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

[[File:skullkeyentrance.jpg|thumb|right|340px|Skull Cavern Entrance]]

 

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

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

The '''Skull Cavern''' 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|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.

There is no limit to the number of floors, or levels, in the Skull Cavern (at least until the integer limit of 2147483647 is reached). 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. 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).

There is no limit to the number of floors, or levels, in the Skull Cavern (at least until the integer limit of 2147483647 is reached). 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. 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).

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 2:00AM will cause the player to lose {{price|1000}} or 10% of funds, whichever is less.

'''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. With a full inventory of stone, it's possible to craft [[staircase]]s to descend to floor 300+.

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. With a full inventory of stone, it's possible to craft [[staircase]]s to descend to floor 300+.

The plaques that can be occasionally found on the walls contain [[Secrets#Skull Cavern Plaques|enciphered messages]].

 

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.

==Time==

==Time==

==Strategy==

==Strategy==

===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]] and [[Triple Shot Espresso]] 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]] and [[Triple Shot Espresso]] 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-->

===Explosives===

'''Explosives'''

 

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

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

* Buy [[Cherry Bomb]]s from the [[Dwarf]] for {{price|300}} or craft them with 4 [[Copper Ore]] and 1 [[Coal]].

* Buy [[Cherry Bomb]]s from the [[Dwarf]] for {{price|300}} or craft them with 4 [[Copper Ore]] and 1 [[Coal]].

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}}.

*[[Staircase]]s can be used for rapid descent or skipping troublesome floors.

*[[Staircase]]s can be used for rapid descent or skipping troublesome floors.

===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.

[[File:QiCutsceneSkullCavern.png|200px]]<section end="qiskullcavern" />

[[File:QiCutsceneSkullCavern.png|200px]]<section end="qiskullcavern" />

==History==

==History==