Go back to the intersection and take the topmost right path; follow it to the next screen till you reach a ladder and a valve, which you should tighten. Go back to the previous screen and take the lowest left path. Jump in the water and head right.

Go upstairs (going down leads back to the previous screen), then right, down, and right; the chest at the upper right holds a Carapace Dress. Go to the middle of the horizontal path along the bottom and jump in the water. Go left and up to the same valve you tightened before and open it. Go down and right and climb the blue ladder to reach three more ladders. Climb up the middle one for a Mythril Vest. You're done here. Go all the way back to the beginning (you'll have to tighten that last valve again to get through) and let the first water stream carry you back to the original sewer section via the waterfall. Exit via the well. You can check out one more spot if you like; take your boat to the back of Viper Manor.

You shouldn't actually need any of these items (you can easily buy Capsules and trade for Mythrils in Termina). The chests are exactly in the same spots as they were in Another World; check the previous walkthrough for tips on how to get to them. However, no annoying boulders this time, and the enemies are super-weak. 8-) The very first chest (gotten by heading right at the very beginning) holds five Capsules; the rest hold Mythrils. You can't get anywhere at the top, so once you've got the last chest just head back to your boat.

By the way, from this point on you can access the Bend of Time. It's the small round island between the main island and Marbule. You can fight any enemies you've missed in here, and in New Game+ there's extra challenges as well.

Head to the Hermit's Hideaway at the top right of the world map. Go inside. On the ledge at the top left (hidden a bit) is a Resistance Ring; climb the ladder for an Energizer Suit (weaker than Mythril Mail, but it restores HP continuously). This is where all the "cutesy" characters will eventually hang out. 8-) In fact, if you got Razzly as Serge, she'll be wandering around here! But you can't get her to join. Also, if you used the Ice Breath on the hot patch in Another Hermit's Hideaway, you'll see a plant growing here, but you can't pull it up just yet.

Now you should stop off in Guldove. You can't do much here, but take a gander at the Element Shop; basically, you're never going to be able to buy better Elements than here. Stock up on anything that seems useful, especially Purify Elements. You can also enter the hidden room at the back of the residential tower for five Tablets (yay).

Now head to the El Nido Triangle at the south end of the map. Maneuver your ship onto the large blue spot and press X over it to enter the Triangle (yeah, you can breathe underwater). You can easily avoid the enemies on this screen, which I'd recommend: the Schoolmates are fairly easy, but the Puffys can do some major damage, so watch out. The chest at the top right holds a Mythril, and the next screen is reached via the top left.

On this screen, first head to the lower left and follow the path for another Mythril. Go back to the entrance to this screen and now head to the top right. There are four enemies (two sets of Puffys and two of Schoolmates) circling a chest in the center of the screen. As soon as you get the chest (a Star Fragment) they'll all attack you one by one. Heal frequently while fighting the Puffys (their NeedleWork can do over 120 damage!) and use your strongest Elements, especially Green. When all four sets are gone, you're free to leave.

Save, then go to Sky Dragon Isle, at the left of the world map. Climb up to the center of the island, and examine the chest to start a boss fight. MegaStarky has a hell of a lot of HP, but his attacks are fairly lacklustre. Watch out for MeteorShower, though, as not only does it do moderate damage, it also causes Fatigue. He doesn't use it very often, though. When you win you'll get a MagNegate Element, then Starky will shrink and steal your Star Fragment! Run after him and catch him with the X button. If you're quick you can get him right away; otherwise just try to cut him off. When you catch him he'll join your party.

Finally, exit the island, then re-enter and go back to where you fought Starky. Talk to the man to get a new window frame, My Favorite Martian.

To end this bit, head back to Arni Village with Starky in your party. Bring him to the large sawfish on the first screen; he'll pick up the Plasma Pistol, which can be equipped on either him or Norris. All right, you're done with the optional part, now to advance the story.

Head to Marbule and go inside. Kind of empty...? Talk to the Great Explorer Toma and ask him both about the village and the Dead Sea. Now enter the house on the lower left (first one you see when you enter the village) and rest there. In the middle of the night you'll hear a sound; go investigate. You'll see a mermaid crying on the bridge, but she'll run away. When you try to leave Marbule, she'll speak to you. Your next destination is the S.S. Zelbess, near the northeastern edge of the map.

Here's an interesting segment. Not a lot of fighting, but a lot of fun. For starters, climb up to the deck (there's only one way to go) and enter the staircase to the right, leading down. Inside the first door you see is a lot of people talking about Nikki's concert, and Miki is looking out to sea. The next place you should head for is Fargo's room, which is up the short stairs to the left. The casino is just below his room; keep its location in mind. When you enter Fargo's room you'll see a scene with him and Irenes, but you can't do anything else right now. Go back to the hall and down the ladder.

First, check out the first door to your right for an interesting magic show with Sneff, an arthritic illusionist. Nothing else to see right now, so head out. (If you go back in, you'll see a familiar duo with a rather dull sideshow. 8p) The next door is locked, but the one after that has what you want. Ask the old man about the Marbule Sage... man, he seems elusive. Follow him out the door to see him walk past the pirate guarding the door to the Grand Slam... and you can't get in without Fargo's permission. Sigh, go ahead back to the captain's room and ask him.

Cap'n Fargo places a bet: entry to the Grand Slam against your boat! There's nothing else you can do, so go along with it. Go to the casino below. You can try to play your best, but you'll LOSE! And now you're stuck. He seems rather confident for a game of luck, no? Let's investigate. Head down the ladder again; this time go into the inn on the lower left. Something's up with that demi-human, but if you could move around like a cat it'd be easier, hmmm... Well, why don't we return to the magic show (first room to the right of the ladder) and find out?

