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{{rename|Gauntlet/Getting Started}}
{{Header Nav|game=Gauntlet}}
{{Header Nav|game=Gauntlet}}
Gauntlet's concept is deceptively simple: progress through 100 floors, killing enemies and grabbing treasures as you go.


The levels contain a variety of tiles and items:
The levels of Gauntlet contain a variety of obstacles and items:


===Exits===
==Exits==
[[Image:Gauntlet NES exit.png|48px|left]]
[[File:Gauntlet ARC Exit Sprite.png|48px|left]]
These black squares usually read "EXIT". Some also say "L##", the number indicating what level you'll skip to if you take that exit. Finding these jump exits will get you through the game faster, so using the first exit you find isn't always the best plan. Sometimes the exits are hidden or require a key to access.
[[File:Gauntlet ARC Exit to 4 Sprite.png|48px|left]]
[[File:Gauntlet ARC Exit to 8 Sprite.png|48px|left]]
Exits do what you'd think: progress you to the next level. During the 7 introductory levels, a trio of Exits found throughout also indicate a number, which indicates the level you'll skip to.
 
Since the 100 levels past the first 7 loop endlessly, finishing the game is impossible. Scoring points is your only real goal, thus reaching the Exit is not "mandatory". However, your health will constantly drop, and it is necessary to reach the Exit to obtain more food to keep playing. Going to the next level will also give you more tools like Potions to aid in survival, as well as potentially better scoring opportunities.
{{-}}
==Walls==
Walls are what you'd expect. They get in your way, as well as the way of any enemies.
 
It should be noted that a pair of diagonally adjacent blocks can be fired through by most characters, as shown here:
 
[[File:Gauntlet ARC otherchar diagshot example.png]]
 
Walls will become Exits if you remain still and undisturbed for about 180 seconds.
{{-}}
==Breakable Walls==
[[File:Gauntlet ARC Breakablewall.png|left]]
Some walls, denoted by their softer textures, can be destroyed by shots
{{-}}
==Teleporters==
Touching one of these will usually teleport you to the closest adjacent teleporter. If there are two within reach, you can end up at either one. You can land on any of the 8 tiles surrounding the teleporter by holding the joystick in that direction. It is rumored that the animation of a teleporter controls which destination you will travel to when you touch it (ex. if it is light, you will warp to a different teleporter than when it is dark). This has not been verified.
{{-}}
==Doors==
[[File:Gauntlet ARC doors.png|left]]
Doors can be any shape and size, and any door tiles touching will all unlock at once with a single key.
 
Having a key for a door can make progress a bit easier, but it isn't necessary. If you remain free of engagement in battle with monsters for 18 seconds (36 if you have keys), all doors in the level will be unlocked. The main strategic purpose of using a key on a door, instead of stalling them open, is for flood control. Doors often obstruct enemy hordes from coming after you, and opening the doors one at a time allows you to control how many enemies can attack you, and when.
{{-}}
==Keys==
[[File:Gauntlet ARC Key Sprite.png|48px]] The things that open the doors.
 
Be careful about picking up too many keys. They share the same 12 inventory spaces as potions, and can only be gotten rid of by using them on a door. Also, if you are full of keys and/or potions, you may not pick up either. This also means that you cannot pass through them until you make room and pick them up.
 
Keys give you 100 points, much like treasure. You'll either want to pick them up for score, or avoid them to keep the rank down.
 
Monsters cannot pass through keys, but keys can be shot through. If a key obstructs the path, you may be able to deal damage through it.
 
In a multiplayer session, the less magically inclined characters (such as the [[Gauntlet/Characters#Valkyrie_.28Thyra.29|Valkyrie]] or [[Gauntlet/Characters#Warrior_.28Thor.29|Warrior]]) should carry the keys, and allow the magic wielding characters to conserve space for potions.
{{-}}
==Potions==
[[File:Gauntlet ARC Potion Sprite 1.png|48px|left]]
[[File:Gauntlet ARC Potion Sprite 2.png|48px|left]]
These smartbomb-like weapons will attempt to damage everything on the screen (unless Thor uses one). They can clear extremely congested areas in the game, if utilized by the Elf or Wizard. They are also the only way to destroy Death enemies. If a Death cannot be evaded or outrun, a Potion may save you from losing 200 health.
 
