Archon Ultra - Manual - PC

Simon

ReplacementDocs

INTRODUCTION....................................1

PRELIMINARIES ....................................2

Game Contents.................................2

Copy Protection................................2

Late-Breaking News ........................2

Modes of Play..................................2

The Controls Paradigm ....................2

The Original ARCHON.........................2

THE GAME IN BRIEF .............................3

The Game .........................................3

Pieces ...............................................3

The Two Screens ..............................3

Hostilities .........................................4

MENUS, OPTIONS, AND CONTROLS....4

The Main Menu................................4

Pull-Down Menu Options.................6

THE BOARD...........................................7

The Luminosity Cycle .......................7

Power Points ....................................8

Movement ........................................8

THE BATTLEFIELD.................................9

Combat.............................................9

The Attack Interval.........................10

Obstacles and Terrain...................10

Life, Death, and Wounds ...............11

MAGIC SPELLS....................................12

Teleport..........................................12

Heal................................................12

Shift Time .......................................12

Exchange .......................................13

Summon Elemental........................13

Revive.............................................13

Imprison .........................................13

Cease Conjuring.............................13

THE OPPOSING FORCES....................14

The Light Side ................................14

The Dark Side ................................23

Elementals .....................................32

PLAYING HINTS AND TIPS ON STRATEGY............................35

The Board: Openings.....................35

The Board: General Hints ..............36

The Board: Spell Strategy..............36

The Battlefield: General Hints........37

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS..................39

ABOUT THE DEVELOPERS.................42

◆ TABLE OF CONTENTS ◆

Underdogs -

PRELIMINARIES

Game ContentsYour game box should contain the following:

◆ Disks ◆ Rule Book ◆ Data Card

This rule book explains the rules, proce-dures, controls, and options in ARCHON

ULTRA and offers advice on playing thegame better. The disks contain the gameprogram and associated files. The datacard explains how to install and start thegame and how to manage modem play.

Copy ProtectionThere is no physical copy protection on your disks; make backup copies if you wish, and put the originals away for safekeeping. See your data card for an explanation of our copy protection procedures.

Late-Breaking NewsPrinting schedules require the manual tobe written before the game is finished.For last-minute updates, changes, orcorrections to the information containedherein, read your data card, and look fora README file in your game directory.

Modes of PlayYou can use the keyboard, a mouse, or a joystick (our own preference) to play ARCHON ULTRA against either thecomputer or another person, either “inperson” — sharing the keyboard or usingany combination of keyboard, mouse,and joystick(s) — or at a distance, viamodem connection. For details onmodem play, see your data card.

The Controls ParadigmFor the sake of simplicity, in the follow-ing pages we use the joystick paradigmto explain game mechanics. If you prefer a different input device, please“translate” appropriately.

The Original ArchonARCHON ULTRA is not a sequel to ARCHON

but a substantial revision. If you are a fanof the original, you should recognize thebasic game framework: the board andpieces, the goals of play, the rules andmany of the mechanics. Much is new,however, especially on the battlefield.

Even on the board, some changes areobvious: a new, 3D perspective; moredetailed and colorful graphics; far moreextensive animation; enhanced sound andmusic. Some are subtle: the luminositycycle has been modified and lengthenedslightly, and power points are moreimportant than ever. You may have tomodify your favorite strategies.

Combat is very different, indeed. Battle-fields vary depending on the luminanceand location of the contested squares.The old, cycling barriers are gone. In theirplace are a variety of terrain features,including boulders, destructible trees,swamp, lava flows, and even battlefieldversions of the power points. All thepieces have a multiplicity of powers, andmany of their traditional abilities havebeen modified or replaced. Unicorns now gallop and jump; the dragon and the phoenix now fly over the heads ofgroundlings. Attacks are more sophisti-cated and varied, proper tactics more of a challenge, and battles more intricate,more spectacular, and simply more fun.

Every century, the unceasing cold war between the primal forces of Light and Darkness heats up. The occasion is a contest, a battle game, formal but dangerous,

combining strategy and tactics, magic and mayhem: a mythic hybrid of gladiatorialcombat, Olympic games, and Super Bowl. At stake are power, prestige, influence, andbragging rights for a hundred years. As the Millennium approaches, a particularlysignificant game looms. . . .

There’s a board. There are pieces with varying powers, squares to move into and anopponent to conquer. But the squares keep changing. And once you decide where toattack, the board explodes into a battlefield. Your pieces include unicorns, golems, and awizard, and they need all their strange powers to fight the banshees, goblins, andsorceress they face. They cast spells and missiles; they pummel, pierce, and explode inflames; they move each other around, take on each other’s shapes, and shriek at eachother. If you square off on a spot that stays favorable, your piece will be hard to kill. Ifyou’re smart, fast, dexterous, and far-sighted, you may win.

1 2

Introduction...Introduction...

Hostilities In old-fashioned and — admit it —somewhat dull board games (chess,backgammon, and their ilk), the “defending”piece gets removed quietly from the board,and the “attacker” wins the “battle” — andthe square — without a blow being struck.

In ARCHON ULTRA , we do not allow suchdocility, such rank defeatism on the partof the defender. No! If you want thatsquare, you have to fight for it! When youtry to occupy a square held by theenemy, the disputed square becomes ascreen-sized battlefield . . . and then, inthe words of a certain orange-skinnedmonster of comic-book fame, “It’sclobberin’ time!!!”

MENUS, OPTIONS, AND CONTROLS

The Main Menu Use the four cursor (arrow) keys to movethe highlight around the menu, and pressEnter or Insert to make your choices.When you are satisfied with the resultsand ready to begin the game, choose theSTART that corresponds to the side youwant to go first.

If, after starting the game, you realize thesettings are not to your liking, use thepull-down menus to select NEW GAMEand start over. (See “Pull-Down MenuOptions” on page 6.)

Players If you are playing against the computer,be sure to select Computer on the sidethat you want it (not you) to play.

Cyborg allows you or another person toplay with computer assistance. You directstrategy by moving your pieces on theboard, while the computer fights your

battles for you. You can choose tooverride the computer and fight anyparticular battle by pushing Button A orthe equivalent after the battlefieldappears and before the action getsunderway. In this way you can learn thepieces one at a time without having youroverall game suffer. (For information onbuttons and their equivalents see the nextsection, “Controls”.)

ControlsWe recommend using a joystick, but youcan play ARCHON ULTRA with a mouse orthe keyboard, instead.

JoystickIf you have a joystick, either you oranother player can use it to play Dark orLight. If you have a pair of joysticks andeither a game card with two joystick portsor a specialized Y-cable that, in effect,splits a single port into two, you and youropponent can both use joysticks. (This isthe best setup for a two-player game.)

In general, pushing the stick in anydirection moves the cursor, highlight, oryour piece in the analogous direction.Pressing Button A makes a choice (ofpiece, square, or option) or initiates anattack. Button B gets you into the pull-down menus or, on the battlefield,activates your piece’s second attack,defense, or special power.

Warning: Some joysticks require specialprocedures before the computer will read them properly. If your joystickmisbehaves, check the instructions thatcame with it.

THE GAME IN BRIEF

The Game ARCHON ULTRA depicts the eternalstruggle between Light and Darkness as a contest of action and strategybetween opposing forces wrought from myth and legend. The Light Sideand the Dark Side are equal in number,balanced in strength, but not identical.Their aim, however, is the same:conquest of the five power points or the elimination of the opposite side.

PiecesYou begin with eighteen pieces representingeight different sorts of fantastic creatures:knights, golems, unicorns, and the like. Eachtype is unique; none are identical to any ofthe pieces on the other side.

The Two Screens ARCHON ULTRA is played on two screens.On one — the board — you and youropponent take turns maneuvering yourpieces into favorable positions. When youplace an piece on a square alreadyoccupied by one of your opponent’spieces, the game shifts temporarily to thesecond display, the battlefield.