Yep, you've now been turned into cats! (Harle has an interesting pattern on her fur, non, cherie?) You can escape Sneff, but let him catch you for an interesting bit of information. Either way, you're free to crawl around. First things first, head back to the inn, under the desk via the top edge of it, and up the stairs, to reveal that... Fargo's a lowdown cheater, yep, you got it. And get it, too: the handle of that machine, that is. Before you try to change back, though, head up the ladder again to the top floor. The cat will give you a tip. The kitchen (two doors from the right) is locked, but there's a cat door next to the door. Enter and talk to the cat to get the Monster Mouth window frame, and open the chest in the top right for a Frypan Ag47.

Now head out and right to the deck. Climb up the mast on the left all the way, then right (follow the cat) to reach Nikki's ship. Enter that top door to see a scene involving Nikki and Irenes. (You don't HAVE to see this event, but it's nice to do so.) You can also talk to Fargo in his room for another scene. Now you're done with your feline stint, go back to the magic room and enter the cat door on the right-hand side of the room to end up back in the staff room, where Sneff will restore you. (Talk to Solt and Peppor... er, Lank and Stout for a funnily funny conversation!) Head out and back to Fargo's room, challenge him again, go back to the casino, and now he'll lose big time. You've got your ship back, and access to the Grand Slam.

Save your game at the Inn if you like, then head back down the ladder and to the right to enter the Grand Slam. The actual Grand Slam is down the ladder here. I'd recommend not going there right now. You can win three items and get a new character, but I'd wait until Sprigg has learned some more morphs, as your current ones are all but useless. You can go here if you really want to see, though. For now, head out one of the doors leading outside. Keep following the Sage as he goes in and out and eventually he'll confront you. Ask him about the Dead Sea and tell him you'll fight him.

He's White-Elemental, so Lynx and Harle will do nicely here. Even if the other character isn't Black, Sage will cast TurnBlack and then PhotonBeam, guaranteed to do at least 150 HP of damage each time; heal up quickly. His attacks are medium-strength, but he's fast. When you win you'll get a Star and a Mythril Helmet, and he'll give you the Fiddler Crab. Nikki will also show up and follow the Sage out.

You're not done yet, though. Stop by the casino to see Sneff win it big, then go back to the staff room (now open) to get him to join your party. Now head back to the deck, climb up the mast again, and talk to the pirate to be shuttled to Nikki's ship. Enter the lower door for another scene. You don't HAVE to see this scene, but if you don't, you'll miss out on a LOT of good stuff, including the ability to make Rainbow equipment. Talk to Irenes to get her to join you as well; she's a pretty good character for now, and your first Blue Element with Lynx. Now you're free to leave the ship.

Memory Card Save: "Marbule - The village of the demi-humans..."
"The Masamune - The blood-stained sword of evil..." (after seeing the Masamune)
"The Dead Sea - A place forsaken by the gods..." (after beating Garai)

Take your ship until it's touching the lower left part of that huge circle of smoke that is the Dead Sea, then use the Fiddler Crab (move around a bit if it doesn't work) to open the path to Death's Door. Enter, but Radius will show up (if he's not in your party) and tell you that you can't get further without the Einlanzer. First go back to the Hermit's Hideout where you'll see a flashback. Wait for Radius to come back out and you'll get the Garai Keepsake. Now go east to the Isle Of The Damned. Take Harle out of your party if she's there!

Go up and around to the left and fight the WillO'Wisps. Notice when you beat it that there's a little flash and the door opens? Also notice that it comes back to life? There are two more doors on this screen, one at the top left and one at the bottom right, which are both closed. To get them to open, lure the WillO'Wisp towards you (you have to walk fairly close in front of it, otherwise it'll lose interest) and go to the door. If you touch it by mistake while trying to lure it, just run away from the battle. Fight it in the right spot, right in front of the door, and the door will open; there's a chest in each door. The top left one has an Earthquake Element (useful for Yellow innate characters) and the bottom right one has a Carapace. Go back to the left, brightly lit door.

All the doors here close in on themselves and become dead ends, besides for one. To get there, go down THROUGH the large spine near the right side of the screen to end up on the left side. Go up and use the Garai Keepsake to continue.

There's yet another WillO'Wisp here. There's also a weird-looking suit of armor at the bottom left. Lure the WillO'Wisp towards the armor and fight it there; the armor will come to life and attack you. It's not that tough. When you beat it you'll get a Golden Tiara. There's one more locked door (down the ladder to the right of the central door) which holds an Inferno (you may have a few already from fighting all those WillO'Wisps). Get it if you like, then head into the central door.

Examine the gravestone (man, that's spooky) for another scene with Radius, a flashback, and a fight with Garai. This guy is fast, strong, and will be particularly devastating to Lynx, so make sure the other two characters have the Revives. If you stole FreeFall off of the boss in Fort Dragonia, this will be a bit easier, as it does huge damage (all Black Elements do). Make sure to heal up Lynx (and anyone else) quickly! Once he starts crouching it's almost over, so go all out. When you win you'll get a Star and a Dragoon's Honour, plus the Einlanzer. (Glenn can equip this, but you don't have him right now...) Now you're ready to take on the Dead Sea, so prepare yourself and head out there!

