Mole Hole

DRAGON QUEST VIII guide · underground cavern entered to recover the Moonshadow Harp ✓ Checked against sources

The party pursues the culprits who broke into the vault underneath Castle Ascantha and dug an underground escape route. Exploring the subterranean tunnels leads through three levels filled with beasts and non-aggressive mole inhabitants. Reaching the lowest floor confronts the musical boss Don Mole to reclaim the stolen Moonshadow Harp.

Items

0/6

Dungeon Map: inside a treasure chest located in the western portion of Level 1 (PS2 version)1,500 Gold Coins: inside a treasure chest in the western section of Level 1 (3DS version)Mini Medal: smashed out of a pot situated on Level 2 near the eastern path heading southSeed of Defence: smashed out of an earthenware pot directly beside the Mini Medal pot on Level 2Stone Hardhat: inside a locked chest on the southern ledge of Level 2Moonshadow Harp: awarded automatically after defeating the boss on Level 3

Key fights

Don Mole

Enemies: Don Mole accompanied by four Soul Moles

Threats: Don Mole belts out an awful tune that confuses both allies and enemies, strikes the ground for heavy party-wide rock damage, and summons extra Soul Moles if his backup falls; Soul Moles can psych up and unleash physical strikes

Weaknesses and resistances: vulnerable to direct attack and basic offensive magic, but highly resistant or immune to status effects like confusion

Tactics: eliminate the Soul Moles quickly with multi-target spells, bolster party resilience using Angelo's Kabuff, cure party wounds with Midheal, and store tension to blast Don Mole down fast

Rewards: Moonshadow Harp, Elfin Elixir, 1,160 Gold Coins, and 1,282 EXP

Enemies

Mischievous Mole

Steal / drop Medicinal Herb, Oaken Club

frequent early-game mole that can build up tension

Mad Mole

Steal / drop Medicinal Herb, Stone Hardhat

stronger relative of the common mole that hits harder

Muddy Hand

Steal / drop Medicinal Herb, Strength Ring

muddy apparition known for summoning reinforcements

Goodybag

Steal / drop Gold Bracer, Prayer Ring

glittering coin bag that casts disruptive magic and yields abundant gold

Rockbomb

Steal / drop Rock Salt, Rockbomb Shard

rocky creature notorious for casting Kamikazee when severely injured

Mars Rover

Steal / drop Iron Cuirass, Chain Whip

burly canine monster patrolling the tunnels

Peeper

floating eye fiend found deep underground

Tips

If Don Mole's performance confuses your high-damage characters, temporarily unequip their weapons from the item screen to ensure they do not accidentally slaughter their own teammates.

Not listed for this area: secrets, shops and people.

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Castle Trodain

Princess Minnie's Castle

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Sources checked: almarsguides.com, youtube.com, gamespot.com, dragon-quest.org, cheatcodes.com, gamerevolution.com