Orange potions are indestructible. Blue potions, when shot by players, are activated as if a weaker magic user used it properly. This maneuver should only be invoked in emergencies, such as when your character is enveloped by enemies and you can't reach the potion soon enough, or you are overflowing with keys with Death(s) chasing you. Avoid doing this by accident if at all possible (especially Thor). Even more importantly, be careful not to allow enemy shots at potions (such as from [[Gauntlet/Enemies#Demons|Demons]]), as these will break them to no effect.
 
It is best to save them for most jam-packed locations in the game that are certain to drain much health no matter how well you play. You shouldn't, however, rely on them to clear every road-block. There are sections that may seem impossible at first, but do not actually require a potion.
 
In a multiplayer session, the magically inclined characters (such as the [[Gauntlet/Characters#Wizard_.28Merlin.29|Wizard]] or [[Gauntlet/Characters#Elf_.28Questor.29|Elf]]) should have the first crack at Potions, and allow the less adept to deal with carrying the keys.
{{-}}
{{-}}
===Walls===
==Treasure==
Darker-colored walls can be shot and destroyed, while lighter-colored ones can't. Blast your way through the darker ones to find alternate paths.</noinclude>
[[File:Gauntlet ARC Treasure Sprite.png|48px|left]]
Worth 100 points. You'll either want to pick it up to increase your score, or avoid it to help keep your rank low.
 
Some chests make good barricades. Diagonally adjacent ones can be fired through just like walls. Use good judgment before recklessly picking up any treasures.


===Doors and Keys===
In a multiplayer game, picking these up will grant and improve a bonus multiplier to your score, the maximum being x8 in a 4 player game. This seems to be there to encourage competition, because a player who gains a high bonus will reduce the bonus of the other players.
[[Image:Gauntlet NES key.png|48px|left]]
Doors can be any shape and size, and any door tiles touching will all unlock at once with a single key. Be careful about picking up too many keys as there are only so many doors in a level, and keys share the same inventory space as potions.
{{-}}
{{-}}
===Potions===
==Bag of Jewels==
[[Image:Gauntlet NES potion.png|48px|left]]
[[File:Gauntlet ARC bigtreasure.png|left]] If you kill a Thief enemy, they will leave behind one of these. They are worth 500 points.
Potions can be collected or shot. Shooting them is less effective as your character's skill bonus is not applied to their use. These share the same storage space as keys, so always leave a few slots free for any keys you might need.
{{-}}
{{-}}
===Treasure===
==Food==
[[Image:Gauntlet NES treasure.png|48px|left]]
[[File:Gauntlet ARC Food Sprite 1.png|48px|left]]
Treasure chests are overflowing with loot. Some chests will run away from you, while others will hurt you when you touch them, and then chase you down like Death. Because of this it's best to shoot chests before you grab them to see if they explode. <noinclude>In [[Gauntlet (NES)|the NES version]] treasure</noinclude><includeonly>Treasure</includeonly> increases your score by one point (eventually boosting your HP)<noinclude>, while in [[Gauntlet IV]] it is used as money; in all other versions it only boosts your score</noinclude>.
[[File:Gauntlet ARC Food Sprite 2.png|48px|left]]
[[File:Gauntlet ARC Food Sprite 3.png|48px|left]]
[[File:Gauntlet ARC Breakable Food Sprite.png|48px|left]]
Food can have various appearances, but always increases your health by 100. Most forms are indestructible, but be careful not to accidentally shoot the yellow jugs marked with two exes. Also, don't inadvertently train enemy shots onto it, as that will destroy it just the same.
 