The enemies here aren't particularly tough, and they're easily avoidable, to boot. You've entered a sort of mini-world map (you can save and use Tele-Porter and Smith Spirit wherever you want). Start by going up at the intersection for an AntiRed, then into the Highway Ruins. Ignore the staircase leading up and go north to the left of it. Climb up, turn right at the street to get a Screw. Go back to the left side and climb up again, go around left into the structure there for another Screw. Now go across the bridge to the right, and down the steps. Up leads to a Mythril, down leads to a valuable FreeFall Element... which will really make you fall, down back to the beginning, conveniently. Now take the staircase up and right. Go down for five Capsules, then back up for a boss battle with the Highwayman.

This guy isn't really all that tough. He's strong, but really slow. Use White Elements on him. He can cause Darkness, which is nasty because it prevents you from raising your Element Level, so you might want to equip some BlackOuts or Purifys. You'll get a Star when you win (and some characters will get a level 7 Element level!); head up to go back to the pseudo-world map.

Go down at the intersection for an AntiBlue, then left at the next one for an AntiYellow. Enter the City Ruins. Head right as soon as you can for a Resistance Belt (useful). Go down and left, and into the structure. There's a chest on the left side of the room with an Earring of Light (upgrade to the Gold Earring). Go up and push the red button. Norris (if he's not in your party, he'll show up) will interact with the screen and you'll see some familiar info there... now head out.

Go down a bit and right, and into the little structure here; poke around for some Kung-fu Shoes (but don't go further north or you'll fight a Geos). At the bottom left of the screen is a chest "guarded" by a Geos (you can go around it) which holds a Stamina Ring. Exit to the south. Back on the "map", go to the bottom left for an AntiGreen, then save your game and enter the Tower of Geddon.

Memory Card Save: "The Dead Sea - A place forsaken by the gods..."
"A Portal Reopened - And the planet began to shake..." (after beating Miguel)

Start by going up the first two staircases. Go left and around for a Feather. Now go back to the staircase, and right into the blue door. Go to the bottom right and talk to the Geos there, who'll walk up towards the steps. Follow him and pick up the Station Pass he dropped. Now go to the bottom right of the screen, go up, around, and down for a Purify Element. Go up along the right side of the screen, left, through the gates to the north, and stop off to the right for a HolyLight Element (great, but don't equip it just yet). Go into the blue door to the left and search at the bottom right for the Medical Book, which you'll use much later if you got Doc in your party before. Go back right, and use the tube south to get back to the main hall.

Go up the third staircase. Go right and around for a Mythril. Now go back and to the lower left, press the red switch, and select 1F. Go back down all three staircases and into the circular blue chamber to the left to pick up a Trashy Tiara. It's useless to equip, but you can disassemble it for a bunch of nice components. Finally, head back up the staircases into the blue door to the top left.

Lynx will see something here, weird... The Tragediennes here each have a "specialty" which they'll announce at the start of battle. This ranges from Fireball, to HolyLight and BlackHole, and even RecoverAll (healing your own party). If you're lucky you can trap some nice Elements, but I just say listen to the order of who does what and get the most dangerous ones first. They'll announce them in the order of A, B, C, D.

Start off by going to the bottom left, and follow the ramp to get a Feather. Now go up along the right side, and you'll reach an intersection shaped like an X (you just came up the lower right end). Top right leads to a Prop Sword in a green area (you'll use it much later if you got Pierre before), bottom left leads to a HealAll, and top left leads out.

Follow the path till you reach a large circle thing; Lynx will have another vision. First go left, up the ladder, and up the next ladder. Hold left (walk into the light, my child...) and keep pressing X to search for a Mythril. Go back down one ladder, then all the way to the right for a SealAll. Return to the circle thing, and go up to exit.

You'll see a nasty sight here... all the Dragoons from this world, frozen in time forever. Gives me shivers, brrr... Head to the top left, then bottom left for a Diminish (which you might want to equip for the next battle). Then head through the portal at the top. It'll remain open if you should want to return (if you missed anything, you can't return to the Dead Sea once you finish the level!)

Now go to the right to see a save point and a familiar friend, an Enertron, which will heal HP and status effects. Start by going straight up (all the kids are there now) then right and up for a Screwy Dress. Go back to the start of the room, this time go left around the center, head left before the exit for a HellBound Element. Save your game if you haven't, then head up into the final screen. Examine the tablet on the left side of the structure here for a very long scene to pan out, after which you'll end up fighting Miguel.

This guy is TOUGH. He uses StrongMinded on himself and WeakMinded and AntiBlack on you. His HolyDragSwd is very nasty against one character, especially Lynx (make sure the Revives are on the other characters!) Bring along lots of Yellow and Red Elements in case he casts AntiBlack on you - and lots of healing. Watch out when he's critical: he'll cast MeteorShower and HolyLight soon after - heal up after MeteorShower right away! He has a high evade stat as well, so good luck... there's some of that too (luck) involved in this fight. When you win you'll get a Star and a Dreamer's Scarf.

Another scene/FMV, and you'll end up on Marbule's island. But guess what: Opassa Beach is open to your Astral Amulet now, and you can now buy Stone equipment via your Smith Spirit (d'oh, don't have any Denadorite yet...). Anyway, for advancing the story, head back to Opassa Beach and use the Astral Amulet. You'll get another interesting scene, then go back to Arni to find that... everyone's hiding from... Serge! Lucky you're not him any more. You'll have to return to Fossil Valley, as it won't let you through.

Memory Card Save: "A Portal Reopened - And the planet began to shake..."
"Back to Viper Manor - A captive audience awaits..." (after getting Karsh/Zoah)

Before heading to Fossil Valley, make sure to stop off in Arni. Examine the pile that the Element/equipment seller used to be next to for your first Rainbow Shell. You can't use it yet (and not at all for quite a while) though. Fossil Valley has absolutely nothing new besides different (harder) enemies. Your main problem lies in Termina, where the Porre military has taken over the town.

