Gameplay

Combat

So, a big scary monster is coming after you, and you need to kill them. What do you do? Well, there are two options.

If you're brave enough, trying to move into a monster (using the movement keys from the section called “Controls” will trigger hand-to-hand combat. This will use your currently equipped weapon to attack the monster.

There are also three ways to attack monsters from a distance. There are:

  • Firing bolts and arrows. To use this option, first wield the appropriate ranged weapon, then throw (using the t, appropriate ammunition for the weapon.
  • Also, you can use wands. To use a wand, press the z key, then select a wand. Afterward, select a target as described in the section called “Targeting”
  • Your third option is to use spells. To use a spell, you must have first read the appropriate spellbook. Then, press the Z key and then select a spell from the list that pops up. Afterward, you should follow the prompts given to select a target for the spell (which will usually involve selecting a monster).

Statistics

Your character, has 6 essential attributes, or stats. There are: Strength (Str), Dexterity (Dex), Constitution (Con), Intelligence (Int), Wisdom (Wis), and Saves. Each of these attributes has a use, which you must discover.

Also, your character has three other characteristics. Hit points (HP), show how much life your character has left. When they reach 0, you die and the game is over.

Blessings and Curses

In Menace of the Mines, there are 7 degrees of blessedness or accursedness in which your items may be. If an item is blessed, it confers minor additional benefits to the user, BLESSED items bring greater benefits and *BLESSED* items, though extremely rare, can do almost anything except bring you back from the dead. Similarly, if an item is cursed, it causes minor complications for the user, CURSED items cause greater suffering and *CURSED* items, though extremely rare, will do anything in their considerable power to hurt you.

Replay

In replay mode, the moves of previous games are played back sequentially. There are three commands you can use to examine the state of previous games.
Q

Stop the replay.

i

View the inventory of the player at that time in the game.

E

View the equipment of the player at that point in the game.

s

View the skills of the player at that point in the game.

Z

View the spells of the player at that point in the game.