3 4

◆ THE BOARD ◆

MANTICOREMANTICORE

BANSHEE TROLL BASILISK

GOBLINS

SHAPESHIFTER DRAGON BASILISK TROLL BANSHEESORCERESS

ARCHER ARCHER

GOLEMGOLEM UNICORN UNICORNGENIE WIZARD PHOENIX

KNIGHTS

VALKYRIEVALKYRIE

Handicapping By adjusting movement and missilespeeds, attack intervals, and thecomputer’s apparent reaction time,handicapping allows you to play anenjoyable game even against asignificantly better (or poorer) player.

If you are just learning the game, selectHelped for yourself. A novice opponentshould also be Helped, while a player whois much better than you are should beHindered. If you have no luck playing aNormal computer opponent, you canHinder it, as well.

If you and your opponent are experi-enced and evenly matched, pick Normalfor both of you. If one of you retains adistinct edge, you will probably have abetter game if you pick Hindered for thestronger player rather than Helped for theweaker one.

A Helped player is given the Simple firingoption; Normal and Hindered players getStandard fire. You can change the firingmethod for either player by using theFiring menu.

Pull-Down Menu Options While the board is displayed, you can useAlt or Button B to access additionalgame functions from pull-down menus. Toleave menus without changing anything,use Esc, or press Button A while you arein the menu bar.

Game MenuNew Game returns you to the main menuto start a new game. About displayscredits and legal information. Quit allowsyou to leave the game and return to DOS.

Sound and Graphics (Choices)The Choices menu lets you alter the look of the board and pieces, or turn off thegame’s music or sound.

If you prefer playing the game with theDark Side on the bottom, you can turnthe board around using the Board option.If you find the 3D representation confus-ing — if the position of the pieces is everunclear — the Pieces option can reducethe size of the pieces to clarify their place-ment. We do not suggest you play thegame using Half-Size pieces, but occasion-ally viewing the board that way may behelpful. If you have trouble rememberingwhich pieces belong to which side, it mayhelp to turn on Ghosting.

Firing OptionsFiring settings are initiated by theHandicapping choices in the main menubut can be altered in the pull-down menu.

The Standard setting is the traditionalARCHON interface and the usual default; to initiate a battlefield attack, you holddown the appropriate fire button andpush the joystick in the direction youwant to fire.

Simple firing is easier but less flexible;simply pressing a button launches anattack in the direction the piece is facing.With this method, you can make a diagonalor “corner” shot only while the firing pieceis moving in the targeted direction.

KeyboardIf you use the keyboard, two keyscorrespond to the two joystick firebuttons, and four other keys representthe four primary movement directions:up, down, left, and right. Pressingcomplementary pairs of movement keysallows diagonal movement: e.g., with thedefault keys, pressing ↑ and → wouldmove the Dark piece or cursor up thescreen and to the right.

To allow two players to share the key-board, separate sections of the keyboardare reserved for the Light and Dark sides. If you are playing against thecomputer, pressing keys “belonging” tothe computer’s side has no effect.

Warning: One of the best-kept secrets incomputerdom is that keyboard capabilitiesvary widely. One keyboard’s valid keycombination may be ignored or misin-terpreted by a different model of keyboard.If you have trouble getting your keyboardto cooperate, try one of the followingremedies: switch sides, try a differentkeyboard configuration, choose the Simplefiring option, or use a mouse or joystick.

MouseThe board uses a standard point-and-clickinterface for the mouse. The left buttoncorresponds to the joystick’s Button A; theright button, which accesses the overheadmenus, is the equivalent of Button B.

On the battlefield, the mouse has its ownspecial cursor, which is used to direct themovements of your piece or its attacks. Ifthe cursor is well to the left of your piece,the piece will move in the general directionof the cursor; once the piece movesunderneath the cursor, the cursor changesshape (from an arrow to a hollow square),and the piece stops. The piece does notnecessarily move to the cursor in a singlestraight line; it is limited to moving in thesame eight directions allowed by anyother input device. Similarly, your piecelaunches an attack not directly at thecursor but in the allowed direction closestto the cursor’s position.

For more information on the mechanics ofcombat, see “Firing Options” on page 6,“Combat” on page 9, or “The OpposingForces” on page 14.

5 6

DEFAULT KEYBOARD CONFIGURATION

LIGHT SIDE DARK SIDE

BUTTON B

RIGHT

BUTTON A

BUTTON BUP

DOWN

LEFT

BUTTON A

UPLEFT RIGHTDOWN

Power Points The five power points, indicated on thescreen by flashing red symbols, are ofvital importance. Pieces on power pointsheal faster than usual and are protectedfrom the effects of magic spells. The morepower points under your control, thestronger all of your pieces (not just thoseon the power points themselves) are incombat. If your pieces occupy all fivepower points, you win the game.

MovementIf the cursor (a large, flashing square) is onyour side, it’s your turn. Using the mouse,joystick, or the appropriate keys, movethe cursor from its starting position atyour mage’s home square to the base ofthe piece you want. Once you push thebutton to confirm your choice, move thealtered cursor to the piece’s intendeddestination. (If a piece has nowhere to go,the computer will not allow you to “pick itup.”) Push the button again, and theobedient creature will walk, slither, fly orteleport to its new position. If you pick upa piece by mistake or change your mind,put the cursor back underneath the pieceand press the button again. You can thenfreely select another piece. (If you recallthe strict “touch-move” rule of the original,you may find this to be a kinder, gentlerARCHOn — on the board, at least.)

Movement comes in three flavors:ground, fly, and teleport. Ground moverscannot move through occupied squares;fliers are restricted only in where theyland. Fliers can also move diagonally;ground pieces cannot. Only the wizardand the sorceress can teleport, but forpractical purposes you can think of themas fliers in disguise.

On any turn, you can move a piece as faras its range allows in any direction orcombination of directions. It can stop onany square not already occupied by oneof your own pieces.

A piece landing on a square occupied bya member of the opposition initiates abattle between the two pieces for controlof the square.

THE BOARD

The Luminosity Cycle ARCHON ULTRA’S “chessboard” changes.While some squares are always white oralways black, others — the mutablesquares — vary in brightness throughoutthe game in a simple pattern: black ➝dark ➝ barely dark ➝ neutral ➝ barelylight ➝ light ➝ white . . . and reverse.Back and forth, throughout the game, thecycle continues, the luminance shiftingafter every other turn.

Your fortunes in the game tend to ebband flow with the luminosity cycle. This is because pieces of the Light Side areharder to defeat on light squares than on dark ones. Conversely, Dark Sidepieces are stronger on dark squares andweakest on white ones. A temporarilywhite mutable square has the same effecton Light pieces in battle as a “permanent”white square; a totally dark mutablesquare gives Dark pieces the same benefit as a square that is always black.

7 8

◆ INITIAL BOARD LUMINOSITY ◆

A WHITE SQUARE A BLACK SQUARE A MUTABLE SQUARE A POWER POINT

Attacks are of three main types.

◆ Knights and goblins wield handweapons (swords and clubs); they must bevery near an opponent to inflict damage.

◆ Some pieces, such as the banshee andphoenix, can inflict damage in a circulararea around themselves; usually, the longerthe opposing piece is within the affectedarea, the greater the damage it sustains.

◆ All other pieces “throw” missiles of somesort and can, consequently, do damagefrom a considerable distance. Somemissiles travel in a straight line; some can“home in” on their targets, at least tosome degree; some change course inresponse to pressure on the joystick.Some missiles increase in strength ornumber the longer you hold the firebutton down; most have some limits totheir range, and some do less damage asthey approach those limits. See “TheOpposing Forces” on page 14 for details.