Head into the bar, where the bar lady will unlock the door on the left which has been locked the whole game. Go to the far left of this small room, face up, and press X to enter a secret room. When you try to explore it, though, you're cornered by Karsh and Zoah! Don't worry, they're on your side now. They tell you your next goal: to break into Viper Manor and rescue Riddel. One of them will tag along to help you. I recommend Karsh, since he has higher stats and you'll want a strong Green Element along with you. You'll get the other one eventually, no worries. One last thing, take Van to his "other" house here and have him talk to his "other" father. He'll get a bigger piggybank (this affects his L.7 PiggyBoink technique, when he gets it). Also, if you didn't get Greco yet, stop by his house (left, then down from the main screen) for him to join you. (If he already joined you when you had Serge, he won't do it now.) If you happened to have collected all of Skelly's parts but didn't have him join you, you can do that now too (upper right house on the main screen) That's it for now, try leaving town to see a scene with this world's Norris; you can now enter Viper Manor yet again.

Enemies: Spearfisher, Lantern Jaw, Roachester, Hell's Cook, Porre PVT, Porre SGT, Grobyc, Guillot

New Characters: NeoFio (if you missed her before); Orcha, Grobyc, Riddel, Viper, Fargo, Marcy; Karsh OR Zoah; Pip (Phew!)

Memory Card Save: "Back to Viper Manor - A captive audience awaits..."
"Surprise Attack!!! - Pursuers with heavy-hearts..." (after rescuing Riddel)
"To the Sea of Eden - Through the hidden holes in time..." (after the Dragoons join you)

Well, we're back. You can explore a bit (if you got NeoFio before, check the balcony for a funny scene... she still won't join you yet, though. If you have the Life Sparkle but didn't have her join you, you can get her to join now by using it on the flower in the balcony.) Your first destination is the Parlor (leftmost door on the first floor). I'm not sure if you can open it without the Parlor Key, which is in the basement on the left side of the screen (which you should have gotten after you finished the manor the first time). Anyway, Norris gives you the Prison Key here. Head down to the lower floor (you can save in the leftmost door if needs be) and press X next to the floor hatch to go inside.

If you did the Viper Manor Sewers section back in Home World this should look familiar to you (in fact, I'll be cutting and pasting from that section later, dum-de-dum...) The enemies are Spearfishers here, though. They can freeze you, so get them with Red Elements as quick as you can. Anyway, at the very start you can't do anything but be washed downstream by the waterfall. For starters, wade in the water to the lower right exit and kick the grate there, dislodging the chest; you can get it later. For now, go to the island of land near the top right and push the barrel into the water. Now go to the lower left, onto the large land mass, up and around, and push the second barrel in. The chest behind the white bunkers holds a Humour. The barrels will form a bridge leading to the blue staircase to the left. Go in and tighten the valve to stop the water flow. Head to the top left of the screen (stop off and get the submerged Denadorite, your first one) and then climb the ladder at the top left.

You're back in the lower floor. Save your game in the leftmost door if you want (use your Smith Spirit to make a Stone Mail with your new Denadorite), then go into the kitchen (second from left). Head to the top left and go in that grate. Enter the water stream, then hold right to get to the top path. The chest here holds a valuable Magic Seal; ignore the blob for now. Re-enter the water stream and hold right again to enter the lower path.

Go up (going down leads back to the previous screen), then right, down, and right; the chest at the upper right holds a Nimble Element. Go to the middle of the horizontal path along the bottom and jump in the water. Go left and up to the same valve you saw before and open it. Go down and right; you'll be ambushed by Roachester. It's not that tough a monster; it has some fair single- and multi-attacks, but has low HP and speed. You shouldn't have to heal very often. When you beat it you'll get a Star and an Elbow Pad. Head right and up the ladder to reach three more ladders. Your aim is the far right one, but try the other two first for the hell of it. 8-)

Head to the far right for a save point; redistribute your Elements, make sure you have strong Blue, White, and especially Green Elements. Now enter the far right door. You'll start a battle with the Hell's Cook. This guy has some nasty Red magic, so use Blue Elements to keep the field effect in your favor. He can heal his HP but not by a lot. It'll take longer than you're used to, but it's not too bad. Another Star when you win, Orcha will join your party, and you'll end up in the front hall. However, trying to leave in the front door yields no response, and both sides are blocked by Porre PVTs. Going up to the next floor is the only option.

When you reach the next floor you'll start a battle with two Porre PVTs and a Porre SGT. They're a laugh; a single FeralCats from Lynx can get them all at once. Next is a fight with Grobyc, which is a bit harder. He has high Stamina (can attack several times) and strong techs, both single and multi. Plus he can heal himself for a fair bit of HP, but doesn't do it very often. He's a bit slow. When he's low on HP he'll use Vigora, which means his next move will be an attack - which he can do up to 8 or 9 times in a row! Watch out. Use White Elements as much as possible. You'll get yet another Star when you win, but you'll be thrust into a battle with Guillot.

This is a one-trick pony; he uses a strong single tech which will probably leave a character as critical. Heal up quickly and blast it with Green Elements. It's easier than it looks, because this guy has only 1000 HP. When you win you'll be thrust into deja vu as you remember the X-ATM monster from FF8. You can't run away from this one, though! You'll fight it one more time before finishing. After a scene, Grobyc will join your party and you'll end up outside the Manor, with... a BOAT!! No explorations just yet, save your game and do some more story junk first. If you really really like Harle, save in a different slot.

