Horntail Party Quest & Bossing Guide

Horntail Party Quest & Bossing Guide
Mostly by Matt/PrinceReborn (2009-2018)​

Part 1: Horntail Party Quest

Horntail Party Quest (HTPQ) can be skipped if you complete the quest to obtain the Certificate Of The Dragon Squad. To complete this quest you will need 3 certificates, 1 from Zakum, Papulatus and Pianus. You will also need to obtain 3 badges from inside HTPQ. Once you have these items you can finish a quest with NPC Moira to exchange them for The Certificate Of The Dragon Squad, with this you can speak to The Encrypted Slate Of The Squad NPC in The Cave Of Life and skip HTPQ - but make sure you are not in a party.


Pre-Requisites:

1. Gather 3 or more players who are level 120+ at the map before the entrance to the cave of life. You MUST be exactly 6 people, and they need to have completed the quest too.
2. When all the party members gather, COMPLETE the quest. Note: You will transform into a Green Cornian after you complete the quest. You cannot use any skills, nor attack. The effect will go away if you go out, and you have to REDO the quest.
3. Now jump down and speak to Keroben to enter the Cave of Life.

HTPQ can be skipped if you complete the quest to obtain the Certificate Of The Dragon Squad. To complete this quest you will need 3 certificates, 1 from Zakum, Papulatus and Pianus. You will also need to obtain 3 badges from inside HTPQ. Once you have these items you can finish a quest with NPC Moira to exchange them for The Certificate Of The Dragon Squad, with this you can speak to The Encrypted Slate Of The Squad NPC in The Cave Of Life and skip HTPQ - but make sure you are not in a party.


Making the Secret Medicine for Transformation Quest:

1. Go to Cave of Life - Entrance and talk to Moira.
2. Collect 10 Tough Dragon Skin, 1 Cornian's Dagger, 1 Cornian's Marrow, 1 Skull Shoulder Pad and Kill 1 Manon.

Notes:

• Cornians can be found on several maps in the Dragon Forest area.
• Manon is found at Manon's Forest in Leafre. A good idea is to party with others so more than one of you get the kill for the Manon.
• Skull Shoulder Pads and Busted Dagger are dropped by Dark Cornians, in several maps of Dragon Forest.
• Busted dagger needs to be fixed. To do so you need to get the busted dagger,1 steel plate and 1 mithril plate and take these to Mos the weapon forger in Leafre
• Tough Dragon Skins can be found from Wyverns at the Dragon Canyon.
• The Dragon Elixir transforms your character into a Green Cornian, enabling you to enter the Cave of Life.
• The quest is repeatable every hour from when you turn in the items to become a Cornian.

Horntail Party Quest - Stage 1:

1. Upon entering the map, kill the Cornians to obtain Keys.
2. Appoint 1 Member to wait outside, he or she must not have possession of a Key (this Member cannot be the Party Leader).
3. Other Members with the Key will proceed into the Portal at the top Left corner.

Horntail Party Quest - Stage 2, 3 & 4:

1. 1 Member will complete the Jump Quest to get to the other end.
2. Other Members will jump down to kill the Monsters and obtain a Key, then complete the Jump Quest.
3. The Key must be dropped at the Shining Spot next to the Portal, it will then be sent to the first map.
4. The Member who was left at Stage 1 Step 2 must now retrieve the Key from the tree in the middle and talk to the NPC found directly below.

Repeat this for Stages 2, 3 and 4.


Horntail Party Quest - Stage 5:

1. 1 Member will complete the Jump Quest to get to the other end.
2. Other Members will jump down to kill the Monsters and obtain a Key, then complete the Jump Quest.
3. The Key must be passed to the Party Leader, and he/she will proceed through the Portal.

Horntail Party Quest - Stage 6:

1. By talking to the "Horntail's Schedule" NPC, all Members will be teleported to the "Cave of Choice" Map.
2. The Party Leader must hit the globe from either the left or the right direction, then proceed into the Portal.
3. Depending on which side you strike, you will be sent to either "The Cave of Light" or "The Cave of Darkness".

Horntail Party Quest - Stage 7:

1. In either "The Cave of Light" or "The Cave of Darkness", kill the Monsters to obtain 6 Keys.
2. All 6 Keys must be passed to the Party Leader.
3. The Party Leader will then climb over the high wall and talk to the NPC.
4. All Members will then kill the remaining Monsters.
5. When all the Monsters are killed, the Party Leader will talk to the NPC.
6. You will then be warped to the Entrance to Horntail.
7. Wait there till other Parties have completed the Quest.

Note: At every Stage, the monsters you kill have a chance to drop Life's Root. Look out for them. Once every Bishop in your party gets Life's Root, you can proceed out. The next stage is the Horntail fight (head) itself, which you would not want to do.



