Mana Trial

The third Trial of Toroah, featuring a unique Mimic maze puzzle where finding the real treasure is the challenge.

Table of contents

  1. Overview
  2. How to Access
    1. Step 1: Get the Mana Key
    2. Step 2: Start the Trial
  3. Battle Conditions
  4. Enemy Composition
    1. Enemy List (20 Total)
  5. Treasure
    1. The Real Chest
    2. The Fake Chests
  6. Map Layout
  7. Strategy Guide
    1. Core Strategy: Insurance Enemy Method
  8. Detailed Tactics
    1. Recommended Party Setup
    2. Opening Sequence
  9. Tips & Tricks
    1. Effective Tactics
    2. Common Mistakes to Avoid
  10. Mimic Combat Tips
    1. Mimic Characteristics
    2. How to Fight Mimics Safely
    3. Efficient Mimic Clearing
  11. Treasure Chest Locations
    1. The Important One
    2. The Fake Ones (19 Mimics)
  12. Recommended Timing
    1. When to Attempt
    2. Difficulty by Chapter
  13. Rewards
    1. Battle End
    2. Progress
  14. FAQ Authors’ Perspectives
    1. Wolverine Inc. (1997)
    2. Syonyx (2003-2006)
    3. Shotgunnova (2000s)
  15. Collector’s Progress
    1. Mana Trial Checklist
    2. Related Items
  16. Next Steps

Overview

The Mana Trial is the third Trial of Toroah, featuring a unique challenge: 19 Mimic chests and only 1 real treasure. This Trial tests your ability to explore systematically while managing combat threats.

Unique Mechanic: Unlike other Trials, combat is minimal. The real challenge is finding the correct chest among 20 options without accidentally ending the battle early!

How to Access

Step 1: Get the Mana Key

During Chapter 3, Section 7 (Prison Yard - Jailbreak Part 2):

  1. Hit the switch to lower the western wall
  2. Navigate to the NW corner of the lowered area
  3. Search the cracked hole in the western wall
  4. Collect the Mana Key hidden item

MISSABLE: The Mana Key can ONLY be found during Chapter 3, Section 7! You must collect it before defeating Dumas and finishing the battle. If you miss it, you cannot unlock Vandalier!

Timing Critical: Get the Mana Key BEFORE finishing the Dumas boss fight. Send an Archer or Hawknight to collect it while others handle combat.

Step 2: Start the Trial

  1. Have Ash equip the Mana Key as an item
  2. Visit any Dojo in any town (earliest: Chapter 4)
  3. Try to Leave the Dojo
  4. The Dojomaster will notice the key and offer to start the Trial
  5. Select “Transform” to begin

Battle Conditions

  • Victory: Destruction of all enemies
  • Defeat: Death of Ash Lambert
  • Gold Reward: 200G (10G × 20 enemies)
  • Experience: Only from curative/supportive spells (no combat EXP)

Enemy Composition

Enemy List (20 Total)

Enemy Count Typical Level HP Notes
Brigand 1 L18-28 133-200 Only visible enemy at start
Mimic 19 L18-28 123-180 HIDDEN IN CHESTS!

Critical Puzzle: 19 of the 20 chests contain hostile Mimics! Only ONE chest (SE corner) contains the Mana Prism.

Treasure

The Real Chest

  • Mana Prism - Located in the SE corner at coordinates (22,1)

The Fake Chests

  • 19 Mimic Chests - Scattered across the map, attacking when opened

BATTLE END TRAP: If you kill ALL visible enemies (including all opened Mimics), the battle ends IMMEDIATELY! You MUST get the Mana Prism BEFORE defeating the last enemy!

