Changes

[[File:skullkeyentrance.jpg|thumb|right|Skull Cavern Entrance]]

[[File:skullkeyentrance.jpg|thumb|right|Skull Cavern Entrance]]

[[File:shaft.jpg|thumb|right|A shaft for faster descending]]

[[File:shaft.jpg|thumb|right|A shaft for faster descending]]

'''{{PAGENAME}}''' is located in the northwest area of [[the Desert]]. It is initially locked and requires the [[Skull Key]] to gain access. 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]], which is completed by reaching level 25 in Skull Cavern. Completing the quest awards {{price|10,000}}.

'''{{PAGENAME}}''' is located in the northwest area of [[the Desert]]. It is initially locked and requires the [[Skull Key]] to gain access. 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]], which is completed by reaching floor 25 in Skull Cavern. Completing the quest awards {{price|10,000}}.

There is an infinite number of levels, or floors, in Skull Cavern. Similar to [[the Mines]], the player advances through floors in Skull Cavern by finding a ladder on each level, 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. Jumping down the shaft causes a small amount of damage. Unlike the Mines, there is no elevator to save progress. Each visit must start again from the first level. If [[The Player|the player]] runs out of health or blacks out 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.

There is an infinite number of floors, or levels, in Skull Cavern. Similar to [[the Mines]], the player advances through floors in 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. Jumping down the shaft causes a small amount of damage. Unlike the Mines, there is no elevator to save progress. Each visit must start again from the first floor. If [[The Player|the player]] runs out of health or blacks out 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.

Every ten levels the chance to find [[Iridium Ore]] increases significantly, and reaches maximum concentration at level 100. The monsters in the Cavern also have a chance to drop ore and [[Iridium Bar|Iridium Bars]]. It can be a good idea to bring the [[Lava Katana]] or [[Galaxy Sword]], as enemies are particularly strong. As with many other things, high [[Luck]] increases the frequency of ore veins, item drops, and the appearance of ladders/holes. Exploring the Cavern on a lucky day will increase the odds of finding loot and ladders. Since the frequency of [[Iridium Ore]] increases for every 10 levels descended into the Cavern, rapid descent is often more efficient for acquiring ore than thorough exploration. With a full bag of stone, its possible to descend to floor 300+.

Every ten floors the chance to find [[Iridium Ore]] increases significantly, and reaches maximum concentration at floor 100. The monsters in the Cavern also have a chance to drop ore and [[Iridium Bar|Iridium Bars]]. It can be a good idea to bring the [[Lava Katana]] or [[Galaxy Sword]], as enemies are particularly strong. As with many other things, high [[Luck]] increases the frequency of ore veins, item drops, and the appearance of ladders/holes. Exploring the Cavern on a lucky day will increase the odds of finding loot and ladders. Since the frequency of [[Iridium Ore]] increases for every 10 floors descended into the Cavern, rapid descent is often more efficient for acquiring ore than thorough exploration. With a full bag of stone, its possible to descend to floor 300+.

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]].

== Preparation ==

== Preparation ==

=== Food ===

=== Food ===

Useful foods for spelunking in the Skull Cavern:

Useful food for exploring Skull Cavern:

{| class="wikitable sortable"

{| class="wikitable sortable"

!Image

!Image

=== Staircase ===

=== Staircase ===

[[Staircase]]s can be used for rapid descent or skipping troublesome levels.  Since staircases do not stack, it can be more space-efficient to bring plenty of [[Stone]] and craft the staircases as needed.

[[Staircase]]s can be used for rapid descent or skipping troublesome floors.  Since staircases do not stack, it can be more space-efficient to bring plenty of [[Stone]] and craft the staircases as needed.

===Rings===

===Rings===

|60

|60

|5

|5

|Splits into smaller [[Slimes]] when killed. Big Slimes in the Skull Cavern are always purple.

|Splits into smaller [[Slimes]] when killed. Big Slimes are always purple in Skull Cavern.

|-

|-

|[[File:Purple Slime.png|center|36px]]

|[[File:Purple Slime.png|center|36px]]