[Zeromus_X]

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1.9 Antlion Lair
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Before we do anything, please put Edward in the back row. His normal attack isn’t very noteworthy, or his special ability, which actually uses up Potions in your inventory to heal the party for a very small amount of HP. His ‘Sing’ can sometimes inflict status effects on the enemy, but other than that, he doesn’t have much else going for him. His attacks inflict some status effects depending on what harp he has equipped (assuming he hits the enemy...), so I guess that’s worth something.

At any rate, after you’re done preparing for the cave, get on the Hovercraft by pressing OKAY while in it on the world map. Go on the rocks in the ocean northeast of Damcyan Castle, and use them to reach the land mass east of Damcyan. On this piece of land is the Antlion Cave, our next destination.

At the entrance, head left until you reach a treasure chest that has a Silk Web inside. Go down the steps nearby and under the little bridge up to open a chest with a Potion. Keep going south from that chest to reach a path leading to two other chests. The lower chest contains a Tent. The upper chest contains a Potion.

Now go back to near the entrance. A bit below and to the right of the entrance is a set of stairs leading up, and a bridge to the right of them. (With a chest below it.) Go right across that bridge, and then go up for a chest with Soft. Maneuver yourself below the bridge you crossed to reach the chest with a Potion. South of the chest with a Soft is the stairs leading to the second basement.

From the entrance of the second basement, keep going south until you reach a chest with a Notus. You’ll notice the door nearby. Enter it, and you’ll find a chest in that room with a Lamia (Lamia Harp.) Obviously a weapon for Edward. It has confusion as a status effect, which is kinda neat, and is also stronger than the harp he came equipped with. Exit this chamber.

Now, head left and up from the door to the chamber with the harp. You’ll see a set of stairs. Go up them, and you’ll be back at the first floor, near a door you probably noticed but couldn’t reach before. It happens to be a Save Point. Use a tent and save if you wish. There are also three chests in this room. They contain, from left to right: Exit, Ether 1, and Life. Exit after you’re done, and go back down the staircase to the second basement.

From the stairs that led to the first floor, head left, up, and right to reach the noticeable treasure chest with a HrGlass1 (Hourglass 1). Head west to reach a chest with a Silk Web. Head south, down the steps below the small bridge leading to the chest with a Silk Web, and follow the path until you see a set of stairs leading down. Go down them to reach the Antlion’s chamber.


In the chamber, continue going south, into the center of the chamber. (Ignore the sides, there’s nothing to do on them.) You’ll soon reach the Antlion’s nest. Edward, knowing the monster to be tame, reaches out to obtain the Sand Ruby from the monster’s nest. (I forgot to mention that it’s made of the secretion it makes when it lays eggs. Cecil really hasn’t been having the best week, has he?) Surprisingly, the Antlion tries biting Edward. It looks like we won’t be able to get this Sand Ruby without a fight.

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BOSS: Antlion
HP: 1,100
Experience Points: 1,500
Gil: 800
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The Antlion isn’t particularly hard, but you should still be careful. It counters with an attack that usually does around 30 damage to a member of your party, but only when they attack with a normal attack. Instead of taking more damage then you’ll deal by attacking with Edward, have him use Potions if your characters are at low HP. Have Rydia just summon Chocobo. Have Cecil keep attacking it. It won’t take too long.
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Edward is surprised at the monster’s unorthodox behavior. Cecil comments on how monsters are multiplying rapidly, and how their behavior has changed as well, for some mysterious reason.

At any rate, it’s time to get out of here and get back to Kaipo! Either use that Exit item you found, use Rydia’s Warp spell if she’s at level 12 or above, or just do it the traditional way, and walk out.