Basic Instructions/Manual

This section is a summary of the topics in the game manual plus a few expected questions asked by new players. It shouldn't have any spoilers. If you are bored by the first few questions, you probably don't need to look at this section. First time players should take a look, though, or you can use this as reference. Topics with spoilers can be found in other files.

A. Beginning a Game

1. What is the background story of this game?
   
   The background story is included in the game manual, so I'll paraphrase its translation here. I think this can complement the intro of the game to give a better picture.
   
   "600 years ago, the Death Eclipse (an eclipse for which the sun is blocked by the Death Star) occurred, and all the new-born had lost their lives. Men, animals, plants and even monsters were suffering from the same disaster.
   
   But, only one baby stayed alive. Charmed by death and carrying death on his shoulders, he grew up as the Devil King and ruled the world.
   
   The world was ruined under the Devil King's control. While the world is gradually recovering from its deserted state, the Death Eclipse returned and hit the world again 300 years ago. Again only one baby survived. The memory of the Devil King was still haunting the people. Fearing that another Devil King was born, people tried to kill this baby.
   
   However, it was fate that this child could survive. After escaping the charm of death, he grew up to become the Holy King, and he returned peace and stability to the world.
   
   Time had passed since the Holy King constructed this world, and the order of this world began to go chaotic. It was the third time that the Death Eclipse covered the world. Once again a baby survived and grew up according to fate. What type of person will the Destined Child become, and what will this child give the world?
   
   Life or Death? The big movement of the world begins."
   
   
2. Which main character should I choose?
   
   For first time players, Julian would be recommended since many walkthroughs lying around in the Internet are based on his game. Eventually, each character has slightly different game-play and story lines along the game so you can choose another one if you play it the second time.
   
   
3. I try to enter my name, but the alphabets are widely separated which makes it look so ugly. How can I correct this?
   
   Due to the "Dual Character Tile" scheme used in the first released patch, this cannot be corrected easily (probably won't change unless someone else hacks the whole thing using ASM). I would strongly recommend keeping the original names to give better appearance. Or, I have written a small program to edit the name in a ZSNES save-state. Use it to change name if you really want to.
   
   Even the name editor is not possible to change your name to anything you want. There are only about 900 tiles, and DCT means each tile consists of 2 characters. Obviously, many combinations like 'eH' or even 'Rs' are not among the tiles or I'll need to have 2700+ tiles. If the name editor says that it cannot decode your desired name, try something more simple or normal.
   
   I know that this is not very good. I hope other stuffs in the translation will make you feel better.
   
   
4. I got a save game when I played the Japanese version. Can I use it with the patched game?
   
   So far I haven't encountered any problem. Just rename the save game file (xxx.srm usually) to the name of the rom and put it in the usual directory that can be accessed by the emulator. If you are using game console/game copier, there should also be a way to import/export save game to your computer. Note that the name of the main character will be screwed if you use a Japanese save game in the English game, as the encoding is different. You can make an ZSNES save state and then use my name editor to change it.
   
   Note that I'm talking about the .srm file, not the save state. The save state (like ZSNES or SNES9X) is another story. Save state made in the middle of dialogues, battles, and special events will not function on roms with the newest patch unless you are lucky. To make save states that can be later used on new patches, make it only in cities or places where dialogue is not taking place. The reason is that new patches always change dialogues and the pointers. Battles or special events happen between dialogues are pointers sensitive, so old pointers in the save-states will not be compatible with the new pointers.
   
   Movie files from ZSNES is not safe to be used among different versions of roms either. They can only be transferred if the same patch is being used.
   
   
5. Which class should I choose?
   
   The class chosen affects the stats of the main character. Basically fighters are better in strength and constitution; hunters are better in speed and dexerity; scholars are better in intelligence etc. Just use common sense, or check the real stats in the next screen to determine whether you want to stick with a certain class. Also note that each character has his/her basic stats, so a hunter Julian may still be stronger than a fighter Monica.
   
   
6. What's the effect of choosing the best weapon skill?
   
   Choosing a particular skill makes the main character easier to learn new tech on that weapon. Also, the skill level will go up easier. If you choose "none", then you will be given a magic spell at the beginning and Intelligence level will be higher.
   
   
7. What do the stats represent?
   
   See the next section.
   
   

B. Basic Game Instructions

1. Can you explain the control of the game?
   
   The control of this game is actually rather complicated in RPG games. Buttons not listed in each particular set up are not applicable.
   