The Attack Interval While combat is fast and furious, youcan’t just fire away as fast as your fingertwitches. It takes a moment to raise asword into position to strike, longer toconjure even a small thunderbolt, and atleast a second to rip a boulder out of theground and lift it high enough to throw.The exact “reload” time depends on thepiece and the power involved. In mostcases, if your piece is manifesting a powerthat can vary in duration or intensity, the longer you hold the button down, thelonger it will be before the power isavailable again.

Pushing the button before your piece is ready to strike will accomplish nothing — except to keep your piecefrom moving. At the exact instant you can launch another attack, the computerrings a bell — a high note for the LightSide, a lower one for the Dark Side — tolet you know.

Icons at the bottom of the screen alsoinform you of available options; if an iconis visible, your piece can perform thecorresponding action. Some pieces evenchange shape to indicate their readiness.

Obstacles and Terrain The terrain of a battlefield depends onthe square it represents and, especially,the current luminance of the boardsquare. Light battlefields feature grass,trees, and clear water. Black or nearlyblack squares result in dark battlefields of volcanic rock, weird fungus, andglowing lava. Intermediate squaresproduce gray rock and green swamp.Despite differences in luminance, all five power points have similar magicalanalogs on the battlefield.

TerrainRegardless of the luminance of thesquare, the ground is harmless. Waterslows a piece wading through it, and thegreen swamp water of neutral squares isalso dangerous. Molten lava is, of course,very nasty, indeed.

Fliers, floaters, and hurtling missiles areunaffected by the terrain beneath them.

THE BATTLEFIELD

Combat Action on the battlefield is immediate and simultaneous; there is no takingturns. Joysticks direct movement of thepieces. Pressing Button A initiates anattack — swinging a sword, firing anarrow, casting a fireball — in the directionthe joystick is pointed. (If you choose theSimple firing option, you do not need topush the joystick; simply pressing abutton initiates an action in the directionyou are facing.) Depending on your piece,Button B, in the same manner, maylaunch a different attack, activate a

temporary defense, or cause the piece to perform a special move or maneuver,like jumping or teleporting. (Check yourpiece’s powers in the section headed “The Opposing Forces” on page 14.)

You can attack or move in any of eightdirections: up, down, left, right, and thefour diagonals. (Strictly speaking, somedefenses have no real diagonalcounterparts, but they are still effectiveagainst diagonal attacks.) Important: withonly a few exceptions, your piece cannotmove while a button is pressed, but if youfire while already moving, the attack willgo in the direction you were moving. (WithSimple fire, this is the only practical wayto get off a diagonal shot.)

9 10

◆ THE BATTLEFIELD (ON A DARK SQUARE) ◆

◆ TeleportEffect This spell moves — teleports —any one of your pieces any distance fromone square on the board to another.

Actions Required After selecting the spell,move the cursor to the piece you want toteleport, push Button A, and then movethe cursor to the destination square andselect that square.

Restrictions You cannot move an enemypiece. You cannot move onto a squarealready occupied by one of your ownpieces (as usual). You cannot teleport ontoor off a power point. You cannot teleport animprisoned piece. (See “Imprison” below.)

Additional Note Do not confuse this spellwith either a mage’s normal three-squaremovement or its special battlefield ability.Those are examples of minor magic, on thesame order as unleashing thunderbolts, andare not bound by the restriction of theseven major board spells.

◆ HealEffect This spell instantly heals any piece of all wounds it has sustained on the battlefield.

Actions Required After selecting thespell, move the cursor to the woundedpiece, and push Button A.

Restrictions You cannot heal a pieceresting on a power point. Be careful: it ispossible to waste the spell by “healing” analready healthy piece.

◆ Shift TimeEffect Two effects are possible. Most often,the spell reverses the flow of time: i.e., thedirection of the luminosity cycle of themutable squares. Squares that had beengrowing gradually darker would now growlighter — until the cycle peaked. However, ifthe spell is cast when the luminosity cycle isat either peak, Shift Time will cause the cycleto shift abruptly to the opposite extreme(from black to white, or vice versa).

Actions Required None after selectingthe spell.

Restrictions None.

ObstaclesObstacles prevent the passage of missilesand pieces — except for the dragon andthe phoenix, which can fly above them.

There are two classes of obstacles. Amonolith or rock formation is imperviousto all attacks. Trees and giantmushrooms, on the other hand, can bedamaged and destroyed by fire, lightning,and various forms of magical energy.Damaged trees and mushrooms arevulnerable to more weapons and are lesseffective barriers than they were beforebeing harmed.

Power PointsOn the battlefield, power points areactive intermittently. When active, theyheal — at least partially — the wounds ofpieces on or above them.

Life, Death, and Wounds The lifelines at the bottom of thebattlefield screen indicate the currentlifespan (health/strength) of the twobattling pieces. When a piece is wounded,its matching lifeline is reduced inproportion to the severity of the wound.When its lifeline is gone, the piece is“dead” and combat is over.

A victorious piece returns to the board incontrol of the disputed square. However,a seriously wounded piece is easier todefeat the next time it is forced to fight.Even the strongest piece can be worndown by waves of attackers.

On the board, wounded pieces heal:slowly, by the simple passage of time;more quickly, by resting on a powerpoint; or instantly and completely, by a Heal spell.

11 12

◆ MAGIC SPELLS ◆

Magic is arguably the most significant strategic element in ARCHON ULTRA. Only the twomages — the wizard and the sorceress — can cast spells, and each mage can cast eachspell only once.

A spell may be cast instead of a regular move on the board. With the cursor beneathyour mage, push Button A. Instead of moving the cursor, however, just push the buttonagain, and you will get a new message: Select a spell.

Push the joystick up or down to survey the spells still available, and push Button A whenyou find the one you want. If further actions on your part are required, additional messageswill direct you appropriately.

Remember that a mage cannot conjure the same spell more than once, and a spellcannot be cast against power points or pieces on them. Details are given below.

◆ THE OPPOSING FORCES ◆

In the entries that follow, a variable missile is any medium- or long-range attack whosesize, intensity, or number is affected by the length of time you hold down the appropriatefiring button. A directable missile is any similar attack whose direction you can alter afterthe moment of firing. A piece’s lifespan is the amount of damage — loosely, the numberof wounds — the piece can sustain before dying.

◆ ExchangeEffect This spell causes any two pieceson the board to trade places.

Actions Required Move the cursor toeither one of the pieces you wish totranspose, and push Button A. Then dothe same to the other piece.

Restrictions Neither piece can occupy apower point; neither can be imprisoned.

◆ Summon ElementalEffect This spell allows you to attack anyenemy piece with a new, temporary piecerepresenting one of four elementals:animated spirits of the ancient elementsof earth, air, fire, and water. Combat isconducted on the battlefield as usual,except that the elemental vanishes afterthe battle, win or lose.

Actions Required Once the spell isselected and the elemental appears,move it to the piece you wish to attack,and press Button A. On the battlefield,direct the elemental just as you wouldany other piece. (For more information,see “The Elementals” on page 32.)

Restrictions You cannot send anelemental to attack a piece on a powerpoint. You cannot direct the elemental toa vacant square or to one occupied byone of your own pieces. You cannotchoose which elemental will respond toyour summons.

◆ ReviveEffect This spell restores to the game, fully healed, a piece previously lost(“killed”) in combat.

Actions Required The procedure issimilar to the Teleport spell or a normalmove, except that the revived piece isselected from a special window, and itsdestination must be a vacant square nextto the mage.

Restrictions You cannot “revive” a pieceunless it is dead. One of the (initially five)squares adjoining your mage must bevacant, and you must put the revivedpiece on one of those vacant squares.

◆ ImprisonEffect This spell keeps a piece on theboard from leaving its square. The piececan fight its attackers on the battlefield,but it cannot be moved off its square.Important: an imprisoned mage cannotcast spells! Imprisonment is temporary andbased on the luminosity cycle: a Dark Sidepiece remains imprisoned until the mutablesquares turn black; a Light Side piece isfreed when mutable squares turn white.

