FF1 Pixel Walkthrough

Complete Guide - Pixel Remaster

H1: Melmond and the Cavern of Earth

Chapter stats: 28 Chests | 15 New Enemies | 2 Bosses

Sail through the canal and head west along the southern coast of the western continent to reach Melmond. The earth here is rotting and the town is barely surviving. The Cavern of Earth is the source of the corruption. Your goal is to descend five floors, defeat Vampire and Lich, and restore the Earth Crystal.

H2: Melmond Town

Melmond's magic shop sells Level 5 spells -- the strongest available up to this point.

Magic to buy in Melmond:

  • White Magic: Curaga -- upgraded healing that replaces Cura as your main recovery spell for the rest of the game
  • White Magic: Life -- revives a fallen party member at 1 HP. Non-negotiable. Do not enter the Cavern of Earth without it
  • White Magic: Diaga -- upgraded Dia, devastating against undead. The Cavern of Earth is packed with them
  • Black Magic: Firaga -- top-tier fire damage for your Black Mage or Red Mage

Curaga, Life, and Firaga are the top priority purchases. Diaga is worth buying if your Gil allows.

Gold Needles: Buy several from the Item Shop before entering the Cavern of Earth. Cockatrices inside can petrify party members. Gold Needle cures stone status immediately. Entering the dungeon without a supply of them is a serious risk -- a petrified fighter or healer is effectively out of the fight.

H2: Cavern of Earth -- First Visit (B1 to B3)

The cave has five floors but B4 and B5 are locked on your first visit. You need the Earth Rod from Sarda to open them. Your first run goes to B3.

Chest highlights across B1-B3:

  • Tents and Potions scattered across B1 and B2
  • Copper Gauntlet and other armor pieces in side rooms on B2
  • The Star Ruby on B3 -- required to reach Sarda

Vampire guards the Star Ruby. Defeat him and collect it before leaving the cave.

Boss: Vampire

  • HP: 280
  • Attack: Physical hits plus drain attacks that restore his HP
  • Weakness: Fire, Dia

Strategy: Open with Firaga and Diaga. Vampire crumbles against Fire and holy damage. Your fighters deal physical damage each turn. The drain attacks sting but cannot keep pace with the burst you put out. The fight takes 2 to 3 rounds at level 12 or higher.

Reward: Star Ruby

H2: Giant's Cave and Sarda

Exit the Cavern of Earth and travel north along the western coast. The Giant's Cave entrance is guarded by a giant who only steps aside for someone carrying the Star Ruby. Give it to him and walk through.

Sarda the sage waits at the back of the cave. He gives you the Earth Rod. Return to the Cavern of Earth.

H2: Cavern of Earth -- Second Visit (B4 to B5)

Use the Earth Rod on the sealed door on B3 to open the lower floors. B4 and B5 are longer and harder than the upper levels with stronger enemies and the bulk of the chapter's chest count.

Chest highlights across B4-B5:

  • Silver Armlet and Copper Bracelet -- upgrades for your mages
  • Zeus Gauntlet and other high-value equipment in deeper side rooms
  • Multiple Potions and a Cottage on B4 -- rest before descending to B5

Lich waits at the end of B5. He is the first of the four Fiends and a major difficulty spike.

Boss: Lich

  • HP: 1,200
  • Attack: Physical hits plus Blizzara -- heavy ice damage that can hit the entire party
  • Weakness: Fire, Dia

Strategy: Cast NulFrost on your first turn to cut Blizzara damage in half. Then focus every offensive turn on Firaga and Diaga. Lich has real weaknesses -- Fire and Dia tear through him faster than his HP total suggests. Keep your fighters attacking each turn and heal anyone who drops below 60 HP. Refresh NulFrost if it wears off before the fight ends. Lich falls in 5 to 7 rounds with this approach.

Reward: Earth Crystal restored, 2,000 EXP, 3,000 Gil

Full Lich boss guide

H2: After the Earth Crystal

Defeating Lich opens a ladder on B5 that leads directly back to the surface near Melmond, saving you the full climb back up. Rest at the Inn, stock up on Potions and Gold Needles, and sail south toward Crescent Lake when ready.

CHAPTER COMPLETE

Collectibles this chapter: 28 Chests | 15 Enemies | 2 Bosses

Navigation: Previous: Elfheim | Next: Crescent Lake