Kerning City Party Quest, also known as KPQ, is one of the best party activities to try in MapleStory Classic once you reach level 21. You team up with three other players, complete a series of puzzles, defeat monsters, and finish the run by taking down King Slime.
In this guide, I’ll explain how to enter KPQ, how every stage works, and which coupon combinations you need to complete the puzzles quickly. I’ll also cover King Slime’s stats, the rewards you can get, and what to do if a party member dies or disconnects during the run.
KPQ is worth doing for both EXP and rewards. King Slime gives 2,400 EXP at launch, and you also have a chance to obtain Squishy Shoes. Every successful run rewards party members with a Companion’s Magic Box, which can contain potions, ores, equipment, and scrolls.
MapleStory Classic Kerning City Party Quest (KPQ) Guide
Kerning City Party Quest is a multiplayer activity that requires exactly four players to enter. The party has 30 minutes to complete the quest, which includes several puzzle stages, monster encounters, and a final boss fight.
Here are the main requirements and details:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum level | Level 21 |
| Party size | 4 players |
| Job restrictions | None |
| Starting NPC | Lakelis |
| Location | Kerning City, near the sewer entrance |
| Time limit | 30 minutes |
| Final boss | King Slime |
| Available channels | Channels 3–12 at Grand Launch |
To start the quest, create a party of four and have the party leader speak to Lakelis near the sewer entrance in Kerning City.
Unlike the original version, multiple parties can run KPQ on the same channel. This makes it easier to find a party and avoids some of the waiting that players experienced in the original game.
Complete the Proof of Companionship Quest
Before your first KPQ run, make sure you accept the Proof of Companionship quest from Lakelis.
You can accept it at level 21. The objective is simple: defeat King Slime once.
| Reward | Amount |
|---|---|
| EXP | 1,870 |
| Mesos | 687 |
| Fame | 1 |
| Additional reward | Random Intermediate Earring Scroll |
The earring scroll has four possible stat types: STR, DEX, INT, and LUK. Each type has a reported 25% chance of being selected.
This is a one-time quest, so remember to accept it before defeating King Slime for the first time.
KPQ Stage-by-Stage Guide
The quest contains four main stages before the bonus room. Each stage has a different objective, and understanding the puzzles beforehand can save your party a lot of time.
Stage 1: Collect Coupons from Ligators
The first stage contains 22 Ligators, each worth 68 EXP. Your objective is to collect coupons from these monsters and use them to answer Cloto’s questions.
Cloto asks every party member except the leader a question. Each player must collect and hand over the exact number of coupons required to receive a Pass.
The known questions and answers are listed below.
| Cloto’s Question | Coupons Required |
|---|---|
| Magician job advancement level | 10 |
| Warrior job advancement level | 10 |
| Bowman job advancement level | 10 |
| Thief job advancement level | 10 |
| EXP required to go from level 1 to level 2 | 15 |
| INT required for a Magician | 20 |
| DEX required for a Bowman or Thief | 25 |
| STR required for a Warrior | 35 |
These answers reflect the currently known questions, and additional questions may exist. Footage from testing has also shown requirements of 21 and 30 coupons.
Important tip: Collect the exact number of coupons requested and hand them to Cloto. Drop any extra coupons rather than accidentally submitting the wrong amount.
The party leader does not receive a question. One potential strategy is to give the leader role to a player who receives the 35-coupon question, allowing that player to avoid the most expensive requirement. The previous leader can then answer a question instead.
Stage 2: Solve the Rope Puzzle
In Stage 2, your party must solve a rope puzzle using four ropes. Three players need to hang from three different ropes, leaving one rope empty.
The party leader then checks the arrangement with Cloto. If the combination is incorrect, try another arrangement.
For convenience, the ropes can be identified as A, B, C, and D.
| Attempt | Players Stand On | Empty Rope |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A, B, C | D |
| 2 | A, B, D | C |
| 3 | A, C, D | B |
| 4 | B, C, D | A |
There are only four possible combinations, so you can test each one without wasting much time.
