Dragon Warrior/General strategy

Learn the strategies of fighting
From the moment you set foot outdoors until you have utterly destroyed the Dragonlord in his dark fortress, enemies will hound your every step. To keep alive you must learn to defend yourself. Battling with weapons in the Fighting Mode requires a sharp mind more than a sharp blade, although a good sword is always welcome. What is important is that you know your own strength and that of your opponent. Note which spells a creature uses, how many HP of life it has, etc.

Gain Experience and Gold
Experience points are added as you defeat more and stronger enemies. At predetermined totals you will be boosted up to the next level. Along with reaching higher levels, experience translates into greater agility and strength and higher maximum HP and MP. As for gold, use it in the shops of Alefgard to purchase weapons, tools, armor and other items and to stay at the Inn.

A flashing orange screen indicates low HP
When in battle, each counter-attack of the enemy is likely to inflict some damage on you. Your HP will be diminished by a number determined by the strength of the enemy and your ability to withstand its attack. For instance, body armor or a shield can help you stand up to the onslaught of a ferocious monster. If you are wounded though, make your way back to town as quickly as possible. When you reach a town, go at once to the Inn. By spending a night at the Inn you will restore all your HP and MP.

Two ways to restore HP
The Medicinal Herb available in tool shops is one of the best buys in Alefgard. Always carry some Herbs with you when you travel. To use them, just select ITEM in your Command Window and choose Herb from the list of items that appears.

When you spend a night at the Inn you pay the Innkeeper, then retire for the night. Upon waking next morning, your HP and MP are at maximum strength.

Watch your experience points
Always return to the King and save your progress once your Level rises. When you do this, notice that the King tells you how many Experience Points are needed to reach the next level up. If you keep that number in mind you should be able to calculate when you will get the next increase in your level and possibly get a new spell.

As your Level rises you will also learn spells
Magic is learned only after many trials and failures. At particular levels you will learn particular spells, but don't expect to learn a new spell each time your level increases. There are ten spells in all.

At level 3 you will learn your first magical spell, the spell of Heal. The effect of Heal is that when chanted it raises the chanter's HP by as much as 15. During a fierce battle you may notice your HP sinking rapidly. That might be a good time to use Heal.

Next, at level 4, the spell of Hurt is learned. It is an attack spell, capable of inflicting up to 15 HP worth of damage on an enemy. Once you've learned a spell and saved the game, you can't lose it. You might run out of MP, and you need MP to cast spells, so keep an eye on your Condition Window.

Using an item during battle
It is a good idea to preserve your MP whenever possible. One way to do this is by using Herbs rather than the spell of Heal. Pay careful attention to your HP, and when it gets low, choose ITEM rather than FIGHT and the select the Herb. By strategic use of Herb and Hurt, you should be able to defeat creatures that are considerably stronger than yourself.

As your level rises, travel further afield
With higher levels come greater strength, stamina, and wisdom, not to mention wealth and spells. You are able to explore ever more distant lands and towns. Test your limits, but be careful not to push yourself. If you encounter some new invincible enemy, don't go further. Build up your level first. Having higher Levels you should be able to explore many regions of Northern Alefgard. But beware of the Southlands!

Saving the game
Whenever your level increases or you obtain a special item, you should return to King Lorik and save the game. Then, if you are defeated you won't lose the items and experience you've fought so hard to win.

The agony of defeat
There may come a time when you bite off more than you can chew. If a servant of the Dragonlord defeats you in battle, you will die and lose half of your gold. The King, however, has the power to restore your life so you can continue your quest. Only your supply of gold ultimately suffers.