Take your boat to Hermit's Hideaway. Riddel will join your party when you talk to her. After another scene you'll come to on the S.S. Invincible (the new headquarters for the Acacia Dragoons). Go inside to get a slough of new characters (all three Devas plus Viper and Fargo). You'll then make your way to the Dead Sea (de-equip Harle of any goodies), where Harle tells you your next bit of gameplay: beating the six Dragons and getting the Dragon Tear. It doesn't matter what you say when she asks her question. If you have Starky, a cute (and sad) sequence will play out and Harle will disappear at the end of it; if not, she'll just disappear. 8-( Nope, she never comes back.

One final thing, in case you want to: head back into the S.S. Invincible and enter the far right room on the bottom floor, where Pip will re-join you. If you're building him up, you'll want him as early as possible, so go ahead. 8-) Your next destination (although the game isn't as clear about it) is Guldove in Another World. By the way, put Fargo in your party now and never take him out, as he can steal from enemies.

As soon as you enter Guldove you'll be thrust into a battle with Orlha. You can steal Kung-fu Shoes off of her if you want. She can be tough (she has strong single techs) but she's weak against Red Elements. Your biggest pain is her extremely high Evade rate, so cast Numble on her or EagleEye on yourself to ease things up. The fight won't last very long, but keep healed up anyway. When you win she'll give you her Sapphire Brooch. Finally, stop off at Shaman Direa's tent and show her the Tear of Hate to get the Dragon Emblem, which you'll need later on.

From now till Chronopolis, the story is very open and exploration-based. There are six Dragons to beat (some of which have lengthy dungeons, others of which don't), plus several optional quests, before you take on Fort Dragonia. Some people like just clearing out the Dragons' dungeons, plus Fort Dragonia, before taking on the Dragons themselves; this may prove easier (especially Fort Dragonia, as you get tons of nice Elements). However, I'll just list the six Dragons, then Mount Pyre and Fort Dragonia, with the optional quests inserted at what I think are good points to do them; I tried to minimize all the traveling between worlds while making sure the easier battles come first so you're buffed up enough to handle the later ones. But remember that none of this is set in stone; you can do it in any order whatever.

Now some notes about the six Dragons. Each Dragon has a differently-themed quest, but they're each the same: they have high HP and magic power, and they absorb their respective Elements. The battles will be long, but generally not too hard. You can (and should!) steal a colored Plate off them; this Plate is an armor which lets you also absorb those Elements. Definitely steal the Green Plate if nothing else. This means you have to take Fargo with you. Actually, there's another plus to that - Fargo can use the FrogPrince summon, the only one usable at the moment. Finally, when you beat each Dragon you'll get a Star, a Level 8 summon spell, and a Relic. You can do them in any order; my order is purely arbitrary. Again, I've interspersed side quests among here as well to minimize traveling around.

Note: One thing you may want to do first is the Viper Manor sequence in Another World before taking on any of the dragons. That'll get you Karsh's L.7 technique, a Forget-me-not Pot, and you can finish the Mastermune quest (see White Dragon) any time before the Black Dragon without having to travel back and forth. Also, I'll be noting when you can grab some strong monsters for Sprigg's monster list; you'll need it to get Janice in the Green Dragon segment.

Start by heading to Guldove in the Home World. Use the Dragon Emblem on the guy in front of the shaman's tent to go in and talk to her. She'll tell you to get the six Dragon Relics, then come back. Let's get started, shall we? But first we'll take a short detour: Take Riddel to the Forbidden Island in Home World. This island doesn't show up on the map, but it's located at the top right of the main island (there's some smoke coming out of it). Go into the hut there and talk to the man. This is the start of the legendary Mastermune quest.

More optional stuff: L.7 techniques for Orcha and NeoFio. For Orcha, take him to Home Arni, go into the pub (lower left house), go behind the bar, and talk to the pub owner, Belcha. For NeoFio: Take her to Sky Dragon Isle (Home) and talk to the octopus there. Leave the screen, come back, and talk to it again (push it around a bit). OK, we're done; on to the Yellow Dragon.

The Water Dragon is in exactly the same place he was during the Ice Breath quest, in Home Water Dragon Isle. Check that section for treasures if you missed them. (To get straight past the lilies, go up, top left, top right, top right.) The dwarves have been replaced with Lagoonates (not tough) and you'll have to beat a Sidesteppa to gain access to the dragon's lair (not tough either). Have Sprigg in your party (or equip a Forget-me-not Pot) while fighting a Sidesteppa to put it in her list.

Again, ask for the Dragon's blessing to start the battle. It shouldn't be too bad. Steal with Fargo and use Infernos and MagmaBlasts to whittle him down. His attacks shouldn't do more than 100 HP to all characters at most, and he's rather slow. Heal when necessary and keep bashing away at him to be victorious and win the BlueWhale summon and Blue Relic. Head out of here and on to the Yellow Dragon.

Head to Earth Dragon Isle in Home World. For starters, head right up the sand dune to pick up five Capsules. Now go north and fall in the quicksand. Head right against the flow; a Fossicker is guarding a chest to the south, which holds a Mythril. The Fossickers don't have a lot of HP, but watch out when they set a bomb in front of a character. You can't hit the bomb until the Fossicker is dead, and make sure the bomb-set character is defending when you hit it!

Anyway, go all the way down and try to move the RockRoach blocking the lower left; you can't. Go back up the ladder to the right and into the sand boil to exit. Now leave the island and come back in. Go back in the quicksand; this time head left to pick up another Mythril, then fall down again. Talk to the man in front of the now open exit for the Explosive. Head south.