It is usually wise to seek out every piece of food in every level, especially considering the diminishing supply due to the ranking system.
 
Then again, certain pieces of food may just not be worth it if you can't get to it without taking insane damage.
{{-}}
{{-}}
<includeonly>===Bags of Jewels===
==Trap Tiles==
These are worth three times the value of a treasure chest.
[[File:Gauntlet ARC traptile.gif|128px|left]]
These display as regular floor tiles that flash white. When stepped on, they will open up some area of the level, often a place you can't yet see or haven't yet reached.


</includeonly>===Food===
Usually, you must step on them to reach the Exit in the level they appear in. In at least one level, stepping on them opens up access for enemies that could otherwise be avoided.
[[Image:Gauntlet NES drink.png|48px|left]]
[[Image:Gauntlet NES food.png|48px|right]]
Food can have various appearances, but always increases your health by 100. If you shoot it it is destroyed.
{{-}}
{{-}}
<includeonly>===Movable Walls===
==Temporary Invisibility==
These walls can be pushed in any direction, including diagonally.
[[File:Gauntlet ARC Invisibility Sprite.png|48px|left]]
Enemies cannot see you, and will not follow you around. However, enemies will keep moving in the last direction they were moving before you went invisible. In addition, firing shots will reveal your location to the enemies briefly. Fighters can use Melee attacks for stealth kills.


===Stun Tiles===
This lasts about 20 seconds, and can be carried over to the next level. When the power is about to run out, the rate of flashing slows down.
[[Image:Gauntlet NES stun tile.png|48px|left]]
These tiles blend in with the surroundings, and when stepped on paralyze you for a few seconds. Enemies instinctively know where these are and won't walk over them.
{{-}}
{{-}}
</includeonly>===Magic Tiles===
==Upgrade Potions==
These pulse or flash, and when stepped on will open up some area of the level (often a place you can't see or haven't even reached yet). These are usually hidden under destructible blocks, so it's always good to destroy those to see if there are magic tiles underneath.
Every few levels, the "between levels" screen will have yellow text indicating that a potion is hidden somewhere in the level.
 
These special potions are permanent upgrades to your character's abilities. Through them, some drawbacks can be made-up for, and strong aspects can be made even more powerful.


===Temporary Invisibility===
A given player may only upgrade an attribute once - Thor will never wield potions as well as Merlin, and Merlin will never be able to fight as well as Thor.
Enemies cannot find you.<noinclude> On the NES version it is represented by a white box with three lines.
Picking up upgrades that you already possess will only give you a regular potion, so it doesn't pay to be greedy.


==Upgrade Items==
Accidentally shooting these potions is just like shooting a normal blue potion, usually a waste. Demons and Lobbers can break them as well, so beware. Additionally, be especially wary of the Thief. If he steals an upgrade, that upgrade is lost; even if you manage to shoot him, the potion left behind will be a regular potion.
Destructible wall blocks sometimes contain potions that boost your abilities. The icon on the bottle shows what it will upgrade. On some home ports these upgrades are visible on the pause screen. Unlike other powerups these are permanent.


{|
The upgrade potions:
| Extra armor || Represented by a shield. Reduces the damage you take by 1/5.
 
{|{{prettytable|notwide=1}}
| [[File:Gauntlet ARC Extra Defense Sprite.png]] || Extra Armor || Less melee and shot damage.
|-
| [[File:Gauntlet ARC Extra Magic Sprite.png]] || Extra Magic || Potion attacks are more powerful.
|-
|-
| Extra magic || Marked with a bottle. Increases damage your magic does by 1/5.
| [[File:Gauntlet ARC Extra Shot Sprite.png]] || Extra Shot Power || Shots hit harder.
|-
|-
| Extra shot power || Marked with a cannonball. Increases the damage your shots do by 1/5.
| [[File:Gauntlet ARC Extra Shot Speed Sprite.png]] || Extra Shot Speed || Shots move faster.
|-
|-
| Extra speed || Marked with an arrow. Increases your speed by 1/5.
| [[File:Gauntlet ARC Extra Speed Sprite.png]] || Extra Speed || Character moves faster.
|-
|-
| Extra fight power || Marked with a knife or sword. Increases melee damage by 1/5.
| [[File:Gauntlet ARC Extra Fight Sprite.png]] || Extra Fight Power || Character fights harder.
|}
|}
{{Footer Nav|game=Gauntlet|prevpage=Enemies|nextpage=Strategy}}

