                         Secret of Mana FAQ
                            Version 0.2
                        dated January 6, 1994
 
 
Message-ID: <CuHLz5.CFL@eskimo.com>
Summary: Lookit this stuff!!!   =)
Keywords:  
 
 
 
 
Sender: rchrist@eskimo.com (Rob Christianson)
Organization: Eskimo North (206) For-Ever
Q:  What am I supposed to do in the forest in the Upper Land?
    Why can't I trigger the Crystal Switch in the forest in the Upper
Date: Sat, 13 Aug 1994 18:56:58 GMT
Lines: 472

Land?
    I freed the Moogle Village, and they tell me to 'Walk the seasons
from
      Spring to Winter and back to Spring again.'  What am I supposed to
do?
A:  I'll answer all three questions.  Stop reading when you reach the
part
    you wanted to know.  First, you need to free the Moogle Village.  Go
    east from the area with pink foilage on the trees, and then look for
    an exit on the *western* side of the north 'wall'.  This leads to
the
    Moogle Village.  Kill the three things you find there, and then try
to
    leave.  The Moogles will return, and they'll tell you to 'Walk the
seasons
    from Spring to Winter and back to Spring again'.  They're referring
to the
    color of the foilage on the trees.  The pink ones are Spring.  East
from
    those is Summer, north from Summer is Autumn, and west from there is
    Winter.  South from Winter is Spring again.  Walk in a circle, from
Spring
    counter-clockwise through Summer, Autumn, and Winter, and then back
to
    Spring again (still going counter-clockwise -- don't turn around and
go
    back to Spring in a clockwise direction).  You don't need to kill
the
    monsters along the way.  You'll hear a noise when you enter Spring,
and
    you'll realize it came from the east.  There is now a northern exit
over
    to the east of the original one.  It leads to the Sprite Child's
Village.
    Head north, fight a boss, and then you'll come to the Wind Palace,
where
    you will gain Sylphid's powers.  This will enable you to trigger the
    Crystal Switch and move on.
 
Q:  Where is Salamando?
    Why can't I trigger the Crystal Switch in the Fire Palace?
    Why can't I get anywhere in the Fire Palace?
A:  You need to find Salamando in order to trigger the Crystal Switch
and
    open a path to the rest of the Fire Palace.  Go to the Ice Country
and
    look for him.  (See the section on 'Locations of the Elementals' for
    more specific information.)
 
Q:  How do I reach the Moon Palace?
A:  After you've gone through the Gold Tower, fly Flammie over to the
Moon
    Palace and try to land in the gap in the mountains to the southwest
of it.
 
Q:  Why can't I get into the Tree Palace?
A:  Go prove yourself to Sage Joch first, over by the Darkness Palace.
    If he's not home when you get there, go to wherever his follower
tells
    you he's gone, then come back.
 
Q:  How am I supposed to survive in the Mana Forest when everything does
    200-300 points of damage per hit?
A:  You aren't.  Go back to the Grand Palace.  (That's the continent in
the
    southeast corner of the map, where the Tree Palace was.  Remember
where
    you got the Dryad magic?)  Walk clockwise around the Grand Palace
and
    when you reach the front of the Palace again, you'll find... Neko!
    He's got some REALLY good (and expensive) armor for sale.  Buy it
and
    you'll start taking more reasonable damage again.
 
 
 
Locations of the Eight Mana Weapons
-----------------------------------
 
Sword:  Found in the river at the beginning of the game.
 
Spear:  Sage Luka of the Water Palace gives it to you after you ride
 there via Cannon Travel.
 
Boomerang:  The Sprite Child has it when he joins you after the defeat
of
            Tropicallo.  (The Boss you meet in the Dwarf Village.)
 
Bow:  Given to you by the 'freak show' operator (Dwarf Village) after
the
      Sprite Child joins you.
 
Axe:  Sold to you (for 100 gold) by Watts, the Dwarven Village
Blacksmith.
      Visit his shop after you've been given the Bow.
 
Glove:  Carried by the girl from Pandora who joins your group.  Meet her
on
        the top floor of Pandora Castle.
 
Whip:  Given to you by the Witch after you defeat her pet, Spiky.  (The
Boss
       of her area.)
 
Javelin:  Received from Undine (the Water Elemental) after you defeat
the
          Biting Lizards (Boss) in her cave.
 
 
Locations of the Weapon Orbs
----------------------------
 
All weapons start at Level 1, so there are only seven Orbs to find for
each
one.  The Orbs are listed here in the order you're most likely to find
them for
each weapon.
 
