Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Defense Guide

AntMag.NET

The battle against Gloomtail is tough, featuring 80 HP, 8-14 Attack, and 2 Defense. It's recommended to start with a Power Lift and use Goombella with Rally Wink if she has it, allowing Mario to perform two powerful attacks per turn. If proficient with Power Bounce, this can result in over thirty damage per turn with Power Lift and Rally Wink.

A significant threat is Gloomtail's "bad breath," similar to Hooktail's flame attack. This inflicts major damage and status ailments, making the Feeling Fine badges essential. This move is often used after a Charge. When Gloomtail Charges, have Mario attack (if Vivian is the current partner) or switch to Vivian with Mario in front. Use Vivian's Veil, then continue with the offensive strategy.

After defeating Gloomtail, you'll receive a Star Key. Be sure to explore the right side of the room to find an Ultra Shroom and a Jammin' Jelly by blowing up a wall. Afterward, return to the large room.

In the large room, utilize the Save and Heart Blocks before using the Boat Panel. Sail to the other Boat Panel, exit Boat Mode, and enter the tower.

The Tower's Riddles

The tower has three floors. The bottom and middle floors each contain four rooms with riddles that must be solved to obtain a Palace Key, totaling eight rooms and eight Palace Keys. The top floor will be detailed later. Rooms are numbered clockwise, starting from the one to the left of the entrance. Room #5 is directly above Room #1 on the second floor, with rooms numbered clockwise from there.

Room #1

Riddle: Beyond, beyond, beyond... Complete All Seven... Before, before...

Answer: Hit the block on the left three times and the one on the right twice.

Room #2

Riddle: Four stones, twin stones... Master of Shadow and Dark... Two are one, one is two...

Answer: Break blocks between this room and Room #6, going back and forth. You'll reach a point in each room where you can't break a block.

Room #3

Riddle: All you see isn't all there be... Stones Have Power of Stars... Touch it to pass through it...

Answer: Go through the wall on the right side of the room.

Room #4

Riddle: The unseen may yet be felt... So That We, the Great Ones... Be it here? Be it there?

Answer: Use Flurrie to blow away invisible wallpaper in the center of the room, revealing an invisible object.

Room #5

Riddle: Let fall the weakest... And That the Skies Lie... And build to the strongest...

Answer: Defeat the enemies in this order: Dull Bones, Red Bones, Dry Bones, and finally Dark Bones. If you encounter the wrong enemy, run away and find the correct one.

Room #6

Riddle: Four stones, twin stones... Can Live Again by the Stone... Two are one, one is two...

Answer: Break blocks between this room and Room #2, going back and forth. You'll reach a point in each room where you can't break a block.

Room #7

Riddle: Straight on, straight onward... We Know the Stars Spurn Us... Destroy all in your path...

Answer: Use Bobbery to blow up the wall on the right side of the room.

Room #8

Riddle: The shy one hides his shape... But the Stars Bring Balance. The shy one hides his face...

Answer: Use Vivian's Veil, then quickly hit the appearing ! block.

Tower Completion and Next Steps

After collecting all eight Palace Keys, proceed to the third floor. Place the Star Key obtained from Gloomtail into the star-shaped hole on the pedestal. This will reveal eight additional pedestals. Place a Palace Key in each, causing them to turn. The view will then shift to Gloomtail's hallway, where the floor begins to lower. Exit the tower.

Use the Boat Panel to travel to the other one. Utilize the Save and Heart Blocks. Head right towards the door. Beldam, Marilyn, and Professor Frankly will appear. Frankly reveals himself to be Doopliss, the same individual who led you to the Thousand-Year Door previously. Prepare for battle.