Marsh Cave

Maps B1, B2, B3
Treasures 13 (3 locked)
The Marsh Cave is the first true test in the game. It is a dungeon filled with nasty Monsters and a difficult boss encounter. It is also the first time you will run into FF1's strange multi-chest system. Some items can appear in multiple chests, but as soon as it is found in one of them, it disappears from any others. This sometimes allows you to pick and choose where to hunt for Treasure.

There are two distinct areas in the Marsh Cave, depending on whether you head north or south from the entrance. The northern path leads to four Treasures, though only two (the Dagger and 620 gil) cannot be found on the other path. It might be a good idea to head in and collect these Treasures first to gauge the difficulty of the Marsh Cave, and perhaps return to town to rest up and purchase new Spells or gear before tackling the more difficult southern path.

There are three chests on B2 of the southern path, but if you collected all the Treasures in the northern path, there is nothing new here. The stairs down to B3 are in the southeast corner. B3 consists of a 4x4 grid of Treasure rooms, the bottom row of which is locked with the Mystic Key. The only shared Treasure on this level is the Steel Plate, which first appears in the northwestern room near the stairs. For the specific locations of the Treasures, check the Treasure list below. Your goal is the Crown, which is two rows south and one row east of the first room. But be careful—stepping on the square in front of the chest will trigger a difficult encounter with 2–4 Piscodemons. You can't run, so you'll need to slug it out, and these are no weak foes.

The easiest way to beat the Piscodemons is to get lucky and only have to fight a pair of them. They have high Magic Defense and resistance to Fire and Ice, so while Bolt2 may be tempting, that Spell slot is probably better saved for some of the more dangerous Random Encounters. They hit hard, and twice, and have good Defense and Evasion scores. Hitting your melee characters with Steel can help them bust through the Piscodemons' defenses and take advantage of their relatively low HP. The same strategy applies to any Piscodemons encountered while retrieving locked Treasures later. You will also encounter Anacondas, which are not particularly difficult non-Poisonous snakes.