Latest revision as of 03:14, 18 December 2022

The levels of Gauntlet contain a variety of obstacles and items:

Exits[edit]

Gauntlet ARC Exit Sprite.png
Gauntlet ARC Exit to 4 Sprite.png
Gauntlet ARC Exit to 8 Sprite.png

Exits do what you'd think: progress you to the next level. During the 7 introductory levels, a trio of Exits found throughout also indicate a number, which indicates the level you'll skip to.

Since the 100 levels past the first 7 loop endlessly, finishing the game is impossible. Scoring points is your only real goal, thus reaching the Exit is not "mandatory". However, your health will constantly drop, and it is necessary to reach the Exit to obtain more food to keep playing. Going to the next level will also give you more tools like Potions to aid in survival, as well as potentially better scoring opportunities.

Walls[edit]

Walls are what you'd expect. They get in your way, as well as the way of any enemies.

It should be noted that a pair of diagonally adjacent blocks can be fired through by most characters, as shown here:

Gauntlet ARC otherchar diagshot example.png

Walls will become Exits if you remain still and undisturbed for about 180 seconds.

Breakable Walls[edit]

Gauntlet ARC Breakablewall.png

Some walls, denoted by their softer textures, can be destroyed by shots

Teleporters[edit]

Touching one of these will usually teleport you to the closest adjacent teleporter. If there are two within reach, you can end up at either one. You can land on any of the 8 tiles surrounding the teleporter by holding the joystick in that direction. It is rumored that the animation of a teleporter controls which destination you will travel to when you touch it (ex. if it is light, you will warp to a different teleporter than when it is dark). This has not been verified.

Doors[edit]

Gauntlet ARC doors.png

Doors can be any shape and size, and any door tiles touching will all unlock at once with a single key.

Having a key for a door can make progress a bit easier, but it isn't necessary. If you remain free of engagement in battle with monsters for 18 seconds (36 if you have keys), all doors in the level will be unlocked. The main strategic purpose of using a key on a door, instead of stalling them open, is for flood control. Doors often obstruct enemy hordes from coming after you, and opening the doors one at a time allows you to control how many enemies can attack you, and when.

Keys[edit]

Gauntlet ARC Key Sprite.png The things that open the doors.

Be careful about picking up too many keys. They share the same 12 inventory spaces as potions, and can only be gotten rid of by using them on a door. Also, if you are full of keys and/or potions, you may not pick up either. This also means that you cannot pass through them until you make room and pick them up.

Keys give you 100 points, much like treasure. You'll either want to pick them up for score, or avoid them to keep the rank down.

Monsters cannot pass through keys, but keys can be shot through. If a key obstructs the path, you may be able to deal damage through it.

In a multiplayer session, the less magically inclined characters (such as the Valkyrie or Warrior) should carry the keys, and allow the magic wielding characters to conserve space for potions.

Potions[edit]

Gauntlet ARC Potion Sprite 1.png
Gauntlet ARC Potion Sprite 2.png

These smartbomb-like weapons will attempt to damage everything on the screen (unless Thor uses one). They can clear extremely congested areas in the game, if utilized by the Elf or Wizard. They are also the only way to destroy Death enemies. If a Death cannot be evaded or outrun, a Potion may save you from losing 200 health.

Orange potions are indestructible. Blue potions, when shot by players, are activated as if a weaker magic user used it properly. This maneuver should only be invoked in emergencies, such as when your character is enveloped by enemies and you can't reach the potion soon enough, or you are overflowing with keys with Death(s) chasing you. Avoid doing this by accident if at all possible (especially Thor). Even more importantly, be careful not to allow enemy shots at potions (such as from Demons), as these will break them to no effect.

