How to get the Lazy Shell in Super Mario RPG

The Lazy Shell is both one of the ultimate weapons and ultimate armors of Super Mario RPG. That’s because both an armor and a weapon carry the same name. You get them at the same time, but where is that? How do you get the Lazy Shell?

The Seed and Fertilizer

You can’t get the Lazy Shell until far later in the game. By the time it becomes available, you’re bumping against the sixth star and the ending is not far beyond that. It requires two items to get, both found not far from one another. The first is a seed, and the second is fertilizer.

The seed is hard to miss. You’ll find it in Bean Valley right after you defeat the minor boss, Smilax. Once you’ve stomped it into the dirt, the Beezo that grew it will fly offscreen, and a note will flutter to the ground and become stuck in a nearby bush. If you interact with it, you’ll find the seed.

The fertilizer is far less straightforward to get. After defeating Valentina and Dodo in Nimbus Land, while you’re still in town, walk to the bottom right edge of town. Start walking into the wall and allow Mario to slide along it. Somewhere near the middle of the edge, Mario will start walking out into thin air (check the header image). There’s an invisible walkway, and if you follow it in a straight line (there’s no risk of falling off), you’ll eventually meet the Beezo. Talk to them, and they’ll give you the fertilizer.

Getting the Lazy Shell

Now that you have these items, you need to know what to do with them. Head back to Rose Town near the beginning area of the game (the place that was getting hit by arrows). Walk all the way through it to the top-right edge. You’ll see a path there. Walk down the path and you’ll find a house with an old man in it. If you speak to it, he’ll tell you about the seed and fertilizer and immediately become excited when he notices you have them.

Hand over the seed and fertilizer and he’ll put them in a nearby pot. Instantaneously, a beanstalk will grow from them, through the chimney and into the air. Climb this and you’ll find yourself on a cloud platform with two floating chests. Pop these open and you’ll find the Lazy Shell (Armor) and the Lazy Shell (Weapon).

The Lazy Shell weapon is the most powerful in the game, with the only downside being its high damage variance. It can only be equipped by Mario, and you absolutely should do that without question.

The Lazy Shell armor is the strongest general armor in the game. However, its downside is more severe as it greatly lowers the wearer’s speed and attack power. As such, I’d recommend equipping it to Peach. The Princess doesn’t have a high attack power to begin with, and her best use in battle is keeping the party healed. Wearing the Lazy Shell, she’s nigh invulnerable, making it so she can keep resurrecting and healing your party, even in the worst circumstances.

Super Mario RPG is available now for Switch.