The Trade Waterways
Note
Certain floors have tile variations variations (shifts and rotations) that are randomly selected when you start the abyss, and certain actions can reset the dungeon layout changing the variation you see. Two variations of the maps with tile changes are included below, but your maps and the location of certain events may not perfectly match what is shown. Events/items on variable tiles always occur in the same rooms on those moved tiles, so look for similar features.
Some tips for this Abyss before starting
- To make the run easier, one can grind out Undead March Request from the Beginning Abyss to get to level 40 and complete the Grade Up exam.
- A vast majority of the enemies in this Abyss are water element, so it helps to get as many earth-element weapons and armor (preferably to +10) from Earth Den BF1. Many monsters are also "Magical Beasts", so characters and weapons with the "Magical Beast-Slayer" trait are also useful.
- Iron/Steel level gear are commonplace drops in this Abyss, so it's recommended to begin building some in preparation for Abyss 3.
- Do not sell all of the Sahuagin Scales you obtain as you begin this Abyss, as they are needed for a mandatory late main story request. You will need 5 each time you complete that request, and you'll have to go back to find more if you've sold them all.
- Fully completing this Abyss involves finding and reading all of the Mermaid statues. Some are unreachable until you learn how to reverse the water statues, and one cannot be read on the first play-through. Each district contains:
- District 2: 2 statues
- District 3: 2 statues
- District 4: 2 statues
- District 5: 1 statue
- District 6: 1 statue (damaged)
There are areas where you are carried by a strong current. You must unlock the ability to reverse the water statues. Some have a timer to become cursed again. Some areas will be completely submerged. You should lure monsters out of the water in these areas or they will be stronger and faster.
1st District - Back Alley
Note
- There are some locked doors here. The key will become available to you later in the story and you can come back to collect any chests behind the doors.
2nd District - Black Market
About this floor
- The mermaid statue on this and subsequent floors give important lore both contextually and are significant for being able to fight Octonarus. Make sure to get their knowledge.
3rd District - Iron Gate Street
About this floor
- Your first scripted battle is on this floor against a Lizard Commander, at the end of the floor. This is a strong enemy with a lot of armor. The best strategy is to block and create openings if your team is undergeared and/or underleveled.
4th District - Boulevard
About this floor
When you’re locked in the room and drowning, you need to attempt to leave the area through (1) the upper left and (2) upper right sections of the room you’re in, as well as (3) attempt to go back into the current before you’re able to activate the statue to drain the water. Heal with items as needed and take as few steps as possible! (Some people have reported -version 1.13.0 and later- being unable to progress unless you first try to 'use' the statue, then try and fail to walk into all three paths out, and then try one more time to 'use' the statue. If you have repeat trouble you can try getting to this area with just the main character to avoid having to resurrect your whole team.)
5th District - Sunken City
About this floor
There are quite a lot of flooded rooms in this floor. You cannot cast magic while underwater, so it's recommended to carry scrolls on spell users. Aquatic enemies like Sahuagin gain significant action speed and evasion while underwater. If possible, try to lure fights out of the water.
6th District - Warehouse
About this floor
There is another scripted battle on this floor against an Oar Collector. It is advised to turn off the northwest most dragon statue via the north path before fighting the Oar Collector as it will grant 3 turns of unsubmerged combat before the water levels rise again.
7th District - Pier
About this floor
There are no enemies on this floor, though there are things to find if you look around hard enough.
Seaside of the Dead
About this floor
There are no enemies on this floor, though you can fight the Sahuagin for the object it picked up if you accepted the small quest from the woman above.
Lower Deck 1 -Ship's Hold-
About this floor
There are a lot of enemy spawns on this floor, and no real way to avoid them as there are narrow corridors. This is also where you find the NPC with the key for all the locked doors in the previous floors.
Lower Deck 2 -Lounge-
About this floor
Welcome to the farming floor. You will mainly be seeing this floor after coming up from the Lower Deck 1 Harken to farm the chests that spawn in the northern half of the floor. There are more scripted fights here related to the main story that will all take place in submerged areas. Remember to bring scrolls for your spellcasters, and look for the statues to temporarily drain the water!
Talking to the person blocking the stairs will tell you you need three arena tickets to go to the Upper Deck. We obtain these in the usual manner: murder. You will need to win three fights in submerged areas at the locations shown below. Don't forget to reverse the nearby statuse to get a little time before they re-flood.
Ticket fight locations
Upper Deck -Arena-
About this floor
There are no enemies of this floor, but there are a lot of mandatory deaths here. Make sure to take your party members out before going into a scripted death fight!