Danger Level: 25
Location: Western Noblecourt Flats, around the northwestern corner of the map
Located just west of Noblecourt, the Hollow Throne is a good test for anyone who is embarking on the second chapters of their team. The enemies inside are vicious but far from impossible, and consist of a mixture of Lightning spirits and the undead. Tressa and Ophilia make good party members for your trek into the dark.
You'll run into the following foes while exploring the Hollow Throne:
- Marionette Bones - Weak to Staff, Wind, and Light. Can use Horrific Claw to seal your Boosting, and will occasionally debuff your party.
- Puppet Bones - Weak to Staff, Fire, and Light. Similar to Marionette Bones, only they buff themselves rather than debuffing you.
- Bandit Bones - Weak to Axe, Staff, Lightning, and Light. Uses Horrific Claw to inflict terror on a target, but is mostly notable for how hard it hits in general. A priority for stunning.
- Lightning Elemental - Weak to Fire and Wind. Favors Lightning Skills. Hit it with magic, whether you're targeting a weakness or not. Physical hits don't do much damage.
- Remnant - Weak to Sword, Polearm, Dagger, and Axe. Buffs itself then goes on the offensive. Pretty straightforward enemy.
- Thunder Remnant - Weak to Sword, Polearm, Axe, and Wind. Similar to the Revenant, but uses a few Lightning Skills instead. Works about the same overall.
- Thunder Revenant - Weak to Sword, Bow, Staff, and Wind. A hefty foe that is more or less a weaker version of the boss you'll fight at the end. You'll barely ever run into these things, and if you can beat the boss of the Hollow Throne you can beat these too.
There's a save point right at the entrance of the dungeon, and the layout beyond it looks a little chaotic. Go up the stairs beside the save point to start with and walk east. You'll find a hidden path to a chest containing an Antidote Stone. Head back west after grabbing it and walk along the stonework, towards the lit area on the left. There's a hilly path further left that will take you up to another chest, this containing a Revitalizing Jam. Check at the base of the hill and you'll find a secret path on the left that leads to another chest, this containing an Energizing Pomegranate (L).
Head north from the light and up the nearby stairs. There are more stairs here, on your left, though ignore them for now and walk right and down. You'll find more stairs in the east that lead up to a purple chest containing an Argent Axe. There are also stairs here leading south, down to a partially-hidden chest that holds 4,000 leaves.
Head back to the west side of the dungeon, where you ignored some stairs earlier. Climb until the stairs narrow to a single, northbound set. Check the archway south and to your right before climbing the main stairs. A chest inside the archway contains an Olive of Life (M).
Make the trek up the main stairs and you'll soon see the titular Hollow Throne. Check to the left of the final set of stairs leading to the throne for a chest containing a Healing Grape (M), then make the climb. An overwhelming sense of danger will hit the party. Boss time!
Throne Guardian
Weakness: Sword, Dagger, Staff, Ice, Wind
A tall, skinny customer, the Throne Guardian isn't as tough as it looks, though it can still dish out damage. Its attacks are about on par with the rest of the enemies in the Hollow Throne, though it has a lot more health and can use Overclock and Body Armor to buff itself. The only attack that might cause you trouble is Meteor Storm, though as long as your team can absorb around 500 points of damage you shouldn't have much trouble. Target the Throne Guardian's weaknesses - which are very common - and keep it stunned. Pretty easy fight as long as you aren't under-leveled.
You'll receive an Inspiriting Plum Basket for defeating the Throne Guardian. With the golem out of the way you can pop open the final chest near the throne, which contains a Moonblade. That's all for the Hollow Throne, so feel free to warp out and continue your journey elsewhere. (And if you decide you want a rematch with the Throne Guardian, wander around for a bit. They begin spawning as normal enemies after the fight.)