FF1 Pixel Walkthrough

Complete Guide - Pixel Remaster

Cornelia and Chaos Shrine

Chapter stats: 3 Chests | 12 New Enemies | 1 Boss

Your four Warriors of Light start south of Cornelia with 500 Gil. The goal of this chapter is simple: rescue Princess Sarah from the Chaos Shrine to the north, defeat Garland, and unlock the bridge.

Starting position south of Cornelia on the world map

Cornelia Town

You start with 500 Gil. Spend it across the four shops before heading to the castle.

Cornelia town map with shop locations

Where to spend your 500 Gil:

  • Armor Shop: Chain Mail (80 Gil) for your Warrior, Leather Armor (50 Gil) for anyone else who can wear it
  • White Magic Shop: Cure (100 Gil) for your White Mage or Red Mage
  • Black Magic Shop: Fire (100 Gil) for your Black Mage or Red Mage
  • Item Shop: Spend the rest on Potions (60 Gil each)

Fire is the clear pick for Black Magic. Most enemies in the Chaos Shrine are undead or weak to it, and it will outperform physical attacks from your caster by a wide margin. Cure is non-negotiable for healing. Skip the weapon shop unless your Thief needs a Rapier. Monks deal solid damage bare-handed and only get stronger as they level up.

Cornelia Castle

Walk north from town to the castle. Talk to the guard at the gate and he will let you through to the King's throne room. The King asks you to rescue his daughter Princess Sarah from Garland, a rogue knight who has taken her to the Chaos Shrine.

Cornelia Castle throne room -- the King sends you to rescue Princess Sarah

Two locked rooms on the first floor hold Iron Armor, a Tent, the Nitro Powder, a Cottage, a Saber, and a Mythril Knife. All six require the Mystic Key, which you will not have for several chapters. Leave them for now and come back during the Elfheim chapter.

Grind south of town until level 3 before heading to the Chaos Shrine. Goblins and Wolves go down fast, and the Inn costs only 30 Gil per rest. Level 3 is enough for a comfortable win over Garland. Level-ups do not restore HP or MP, so always rest at the Inn before heading north.

Chaos Shrine

Walk north past the bridge to the large gray shrine. The overworld encounters get tougher on the route. Warg Wolves hit harder than anything near Cornelia, and Werewolves deal roughly double the damage. Keep your HP above 20 between fights.

Chest locations (grab these before fighting Garland):

  • Northwest room: Potion, Tent
  • Southwest room: Leather Cap

Put the Leather Cap on your White Mage or Black Mage. The two east rooms are locked and require the Mystic Key. They hold a Werebuster, Gold Needle, and Rune Blade. Come back for them during the Elfheim chapter.

Ghouls are the biggest threat inside. They can paralyze a party member, and if that lands on your healer it is usually a reset. Skeletons, Zombies, and Ghouls are all undead, so Fire and Dia deal heavy damage against them. Save at least two Fire casts for the boss. If you run low on HP or MP, walk back to Cornelia and rest. It is a short trip.

Boss -- Garland

Garland stands at the center altar with Princess Sarah. Talk to him to start the fight.

Garland holding Princess Sarah at the altar inside the Chaos Shrine Garland boss sprite

Boss Stats:

  • HP: 212
  • Attack: Physical only, 15-25 damage per hit
  • Weakness: None
  • Resistance: None

Strategy: Have your fighters attack each turn while your Black Mage opens with Fire. White Mage heals anyone who drops below 30 HP. Garland deals no magic damage and has no elemental tricks. At level 3 the fight takes 3 to 4 rounds.

Rewards: 130 EXP, 250 Gil

Full Garland boss guide

Rescuing Princess Sarah

After the fight, Sarah teleports your party back to Cornelia Castle. The King orders the bridge north of town rebuilt, and Sarah gives you the Lute. The Lute has no obvious use yet, but keep it. You will need it to access the sealed floor of the Chaos Shrine at the very end of the game.

Princess Sarah teleports the party back to Cornelia Castle after defeating Garland

Sarah's teleport does not restore HP or MP. Head back to Cornelia, rest at the Inn, and stock up on Potions. Grab a few Antidotes too since enemies past the bridge can poison. Cross the bridge when ready and follow the coast east toward Pravoka.

Crossing the bridge north of Cornelia toward Pravoka

CHAPTER COMPLETE

Collectibles this chapter: 3 Chests | 12 Enemies | 1 Boss

Navigation: Next: Pravoka