Actions Required Once the spell isselected, move the cursor to the intendedvictim, and push Button A.

Restrictions You cannot imprison a pieceon a power point. You cannot imprison anypiece at a time when the luminosity cyclewould automatically free it.

13 14

Cease ConjuringThis is not a spell; it is a way to avoid casting a spell if you miscalculate. If you change yourmind while selecting a spell, or if the spell you want is unavailable or canceled, you may pushButton A when Cease conjuring is displayed. This will allow you to start your turn over.

The Light Side...The Light Side...

Genie

Description:A magical being from the astralplane, half man and half cloud.

No. in the Game: 1

Board Move: Fly 4

Battle Move: Float

Button A: Bolide

Attack Type: Directable missile

Button B: Transformation

Power Type: Special movement

Lifespan: Long

The genie’s bolide is slow but powerful, limited in range, but very maneuverable. WithButton A down, use the joystick to steer the bolide to its target.

Button B shrinks and speeds the genie. With the button down, the joystick moves theshrunken form around the battlefield. The genie remains small as long as you keep thebutton down, but you must release it to fire the bolide.

Use the speed of the miniature form not only to escape enemy attacks but also to getclose enough to the genie’s opponent to blast it with a bolide. Be bold; only the best ofthe Dark Side’s pieces stand a chance against the genie.

Wizard

Description: An ancient man of vast supernaturalpower, the leader of the Light Side.

No. in the Game: 1

Board Move: Teleport 3

Battle Move: Ground

Button A: Sun sphere

Attack Type: Variable missile

Button B: Teleportation


Lifespan: Average

The sun sphere grows in size and power as long as you hold down Button A. Once yourelease the button, the missile continues for only a short distance before dissipating.

The wizard can change position abruptly — and radically — by teleporting. Whileholding down Button B, push the joystick in the general direction you want the mage togo. (Use this procedure even if you are using Simple firing.) The longer you hold thebutton down before pushing the joystick, the farther the wizard teleports. Note that thewizard is vulnerable to enemy attack during the beginning and ending of the process.

Since the wizard is most commonly used on the board to cast one of the seven spells,he rarely ventures from the safety of his home power point. (See “Magic Spells” on page12.) Avoid using him in combat unless attacked. In a fight, stay in the open, and do notget too close to an opponent: the sun sphere needs room to grow and is easily thwartedby obstacles.

15 16

Unicorn

Description:A small, white horse with a golden,spiral horn.

No. in the Game: 2

Board Move: Ground 4

Battle Move: Ground (variable)

Button A: Energy bolts

Attack Type: Variable missiles

Button B: Jump


Lifespan: Average

The longer you hold down Button A, the more energy bolts you fire. The more blasts,the more potential damage — but the longer you must wait to fire again.

The unicorn’s movement is unusual in several respects. If it keeps moving in a singledirection, it gradually picks up speed. It can also jump (Button B) over hindering ordangerous terrain, like swamp or lava. The faster it gallops, the farther it can jump. Note that once firing or jumping is finished, the unicorn will resume its movement even if a button is still pressed.

Speed and distance are the unicorn’s prime weapons. Use galloping and jumping to stayaway from opponents, and exploit the speed of the energy bolts, which is matched onthe Dark Side only by the basilisk’s eyebeams. Never get closer than is necessary to hitthe target. Try to use lines of obstacles as alleys for fire.

Phoenix

Description:A flaming bird of great magical power.

No. in the Game: 1

Board Move: Fly 5

Battle Move: Fly

Button A: Giant fireball

Attack Type: Area effect

Button B: Flaming feather

Attack Type: Independent, homing missile

Lifespan: Long

The phoenix cannot stop in mid-air; while flying over the battlefield, if you are notpushing the joystick, the phoenix glides forward at reduced speed.

Button A plunges the phoenix to earth, where it explodes in a seething mass of fire.The fireball not only scorches foes caught in its flames but also protects the phoenixfrom all possible harm.

Once loosed by Button B, a feather drifts slowly toward the opposing piece and burstsinto flame when it strikes. The damage done is small, but the feather is almostimpossible to evade. Indeed, it is so maneuverable, and so persistent, that the initialfiring direction is almost irrelevant.

Release feathers as often as possible. Against goblins, you can keep your distance andsinge them to death with feathers. Against almost everyone else, stay close — thecloser, the better. (They need room for their missiles to reach your altitude; don’t letthem have it.) Don’t hesitate to take advantage of obstacles to block their shots. Trapfoes in corners or against barriers. Use the fireball defensively when necessary to keepfrom being hit. Never sit still when vulnerable.

The phoenix is a match for anything on the Dark Side. It is devastating against thebanshee. A battle with the shapeshifter is a long, unprofitable war of attrition; avoidinitiating such a fight unless the square is white and no other Light piece is within strikingdistance. Because it negates the phoenix’s advantage of altitude, the dragon is achallenging opponent, but the phoenix’s true nemesis is the fire elemental, which cannotbe harmed by fire! It is possible to evade and outlast an elemental, but it’s not easy!

17 18

Valkyrie

Description:Beauteous blonde war-maiden fromthe legions of Valhalla.

No. in the Game: 2

Board Move: Fly 3

Battle Move: Float

Button A: Magic spear

Attack Type: Directable missile

Button B: Lightning

Attack Type: Multiple, defensive (stationary) missiles

Lifespan: Average

Each of these ferocious females is endowed with three great magical gifts: the ability tostride the air as if it were solid ground; an enchanted spear that, when thrown, obeysher will and then reappears in her hand when needed; and the power to call downlightning from the heavens.

The spear is not quite as maneuverable as the genie’s bolide, but you control it in muchthe same way: hold Button A down and steer with the joystick. (The valkyrie cannotmove, of course, while you are directing the spear.) Like the bolide, the spear vanisheswhen you release the button.

Button B unleashes a trio of lightning strikes in an arc around the valkyrie in thedirection you are aiming.

The valkyrie is most comfortable at a moderate distance from her opponent: close, butnot too close. When battling ground-pounders, keep the valkyrie over or near danger-ous terrain. Use lightning strikes to keep trolls, banshees, manticores, and goblins fromgetting close enough to use their short-range weapons. (Never let anyone inside thatarc!) Lightning is not only one of the few weapons effective against the banshee’s cursedskulls but is also one of the best ways to attack the dragon. Unless the battle is on afavorable square, avoid tangling with the fast missiles of the sorceress and the basilisk.

Golem

Description:An artificial being, shaped of earthand stone, and animated by magic.

No. in the Game: 2


Battle Move: Ground

Button A: Crystalline rock

Attack Type: Explosive missile

Button B: Invulnerability

Power Type: Defense

Lifespan: Long

The golem’s crystal missile keeps moving only as long as Button A is held down. If thebutton is released before the rock hits the target, the crystal shatters explosively,scattering dagger-like shards over a wide area. Unfortunately, an opposing piece is notlikely to be hit by more than one or two shards, and the damage done by each fragmentis much less than that done by the intact crystal.

The magical golem also boasts the ultimate defense. To transform it into an invulnerable(if immobile) pillar of granite, hold down Button B. Generally speaking, this secure statelasts until you release the button, but there is also an overriding time limit.

The advantages of this slow-moving creature are a long life and a deadly attack. (Thatbig crystal hurts!) Since its missile travels slowly, the golem must get close to the enemy.Be aggressive!

The golem is a reasonable match for most pieces on the Dark Side, but avoid thebasilisk’s eyebeams, and be wary of the lowly goblin. It can duck below the crystal, andit can attack far more often than the golem can turn invulnerable. When golem doesmeet goblin, try to keep water or lava between the two pieces.

19 20

Knight

Description: A medieval man-at-arms, armed andarmored against fearsome foes.

