FF WalkthroughPandaemonium is the final dungeon of Final Fantasy 2. Once you enter, there is no turning back. This hellish fortress contains 5 major boss fights, 10 treasure chests, and culminates in the battle against the resurrected Emperor of Hell. Make absolutely certain you are prepared before entering the Jade Passage that leads here.
The Emperor has returned from the dead, transformed into the Lord of Hell himself. Rising from the underworld, he commands the demons and seeks to destroy both the living and the dead. Pandaemonium, his infernal fortress, now floats above the world - a monument to his absolute power. The Wild Rose rebellion's final battle begins here.
The Blood Sword is CRITICAL for the final boss. If you do not have it, you will struggle immensely. The Blood Sword drains HP from enemies and adds it to your own - against the Emperor's massive HP pool and high defenses, it is by far the most effective weapon. Make sure Firion has it equipped and his Sword skill is high!
Pandaemonium Overview
Pandaemonium is a sprawling demonic fortress with 10 floors, 10 treasure chests, and 19 enemy types - 11 of which are completely new to this dungeon. The architecture twists and warps, with hidden passages through seemingly solid walls throughout. Four ominous doors guard the path to the Emperor, each protected by a powerful demon lord.
New enemies in Pandaemonium include:
- Astaroth - Boss, drains HP with every attack
- Beast Demon - Powerful physical attacker, high HP
- Beelzebub - Boss, devastating magic
- Death Rider - Undead knight, instant death attacks
- Devil Wolf - Pack hunter, multiple attacks per round
- Emperor - Final boss, Flare/Starfall/Curse
- Iron Giant - Rare, required for bestiary
- Mantis Devil - Fast attacker, status ailments
- Mythril Golem - Extremely high defense, weak to magic
- Tiamat - Boss, absorbs elements
- Zombie Borghen - Boss, uses Flare
Pandaemonium is filled with secret passages through walls. Many treasures and even the correct path forward require walking through what appears to be solid wall. When you hit a dead end or see an empty room, try walking through the walls. The dungeon rewards thorough exploration.
Pandaemonium
Floors 1-2: Gates of Hell
On the first floor, you enter Pandaemonium through massive iron gates. The air itself feels heavy with demonic energy. In the entrance chamber, collect chest 1 (Elixir) - save this for emergencies during boss fights. Navigate through Beast Demons and Devil Wolves to find the stairs to 2F in the northeast corner.
The second floor features long, winding corridors patrolled by Death Riders and Mantis Devils. These enemies can inflict nasty status ailments, so keep Esuna ready. Head west from the stairs to find a passage leading to chest 2 (Ether). Watch for hidden passages in the walls - one leads to a shortcut that bypasses several difficult encounters. The stairs to 3F are in the southern portion of the floor.
Zombie Borghen Boss
On the third floor, there's a hidden passage in the northeast wall that leads to chest 3. But beware - opening this chest triggers a boss fight! Zombie Borghen (HP: 2500), the traitor who sold out the Kingdom of Fynn, has returned from the dead. He is weak to Fire and resists Ice and Poison. CRITICAL WARNING: DO NOT USE THE BLOOD SWORD! Zombie Borghen is undead, and the Blood Sword's life drain effect HEALS undead enemies instead of damaging them. Use Fire magic, non-Blood Sword physical attacks, or Cure magic (which damages undead). Watch out for his Flare spell - it deals heavy damage to single targets. After defeating Borghen for the final time, claim the Ribbon from chest 3. Remember to re-equip the Blood Sword after this fight!
Tiamat Boss
The fourth floor is the heart of Pandaemonium's maze, featuring the infamous Four Doors area. Each door leads to a different section, but hidden wall passages connect them all. If you hit a dead end, walk into the walls - the correct path requires passing through at least two hidden passages. After navigating the maze, find the hidden passage containing chest 4 (Genji Helm) near the next boss door. Beyond waits Tiamat (HP: 5000), the legendary multi-headed dragon queen. She is weak to Psychic but ABSORBS Fire, Ice, Lightning, and Poison magic - casting these spells will HEAL her. Use physical attacks with the Blood Sword, Flare or Ultima for non-elemental damage, and keep Protect, Blink, and Shell active. Tiamat is a war of attrition with her high HP and elemental absorptions.
Beelzebub Boss
The fifth floor belongs to Beelzebub (HP: 5000), the Lord of Flies. Navigate through Mythril Golems (which require magic to defeat efficiently) to the east chamber where the next boss waits. Beelzebub has no weakness, resists Ice, and absorbs Fire. He casts powerful spells including Flare and high-level status magic. Shell is CRITICAL to reduce his magical damage. Thunder/Thundaga is effective, and the Blood Sword works excellently. Have Ribbons equipped to resist his status magic. After defeating Beelzebub, claim chest 5: the Genji Armor.
Astaroth Boss
The seventh floor leads to Astaroth (HP: 7000), the most dangerous of the four demon guardians. In the center passage, you'll find a chest containing the legendary Masamune - but opening it triggers the fight! Astaroth has no weakness, resists Fire/Ice/Lightning, and has a terrifying ability: he drains your HP with every single attack. The Blood Sword is EXTREMELY useful here - its HP drain effect turns Astaroth's strategy against him. Cast Berserk + Haste on your Blood Sword wielder to maximize attacks, use Blink to evade his drain attacks entirely, and keep your Blood Sword wielder alive at all costs. After a grueling battle, claim chest 7: the Masamune.