   Character setup:
   Direction key - Move cursor to select text
   A button - Select
   B button - Cancel/Previous screen/Clear an alphabet
   Start - End name entering
   
   Menu:
   Direction key - Move cursor
   A button - Select
   B button - Cancel/Previous screen
   L/R button - Select character
   Select button - Leave menu
   
   Field, city:
   Direction key - Move character
   A button - Select, inspect, read signs, talk
   B button - Cancel/Previous screen
   X button - Leave current location (won't work in certain places)
   Y button - Run (when being pressed) and/or jump (over gaps, ledges)
   Start button - Pause
   Select button - Bring up menu screen
   
   Battle (Fighter mode):
   Direction key - Move cursor (up/down), Select commands (left/right)
   A button - Select
   B button - Cancel/Go back 1 character
   X button - Show the party's HP/LP
   L button - Defend
   R button - Run
   
   Battle (Commander mode):
   Direction key - Move cursor (up/down), Select commands (left/right)
   A button - Select
   B button - Cancel/Go to Formation menu
   X button - Show the party's HP/LP
   Y button - Tactics menu
   R button - Run
   
   Mass combat (simulation):
   Direction key - Move cursor
   A button - Show menu/select command
   B button - Cancel
   L button - Show menu
   Start button - Pause
   Select button - Cancel
   
   Shop:
   Direction key - Move cursor, select page (left/right)
   A button - Select
   B button - Cancel/Previous screen
   X button - Status (magic shop only)
   
   Business game:
   Direction key - Move cursor, select secretary (left/right)
   A button - Select
   B button - Cancel/Previous screen
   Y button - Press and hold, use direction key to send off to list page
   Start button - Give up the purchase (in bidding screen)
   
   
2. How do the Strength, Dexerity, etc affect the game play?
   
   Strength (Str) - Affect the damage inflicted through physical attack
   Dexerity (Dex) - Affect the hit rate
   Speed (Spd) - Affect chance of an early attack and chance of evading an attack
   Constitution (Con) - Affect the speed of HP and status recovery
   Intelligence (Int) - Affect the damage inflicted through magic spells
   Will (Will) - Affect the chance to inflict and evade paralysis/stun attacks
   Charisma (Char) - Affect the chance to inflict and evade charm attacks
   
   
3. How do HP, TP, MP and LP work?
   
   Hit points (HP): In battles, enemies' attack will consume HP. When HP falls to 0, the character will lose the ability to fight. HP recovers after every battle.
   Tech points (TP): Points required to perform certain techniques during battles.
   Magic points (MP): Points required to cast magic during battles.
   Life points (LP): When HP becomes 0, you will lose 1 LP. After that, any attack to the character with HP=0 makes you lose 1 LP. If LP becomes 0, the member will disappear from the team.
   
   
4. What are the level numbers beside the weapon symbols in the first menu screen?
   
   These indicate how good each character is with each type of weapon (or magic if the character can use magic). The higher the number the better.
   
   
5. How come there are only 5 weapon categories? There should be 7 different weapons.
   
   Axe and Mace (sticks) share the same skill category; Spear and Epee share the same category; and Sword and Broad Sword share the same category. This means if you train the Broad Sword skill up, you can probably use a Sword nicely, too.
   
   
6. Can you explain how the menu works?
   
   Press "Select" button to enter the menu screen. On the left side are the stats of the current party members. There is a list on the right which you can select by moving the cursor to the right one and press the "A" button.
   
   The following is a summary of the function of the menu:
   
   Equip: Allow the characters to equip/remove weapons, armors and items. Each character can carry at most four weapons, which should be equipped in the four slots at the top bank. If you don't want that many weapons, you can put healing items, shields etc in these slots instead. At the bottom bank, one can equip at most 4 different armors. You can equip only 1 of each type of armor (except rings, which you can equip several at the same time). Items that appear red cannot be removed (cursed or fixed).
   
   Tech: Allow the characters to equip/remove techs. Only techs that are equipped (on the left side of the sub-menu screen) can be used during the battle. Mastered techs appear black in color and can be equipped or removed any time by any character. Techs that appear in red are newly learnt tech that only the character who equips it can use. One cannot reequip a red tech after it is removed.
   
   Magic: Allow the player to see the equipped magic on each character. Magic can only be bought and removed through some blue-hair guys (magic shops) throughout the world. You can change the orders of the spell in this menu as well (magic in blue are the basic elements which cannot be changed place with other spells)
   
   Item: Allow the player to see, use and arrange items. Only the items in blue color can be used within the menu screen. See the item description for the use of each weapon, armor and item. There are at most 4 pages of item list, so the maximum number of items that one can hold is 32. After it is full you can't buy, get or equip any more items. You can also throw away items within the menu.
   
   Event: Show the tasks or events that are currently in progress. These events can occur in parallel, and in many cases they don't have to be completed to proceed with the game.
   
   Form: Select formation of the party. Each formation has its special function like increasing attack /defense of certain characters, and make some characters less likely to be hit. If you have n characters in the party, you can make a formation with n characters or (n-1) characters. Use the left and right arrow key to select this. Move the cursor up and down to choose the right formation. You may only have a few at the beginning, but you will learn more formations later in the game. There can be at most 5 characters participating the battle, so if you have 6 characters in the party, one of them will stand at the back and will not appear in the battle. (More about this in the next question.)
   
   Config: Set stereo/mono sound, and the menu scrolling speed.
   
   Save: To save a game so that the game can be restarted at exactly the same location. You can save anywhere when you can access the menu.
   