Make sure the three players are standing properly on their ropes before the leader checks the solution.
Stage 3: Solve the Kitten Platform Puzzle
Stage 3 has five platforms carrying different numbers of kittens. The platforms are numbered from 1 to 5 according to their kitten counts.
Three players must stand on three different platforms, and the leader checks each combination with Cloto.
There are 10 possible combinations. Try them in the order below to avoid repeating unsuccessful attempts.
| Attempt | Platforms |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1, 2, 3 |
| 2 | 1, 2, 4 |
| 3 | 1, 2, 5 |
| 4 | 1, 3, 4 |
| 5 | 1, 3, 5 |
| 6 | 1, 4, 5 |
| 7 | 2, 3, 4 |
| 8 | 2, 3, 5 |
| 9 | 2, 4, 5 |
| 10 | 3, 4, 5 |
If the first nine combinations fail, remember to try 3, 4, and 5. This combination is sometimes missing from commonly shared lists, which can cause parties to waste time repeating the same attempts.
Stage 4: Solve the Barrel Puzzle
The fourth stage uses six numbered barrels. Three party members must stand on three different barrels while the leader checks the combination.
There are 20 possible combinations, so use the following table to keep track of your attempts.
| Attempt | Barrels |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1, 2, 3 |
| 2 | 1, 2, 4 |
| 3 | 1, 2, 5 |
| 4 | 1, 2, 6 |
| 5 | 1, 3, 4 |
| 6 | 1, 3, 5 |
| 7 | 1, 3, 6 |
| 8 | 1, 4, 5 |
| 9 | 1, 4, 6 |
| 10 | 1, 5, 6 |
| 11 | 2, 3, 4 |
| 12 | 2, 3, 5 |
| 13 | 2, 3, 6 |
| 14 | 2, 4, 5 |
| 15 | 2, 4, 6 |
| 16 | 2, 5, 6 |
| 17 | 3, 4, 5 |
| 18 | 3, 4, 6 |
| 19 | 3, 5, 6 |
| 20 | 4, 5, 6 |
Work through the combinations in order until Cloto accepts your answer. Once this puzzle is complete, your party can move on to the final stage.
Final Stage: Defeat King Slime
The last stage contains three types of monsters: Jr. Neckis, Curse Eyes, and King Slime. The room has six Jr. Neckis, three Curse Eyes, and one King Slime.
Each of the 10 monsters drops a coupon. Collect all 10 coupons and have the party leader hand them to Cloto to complete the stage.
Be careful when fighting Jr. Neckis because they have relatively high avoidability. Players with insufficient accuracy may struggle to hit them consistently, so bringing at least one party member with reliable accuracy can make the stage easier.
King Slime Stats
King Slime is the final boss of KPQ. In MapleStory Classic, it has significantly more HP than the version found in the original pre-Big Bang game.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Level | 32 |
| HP | 16,820 |
| MP | 100 |
| EXP | 2,400 |
| Weapon Attack | 288 |
| Magic Attack | 288 |
| Weapon Defense | 15 |
| Magic Defense | 15 |
| Accuracy | 121 |
| Avoidability | 11 |
| Knockback threshold | 1,750 damage |
King Slime resists Holy, Fire, Ice, and Lightning attacks. When defeated, it splits into 11 Slimes.
Two behaviors from the original game remain unconfirmed for Classic World: whether King Slime summons additional Slimes as its HP decreases and whether its ground slam can be avoided by jumping.
However, the original version’s ground-slam strategy is worth remembering. King Slime jumps before landing, and the resulting shockwave can be avoided by jumping just before it touches the ground. If this behavior works the same way in Classic World, timing your jump correctly can help you avoid damage.
Can You Die During KPQ?
Dying no longer automatically ends your run. During the original version of the quest, a death could throw a player out and leave the rest of the party without the passes they were carrying. In testing, players were able to return after dying.
Your party can also continue with three players, provided you handle the stages correctly.
- Stage 1: Only two passes are needed because the leader does not answer Cloto’s question.