Map Layout 

[Start]                    [Chests scattered everywhere]

    Mimic  Mimic  Mimic
      Mimic    Mimic
  Mimic  Mimic     Mimic
    Mimic    Mimic
      Mimic  Mimic  Mimic
  Mimic    Mimic
    Mimic  Mimic    Mimic
      Mimic   [REAL - SE Corner]

  [Brigand somewhere in middle]

Key Features:

  • 20 chests scattered across the battlefield
  • Only 1 real chest (SE corner location)
  • 1 Brigand visible at start
  • 19 Mimics hidden in fake chests
  • No terrain obstacles - open battlefield

Strategy Guide

Core Strategy: Insurance Enemy Method

Golden Rule: NEVER kill all visible enemies until you have the Mana Prism secured!

Phase 1 - Brigand Control:

  1. Locate the Brigand (only visible enemy)
  2. Cast Spellbind on him immediately
  3. DO NOT KILL HIM! - He’s your insurance enemy
  4. Refresh Spellbind if it wears off
  5. Keep him paralyzed throughout the battle

The Brigand serves as “insurance” - as long as he’s alive, you can’t accidentally end the battle. Dark Golems are easier to paralyze according to some sources, but this trial only has one Brigand.

Phase 2 - Split Party Rush:

  1. Split party in multiple directions (3-4 groups)
  2. Have a Hawknight/Sky Lord rush SE corner directly (fastest movement)
  3. Other groups open chests methodically
  4. Open Mimic chests and kill Mimics as you go
  5. Leave a path for the SE rush

Phase 3 - Secure the Prism:

  1. Hawknight reaches SE corner chest (22,1)
  2. Open and collect Mana Prism
  3. Verify prism is in inventory
  4. NOW it’s safe to kill all remaining enemies

Phase 4 - Cleanup:

  1. Kill remaining Mimics systematically
  2. Kill the paralyzed Brigand last
  3. Battle ends when all enemies defeated

Detailed Tactics

Role Purpose Priority
Hawknight/Sky Lord SE corner rush (best mobility) Critical
Mage Spellbind caster (paralyze Brigand) Critical
Fighters Mimic killers (open chests safely) High
Archers Range support (assist Mimic kills) Medium
Healers Support (Mimics hit hard) Medium

Opening Sequence

Turn 1:

  1. Identify Brigand location
  2. Mage casts Spellbind on Brigand
  3. Hawknight moves toward SE corner (maximum movement)
  4. Other units spread out toward nearest chests

Turn 2:

  1. Check Brigand still paralyzed (refresh if needed)
  2. Hawknight continues SE (approaching target chest)
  3. Other units open first Mimics (tank takes point, opens chest)
  4. Kill opened Mimics with focused fire

Turn 3+:

  1. Hawknight reaches SE corner - opens chest - GETS MANA PRISM
  2. Other units continue opening and killing Mimics
  3. Work systematically - don’t rush now that prism is secure

Tips & Tricks

Effective Tactics

✓ Paralyze early - Spellbind the Brigand on Turn 1, never kill him until the end

✓ Hawknight rushes - Flying unit with maximum MOVE reaches SE fastest

✓ Tank opens chests - High-DEF character opens Mimic chests, others attack

✓ Spread out systematically - Cover different areas to open many chests quickly

✓ SE corner priority - That’s the ONLY real chest; everything else is a Mimic

✓ Verification - Check inventory to confirm Mana Prism obtained before final kills

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✗ Killing Brigand early - You need him alive until prism is secured!

✗ Opening chests randomly - Go straight to SE corner first!

✗ Forgetting Spellbind refresh - Paralysis wears off; keep the Brigand locked down

✗ Not confirming prism - Battle ends FAST; make sure you have it first

✗ Weak unit opens chests - Mimics hit hard; use tanks to spring traps

✗ Bunching up - Spread out to open multiple chests per turn efficiently

Mimic Combat Tips

Mimic Characteristics

  • Level: Scales with Ash (typically L18-28)
  • HP: 123-180 HP depending on level
  • Attack: Physical melee, moderate-high damage
  • Behavior: Stationary until chest opened, then attacks

