Defense

Learn how to defeat Goombas, Paragoombas, Spinias, and Spiky Goombas in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. Includes tips on hammer attacks and finding the Black Key.

The Goombas and Paragoombas are simple enemies. A single attack from Mario or Goombella should defeat them. Mario cannot use his hammer against flying enemies unless he has a specific badge. To make them vulnerable to hammer attacks, jump on them first. This applies to enemies with the "Para-" prefix. Spiky Goombas should never be jumped on, nor should any enemy with spikes, unless Mario has a specific badge. Each enemy can be defeated with one successful action command.

After the battle, Frankly will explain First Strikes. Listen to him, then head right and up the stairs. Go behind the nearby wall and wait for the platform. Jump on it and use the pipe on the other side.

In the next room, you will encounter more battles and find item blocks containing a Fire Flower and a Mushroom. Continue until you reach odd yellow blocks; hammer them and go down the pipe.

In the following room, an odd creature will retreat into a hole, and you will see Spinias. Defeat the Spinias. Go straight down from the hole and jump against the wall to reveal an invisible block containing a badge. Continue right and up the stairs, then enter the room to the right.

Inside is a black chest that will speak to you, explaining the need to find a black key. Head outside.

Go left until you see a grayish floor tile. Jump off it towards the northern wall to find a ledge with a black key. Before taking it, go behind the large yellow block for a Star Piece. Return to the room with the chest and use the key. The chest will open, releasing a piece of paper that curses you before explaining itself.

About Plane Mode: Press Y on airplane panels to transform into a paper airplane. Use left and right to balance and fly as far as possible. Press B at any time to return to normal, or hit a wall.