- Stages 2–4: Three players must occupy the required ropes, platforms, or barrels. The leader can take one of these positions.
- Final boss stage: Two players who have already reached the boss can still finish the fight.
If your party drops to two players before completing the puzzle stages, you will need to leave and rebuild the party.
One more useful tip: if a player cannot drop their passes because of a trade restriction, making that player the party leader has been reported as a workaround.
KPQ Bonus Stage and How to Leave
After defeating King Slime, your party enters the bonus room. This area contains 24 Horny Mushrooms and 12 Green Mushrooms, giving you 36 monsters in one wave.
The bonus stage is a good opportunity to defeat additional monsters and collect drops before leaving.
There is no ordinary portal to exit the KPQ maps. Instead, speak to Nella to leave the area. Nella can be found throughout the quest’s maps, including the five stages, the bonus room, and the final exit map.
Make sure everyone is ready to leave before moving on, especially if party members still want to collect drops.
Every Monster Inside KPQ
The monsters inside the party quest have different stats from their regular counterparts outside KPQ. For example, the Ligators in Kerning City Swamp are much higher-level monsters than the ones in the first KPQ stage.
| Monster | Level | HP | EXP | Accuracy | Avoidability | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ligator | 21 | 778 | 68 | 92 | 9 | Stage 1; 22 monsters |
| Jr. Necki | 25 | 765 | 80 | 111 | 12 | Final stage; 6 monsters |
| Curse Eye | 29 | 1,186 | 94 | 106 | 13 | Final stage; 3 monsters |
| King Slime | 32 | 16,820 | 2,400 | 121 | 11 | Final stage; 1 boss |
Jr. Neckis and Curse Eyes can respawn every 180 seconds, while King Slime does not respawn during the same run.
The lower avoidability of the KPQ Ligators makes them easier to hit than the level 31 Ligators found in Kerning City Swamp. This is one reason why the first stage can be useful for collecting EXP while working toward the quest’s completion.
KPQ Rewards
There are three main reasons to run Kerning City Party Quest:
- EXP from monsters and completing the stages.
- A chance to obtain Squishy Shoes from King Slime.
- A Companion’s Magic Box for every party member who completes the quest.
Squishy Shoes
Squishy Shoes are a level 28 item that can be equipped by any class without a stat requirement. They are also tradeable.
| Stat | Bonus |
|---|---|
| STR | +1 |
| DEX | +1 |
| INT | +1 |
| LUK | +1 |
| Weapon Defense | 18 |
| Magic Defense | 7 |
| Upgrade Slots | 5 |
These shoes provide a small bonus to every main stat, making them a useful early-game item for a variety of characters.
Companion’s Magic Box
Every party member receives a Companion’s Magic Box after completing KPQ. The box can contain equipment, potions, ores, crafting materials, and scrolls.
The following items have been reported by players as possible rewards. The quantities shown are the reported amounts per item, not guaranteed rewards.
