If you’re playing as a mage in Gothic 1 Remake, you’ll find no better chestpiece than the Robe of Dark Arts. The problem is, this item is hidden in none other than the Sunken Tower of Xardas, guarded by the Demon Lord—a boss who can send you back to rebirth with a single roar. But we know how to navigate this underground labyrinth and emerge victorious. Details below.
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How to Find the Sunken Tower of Xardas?
The Sunken Tower is located northeast of the Abandoned Mountain Fortress. The landmark is the ruins of the Broken Bridge. There, turn onto a path that leads down to the lake. Jump into the water—the entrance to the tower is hidden under the eastern cliff, inside a collapsed building.
Climb onto the platform to enter the next area. There’s a chest containing a “Tower Stone” and three scrolls: “Fist of Storm,” “Rain of Fire,” and “Ice Block.” Don’t spend them right away—they’ll come in handy later. Next, turn left, dive again, and swim with the current into a narrow passage. There are pockets of air along the way, so you won’t drown. Along the way, you’ll have to deal with skeletons, zombies, and one skeleton mage—no big deal.
At the end of the corridor, you’ll come across a locked door. To open it, you need to alternately use fire, wind, and ice magic—the very same scrolls. Open it, and you’ll find yourself in the final room. It’s full of loot, including the “Death of Undead” rune, but the main goal is still ahead.
Optimal Level for Obtaining the Mantle
The Sunken Tower is unforgiving, so rushing in blindly is a questionable decision. To ensure your visit is worthwhile, rather than a loading screen, it’s best to wait until your hero has mastered mid-level spells and stocked his pockets with consumables. The Robe of Dark Arts itself will be the ultimate prize, but first you’ll have to survive an encounter with the local boss.
The optimal conditions for the assault are as follows:
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Character level. A pureblood mage will need at least level 8-10. If you’re developing a hybrid build or playing a fighter, it’s best to raise the bar to level 10-12, otherwise the Demon Lord won’t leave you much room to maneuver due to a lack of stamina.
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Combat magic. Long-range spells (at least Fire Rain or Frostbolt) are vital in your arsenal, as are range control spells like Storm Fist or Freeze. Without these, you won’t be able to control the boss’s phases.
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A supply of scrolls. Keep 2-3 spare scrolls of each type (wind, fire, ice) on hand. They’ll come in handy both for dealing with the mysterious door and for an emergency change of tactics.
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Potions at the ready. At least 6 Grains of Health (or 3 Strong Elixirs), as well as 3-4 Mana Restore Vials. If you managed to get your hands on Fire Resistance Potions, be sure to take them with you.
In Which Chapter Should I Complete the Sunken Tower
The storyline dictates its own rules, and it’s crucial to get the top-tier equipment shortcode in time. The logic is simple: arrive early, and the Demon Lord will devour you in seconds; delay until the end, and the powerful armor bonus will lose its relevance.
The optimal window for clearing the location opens midway through Chapter 2, immediately after the town merchants begin stocking magical goods. At this point, you’ll have accumulated enough ores for potions and scrolls. It’s strongly recommended to complete this task before the end of Chapter 3, before the Gothic 1 Remake storyline takes another turn, unleashing far more dangerous enemies. Remember: if you decide to enter the Sunken Tower immediately after acquiring your first medium spells, be sure to check the scrolls for the door, otherwise you’ll have to abandon the operation.
Mage Preparation and Pre-Battle Checklist
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Equipment. Equip artifacts that increase your mana pool and any trinkets that protect you from fire and physical attacks.
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Quick Access Bar. Equip Ice Block or Rain of Fire there, along with Fist of Storm. Keep the scrolls needed to open the door separately to avoid accidentally losing them in the heat of battle.
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Resources. Check your bag: 6-8 health potions, 3-4 mana potions, and a couple of Tower Stone scrolls, if you’re lucky enough to find them.
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Tactical Battle Plan. Start with a ranged attack (Ice or Rain of Fire), activate Fist of Storm when you get close, dodge the boss’s final combo attack, and finish him off with scrolls between phases.
How to Defeat the Demon Lord in Gothic?
As soon as you enter the room with the purple glow, the entrance will seal behind you, and the Demon Lord will emerge from the floor. He has three main moves: claws for melee, fire breath at medium range, and the vile “Death Grip” spell—arms erupt from the ground and batter you until you collapse. Whenever the boss roars, he immediately casts this nasty spell. The only saving grace is constant movement. Stand still and you’re lost.
The Overlord has a weakness: he’s afraid of ice and burning effects. So, if you’re a ranged mage, use “Fire Rain” and run in circles—the burning will slowly wear away his health. Alternative is “Frost Bolt,” which freezes and deals additional damage. Basically, the tactic is simple: force him to chase you around the room and gradually weaken you.
For melee fighters, it’s more complicated. The main rule is to never get caught in the final claw attack after his combo: it takes out anyone, even those with full health. His fire breath is also not to be ignored—it’s best to run away for a second and then slash again. The ideal option is to land a couple of combos, deal critical damage, and then immediately roll away.
Eventually, the Overlord will fall, and you can approach the altar at the back of the room. A bright purple robe hovers above it—don’t miss it, that’s what you came for. Now your mage will receive a serious boost, and you can confidently set off on new adventures.