Sword:  * Gained by defeating the Metal Mantis that attacks Potos
Village
            at the start of the game.
        * After defeating the Evil Wall in the ruins south of Pandora,
            return to Pandora Castle.  Go to the Throne Room, and take
the
            exit on the northern wall, into the King's Bedroom.  Talk to
            him, and he'll remove the guard from a staircase.  Go down
those
            stairs and loot the treasure chests you find.  One has the
Orb.
        * Gained by defeating the Great Viper, while looking for the
White
            Dragon in the caves near Matango.
        * Found in the ruins east of Northtown, in a chest.  The chest
is
            behind a door that is protected by spikes -- you must first
find
            the pressure plate that lowers them, in order to reach the
door.
        * From the King of Tasnica after you defeat the Dark Stalker
that was
            impersonating him.
        * From a chest under the Grand Palace after defeating Kettle Kin
            (a new version of Kilroy, the robot you fought early in the
game).
        * Gained by defeating Thunder Gigas in the Mana Forest.
 
Spear:  * Gained by defeating Tropicallo in the Dwarf Village.
        * Found in the Treasure Room in Pandora Castle after defeating
the
            Evil Wall in the southern ruins.  (Same as the Sword Orb of
the
            same number.)
        * Found in a chest in Santa's house in the Ice Country while
you're
            trying to locate Salamando.
        * From a chest in the ruins east of Northtown.  The chest is
visible
            from outside the entrance if you stand in the right place. 
It's
            on the roof of the ruins, on the west side.
        * From a chest in the entranceway of the Gold Tower (Light
Palace),
            north of the Gold City.
        * Gained by defeating SHEEX (Aegagropilon) in the Grand Palace.
        * Gained by defeating Mech Rider in the Grand Palace.
 
Boomerang:  * Gained by defeating Spiky (Boss of the Witch's area).
            * Gained by defeating Spring Beak, after saving the Moogle
                Village and 'walking the seasons'.
            * Gained by defeating Frost Gigas in the Ice Palace.
            * Gained by defeating Vampire in the ruins east of
Northtown.
            * Gained by defeating Blue Spike in the Gold Tower. (Light
Palace)
            * Found in a chest at the entrance to the path underneath
the
                Grand Palace.
            * Gained by defeating the Blue Dragon in the Mana Forest.
 
Bow:  * Gained by defeating the Evil Wall in the ruins south of Pandora.
      * Gained by defeating the Water Beast after you return the stolen
          Water Seed to the Water Palace.
      * Gained by defeating Boreal Face (a Boss) in the Ice Country, on
your
          way to the "tropical paradise" city.
      * Found in a chest on the right side of the roof of the ruins east
of
          Northtown.  (Similar to the Spear Orb of the same number.)
      * Gained by defeating the Gorgon Bull in the Gold Tower. (Light
Palace)
      * Gained by defeating Kettle Kin (a robotic Boss) in the tunnels
under
          the Grand Palace.
      * Gained by defeating the Snow Dragon in the Mana Forest.
 
Axe:  * Gained by defeating Fire Gigas in the Underground Palace.
      * Found in a chest in the Moogle Village after defeating the three
          monsters there.  Kill them and then try to leave the Village.
      * Found in a chest in the Fire Palace, shortly after the first
Crystal
          Switch.  Leave northwest/down from the room after the Switch.
      * Found in a chest in the eastern tower of Northtown Castle after
          escaping from jail.
      * %%%%%%%%%% (MISSING AN ORB) %%%%%%%%%%% *
      * Found in a chest on the level after Blue Spike in the Gold
Tower.
          (Light Palace)
      * Gained by defeating the Dragon Worm in the Mana Forest.
 
Glove:  * Gained by defeating the Biting Lizards in Undine's cave. 
(East
            of the Water Palace.)
        * Found in a chest in the Moogle Village after freeing it. 
(Same
            as the Axe Orb of the same number.)
        * Found in a chest in the Ice Palace.
        * Gained by defeating Metal Mantis, after being captured in
Northtown
            Castle by the Emperor.
        * Found in a chest behind a gate on ground level, at the front
of the
            Darkness Palace.
        * %%%%%%%%%% (MISSING AN ORB) %%%%%%%%%%% *
        * Gained by defeating the Red Dragon in the Mana Forest.
 
