Changes

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]].

= Going Deeper =

== Going Deeper ==

Like [[The Mines]], the player advances to new floors by finding a ladder by mining rocks or defeating monsters.  Additionally to a ladder, the player can sometimes find a hole and is offered a choice of whether or not to jump down. Jumping down causes a small amount of damage and skips a random number (3-15) of floors.

Like [[The Mines]], the player advances to new floors by finding a ladder by mining rocks or defeating monsters.  Additionally to a ladder, the player can sometimes find a hole and is offered a choice of whether or not to jump down. Jumping down causes a small amount of damage and skips a random number (3-15) of floors.

Unlike the Mines, the Cavern offers no elevator and has no limits to its depth. Each visit must start again from the first level.

Unlike the Mines, the Cavern offers no elevator and has no limits to its depth. Each visit must start again from the first level.

= Strategy =

== Strategy ==

It can be a good idea to bring the strongest weapon available to the player at the time - preferably the [[Lava Katana]] or the [[Galaxy Sword]] if the player can obtain it.

It can be a good idea to bring the strongest weapon available to the player at the time - preferably the [[Lava Katana]] or the [[Galaxy Sword]] if the player can obtain it.

== Always Go Down ==

=== Always Go Down ===

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.

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.

== Lucky Day ==

=== Lucky Day ===

As with many other things, high [[Luck]] increases the frequency of ore veins, item drops, and the appearance of ladders/holes.  Coming to the Cavern on a lucky day can increase success.

As with many other things, high [[Luck]] increases the frequency of ore veins, item drops, and the appearance of ladders/holes.  Coming to the Cavern on a lucky day can increase success.

== Items and Equipment ==

=== Items and Equipment ===

=== Food ===

==== Food ====

Useful foods for spelunking in the Skull Cavern:

Useful foods for spelunking in the Skull Cavern:

Note that Spicy Eel is sometimes dropped by the [[Serpent]] monsters that are common in the Cavern.

Note that Spicy Eel is sometimes dropped by the [[Serpent]] monsters that are common in the Cavern.

=== 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.

=== Explosives ===

==== Explosives ====

[[Bomb|Bombs]] make quick work of densely-clustered stones and ore veins.  They're also necessary for permanently defeating [[Mummy|Mummies]].

[[Bomb|Bombs]] make quick work of densely-clustered stones and ore veins.  They're also necessary for permanently defeating [[Mummy|Mummies]].

* Buy [[Mega Bomb]]s from the [[Dwarf]] for 1000g or craft with 4 [[Gold Ore]], 1 [[Solar Essence]], and 1 [[Void Essence]].

* Buy [[Mega Bomb]]s from the [[Dwarf]] for 1000g or craft with 4 [[Gold Ore]], 1 [[Solar Essence]], and 1 [[Void Essence]].

=== Slingshot ===

==== Slingshot ====

The [[Slingshot]]'s [[Explosive Ammo]] can make very rapid work of small groups of stones, [[Iridium Ore]] deposits, and incapacitated [[Mummy|Mummies]].

The [[Slingshot]]'s [[Explosive Ammo]] can make very rapid work of 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.

Loading the Slingshot with [[Gold Ore]] deals substantial damage, making it potentially useful for dispatching tough targets.

=== Rings ===

==== Rings ====

==== Magnet Rings ====

===== Magnet Rings =====

The increased attraction radius of the [[Small Magnet Ring]], [[Magnet Ring]], or [[Iridium Band]] can be useful, especially when using explosives to mine clusters of stone or ore.

The increased attraction radius of the [[Small Magnet Ring]], [[Magnet Ring]], or [[Iridium Band]] can be useful, especially when using explosives to mine clusters of stone or ore.

==== Burglar's Ring ====

===== Burglar's Ring =====

The [[Burglar's Ring]], acquired by fulfilling [[Gil]]'s [[Adventurer's Guild#Monster_Eradication_Goals|goal]] of slaying 500 [[Dust Sprite]]s, can be valuable for getting larger amounts of useful drops from enemies.  [[Serpent]]s can drop [[Bomb]]s and [[Spicy Eel]] while [[Purple Slime]]s can drop [[Iridium Ore]].

The [[Burglar's Ring]], acquired by fulfilling [[Gil]]'s [[Adventurer's Guild#Monster_Eradication_Goals|goal]] of slaying 500 [[Dust Sprite]]s, can be valuable for getting larger amounts of useful drops from enemies.  [[Serpent]]s can drop [[Bomb]]s and [[Spicy Eel]] while [[Purple Slime]]s can drop [[Iridium Ore]].

==== Slime Charmer Ring ====

===== Slime Charmer Ring =====

Use the [[Slime Charmer Ring]], acquired by fulfilling [[Gil]]'s [[Adventurer's Guild#Monster_Eradication_Goals|goal]] of slaying 1000 [[Slimes]], for bypassing the common slime enemies in the cavern and negating their slowing debuff.

Use the [[Slime Charmer Ring]], acquired by fulfilling [[Gil]]'s [[Adventurer's Guild#Monster_Eradication_Goals|goal]] of slaying 1000 [[Slimes]], for bypassing the common slime enemies in the cavern and negating their slowing debuff.

==== Savage Ring ====

===== Savage Ring =====

The [[Savage Ring]] provides a [[Speed]] boost on slaying a monster which can make up for time spent combating the cavern's denizens.

The [[Savage Ring]] provides a [[Speed]] boost on slaying a monster which can make up for time spent combating the cavern's denizens.

=== 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 levels.  Since staircases do not stack, it can be more space-efficient to bring plenty of [[Stone]] and craft the staircases as needed.

= Monsters=

== Monsters ==

{|class="wikitable sortable"

{|class="wikitable sortable"