Part 2: Horntail Boss

Detailed Monster Information:

• Horntail's Left Head (Pre-head):
  • 330,000,000 HP / 31,142,496 EXP
  • Weapon Cancel - Activation 100% HP, Duration 40 sec, Cooldown 60 sec.
  • Magic Cancel - Activation 100% HP, Duration 40 sec, Cooldown 60 sec.
  • Seduce (Left/Right/Jump) - Activation 100% HP, Players affected 1, Cooldown 180 sec.
  • Summon Red Wyvern - Activation 95% HP, Quantity 2, Cooldown 30 sec.
  • Summon Blue Wyvern - Activation 75% HP, Quantity 2, Cooldown 25 sec.
  • Summon Dark Wyvern - Activation 45% HP, Quantity 2, Cooldown 20 sec.

• Horntail's Right Head (Pre-head):
  • 330,000,000 HP/ 31,142,496 EXP
  • Weapon Cancel - Activation 100% HP, Duration 40 sec, Cooldown 60 sec.
  • Magic Cancel - Activation 100% HP, Duration 40 sec, Cooldown 60 sec.
  • Seduce (Left/Right/Jump) - Activation 100% HP, Players affected 1, Cooldown 180 sec.
  • Summon Red Wyvern - Activation 95% HP, Quantity 2, Cooldown 30 sec.
  • Summon Blue Wyvern - Activation 75% HP, Quantity 2, Cooldown 25 sec.
  • Summon Dark Wyvern - Activation 45% HP, Quantity 2, Cooldown 20 sec.

• Horntail's Legs:
  • 130,000,000 HP / 17,526,080 EXP

• Horntail's Tail:
  • 70,000,000 HP / 10,785,280 EXP
  • Poison Mist - Activation 100%, 2k dmg/sec, Duration 20 sec, Cooldown 40 sec.

• Horntail's Wings:
  • 270,000,000 HP / 36,400,320 EXP
  • Weapon Attack Up (AoE) - Activation 100% HP, W.Att +130, Duration 30 sec, Cooldown 40 sec.
  • Magic Attack Up (AoE) - Activation 100% HP, M.Att +130, Duration 30 sec, Cooldown 40 sec.
  • Heal (AoE) - Activation 90% HP, +50k HP & +20k MP, Cooldown 30 sec.
  • Summon Green Cornian - Activation 85% HP, Quantity 2, Cooldown 90 sec.
  • Summon Dark Cornian - Activation 55% HP, Quantity 2, Cooldown 80 sec.
  • Heal (AoE) - Activation 30% HP, +150k HP & +50k MP, Cooldown 30 sec.

• Horntail's Head A (Left Head):
  • 330,000,000 HP / 44,489,280 EXP
  • Weapon Cancel - Activation 99% HP, Duration: 40 sec, Cooldown 60 sec.
  • Magic Cancel - Activation 99% HP, Duration: 40 sec, Cooldown 60 sec.
  • Summon Red Wyvern - Activation 95% HP, Quantity 5, Cooldown 60 sec.
  • Summon Blue Wyvern - Activation 75% HP, Quantity 5, Cooldown 55 sec.
  • Summon Dark Wyvern - Activation 45% HP, Quantity 5, Cooldown 50 sec.

• Horntail's Head B (Middle Head):
  • 490,000,000 HP / 66,155,840 EXP
  • Weapon Cancel - Activation: 99% HP, Duration 40 sec, Cooldown 60 sec.
  • Magic Cancel - Activation: 99% HP, Duration 40 sec, Cooldown 60 sec.
  • Summon Red Wyvern - Activation 95% HP, Quantity 5, Cooldown 60 sec.
  • Summon Blue Wyvern - Activation 75% HP, Quantity 5, Cooldown 55 sec.
  • Dispel - Activation 60% HP, Cooldown 300 sec.
  • Summon Dark Wyvern - Activation 45% HP, Quantity 5, Cooldown 50 sec.
  • Dispel - Activation 30% HP, Cooldown 180 sec.

• Horntail's Head C (Right Head):
  • 330,000,000 HP / 44,489,280 EXP
  • Weapon Cancel - Activation 99% HP, Duration: 40 sec, Cooldown 60 sec.
  • Magic Cancel - Activation 99% HP, Duration: 40 sec, Cooldown 60 sec.
  • Summon Red Wyvern - Activation 95% HP, Quantity 5, Cooldown 60 sec.
  • Summon Blue Wyvern - Activation 75% HP, Quantity 5, Cooldown 55 sec.
  • Summon Dark Wyvern - Activation 45% HP, Quantity 5, Cooldown 50 sec.