Here, go left to pick up a Denadorite, then go all the way right. Examine the RockRoach, then use an Explosive on it. Now go left to another RockRoach. This one is of no use to you unless you attack it when it's just on the little ledge to the right. By this point the RockRoaches aren't that strong, but they have a bit more HP than usual. Have Sprigg defeat it or equip a Forget-me-not Pot if possible; it's a good addition to her list (for that matter, the other enemies, Fossicker and YellowBelly, are as well). Push it over the ledge once you've defeated it. Now head down and hang a right to pick up another Denadorite. Go back left and down into the main sand floor. Head to the bottom right and defeat the RockRoach, then push it right into the hole. A new sand boil will open near the center of the floor; jump in, then exit to the lower right.

Save and equip yourself with Green and Blue Elements; you should also have enough Denadorites for a full set of Stone equipment for your active party by now. Walk right. Tell the Earth Dragon you want his blessing to start the battle. I don't know if it was just me, but this guy was a major pushover; his only two attacks were physical attacks (not very strong, compared to Red/Black Dragons) and GiddyBreath, which makes someone Dizzy. In fact, he uses Elements so rarely, you can even turn the field effect all blue and let Fargo use FrogPrince against him! Keep hammering at him and he'll surrender his ThundaSnake summon and Yellow Relic. Save, go back out to the top left, and jump back in the sand boil from your current location. Head to the top-left and out of the island. Next up is the Green Dragon.

Stock up on Antidotes (you'll need them) and some Trap Carnivores, then head to Hydra Marshes (Home). Go back to where you fought the Beeba before (left, then up). The Beeba will attack you again, but this time you can cream it before it calls its friends. It'll give you the Beeba Flute and an Ancient Fruit when you finish with it (unless you already have either of them). Save, then go right to where the other Beeba stands and blow the Flute. A Wingapede will appear and take you to Gaea's Navel.

Leah will temporarily join your party here (she'll leave if you blow the flute and leave the island). I say put her in your party, since she's strong and a Yellow Element. And it's funny how she stacks up to your party given that she's only four feet tall. 8-) Anyway, your ultimate goal is to get the Tyrano to show up. First, though, let's do some exploration. About the monsters here: The Prehysterics can confuse you, so always get them first. The PreyMantises can and will poison you; either use Purifies or wait till after battle and use Antidotes. You can steal some nice items off of basically all the enemies here. Using Sprigg or Forget-me-not Pot once on the PreyMantises is a good idea, because they're strong.

For starters, head to the top right, behind the huge tree, then double back to the top left to pick up a Denadorite. (Beat both PreyMantises on the way.) Go back to the lower left of the screen and climb the tree here. There's a Green Brooch, but you'll be attacked by a Pterodact when you get it. They're tougher than most enemies here, but you shouldn't have problems. Climb back down and head right. Climb the moss on the tree at the bottom right and head right to the next screen.

Head right, down the ladder, and across the bridge. Climb up to the chest and pick it up for a Denadorite, protected by another Pterodact. Go back down and to the lower right. First head right to the next screen and pick up another Denadorite, guarded by a Prehysteric this time. Go back left to the last screen, and down the ladder. Go left for yet another Denadorite, then right to the next screen again.

First head right all the way for yet another Denadorite, then back left and up the ladder. First head top-right and pick up the Denadorite (dodge or fight the Prehysteric), then back. Go up the tree to the left of the save point and follow it left for your last Denadorite; you'll be attacked by a Pterodact again. Go back down. You can save here and make more Stone equipment (like an axe for Leah) if needs be. If you're ready to fight the boss, head right.

If the Tyrano doesn't appear, make sure you've beaten the two PreyMantises on this screen, and beaten the Pterodact on each of the three screens. (They'll appear when you pick up a lone chest near the top of the screen.) Save your game, then return to the starting screen. Walk up to start your battle. Get the Pterodact first (even better, use multiple-target Elements) and then concentrate on the Tyrano. If you have Fargo, you can steal an excellent Power Seal off of him. Use Water Elements. He has only one really nasty attack, which can take off over 150 HP even at high levels like I was at. Be careful, heal when necessary, and you'll beat him and net yourself a Star and a Resistance Ring. Leah will run north and you'll follow her.

As soon as you gain control of your character, go back down and left to save, then return to this screen. (If you accidentally start the battle, you can run away.) Walk up and talk to the Green Dragon to start your fight. This one is weirder than most, but not tough if you know what's going on. The Green Dragon has only two attacks. One, he'll use Bad Breath, which will cause random status effects. You can use Purifies, but most status effects aren't too bad. Frozen, Darkness and Confuse are really the only ones you need to worry about. Second, he'll use GreenField to turn the field effect green, then he'll keep using Carnivores. You can trap the Carnivores if you like, then just use any non-Green Element to get him to stop. You may have to keep using level 1 and 2 Elements if he does this too often, since he's fairly quick. When he gets critical status (he'll start looking like he's drunk) he'll cast HealPlus on himself; just keep duking it out and heal yourself in turn. When you finish, you'll get your Genie summon and your Green relic. Plus Leah will permanently join your party! Time to finish up the Janice side quest; we're almost done with Home World.

Enemies: Gloop, Beeba, Taurminator, Spearfisher, Cybot, Gobledygook, Airframe, Cassowary, Cuscus

First, take a trip into Mount Pyre (Home). Have Sprigg defeat a Taurminator (or equip Forget-me-not Pot) to add it to her list. You should now have three very strong enemies for Sprigg (Taurminator, Sidesteppa, RockRoach) as well as some pretty good ones (Lagoonate, Fossicker, YellowBelly, PreyMantis). Take your buffed up monsters to the S.S. Zelbess at Home and enter the Grand Slam (through the right-facing door on the lower level and down the ladder). Talk to the man at the top right to enter a battle using your monsters.

