+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | B A R D ' S T A L E 3 : T H I E F O F F A T E | | Item FAQ, v0.8 04/17/2006 | | written by yuandy, email to yuandy@cs.stanford.edu | +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Table of contents 0. Change history 1. Introduction 1.1. Copyright 2. Items 2.1. Recommendations 2.2. Key 2.3. Item listing, alphabetical order 2.4. Estimated melee damage, alphabetical order 3. Item drop guide 3.0. Drop areas 3.1. Skara Brae 3.2. Catacombs 3.3. Unterbrae 3.4. Arboria 3.5. Gelidia 3.6. Lucencia, Kinestia 3.7. Tenebrosia, Tarmitia 3.8. Malefia 4. Ability discussion Appendices A. Item listing, file order B. Weapon damage, file order --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Change history --------------------------------------------------------------------------- v0.8, 04/17/2006. I spent my last play-through checking my theory on where items drop and it seems to hold true. Moreover, I think I've figured out exactly where each drop area starts and ends. I've introduced section 3 as a guide to what items to look for while passing through each drop area. I've also introduced section 4 to have my notes on the abilities provided by equipped items. v0.4, 01/09/2004. I figured out the maximum use counts, use effects, class restrictions, and indices for equip effects. I also have a very rough formula for calculating melee damage. v0.2, 01/08/2004. All right, here's my first version that lists all the items available and little else. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 1 - Introduction --------------------------------------------------------------------------- I played Bard's Tale 3 back when I was in elementary school and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. I can play the game purely through the keyboard. I can speed up battles so that fighting monsters doesn't get boring. Every 5-10 years after that, I've come back to the game and played it and got lots of cool kick-butt items. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 1.1 - Copyright --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information and formatting contained within this guide may be reproduced without permission on guides posted on and ONLY on GameFAQs, so long as this guide is cited as the source. For ALL other reproductions and uses, the standard boilerplate applies: [Begin boilerplate] This may be not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal, private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide on any other web site or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a violation of copyright. The Bard's Tale(tm) is copyright 1985-1998 Interplay Productions. All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their respective trademark and copyright holders. [End boilerplate] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 2 - Items --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 2.1 - Recommendations --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Party choice. Required: Chronomancer. You can't leave Skara Brae without one. Also, FAFI is the best offensive spell until you get NUKE. Required: Rogue. Rogues are the only way I know of to kill Sceadu. Anyone got a better way? Indispensable: Archmage. You need the archmage's arsenal of spells. To name a few: BASP, HEAL, DEST, SCSI, APAR. Indispensable: Bard. The bard's songs are just too useful to pass up. With a fresh new party, I used Bringaround Ballad during battle to heal my party. Don't forget that once you hit Lucencia, a Kael's Overture during battle casts TREB. That gives you a party of four. I like starting with three fighters. In Kinetia, I upgrade at least two to