In Final Fantasy Resonance, optional powerful foes are known as “cave masters.” Each occupies its own small World Map cave, with battles ranging from early-game practice to some of the game’s toughest fights.
Quick answer: There are 15 cave masters, each alone in a one-room World Map cave, from Marauder Cave (Lv15, Chapter 1) to Titanoraidos and Malboro Menace (Lv60, Chapter 7, Pharm). Every cave opens once reachable, and every fight is one-time only.
Defeat the first three for a Magicite Shard apiece, the following six for a Magicite each, and the final six for a Magicite Cryst each. The milestones for defeating 1, 5, and all 15 are “Magicite Hunter”, “The Bigger They Are…” and “The Harder They Fall”.
| # | Cave master | Where | Chapter | Lv | HP | Weak to | Resists / Nullifies / Absorbs | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marauder | Lanzelt’s Marauder Cave is northeast of Grandport Harbor and immediately east of Siren’s Tower. | 1 | 15 | 30,000 | Wind | None | Magicite Shard, Turbo Ether |
| 2 | Shoggoth | Shoggoth Cave, Dirnado: north of Mt. Thunderclap, right beside a Sanctum of Light | 2 | 25 | 45,500 | Earth, Water | None (immune to physical attacks) | Magicite Shard, Turbo Ether |
| 3 | Rukh | Rukh Cave, south of Olderion, the Aquapolis | 3 | 26 | 46,800 | Wind | Nullifies Earth | Magicite Shard, X-Ether |
| 4 | Mindflayer (with 2 Mind Elementals) | Mindflayer Cave: west of the Town of Amore | 3 | 28 | 52,000 | Earth | None | Magicite, Mist Turbo Ether |
| 5 | Gogmagog | Gogmagog Cave, Zoldaad: south-southwest of the Rebel Hideout | 4 | 34 | 78,000 | Wind, Light | None | Magicite, Mist Turbo Ether |
| 6 | Pyroviper | Pyroviper Cave, Zoldaad: well south of the Weapons Factory | 4 | 37 | 89,700 | Water | Nullifies Fire | Magicite, Mist Turbo Ether |
| 7 | Salome | Salome Cave, Mysidia: just south of the Village of Sunioo | 5 | 39 | 200,000 | Wind | Halves Earth | Magicite, Mist X-Ether |
| 8 | Jotunn | Jotunn Cave, Mysidia: southwest of the Tower of Mysidia | 5 | 42 | 240,000 | Fire, Dark | Nullifies Ice | Magicite, Mist X-Ether |
| 9 | Malboro Varietas | Malboro Varietas Cave: northeast of the Water Shrine | 5 | 45 | 270,000 | Fire | None | Magicite, Mist X-Ether |
| 10 | Tartarosaurus | Tartarosaurus Cave, Pharm region (no town or dungeon close by) | 5 | 50 | 350,000 | Ice | Halves Earth | Magicite Cryst, Elixir |
| 11 | Catacumba | Catacumba Cave, Gronoa: east-southeast of the Sanctissimus Shrine | 5 | 54 | 380,000 | Fire, Light | None | Magicite Cryst, Elixir |
| 12 | Necromonarch | Necromonarch Cave, Gronoa: south-southeast of the Town of Duggle | 6 | 55 | 444,444 | Fire, Light | Halves Earth | Magicite Cryst, Elixir |
| 13 | Humbaba | Humbaba Cave, Gronoa: west of the Chamber of Arms | 6 | 55 | 450,000 | Wind | None | Magicite Cryst, Elixir |
| 14 | Titanoraidos | Titanoraidos Cave, Pharm: just southwest of Mt. Reizan, south of the Town of Sian | 7 | 60 | 800,000 | Ice | Halves Wind, Thunder | Magicite Cryst, Megalixir |
| 15 | Malboro Menace | Malboro Menace Cave, Pharm region (no town or dungeon close by) | 7 | 60 | 700,000 | Fire | None | Magicite Cryst, Megalixir |
“Halves” means that element does half damage, and “Nullifies” means it does no damage at all. Where a row says None, every other element hits normally.