It is best to save them for most jam-packed locations in the game that are certain to drain much health no matter how well you play. You shouldn't, however, rely on them to clear every road-block. There are sections that may seem impossible at first, but do not actually require a potion.

In a multiplayer session, the magically inclined characters (such as the Wizard or Elf) should have the first crack at Potions, and allow the less adept to deal with carrying the keys.

Treasure[edit]

Gauntlet ARC Treasure Sprite.png

Worth 100 points. You'll either want to pick it up to increase your score, or avoid it to help keep your rank low.

Some chests make good barricades. Diagonally adjacent ones can be fired through just like walls. Use good judgment before recklessly picking up any treasures.

In a multiplayer game, picking these up will grant and improve a bonus multiplier to your score, the maximum being x8 in a 4 player game. This seems to be there to encourage competition, because a player who gains a high bonus will reduce the bonus of the other players.

Bag of Jewels[edit]

Gauntlet ARC bigtreasure.png

If you kill a Thief enemy, they will leave behind one of these. They are worth 500 points.

Food[edit]

Gauntlet ARC Food Sprite 1.png
Gauntlet ARC Food Sprite 2.png
Gauntlet ARC Food Sprite 3.png
Gauntlet ARC Breakable Food Sprite.png

Food can have various appearances, but always increases your health by 100. Most forms are indestructible, but be careful not to accidentally shoot the yellow jugs marked with two exes. Also, don't inadvertently train enemy shots onto it, as that will destroy it just the same.

It is usually wise to seek out every piece of food in every level, especially considering the diminishing supply due to the ranking system.

Then again, certain pieces of food may just not be worth it if you can't get to it without taking insane damage.

Trap Tiles[edit]

Gauntlet ARC traptile.gif

These display as regular floor tiles that flash white. When stepped on, they will open up some area of the level, often a place you can't yet see or haven't yet reached.

Usually, you must step on them to reach the Exit in the level they appear in. In at least one level, stepping on them opens up access for enemies that could otherwise be avoided.

Temporary Invisibility[edit]

Gauntlet ARC Invisibility Sprite.png

Enemies cannot see you, and will not follow you around. However, enemies will keep moving in the last direction they were moving before you went invisible. In addition, firing shots will reveal your location to the enemies briefly. Fighters can use Melee attacks for stealth kills.

This lasts about 20 seconds, and can be carried over to the next level. When the power is about to run out, the rate of flashing slows down.

Upgrade Potions[edit]

Every few levels, the "between levels" screen will have yellow text indicating that a potion is hidden somewhere in the level.

These special potions are permanent upgrades to your character's abilities. Through them, some drawbacks can be made-up for, and strong aspects can be made even more powerful.

A given player may only upgrade an attribute once - Thor will never wield potions as well as Merlin, and Merlin will never be able to fight as well as Thor. Picking up upgrades that you already possess will only give you a regular potion, so it doesn't pay to be greedy.

Accidentally shooting these potions is just like shooting a normal blue potion, usually a waste. Demons and Lobbers can break them as well, so beware. Additionally, be especially wary of the Thief. If he steals an upgrade, that upgrade is lost; even if you manage to shoot him, the potion left behind will be a regular potion.

The upgrade potions:

Gauntlet ARC Extra Defense Sprite.png Extra Armor Less melee and shot damage.
Gauntlet ARC Extra Magic Sprite.png Extra Magic Potion attacks are more powerful.
Gauntlet ARC Extra Shot Sprite.png Extra Shot Power Shots hit harder.
Gauntlet ARC Extra Shot Speed Sprite.png Extra Shot Speed Shots move faster.
Gauntlet ARC Extra Speed Sprite.png Extra Speed Character moves faster.
Gauntlet ARC Extra Fight Sprite.png Extra Fight Power Character fights harder.