No. in the Game: 7


Battle Move: Ground

Button A: Sword

Attack Type: Hand weapon

Button B: Shield

Power Type: Defense

Lifespan: Short

Sword strikes are among the most rapid attacks, but they do freeze the knight inposition momentarily.

Use the shield to block enemy attacks. Press Button B to raise the shield, and do notrelease the button before the club or missile hits (or misses). The shield’s protection islimited to the front and shield side; it cannot affect attacks from the back or the sword-hand side, and even an off-center, grazing shot could get past the edge of the shield. Theshield is ineffective against gas, sonic attacks, and the shock of the troll’s stomp.

Although they cannot withstand more than one blow from many of their enemies, knightsneed not be mere cannon (or dragon) fodder. Provided they are swift and clever, theirspeed of attack gives them a chance to survive and triumph. Knights can be surprisinglyeffective against the dragon, because they can attack from a position (almost directlyunderneath) at which the dragon cannot strike back. One wrong move, on the otherhand, and they’re flame-broiled.

Tactics for the knight are simple: get in close and stay there! Move quickly buterratically. Stand still only to use your shield. Attack constantly; only the goblin cankeep pace, and a human player may panic. Exchange blows with a goblin only if youhave a distinct luminosity advantage. Use feints against a human-controlled goblin; tryto get the goblin to waste its crouch and then clobber it when it pops back up. Thebanshee is lethal! Never attack a banshee unless one is stuck on a white square, andthink twice about it even then.

Archer

Description:A fearless half-elf Amazon ofunparalleled skill in archery.

No. in the Game: 2


Battle Move: Ground

Button A: Arrow

Attack Type: Missile

Button B: Magic arrow

Attack Type: Homing missile

Lifespan: Short

The archer is the simplest piece to use. Both kinds of arrows are fired in the same way;the only difference is the button used. Magic arrows do slightly more damage than thestandard variety and, to some extent, “home in” on their targets; regular arrows don’t.

Tactics are simple: the archer must get close enough to ensure a hit with her ratherslow-moving arrows without getting close enough for infighters like the banshee or thegoblin to employ their short-range weaponry. Use hindering terrain to keep goblins,trolls, and the banshee’s skulls at bay. If the archer must battle the dragon or thesorceress, use obstacles to block incoming missiles, and try to remain inside theeffective range of dragonfire.

21 22

Sorceress

Description:Eternally young and ever beautiful, theDark counterpart to Light’s wizard.

No. in the Game: 1

Board Move: Teleport 3

Battle Move: Ground

Button A: Thunderbolt

Attack Type: Variable, directable missile

Button B: Teleportation


Lifespan: Average

The thunderbolt does not actually travel; instead, it quickly extends outward from thesorceress, growing in length and strength as long as you hold down Button A, until itreaches its maximum size. While growing, it can be directed — shifted sideways — atleast slightly.

Teleportation works the same as it does for the wizard. (See “Wizard” on page 15.)

Safest on the black power point, the sorceress is, like the wizard, most often used on theboard to cast the seven spells. (See “Magic Spells” on page 12.) Avoid risking her incombat unless she is attacked.

On the battlefield, tactics are similar to the wizard’s. Her thunderbolts, being narrower,are less prone to being stopped by barriers, but they do need room to develop. Keepher at a safe distance; teleport away from dangerous attacks or foes that get too close.

23 24

The Dark Side...The Dark Side...

Shapeshifter

Description: Shapechanger, doppelgänger,nightmare thief of form and power.

No. in the Game: 1

Board Move: Fly 5

Battle Move: Varies

Button A: Varies

Attack Type: Varies

Button B: Varies

Power Type: Varies

Lifespan: Special

The use and effect of the buttons depend entirely on the shapeshifter’s currentopponent, whose shape, powers, tactics, and control scheme it borrows in battle. (It is thus the hardest piece to play well.)

The shapeshifter has no fixed lifespan. Instead, it darkly mirrors its opponent, beingstrongest on squares where its enemy is weakest. If it survives the battle, its woundsheal as soon as it resumes its normal form on the board.

The success of this piece is solely dependent on the proper battleground. Avoid whitesquares like the plague! Attack strong pieces on black or dark squares, but ignore theknights. Why take a chance on getting the shapeshifter killed for so small a prize?(Conversely, if you are playing Light, the best way to attack the shapeshifter on neutralground is with a knight.)

Dragon

Description: A monstrous, serpentine reptile, flyingand fire-breathing.

No. in the Game: 1

Board Move: Fly 4

Battle Move: Fly (variable)

Button A: Fire

Attack Type: Variable missile

Button B: Gas cloud


Lifespan: Long

Like the phoenix, the flying dragon glides forward without joystick input; pushing thejoystick moves it faster. Like the unicorn, the dragon moves faster the longer it flies (notglides) in a specific direction.

Holding down Button A increases the size and potency of the dragon’s fiery gouts.

The dragon is without peer in the battlefield. One gout of its flaming breath will kill manycreatures, and a second blast is almost always fatal. Highly mobile, hard to hit, andharder to slay, it is second in value only to the sorceress.

No piece is more feared; no other piece is as effective against the phoenix. It is, in fact,too useful against all the Light Side heavyweights to risk chasing knights all over theboard, whatever the temptation. Although vulnerable, the pesky knights are toodangerous if they get close.

In battle, keep the dragon away from its opponents; its deadly fire needs a lot of roomto reach a target on the ground. Use the gas cloud against anyone who gets too closefor the fiery breath, and then use the dragon’s superior speed to open up somebreathing space.

25 26

Troll

Description: Subhuman cave-dweller, a shamblinggiant, dull but strong, clumsy but hardto slay.

No. in the Game: 2


Battle Move: Ground (Varies)

Button A: Boulder


Button B: Shock stomp


Lifespan: Long

Traditionally, trolls were paralyzed by direct sunlight. In ARCHON ULTRA, the effect of lightis not quite so drastic: a troll’s speed depends on the luminance of the square; thelighter the square, the slower it moves. On any battlefield, a troll regenerates, slowlyhealing its wounds. (Death is final, however.)

A troll stomp jolts a nearby opponent, throwing it off balance and backward, delaying its attack: the closer the piece, the greater the impact. It has no effect, however, on fliers or floaters.

Use the troll to pulverize knights; it is much more effective against them than the golemis against goblins. Against other opponents, it needs to get as close as possible toensure hits and do damage. Because of its long life and regenerative ability, it is the onepiece that can profitably trade attacks with any opponent. It is truly formidable,however, only on dark squares.

Basilisk

Description: A small, crested reptile with lizardlimbs, a snake’s body, and gorgon eyes.

No. in the Game: 2


Battle Move: Ground

Button A: Paralyzing eyebeams


Button B: Poisoned breath


Lifespan: Short

The primary effect of the basilisk’s fast eyebeams is gradual paralysis; the more anopponent is hit, the slower it moves. Total paralysis is fatal.

Keep your distance! The sluggish basilisk is best at moderate or long range. Use thepoisoned breath, with its more limited range, to supplement the eyebeams — to keepinfighters from closing or to finish off a badly wounded piece. Properly used, the basiliskis more than a match for slow or short-range fighters.

27 28

Manticore

Description: A legendary beast, lion-bodied,human-faced, and spike-tailed.

No. in the Game: 2


Battle Move: Ground

Button A: Tail spikes

Attack Type: Missile cluster

Button B: Roar

Attack Type: Short-range directional effect

Lifespan: Average

The manticore’s roar staggers and repels anyone in front of him. Its range is short, but,unlike the troll stomp, it affects even fliers and floaters.

The manticore is stronger than its counterpart, the archer, but also a bigger target. Bebold against weak opponents, but remain at mid-range when fighting more dangerousadversaries. Use the roar to keep knights away, throw off the timing of other attackers,and render opponents vulnerable to a fusillade of spikes.

