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- COMBAT
- ======
- As in most rogue-like games, you attack an adjacent monster by
- attempting to move onto it.
-
- At this time, your current real statistics on to-hit, damage, defense,
- and armor protection are always displayed. It is felt that the
- character would know (or quickly discover) how well any weapon, armor,
- etc. actually work. By comparing different weapons, armor, and shield
- combinations, you can decide what martial configuration is best for
- your character. Keep in mind that cost of equipment does not
- necessarily indicate how good it is (though it is a good rule of
- thumb).
-
- The 'F' command allows you to select precisely which actions you will
- take in a combat round -- parry high, thrust low, etc. You have
- several maneuver points for use in each combat round, depending on
- level, status as a gladiator, etc. At the beginning of the game, your
- combat options are already set for you, but as you progress, and
- possibly gain more maneuvers, the preset options will not be
- automatically updated, so remember to do it yourself periodically, as
- you may be losing the chance at more maneuvers if you do not.
-
- The following are your combat options:
-
- A) ATTACK: Punch, Cut, Strike, Shoot, or Thrust (depending on weapon) -- 1 pt.
- B) BLOCK: Prepare to block or parry enemy attack -- 1 pt.
- R) RIPOSTE: BLOCK/ATTACK (thrusting weapons only) -- 2 pts.
- L) LUNGE: More chance to hit than usual, does more damage -- 2 pts.
-
- Keep on selecting maneuvers until you have no maneuver points left.
- It does absolutely no good to have points left over.
-
- Following the choice of the maneuver, you must select a line for the
- action: L (low), C (center), or H (high). Some monster will tend to
- attack in a given line (short/small monsters, for example, will
- tend to attack low), so this choice is meaningful. If you block or
- riposte low, when the attack is high, you will have wasted the effect
- of the block. On the other hand, if you block low twice, and the
- attack is low, you will defend doubly. If you don't block or riposte
- at all, it will be particularly easy for monsters to hit you.
-
- Keep on selecting maneuvers until you have no maneuver points left.
- Hitting the BACKSPACE or DELETE key will erase your current choices
- and let you start over. When you are satisfied, confirm your
- choice with the RETURN key. Once a choice is selected, it stays in
- effect until you change it; you need not reset it for each attack.
- Selecting combat maneuvers takes no time.
-
- If you are in VERBOSE mode (settable with the 'O' command) you'll see
- just what the monster is doing, whether the blocks are effective,
- and so on. Otherwise you'll just be told whether you hit or miss.
-
- If you select VERBOSE mode, you will be able to see just where your
- opponent attacks. Some monsters may show a particular sequence or
- location which they attack in; you can use this information to your
- advantage by setting your own attacks and blocks accordingly.
-
- You can try multiple identical maneuvers if you like. If you don't try
- any BLOCKS at all, it will be easier than usual for your opponent to
- hit. Even if you don't get the location correct, a BLOCK still does
- some good. A RIPOSTE attacks in the same line as its block, if you got
- the line right. I.e., if you are attacked high, a high riposte will
- get a free attack back. If you are attacked high three times, a high
- riposte will get three free attacks back. Each block or riposte is
- good for your entire move; no matter how many monsters attack you you
- will be able to block or riposte each one. Naturally, each attack can
- only be used against one monster.
-
- Heavy edged weapons and smashing weapons do CUTTING or STRIKING
- damage. Your strength affects this, so if it is high you will do
- much more damage, and if low, much less.
-
- Light edged weapons, missile weapons, and pointed weapons do THRUSTING
- or SHOOTING attacks, whose chance to hit is greatly affected by your
- dexterity. Note that you can't use a missile weapon very well in
- ordinary combat (i.e. when you move adjacent to a monster) -- you
- would be using a crossbow as a club, for instance. Instead,
- use the 'f' command to fire missiles when at long range, and change
- to a melee weapon for close combat.
-
- A note on weapons use: A weapon is not prepared for combat unless
- it is in the "weapon hand" slot in your inventory. Anywhere else
- means you are just carrying it around.... Two-handed weapons will
- automatically take both hand slots, so remember to have both
- hands free if you want to wield such a weapon.
-
- Shields, of course, will only have effect in the "shield" slot,
- while armor is only considered to be worn if it is in the "armor"
- slot.
-