Those monsters you have should make the battle fairly easy. Distribute one very strong enemy per fight and the other pretty good ones throughout. Every round you win you'll get another accessory: first a Stamina Belt, then Resistance Belt, then Dreamer's Scarf, plus Janice will join you when you've beaten her three times. Now take her to the Bend of Time (it's the little island between the main island and Marbule) and talk to the land octopus to get her L.7 technique, What'sUpDoc. OK, we're done, time to find the Black Dragon!

There's a right way and a wrong way to do this. The wrong way is if you didn't talk to Nikki on his ship from the S.S. Zelbess before, and didn't get Irenes in your party. If you take Fargo to himself on the Zelbess, nothing will happen, and visiting the Black Dragon in Marbule will mean you'll get the Black Relic without a fight, and Home Marbule will remain in its ghostly state. (This means you miss out on a character, a weapon, three techniques, and you can never get Rainbow equipment.) Now here's the right way to do it.

Do talk to Nikki on his ship after the S.S. Zelbess segment and get Irenes in your party. Now take Fargo to his other self on the Zelbess (Home World). Nikki will stage a very cool concert, and you'll end up on Home Marbule, where all the monsters are now solid. (Fargo will get his L.7 tech, Invincible, before you get there.) You can leave if you want (to stock up/change characters etc.) but do so before killing any monsters, because when you leave they all regenerate. Your goal is to kill them all. This is easy if you have a few Inferno Elements (you might have gotten them from the WillO'Wisps on Home Isle Of The Damned). Your field effect starts off with two Reds, so the fights should be short. Another way is to let them make the field effect all blue and then let Fargo unleash a FrogPrince! You'll get Shiny Dews this way, too. 8-) There are about eight monster sets wandering around outside, and two inside the Black Dragon's cave at the top left. It's tedious, but not tough.

When they're all dead, head back to the S.S. Zelbess and into the first door inside; talk to Miki to get her to join you. Now head to Marbule in Another World; the Black Dragon has woken up. First, enter Marbule with all demihumans (anybody besides a real human, including Grobyc, Pip, and Skelly, count as demihumans). Talk to the first blue guy to the left to get the Valencian Cloth window frame. Go out and save, prepare yourself, then reenter and talk to the Black Dragon in the upper left cave to start your battle.

This guy's actually one of the easiest Dragons, mostly because his Black Element attacks don't hurt Lynx so much. Plus he's fairly weak physically. He can cause blindness, which can be annoying, so bring some BlackOuts or (better) Purifies. You can't use Lynx's techs against him, but anything else goes. You can trap FreeFall from him. When you win, you'll get the GrimReaper summon and the Black Relic. Another side quest next!

Take Zoah and Norris to Viper Manor (Another). (By the way, for quite a while you'll need Norris in your party to enter Viper Manor.) First off, go down the well and get the submerged treasure chest (you knocked it down from the sewers, remember?) for a Deluge. Now head into the manor. Talk to the other Norris in the leftmost room on the first floor for his level 7 technique, TopShot. Put Zoah at the front of your party and examine the chest in the rightmost door of the first floor for HIS L.7 tech, Toss&Spike. Now head downstairs.

In the rightmost door, go to the top left and examine the pillar there to uncover a switch. Hit it. If you haven't yet, take the Decor Shield from the wall and put it on the statue without a shield to fight it, which disarms a trap. Now move the viper statue you see into the notch near the wall (opposite the statue already set). The door will open. Go in to get Viper's Venom, a sword just for Viper, and your first Rainbow Shell, which you can't use yet.

Finally, if you so wish, go back upstairs to the library and snoop around behind the desk there. You'll discover a secret passage, to a very familiar-looking room. A Beach Bum here (yeah, they DO look like Nu...) will give you the Porre's Furnace window frame, and will change the name of the character in front of the party if you like (the only one he can't change is Lynx).

While you're here, let's continue the sidequest from the Forbidden Island. Head out to the east wing (where the Guillot was guarding before). Put all four snake statues in their spots (this is really easy) and a chest will appear. Pick it up from BEHIND (doing it from front will drop you back into that damn trap) to get a message. Let's follow up!

Take Karsh to the Isle of the Damned in Another World. Go back to where you fought Garai before. (Pass by the door leading there and head to the bottom right and in the little cave to pick up a new Revenge Element.) Now go in for another scene and a battle with Solt and Peppor. They're a bit more buffed up than before, but still not too tough. Get rid of Solt first, then go after Peppor. Peppor will use HiRes so he'll go down slower, plus he can use Earthquake now - although it's weaker than it looks. You can steal a Forget-Me-Not Pot from Peppor, which is useful when you eventually hit the New Game+. When you beat them you'll get two Denadorites (or Stone Mails), as well as Karsh's MementoPendant (the best Magic Defense item in the regular game) and his L.7 tech, Axiomatic.

We'll finish this subquest much later. In the meantime, let's do another side quest!

This is probably the longest mini-quest which nets almost no reward... but if you missed the Green Tinkler earlier on, this is the only way to explore Another Hydra Marshes, and so get NeoFio and Skelly. Also, Denadorites are always useful. I'm fairly certain you need to finish the Green Dragon quest before you can do this.

