Exploring Dungeons

Dungeons in Bravely Default are enemy-filled labyrinths. Learn how to navigate them, deal with traps, and save your progress before tough boss fights.

Dungeons are enemy-infested labyrinths comprised of multiple floors; you can use the stairs provided to move between different floors. Like on the world map, you will be beset by random battles as you attempt to navigate the dungeon.

Unlike in towns and on the world map, the dungeon map on the bottom screen isn’t complete when you first enter. Instead, the map will gradually fill up as you explore the dungeon; the map will also display unopened treasure chests and stairs to the other floors.

As you can’t save whenever you want, we recommend you be extra vigilant in dungeons. Try to keep your HP high at all times, in case of a surprise attack and don’t hesitate to backtrack to the entrance to replenish your supplies (you can switch off encounters from the Config menu).

Tricks and Traps

Occasionally, you may encounter dungeon devices, such as levers; simply approach them and press the A or L button when the “Inspect” prompt appears to trigger them. Generally these devices will help you to progress further into the dungeon, by opening locked doors for instance.

Not all devices are friendly–some may cause damage or inflict a status ailment onto your party. You’ll need to tread carefully (and sometimes quickly!) to avoid these pesky traps. Alternatively, you can equip the Freelancer’s Dungeon Master (Level 4) ability to nullify the effect of traps and terrain.

Saving Your Progress (and Sanity)

Once you reach the end of a dungeon, _finally_ you’ll be allowed to save your progress by speaking to the familiar-looking Adventurer with the red hat.

Needless to say, we absolutely recommend saving your game with the Adventurer because 9 times out of 10, once you stroll past the Adventurer and reach the end point of the dungeon, you’ll have to go claw to claw with a nightmarish boss intent on giving you a Game Over screen.