The hero and the Masamune

Objective: Escape Medina and identify Magus as the next lead.

1. Question Medina's residents, visit Melchior's Hut for equipment, and enter Heckran Cave northwest of town.
2. Work through the cave and defeat Heckran; magical attacks are the reliable damage source.
3. Jump into the whirlpool to return near Lucca's house, then use the Millennial Fair Gate to reach 600 A.D.

Major encounter: Heckran counters physical attacks while guarding. Use Lightning, Fire, and Ice/Water magic, healing through Water II.

Objective: Break the siege at Zenan Bridge and find Guardia's supposed hero.

1. Get Jerky from the cook in Guardia Castle's kitchen and deliver it to the commander at Zenan Bridge.
2. Advance across the bridge, clearing Ozzie's undead formations, and defeat Zombor.
3. Search Dorino and Porre, then climb Denadoro Mountains after hearing that Tata bears the Hero Medal.

Major encounter: Zombor's upper and lower halves absorb different elements. Use Water/Ice on the top and Fire/Lightning on the bottom, or physical attacks when unsure.

Objective: Recover the broken Masamune and learn who can wield it.

1. Climb Denadoro Mountains, rescue the boy from the goblin, and collect the Broken Blade after defeating Masa and Mune.
2. Return to Tata in Porre for the Hero Medal; he admits Frog is the true hero.
3. Visit Frog in the Cursed Woods, inspect the basket in his refuge for the Broken Hilt, read its inscription, and return to Melchior in 1000 A.D.

Major encounter: After beating Masa and Mune separately, focus healing during the combined form's tornado charge and attack after it releases.

Objective: Obtain Dreamstone for the Masamune.

1. Use the Mystic Mountains Gate and meet Ayla. Follow her to Ioka Village and attend the feast.
2. Win the drinking contest to receive Dreamstone. When the party wakes, the Gate Key has been stolen.

Objective: Recover the Gate Key from the Reptites.

1. Follow Kino through the Forest Maze, collecting the visible trail items before they vanish from view.
2. Enter the Reptite Lair, use enemy-dug holes to reach treasure branches, and confront Nizbel.
3. Exploit Lightning to drop Nizbel's defense, recover the Gate Key, and return to the Mystic Mountains Gate.

Major encounter: Lightning discharges Nizbel and lowers defense. Attack hard before the stored energy is released, heal, and repeat.

Objective: Repair the Masamune and recruit Frog for the assault on Magus.

1. Give Melchior the Broken Blade, Broken Hilt, and Dreamstone in 1000 A.D.; after the repair, take the Masamune to Frog.
2. Watch Frog accept his role, add him to the party, then go to Magic Cave east of Fiona's Villa.
3. Let Frog open the sealed rock face with the Masamune and cross the cave to Magus's Castle.

Objective: Defeat Magus and discover Lavos's true origin.

1. Explore both wings, defeating Slash and Flea and collecting their route keys. Return to the central hall as Ozzie's trap sequence opens.
2. Cross conveyor, blade, and pit rooms; inspect the pit exits for treasure before taking the correct return path.
3. In Magus's chamber, match the element announced by his barrier, then use physical attacks when he begins charging Dark Matter.

Major encounter: Magus absorbs all but the element currently weakening his barrier. Frog's Masamune lowers his magic defense; once the barrier cycle ends, attack freely between Dark Matter casts.