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Defense: 1 (all forms)
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Defense: 1 (all forms)

Learn how to defeat Cortez in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, including his three forms and eventual healing. Get the Sapphire Star.

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Learn how to defeat Cortez in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, including his three forms and eventual healing. Get the Sapphire Star.

  • Spike Shield (recommended for the bone pile attack)
Walkthrough
  1. 1
    First Form: This form has 20 HP. Focus on repeated attacks. Mini-Egg is ineffective. The bone pile attack is present but manageable with Spike Shield.
  2. 2
    Second Form: This form hovers with a green gem in its ribcage. It attacks by throwing bones and can charge up. Start with Art Attack for the quickest defeat.
  3. 3
    Third Form: This form is a floating skull with four separate weapons attacking alongside Cortez. Use Gale Force, Fiery Jinx, or Art Attack.
  4. 4
    Cortez Heals: After defeating Cortez, he will fully heal himself for 20 HP and continue his third form. Use the same strategy as before.
  5. 5
    Post-Battle: After you defeat Cortez, he will give a speech. He hands over the Crystal Star, which is the Sapphire Star. You gain one additional SP to your maximum and learn the new Special move, Sweet Feast.
Tips
  • Conserve your Star Power (SP) throughout the battle, as Cortez will fully heal at one point, bringing his total HP up to 80.
  • The bone pile attack in the first form is dangerous, but the Spike Shield negates its damage.
  • Art Attack is highly effective against the second form.
  • Gale Force, Fiery Jinx, and Art Attack are recommended for the third form.
  • Sapphire Star
  • +1 Max SP
  • New Special: Sweet Feast

Note: After this battle, you will exit the ship and return to the shipwrecked Toads and Piantas. An earthquake has caused a crack in the wall, revealing air currents. Use Bobbery to destroy the crack, opening a hole to exit.

Keelhaul Key & Lord Crump Encounter:

Upon returning to Keelhaul Key, you will encounter Flavio and then be attacked by an X-Naut ship piloted by Lord Crump (Four-Eyes). He demands the Crystal Star.

Pirate's Grotto:

Before proceeding, save and heal at the Pirate's Grotto. Cortez will initially refuse to let you use his ship, stating he needs the Skull Rock. Flavio produces his Skull Rock, and Cortez reluctantly agrees to let you use the ship in exchange for the Skull Rock afterward.

Keelhaul Key - Final Confrontation:

Lord Crump attacks the ship with cannons. You will then breach a rock wall, surprising Lord Crump. A battle ensues between Mario and Lord Crump.

MINIBOSS: Lord Crump (two phases)

  • Max HP: 30 (both phases)
  • Attack: 3 (both phases)

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