How cave master fights work
Every cave is a single room with nothing in it but the boss. Walk up to it and touch it to start the fight. No cave door has an entry condition, so a cave is open the moment you can reach it on the World Map.
You can battle each cave master only once. Defeating one removes it permanently, with no way to fight it again.
Don’t build around status effects. All cave masters share a tough set of defenses:
- Poison, Confuse, Stone, Charm, Instant Death, and Gravity have no effect.
- 50% resistance to Slow and to ATK / DEF / INT / MND Down.
- Most also strongly resist Blind, Sleep, Silence, Paralysis and Berserk.
Raw damage and elemental weaknesses are what win these fights.
Cave master achievements
Three achievements are tied to cave masters, and the last one asks for all 15. Because each fight only happens once, every win counts toward all three.
| Achievement | Description | Cave masters needed |
|---|---|---|
| “Magicite Hunter” | “Defeat a cave master.” | 1 |
| “The Bigger They Are…” | “Defeat 5 cave masters.” | 5 |
| “The Harder They Fall” | “Defeat all cave masters.” | 15 |
These sit alongside the rest of the game’s list of all achievements.
Suggested order by level
A straightforward progression route is to tackle each cave at the level shown in its recommendation: that level matches the boss’s level.
- Marauder, Lv15
- Shoggoth, Lv25
- Rukh, Lv26
- Mindflayer, Lv28
- Gogmagog, Lv34
- Pyroviper, Lv37
- Salome, Lv39
- Jotunn, Lv42
- Malboro Varietas, Lv45
- Tartarosaurus, Lv50
- Catacumba, Lv54
- Necromonarch, Lv55
- Humbaba, Lv55
- Titanoraidos, Lv60
- Malboro Menace, Lv60
Every cave master: where to find it, moves and tips
1. Marauder (Marauder Cave)
Marauder Cave is in Lanzelt, northeast of Grandport Harbor and just east of Siren’s Tower.
- Humanoid. Lv15, 30,000 HP. Weak to Wind. Resists nothing.
- Reward: Magicite Shard, Turbo Ether, 500 EXP, 750 gil.
- Moves: Crush, True Strike, Trample, Body Slam, Thwack, Bravery.
Marauder attacks with nothing but physical moves. Body Slam can paralyze, and Thwack hits the whole party. Lean on Wind. Full tips are in our Marauder Cave guide.
2. Shoggoth (Shoggoth Cave)
Shoggoth Cave is in Dirnado, north of Mt. Thunderclap and right beside a Sanctum of Light.
- Aquatic. Lv25, 45,500 HP. Weak to Earth and Water. Immune to physical attacks.
- Reward: Magicite Shard, Turbo Ether, 1,125 EXP, 1,200 gil.
- Moves: Digestive Fluid, Sleep Gas, Lightning, Megavolt, Gigavolt, Leech, Faith, Crush.
A broken bridge blocks the route by the entrance to Mt. Thunderclap. The Dwarf there confirms that it is out; Shoggoth is reachable once the crossing is open. Physical attacks deal no damage, so rely on magic, preferably Earth or Water. Gigavolt is its strongest move.
3. Rukh (Rukh Cave)
Rukh Cave is south of Olderion, the Aquapolis.
- Avian. Lv26, 46,800 HP. Weak to Wind. Nullifies Earth.
- Reward: Magicite Shard, X-Ether, 2,250 EXP, 1,800 gil.
- Moves: Stranglehold, Aerora, Aeroga, Cyclone, Scatter Feathers, Petrifying Gaze, Mighty Guard, Crush.
Hit it with Wind and leave Earth out entirely. Cyclone is its big move.
4. Mindflayer (Mindflayer Cave)
Mindflayer Cave is west of the Town of Amore.
- Demon. Lv28, 52,000 HP. Weak to Earth. Resists nothing.
- Two Mind Elementals fight beside it. Each is Lv27 with 1,800 HP, is weak to Fire, nullifies Ice, and uses a special skill when defeated.
- Reward: Magicite, Mist Turbo Ether, 2,700 EXP, 2,200 gil.
