Zack Fair waiting for a monster-in-a-box in Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-.
Be careful! Sometimes monsters lurk inside treasure chests!
Adventuring School in Final Fantasy VI
Monsters-in-a-box (敵入りの宝箱, Teki Iri no Takarabako?, lit. Treasure Chest Containing Enemy) are enemies that appear in treasure chests. After the character opens the chest, the phrase "Monster-in-a-box!", "Monsters!", or similar is displayed, and a battle begins with an enemy. Usually these enemies are stronger than average foes, and can even match a boss's strength. Monsters-in-a-box were series staples up to Final Fantasy VIII where they do not appear, and only return to the series in Final Fantasy X.
Prior to the use of monster-in-a-box treasure chest starting in Final Fantasy II, the original Final Fantasy surrounded treasure chests with fixed encounters to protect boxes. As a precursor to the monster-in-a-box, enemies fought through this method still tended to be stronger than average. In the later games of the Final Fantasy series, Mimic enemies act as a replacement, which appear as boxes and morph into an enemy.
Appearances[]
Final Fantasy[]
Appearing only in the 2021 Pixel Remaster release, monsters-in-a-box replace the fixed encounter tiles placed in front of treasure chests in previous versions.
Final Fantasy II[]
Firion meets a monster-in-a-box.
Monsters-in-a-box are common, appearing in almost every dungeon. Unlike later installments, the item is gained before the monster is fought. All types of dragons appear as monsters-in-a-box in some later dungeons and in the last dungeon, Pandaemonium, several of the game's most powerful armor pieces can be found in boss fights with monsters-in-a-box.
Final Fantasy III[]
Early in the game in Castle Sasune, the party must defeat a monster-in-a-box, a Griffon, to obtain the Wightslayer. In Eureka, a Ribbon is obtained after opening a treasure chest and defeating the Ninja within. During the final dungeon of the game, there is a crossroad of four paths. Each path has a chest along the way, with a Xande's Clone guarding a Ribbon.
This section about an enemy in Final Fantasy III is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.
Final Fantasy IV[]
Cecil finding monsters in a box.
Many monsters-in-boxes can be fought in Final Fantasy IV. After opening a box, a message saying "Monsters!" will appear and the fight will initiate. After winning the battle, the item contained in the chest will be received.
In the DS version, the word "Monsters!" has been replaced by "Enemy Ambush." If there is an item, the item will be received, followed by the term "Enemy Ambush!". For example, in the Giant of Babil, the message box will say:
Enemy Ambush!
Final Fantasy IV: The After Years[]
This section about an enemy in Final Fantasy IV: The After Years is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.Final Fantasy V[]
It's a trap! Monster attack!
Monster-in-a-box appears when the player opens certain chests, and is commonly strong for the location. Once the enemy is defeated, a message is displayed and the item is received. The superboss Shinryu appears as a monster-in-a-box in the Interdimensional Rift, which guards one of the strongest weapons in the game, Ragnarok. In the GBA and later versions, Neo Shinryu is encountered the same way, guarding the Ultima Weapon.
Many boxes can trigger different enemy formations and which one the player gets is random. The player can run from monsters-in-a-box; the only penalty is that the player cannot open the chest. However, the player can try opening the chest again to trigger the monster-in-a-box again. As some chests have random outcome on which fight initiates, the player can run until getting the desired enemy, or steal from the enemy multiple times until deciding to kill it. Some enemies that only appear in monsters-in-a-box are not in the bestiary.
Though not a monster-in-a-box the fourth fight against Gilgamesh is initiated by opening the chest in the room after the save point in Castle Exdeath; if the player ignores it, they skip the battle and permanently miss out on the Excalipoor novelty weapon.
Final Fantasy VI[]
Several monsters-in-a-box appear in Final Fantasy VI. After opening a chest, the monster event triggers a message saying "Monster-in-a-box!" and the encounter will commence. The treasure is received as an item drop from the enemy. A notable example is Angler Whelk in Darill's Tomb, which drops a strong Holy-elemental weapon for Sabin.
Final Fantasy VII[]
Monsters-in-a-box only appear once in the clock puzzle room of the Temple of the Ancients. They do not give items.
Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-[]
In Gongaga, Zack can find treasure chests that contain enemies. During a mission he will also encounter a treasure chest that will transport him into a battle against Bahamut Fury.
Final Fantasy X[]
Potential "Monsters-in-a-Box" in the Omega Ruins.
In the Omega Ruins, there are areas where three to five treasure chests are grouped together. Some contain treasure, while others initiate a battle. After the battle, the other nearby treasure chests will disappear. It is random which treasures contain battles.
The treasures contain the following items:
- L4 Key Sphere
- Defending Bracer
- Turnover
- 3x L3 Key Sphere
- Defending Armlet
- 2x Friend Sphere
- L4 Key Sphere
- Phantom Ring
- Cactuar Wizard
- Warmonger
- 2x Warp Sphere
- 99x Warp Sphere
Final Fantasy X-2[]
There are several monster-in-a-box chests in the Fiend Colony. The battles that initiate are against Vermin-type enemies.
Final Fantasy XIV[]
Patch 2.1 added the Treasure Hunt system, which uses a monster-in-a-box mechanic. The buried treasure coffers have a trap that will release a "powerful musk" when opened that summon monsters. These creatures must be defeated in order to claim the goods contained within.
In the 24-man raid 
The World of Darkness, Xande's Clone appears by opening a treasure coffer dropped by Queen Scylla.
Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy[]
In Confessions of the Creator, red treasure chests initiate battles with powerful enemies when opened, and one in the Southern Lufenia gateway triggers a battle with Feral Chaos.
Final Fantasy Legend II[]
The sewer has two trapped treasure chests which contains monsters. The player can farm them for high level meat if they want, but the player does not get any items from these treasure chest. The player can repeatedly open them infinitely if they wish to fight the monsters again.
Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light[]
This section in Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.Final Fantasy Brave Exvius[]
This section in Final Fantasy Brave Exvius is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.World of Final Fantasy[]
Monsters-in-a-box appear in a few dungeons in World of Final Fantasy. Mimics appear in three treasure chests in Saronia Docks, and one in EX Dungeon A; while Mimic Jackpots appear in two treasure chests in Mako Reactor 0, and one in EX Dungeon B. The player does not earn any items from monster-in-a-box encounters.
Gallery[]
Etymology[]
"Monster-in-a-Box" is a play on the kid's toy, a "Jack-in-the-Box".