geomancers. PATH, EAWA, and EAMA are just too nice to pass up. On my last playthrough, I did one warrior and two hunters. Warriors and paladins can equip the best armor and hunters have the only critical hit attack until you get a Stoneblade, a Heartseeker, or the Strifespear (all of which I got in Malefia). I know the Stoneblades and Heartseekers are dropped elsewhere besides Malefia (but not both in the same dimension), but I don't know where. Items. * The 14 categories of equipment are: weapon, shield, armor, helm, gloves, instrument, figurine, ring, wand, accessory, bow, arrows, container, and cloak. Each character can equip at most one from each category. Only weapons affect melee damage. A few items belong to a category that isn't readily obvious. Hunters Cloak, Mages Cloak, and Sceadu's cloak are all armors rather than cloaks. The Dmnd Suit, unlike all the others Suits, is a cloak. The most bizarre is the Eelskin Tunic which is an instrument. * You REALLY want a Nospin Ring. It took my brother and I all through Bard's Tale 1, 2, and 3 to finally figure out what that thing does. It's a no-spin ring. That is, spinners won't affect you as long as someone in the party has a Nospin Ring equipped! * No item has a negative effect when equipped. There are two items, however, that can pack a bit of a surprise when equipped. When equipped on a dead character, the Sorcerer's Hood and the Angel's Ring will resurrect the character and then disappear. Spellcasters. * Be on the lookout for either a Conjurstaff or a Staff of Mangar. When equipped, spells consume half the spell points rounded down. Conjurstaffs start dropping in Unterbrae's 4th floor and continue to drop through Gelidia. Staff of Mangar improves your AC more than a Conjurstaff, but it only drops in Gelidia (and Malefia). Try to get one for each spellcaster in your party before you leave Gelidia. When you get to Malefia, be on the lookout for Staff of Gods. When equipped, spells consume quarter the spell points rounded down. Note that Trap Zap-ing a treasure chest consumes 2 spell points no matter which staff you've got equipped. * Best normal equipment is Titan Bracers (armor -10), Wizhelm or Sorcerer's Hood (helm -3), Elf Cloak (cloak -3), and Mages Gloves (gloves -4). Warriors and Paladins (and Geomancers). * Shadelances are cool. They cast NILA when used in battle and never gets used up! It has the highest damage attack of the infinite-use items. They drop in Lucencia and Kinetia. * Stoneblade and Strifespear are the only critical hit weapon. You'll probably want to give the Strifespear to your bard since that your bard's only critical hit weapon. Back-row geomancers should use aim for a Staff of the Gods like the spellcasters. * Warrior's best normal equipment is Titan Suit (armor -15), Tung Shield (shield -7), Titan Helm (helm -5), Dmnd Suit (cloak -15), and Wargloves (gloves -4). * Paladins are mostly the same except that they can't equip the Titan Suit and have to settle for Tung Plate (armor -12). * In general, the modifiers are, in order of increasing quality are: (none), Mthr, Admt, Dmnd, Titan, Tung. Rogues. * Heartseeker is the only critical hit weapon and it's only dropped in Malefia. * Best normal equipment is Titan Bracers (armor -10), Dragonshield (shield -4), Thieves Hood (helm -4), Elf Cloak (cloak -3), Leather Gloves (gloves -1). Only Rogues can equip Sceadu's Cloak and the Helm of Justice. Bards. * Strifespear is the only critical hit weapon. * Best normal equipment is Dmnd Plate (armor -8) (bug on the apple allows this though Bards aren't supposed to be able to equip plate armor), Tung Shield (shield -7), Admt Helm (helm -3), Minstrels Glove (gloves -7), and Bard Bow (bow -2). Cli