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 whatso-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
Bow
Broadsword
Dagger
Elven Bow
Flail
Halberd
Lance
Long Sword
Mace Of Relnor
Morning Star
Pike Awl
Scimitar
Short Sword
Spear
Sword Of Relnor 13

Damage
0
10
4
7
7
9
6
8
11
7
7
8
6
6

ARMOUR
-----Type
Boots

Armour Class
1

Chain Mail
Dwarven Boots 2
Dwarven Helm
1
Elven Boots
Gauntlets
Great Shield
Leather
Ringmail
Scalemail
Studded Leather
Winged Helm
2

6
2
1
3
2
4
4
3

EXPERIENCE NEEDED FOR LEVELS 1-10

--------------------------------Level
Level
Level
Level
Level
Level
Level
Level
Level

2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

500
1,000
2,000
4,000
8,000
16,000
32,000
48,000
64,000