Ores, gems, and crafting materials
| Item | Reported Quantity |
|---|---|
| Black Crystal Ore | 3 |
| Screw | 10 |
| Garnet Ore | 8 |
| Gold Ore | 5 |
| Topaz Ore | 8 |
| Diamond Ore | 3 |
| Aquamarine Ore | 8 |
| Iron Ore | 8 |
| Adamantium Ore | 8 |
| Amethyst Ore | 8 |
| Sapphire Ore | 8 |
| Opal Ore | 8 |
| Orihalcon Ore | 8 |
| Emerald Ore | 8 |
| Silver Ore | 8 |
| Bronze Ore | 8 |
| Mithril Ore | 8 |
Potions, food, and consumables
| Item | Reported Quantity |
|---|---|
| Red Potion | 5 |
| Unagi | 10 |
| Elixir | 5 |
| Pure Water | 10 |
| Blue Potion | 10 |
| Orange Potion | 15 |
| White Potion | 15 |
| Speed Potion | 5 |
| Blue Potion (alternate entry) | 15 |
| Watermelon | 5 |
Scrolls
The box has also been reported to contain the following scrolls:
- Overall Armor INT Scroll: Greater
- Overall Armor DEX Scroll: Greater
- Overall Armor LUK Scroll: Greater
- Overall Armor STR Scroll: Greater
- Overall Armor DEF Scroll: Greater
- Hat Accuracy Scroll: Greater
- Bottomwear DEF Scroll: Greater
- Shoes Speed Scroll: Greater
- Topwear DEF Scroll: Greater
- Cape DEX Scroll: Greater
Equipment
| Item | Level Requirement | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Emerald Earrings | 30 | Any |
| Green Bamboo Hat | 25 | Any |
| Brown Bamboo Hat | 25 | Any |
| Sapphire Earrings | 35 | Any |
| Star Earrings | 30 | Any |
| Yellow Square | 20 | Any |
| Blue Bamboo Hat | 25 | Any |
| Gold Earrings | 25 | Any |
| Red Cross Earrings | 25 | Any |
The Companion’s Magic Box is especially useful if you’re still building your character and need materials, consumables, or equipment. However, its contents are random, so don’t expect to receive a specific item every time.
How to Find a KPQ Party
If you want to run KPQ, head to the NPC area near Lakelis in Kerning City. Players often form parties close to the entrance.
You can use these chat formats to find a group:
- J>PQ: Join a party quest group. Include your level and class to help party leaders decide whether you fit their group.
- L>PQ: Looking for players to join your party.
- R>PQ: Recruiting players for your party.
Once you join a group, communication is important. Here are a few tips to make the run smoother:
- Help party members who are still collecting coupons if you’ve already finished your own task.
- Pick up stray coupons and passes and drop them in front of the NPC when needed.
- Explain the puzzle combinations calmly if someone is new to KPQ.
- Tell the party before going AFK.
- Avoid leaving or kicking players in the middle of a run unless necessary.
A little teamwork can make KPQ much faster, especially when the party includes players who are unfamiliar with the puzzles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What level do you need for KPQ?
You need to be at least level 21 to enter. There is currently no apparent level cap, although the original version of the quest limited entry to level 30.
Can you solo KPQ?
No. You need a party of four players to enter KPQ, so you cannot start the quest alone.
How many players are needed to finish KPQ?
You need four players to enter. A party can sometimes continue with three players if someone dies or disconnects, but the puzzle stages still require three players to occupy the correct positions. Two players who have reached the boss stage can still finish the fight.
What are the answers to Cloto’s coupon questions?
The currently known answers are:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Any first job advancement level | 10 |
| EXP required to reach level 2 from level 1 | 15 |
| Magician’s required INT | 20 |
| Bowman or Thief’s required DEX | 25 |
| Warrior’s required STR | 35 |
Additional answers may exist. Testing footage has also shown requirements of 21 and 30 coupons, so keep an eye out for new questions.
What does King Slime drop?
King Slime has a chance to drop Squishy Shoes. These level 28 shoes provide +1 to STR, DEX, INT, and LUK, along with 18 weapon defense, 7 magic defense, and five upgrade slots.
Is KPQ worth doing in MapleStory Classic?
Yes. KPQ offers EXP, a chance at Squishy Shoes, and a Companion’s Magic Box for each party member who completes the quest. With the known coupon answers and puzzle combinations ready, you can reduce wasted time and complete runs more efficiently.
Kerning City Party Quest is a great activity for characters level 21 and above, particularly if you want a mix of EXP and useful rewards.
Before entering, make sure you have a full party, accept Proof of Companionship from Lakelis, and keep the coupon answers and puzzle combinations handy. Pay attention to Jr. Neckis’ high avoidability during the final stage, and coordinate with your teammates instead of rushing through the puzzles.
Once you get comfortable with the ropes, kitten platforms, and barrels, KPQ becomes much easier to complete. Keep running it for the EXP and Companion’s Magic Boxes, and you might get lucky with a pair of Squishy Shoes along the way.
