The arena is an all-out royal rumble with no teams. Combatants will gang up on an opponent and then start fighting each other. There are 40 opponents (not counting yourself), and they will spawn a few at a time as combatants are defeated. If you would rather fight in a team, take part in a tournament instead.
The equipment combatants start with is random, and comes in the following categories:
- Wooden staff
- Two-handed sword
- One-handed sword and shield
- Bow
In addition to what you start with, you can pick up some items during the battle.
The prize money depends on how many combatants you can take down before being knocked out. Combatants knocked out by others don't count towards your total. As well as the money, you also get some experience in addition to the experience gained during the fight.
- 3: 2 denars, 5 EXP
- 6: 10 denars, 10 EXP
- 10: 25 denars, 10 EXP
- 20: 60 denars, 10 EXP
- last man standing: 250 denars, 200 EXP
The prizes do not stack; if you reach a particular level you only get that reward. The last man standing prize requires you to be the last one alive, and you must also take down at least 20 opponents.
Strategies
Survival
If you're aiming for the grand prize you will want to stay out of combat as often as possible while still taking down at least 20 opponents. Opponents spawn in random locations around the edges of the arena, so be sure to watch for new enemies stabbing you in the back. On some occasions several enemies will start heading for you, and you need to get far enough away from them for them to give up and fight each other instead. Having points in Athletics will allow you to outrun them.
One-handed sword
The most balanced weapon. It trades damage and range for overall speed. You also have a shield, making archers less of a threat.
Archers are especially easy to slice up; just advance while blocking and come within melee range. You can swing your sword faster than they can draw an arrow, so once you're within striking distance they aren't a problem.
Two-handed sword
Sacrificing the blocking capacity of a shield, the two handed sword has superior reach and power compared to its single handed counterpart. Using this weapon gives you a considerable advantage when using this weapon in swinging motion.
Wooden staff
The wooden staff is wielded similarly to the two-handed sword. Because it deals blunt damage it will take down enemies quickly, and it can also be used to block melee attacks.
Bow
Occasionally, combatants spawn with bows. If you specialise in melee combat this is the worst weapon to be stuck with. The biggest threat is from opponents with melee weapons, which will be everyone other than you.