FF WalkthroughThe Cleft of Dimension is the final dungeon. Exdeath has retreated here after the worlds merged, and the Void has consumed this space between dimensions. Inside, you'll face distorted versions of familiar locations, two optional superbosses, and the final confrontation with Exdeath himself.
Getting There
The entrance to the Cleft of Dimension appears in the sky above Castle Tycoon after you've collected all six tablets. Fly into the dark portal with your airship. There's no going back once you enter; save beforehand.
Point of No Return: Entering the Cleft of Dimension locks you in until you beat the game or reset. Make sure your party is fully prepared with the best equipment, stocked items, and mastered job abilities.
Recommended Party Setup
The final dungeon tests everything. Here's what works:
- Freelancer with mastered jobs - inherits stat bonuses and can use any abilities
- Mime - copies any action for free; pairs with !Rapid Fire for insane damage
- !Rapid Fire - four hits that ignore defense; essential for bosses
- !White or !Mix - healing and support
- !Time - Hastega and Quick are game-changers
Zone-by-Zone Walkthrough
Desert Zone
The first area looks like the desert near Moore. Enemies here include Executors and Desertpedes. Grab the Dragon Fang and Dark Matter from chests. The exit is in the northeast.
Ruins Zone
Distorted ruins of the Ronka civilization. The path splits; both routes lead to the same exit but contain different enemies. Archeodemons cast Doom; kill them fast or equip Protect Rings.
Castle Zone
A twisted version of Castle Exdeath. The Blood Sword is in the throne room; it drains HP with each hit. Useful against regular enemies, worthless against undead. The basement has Ethers and a save point.
Forest Zone
Memories of the Moore Forest. The Ribbon here is invaluable for the final boss. Calofisteri appears as a boss; she uses Reflect and Drain. Hit her with non-reflectable spells or summons.
A demon sorceress using Reflect and Drain strategies.
Strategy
- Cast Dispel to remove her Reflect
- Summons ignore Reflect entirely
- Physical attacks work if magic is problematic
- She counters with Drain; keep HP up
Rewards: 12,000 EXP, 0 Gil
Cave Zone
Underground passages leading to the final areas. Apanda attacks with physical counters; use magic. The Dragon Seal behind the waterfall teaches Blue Mages the Mighty Guard spell if you haven't learned it yet.
Superboss: Omega
Omega is a mechanical superboss wandering the cave zone. It's optional but incredibly difficult.
A wandering mechanical weapon. Considered the hardest optional boss in the game.
Strategy
- Omega is weak to Lightning; Thundaga Spellblade + !Rapid Fire is optimal
- He absorbs most other elements
- Wave Cannon deals heavy damage; Float doesn't help
- Atomic Ray and Delta Attack are deadly
- Equip Flame Rings to absorb Atomic Ray
- Coral Rings don't help; his water attacks aren't the problem
- !Mix Dragon's Kiss gives immunity to some status effects
- You can skip Omega entirely; walk around him
Rewards: 10,000 EXP, 50,000 Gil, Omega Badge
Superboss: Shinryu
Shinryu guards a chest in the final zone. Opening the chest triggers the fight. Also optional, also brutal.
A divine dragon that opens with Tidal Wave, likely wiping your party instantly.
Strategy
- Equip Coral Rings on everyone; Tidal Wave will heal you instead
- Without Coral Rings, the opening Tidal Wave kills the party
- Shinryu also uses Atomic Ray, Maelstrom, and physical attacks
- !Rapid Fire with high-attack weapons deals consistent damage
- He can use Zombie Breath; Ribbons protect
- Berserk works on Shinryu but limits your control
- Skip the chest if you're not prepared
Rewards: 7,500 EXP, 100,000 Gil, Dragon Seal, Ragnarok (if chest not already opened)
Final Zone
The last stretch before Exdeath. Save points appear; use them. The Ragnarok sword is here if you didn't fight Shinryu. Equip your best gear. This is it.
Final Boss: Exdeath
The warlock tree seeks to become one with the Void. First phase of the final battle.
Strategy
- Exdeath uses White Hole (petrify + death), Condemn, and high-tier magic
- Ribbons prevent most status effects
- !Rapid Fire tears through his HP quickly
- Keep Shell up to reduce magic damage
- This fight is manageable; save resources for phase 2
Rewards: Transitions to Neo Exdeath
Final Boss: Neo Exdeath
Exdeath merges with the Void, becoming a four-part monstrosity. All parts must be destroyed.
Strategy
- Four targets: two on top, two on bottom; each has unique attacks
- Grand Cross inflicts random status effects on the party; Ribbons help but don't block everything
- Almagest deals 1600+ holy damage to everyone; keep HP high
- Phoenix summon counters mass KOs from Grand Cross
- !Rapid Fire hits all parts randomly; focus on the part casting Grand Cross first
- Quick + !Rapid Fire doubles your damage output
- Killing parts reduces the attack variety but the remaining parts get faster
- Mighty Guard (!Blue) gives Shell and Protect; cast early
Rewards: Victory, game completion
Neo Exdeath Part Details
- Top Left - ~13,000 HP; uses physical attacks
- Top Right - ~16,000 HP; casts Grand Cross
- Bottom Left - ~13,000 HP; uses Almagest
- Bottom Right - ~13,000 HP; casts Meteor and Flare
Kill the Grand Cross part first. Its random status effects can disable your entire party. Then focus the Almagest part to reduce incoming damage.
Treasure Chests
| Item | Location |
|---|---|
Dragon Fang | Desert Zone, northeast |
Dark Matter | Desert Zone, hidden |
Elixir | Ruins Zone, left path |
Cottage | Ruins Zone, center |
Blood Sword | Castle Zone, throne room |
Ether | Castle Zone, basement |
Thor Hammer | Forest Zone, east |
Ribbon | Forest Zone, hidden path |
Dragon Seal | Cave Zone, waterfall |
Elixir | Cave Zone, before Omega |
Ragnarok | Final Zone, before Exdeath |
Man-Eater | Final Zone, side room |
Congratulations
Defeating Neo Exdeath completes Final Fantasy 5. The ending varies slightly based on which party members are alive at the moment of victory. Enjoy the credits; you've earned them.