Explore Astral Caves in Star Ocean: The Last Hope

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The Astral Caves are an optional dungeon accessible as part of the Rumble in the Caves quest. You must accept the quest to enter. Your objective is to stop a monster causing earthquakes within the caves.

Walkthrough

1
To enter the Caves, cross the bridge east of the Royal Knights Headquarters in Astral City and turn north.
2
Descend the stairs to the east on B1. A Mining Point is to the north.
3
At the first intersection south, a cave-in will block the path east. Continue south past the tunnel entrance to find items from a Mining Point and Treasure Chest.
4
Enter the tunnel into the southwest area.
5
The southeast path has a cave-in, but you can still access two Treasure Chests.
6
The southwest path triggers another cave-in. You can remove one boulder with the Earth Ring, but it's recommended to save its charge and go south instead.
7
After circling a stone column, head north. You'll find Ralph trapped under a rock. Use the Earth Ring to destroy the rock, rescue him, and earn EXP and Party SP.
8
Head back south and take the first path west. Where the path narrows, another cave-in occurs. A sloping rock will appear to the northeast; use it to go up to the upper level and collect the Barrier Spiritwater from a Treasure Chest.
9
Return to the lower level and take the path south, circling to the stairs west. From this upper area, cross the boulder left by a previous cave-in to reach the north side. Open the remaining Treasure Chests and take the stairs down to B2.
10
On B2, after the path turns east, another cave-in occurs. The ground ahead is covered in sticky webs. Lewis, Knight Near Death, is here and will give you a Knight's Bangle x1 for the quest A Cherished Bangle.
11
At the intersection of four paths, take the southeast path first to a chest at the southern tip.
12
Take the northwest path. At a dead end to the south, you'll find a Hidden Mining Point.
13
Go up the stairs north and circle east. Follow the intersecting path east until you see a bridge patrolled by two Astralian Knights.
14
After crossing the bridge, a cave-in occurs, and a boulder blocks the entrance to the northeast chamber. Use the Earth Ring to remove this boulder. Collect items from the two chests and the Mining Point.

Tips

Boulders can be removed with the Earth Ring. Cave-ins may require finding alternative routes. Obstacles are not marked on the map but are shown in the guide's area maps. Point of Interest markers on the in-game map indicate spots to jump to lower levels.
Normal attacks are ineffective against Rock Hermits. Use critical hits or Wind symbols. Avoid Water symbols or the Icecrusher Sword against the Ice Corpse, as they will heal it.
The Rock Hermit can rarely drop a Mystery Box. With Myuria in your party and her Demonology skill, you can use Mystery Boxes to craft the Boy's Gift Box (a ship furnishing) via Item Creation.

Monsters Encountered on B1:

Vomiting Gel (Plant) - HP: 5,119, Weak: Fire
Corpse Bat (Bird) - HP: 3,890, Weak: Fire
Mage Chimera (Demon) - HP: 9,646, Weak: Wind
Succubus (Demon) - HP: 4,523
Rock Hermit (Demon) - HP: 9,474, Weak: Wind
Ice Corpse (Undead) - HP: 11,674, Weak: Fire

Treasures and Mining Points on B1:

Chest 1: Holy Water x3, Resurrection Elixir x1 (Except Xbox)
Chest 2: Health Seeds x1
Chest 3: Skill Manual "Mindflare" x1
Chest 4: Barrier Spiritwater x1
Chest 5: Resurrection Elixir x1 (Xbox), Bracteate x1 (Except Xbox) (Darkness Barrier)
Chest 6: Crystal x1
Chest 7: 7,200 Fol
Mining Points: Aluminum, Coal, Crystal, Green Beryl, Light Gem, Runic Metal, Shadestone, Thunder Gem

Treasures and Mining Points on B2:

Chest 1: Fresh Sage x2
Chest 2: Ripe Berries x1, Blueberries x2
Chest 3: Fainting Potion x1
Chest 4: Basil x3 (Xbox), Bracteate x1 (Except Xbox) (Darkness Barrier)
Mining Points: Aluminum, Coal, Crystal, Green Beryl, Light Gem, Runic Metal, Shadestone, Thunder Gem

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Optional - Astral Caves