Pack some Antidotes, then head to Another Hydra Marshes. Go left and up (the way you went to fight the Wingapede, if you took Korcha's path). A Beeba is being beset by two Goblins; help him out (the fight's a joke) to get an Ancient Fruit. Go up and save if you wish, then head one screen to the right. On the little outcropping leaning out to the right, blow the Beeba Flute. A Wingapede will appear and take you to Gaea's Navel.

There isn't anything here story-wise (although the Home version is another story) but there is a bit of treasure. You really don't have to fight any enemies here at all (you can avoid them) other than one fight for a window frame. Anyway, back to the treasure:

First go down and one screen right to reach a Denadorite, then head back left and left again (so two screens left). Follow the path to the left for another Denadorite. Go back right a bit, down the small ladder, and right for another Denadorite. Go back left and keep going left to the next screen. Go up the ladder, and head to the top left to eventually reach another Denadorite. Go back to the main path and right a bit to a little crossroads; go north here and up the tree. Fight the Prehysterics here (watch out, they can confuse you) to get the Snakes & Orbs window frame. You're done here, so head left one screen and down the little curvy climbing path on the large tree to get back to the start. Go up towards the top part of the screen (just a bit left of the large light-colored rock) and blow the Beeba Flute again to head back to Hydra Marshes.

Go left and save if you wish, then head right and up to see a large hole in the floor. Jump down it. Everyone will sprain their ankle, but they'll go right into a battle. Don't worry about healing, because this guy is quite pathetic. You'll win a FreeFall when you beat him, plus get the HydraShadow technique which you should just keep around for now (you don't have the character it belongs to yet). Pick up the chest below you for a Pendragon Sigil B. To leave the marshes, you'll have to go the long way up and around to the right, then down and left; see the earlier section for details. OK, we're done with the sidequest. On to the Red Dragon.

Head to Mount Pyre in Another World. The end has collapsed in, so you can't go through, but that's not where you're headed. All the enemies are wusses by now, so breeze by them. If you have the Ice Breath, as before, this is easier... but even without it it's easier than before, because you now have a Dreamer's Scarf! Equip it on someone, put RecoverAll in his L.1 slot, and use it at the start of battles to avoid using up consumable Elements. Anyway:

Go to the top left and exit north, then hang a right. In the next room, go down, then towards the top right (this passage was closed before). First off, you can climb up the lava flow on the left. Pick up the Pendragon Sigil A in the submerged chest, then use Ice Breath (if you have it). Go across the little bridge for a Poultice Cap. Now go back down the lava flow and exit north. Load up on Blue Elements (and I mean that; make every attack Element you have Blue). Talk to the little guy to start the fight.

His current form is exactly the same as before, but that doesn't mean he can't hit Fargo for over 100 HP worth of damage! (You can't steal the Red Plate from this form.) He has low HP, though, so finish this form off quickly. He'll change into the REAL Red Dragon. Now, if you have Fargo, this fight may be extremely difficult but for one trick, akin to the Dario trick but simpler. Every time you attack him with a Blue Element he'll counter with a fairly weak fire attack (only takes off 40 HP from Fargo, and he's a Blue innate!) Keep doing this and he'll never have a chance to pull out the big guns. You can trap an Inferno from him (but he won't cast it if he keeps doing this attack - don't worry, they're easy to come by). If he does squeeze in his major attack, use HealAll immediately! You'll get the Salamander summon and the Red Relic when you win.

If this was your fifth Dragon as it was mine, several characters will now gain Level 7 techniques! Lynx, Leah, Radius, Miki, Van, and Sneff will learn their techniques. Enjoy them! Time to go for the last Dragon...

The Sky Dragon is sitting pretty on Sky Dragon Isle (Another), but won't fight you unless you've done the other five Dragons first. And be prepared, 'cause he's tough. He uses Magnify followed by very strong White Elements which hit the whole party, he's very strong physically, and he heals himself with HolyHealing. Keep the Black Elements coming (Lynx's new ForeverZero works nicely) and have lots of HealAlls and CureAlls around. If Lynx has the Mastermune, just his regular attacks will do some major damage here! You'll get your Saints summon and your White Relic and you have now finished the six Dragons! Now what, you ask? Back to Home Guldove.

Go left, up, and left and show the guard in front of the shaman's tent the Dragon Emblem you got in Another Guldove. Enter and talk to Steena. Now that you've gotten all six Relics, she'll join you and give you the Dragon Tear. (If you got the HydraShadow tech before, give it to her now.) You can either skip to Mount Pyre, or finish off the Mastermune quest; you should be able to do so fairly easily now.

Finally, it's time to finish up our Mastermune quest. Put Riddel in your party and head back to the Forbidden Island in Home World. A scene will play out, plus a battle with the one and only Dario. Dario is widely considered to be the hardest fight in the game. If you want to beat him the traditional way you'll either have to steal the Black Plate off of the Black Dragon and give it to Riddel, or wait quite a while until you're buffed up enough to take him on (at least after Chronopolis). However, there's a cheat (thanks to Carpe Diem for this hint).

Dario is programmed to counter any Element with another Element. White and Black Elements lead to attack spells, but attacking him with any other color leads to status attacks of the opposite color, as follows:
Red => Numble; Blue => Weaken; Yellow => BatEye; Green => LoRes. The most harmless of these are Numble and LoRes, so equip your characters with LOTS of Green and Red attack Elements. Have every character use one of them every turn (attack, then use an Element with your last Stamina point). He'll spend all his time using useless status attacks, and, although the battle will be long, you'll win easily.

When you do win, Lynx will get an excellent weapon, the Mastermune (restores HP during battle!), plus Riddel will get her L.7 tech, SnakeFangs. The Mastermune makes the next few boss battles a hell of a lot easier.

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