Banshee

Description: Death’s herald, a ghostly apparition ofdreadful mien and lethal cry.

No. in the Game: 2

Board Move: Fly 3

Battle Move: Float

Button A: Wail


Button B: Cursed skull

Attack Type: Independent, homing missiles

Lifespan: Average

The wail is a timed attack that affects a circular area around the banshee. Whilescreaming, it can pursue its victim whether Button A is up or down.

A cursed skull rolls along the ground in slow but inexorable pursuit of the opposingpiece. (Dangerous terrain — swamp or lava — is one of the few hazards that will keepthe skull from reaching its target.) The skull fastens onto the victim, doing slight damageand, more importantly, slowing the victim down. A phoenix’s fireball can burn the skulloff, and elemental attacks can destroy it, but otherwise the attachment lasts as long asthe banshee lives. No more than three skulls can be active at any time.

The banshee fares well against lightweights and poorly against heavyweights. Its skullscannot reach the genie or the phoenix (unless it’s grounded), and the golem can renderitself invulnerable to the wail. If you want to indulge in some gratuitous pawn-bashing,use the banshee to terrorize the knights, who have no real defense against eitherbanshee weapon.

The banshee requires — and rewards — considerable skill. Avoid firing lines. Use thecursed skulls to slow down opponents, and then get in close for the kill. When attacking,follow the opponent closely to prolong exposure to the scream. Circle the opponent toavoid return fire.

29 30

◆ ELEMENTALS ◆

Despite their individual differences, all elementals have certain things in common thatgreatly affect their tactics on the battlefield. First, they cannot keep fighting

indefinitely. Reflecting not only their health but also the increasing difficulty of keepingthem on the material plane, their lifelines decline over time. Eventually, even an unscathedelemental will vanish, leaving its opponent the victor by default. So, be aggressive! (Ofcourse, if you are fighting an elemental, simple avoidance is a prime tactic.)

On the attack, all elementals become their own missiles, hurtling across the screen in astraight line until they hit an obstacle, or you release Button A. In missile form, they movefaster and are harder to damage, but they cannot change direction. All elementals shouldstay in the open, away from barriers.

Finally, all elementals have the power of self-destruction (Button B); they can release theirremaining energy (and more) in a powerful explosion that may well be fatal to anopponent, as well. The longer the lifeline remaining, the more damaging is the explosion.This “ultimate weapon” is a last resort; use it only if the elemental is about to vanish or ifyou are certain it will kill — or at least seriously wound — the opposing piece. (Rememberthat an elemental cannot return to the board, anyway, so its survival is irrelevant.) Thesurest way to catch the opposing piece inside the blast radius is to trigger the explosion atthe moment of impact of a normal attack.

Goblin

Description:A dwarf’s dark cousin, short andsquat, strong and savage, garbed inlooted armor.

No. in the Game: 7


Battle Move: Ground

Button A: Club

Attack Type: Hand weapon

Button B: Crouch (duck)

Power Type: Defense

Lifespan: Short

The club works just like the knight’s sword.

Use Button B to duck safely below a sword slash or incoming missiles; keeping thebutton down extends the crouch, but there is a time limit. The maneuver is ineffectiveagainst the phoenix and the valkyrie’s lightning. (It won’t help against elementals, either,but who would waste an elemental on a goblin?)

On dark squares the goblins’ gnarled clubs are more than a match for the swords of theknights. Since it can usually avoid the deadliest attack with a well-timed crouch, a well-directed goblin can bring down the most potent of enemies.

Where these infighters are concerned, he who hesitates . . . is dog food. Keep moving.Duck below incoming missiles. Attack, attack, attack! Exchange blows with a knight onlyif you have the advantage in luminance. Try to get a human-controlled knight to wasteits shield on a feint, or circle around and strike at the vulnerable side.

31 32

Fire Elemental

Description: A hovering ball of fire, self-sustaining and intelligent.

No. in the Game: 1 (maximum)

Board Move: Special

Battle Move: Float

Button A: Fireball

Attack Type: Special missile

Button B: Self-destructive explosion


Lifespan: Average (time-limited)

The fire elemental is fast and nasty. Since it is invulnerable to flame, it is a lethalopponent for the dragon or the phoenix.

Water Elemental

Description: A whirling, self-aware column of spray and mist.


Board Move: Special

Battle Move: Float

Button A: Waterspout




Lifespan: Long (time limited)

The water elemental is slower than the air elemental but otherwise similar.

Earth Elemental

Description: Lumbering and powerful, a vaguely humanoidincarnation of earth and rock.


Board Move: Special

Battle Move: Ground

Button A: Rolling stone




Lifespan: Long (time-limited)

The earth elemental is the slowest but strongest elemental. Since it cannot leave theground, it can harm fliers only by exploding (Button B) beneath them. If possible,attack floaters or ground pieces instead.

Air Elemental

Description: A spirit of air, embodied in the form of a whirlwind


Board Move: Special

Battle Move: Float

Button A: Tornado




Lifespan: Average (time-limited)

The air elemental is faster than the earth elemental but not as damaging. Unlike earth,but like fire and water, it is as effective against fliers as it is against ground pieces.

33 34

The Board:General HintsStay on Your Color!The effect of a square’s luminance on thelifespan of your pieces is large — often asmuch as 50%. Attack on unfavorablesquares only if you have an overwhelmingsuperiority over the defending piece.

Plan AheadMost successful attacks require morethan one move to execute. Before takinga square, consider what you will doafterwards. What piece will continue theassault if the first attacker dies?

Avoid Traffic JamsMake openings in your front line forground-movers to pass. The greater yourforce’s mobility, the greater its flexibilityand strength.

Protect Your Mage!The wizard and the sorceress may betough on the battlefield, but doom is nighshould you lose your mage early in thegame. Since power points are immune tomagic spells, it is a wise idea to keep yourmage “at home.”

The Board:Spell StrategyTeleportThis spell is handy for tossing a slow orunfavorably-placed piece into youropponent’s back row to raise a ruckus.Alternatively, you can teleport a woundedpiece out of danger.

HealNever heal the shapeshifter! Since theshapeshifter regenerates completelybetween battles, the spell would bewasted.

Shift TimeUse this spell to prolong an imprisonmentby reversing the flow of time before theluminance cycle peaks, freeing the enemypiece. Conversely, especially if you areplaying second, you can free your ownimprisoned piece early by casting thespell at the opposing luminosity peak: inthat case, the cycle will jump to yourpeak, and your piece will be freed. Amore strategic use of the spell might allowyou to win the game by keeping theluminance favorable long enough to makea concerted attack on the power points.

ExchangeAn enemy advance can be frustratedtemporarily by exchanging a menacingintruder (e.g., an opposing dragon orgenie) in your territory with a weakerpiece (a goblin or knight) toward the rear.

The Board: OpeningsConservative OpeningThis involves moving your unfavorablylocated pieces onto more favorablesquares (white squares for Light pieces,black squares for Dark pieces). The idea isto establish a strong, balanced positionearly on. Since the corner pieces (thevalkyrie & banshee) are mobile andespecially vulnerable to magical attack(via the Summon Elemental or Teleportspells), these are often the first to bemoved. Being ground-movers, the unicornand basilisk will be stuck on the “wrong”square until you clear an escape route —either directly, by moving theknight/goblin in front of them, orindirectly, and more slowly, by movingother knights/goblins and then adjacentpieces in the back row.

Magical Assault The aim here is to wipe out the strongestenemy piece right off the bat, before itcan do any harm. This is most surely donewith a combination of spells: Imprison,Summon Elemental, Teleport, and, ifneeded, Shift Time. The first spell holdsthe victim immobile while you attack withan elemental and then one of yourstrongest pieces teleported across theboard. Shift Time may be used to preventthe imprisoned piece from getting awaybefore you can finish it off.

