The Guru on Mt. Woe
This chapter begins when you climb the chain to Mt. Woe after defeating the Mud Imp and Beasts. You can return to the Earthbound Village to save, rest for free, or buy more equipment - climb the chain when ready.
Mountain of Woe
First area. Two Rubbles here. Head north then loop back to the bottom-left corner for the Lode Helm. Exit west then north.
Second area. Three Rubbles scattered about. The first is left of the entry chain. Head right, fight Gargoyles, save at the save point, then continue north. Cross the northeast chain to find the second Rubble, a Lode Vest, and a Shield. Cross back west and grab the Barrier in the top-left corner.
Climb the cliff east of that chest, follow it around left then south. Head north onto the plateau for a Lapis (fight two Bantam Imps). Cross the chain right, fight Stone Imps and Gargoyles, follow the cliff around right then down then left, fight Bantam Imps and Gargoyles. Climb down the chain south, head right, fight four Gargoyles, grab the Barrier.
Go southwest to fight the third Rubble. Return up to where you got the last Barrier, climb the cliff, cross the chain to exit east.
Third area. Grab the Lapis before approaching the Man Eaters. Head southeast first for a Hi-Ether (south) and Barrier (north).
After the Man Eaters, cross the chain and fight the sixth Rubble. Climb up a level; head south for a Shield and Shelter (fight Gargoyles and Man Eaters). Follow the path north, across the chain, around the island with the save point. Cross north when ready.
Fourth area. Surprisingly empty. Grab the Time Hat and Hi-Ether along the way. Get the Magic Tab in the bottom-right corner before climbing the giant chain to the boss.
Boss: Giga Gaia
Giga Gaia
Giga Gaia has a head and two hands. When both hands are alive, they use devastating Fire then Shadow attacks. The head revives both hands if either dies. The right hand heals the head for 250 HP; the left hand cuts a target's HP in half.
- Equip Fire/Shadow resistance (Red Mail/Vest, Black Mail/Vest) to reduce damage
- The hands attack twice: Fire first, then Shadow
- Falcon Hit (Crono + Ayla) deals 900-1200 damage to both hands, often one-shotting them
- When only the head remains, use single-target Techs: Spincut, Leap Slash, Cat Attack
- When the head revives the hands, they're weaker - a few Techs finish them
- Have a group healer (Frog's Heal, Robo's Heal Beam) for after AoE attacks
- Slurp Kiss (Ayla + Frog) costs only 2 MP and heals well
- Alternative: With Crono/Marle/Lucca at ~level 38, use Delta Force 6 times
- Alternative: Plow through hand attacks with 3D Attack on the head (4-5 kills it)
Melchior Rescued
After Giga Gaia falls, you escape to the Earthbound Village as the mountain collapses. Schala and Janus come to help, only to be abducted by Dalton. Melchior gives you the Ruby Knife to destroy the Mammon Machine.
Don't bother buying armor before you leave - you'll find better in Kajar soon. Rest and save, then proceed to the next chapter.
Treasure Summary
| Item | Location |
|---|---|
| Lode Helm | First area, bottom-left corner |
| Lode Vest | Second area, northeast chain island |
| Shield (x2) | Second area; Third area (south path) |
| Barrier (x3) | Second area (x2); Third area |
| Lapis (x2) | Second area; Third area |
| Hi-Ether | Third area, southeast |
| Shelter | Third area, south path |
| Time Hat | Fourth area |
| Hi-Ether | Fourth area |
| Magic Tab | Fourth area, bottom-right corner |
| Ruby Knife | From Melchior (key item) |