1,424
edits
Changes
no edit summary
There is no practical limit to the number of floors, or levels, in the Skull Cavern.<ref name="integerlimit" /> Similar to [[the Mines]], the player advances through floors in the Skull Cavern by finding a ladder on each floor, either by mining rocks or defeating enemies.
There is no practical limit to the number of floors, or levels, in the Skull Cavern.<ref name="integerlimit" /> Similar to [[the Mines]], the player advances through floors in the Skull Cavern by finding a ladder on each floor, either by mining rocks or defeating enemies.
The player can sometimes find a shaft, or hole, which makes it possible to skip 3-15 floors. There is a 20% chance for a rock to spawn a shaft instead of a ladder. The way this works is that a pseudo random integer x between 3 and 8 inclusive is chosen with a 90% chance that the player drops x levels and a 10% chance that the player drops 2x-1 levels. The amount of levels dropped is predetermined based on the mine level, game day, and game seed. In particular, [[Luck]] does not affect the chances of jumping down a certain number of levels. In addition, this means that if there are multiple shafts on a given level, they will drop the player the same number of levels, so it does not matter which shaft is chosen. Jumping down the shaft causes [[health]] damage equal to 3x the number of levels skipped (although jumping down a shaft will never reduce health to less than 1). Note that if a shaft above floor 100 is calculated to drop the player past floor 100, it will be modified to only drop the player to floor 100. <ref name="shaftlevels"/>
[[The Player]] can sometimes find a shaft, or hole, which makes it possible to skip 3-15 floors. There is a 20% chance for a rock to spawn a shaft instead of a ladder. The way this works is that a pseudo random integer x between 3 and 8 inclusive is chosen with a 90% chance that the player drops x levels and a 10% chance that the player drops 2x-1 levels. The amount of levels dropped is predetermined based on the mine level, game day, and game seed. In particular, [[Luck]] does not affect the chances of jumping down a certain number of levels. In addition, this means that if there are multiple shafts on a given level, they will all drop [[The Player]] the same number of levels, so it does not matter which shaft is chosen. Jumping down the shaft causes [[Health]] damage equal to 3x the number of levels skipped (although jumping down a shaft will never reduce health to less than 1). Note that if a shaft above floor 100 is calculated to drop the player past floor 100, it will be modified to only drop the player to floor 100. <ref name="shaftlevels"/>
Unlike the Mines, there is no elevator to save progress, but on every floor there is a ladder at the starting point where the player 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 [[The Player]] can leave the Skull Cavern. Each visit must start again from the first floor. If [[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 the player descends 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 through 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 the player descends with staircases, the less time they have to explore.
The chance to find [[Iridium Ore]] increases steadily as [[The Player]] descends into the Skull Cavern. The monsters in the Cavern also have a chance to drop [[Iridium Ore|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 through exploration. [[Staircase]]s can be stacked, so a single inventory slot can hold 999 [[Staircase]]s. Even blindly placing [[Staircases]] will take ''some'' time though; the lower [[The Player]] descends with [[Staircase]]s, the less time they have to explore the caverns.
'''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.
'''Qi's Hungry Challenge'''
'''Qi's Hungry Challenge'''
[[Quests#Qi's_Hungry_Challenge|"Qi's Hungry Challenge"]] 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 this quest is active, no food or drink can be consumed while in the Skull Cavern. Buffs from food/drink before entering the Skull Cavern will stay active. While this quest is active, Big Slimes may occasionally have hearts that will give 10 health points when slain. Another strategy to regain health without eating is to equip one or more [[Vampire Ring]]s or to use a weapon with the Vampiric enchantment. The use of [[Staircase]]s is permitted. Completing the quest awards {{price|25|gem|class=inline}} [[Qi Gem]]s.
[[Quests#Qi's_Hungry_Challenge|"Qi's Hungry Challenge"]] 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 this quest is active, no food or drink items can be consumed while [[The Player]] is in the Skull Cavern. Buffs from food/drink before entering the Skull Cavern will stay active. While this quest is active, Big Slimes may occasionally have hearts that will give 10 health points when slain. Another strategy to regain [[Health]] without eating is to equip one or more [[Vampire Ring]]s or to use a weapon with the Vampiric enchantment. The use of [[Staircase]]s is permitted. Completing the quest awards {{price|25|gem|class=inline}} [[Qi Gem]]s.
'''Skull Cavern Invasion'''
'''Skull Cavern Invasion'''
'''Food'''
'''Food'''
Shown below are foods with [[buffs]] that are useful when exploring the Skull Cavern. Note that eating a food with buffs will wipe out any active buffs and replace them with the buffs from the newly eaten food. If the newly eaten food has no buffs, the existing buffs will remain in effect. [[Coffee]], [[Triple Shot Espresso]] and [[Ginger Ale]] are an exception to this rule; they will stack with other food buffs (but not each other).