The primary rule of the Marsh Cave is to conserve resources. You only have so many Antidotes and Fire2 Spells, and you need to stretch them through a trip down three floors and back up with a boss fight in between—not to mention the walk back to Elfheim. (Or, for the truly daring, to the Western Keep to fight Astos immediately.)
Compare Marsh Cave to other Areas
Maps: In Marsh Cave – 3 shown
The name of the map, including both the general area and the specific floor or section
Name
The number of treasures to be found on this map
Treasures
The number of treasures to be found past doors locked with the Mystic Key on this map
Locked
The average amount of total experience you can expect to earn from a random encounter here (this is split evenly among surviving party members)
Avg. Exp.
The average amount of gil you can expect to earn from a random encounter here
Avg. Gil
The cost to stay at the inn, if there is one present
Inn
The cost to revive a party member at the sanctuary, if there is one present
Sanctuary		 Shops
Marsh Cave B1 - - 305 139 gil - - -
Marsh Cave B2 4 - 351 204 gil - - -
Marsh Cave B3 9 3 453 240 gil - - -
Maps: Connected to Marsh Cave – 1 shown
The name of the map, including both the general area and the specific floor or section
Name
The number of treasures to be found on this map
Treasures
The number of treasures to be found past doors locked with the Mystic Key on this map
Locked
The average amount of total experience you can expect to earn from a random encounter here (this is split evenly among surviving party members)
Avg. Exp.
The average amount of gil you can expect to earn from a random encounter here
Avg. Gil
The cost to stay at the inn, if there is one present
Inn
The cost to revive a party member at the sanctuary, if there is one present
Sanctuary		 Shops
World Map Near Marsh Cave - - 289 209 gil - - -
Random Encounters: Found in Marsh Cave – 23 shown
Map
The monsters that can be involved in this encounter; minibosses are only found in repeatable set encounters; bosses are encountered only one time during the game; the final boss must be defeated to complete the game; superbosses are the most dangerous monsters in the game
Monsters
The probability of any given encounter being this one when you have a random battle on its map
Frequency
A modifier to the base chance of the monsters surprising the party; your party leader's agility and luck also factor into the surprise chance
Surprise
Is it possible to run from this encounter?
Run?
The average amount of total experience you can expect to earn from this encounter (this is split evenly among surviving party members)
Avg. Exp.
The average amount of gil you can expect to earn from this encounter
Avg. Gil
Marsh Cave B1 Shadow ×2–4 37.5% +86% Yes 270 135 gil
Marsh Cave B1 Green Slime ×2–4 18.8% +51% Yes 252 60 gil
Marsh Cave B1 Ghoul ×2–4, Zombie ×2–3 18.8% +0% Yes 339 180 gil
Marsh Cave B1 Skeleton ×3–5, Crawler ×0–2 9.4% +0% Yes 222 212 gil
Marsh Cave B1 Tarantula ×1–2, Black Widow ×0–2, Gray Ooze ×0–1, Green Slime ×0–1 9.4% +51% Yes 411 128 gil
Marsh Cave B1 Gray Ooze ×1–3 4.7% +0% Yes 510 140 gil
Marsh Cave B1 Werewolf ×3–6 1.6% +29% Yes 608 302 gil
Marsh Cave B2 Ghoul ×2–4, Zombie ×2–3 18.8% +0% Yes 339 180 gil
Marsh Cave B2 Green Slime ×2–4 18.8% +51% Yes 252 60 gil
Marsh Cave B2 Gargoyle ×2–3 18.8% +0% Yes 330 200 gil
Marsh Cave B2 Skeleton ×3–5, Crawler ×0–2 18.8% +0% Yes 222 212 gil
Marsh Cave B2 Skeleton ×2–4, Bloodbones ×1, Crawler ×1 9.4% +0% Yes 591 587 gil
Marsh Cave B2 Tarantula ×1–2, Black Widow ×0–2, Gray Ooze ×0–1, Green Slime ×0–1 9.4% +51% Yes 411 128 gil
Marsh Cave B2 Scorpion ×2–4 4.7% +23% Yes 675 210 gil
Marsh Cave B2 Werewolf ×2–5, Warg Wolf ×0–5 1.6% +29% Yes 686 283 gil
Marsh Cave B3 Green Slime ×2–4 18.8% +51% Yes 252 60 gil
Marsh Cave B3 Gargoyle ×2–3 18.8% +0% Yes 330 200 gil
Marsh Cave B3 Skeleton ×2–4, Bloodbones ×1, Crawler ×1 18.8% +0% Yes 591 587 gil
Marsh Cave B3 Gray Ooze ×1–3 18.8% +0% Yes 510 140 gil
Marsh Cave B3 Tarantula ×1–2, Black Widow ×0–2, Gray Ooze ×0–1, Green Slime ×0–1 9.4% +51% Yes 411 128 gil
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Set Encounters: Found in Marsh Cave – 6 shown
Map
The monsters that can be involved in this encounter; minibosses are only found in repeatable set encounters; bosses are encountered only one time during the game; the final boss must be defeated to complete the game; superbosses are the most dangerous monsters in the game
Monsters
A modifier to the base chance of the monsters surprising the party; your party leader's agility and luck also factor into the surprise chance
Surprise
Is it possible to run from this encounter?
Run?
The specifics of where this encounter can be found (note that set encounters other than some boss fights will remain in place once fought, and can be fought multiple times
Notes
The average amount of total experience you can expect to earn from this encounter (this is split evenly among surviving party members)
Avg. Exp.
The average amount of gil you can expect to earn from this encounter
Avg. Gil
