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Exploring the North Cave
Final Fantasy VII

Exploring the North Cave

Guide to exploring the North Cave in Final Fantasy VII, including enemy strategies for Dark Dragon, Gargoyle, Master Tonberry, Parasite, and Scissors, plus item locations.

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Guide to exploring the North Cave in Final Fantasy VII, including enemy strategies for Dark Dragon, Gargoyle, Master Tonberry, Parasite, and Scissors, plus item locations.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Fly to the North Cave and land in the crater. Disembark and climb down the rope ladder.
  2. 2
    Head south (towards the camera) and slide down the slope. You will land on a stone ledge.
  3. 3
    Descend the spiral ramp. Collect the Save Crystal from the first chest and the Guard Source from the second chest.
  4. 4
    After the second chest, enter the cave to reach a ledge. For now, continue descending the ramp.
  5. 5
    Continue down the ramp, fighting foes and collecting treasure, then proceed to the next screen.
  6. 6
    Navigate the series of ledges, jumping down both east and west.
  7. 7
    On the eastern ledges, collect a Guard Source and a Mind Source from the chests.
  8. 8
    Climb back up the western ledges. Collect a Magic Source, an Elixir, and a Power Source.
  9. 9
    Behind some foreground on the west side, grab the HP Absorb Materia.
  10. 10
    Make your way back down to the bottom of the screen and proceed to the next area, which features ledges and caves.

Enemies:

  • Dark Dragon: Powerful melee attacker. Learn Enemy Skills “Dragon Force” (Defense/Magic Defense +50%) and “Laser”. Steal Dragon Armlets. Do not cast spells, as they counter with “Ultima”.
  • Gargoyle: Immune to damage until animated. Cast “Death Force” at the start of the fight to block their final attack, “L4 Death”.
  • Master Tonberry: Slowly approaches and uses a knife attack that inflicts Death. If attacked too frequently, it counters with “Everyone’s Grudge” (damage = kills x10). Block melee with “Death Force”. Attack only once per movement to avoid “Everyone’s Grudge”. Limit Breaks are effective. Can be Morphed into Ribbons.
  • Parasite: Knows Enemy Skills “L5 Death” (inflicts Death on targets whose level is a multiple of five) and “Magic Breath”. Protect yourself with “Death Force” before it casts “L5 Death”.
  • Scissors: If not killed in one hit, they use “Scissor Attack” (inflicts Death) and split into two halves. The lower half uses “Confu” and “Scissor Kick”. The upper half uses “Cross Scissor” and “Scissor Tornado” (removes a character from combat). Protected from Death, they are less dangerous.
Tips
  • The moss-covered ledges can be climbed back up, but the eastern route is one-way down.
  • Master Tonberry has 44,444 HP. Limit Breaks are effective.
  • If damage output is low against Master Tonberry, consider running away as rewards are minimal.

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