The Magic Key helps you unlock doors and keep moving west of Romaria in Dragon Quest 3 Remake.
However, grabbing it means navigating the dangerous Great Pyramid, which is full of traps, enemies, and puzzles.
This article shows you how to get the Magic Key in Dragon Quest 3 Remake.
How to Get the Magic Key
Before heading to the Pyramid, ensure you are well-equipped.
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+ 2The nearby desert town of Ibis (located south of the Pyramid) is the ideal place to stock up and prepare.
Load your party with Holy Water and Magic Water for healing and MP-restoring items like Elfin Elixirs or Sage’s Elixirs.
Ensure you have the gear to counter the Dazzle effect, which will be essential in the boss encounter. Include a healer, such as a priest or monster wrangler, in your party.
Make sure all characters reach level 12 to deal with the dungeon’s dangers. Unlock the Zoom spell to quickly return to Ibis or other safe zones if needed.
While in Ibis, visit the castle and speak to the children near the throne room. They recite a cryptic rhyme about buttons in the Pyramid, which is key to solving a puzzle later.
Memorizing or noting this riddle will save you trouble during your exploration:
First the eastest of the east, and then the westest of the west...
The others he considered worse, and placed upon each one a curse...So touch them not, by Faro's crown! Or we will all come tumbling down!"
The Pyramid is located in the desert to the north of Ibis. As you get closer, you’ll spot two entrances: the main one and a hidden one on the west side.
Enter through the main entrance, as the western one leads to the basement, which is best explored later.
It's a multi-level dungeon full of traps, enemies, and loot, so stay sharp in the Pyramid.
First Floor (1F)
As soon as you enter the Pyramid, you'll find a lengthy corridor branching off in several directions.
Avoid gray floor tiles with a scale pattern, as they drop you into the basement where magic doesn't work.
In case of a fall, exit as quickly as possible and pick up your route on the first floor.
Enemies on this level include Mummy Boys, Overtoads, and Grillerpillars. Take out Bag o’ Laughs first, since they can heal themselves and others.
Check out the side trails for treasure, but head toward the northern corridors to reach the stairs to the second floor.
Second Floor (2F)
The second floor has twisting pathways and extra traps. From the stairs, go straight south and then turn to the west.
This will lead you to another staircase that takes you to the third floor.
As you explore, keep an eye out for hidden treasures and brace yourself for tougher foes.
Bag o’ Laughs might show up more often here, so take them out quickly to prevent dragging out fights.
Third Floor (3F)
The button puzzle needed to open the chamber with the Magic Key is on the third floor.
The southern section of this floor contains two chambers with several buttons.
Hitting the wrong buttons triggers traps that send you to the lower floor.
Refer to the children’s rhyme from Ibis to crack the puzzle:
- Start with the easternmost button on the eastern wall.
- Then press the westernmost button on the western wall.
Completing this sequence removes the barrier to the Magic Key chamber.
How to Defeat Ripper of the Rift
Before you can claim the Magic Key, you must defeat Ripper of the Rift and its two Kylla minions.
click to enlarge + 2Take down the Kylla minions early on, as their healing abilities for themselves and the boss can drag the fight out.
Electric-based attacks like Lightning Slash are effective against their weakness. Make sure your healer keeps the party’s HP above 50.
Ripper of the Rift can deal heavy damage with its double attacks. Be prepared for the Dazzle status effect, which can disrupt your attacks.
Use anti-dazzle items or activate Dazzle-Me-Not to block this effect. After taking down the Kyllas, turn your attention to the Ripper.
It can attack twice per turn and cause significant damage. However, maintaining a balance between offense and healing will ensure your victory.
This encounter will push your party's preparation and endurance, so be smart with your resources.
Once you defeat Ripper of the Rift and its Kylla minions, the treasure chamber will open up. You'll discover two key items inside.
The first is the Magic Key, an essential tool for unlocking red and gray doors scattered throughout the game.
The Magic Key comes with a Banishing Bell as well. This item can be useful for avoiding tough situations later on, especially in difficult dungeons or areas with strong enemies.
Holding the Magic Key lets you access more areas within the Pyramid. The upper levels hold treasures, though many are protected by cursed enemies.
If your party is strong enough, these treasures can be great for the farming experience.
The basement also houses the Golden Claws, a powerful but cursed item dramatically increasing encounter rates.
Be cautious when retrieving it, as the basement restricts magic use, making battles more challenging.
Which healing items or strategies worked best for you in the Pyramid's challenging battles?
For more articles like this, take a look at our Guides and Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D page.