Ancients 1: The Deathwatch Guide by James Judge To start off with, your characters. The best combination I found was to have a Dwarven fighter and Human rogue as your front two characters and an Elven mage and Human cleric in the back. As for the stats just keep on rolling them until you have got double figures in all areas (but don't worry too much about the money (Dracos)). When you start the game you will be near the four main shops - Casino, Inn, Equipment Shop and Temple. I wouldn't worry about the Casino at all during the game - you find enough money and items to sell in the dungeon to keep you more than happy (I ended up with about 1500 Dracos and all the kit you could wish for). The Temple won't prove very useful either - if you die in the game reload a saved position unless it is after a vital battle (ie after getting the Pendant Of Veron or the Stone Key) and you should be able to cure your own wounds. Also the inn is a waste too - over expensive and is only there to provide you with a key. No, the only two shops you should worry about are the Equipment Shop and the Guild. To begin with give all your money to one character and then make him the purser. Now, go into the kit shop and buy two short swords for your front two characters. Also, if funds allow, get some cheap pieces of kit. At the end of this article I'll include a list of all the kit that I found in the dungeon and what it does. After that go to the North-West corner of the city and enter the sewers. This level and the next are pretty difficult for a rookie party, so save often and fight wisely! LEVEL 1 ------- On this level there is only one thing to do - to get a key. Travel to the north-west corner where you will find a well. There it asks you to deposit a 'BALL OF FORCE'. This ball of force is a mace, so go buy one or drop one in that you've found along the way. Just beyond there be a battle with a few monsters (only attempt this part if you are 2nd level or above). Once you have killed them you'll find a key. Put it away and KEEP HOLD OF IT. Normally I then just wander around this level until I've got enough experience to go up a level and some more cash to get some better armour. Remember to continually put bits of armour that you find on your characters and always be on the look-out for better weapons. The stairs down are in the South-East corner. LEVEL 2 ------- Here there are two places of interest. The first is the Tomb Of Relnor which is in the centre of the level. Go there and sleep to get the two best weapons in the game (the Sword and Mace of Relnor). The other place is the Moss Room. In the North-East corner there is a room that contains some yellow moss. If you fight a battle you can then take a piece of moss. If you give this moss to the barman in the inn you'll get another key. Don't try this until you are above level 3. The exit is in the South-East corner. LEVEL 3 ------- Here there is only one important place - a room with a frozen golem in it. This is just above the South-West corner. To melt the golem cast Enchanted Flame (a level 1 Mage spell) but be prepared for a tough battle! This should be the last battle you attempt before going onto level four. After killing the golem you will get the final key you need to progress onto level four. The exit (and locked door) is in the South-East corner accessed by a long corridor running North to South. LEVEL 4 ------- This is just a long corridor 14 paces long. Nothing here what- so-ever. LEVEL 5 ------- This level is empty but a great place to get experience. Just wander around until your characters are at a pretty high level then proceed to the South-West corner and take the stairs to... LEVEL 6 ------- On this level there is an important artefact that will help you win the game. Go to the North-East corner and enter the chamber of Lord Veron. He's not a very nice chappy and doesn't like company so, with his heavies (vampires) he'll try to kill you. If you can kill him you'll get the Pendant Of Veron (which old Relnor told you about) which is a useful artefact. If you ever fight enemies like Black or Red dragons, Golems, Death Knights etc who can resist your spells use this and they won't be able to. I only figured this one out during the final battle of the game, so hopefully it'll be more useful to you... Once you've done that it's off to the hardest full level in the game. Go to the South-West corner and down into... LEVEL 7 ------- Again, another empty level apart from one thing - a portal. Just South of where you started (in the South-East corner of the level) there is a portal. If you click on the two levers either side you can go to other places. The first is the city above. The second is part 2 (which you need to register to be able to access) and, finally, there's the keep, where your final battle awaits. So, onto the Keep... THE KEEP -------- Here is one really difficult battle. The best way I found was to use the Pendant of Veron and then (for the dragons) keep on casting spells such as Mar Enemies. For the two guys use the pendant again, but cast spells like Enchanted Spear. You need to have very good armour (ie an armour class of above 12) for each of your characters and be of a high level - I was at level 9. Once you've defeated these five enemies rush through the opposite door and ogle at the fair damsel. Then rush $23.95 off for part two. EQUIPMENT LISTS --------------- WEAPONS ------- Type Damage Bow 0 Broadsword 10 Dagger 4 Elven Bow 7 Flail 7 Halberd 9 Lance 6 Long Sword 8 Mace Of Relnor 11 Morning Star 7 Pike Awl 7 Scimitar 8 Short Sword 6 Spear 6 Sword Of Relnor 13 ARMOUR ------ Type Armour Class Boots 1 Chain Mail 6 Dwarven Boots 2 Dwarven Helm 1 Elven Boots 2 Gauntlets 1 Great Shield 3 Leather 2 Ringmail 4 Scalemail 4 Studded Leather 3 Winged Helm 2 EXPERIENCE NEEDED FOR LEVELS 1-10 --------------------------------- Level 2 - 500 Level 3 - 1,000 Level 4 - 2,000 Level 5 - 4,000 Level 6 - 8,000 Level 7 - 16,000 Level 8 - 32,000 Level 9 - 48,000 Level 10 - 64,000