A simple, fast, and sneaky variation forthe Light Side is to teleport a knight(either one blocking the unicorn or one ona black square) onto the shapeshifter, andgo for a double kill. (Some Dark Sideplayers find this very frustrating.)

Monster RompThis is risky but fun and sometimes sur-prisingly effective. Just fly or teleport oneof your strongest pieces (the genie/dragon or phoenix/shapeshifter) to theother side of the board, and take it on arompin’, stompin’ tour of all the occupiedsquares unfavorable to the pieces stuckon them. This procedure tends to thrownew players into a panic, which is alwayshelpful. More experienced players willeither imprison the attacker or counterwith a monster romp of their own. Rapidattrition on both sides usually follows.

35 36

◆ PLAYING HINTS AND TIPS ON STRATEGY ◆

Watch the ShadowsBefore firing, line up your shadow withyour opponent’s. When directing amissile, move the missile’s shadow towardthe shadow of the target piece.

Don’t Overcompensate for AltitudeA missile fired by a ground piece toward a flier moves upward automatically; you do not need to “help” by firingdiagonally “up.” That causes the missile to move into the distance, not up into the air. Just make sure your piece is back far enough to allow the missile to get high enough to hit. (Faster missilesneed more room for altitude changesthan slower missiles.)

Trap Your Opponent in a CornerThis is especially helpful for sluggers withslow, easily dodged missiles and for thepoor infighters (knights and goblins).

Feint!Trick your opponent into attacking bymoving into the line of fire momentarily.Then, in the interval before the enemypiece can attack again, close in and looseyour own attack.

Confuse Your OpponentWhen at close range, dodge back andforth. This is especially important whenyou cannot afford an exchange of blows,and it is vital for a knight or goblin.

Know Your Piece’s Strengthsand Weaknesses Different pieces require different tactics — sometimes radically different — and the nature of yourimmediate enemy should also affect your course of action.

Summon ElementalSince elementals are neutral beings,unaffected by changes in luminance, theyare well suited to attacking an annoyingenemy piece that remains on squaresfavorable to it. The spell is also de rigueuragainst mages that venture off their homepower points.

ReviveRevive only strong pieces. Also, avoidplacing a revived piece on an unfavorablesquare, or it may die again immediately.

ImprisonThe real trick with this spell is timing,coupled with Shift Time if necessary, to prolong the effect. Imprison athreatening intruder to blunt an attack, or immobilize a strong piece on a mutable square; then attack when theluminosity cycle is most favorable.

The Battlefield:General HintsDon’t Move in Straight LinesMonsters are tricky; you should be, too. Dodge and weave. Don’t becomepredictable.

Hit and Run Don’t just fire a shot and then sit therewaiting for a retaliatory strike. Take yourfinger off the button immediately afterfiring, and boogie on out of there! If youhit something, it can probably hit you.

Use Diagonal ShotsAlthough difficult to master, angled shotswill improve your performancedramatically. Few players manageconsistent diagonals.

Think in 3DRemember that three dimensions arebeing displayed on the two-dimensionalscreen. Pieces move at different altitudes,which can make aiming confusing. Adragon that seems to be next to a knightis not really lined up to fire; it is actuallynearer to you (visibly lower) butconsiderably elevated (visibly higher).

37 38

Question Sometimes when I’m firing really fast, I don’t hear the “reload”

sound. Am I going too fast for thecomputer to keep up?

Answer No. If you happen to have the button pressed and the joystick already

pointed at the end of the attack interval(which some people call the “reload time”),the computer won’t bother sounding thebell; instead, it simply launches your attack.

Question Is it possible for two pieces on the battlefield to kill each other?

If so, who gets the square?

Answer Yes, “double kills” are possible. You can even get killed by a “dead”

piece if it has already launched an attack.(Zapping an archer, for instance, wouldhave no effect on an arrow already in flight.)In such cases, the disputed square on theboard will be left empty. The same thinghappens when an elemental wins a battle.

Question My missiles seem to pass right through enemy pieces without

harming them. Why?

Answer A missile can’t actually pass through an enemy piece. Because the

battlefield exists in three dimensions, how-ever, it is possible to miss not only above orbelow a piece but also in front or behind. Ineither of the latter cases, it might seem as ifthe missile is — or should be — hitting thetarget. Because of the 3D factor, a piece inARCHON ULTRA is harder to hit than it was inearlier versions of ARCHON. To improve yourperformance, move in closer before firing,and make sure the shadows are lined up.

Question My archer attacked the dragon on a black square. She got

killed, but she did hit it with an arrow, so Iknow the dragon was wounded. On myvery next turn, I attacked the dragon again,but it was no longer wounded. Why not?

Answer On the battlefield, a piece’s lifespan is enhanced by favorable

luminance and boosted by the magic ofthe power points its side controls. One ofthe benefits of this magical enhancementis that “nicks and scratches” (a categoryinto which, under the circumstances, yoursingle arrow wound fell) are notpermanent. The luminance bonus is alsothe reason a badly wounded piece maymake what seems to be a miraculous (ifonly partial) recovery between battles. Ona white square the dragon would havelacked any luminance benefit, and thebonus for occupying power points mightnot cover even a single arrow wound.

Why were you attacking a dragon on ablack square?

Question Why did you make so manychanges to the game? I liked ARCHON

the way it was.

Answer So did we. Although some people wanted nothing more than a

graphically-updated ARCHON, most peoplewanted more. We thought we could uselessons we learned from ARCHON 2: ADEPT

and our other games to make the piecesmore interesting and the battlefield moreexciting. The extra button allowed us tomake combat more elaborate withoutcomplicating the interface. In short, wewanted to make the game better.

Question Help! I can’t move my pieces! I push Button A to pick up a

piece, but when I try to move it, only thecursor goes anywhere. What’s going on?

Answer To maintain consistency while accommodating a variety of input

devices, we made some changes to theoriginal ARCHON interface. If you lookclosely, you can see that, when you selecta piece to move, the cursor changesshape. Go ahead and move the hollowcursor to the destination square; pressButton A, and the piece will follow.

Question Why can’t I get my pieces to fire?

Answer You’re not pushing the joystickwhile the fire button is down. Under

the Standard firing option, you must holdthe appropriate button down and pushthe joystick in the direction you want tofire. (This seems to be a particularchallenge for anyone using the keyboard.)If you can’t get the hang of it, pick Helpedon the main menu, or set Firing to Simple.

Question My attacks often go in the wrong direction, and sometimes I

can’t seem to fire at all even though Iknow I’m pushing both the button and thejoystick. What’s wrong?

Answer You’re pushing the button while you’re still moving your piece. Make

sure the joystick is in “neutral” — or at leastpointed in the right direction — before youpress the trigger. Your “nonexistent” attacksmight be hitting the outer walls (andvanishing), but you’re probably pressing thetrigger before your attack interval is up.

Question When my friend casts Shift Time , the screen changes

immediately. When I do it, it waits a turnbefore anything happens. Why?

Answer You had the first move. All luminance changes take place after

the second player’s turns. (That’s one ofthe advantages of playing second.)

39 40

◆ QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ◆

◆ ABOUT THE DEVELOPERS ◆

Paul Reiche III is not as young as he used to be. He’s married now and trying to supporta family. His partner, Fred Ford, is single and trying to support Paul. Jon Freeman andAnne Westfall are still married and trying to support each other.

Paul and Fred share a rented office in Novato in the same building occupied by everyother game developer in Marin County. Jon and Anne share a rented house with theircomputers — and horror stories with every other game developer in Silicon Valley.

All four have been in “the biz” a long time. Paulonce worked at TSR™. Fred once toiled at Island

Graphics. Anne once labored atEpyx, back when it was still

called Automated Simulations.Jon once founded AutomatedSimulations.

