The Cave to the Past & The First Boss — Dragon Quest VII Walkthrough

The Cave to the Past & The First Boss

After the events in Ballymolloy, your next destination is the ominous Cave to the Past, located just a short distance north-east of the village. This dungeon serves as your first true test, introducing more intricate layouts, tougher regular enemies, and culminating in your first significant boss encounter. Prepare your party, stock up on supplies, and delve into the mysteries held within.

Dungeon Walkthrough: Cave to the Past

The Cave to the Past is a relatively straightforward dungeon, but it introduces some basic environmental puzzles and hidden pathways. Keep an eye out for sparkling spots on the ground, as these often contain valuable items.

1. Entrance & First Floor (B1): Upon entering, you'll find a winding path. Follow it, battling any enemies you encounter. There are no immediate branching paths or puzzles here.
2. Second Floor (B2) - Puzzle Room: This floor introduces a simple push-block puzzle. You'll see a large boulder blocking a path. Push the boulder into the hole to create a bridge to the other side.
   • Treasure: Before pushing the boulder, explore the small alcoves. You should find a chest containing a Medicinal Herb.
3. Third Floor (B3) - Winding Paths: This floor is a bit more expansive. Stick to the main path, but check dead ends for hidden treasures.
   • Treasure: Along the main path, you'll find a chest containing 50 Gold Coins.
   • Treasure: In a small, easily missed alcove off the main path, another chest holds a Leather Shield. This is a valuable upgrade for the Hero or Kiefer if they don't already have one.
4. Fourth Floor (B4) - Boss Chamber Approach: This final floor leads directly to the boss chamber. There are no further puzzles or significant detours. Make sure your party is healed and ready before proceeding through the large archway.

Regular Enemies in the Cave to the Past

The enemies here are a step up from the initial areas. Be prepared for slightly more challenging battles, and don't hesitate to use your MP for spells like Sizz or Heal if needed.

• Slime: The ubiquitous Slime. Still weak, but can appear in larger groups. Focus them down quickly.
• Lips: These mischievous monsters can sometimes put your party members to sleep. If a party member is asleep, they cannot act. Use physical attacks to wake them up, or wait for them to wake naturally. Prioritize defeating Lips to prevent status ailments.
• Hornets: Fast and can deal moderate damage. They often appear in groups. Focus fire to eliminate them one by one.
• Fencing Fox: A slightly tougher enemy with decent attack power. They can sometimes dodge attacks. Use your strongest physical attacks or spells.

Tips for Dungeon Exploration:

• Conserve MP: While it's okay to use spells, try to save most of your MP for the boss fight. Rely on physical attacks for regular encounters.
• Medicinal Herbs: Use these liberally to keep your HP topped off. You should have accumulated a good number by now.
• Equip Best Gear: Ensure all your party members have the best available equipment. The Leather Shield found here is a good example of a useful upgrade.
• Grinding: If you find regular encounters too difficult, consider spending a little time fighting enemies on B1 or B2 to gain a level or two. Recommended level for the boss is around Level 5-7 for all party members.

Boss Battle: Slime Stack

The Slime Stack is your first true boss, and it's a good introduction to managing multiple targets and utilizing your party's unique abilities. The Slime Stack is composed of three individual Slimes stacked on top of each other. When you defeat one, the stack gets smaller, and its attack patterns may change slightly.

Recommended Party Setup & Strategy

By this point, your party should consist of the Hero, Kiefer, and Maribel. Gabo will join later.

Recommended Levels: Hero (6-7), Kiefer (6-7), Maribel (5-6)

Strategy Overview: The key to this fight is focused fire. While it might be tempting to spread damage, reducing the number of active enemies is always more efficient in Dragon Quest. Target the top Slime first, then the middle, then the bottom.

Character Roles & Actions:

• Hero: Your primary damage dealer.
  • Turn 1: Attack the Top Slime.
  • Subsequent Turns: Continue attacking the current highest Slime. Use Medicinal Herbs to heal yourself or Maribel if their HP drops below 30-40%.
• Kiefer: Your heavy hitter with a powerful skill.
  • Turn 1: Use Flame Slash on the Top Slime. This will deal significant damage.
  • Subsequent Turns: Continue using Flame Slash on the current highest Slime. If Kiefer's MP runs low (below 5-7 MP), switch to regular attacks. Use Medicinal Herbs on himself or the Hero if their HP is critical.
• Maribel: Your magical damage dealer and potential healer.
  • Turn 1: Cast Sizz on the Top Slime. Sizz is an area-of-effect spell, but targeting one Slime will still deal good damage to it.
  • Subsequent Turns: Continue casting Sizz on the current highest Slime. If Maribel's MP is getting low (below 5 MP), use a regular attack. If any party member's HP is critically low (e.g., Hero or Kiefer below 25-30% HP), use a Medicinal Herb on them. Maribel's physical attack is weak, so prioritize Sizz or healing items.

Healing Rotation:

• Prioritize Hero and Kiefer: They are your main damage dealers. Keep their HP up.
• Medicinal Herbs: You should have plenty. Don't be afraid to use them. Have the Hero and Kiefer use them on themselves or each other if their HP is low. Maribel can also use them if her MP is low, or if she needs to heal someone quickly.
• No Dedicated Healer Yet: Since you don't have a dedicated healing spell like Heal yet, managing HP with items is crucial.

Common Pitfalls:

• Spreading Damage: Do not attack different Slimes simultaneously. Focus all attacks on one Slime until it's defeated.
• Running out of MP: While Kiefer and Maribel's spells are powerful, their MP pools are limited. Monitor their MP and switch to physical attacks if necessary, or save MP for the final Slime.
• Under-leveled: If you're struggling, spend an extra level or two grinding outside the boss chamber.

After the Battle

Once the Slime Stack is defeated, you'll be rewarded with experience points and gold. More importantly, a sparkling object will appear in the center of the chamber. Examine it to retrieve the Green Tablet Fragment.

With the Tablet Fragment in hand, you can now use a Chimaera Wing (if you have one) or simply walk back out of the dungeon. Return to Estard and proceed to the Chamber of the Almighty. Place the Green Tablet Fragment into its designated pedestal. This act will restore another lost land to the world, furthering your quest and unlocking new areas to explore.

Congratulations on overcoming your first major challenge! This victory signifies your growing strength and readiness for the adventures that lie ahead.