• Horntail's Left Hand:
  • 230,000,000 HP / 31,007,680 EXP
  • Dispel - Activation 60% HP, Cooldown 300 sec.
  • Weapon Defense Up (AoE) - Activation 100% HP, W.Def +85, Duration 20 sec, Cooldown 30 sec.
  • Seduce (Left/Right/Jump) - Activation 100% HP, Players affected 1, Duration 10 sec, Cooldown 180 sec.
  • Mass Seduce (Left/Right) - Activation 30% HP, Players affected 10, Duration 10 sec, Cooldown 60 sec.

• Horntail's Right Hand:
  • 230,000,000 HP / 31,007,680 EXP
  • Seal - Activation 100% HP, Duration 30 sec, Cooldown 25 sec.
  • Darkness - Activation 100% HP, Duration 30 sec, Cooldown 15 sec.
  • Weakness - Activation 100% HP, Duration 30 sec, Cooldown 45 sec.
  • Magic Defense Up (AoE) - Activation 100% HP, M.Def +85, Duration 30 sec, Cooldown 50 sec.
  • Seduce (Left/Right/Jump) - Activation 100% HP, Players affected 1, Duration 10 sec, Cooldown 180 sec.
  • Mass Seduce (Left/Right) - Activation 30% HP, Players affected 10, Duration 10 sec, Cooldown 60 sec.

Total: 2,740,000,000 HP / 344,146,432 EXP



Requirements:

• All jobs:
  • Optional for all to get one point of Hero's Will.
  • Highly recommended at least ONE level for Shadowers
  • Very highly recommended MAX for 17X+ with Stance 30 Heroes/Dark Knights/Paladins
• Ranged - NLs, BMs, MMs & Corsairs:
  • Minimum base 4850 HP before HB; 7704 after. The use of HP equips (or HP washing) would be recommended (Note: This is the required HP with a Zakum Helmet).
• Mages - I/L, F/P & Bishops:
  • At least base 2k HP and 8k MP with Maxed MG on - Different requirements for seduce bishops!
  • Selected bishops are made seduce and would require higher HP/MP than this.
  • Maxed Resurrection.
  • Max Holy Shield although optional would be great for the attacking parties.
  • Mages must be able to OHKO mobs (i.e. Dark Wyverns)
• Melee - DKs, Heroes, Buccaneers, Paladins and Shadowers:
  • All melee classes above 160 need 157 Accuracy after bless; below 160 need ~210 Accuracy. The usage of DEX equipment would be recommended.
  • Maximum stance would be recommended but for Heroes/Paladins, at least Stance 20.
  • Stance is NOT compulsory unless you are assigned to be a seduce bait where it will be.
  • As posted above regarding Hero's Will.
  • At least Level 1 Time Leap. Buccaneers should take note the time they've used their leaps.
  • Dragon Knights are a huge exception: Level 90 with maximum Hyper Body would be sufficient provided you are reliable in keeping Hyper Body up.
  • Shadowers require at least level 20 Shadow Shifter. The higher the better.

Accuracy Formula for Warriors only:
To achieve 100% hit accuracy for a specific monster, use this: (55+2*level difference)*mob avoid/15
"Level difference" means how many levels you are below the monster.
Please take note that to train efficiently, you must hit 100% without any misses.


Talking Tactics:

Boss info: The Horntail fight occurs in three stages, though the third stage consists of many parts of its own. The first two stages are the preliminary heads, pretty easy honestly though stage two is irritating for warriors. The third part is the real thing, far far harder than the preliminaries. As this is a major boss the guide will be split into various segments, starting with pre-stage one.

The main body is comprised of several parts, which need to be defeated in a certain order. The first part is the legs, which have rather high touch damage (around 14,000) and two kinds of stomp. The first kind is a super knock back attack, the second type is a stun attack. They both deal the same damage. around 7700 unbuffed and 9800 buffed.

Second part is the tail, which has an absolutely insane touch damage (over 30,000 when buffed) it also has a poison gas attack, which honestly you can just ignore.

Third part is the wings, which summon cornians occasionally, but the main worry about this part is the attack buff it gives every other part. Once the wings die, its fairly smooth for the rest of the fight.

Third and Fourth parts are the left/right heads, completely identical to the preliminary heads, minus the super knockback.

Fifth part is the middle head, almost identical to the left and right ones except with more HP. It also casts full map dispel at 60% HP.

Sixth and Seventh parts are the left and right arms. These will cast status effects throughout the whole fight, but their more annoying trait is the mana-burn skill. Which deals 1 damage, but burns around 2000 MP. They also cast mass seduce at 30% HP, which seduces the first 10 people to enter the cave.

And now the guide really begins!


Pre-Stage 1:
(Mainly for the organisers.)