- Moves: Thundara, Aerora, Mind Blast, Flash, Bio, Faith, Ruin.
Mindflayer attacks with Paralysis, Poison, and Silence. Its powerful Mind Blast applies all three, while Flash blinds the entire party. Pack cures for status ailments; use Earth against Mindflayer and Fire against the Elementals.
5. Gogmagog (Gogmagog Cave)
Gogmagog Cave is in Zoldaad, south-southwest of the Rebel Hideout.
- Humanoid. Lv34, 78,000 HP. Weak to Wind and Light. Resists nothing.
- Reward: Magicite, Mist Turbo Ether, 3,600 EXP, 5,000 gil.
- Moves: True Strike, Trample, Fist of Ferocity, Thwack, Stonera, Bravery, Bonebreaker, Crush.
Gogmagog uses a powerful physical attack, and Fist of Ferocity is its big move. Wind and Light are your damage.
6. Pyroviper (Pyroviper Cave)
Pyroviper Cave is in Zoldaad, well south of the Weapons Factory.
- Dragon. Lv37, 89,700 HP. Weak to Water. Nullifies Fire.
- Reward: Magicite, Mist Turbo Ether, 4,050 EXP, 6,000 gil.
- Moves: Charge, Trample, Burn to Ashes, Octo-Strike, Thwack, Fira, Rend, Crush.
Use Water and never Fire. Burn to Ashes is its big move.
7. Salome (Salome Cave)
Salome Cave is in Mysidia, just south of the Village of Sunioo.
- Demon. Lv39, 200,000 HP. Weak to Wind. Halves Earth. Fully resists Sleep and Paralysis.
- Reward: Magicite, Mist X-Ether, 8,000 EXP, 9,100 gil.
- Moves: Allure, Slap, Perforate, Bio, Stonera, Stonega, Stab.
Perforate, its big move, inflicts poison. Skip Sleep and Paralysis entirely and push Wind.
8. Jotunn (Jotunn Cave)
Jotunn Cave is in Mysidia, southwest of the Tower of Mysidia.
- Humanoid. Lv42, 240,000 HP. Weak to Fire and Dark; nullifies Ice. Sleep, Paralysis, and Berserk are fully resisted.
- Reward: Magicite, Mist X-Ether, 10,000 EXP, 10,400 gil.
- Moves: Bonebreaker, Stranglehold, Fist of Fury, Fist of Vigor, Revenge Blast, Blizzaga, Body Slam, Charge, True Strike.
As Jotunn’s HP falls, one of its skills becomes more powerful; Revenge Blast is its signature heavy attack. Fist of Vigor boosts its own attack. Target it with Fire or Dark, and keep your party’s HP topped up while wearing it down.
9. Malboro Varietas (Malboro Varietas Cave)
Malboro Varietas Cave is northeast of the Water Shrine.
- Plantoid. Lv45, 270,000 HP. Weak to Fire. Fully resists every status ailment.
- Reward: Magicite, Mist X-Ether, 12,000 EXP, 11,050 gil.
- Moves: Bad Breath, Octo-Strike, Secrete Acid, Tentacle, Bio, Poison Tail, Whip.
Bad Breath, its big move, hits the whole party with poison, blind, silence and confuse. Its behaviour changes when Fire hits it. Bring Light Veil or status cures to deal with Bad Breath.
10. Tartarosaurus (Tartarosaurus Cave)
Tartarosaurus Cave is in the Pharm region, with no town or dungeon close by.
- Dragon. Lv50, 350,000 HP. Weak to Ice. Halves Earth.
- Reward: Magicite Cryst, Elixir, 13,000 EXP, 13,000 gil.
- Moves: Meteor, Charge, Stranglehold, Crushing Grasp, Trample, Bonebreaker, Bite.
Tartarosaurus unleashes its strongest abilities with increasing frequency as its HP dwindles. Its Meteor attack strikes the whole party, while Crushing Grasp can inflict Paralysis. Bring Ice.
11. Catacumba (Catacumba Cave)
Catacumba Cave is in Gronoa, east-southeast of the Sanctissimus Shrine.