Floors 8-9: Throne Approach
The eighth floor leads toward the Emperor's throne room. Before the throne room entrance, collect chest 8 (Aegis Shield) - this legendary shield provides excellent defense and magic resistance.
The ninth floor is the antechamber to the Emperor's throne. Enemy encounters are at their most difficult here. In the final treasure room, collect chest 9 (Holy Lance) - this powerful spear deals holy damage, effective against demonic enemies.
Before ascending to the throne room, ensure you are fully prepared:
- Blood Sword equipped on your strongest attacker
- Ribbons on your healer and key party members
- Protect, Blink, Shell, Berserk, and Haste ready to cast
- Full HP and MP on all party members
- Elixirs and Hi-Potions in reserve
- Use a Cottage if you have one - this is the final battle
Floor 10: The Throne Room
On the tenth floor, you enter the throne room of Pandaemonium. There, seated upon a throne of hellfire and bone, waits the Emperor. Before confronting him, collect the final chest: chest 10 (Rune Axe). Approach the throne. The Emperor rises, his form wreathed in hellfire. He mocks your rebellion, your friends who have fallen, and promises to add your souls to his collection.
Final Boss: Emperor
Weakness: None | Resists: Physical AND Magic (high resistance to both)
ULTIMATE CHALLENGE! The Emperor has massive HP, high resistance to both physical and magical attacks, and an arsenal of devastating abilities:
- Flare XVI - Massive single-target damage
- Starfall X - Hits entire party for heavy damage
- Dispel - Removes all your buffs
- Curse X - Debuffs your entire party
- Physical attacks - Still hit hard despite being a mage
BLOOD SWORD IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
The Blood Sword bypasses the Emperor's defenses. Its life-draining effect ignores his resistance to physical attacks and deals consistent, reliable damage while keeping your attacker alive. Without the Blood Sword, this fight becomes an extreme war of attrition.
Recommended Strategy:
- Blood Sword - Your primary damage source, absolutely critical
- Berserk + Haste - Cast on your Blood Sword wielder for maximum attacks
- Blink - Critical for surviving physical attacks
- Protect - Reduces physical damage significantly
- Shell - Reduces magic damage from Flare and Starfall
- When he casts Dispel, immediately re-apply your buffs
- Keep your Blood Sword wielder alive at ALL costs
- Have backup healers ready - your primary healer may fall
- Use Elixirs liberally - there's no point saving them now
This is the fight everything has been building toward. The Emperor is relentless, his power immense. Stay focused, keep your buffs active, and trust in the Blood Sword. You have come too far to fail now.
The battle is long and brutal. The Emperor unleashes wave after wave of destruction - Starfall lighting the arena with hellfire, Flare incinerating party members, Curse weakening your resolve. But with each swing of the Blood Sword, his power diminishes. With each heal, your party endures. With each re-applied buff, you push back against the darkness.
Finally, with one last strike, the Emperor falls. His hellish form dissolves, the throne of Pandaemonium crumbles, and the Lord of Hell is defeated once and for all.
Victory and Ending
With the Emperor's destruction, Pandaemonium begins to collapse. The demonic fortress, sustained by his will alone, crumbles into the abyss from which it came. Your party escapes as Hell seals itself away.
You return to the world of the living as heroes. The Empire is destroyed. The Emperor - who terrorized the world, raised armies of the dead, and conquered Hell itself - is gone forever. The Wild Rose rebellion has achieved the impossible.
Firion, Maria, Guy, and all those who fought alongside them can finally rest. The sacrifices of Josef, Minwu, Scott, Ricard, and countless others were not in vain. A new era of peace begins.
If you followed this walkthrough completely, you have achieved 100% completion of Final Fantasy 2 Pixel Remaster:
- 128/128 Bestiary Entries - Every enemy encountered
- 234/234 Treasure Chests - Every chest collected
- 27/27 Locations - Every location discovered (including Rebel Camp)
- 15/15 Passwords - Every keyword learned
Final checklist:
- Defeated Zombie Borghen (without Blood Sword)
- Defeated Tiamat (without elemental magic)
- Defeated Beelzebub (with Shell active)
- Defeated Astaroth (Blood Sword recommended)
- Defeated the Emperor (Blood Sword critical)
- Encountered Iron Giant below pillars on 6F for bestiary
- Collected all 10 treasure chests including Genji Helm/Armor/Gloves, Ribbon, Masamune, Aegis Shield, Holy Lance, and Rune Axe
- Visited Rebel Camp earlier in the game (permanently missable)
Final Fantasy 2 Pixel Remaster tells the story of ordinary people rising against impossible odds. From refugees fleeing their burning hometown to the heroes who stormed Hell itself, this is a tale of courage, sacrifice, and hope.
The Wild Rose will bloom forever.
Treasure Chests
Pandaemonium contains 10 treasure chests including some of the best equipment in the game. Several chests trigger boss fights when opened. None are missable after entering the dungeon.
| Item | Location |
|---|---|
Elixir | 1F, entrance chamber |
Ether | 2F, west passage |
Ribbon | 3F, hidden passage (Zombie Borghen) |
Genji Helm | 4F, after Tiamat door |
Genji Armor | 5F, east chamber (Beelzebub) |
Genji Gloves | 6F, hidden room |
Masamune | 7F, center passage (Astaroth) |
Aegis Shield | 8F, before throne room |
Holy Lance | 9F, final treasure room |
Rune Axe | 10F, Emperor's throne room |