Changes

Unlike the Mines, there is no elevator to save progress, but on every floor there is a ladder at the starting point where you can leave the Skull Cavern. Each visit must start again from the first floor. If [[The Player|the player]] runs out of health while exploring Skull Cavern, they will wake up sometime later on the same day, in [[Harvey's Clinic]]. A fee of {{price|1000}} will be deducted for emergency surgery. Some items may also be lost. Passing out at 2:00 am will cause the player to lose {{price|1000}} or 10% of funds, whichever is less.

Unlike the Mines, there is no elevator to save progress, but on every floor there is a ladder at the starting point where you can leave the Skull Cavern. Each visit must start again from the first floor. If [[The Player|the player]] runs out of health while exploring Skull Cavern, they will wake up sometime later on the same day, in [[Harvey's Clinic]]. A fee of {{price|1000}} will be deducted for emergency surgery. Some items may also be lost. Passing out at 2:00 am will cause the player to lose {{price|1000}} or 10% of funds, whichever is less.

;Iridium

'''Iridium'''

 

The chance to find [[Iridium Ore]] increases steadily as you descend into the Skull Cavern. The monsters in the Cavern also have a chance to drop ore and [[Iridium Bar]]s, as well as [[The Mines#Special Items|special items]]. It can be a good idea to bring the [[Lava Katana]] or [[Galaxy Sword]], as enemies are particularly strong. High [[Luck]] increases the frequency of ore veins and the appearance of ladders/holes.  Rapid descent to floors with a higher chance of spawning [[Mining#Mining Nodes|Iridium Nodes]] is often more efficient for acquiring ore than thorough exploration. [[Staircase]]s can be stacked, so a single inventory slot can hold 999 staircases. Even blindly placing staircases will take ''some'' time though; the lower you descend with staircases, the less time you have to explore.

The chance to find [[Iridium Ore]] increases steadily as you descend into the Skull Cavern. The monsters in the Cavern also have a chance to drop ore and [[Iridium Bar]]s, as well as [[The Mines#Special Items|special items]]. It can be a good idea to bring the [[Lava Katana]] or [[Galaxy Sword]], as enemies are particularly strong. High [[Luck]] increases the frequency of ore veins and the appearance of ladders/holes.  Rapid descent to floors with a higher chance of spawning [[Mining#Mining Nodes|Iridium Nodes]] is often more efficient for acquiring ore than thorough exploration. [[Staircase]]s can be stacked, so a single inventory slot can hold 999 staircases. Even blindly placing staircases will take ''some'' time though; the lower you descend with staircases, the less time you have to explore.

 

''Qi's Challenge'''

;Qi's Challenge

After entering the Cavern for the first time, a letter is received on the following day, from [[Mr. Qi]]. The letter begins the quest [[Quests#Qi's Challenge|Qi's Challenge]], which is completed by reaching floor 25 in the Skull Cavern. Completing the quest awards {{price|10000}}, delivered by mail the following day.  If the player reaches level 25 of the Skull Cavern during the first visit, the quest will automatically be fulfilled the next day.

After entering the Cavern for the first time, a letter is received on the following day, from [[Mr. Qi]]. The letter begins the quest [[Quests#Qi's Challenge|Qi's Challenge]], which is completed by reaching floor 25 in the Skull Cavern. Completing the quest awards {{price|10000}}, delivered by mail the following day.  If the player reaches level 25 of the Skull Cavern during the first visit, the quest will automatically be fulfilled the next day.

;Skull Cavern Invasion

'''Skull Cavern Invasion'''

The [[Quests#Skull_Cavern_Invasion|"Skull Cavern Invasion"]] is a possible, repeatable Special Order, that may be accepted in [[Qi's Walnut Room]] on [[Ginger Island]]. It is completed by reaching floor 100 of the Skull Cavern within the given time limit. While the quest is active, stronger variations of [[Monsters]] occupy the Cavern; similarly to the [[The_Mines#Shrine_of_Challenge|dangerous Mines]]. The use of [[Staircase]]s is permitted. Completing the quest awards {{price|40|gem|class=inline}} [[Qi Gem]]s.

The [[Quests#Skull_Cavern_Invasion|"Skull Cavern Invasion"]] is a possible, repeatable Special Order, that may be accepted in [[Qi's Walnut Room]] on [[Ginger Island]]. It is completed by reaching floor 100 of the Skull Cavern within the given time limit. While the quest is active, stronger variations of [[Monsters]] occupy the Cavern; similarly to the [[The_Mines#Shrine_of_Challenge|dangerous Mines]]. The use of [[Staircase]]s is permitted. Completing the quest awards {{price|40|gem|class=inline}} [[Qi Gem]]s.

