The Factory Ruins
With Robo in your party, it's time to restore power to Proto Dome. Leave either Marle or Lucca behind - Marle provides mobile healing with Aura, while Lucca can attack multiple targets with Fire Whirl. Exit Proto Dome and head north to the Factory.
Factory Entrance
Interact with the computer screen; Robo disables the security laser so you can use the conveyor belt on the right. An Acid drops down - use Slash or any non-physical Tech to kill it since physical attacks deal reduced damage. Three security robots patrol the front hallway and activate if you get too close.
The dungeon splits into two paths: right leads to the factory proper (more treasure, more fights), left leads directly to the lab. If you want experience and a new sword for Crono, take the right path first. If you're minimizing Crono's level for the Spekkio secret, skip to the left path.
Right Path: The Factory
Hidden Mid-Ether. On the factory side, head down, left, then back up and climb through the door. The room is L-shaped; find the Mid-Ether in the top right corner.
Bandit's Bow. Climb down the left ladder and follow the path all the way left to grab the Bandit's Bow for Marle. Head back and take the right ladder down.
Conveyor trap. Your goal is to cross left without bumping into robots. If you touch one, you'll fight a long series of battles before returning to the start. Wait for a pair of robots to pass, then run to an alcove. The second alcove has an Ether. Keep moving through the close calls on the conveyor belt until you reach the end, then head south.
Main conveyor room. Fight four Bugs upon entering. Climb the ladder, cross the walkway, and grab the Mid-Potion in the far right corner. Go through the right door and open chests for 400G and Mid-Ether. Check the computer to learn the crane codes: X, A and B, B. Two robots burst from the wall; wait for a gap and run out.
Crane controls. Enter the left door. Two Version 3.0s patrol here; sneak past or fight them (fighting adds two Debuggers). Grab the Shelter and Ether, then head south to the crane controls. Enter the codes one at a time to move the barrels and open a new path.
Thunder Blade. Exit through the room, head down the left ladder, and go through the north door. Grab the Thunder Blade for Crono, then use the computer to learn the password: ZABIE (X, A, B, Y). Return to the elevator and head down to the lab.
Left Path: The Lab
In the lab, save if you'd like. Head north and fight an Acid and two Alkalis; both enemy types resist physical damage, so use Techs. Grab the Shelter from the chest, then activate the computer to open a hatch.
Go to the bottom-right corner and climb down the ladder to find the laser control room. Descend through the hatch and head west, fighting two Alkalis one at a time. Loop south into the center room.
Equipment upgrades. Grab the Titanium Vest on the left and the Hammer Arm on the right. Equip the vest on Crono (or whoever needs armor) and the arm on Robo. Use the north computer to disable the lasers - you'll fight three Acids and two Alkalis simultaneously. Use AoE Techs like Slash or dual techs; this fight drains MP.
Plasma Gun. When ready, descend via the hatch or elevator. Head north through the long passage, grab the Plasma Gun for Lucca, then use the computer. Enter the password: X, A, B, Y (ZABIE).
Escape and Boss
Head north and press the button on the wall. An alarm sounds - you must escape before the factory goes haywire. Head south; you'll almost get stuck in the hallway. Climb the ladder since the elevator is shut off.
You reach a long walkway with robots embedded in the wall. As you enter, Robo's old "friends" emerge. They beat him down and throw him into a wall compartment. Crono and your human partner must fight alone.
R-Series (x6)
Six R-Series robots attack in quick succession, usually targeting the same party member. They have dangerous counter-attacks when their numbers thin.
- Robo is knocked out - Fight with just Crono and your chosen partner
- Use Crono's Cyclone to hit groups of three; two Cyclones per row works well
- With Lucca: Use Flame Whirl or Flame Toss; have her heal with Mid-Potions
- With Marle: Have her use Aura while Crono attacks
- When 3+ are destroyed, they counter with Robo Pitch (juggles one character, hits both for ~25)
- When only 1 remains, it counters with Robo Explosion (~50 damage to both)
- To avoid counters: hit front row with Cyclone, back row with Cyclone, finish with same pattern
To the End of Time
After the battle, pull Robo from the wall and drag him back to Proto Dome. Crono sleeps while Lucca (or Marle) repairs Robo through the night. He awakens, grateful, and decides to join the crew to help save the planet.
The locked door is now open. Enter the newly accessible room; inside is a time gate. Your party of four steps through - but something strange happens. You arrive at a place outside of time itself: the End of Time.
Treasure Summary
| Item | Location |
|---|---|
| Mid-Ether | Factory right path (hidden L-shaped room) |
| Bandit's Bow | Factory right path (far left after ladder) |
| Ether | Factory conveyor trap (second alcove) |
| Mid-Potion | Main conveyor room (far right corner) |
| 400G | Crane code room |
| Mid-Ether | Crane code room |
| Shelter | Before crane controls |
| Ether | Before crane controls |
| Thunder Blade | After cranes (password room) |
| Shelter | Lab (after Acid/Alkali fight) |
| Titanium Vest | Lab center room (left side) |
| Hammer Arm | Lab center room (right side) |
| Plasma Gun | Lab (before password door) |