Shown below are foods with [[Buffs]] that are useful when exploring the Skull Cavern. Note that eating a food with [[Buffs]] will wipe out any active buffs and replace them with the [[Buffs]] from the newly eaten food. If the newly eaten food has no buffs, the existing buffs will remain in effect. [[Coffee]], [[Triple Shot Espresso]] and [[Ginger Ale]] are an exception to this rule; they will stack with other food buffs (but not each other).
{{#lst:The Mines|usefulMineFood}}<!--Transcluded from The Mines page-->
{{#lst:The Mines|usefulMineFood}}<!--Transcluded from The Mines page-->
|260
|260
|30
|30
|Appears on Mummy levels. Needs to be finished with a [[Crafting#Bombs|bomb]] of any type after being knocked out with other weapons. If a bomb does enough damage to knock the Mummy out, it will also destroy it. Using a weapon with the [[Forge#Combat enchantments|Crusader enchantment]] stops them from reviving. Frequently drops [[Solar Essence]] when slain, and occasionally drops [[Cloth]].
|Appears on Mummy levels. Needs to be finished with a [[Crafting#Bombs|bomb]] of any type after being knocked out with other weapons. If a bomb does enough damage to knock the Mummy out, it will also destroy it. Using a weapon with the [[Forge#Combat enchantments|Crusader enchantment]] stops them from reviving. Frequently drops [[Solar Essence]]s when slain, and occasionally drops [[Cloth]].
|-
|-
|[[File:Serpent.png|center|48px]]
|[[File:Serpent.png|center|48px]]
|190
|190
|25
|25
|May appear on Mummy levels. Frequently drop [[Omni Geode]]s. May occasionally drop [[Refined Quartz]].
|Can appear on Mummy levels. Frequently drop [[Omni Geode]]s. May occasionally drop [[Refined Quartz]].
|-
|-
|[[File:Pepper Rex.png|center|54px]]
|[[File:Pepper Rex.png|center|54px]]
|300
|300
|15
|15
|Appears mainly on prehistoric floors; breathes fire. Drops [[Dinosaur Egg]] or one of 3 prehistoric [[artifacts]].
|Appears mainly on prehistoric floors; breathes fire. Drops [[Dinosaur Egg]] or one of 3 prehistoric [[Artifacts]].
|-
|-
|[[File:Mutant Fly.png|center|36px]]
|[[File:Mutant Fly.png|center|36px]]
==Prehistoric Floors==
==Prehistoric Floors==
[[File:Prehistoric Level.png|180px|thumb|right|A Prehistoric Floor]]
[[File:Prehistoric Level.png|180px|thumb|right|A Prehistoric Floor]]
Prehistoric floors are a type of infested floor containing mainly [[Pepper Rex]] monsters. [[Mutant Fly|Mutant flies]] and [[Bats|Iridium Bats]] can also spawn and attack the player there. [[Dinosaur Egg]]s and [[Fiddlehead Fern]]s can be foraged on Prehistoric floors. Foliage on this floor has a chance to yield an [[Ancient Seed]] when cut down. Below floor 6 there is a ~2.2% chance to encounter a prehistoric floor.<ref name="dinofloor" />
Prehistoric floors are a type of infested floor containing mainly [[Pepper Rex]] monsters. [[Mutant Fly|Mutant flies]] and [[Bats|Iridium Bats]] can also spawn and attack the player there. [[Dinosaur Egg]]s and [[Fiddlehead Fern]]s can be foraged on Prehistoric floors. Foliage on this floor has a chance to yield an [[Ancient Seed]] when cut down. Below floor 6 there is a ~2.2% chance to encounter a prehistoric floor.<ref name="dinofloor" />
Because prehistoric floors are infested, all enemies on this floor must be killed before a ladder appears.
Because prehistoric floors are infested, all enemies on this floor must be killed before a ladder appears.
==Treasure Rooms==
==Treasure Rooms==
Small rooms containing treasure chests, similar to those in [[The Mines]], can randomly appear at level 10+. [[Luck#Daily Luck|Daily luck]] and [[Luck#Luck Buffs|Luck Buffs]] affect the chance to find Treasure Rooms. The probability of encountering one when entering a new floor equals to <code>0.01 + (Daily Luck / 10) + (Luck Buffs / 100)</code><ref name="dinofloor" />. This means treasure rooms have a base chance of 1% to appear with daily [[Luck]] increasing the chance by 1% at best or decreasing by 1% at worst, with the [[Special Charm]] adding 0.25%, and food buffs adding 1% for every point of Luck. In multiplayer, the luck values taken into account are the average of luck stats of players present in the Skull Cavern. Floor 100 of the Skull Cavern is guaranteed to contain a treasure chest. The only exception is during the run where the player completes the [[Skull Cavern#Secret|secret]].