- Reaper. Lv54, 380,000 HP. Weak to Fire and Light. Resists nothing.
- Reward: Magicite Cryst, Elixir, 14,500 EXP, 15,600 gil.
- Moves: Disaster, Bone Toss, Doom, Bio, Crushing Grasp, Trample, Rake.
Catacumba can use Instant Death attacks, and its strongest skills come more frequently while its HP is high. Its Disaster attack inflicts Blind, Silence, Confuse, and Doom on everyone. The opening turns pose the greatest danger, so deal heavy damage early with Fire or Light.
12. Necromonarch (Necromonarch Cave)
Necromonarch Cave is in Gronoa, south-southeast of the Town of Duggle.
- Reaper. Lv55, 444,444 HP. Weak to Fire and Light. Halves Earth.
- Reward: Magicite Cryst, Elixir, 16,500 EXP, 20,000 gil.
- Moves: Bite, Rib, Quicksand, Sandstorm, Paralysis Fang, Rejuvenate.
Necromonarch counterattacks when magic of its weakness hits it, and Rejuvenate restores its HP. Paralysis Fang is its big move. Fire or Light physical skills land the weakness without setting off the magic counter.
13. Humbaba (Humbaba Cave)
Humbaba Cave is in Gronoa, west of the Chamber of Arms.
- Beast. Lv55, 450,000 HP. Weak to Wind. Resists nothing.
- Reward: Magicite Cryst, Elixir, 16,500 EXP, 20,000 gil.
- Moves: Ruthless Rampage, Revenge Blast, Rabid Claw, Rejuvenate, Groom, Rake.
Humbaba uses Paralysis and Blind attacks as well as Confuse and Berserk attacks. Ruthless Rampage inflicts paralysis, blind and silence, Rabid Claw inflicts berserk and confuse, and one of its skills grows stronger the lower its HP gets. Its Silence resistance is low, so Silence lands on it fairly often.
14. Titanoraidos (Titanoraidos Cave)
Titanoraidos Cave is in Pharm, just southwest of Mt. Reizan and south of the Town of Sian.
- Dragon. Lv60, 800,000 HP. Weak to Ice. Halves Wind and Thunder.
- Reward: Magicite Cryst, Megalixir, 40,000 EXP, 25,000 gil.
- Moves: Ultima, Snort, Meteor, Disaster, Charge, Crush, Trample.
The longer Titanoraidos remains in battle, the more often it uses its strongest techniques. Ultima strikes the entire party, and Snort removes party members from the fight. Use Ice and take it down quickly.
15. Malboro Menace (Malboro Menace Cave)
Malboro Menace Cave is in the Pharm region, with no town or dungeon close by.
- Plantoid. Lv60, 700,000 HP. Weak to Fire. Fully resists every status ailment.
- Reward: Magicite Cryst, Megalixir, 40,000 EXP, 25,000 gil.
- Moves: Putrid Breath, Whack and Smack, Venom Breath, Flatten, Octo-Strike, Constrict, CHOMP!, Poison Tail, Wild Rage, Counter Vines, Whip.
Putrid Breath inflicts Poison, Blind, Silence, Confuse, and Sleep on the whole party; Whack and Smack is its other powerful attack. After Fire has struck it a set number of times, it counterattacks and then gets one fewer action. Fire is still the way to hurt it; just expect that counter.
Cave master rewards
Every win gives one magicite item plus a drop. Magicite Shard, Magicite and Magicite Cryst all carry the same description, “Has the power to awaken visions”, which is what makes them worth collecting if you want to awaken visions. For every other source, see where to get Magicite.
| Cave masters | Magicite item | Drop |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Magicite Shard | Turbo Ether |
| 3 | Magicite Shard | X-Ether |
| 4-6 | Magicite | Mist Turbo Ether |
| 7-9 | Magicite | Mist X-Ether |
| 10-13 | Magicite Cryst | Elixir |
| 14-15 | Magicite Cryst | Megalixir |
Since each fight happens only once, the full run nets three Magicite Shards, six Magicite and six Magicite Cryst.