How to Fight Mimics Safely

  1. Tank opens - Character with highest DEF/HP opens chest
  2. Surround position - Have 2-3 attackers adjacent to chest location
  3. Spring trap - Tank opens chest, Mimic spawns and attacks
  4. Immediate retaliation - Surrounding units kill Mimic on their turns
  5. Heal if needed - Mimics can deal 30-50 damage

Efficient Mimic Clearing

  • 2-hit kills: Most Mimics die in 2 physical attacks or 1 spell
  • Dark Star effective: Mage AOE spells work well if Mimics cluster
  • Archers useful: Finish wounded Mimics from range
  • Don’t waste MP: Physical attacks work fine; save spells for later Trials

Treasure Chest Locations

Pro Tip: You don’t need to open every chest! Only the SE corner chest matters. Open others for gold/EXP, but once you have the Prism, you can end the battle.

The Important One

  • SE Corner (22,1): Mana Prism ← THIS IS THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERS

The Fake Ones (19 Mimics)

All other chests scattered across the map contain Mimics. Open for experience and gold, but they’re not required.

When to Attempt

Minimum Level:

  • Ash Level 15+ (makes Mimics Level 15+)
  • Party at Level 14-16 range

Recommended Timing:

  • Early: Chapter 4 immediately (you just got the key)
  • Mid: Chapter 4-5 with advanced equipment
  • Late: Chapter 6 (trivially easy with endgame gear)

Equipment Recommendations:

  • Weapons: Steel-tier minimum
  • Armor: Scale Mail or better
  • Helms: Steel Helm for tanks

Difficulty by Chapter

Chapter Difficulty Notes
Chapter 4 Easy Straightforward if you know the puzzle
Chapter 5+ Trivial Overgeared for the challenge

This Trial is more puzzle than combat. Once you know the SE corner trick, difficulty is minimal regardless of when you attempt it.

Rewards

Battle End

  • 200G (10G × 20 enemies)
  • Mana Prism (from SE chest, required for Vandalier)

Progress

  • ✓ 3 of 6 Trials complete
  • ✓ Mana Key consumed (Trial cannot be replayed with Prism)
  • ✓ Mana Prism added to inventory

FAQ Authors’ Perspectives

Wolverine Inc. (1997)

Difficulty: Easy if you know the secret Recommendation: “Get to SE corner chest ASAP without killing ALL enemies” Key Insight: “Keep the Brigand for last (insurance enemy)”

Syonyx (2003-2006)

Difficulty: Puzzle-focused, minimal combat Recommendation: “Spellbind the brigand and leave him for last” Key Insight: “All chests are mimics except SE corner”

Shotgunnova (2000s)

Difficulty: Straightforward with proper planning Recommendation: Complete when you reach Chapter 4 Key Insight: “Don’t end scenario before getting the Prism”

Collector’s Progress

Mana Trial Checklist

  • Complete Chapter 3, Section 7 (Jailbreak Part 2)
  • Hit switch to lower western wall
  • Search NW corner cracked hole for Mana Key
  • Defeat Dumas (receive Zen Robe)
  • Equip Mana Key to Ash
  • Visit Dojo and select “Transform”
  • Spellbind the Brigand immediately
  • Rush Hawknight to SE corner (22,1)
  • Collect Mana Prism from SE chest
  • Kill remaining enemies
  • Verify Mana Prism in inventory

For Chaos Trial (Trial #4):

  • ✓ Macroman collected (Ch. 2, Sec. 2)
  • ✓ Tarot collected (Ch. 3, Sec. 4)
  • Still need: Ramen (Ch. 4, Sec. 4)

Next Steps

Remember: Collect 3 more Prisms to unlock Ash’s ultimate Vandalier class!

Progress: 3/6 Trials Complete ⚔️⚔️⚔️

Copyright © Konami Co., Ltd. | Guide compiled from FAQs by Jeff Chan, Lancel0t, Shotgunnova, Syonyx, Richard Uyeyama, and Wolverine Inc.