Small rooms containing treasure chests, similar to those in [[The Mines]], can randomly appear at level 10+. [[Luck#Daily Luck|Daily luck]] and [[Luck#Luck Buffs|Luck Buffs]] affect the chance to find Treasure Rooms. The probability of encountering one when entering a new floor equals to <code>0.01 + (Daily Luck / 10) + (Luck Buffs / 100)</code><ref name="dinofloor" />. This means Treasure Rooms have a base chance of 1% to appear with daily [[Luck]] increasing the chance by 1% at best or decreasing by 1% at worst, with the [[Special Charm]] adding 0.25%, and food buffs adding 1% for every point of Luck. In multiplayer, the luck values taken into account are the average of luck stats of players present in the Skull Cavern. Floor 100 of the Skull Cavern is guaranteed to contain a treasure chest. The only exception is during the run where the player completes the [[Skull Cavern#Secret|secret]].
Below is a collapsible table of all possible treasures that can be randomly found inside Treasure Chests in the Skull Cavern.
Below is a collapsible table of all possible treasures that can be randomly found inside Treasure Chests in the Skull Cavern.
==Secret==
==Secret==
<section begin="qiskullcavern" />After reading [[Secret Notes#Secret Note #10|Secret Note #10]], the player will find [[Mr. Qi]] at level 100 of the [[Skull Cavern]]. A cutscene ensues in which:
<section begin="qiskullcavern" />After reading [[Secret Notes#Secret Note #10|Secret Note #10]], the player will find [[Mr. Qi]] at level 100 of the [[Skull Cavern]]. A cutscene ensues in which:
{{collapse|content=Mr. Qi will either congratulate the player for reaching level 100 while using 10 or fewer [[Staircase]]s or say the player is "clever" but not "honorable" for using more than 10. In either case, he will award the player with Iridium Snake Milk, which permanently increases the player's [[health]] by 25 points.}}
{{collapse|content=Mr. Qi will either congratulate [[The Player]] for reaching level 100 while using 10 or fewer [[Staircase]]s or say [[The Player]] is "clever" but not "honorable" for using more than 10. In either case, he will award [[The Player]] with Iridium Snake Milk, which permanently increases [[The Player|The Player's]] [[Health]] by 25 points.}}
[[File:QiCutsceneSkullCavern.png|200px]]<section end="qiskullcavern" />
[[File:QiCutsceneSkullCavern.png|200px]]<section end="qiskullcavern" />
* The plaques that can be occasionally found on the walls contain [[Secrets#Skull Cavern Plaques|enciphered messages]].
* The plaques that can be occasionally found on the walls contain [[Secrets#Skull Cavern Plaques|enciphered messages]].
* To reach the [[#cite_note-integerlimit-1|integer limit]], it would be required to bypass the [[Quarry Mine]] Floor, which has no ability to produce a ladder. (This floor is coded as 77377, and can be found at level 77257 of the Skull Cavern, which counts floor 1 as floor 121 internally.) <ref name="quarryMineShaft" />
* To reach the [[#cite_note-integerlimit-1|integer limit]], it would be required to bypass the [[Quarry Mine]] Floor, which has no ability to produce a ladder. (This floor is coded as 77377, and can be found at level 77257 of the Skull Cavern, which counts floor 1 as floor 121 internally.) <ref name="quarryMineShaft" />
* Starting at floor 880, iridium bats will become red bats and have double health and faster speed.<ref name="deepbats" />
* Starting at floor 880, [[Bats|Iridium Bats]] will become red bats and have double health and faster speed.<ref name="deepbats" />
==References==
==References==
<!--Which update changed the fact that food eaten later in the day lasted for less time?-->
<!--Which update changed the fact that food eaten later in the day lasted for less time?-->
{{History|1.3.27|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|1.3.27|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 shaft in [[Multiplayer]] now descend to the same level. Qi's challenge can now be completed during the first visit to the Skull Cavern. Shafts will no longer drop the player past level 100.}}
{{History|1.4|Added [[Pepper Rex]]. Added [[White Turban]] to possible Treasure Room items. All players entering a shaft in [[Multiplayer]] now descend to the same level. Qi's challenge can now be completed during the first visit to the Skull Cavern. Shafts will no longer drop [[The Player]] past level 100.}}
{{History|1.5|Added [[Auto-Petter]] to possible Treasure Room items. Fixed chests spawned on certain floors being shifted down by 4 tiles. Fixed message appearing when opening a treasure room chest before opening the initial 15 parsnip seeds given by [[Lewis|Mayor Lewis]].}}
{{History|1.5|Added [[Auto-Petter]] to possible Treasure Room items. Fixed chests spawned on certain floors being shifted down by 4 tiles. Fixed message appearing when opening a treasure room chest before opening the initial 15 [[Parsnip Seeds]] given by [[Lewis|Mayor Lewis]].}}
{{History|1.5.2|Added [[Dark Cowboy Hat]] to possible Treasure Room items.}}
{{History|1.5.2|Added [[Dark Cowboy Hat]] to possible Treasure Room items.}}
{{History|1.5.5|Reaching level 100 will result in a guaranteed treasure chest, except when viewing the secret cutscene.}}
{{History|1.5.5|Reaching level 100 will result in a guaranteed treasure chest, except when viewing the secret cutscene.}}