Final Fantasy III/Molten Cave

''Obeying the last words of Desh, you travel to the island of the Dwarves looking for clues about the Fire Crystal. ''

Before the dungeon
Before going on to dwarven hollows lets hit Gyshal and get some pretty awesome loot! To get there go north through where the whirlpool was blocking then head east, follow that around until you see a village to the east on a little peninsula, jump out and head inside!

Gysahl
In the remote village of Gysahl life goes on peacufully.

In the table below, the items in Italics may not need to be purchased because they can be found for free!

In the southeastern part of the village there is a small peninsula with three hidden treasures (twoMagic Keys and a Gysahl Green). Head to the spell shop and grab any spells you may need. From the magic shop go east to the bridge then cross the bridge heading north, Enter the Chocobo stables there. In the back of the stables search the two pots (two Gysahl Greens). From the stables go north,across a bridge to a shop which sells Magic Keys. Walk through a secret passage in the eastern wall and grab the chest (Shuriken). Check out the sidebar and head over to the inn!

Once you get to the inn go inside and head east through a secret door just below the stairs. speak with the old man here to check out your Achievements and Bestiary(in the NES version, it asked you to write a feedback mail to Square Soft.) After talking with the old man head on back towards tower of Owen then west toward the Dwarven Hollows!

Dwarven Hollows
In the table below, the items in italics and shaded in grey need not to be purchased because they can be found for free.

The place you are looking for is an isle with two caves. Land on the south side of the island and enter the southern cave and head down the stairs. Inside, you discover that Guzco, a rogue, has stolen a horn to prevent access to the Molten Cave where the crystal is located. He fled to an Underground Lake, but Dwarves can't swim, so you'll have to go track him down.

While you're here head to the north and check out the shops! When your ready rest up at the inn and head back to the main room. in the south center there is a dwarf standing near a shrine that you cant enter, speak to him to learn about Gutsco. Take the stairs in the southwest corner of the main room, cast toad on your party and dive in!

Subterranean Lake
Go ahead and un-from yourself and head south over a bridge then east over another. Grab the chest(Gold Needle) to your north then continue east to the next area

Head Northeast then south to take the stairs to the next area

Go south over a bridge and west for another chest(Zeus's Wrath) and continue south over the bridge then west grabbing the two chest(Zeus's Wrath and Gold needle) before advancing north over another bridge. Grab the Chest(Gold Needle) and head east to the next level.

Prepare for a boss fight and follow the path onward, be sure to grab both chests(2x3000Gil) on your way.

BOSS: Gutsco


Gutsco is has no weakness but is a chump compared to medusa. The only things to be aware of are that he heals himself(>100 hp a turn) and occasionally casts mini so be ready to have a white/red mage restore your party members after. Other than that just blast away at him with your high level spells, keep your health up, and punch him a few times. Try to conserve any antarctic winds you may have for the next boss fight.

After the Boss Fight
After the Battle you will receive a Horn of Ice. Go back to the Dwarf Chief in Dwarven Hollows(the one by the shrine.) He will dissolve the barrier to the shrine and ask you to put the horn on it. Do so and the shadow that followed you here will reveal itself as Gutsco who will steal both horns and escape.

Follow him to the Molten Cave north of Dwarven Hollows.

Molten Cave


Since the monsters and boss here are mainly fire element, it would be wise to equip the Ice armor and Ice Helm that can be purchased in Darven Hollows. You should consider equiping equiping your mages with Ice spells(or at least the ice staff)as well. In this guide floors are numbered according to Abacos's map on the right.

Upon entering B1 you'll notice the fire barrier that was here before is gone now, due to Gutsco's invasion. Follow the path and at the first split head west to a chest (Antarctic Wind). Come back to the split and walk south through the lava, it will damage your party every second but you don't have a choice. Continue south to another split, go east for another chest (Antarctic Wind), then go west to B2.

On B2 follow the path into the lava and head south at the split for a chest(Freezing Blade), be sure to equip this! Go back and take the west path and go south at the next split for a chest(Hi-Potion) you may want to take a second to check your HP before heading back and taking the north path. shortly after you'll come to a north/west split. Head north for a Chest(Phoenix Down) before heading west to B3.

on B3 follow the path all the way west for a chest(Impact Claws) Then head north for a chest(Phoenix Down) It looks like a dead end but check the rock to reveal a secret passage! Go in and head upstairs to the Crystals Room, read the next section and prepare!

BOSS: Salamander
Salamander is the first boss with a weakness! that means there are several things you can do to make this fight go more smoothly!
 * have a Warrior use the Freezing Blade;
 * have any Black or Red Mages cast Blizzard, Blizzara or Blizzaga;
 * have a White Mage use the Ice Staff from the item menu to cast Blizzard;
 * use any Arctic Wind or Antarctic Wind you have.

Other than that, be aware Salamander can hit pretty hard, especially on your poorly armored allies. He will also rarely use flame breath witch deals some nasty damage to your whole party! Just keep the heals flowing and you should be okay!

After the Boss
After your victory over Salamander you will get both Horns of Ice back and you'll also unlock the fire crystal jobs! After your chat with the crystal hop on the teleporter behind it and head back to dwarven hollows to restock/heal!

Fire Crystal Jobs

 * Knight
 * Ranger
 * Geomancer (DS) / Thief (NES)
 * Scholar

NES differences
In the NES version, the Fire Crystal grants the Thief job instead of the Geomancer. The NES Geomancer job is obtained from the Water crystal instead.