Whip:  * Found in a chest aboard the ship that stole the Water Seed. 
(In
           the Dwarf Village area.)
       * Jema gives it to you after you defeat the Water Beast and
return the
           Water Seed.
       * Gained by defeating Gestar's Airbike in the desert (after
sandship).
       * Gained by defeating the Evil Wall in the ruins east of
Northtown.
           (Yes, it's a different Evil Wall.)
       * Found in a chest in the eastern tower of Northtown Castle after
           being captured by the Emperor.
       * Gained by killing the Hydra in the path under the Grand Palace.
       * Gained by killing Fanha (Hexas) in the Grand Palace.
 
Javelin:  * Gained by defeating Kilroy (the Water Seed-powered robot).
          * Found in a room near King Truffle (in Matango) when you
first
              meet him.
          * Gained by defeating the Minotaur in the Fire Palace.
          * Gained by defeating Geshtar's Mech Rider on the roof of
Northtown
              Castle.
          * Gained by defeating the Lime Slime in the Darkness Palace.
          * Gained by defeating the Snap Dragon under the Grand Palace,
after
              first defeating the robot (Kettle Kin).
          * Gained by defeating Axe Beak in the Mana Forest.
 
 
Location of the Elementals (in the order you'll probably find them)
--------------------------
 
Undine:  In a cave east of the Water Palace after defeating Spiky in the
         Witch's area.  Luka will call you to go check on her (Undine).
 
Gnome:  In the room after Fire Gigas in the Underground Palace.
 
Sylphid:  Found in the Wind Palace after defeating Spring Beak in the
Upper
          Land forest.  Sprite Child's grandfather summons it for you.
 
Salamando:  Found inside a stove in the center of the "tropical resort"
town
            in the Ice Country.
 
Shade:  Found after defeating Lime Slime in the Darkness Palace.
 
Lumina:  Found after defeating Gorgon Bull in the Gold Tower.  (Light
Palace)
 
Luna:  Found after triggering the Crystal Switch in the Moon Palace.
 
Dryad:  Found by walking into the Tree Palace, once you've proven
yourself
        to Sage Joch.
 
 
Locations of Miscellaneous Useful Objects
-----------------------------------------
 
Magic Rope:  In the Gaea's Navel dungeon.  In a chest on the west side
of the
             area after the lava, in a cavern.  (You enter this area
between
             two 'Kid Goblin' guards and a Mushboom.)
 
Midge Mallet:  After freeing the Moogle Village (possibly before),
return to
               Gaea's Navel and visit the Dwarf Village.  Talk to the
dwarf
               standing next to the hole that led to where you fought
Kilroy.
               (the robot)
 
Flammie Drum:  After you defeat Geshtar's Mech Rider atop Northtown
Castle,
               King Truffle will bring it to you.
 
Gold Tower Key:  Get it from Mara in Southtown.  She lives in the
northwest
                 part of town.
 
Sea Hare's Tail:  On a small island in the large bay area on the west
side
                  of the main continent.  North of Castle Tasnica, and
south
                  of Kakkara.  On the map, it looks like one island
surrounded
                  by six little ones.  Fly there on Flammie and visit
the shop.
 
Moogle Belt:  Get it from King Amar in Kakkara by bringing him a Sea
Hare's
              Tail to restore the town's water supply.
 
 
Boss Tips
---------
 
If you're having trouble with a particular Boss monster, or have good
advice
on how to defeat one, please send me e-mail about it.
 
Once you've learned LUNA magic, the LUNAR BOOST and MOON POWER spells
can
drastically increase the amount of damage you do.  If both spells are in
use,
and you've cast the appropriate SABER spell on yourself, 999 damage is
not
unheard of for a level 6-8 attack.
 