Marsh Cave B3 Piscodemon ×2–4 +29% No Directly south of the chest containing the Crown (this encounter cannot be avoided) 828 900 gil
Marsh Cave B3 Piscodemon ×2–4 +29% No Directly south of the chest containing 1020 gil (this encounter cannot be avoided) 828 900 gil
Marsh Cave B3 Piscodemon ×2–4 +29% No Directly west of the chest containing a mythril knife (avoided by approaching from the east) 828 900 gil
Marsh Cave B3 Anaconda ×2–6 +0% Yes Directly south of the chest containing a mythril knife (avoided by approaching from the east) 660 200 gil
Marsh Cave B3 Piscodemon ×2–4 +29% No Just east of the entrance to the room containing a silver armlet (avoided by following the north wall) 828 900 gil
Marsh Cave B3 Anaconda ×2–6 +0% Yes Directly north of the chest containing a silver armlet (avoided by approaching from the south) 660 200 gil
Treasures: Found in Marsh Cave – 13 shown
Treasure Map
The specifics of where this treasure can be found
Notes
Broadsword Marsh Cave B2 Found in a chest in the southern room of the northern path, or either middle room of the southern path
Dagger Marsh Cave B2 Found in a chest in the northeastern room of the northern path
620 gil Marsh Cave B2 Found in a chest in the southern room of the northern path
680 gil Marsh Cave B2 Found in a chest in the northwestern room of the northern path, or the eastern room of the southern path
Copper Armlet Marsh Cave B3 Found in a chest in the second room from the north on the western side
Cottage Marsh Cave B3 Found in a chest in the room directly southeast of the room near the stairs
Crown Marsh Cave B3 Found in a chest in the room directly south of the room with the cottage (guarded)
295 gil Marsh Cave B3 Found in a chest in the northeastern room
385 gil Marsh Cave B3 Found in a chest in the room directly east of the Crown room
1,020 gil Marsh Cave B3 Found in a chest in the southeastern room (guarded)
Mythril Knife Marsh Cave B3 Found in a chest in the room directly east of the room with the silver armlet (guarded)
Silver Armlet Marsh Cave B3 Found in the southeastern room (guarded)
Steel Plate Marsh Cave B3 Found in a chest in the northwestern room, the room with the cottage, or the room directly north of the southeastern room
Monsters: Found in Marsh Cave – 16 shown
Minibosses are only found in repeatable set encounters; bosses are encountered only one time during the game; the final boss must be defeated to complete the game; superbosses are the most dangerous monsters in the game, but are optional
Name		 HP Gil
The total amount of experience earned for defeating this monster (this is split evently among surviving party members)
Exp
Each physical hit will deal between one and two times this amount of damage to the target, reduced by the target's defense
Att
The number of hit chances the monster gets whenever it attacks; each successful hit will deal full damage and can be a critical hit
Hits
The accuracy of the monster's attacks; the base chance to hit is approximately 84% plus half of the monster's accuracy, modified by the target's evasion
Acc
The status ailment, if any, that can be inflicted by this monster's attacks; the base chance of affliction is 50%, reduced by 1% for each two points of magic defense the target has
Status
The chance of each of this monster's attacks being a critical hit (unless the attack misses); critical hits add double the monster's attack rating to their normal damage (this extra damage ignores defense)
Crit
Each physical hit the monster takes will have its damage reduced by this amount
Abs
The monster's base chance to evade any given physical attack; each two points of evasion result in a 1% better chance to evade attacks
Eva
For each two points of magic defense, the monster has a 1% better chance of resisting any given spell
Mag. Def.
The lowest party level at which the monster may choose to run away; the chance to run is approximately 4% for each level the party leader is above this level
Run Lev.
The chance that the monster uses a magic spell on its turn; each monster that can cast spells has a specific cycle of spells that they always use in the same order (see the monster page for specifics)
Magic
The chance that the monster uses a special attack on its turn; monsters with multiple special attacks have a specific cycle of special attacks that they always use in the same order (see the monster page for specifics)
Sp. Att
The families this monster belongs to; only undead monsters are affected by Dia spells; regenerating monsters recover 5% of their maximum hp (rounded down) at the beginning of each round; some weapons gain a +4 bonus to attack and are approximately 20% more likely to hit when used against certain monster families
Family
The elements this monster is weak against; weakness against an element causes spells and special attacks of that element to be approximately 20% more likely to hit, and damaging spells or special attacks deal an additional 50% damage
Weakness
The elements this monster is resistant to; resistance to an element drops the base hit chance for spells and special attacks of that element to 0, and those attacks cause half damage
Resists
