Core Controls

• Arrows / WASD — Move or attack adjacent enemies
• Space — Wait one turn (let monsters approach)
• r — Rest (safe recovery while no enemies are visible)
• x — Toggle Auto-Explore (automatically moves toward unexplored tiles)
• 1–9 — Quickly use inventory items or potions
• I — Open full Inventory
• C — Open Character Sheet (equipment & stats)
• j — Open Lore Journal
• ? or h — Quick controls reminder

Hunger & Survival (Important!)

Hunger increases every few turns. When it gets high you start taking damage and lose effectiveness.

• Eat Rations regularly to reset hunger and gain the SATED buff (minor regeneration)
• High hunger = starvation damage and reduced survivability
• Manage your food carefully on long delves

Combat (True D&D 5e)

• Every attack rolls a d20 + your attack bonus vs enemy AC
• Natural 20 = Critical Hit (dice are doubled)
• Monsters act after you every turn
• Use chokepoints, doors, and positioning — this is tactical
• Some monsters have special abilities (life drain, paralyze, fire breath, etc.)

Items & Identification

Many magical items start unidentified (shown with generic names like “Silver Ring” or “Strange Blade”).

• Use a Scroll of Identify to reveal what an item actually does
• Some vendors can identify items for a fee
• Powerful early finds are often unidentified — take risks or save scrolls!

Consumables & Buffs

Potions now grant real, powerful temporary effects:

• Potion of Speed — +2 to hit for many turns
• Potion of Invisibility — Enemies have a very hard time hitting you
• Potion of Heroism — Big temporary HP + combat bonuses
• Potion of Giant Strength — Massive damage increase
• Save strong potions for tough fights or bosses

Equipment & Progression

• Pick up and equip better weapons and armor
• Jewelry (rings, amulets) can give powerful bonuses once identified
• Level up by gaining XP from kills and quests
• Higher levels = more HP, better proficiency, more spell slots

Vendors, NPCs & Quests

• 5 types of persistent vendors (Weapons, Armor, Potions, Scrolls, General)
• Quest givers offer gold, items, and XP for completing tasks
• Check your Journal (j) for active quests

Bosses & The Endgame

• Every depth has a boss with unique dialogue, portrait, and powerful loot
• You can attempt to flee from most bosses (50% chance)
• Reach depth 20 and defeat the Archlich Vex’rahn to win

Tips for Survival

• Don’t be greedy — sometimes retreating is the smart play
• Use chokepoints and doors to fight one enemy at a time
• Save strong healing and buff potions for when you really need them
• Rest (r) when it’s safe to recover health
• Auto-explore (x) is great, but turn it off the moment you see danger
• Identify powerful-looking items before deciding whether to equip or sell them