FF WalkthroughThe Dreadnought is a one-time location. Once you destroy the engine and escape, you can never return. All 10 treasure chests inside are permanently missable. Collect everything before using the Sunfire!
After obtaining the Sunfire from Kashuan Keep, tragedy strikes. Return to Altair to find the rebel hideout in chaos - Princess Hilda has been kidnapped by the Empire. Worse still, Cid was captured while trying to rescue her. Both are being held prisoner aboard the Dreadnought.
The situation is dire. The Dreadnought is now operational and the Empire plans to use it to crush the rebellion. Your mission: infiltrate the warship, rescue Hilda and Cid, and use the Sunfire to destroy the engine from within.
Boarding the Dreadnought
Speak with the rebels in Altair. Gordon is here, having arrived from Kashuan after you obtained the Sunfire. He's distraught about Hilda's capture. The Dreadnought has been spotted flying toward various towns, terrorizing the population. You need to board it somehow. Remember the Pass you obtained from Bafsk Cave? Now is the time to use it.
The Dreadnought periodically lands at various locations. Head to any town where the warship has docked. When you approach, the guards will stop you - show them the Pass to gain entry. You'll be disguised as Imperial soldiers.
Before boarding, stock up on supplies - this dungeon has no shop access. Bring plenty of Hi-Potions for healing, Ethers to restore MP, and Phoenix Downs for emergencies. Make sure someone has Esuna ready for status ailments from Imperial soldiers. Most importantly, confirm you have the Sunfire in your inventory - it's required to destroy the engine. Save your game before proceeding; this is a point of no return for the dungeon's chests.
Dreadnought Dungeon
The Dreadnought is a massive airship with 5 floors. Enemies here include:
- Soldiers - basic Imperial troops, manageable in small groups
- Sergeants - tougher than regular soldiers, hit harder
- Captains - can inflict status ailments, prioritize these
- Hill Gigas - extremely dangerous, see warning below
Hill Gigas is extremely dangerous at this point in the game. It has high HP, massive attack power, and can easily wipe out unprepared parties. If you encounter one, consider fleeing unless your party is well-leveled. You can use Blink and Protect to survive if running isn't an option.
1F - Mithril Armor
From the entrance, head left to find the first room containing chest 1 (Mithril Gloves). Continue left to the second room for chest 2 (Mithril Shield). After grabbing both chests, head to the right side of the floor and take the stairs up to 2F.
2F - More Mithril
Go to the left side first to find the room with chest 3 (Mithril Helm). Then navigate to the bottom right area where you'll find chest 4 (Mithril Mail) in another room. The Mithril equipment here is excellent - equip it immediately to help survive the Hill Gigas encounters. Find the stairs on this floor and proceed to 3F.
3F - Polearms
This floor has two more chests. Head through the left passage to find a room containing chest 5 (Trident). Then go to the center area and enter the room there for chest 6 (Javelin). Continue navigating the corridors until you find the stairs leading up to 4F.
4F - Sleep Blade and Flame Bow
You'll find two weapon chests:
- Sleep Blade - left room, a sword that can inflict Sleep on enemies
- Flame Bow - right room, an excellent upgrade for Maria
The Sleep Blade is particularly useful - Sleep status can trivialize many random encounters when it connects. Make your way to 5F via the stairs.
5F - Prison and Engine
The top floor contains the prison cells and the engine room. Before heading to the engine, explore the side rooms to find:
- Thief's Gloves - chest 9, side room before engine
- Giant's Gloves - chest 10, engine room area, increases Strength
Equip the Giant's Gloves on your heavy hitter.
Rescuing Hilda and Cid
Finding the Prisoners
Navigate to the prison area. You'll find Hilda locked in one of the cells. Speak to her to free her from captivity. Nearby, Cid is also imprisoned. Free him as well. Both will need your help to escape the Dreadnought before you destroy it.
Once you use the Sunfire on the engine, you must escape immediately. Make absolutely certain you have collected all 10 treasure chests before proceeding. This is your last chance!
Destroying the Engine
With Hilda and Cid freed, make your way to the engine room. The massive engine powers the entire Dreadnought. Open your inventory and use the Sunfire on the engine to set it ablaze. The engine explodes in flames! The Dreadnought begins to shake violently. You have to escape now!
Escape
Cid leads you to his private airship docked within the Dreadnought. Run through the corridors as the warship crumbles around you. Follow Cid closely - he knows the way out. Board Cid's airship and fly to safety. The Dreadnought crashes spectacularly, dealing a massive blow to the Empire. The rebellion has won a major victory!
Return to Altair
Return to Altair with Hilda and Cid. The rebels celebrate the destruction of the Dreadnought, but the war is far from over. Speak with Hilda in the rebel hideout. She informs you of a new concern - the Dragoons of Deist. These legendary warriors ride wyverns and were once the Empire's greatest threat. The rebellion needs their help.
Learn these new keywords from Hilda:
- Dragoons - the legendary dragon knights of Deist
- Wyverns - the dragoons' wyvern mounts, key to their power
Make sure to unequip any valuable gear from Gordon before speaking to Hilda, as he'll leave permanently after this conversation.
With Hilda safe, Gordon decides to stay in Altair to help coordinate the rebellion's efforts. He leaves your party. Your next destination is Castle Deist, home of the legendary Dragoons. You'll need to cross the sea to reach Deist - speak with Cid in Poft to arrange passage. The Dragoons may be the rebellion's last hope against the Empire. Journey to Castle Deist to find them and secure their allegiance. But rumors suggest something terrible has happened to the dragon knights...
Treasure Chests
The Dreadnought contains 10 treasure chests. All chests are permanently missable - the dungeon is destroyed after completing it and cannot be revisited.
| Item | Location |
|---|---|
Mithril Gloves | 1F, first room on the left |
Mithril Shield | 1F, second room on the left |
Mithril Helm | 2F, left side room |
Mithril Mail | 2F, bottom right room |
Trident | 3F, left passage room |
Javelin | 3F, center room |
Sleep Blade | 4F, left room |
Flame Bow | 4F, right room |
Thief's Gloves | 5F, side room before engine |
Giant's Gloves | 5F, engine room area |