Black Widow 28 8 gil 30 10 1 87 - 1% 0 15 14 15 - - - - -
Bloodbones 144 378 gil 378 26 1 101 - 1% 12 21 38 38 - - Undead Fire Death, Ice, Poison, Status
Crawler 84 200 gil 186 1 8 94 Paralysis 1% 8 21 26 13 - - - - -
Gargoyle 80 80 gil 132 12 4 94 - 1% 8 23 27 26 - - Magic Beast - Earth
Ghoul 48 50 gil 93 8 3 90 Paralysis 1% 6 6 18 22 - - Undead Fire Death, Ice, Poison, Status
Gray Ooze 76 70 gil 255 30 1 93 - 1% 7 2 28 36 - - - Lightning Death, Earth, Fire, Ice, Poison, Status
Green Slime 24 20 gil 84 1 1 84 Poison 1% 255 0 18 22 - - - Fire, Ice Death, Earth, Lightning, Poison, Status
Scorpion 84 70 gil 225 22 2 94 Poison 1% 10 27 28 16 - - - - -
Shadow 50 45 gil 90 10 1 90 Darkness 1% 0 18 19 22 - - Magic Beast, Undead Fire Death, Earth, Ice, Poison, Status
Skeleton 10 3 gil 9 10 1 85 - 1% 0 6 9 22 - - Undead Fire Death, Ice, Poison, Status
Tarantula 64 50 gil 141 5 1 92 Poison 1% 12 12 23 16 - - - - -
Warg Wolf 72 22 gil 93 14 1 93 - 1% 0 27 23 14 - - - - -
Werewolf 68 67 gil 135 14 1 92 Poison 1% 6 21 23 20 - - Magic Beast, Regenerating, Werebeast - -
Zombie 20 12 gil 24 10 1 86 - 1% 0 3 13 20 - - Undead Fire Death, Earth, Ice, Poison, Status
Anaconda 80 50 gil 165 22 1 94 - 16% 10 18 28 15 - - Dragon - -
Piscodemon 84 300 gil 276 30 2 94 - 1% 16 33 49 23 - - Aquatic, Magic Beast - Fire, Ice, Poison, Status
Weapons: Found in Marsh Cave – 3 shown
Rare weapons can only be found as treasure, not purchased; enchanted items cast spells when used in combat; legendary weapons can be earned via sidequest; ultimate weapons are uniquely powerful treasures
Name
The base damage dealt by the weapon; this is added to half of the wielder's strength score, and each hit deals between one and two times this total in damage, reduced by the target's defense
Damage
This value is added to the wielder's base accuracy to determine the overall accuracy of the weapon's attacks; the base chance to hit is approximately 84% plus half of this value, modified by the target's evasion; a character gains an extra hit for every 32 points of accuracy they have
Hit Rate
The chance of each attack with this weapon being a critical hit (unless the attack misses); critical hits add double the character's attack rating to their normal damage (this extra damage ignores defense)
Crit
When used against a monster weak against one of its elements, the weapon gets a +4 bonus to attack and is 20% more likely to hit
Element
When used against a monster of a family it is effective against, the weapon gets a +4 bonus to attack and is 20% more likely to hit
Effective Against		 Price
The amount of gil received when selling this weapon in a shop
Value
If used as an item in combat, some weapons can cast a particular magic spell free of cost
Spell		 Equipped By
Broadsword 15 +10 3.5% - - 550 gil 275 gil - Wa, RM, Kn, Ni, RW
Dagger 7 +10 5.5% - - 175 gil 87 gil - Wa, Th, RM, BM, Kn, Ni, RW, BW
Mythril Knife 10 +15 8.5% - - 800 gil 400 gil - Wa, Th, RM, BM, Kn, Ni, RW, BW
Armor: Found in Marsh Cave – 3 shown
Rare armors can only be found as treasure, not purchased; enchanted armors casts spells when used in combat; ultimate armors are uniquely powerful treasures
Name
 Type
Each physical hit you take will have its damage reduced by this amount; the defense value of multiple pieces of armor is cumulative
Defense
All types of armor (except most shields) incur a penalty to the wearer's evasion rate; each two points of evasion lost result in a 1% smaller chance to evade attacks; multiple penalties are cumulative
Evasion
Any elemental resistances this armor provides; resistance to an element drops the base hit chance for spells and special attacks of that element to 0, and those attacks cause half damage
Resistance		 Price
The amount of gil received when selling this armor in a shop
Value
If used as an item in combat, some pieces of armor can cast a particular magic spell free of cost
Spell		 Equipped By
Copper Armlet Armor 4 −1 - 1,000 gil 500 gil - All classes
Silver Armlet Armor 15 −1 - 5,000 gil 2,500 gil - All classes
Steel Plate Armor 24 −23 - 800 gil 400 gil - Kn, Ni, Wa
Items: Found in Marsh Cave – 1 shown
Name
The status ailment removed by this item
Cures		 Price
The amount of gil received when selling this item in a shop
Value
Cottage - 3,000 gil 1,500 gil
Key Items: Found in Marsh Cave – 1 shown
Discovered and purchased key items are required to complete the game; quest items are required for sidequests
Name		 Description
Crown Crown that shimmers mysteriously.
Western Keep Titan's Cave

Related

Marsh Cave

Sprite
Maps B1, B2, B3
Treasures 13 (3 locked) Value 8,662 G
Rare CROWN
The Marsh Cave is the first true test in the game. It is a dungeon filled with nasty enemies and a difficult boss encounter. It is also the debut of the multi-chest system: some items can appear in multiple chests, but as soon as they are found in one of them, they disappear from the others.

The primary rule of the Marsh Cave is to conserve resources. You only have so many PURE Potions and FIR2 Spells, and you need to stretch them through a trip down three floors and back up with a boss fight in between.