Recently, besides helping onARCHON ULTRA, Paul & Freddeveloped STAR CONTROL 2™and have been working on a

new game for anotherpublisher. Jon has also designeda Sega® game for another

publisher, and Anne has beenserving on the Board of Directors of

the Computer Game Developers’Conference. For some reason they allseem short of spare time, but in oddmoments they read, go to movies, andtry to stay in shape.

Jon Freeman Free Fall Associates 1993

Question ARCHON ULTRA has the same board and pieces as the

original ARCHON. Why didn’t you makemore changes?

Answer Huh? We wish we could introduce you to the last questioner.

We had several ideas for somewhat similargames with different boards, pieces, andobjectives, but publishers were moreinterested in a revised and updatedversion of ARCHON itself. We actually madefar more changes than were originallyplanned; they’re summarized at thebeginning of the manual. You’re probablyunderestimating the differences in the twogames because you have unconsciously“updated” ARCHON in your imagination.(We’ve done it, ourselves.) It was a greatgame, but it was simpler and moreprimitive than you recall.

Question Why did you rename the genie?

Answer We got tired of having people think we were spelling it wrong. We

weren’t — “djinni” is the original rendition— but people are used to “genie.” Sincethe genie in ARCHON ULTRA owes as muchto the movies as it does to The Book ofthe Thousand Nights and a Night, themore westernized spelling seemsappropriate. So we changed it.

That was part of the reason we addedregeneration to the troll: people expectedit. Gamers who learned their fantasy fromrole-playing games did not realize thattraditional trolls had no such powers.

Question Do you make up thesequestions?

Answer We’ve collected, articulated,reworded, and edited them, but we

haven’t had to make them up — not even this one.

Question Why can’t I make copies of ARCHON ULTRA for my friends?

Answer We at Free Fall Associates live on what we earn from game

sales. Royalties quite literally pay therent. If we can’t pay our bills doing this,we can’t keep creating games for you toenjoy. Even a really successful game hasto pay for a couple of years ofdevelopment time for several people, plusmore years of accumulated debts causedby delays, inadequate advances, canceledprojects, and wrong turns — plus enoughmoney to finance the next project. UnlessARCHON ULTRA sells well enough to manageall that, it may be the last Free Fall gameyou’ll see for a while — maybe ever.Imitations of arcade games or otherdesigners’ ideas may be all too common,but our games are original products ofour own bizarre imaginations and manyyears of work. (We first put battling“chesspieces” in a game ten years ago.)We can’t afford to continue creating newgames if half the people playing themdon’t pay for their copies. We try to playfair with others, and we appreciate yourplaying fair with us by purchasing a legalcopy of this product.

Thanks from Anne, Jon, Paul, and Fred.

41 42

Star Control 2 is a trademark owned by Accolade, Inc. SEGA is a registered trademark owned by SEGA Enterprises, Ltd. TSR is a trademark owned by TSR, Inc.

STRATEGIC SIMULATIONS, INC. LIMITED WARRANTY Strategic Simulations, Inc. (“SSI”) warrants that the diskette(s) on which the enclosed program is recorded will be free from defectsin materials and workmanship for a period of 30 days from the date of purchase. If within 30 days of purchase the diskette(s) provedefective in any way, you may return the diskette(s) to Strategic Simulations, Inc., 675 Almanor Avenue, Suite 201,Sunnyvale, CA 94086-2901 and SSI will replace the diskette(s) free of charge. In addition, if the diskette(s) prove defective atany time after the first 30 days, return the diskette(s) to SSI and SSI will replace the diskette(s) for a charge of $10.00 (each disk)plus $4.00 for shipping and handling. California residents, add applicable sales tax.SSI MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE SOFTWARE PROGRAM RECORDED ON THEDISKETTE OR THE GAME DESCRIBED IN THIS RULE BOOK, THEIR QUALITY, PERFORMANCE, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FORANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE PROGRAM AND GAME ARE SOLD “AS IS.” THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THEIR QUALITY ANDPERFORMANCE IS WITH THE BUYER. IN NO EVENT WILL SSI BE LIABLE FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIALDAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY DEFECT IN THE PROGRAM OR GAME EVEN IF SSI HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OFSUCH DAMAGES. (SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR LIABILITY FORINCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.)The enclosed software program and this rule book are copyrighted. All rights are reserved. This rule book may not be copied,photographed, reproduced, or translated or reduced to any electrical medium or machine-readable form, in whole or in part,without prior written consent from SSI. The program accompanying this rule book may be copied, by the original purchaser only,as necessary for use on the computer for which it was purchased. Any persons reproducing any portion of this book for any reason, in any media, shall be guilty of copyright violation andsubject to the appropriate civil or criminal action at the discretion of the copyright holder(s).Game Software & Rule Book © 1993, Free Fall Associates. ARCHON is a trademark of Free Fall Associates. Free Fall is a registered servicemark and trademark of Free Fall Associates. Licensed to Strategic Simulations, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A DEFECTIVE DISK

Each of our games undergoes extensive playtesting prior to its release. Through this process we hope to uncover and correct anyerrors in programming. However, due to the complex nature of our simulations, some program errors may go undetected until afterpublication. In addition to errors in the program, there are occasionally problems with the disk itself. We experience the industrystandard of approximately a 3 to 5% failure rate of duplicated disks. Before assuming that a disk is defective, make sure to checkyour disk drive. Up to 95% of the disks returned to us as defective will run fine on our computer systems. Often the problem iswith a disk drive that needs servicing for alignment, speed, or cleaning.Should you have a defective disk, please return the disk only (keep all other parts of the game) to our Customer SupportDepartment, along with a note describing the problem you have encountered. A replacement disk will be provided upon our receiptof the defective disk.Should you uncover an error in the program, return both your game disk and any “save game” disks to our Customer SupportDepartment. Please enclose a description of what was taking place in the game when the error occurred. Upon correction of theprogram error, we will return an updated disk to you.

QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS?Our main business number is (408) 737-6800. If you encounter disk or system related problems you can call ourTechnical Support Staff at (408) 737-6850 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., Pacific Time, Monday through Friday,holidays excluded. NO GAME PLAYING HINTS WILL BE GIVEN THROUGH THIS NUMBER. You can write to us for hints at:Hints, Strategic Simulations, Inc., 675 Almanor Avenue, Suite 201, Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (include a self-addressed, stampedenvelope for reply).

IBM COMPATIBLE COMPUTER INFORMATION:Many of our games will work on IBM compatible computers. If you own an IBM compatible computer we suggest that you consultwith our Technical Support Staff at (408) 737-6850 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., Pacific Time, Monday through Friday,(holidays excluded) to see if an SSI game you're considering purchasing is compatible with your computer. If we have insufficientdata to determine compatibility, you may wish to purchase the game and test for compatibility yourself. If the game proves to beincompatible, you may return it within 14 days with your dated receipt and we will refund your money. Or, if you return the gamewithin 30 days, you may exchange the game for another.

CREDITS

Design Jon Freeman, Paul Reiche

Programming Anne Westfall, Fred Ford

Modem Support Dan Hite

Graphics George Barr, Jon Freeman, Douglas Herring, Mark Johnson, Karen Mangum, Paul Reiche, John Xu, Bill Yates

Sound Support Fred Ford

Music Dan Nicholson

Rule Book Author Jon Freeman

Associate Producers William Dunn, Ken Humphries, Jeff Shotwell

Rule Book Editors Eileen Matsumi, André Vrignaud

Producer Dan Cermak

Testers Jason Ray, Cyrus G. Harris, John Cloud

Compatibility Testing Top Star Computing Services

Graphic Design and DTP LOUIS SAEKOW DESIGN: Dave Boudreau and Leedara Sears

Printing A&a Printers and Lithographers, Inc.

Always make sure to include your name, address, and daytime telephone number with anycorrespondence. We will do our best to see that any problems are corrected as soon as possible.

Documents

Archon Ultra - Manual - PC