Hack and Slash Strategy

according to Crazy Legs

First, there is nothing better than the authority. Read (download and read) the free book on Hack & Slash by the creator, Robert Hurst (a.k.a. The Flying Ape) on his web site, http://robert.hurst-ri.us. This is a comprehensive breakdown of all the categories of fighters, weapons, armor, monsters, spells, poisons, as well as explaining the probabilities of outcomes based upon individual intellect, dexterity, strength, and charisma levels. It covers some of these basic and more advanced strategies as well.

Simple basics for the beginner (NOVICE):

ALWAYS check your status out before doing anything. On the MAIN menu, select "Y" to do so. Review your money situation, your weapon and armor, your ship, and importantly how much more experience you need to reach the next level.

Then review the rest of the players, or at least the ones within your reach. If you plan on possibly killing one of them, SCOUT their weapons, poisons, spells, and if they have money in their hands to take!

Now at this point you are prepared to take the steps necessary to improve your character either by accumulating more money (to buy better things) or more experience (to move up levels). What do you want to do first?

MONEY

If you're after money, here are a few ways (with possible bad effects) to get it. I will list them in a somewhat increased risk order.

LOAN-Go to the bank and ask for a loan! Your credit increases with your character's level. No risk.

GAMBLE-In the CASINO (G from the MAIN menu), many gambling options exist! There is also an ATM machine hooked up to your bank account in the SQUARE! You have to have money to gamble with and you could lose it, otherwise, no other risks are involved. (Personally, I like HIGH CARD, just cut the cards against the computer!)

JOUST-The easiest way for quick cash with virtually no detriment. If you lose a joust (3 per call), your ability or rating will decrease making jousting more challenging in the future, but that is so little a risk. TIP: Jousting higher leveled players, regardless of their jousting rating, results in bigger cash prizes. TIP-2: If you lose the joust, they get the money in their HANDS. You can get that money later, if you dare try!

BRAWL-In Tiny's Tavern, you can brawl other users with virtually no detriment. If you lose a brawl (3 per call), you lose minutes off of that call. This is random from between 0 and 9 (I think) and could end your call if you have only a few minutes to go! If you win the brawl, you get any money they have in their HANDS and you get experience towards a higher level!

FIGHT-Users and monsters are worth money to you if you can kill them.
In the ARENA (3 fights per call), monsters have a set value for money and experience to be gained, usually, more than other users. Users have value, the higher the level of the victim, the more experience (and instant) levels you can achieve. Money from users is derived from anything in their HANDS, as well as the values of their weapon and/or armor, and you can collect any BOUNTIES posted on them by other users (see Tiny's Tavern for the list!). If you lose, your call ends, but you can retreat and get healed at the HOSPITAL and continue playing that call!
In the DUNGEON (3 per call), monsters tend to be worth less experience than the arena, but have lots of cash on them! If you die in the dungeon from battle, you lose all of the money you accumulated! TIP: If you are battle-weary but loaded with cash, and you don't were the WIZARD (to get out) or the CLERIC (to heal you) is located, keep walking into the walls until you die! You will have the cash in your hand the next time you call (unless someone notices and takes it from you in a fight or brawl!)

In NAVAL battles (3 per call), you can HUNT sea monsters (very rich with money), battle other users ship to get the money in their HANDS and damage their boats, or GO FISHING.

In the PARTY section (1 per call), become a member of a GANG, or create your own GANG and invite others. You can fight other existing GANGS or fight the MONSTER MASH gang (randomly assimilated creatures of somewhat equal strength to your gang). This is a little more complicated, but worth the adventure. Anyone in your gang, can initiate a fight during their call. If the gang is victorious, all share in the experience and money gathered! If the gang loses, your call ends! Now for some funky twists, you can retreat from the gang fight as long as your character is alive. But if you die during the fight, you get to watch the computer finish the fight in front of your eyes! If your gang loses, your call ends. If your gang wins, you get your share of the spoils and then if you move up a level (most likely) you will continue with your call! But if it isn't enough to move you up, you get your spoils in our HAND then die!

FISHING-You only need a tiny ship for this, but the minimum cost is 10,000c pieces! When FISHING, you can catch an oyster with a pearl or diamond in it-instantly sold for BIG money. You can also catch a TURTLE, who will permanently increase the strength of your armor. You can catch a MERMAID, that gives you an extra call for the day. You can catch a DEAD CORPSE, and resurrect a dead player. You can catch a SEA HAG, a random and very tough sea monster and battle. You can catch NEPTUNE, and do battle. TIP: If you try to retreat from NEPTUNE, you live, but he permanently destroys your ship-it may be better to just die this call! You more likely will catch a FISH or an UGLY FISH and eat it, getting added strength and hit points for this call only, or die and end your call!

WEAPONS and/or ARMOR

BUY THEM-In the square. Money in the HAND and the value of your current weapon or armor is all that is counted when attempting a purchase. No risks are taken.

TAKE THEM-After winning a FIGHT with a monster or user. To the victor, the spoils, upgrade both weapon and armor. If the choice is presented to you first, "Do you want his/her …..?" You had better already know what you have in its relation to what is available! Have a list available and keep it current with what you have! If you take theirs, they get yours! These are FREE upgrades, unless you die! If you have better and lose to a user, not a monster, they upgrade!

STEAL THEM-Choose ROB/BURGLARIZE from the MAIN menu and the user you wish to victimize. TIP: Scout out their security first! If you get caught, you go to jail and end your call. Your next call will cost you some money to get bailed out, unless a friend pays for you!

MISCELLANEOUS TIPS

As a NOVICE, you can get FREE health care at the HOSPITAL. Other characters always have to pay and loans are generated at the bank automatically for them! SO, make sure you spend all of your hard fought for money (weapon, armor, poison, security, real estate, boat, boat repairs, magic, etc.) BEFORE you visit the hospital. Why pay for health and lose all that purchasing power?

Fish when you are desperate for money, need extra hit points to kill someone BIG, or are bored after exhausting most of your other options!

Check out the bounty lists and the arguments (Public bulletin boards-not private!) at Tiny's Tavern!

Check out the "?" in the dungeon. Some are trap doors, some are thieves, some are monsters, but some are treasure chests, mystical wheels of (great) fortune (and doom), and even key hints (for level 100 chances). They are not to always be avoided!

NEVER take this game too seriously!

HAPPY HUNTING!