Before you even enter the cave, organise your party at the sign ups to enter in the following order:

Seduce Mule (Usually a shadower or warrior.)
Back up seduce mules (Shad/warriors)
Warriors
Mages (NOT Bishops)
Attacker classes
Bishops

For stage one and two, only the first person to enter matters. For stage three, make sure your parties enter in the order above.


Stage 1:

Horntails Left Head: 330,000,000

Minimum HP: 5500.

Upon entry, DO NOT MOVE, wait until everyone has entered. The seduce mule will go right and hang on the rope. At this cue, Horntail will arise from its shiny blue cave. This stage is honestly a joke, just keep hitting ’til it dies.

All this head will do is weapon/magic defence up, summon Wyverns and do its super knock-back breath attack. About the only thing to watch out for is the Dark Wyverns which will cast dispel.


Stage 2:

Horntails Right Head: 330,000,000

Minimum HP: 5500.

Basically identical to stage one, except the heads on the other side. This stage is more irritating for mêlée classes, especially warriors as the rush trick wont work here. The seduce mule should hang near the top of the rope closest to entry, you’ll likely fall off a couple of times though. Simply call out “sed” to inform your bishops when you are seduced. Isn’t a big worry at this stage though.


Pre-Stage 3:

As stated before, make sure your party enters in the correct order. Upon entering the true horntail cave, you may notice a shiny purple crystal on the right. DONT touch it, after a few hits it will break, summoning horntail in all his fury. Prior to breaking the crystal, it’s safe to take a break here. Most parties will stop for 5-10 minutes before proceeding. Before summoning, the organiser will most likely have split the parties up. Ranged on right, mêlée on left.


Stage 3 - Part 1:

Horntails Legs: 130,000,000
Horntails Tail: 70,000,000

Minimum HP: 9800 (mêlée) 7900 (Ranged)

This stage is split into mêlée and ranged parties.

Mêlée: You’ll be on the left with the seduce party, your role here is to attack the legs and simply, survive.

Ranged: You’ll be on the right under the falling rocks. DO NOT bump the tail, it will hit for an absurd amount of damage which no character in maple is likely to survive. Stay under the rocks and attack the tail, with apples and sharp eyes it should fall fairly quickly.

Seduce: Stay on the left side and hang on the rope, if you are on a rope when seduced you will not move anywhere. Bishops, follow the seduce into the body ONLY if the tail is dead.


Stage 3 - Part 2:

Horntails Wings: 270,000,000

Seduce: Move to the right side and hang on the rope there, extra seducers may attack the wings.

Everyone else: Stand on the platform and attack the wings basically, if you’ve used any HP gear to reach the minimum HP you may be able to replace it with stronger stuff now. (With the legs and tail gone, the strongest attacks Horntail has are removed.)


Stage 3 - Part 3:

Horntails Right Head: 330,000,000

Seduce: Move back to the left side and hang on the rope. Extra seducers now have the added role of clearing the Wyverns that will spawn. Get comfy, you guys will be here until the last stage.

Everyone else: I’m sure you’ve got it worked out now, just bash the head ’til it dies. It’ll summon different colour Wyverns based on its HP. Red means it’s around 75%, Blue 50% and Dark 25-30%. As with all the other Dark Wyverns, these can also dispel.


Stage 3 - Part 4:

Horntails Left Head: 330,000,000

Identical to the previous stage. Sure does take a while though…


Stage 3 - Part 5:

Horntails Middle Head: 490,000,000

Unlike this past two stages, this one is slightly different. Obviously is has another 160M HP, but at 50% HP, it also casts full map dispel, affecting everyone. Thankfully, this is infrequent. Aside from that, identical to the past two heads.


Stage 3 - Part 6:

Horntails Left Hand: 230,000,000
Horntails Right Hand: 230,000,000

Congratulations, if you’ve made it this far, you’ve got a 99.99% chance of making it to the end! Since the hands only have mana burn (which deals 1 damage) your only threat is the falling rocks + seduce.


Further explanation, credits to and quoted from "OTTO" with corrections made by me:

Drops:





And also the Nine Spirit's Egg to scroll Horntail Necklace.

------------------------------------

Additional Credits:
http://www.maplestoryguideonline.com/horntail
http://www.networktemple.com/forum/tutorials/31989-guide-horntail-quest.html
http://sleepywood.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1564542&highlight=Horntail guide

 

Updated a bit & bump because I think this got a bit buried.

 

I made this guide myself in 2009 or maybe even earlier than that actually. Had it posted on old guild forums which don't exist anymore.

 

Once.

 

Don't know of any good videos. I would reckon 2-3 hours if there are 2-3 parties. If about 50% of players die, d/c or crash out then it will be nearer the 3 hour mark.

 

What you said doesn't really makes sense. The Nine Spirit's Egg drops, which you use for the quest to get the Dragon Stone. The Dragon Stone does not drop.