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Escape from Karnak Castle
Final Fantasy V

Escape from Karnak Castle

Escape Karnak Castle in Final Fantasy V within 10 minutes, collecting 15 chests and defeating Iron Claw for new Jobs.

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Escape Karnak Castle in Final Fantasy V within 10 minutes, collecting 15 chests and defeating Iron Claw for new Jobs.

You have 10 minutes until Karnak Castle explodes, with an actual timer counting down. Unlike the GBA version, the timer does not count down on menu or map screens, but it does count down during battles. The timer pauses briefly while you select spells or items, which you can use to your advantage. You cannot return to the Castle once it explodes, so ensure you collect all chests. The Thief ability, Sprint, can increase your movement speed. Failing to exit the Castle before the 10-minute timer expires results in a game over. All random encounters will be either a Sergeant and 3 Cur Nakks, or just a Cur Nakk.

  1. You must have reached Karnak Castle and be in the process of escaping.
Walkthrough
  1. 1
    You begin on B5 in a save room. Return the way you came and examine the pot (1) for a full restore of HP and MP, and revival of fallen party members.
  2. 2
    Save your game and proceed up to B4.
  3. 3
    On B4, the fires are gone, allowing access to previously unreachable chests. Enter the first jail cell to the right for chest (2) containing 2000 Gil.
  4. 4
    The chest (3) in the upper right cell contains a Monster-in-a-Box. Defeat the Sorcerer and 2 Cur Nakks to receive an Elixir.
  5. 5
    Move to the next floor, B3.
  6. 6
    On the left side of B3, a Monster-in-a-Box (4) requires you to fight either 2 Sorcerers or a Gigas. The reward is a Ribbon.
  7. 7
    On the right side of B3, another Monster-in-a-Box (5) contains a Shuriken after defeating a Gigas. You can also learn Aera and Aero Blue Magic from Gigas encounters here.
  8. 8
    Enter the large door in the middle of the top wall to proceed to B2.
  9. 9
    There are no items or encounters on B2. Proceed to B1 and go up the stairs.
  10. 10
    On the 1st Floor, enter the door to the right to reach the 2nd Floor.
  11. 11
    On the 2nd Floor, use the stairs in the upper left corner to reach the top of the Castle.
  12. 12
    Follow the path and descend stairs to find chest (6), a Monster-in-a-Box. Defeat the Gigas, Sorcerer, and Cur Nakk (or just a Gigas) for an Elven Mantle.
  13. 13
    Return to the 2nd floor room with multiple chests.
  14. 14
    Open the two unopened chests for 2000 Gil (7) and another Monster-in-a-Box (8). Defeat the Gigas (or 2 Sorcerers) for an Elixir.
  15. 15
    Proceed down to chest (9), another Monster-in-a-Box. Defeat the Gigas for another Elixir.
  16. 16
    To the left of chest (9) is a door leading outside to a balcony.
  17. 17
    Enter the other door to reach the other side of the 2nd floor.
  18. 18
    Upon entering, chest (10) is to your right, a Monster-in-a-Box. Defeat the Sorcerer and 2 Cur Nakks (or a Gigas) for an Elixir.
  19. 19
    To the left is chest (11), another Monster-in-a-Box. Defeat the Gigas for another Elixir.
  20. 20
    Continue left and go up to two more chests.
  21. 21
    Chest (12) is a Monster-in-a-Box. Defeat the Sorcerer and 2 Cur Nakks (or a Gigas) for an Elixir.
  22. 22
    Chest (13) contains 2000 Gil.
  23. 23
    Use the stairs in the upper right corner. This leads to a Monster-in-a-Box (14), containing a Gigas, Sorcerer, and Cur Nakk (or possibly just a Gigas). Defeat them for a Main Gauche.
  24. 24
    Return to the 2nd floor room with all the chests and descend the stairs back to the 1st Floor.
  25. 25
    On the 1st Floor, go left and down through the large door.
  26. 26
    To the left is a Monster-in-a-Box (15). Defeat the Gigas (or 2 Sorcerers) for the White Magic spell Esuna.
  27. 27
    To the right is Monster-in-a-Box (16). Defeat the Sorcerer and 2 Cur Nakks (or a Gigas) for a Lightning Scroll.
  28. 28
    Exit through the bottom door and leave the Castle.
  29. 29
    Before exiting, you will be attacked by a Sergeant and 3 Cur Nakks. Defeat the Cur Nakks, and the Sergeant will transform into the boss, Iron Claw.
  30. 30
    Boss Battle: Iron Claw
  31. 31
    Iron Claw has 900 HP. You can steal a Hero Cocktail from it. It is weak to no elements. It can use Death Claw, which can be learned as Blue Magic. Spells like Fira, Blizzara, and Thundara are effective. Shiva is also decent. Attack with your strongest abilities.
  32. 32
    After defeating Iron Claw, finish exiting the Castle.
  33. 33
    Karnak Castle explodes, and you receive the Jobs Beastmaster, Geomancer, and Ninja from the shards of the Fire Crystal.
  34. 34
    Board the Fire-Powered Ship and speak with Cid. He will leave after blaming himself for the Crystal situation.
  35. 35
    Return to Karnak.
Tips
  • Use the Thief ability, Sprint, to move faster through the Castle.
  • If you have time during the Iron Claw fight, try to have a Blue Magic Learner get hit by Death Claw.
  • The menu and map screens do not advance the 10-minute timer, but battles do. The timer pauses briefly when selecting spells or items.
  • Ensure all 15 chests are collected before the Castle explodes, as you cannot return.
  • Ribbon
  • Shuriken
  • Elven Mantle
  • Esuna (spell)
  • Lightning Scroll
  • Main Gauche
  • 2000 Gil x3
  • Elixir x6
  • Jobs: Beastmaster, Geomancer, Ninja

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