   
7. What are "Fighter mode" and "Commander mode"? How do I get into Commander mode?
   
   In RS3 there are two battle modes. One of them is called "Fighter mode" in the game's instruction booklet. This is the normal RPG style battle mode. In each round of a battle, you get to choose a specific command (like fight, use a tech, use a magic or use an item etc.) for each individual character. This should be familiar to people who play a lot of RPG games.
   
   In Commander mode, you cannot give specific command to each character. Instead, you give an abstract command to the whole party, and each party member will determine what they do based on your command, the formation and the skills they have. This adds difficulties to the battles. The obvious reward is that you can see interesting and powerful multi-techs (techs that are performed by 2 or more characters simultaneously) that are not available in Fighter mode.
   
   From your menu screen choose formation. If you have 6 characters in your party, one character will always stand at the back, and he/she will not fight in battles. You will enter Commander mode if you put the main character (the hero you choose to play at the beginning) in the back position. Go fight some battles to sense the difference. If you have 5 or less characters, you can use the left and right direction key within the formation menu to make one character stand at the back, while the remaining characters will fight at the battles.
   
   If you are unfamiliar with the controls of the Commander mode, take a look at the first question in this section.
   
   
8. I know that pressing 'Y' button leads to the Tactics menu (Ftech) in Commander mode. But what do these commands mean?
   
   There are totally 7 options in that menu, which determines the style and add extra advantage to your battle.
   
   Focus: Focus attacks on 1 enemy.
   Defend: Characters not performing multi-tech will defend.
   Fast: In each round, if successful, all characters will get first attack. If failed, all enemies will attack first.
   Counter: Characters will randomly counter enemies' attack (only for attacks that can be countered)
   Multitech: The group will perform multi-tech first before other attacks.
   Stun: If successful, stun effect will be added to attacks.
   Power: Characters not performing multi-tech will choose a random tech or magic attack.
   
   
9. Can you explain the abnormal status change during the battle?
   
   There are totally 11 types of abnormal status:
   
   Dead: (lying down) LP has become 0 and the character can't be revived
   Diabled: (lying down) HP has become 0. Additional hit to the character will take away his/her LP. Can be recovered by Salve, techs or magics.
   Slept: (kneeling down with 'Z' symbols on top of the head) Can't take any action. Will awake if the character is hit, or one can wait until the effect tapers off.
   Berserk: (White stars on top of the head) Can't use any tech or magic. Attack power up. Effect will taper off with time.
   Confused: (Red stars on top of the head) Can attack enemies or friends, or simply stop acting. Will recover after a little while.
   Dark: (Black ink covering the eyes) Attack accuracy is halved. Effect will taper off with time.
   Petrified: (Character becomes grey color and won't move) Can't take any action. Can only be recovered by special items that heal petrify status.
   Paralyzed: (Kneeling down with yellow stars on top of the head) Can't take any action. Use magic to recover or let it taper off with time.
   Stun: lose ability in the current round. Will be recovered in the next round.
   Charmed: (Red heart on top of the head) Become enemy's helper, who attack friends or heal enemies. Can taper off with time.
   Poisoned: (Character's face becomes purple) Receive damage at the end of each round. Can be healed by items or magic, or it can taper off with time.
   

C. Battle/War Game

1. What is this game all about?
   
   This game simulates a battle condition between two armies. Each army will have their own strength, skills and formation, and morale also plays a part. There are 3 ways to win a game:
   - Destroy all the enemy soldiers
   - The commander of the enemy retreats.
   - The number of your soldiers who reach the left edge is greater than the number of enemy's soldiers who reach the right edge.
   
   If the opposite happens, you will lose.
   
   
2. Where can I play this game?
   
   In Julian's and many others' scenario, you can only play this twice: once in Stanley/Farce, and the other just before the last battle. If you really like it, you have to play Mikhail's scenario. He will play this a lot in the Ruling Game. And it is not as easy as you would think.
   
   

D. Business Game

1. What is this game all about?
   
   This game simulates the real business world. The objective is to buy many companies so that you can become a big organization. Of course it is not that simple. You need money to buy companies, but without companies, you can't earn money. Also, you have many opponents controlled by the computer. Many of them are already very big, and they can take the companies from you with lots of money. If you are not familiar with the terms revenue, expense, assets, bidding, etc., you probably don't want to play this game. But it is a deep and challenging game, and fun, too, if you know what you are doing.
   
   There are different objectives in several phrases of the game. However, the general idea applies: get more companies and money to become a big organization.
   
   
2. Where can I play this game?
   
   See the Walkthrough FAQ for more details, as the answer contains spoilers.
   
   

E. Ruling Game

1. What is this game all about?
   
   This is yet another mini-game. The objective is to make the country stronger by cleverly using the money and by winning battles. It is not an easy game, but if you are interested in the War/Battle Game, you should play the Ruling Game as there are quite a few War/Battles in the game.
   
   
2. Where can I play this game?
   
   Only Mikhail can play this game. When Mikhail is free to explore, go to the throne room in Loanne Castle and examine the throne. Then the game will start. You can come back any time in case you want to play this.