{{#lst:The Mines|usefulMineFood}}<!--Transcluded from The Mines page-->

{{#lst:The Mines|usefulMineFood}}<!--Transcluded from The Mines page-->

;Explosives

'''Explosives'''

[[Crafting#Bombs|Bombs]] make quick work of densely-clustered stones and ore veins.  They can also be used for permanently defeating [[Mummy|Mummies]].

[[Crafting#Bombs|Bombs]] make quick work of densely-clustered stones and ore veins.  They can also be used for permanently defeating [[Mummy|Mummies]].

The [[Slingshot]]'s [[Explosive Ammo]] is also effective in dealing with small groups of stones, [[Iridium Ore]] deposits, and incapacitated [[Mummy|Mummies]]. Loading the Slingshot with [[Gold Ore]] deals substantial damage, making it potentially useful for dispatching tough targets. Explosive ammo can be crafted or bought at the [[Adventurer's Guild]] for {{Price|300}}.

The [[Slingshot]]'s [[Explosive Ammo]] is also effective in dealing with small groups of stones, [[Iridium Ore]] deposits, and incapacitated [[Mummy|Mummies]]. Loading the Slingshot with [[Gold Ore]] deals substantial damage, making it potentially useful for dispatching tough targets. Explosive ammo can be crafted or bought at the [[Adventurer's Guild]] for {{Price|300}}.

;Staircases

'''Staircases'''

*[[Staircase]]s can be used for rapid descent or skipping troublesome floors. If the player has access to one or more [[Crystalarium]]s, it can be considered to make them produce [[Jade]] which can be traded for Staircases with the [[Desert Trader]] on Sundays.

*[[Staircase]]s can be used for rapid descent or skipping troublesome floors. If the player has access to one or more [[Crystalarium]]s, it can be considered to make them produce [[Jade]] which can be traded for Staircases with the [[Desert Trader]] on Sundays.

;Rings

'''Rings'''

*Several [[Rings]] may assist in exploring the Skull Cavern.  See the [[Rings]] page for full descriptions.

*Several [[Rings]] may assist in exploring the Skull Cavern.  See the [[Rings]] page for full descriptions.

;Warp Totems

'''Warp Totems'''

*A [[Warp Totem]] can be used to make a quick exit if supplies are running low or the day is almost over.

*A [[Warp Totem]] can be used to make a quick exit if supplies are running low or the day is almost over.

==Bugs==

==Bugs==

[[File:BuggedTreasureFloor.png|180px|thumb|right|An opened hidden chest]]

[[File:BuggedTreasureFloor.png|180px|thumb|right|An opened hidden chest]]

If a treasure floor spawns on a floor that is divisible by 20 but not by 40 (i.e. 20, 60 etc.), the chest will be spawned 4 tiles down, and be mostly hidden behind the wall.

If a treasure floor spawns on a floor that is divisible by 20 but not by 40 (''i.e.'', 20, 60 etc.), the chest will be spawned 4 tiles down, and be mostly hidden behind the wall.

==History==

==History==

{{History|1.3|Added Carbon Ghost, Iridium Bat, Iridium Crab, treasure rooms, and encounter with Mr. Qi.  Removed exploit that allowed the player to avoid bomb damage by consuming food after placing a bomb.}}

{{History|1.3|Added Carbon Ghost, Iridium Bat, Iridium Crab, treasure rooms, and encounter with Mr. Qi.  Removed exploit that allowed the player to avoid bomb damage by consuming food after placing a bomb.}}

{{History|1.4|Added [[Pepper Rex]].  Added [[White Turban]] to possible Treasure Room items.  All players entering a chute in [[Multiplayer]] now descend to the same level.  Qi's challenge can now be completed during the first visit to the Skull Cavern.  Chutes will no longer drop the player past level 100 if the Secret Note cutscene has not occurred.}}

{{History|1.4|Added [[Pepper Rex]].  Added [[White Turban]] to possible Treasure Room items.  All players entering a chute in [[Multiplayer]] now descend to the same level.  Qi's challenge can now be completed during the first visit to the Skull Cavern.  Chutes will no longer drop the player past level 100 if the Secret Note cutscene has not occurred.}}

==References==

==References==