EVIL WALL:  In Ruins south of Pandora.
* Some people have suggested that the best way to defeat this Boss is to
  ignore its outer eyes entirely, and focus your magic spells on the
central
  eye.  This may be easier than my preferred method.
* I prefer to knock out the two eyes on the sides, first.  Use the
Targetting
  command to make the other two characters attack one eye each.  When
both have
  been knocked out, the Wall will start moving south.  If it pushes you
against
  the southern wall, you all die... so you have to be quick.  Hitting
the
  central eye with three or four EARTH SLIDE spells will take it (and
the rest
  of the Wall) out easily.
DARK SLIME?:  In the Mana Fortress (2nd Fortress Boss)
* Try to stay lined up with the center of the Slime, and whack on it
with
  high-level WHIP attacks, and spells from the SHADE Elemental.  Keep in
mind
  that the Slime gets largeras you damage it, so it will become very
difficult
  to stay in line with the center of the Slime if you move around much.
* An amusing thing about the Slime is the way it reacts to having spells
cast
  on it.  If you hit it with a spell, it likes to cast the Level 8
version of
  the spell back on a party member.  Since it also likes to cast ACID
STORM
  to lower your defense rating, I cast WALL on the entire party.  Let a
few
  ACID STORMs bounce off you and back at the Slime, and then cast some
  offensive spells at it.  The Level 8 versions it throws back at you
will
  bounce off your WALL spells and do serious damage to it.  :-)
DARK LICH:  In the Mana Fortress (3rd Fortress Boss)
* As soon as you're able to move, go over to the west side of the
screen.
  Stand directly west of the Dark Lich, don't move too far north or
south.
  Set your two followers to 'Guard' and 'Keep Away', so they won't try
to
  attack the Lich and get killed.  Wield the WHIP, which you hopefully
have
  at a very high level by now.  The Dark Lich (Thanatos) is vulnerable
to
  LUMINA magic, so have the girl from Pandora cast LIGHT SABER on you.
  Stand at a safe distance from the Dark Lich, and charge your WHIP to
the
  highest level you can.  Then, when the Lich pokes his head out between
his
  hands, or when he completely materializes (and no longer seems
transparent),
  cut loose with the WHIP.  You should do a very large amount of damage.
 He
  has 6666 hit points.  Charge the WHIP again, and repeat.  Easy, isn't
it?
 
MANA BEAST:  At the Mana Fortress (4th and FINAL Fortress Boss)
* Do all the damage yourself.  Don't worry about getting your followers
to try
  and hurt the beast, because they're be very ineffective.  Wield the
SWORD,
  which should be at level 8 by now.
* Be aware that you must have *both* of your followers cast MANA SWORD
on you,
  in order to have it work.  When you've done this, the game will print
  'REVIVED THE MANA SWORD!' at the top of the screen.  When the magic
expires,
  you'll be almost incapable of damaging the Beast.  Additionally, when
it
  expires, you immediately lose your 'charge' on your weapon, and will
have
  to start holding down the B button all over again.  To reduce the
chance of
  this happening in the middle of combat, cast the MANA SWORD spells
quickly
  when the Mana Beast swoops in to physically attack after its fireball.
* Cast LUNAR BOOST and MOON POWER on yourself to improve your damage.
* Don't bother charging your weapon.  Just swing every time you get back
to
  100%, as long as the MANA SWORD magic is still running.  Stand right
in the
  (left-to-right) center of the platform, as far north as you can.
* Avoid casting WALL if at all possible, as it will prevent you from
being
  able to cast MANA SWORD on yourself until it expires.  You'll be
casting
  MANA SWORD several times during the combat.... 
 
Miscellaneous Info
------------------ 
 
The levels of your spells can go up to the number of Mana Seeds you've
collected.  Sometimes it's worth practicing your spells in order to
raise them
levels and make them more powerful.  This makes attack spells do more
damage,
and 'modifier' spells last longer.  It's worth getting most of the
elementals
up to level 4, certainly, although it isn't absolutely necessary.
 
You can get extra Weapon Orbs in the Mana Fortress by killing enough of
the right creatures.  Tsunamis, Master Ninjas, and Terminators seem to
be
the most likely candidates.  You can get a weapon up to level 9 this
way,
although you can't become better than level 8 at using it.
give you Weapon Orbs.  (See the previous paragraph, if you skipped it.)
I've gotten Amulet Rings (mostly), two Vampire Cloaks, and a Faerie
Crown
[B[C[C[C[C
You can get some of the 'special' armors by killing the same creatures
that
give you Weapon Orbs.  (See the previous paragraph, if you skipped it.)
I've gotten Amulet Rings (mostly), two Vampire Cloaks, and a Faerie
Crown
this way. 
 
I think I may have found something hidden in the game, but I'm not
certain.
Go to the Mana Forest.  Defeat the Red Dragon in the cave area.  In the
back
of his cave, look at the center of the north wall.  Do you see a little
Skull Switch there, or is it just my imagination?  You can't get to it
because
of the rocks in the way, though.  I tried using some of the Level 8
weapon
special attacks to get over the rocks, but no luck.  If anyone else has
any
luck triggering this switch, or knows of other potentially secret
things,
please let me know.
