Chapter 7: Mario's Last Stand

Chapter 7: Mario's Last Stand

Welcome, brave adventurer, to the penultimate chapter of your grand quest! "Mario's Last Stand" is a high-stakes journey that will test your resolve and combat prowess. Prepare for a thrilling ascent and a climactic confrontation.

Upon returning to Rogueport after the events of Chapter 6, you'll find the town in a state of unease. Head directly to Professor Frankly's lab. He'll inform you that the final Star Chest is located on the moon, and the only way to get there is via a mysterious cannon that has appeared in the sewers.

Rogueport Sewers: The Great Ascent

Your first task is to reach the cannon. Navigate the familiar paths of the Rogueport Sewers. If you haven't already, ensure you've explored all accessible areas for any missed Star Pieces or Shine Sprites.

• Accessing the Cannon: From the central hub of the sewers, head right towards the area where you first encountered the Blooper. Continue right past the pipe leading to the Pit of 100 Trials. You'll notice a new path has opened up, leading to a previously inaccessible platform. Use Koops' Shell Toss to hit a distant switch, or Vivian's Veil to sneak past any remaining enemies.
• Cannon Activation: Once you reach the cannon, you'll find it's guarded by a few Dark Koopatrols and Dark Boos. These enemies are tougher than their regular counterparts, so be prepared. Focus on taking out the Dark Boos first, as their invisibility can be annoying. After defeating them, examine the cannon. It requires a specific power source.
• The Power Source: Head back to the main Rogueport Square. You'll overhear some Toads discussing a strange, glowing orb that fell from the sky. This is your power source. It's located near the fountain. Pick up the Moon Stone.
• Return to the Cannon: Bring the Moon Stone back to the cannon in the sewers. Place it into the designated slot. The cannon will hum to life, ready for launch!

Journey to the Moon: The X-Naut Fortress

The cannon will launch you directly to the moon, where you'll find the imposing X-Naut Fortress. This is a heavily guarded facility, so expect frequent battles.

Fortress Exterior

• Initial Landing: You'll land on an exterior platform. Immediately, you'll be confronted by X-Nauts and Elite X-Nauts. These enemies have higher HP and attack power than standard X-Nauts. Consider using Power Smash or Multibounce with Mario, and Power Shell with Koops to deal with groups.
• Entering the Fortress: To gain entry, you'll need to find a way past the main gate. Look for a small vent on the side of the fortress. Use Goombella's Tattle on the vent to learn it's too small for Mario. Switch to Paper Mode and slip through.

Fortress Interior: Puzzle and Combat

The interior of the X-Naut Fortress is a maze of corridors, security systems, and challenging enemies. Keep your HP and FP topped up with Super Shrooms and Maple Syrups.

• Security Room: Your first objective inside is to disable the security system. You'll find a room with multiple monitors and a console. Defeat the X-Naut PhD and his X-Naut minions guarding the console. Once defeated, interact with the console to temporarily disable some laser grids.
• Laser Grid Navigation: Proceed through the now-disabled laser grids. Be careful, as some grids might reactivate. Use Paper Mode to slip through narrow gaps or Vivian's Veil to bypass patrols.
• Keycard Hunt: To access deeper sections, you'll need a series of keycards.
  • Red Keycard: Found in a locker room on the second floor. You'll need to defeat a group of Elite X-Nauts to get it.
  • Blue Keycard: Located in a laboratory area. Solve a simple switch puzzle by hitting the switches in the correct order (hint: observe the flashing lights on the central console). This will open a hidden compartment containing the keycard.
  • Yellow Keycard: This keycard is held by a particularly strong Magnus von Grapple 2.0 mini-boss. This upgraded version has more HP and new attacks. Focus on using Power Bounce with Mario and Earth Tremor with Bobbery to exploit its weakness to explosions.
• Data Log Discovery: As you explore, you'll stumble upon data logs detailing the X-Nauts' plans and the true nature of the Crystal Stars. Pay attention to these, as they provide crucial story context.

The Star Chest Chamber

After acquiring all the keycards and navigating the fortress, you'll finally reach the chamber housing the seventh and final Star Chest.

• Pre-Boss Preparation: Before interacting with the chest, ensure your party is fully healed. Equip your best badges, such as Power Plus, Defense Plus, and Quick Change. Consider having Life Shrooms and Repel Gels in your inventory.
• The Boss: Lord Crump's Final Stand: As you approach the Star Chest, Lord Crump will appear, piloting the formidable Magnus von Grapple 3.0!
  • Magnus von Grapple 3.0 Strategy: This is a tough fight. Magnus 3.0 has significantly increased HP and attack. It can launch powerful rocket punches and emit an electric field that damages all party members.
    • Phase 1: Focus on dealing consistent damage. Power Bounce is excellent here. Use Vivian's Fiery Jinx to hit all parts of the robot.
    • Phase 2 (Arms Detached): After taking enough damage, Magnus's arms will detach and attack independently. Prioritize destroying the arms first, as they can deal considerable damage and make the main body harder to hit. Use multi-target attacks like Earth Tremor or Art Attack.
    • Phase 3 (Core Exposed): Once the arms are gone, Magnus's core will be exposed. This is your window for maximum damage. Unleash your strongest attacks and Star Powers. Be wary of its powerful laser attack.
  • Recommended Partners: Goombella for Tattle information and Multibounce, Koops for Power Shell, Vivian for Fiery Jinx and Veil, and Bobbery for Earth Tremor.

Upon defeating Magnus von Grapple 3.0, Lord Crump will make a hasty retreat. You can now claim the final Crystal Star! Congratulations, Mario! The stage is set for the grand finale.