Lyre has the best armor class rating of the instruments (-5). Monks. * Best normal equipment is Mthr Chain (armor -4), Buckler (shield -1), Mthr Helm (helm -2), Leather Gloves (gloves -1), and Tao Ring (ring -5). Hunters. * Best normal equipment is Mthr Suit (armor -10), Dmnd Shield (shield -5), Titan Helm (helm -5), Admt Gloves (gloves -3), Eelskin Tunic (instrument -4) (what?!), and Steady Eye (accessory -4). Taking advantage of bugs. * On the apple, if the bard is singing and is killed later, the effects of the song are still felt! So I often played Sanctuary Score or Minstrel Shield and then killed my bard and resurrected him. That way "The sound of silence..." never affected me. Just don't play another song outside of battle or the new song's effect will take over. * On the apple, a dead player still gets experience and gold. So, when I needed to level up, I often killed off everyone except either my Archmage or Chronomancer and started NUKE-ing every random encounter. Optimal equipment by class. (Here, "optimal" means maximizing AC while preserving critical hit ability and choosing Staff of Gods over Staff of Mangar.) Warrior: Stoneblade Tung Shield (-7) Titan Suit (-15) Titan Helm (-5) Wargloves (-4) Shield Ring* (-2) Wand of Fury (-1) Ali's Carpet (-2) Dmnd Suit (-15) Total: -51 Geomancer (spellcaster): (all of the above) Staff of Gods (-2) Total: -53 Spellcaster: Staff of Gods (-2) Titan Bracers (-10) Sorcerer's Hood** (-3) Mages Gloves (-4) Shield Ring* (-2) Wand of Fury (-1) Ali's Carpet (-2) Elf Cloak (-2) Total: -26 Rogue: Heartseeker Dragonshield (-4) Titan Bracers (-10) Thieves Hood (-4) Leather Gloves (-1) Shield Ring* (-2) Ali's Carpet (-2) Elf Cloak (-3) Total: -26 Bard: Strifespear Tung Shield (-7) Dmnd Plate (-8) Admt Helm (-3), Minstrels Glove (-7) Cli Lyre (-5) Shield Ring* (-2) Ali's Carpet (-2) Bard Bow (-2) Total: -36 Paladin: Stoneblade Tung Shield (-7) Tung Plate (-12) Titan Helm (-5) Wargloves (-4) Shield Ring* (-2) Wand of Fury (-1) Ali's Carpet (-2) Dmnd Suit (-15) Total: -48 Hunter: Hunter Blade (-3) Dmnd Shield (-5) Mthr Suit (-10) Titan Helm (-5) Admt Gloves (-3) Eelskin Tunic (-4) Shield Ring* (-2) Steady Eye (-4) Stealth Arrows (-2) Total: -38 Monk: Buckler (-1) Mthr Chain (-4) Mthr Helm (-2) Leather Gloves (-1) Tao Ring (-5) Ali's Carpet (-2) Elf Cloak (-3) Total: -18 * You can substitute an Angel's Ring or Tesla Ring for a Shield Ring. ** You can substitute a Wizhelm for a Sorcerer's Hood. Sample (optimal) end-game equipment. Warrior Crown of Truth (-10) vs Titan Helm (-5) Total: -56 Geomancer (fighter) Ferofist's Helm (-7) vs Titan Helm (-5) Wand of Power (-3) vs Wand of Fury (-1) Total: -55 Bard Werra's Shield (-8) vs Tung Shield (-7) Total: -37 Rogue Helm of Justice (-9) vs Thieves Hood (-4) Sceadu's Cloak (-12) vs Titan Bracers (-10) Valarian's Bow (-4) Total: -37 Geomancer (spellcaster) Total: -51 Archmage Total: -26 Chronomancer Sphere of Lanatir (-5) vs Ali's Carpet (-2) Nospin Ring vs Shield Ring (-2) Total: -27 Assuming an innate AC 3 (maximum Dexterity) for everyone, that results in: -50 Warrior -50 Geomancer (fighter) -34 Bard -34 Rogue -48 Geomancer (spellcaster) -23 Archmage -24 Chronomancer After YMCA (-2) and Minstrel Shield (-15), that gives: -50 Warrior -50 Geomancer -50 Bard -50 Rogue -50 Geomancer -40 Archmage -41 Chronomancer (If I wanted to go to the extra trouble, SHSH gives -4 which is -2 better than YMCA.) Note: Even though we're not equipping the Belt of Alliria, don't leave it behind since it's required to finish Malefia. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 2.2 - Key --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here's how to read the table. The table has the following columns: Name - Duh. File index - Index into the 256-element inventory array. Item type - Weapon, Shield, Armor, Helm, Gloves, Instrument, Figurine, Ring, Wand, Accessory, Bow, Arrows, Container, Cloak. Weapon effect - If applicable: Poison, Possess, Stone, Critical Hit. Armor class - The amount your armor class is lowered while equipped. Class restriction - Warrior, Conjurer, Archmage, Rogue, Bard, Paladin, Hunter, Monk. (see explanation) Max # of uses - If a usable item has no maximum number of uses, it may be used infinitely many times. Use effect - Effect that happens when you use the item. (see explanation) Equip effect - Effect that happens when you equip the item. (see explanation) Class restriction: I've lumped Conjurer, Magician, Sorceror, and Wizard all into the label "Conjurer". I've also lumped Archmage, Chronomancer, and Geomancer into the label "Archmage". That's how the game works. The only real difference it makes is the Dmnd Staff and Mages Cloak and Staff of Mangar may not be equipped by a pre-Archmage (or pre-Chronomancer). Geomancer may equip/use anything a Warrior and an Archmage may equip/use. Use effect: The only effects that need are not self-explanatory are "torch?" and "lamp?". That's because I don't know what the difference is, but the game seems to think there is one. The effect "scenario" means that the item triggers an event. Equip effect: There's a chart after the item listing that explains equip effects. Note that most of the entries are marked "Unknown" because I don't know what they do. These effects are triggered at the time a character equips the item. The only non duration effect here is that of the Sorcerer's Hood and Angel Ring. If you equip them on a dead character, the character will be resurrected and the item consumed. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 2.3 Item listing, alphabetical order --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Item data taken from the version for the Apple. Acorn [75] a-Acc WCARBPHM 1/use heal 8 hp Admt Bracers [3c] 3-Armr AC - 6 -CAR---- Admt Chain [39] 3-Armr AC - 5 W---BPH- Admt Gloves [33] 5-Glov AC - 3 W----P-- Admt Helm [32] 4-Helm AC - 3 W--RBPH- Admt Plate [3b] 3-Armr AC - 7 W----PH- Admt Shield [31] 2-Shld AC - 4 W--RBPH- Admt Sword [30] 1-Weap W--RBPH- Ag's Arrows [48] c-Arws W----PH- 10/uses range-atk Ali's Carpet [36] a-Acc AC - 2 WCARBPHM 50/uses casts Male Angel's Harp [d2] 6-Inst AC - 2 ----B--- 5/uses casts Regn Angel's Ring [b9] 8-Ring AC - 2 WCARBPHM Eff: 14 Angra's Eye [66] a-Acc -CA-BP-- 7/uses casts Basp Aram's Knife [65] 1-Weap W----PH- 30/uses range-atk Arefolia [7a] a-Acc WCARBPHM 1/use casts Gill Arrows [16] c-Arws W--RBPHM 24/uses range-atk Arws of Life [7c] c-Arws W--RBPHM 24/uses range-atk Bard Bow [4a] b-Bow AC - 2 ----B--- Bardsword [1d] 1-Weap ----B--- Eff: 5 Belt of Alliria [88] a-Acc WCARBPHM event Black Arrows [9f] a-Acc W--RBPHM 24/uses range-atk Black Lens [72] WCARBPHM event Blood Mesh Robe [c9] 3-Armr AC - 4 -CA----- Blue Rose [92] a-Acc WCARBPHM event Bolt [a7] a-Acc WCARBPHM event Boomerang [35] a-Acc W--RB--M range-atk Breath Ring [52] 8-Ring WCARBPHM Eff: 10 Broadsword [ 3] 1-Weap W---BPHM Brothers Fgn [69] 7-Fgn WCARBPHM 1/use casts Brkr Buckler [ a] 2-Shld AC - 1 W--RBPHM Canteen [7d] d-Cont WCARBPHM 10/uses drink/use Chain Mail [ d] 3-Armr AC - 3 W---BPHM Cli Lyre [de] 6-Inst AC - 5 ----B--- 15/uses breath Conjurstaff [4e] 1-Weap AC - 2 -CA----- Eff: 4 Crown of Truth [87] 4-Helm AC -10 W----PH- Crystal Gem [dc] a-Acc -CA----- 3/uses sp-restore Crystal Key [89] a-Acc WCARBPHM event Crystal Lens [70] WCARBPHM event Crystal Sword [59] 1-Weap W---BPH- Dagger [ 5] 1-Weap WCARBPHM Dayblade [2c] 1-Weap W---BPH- 80/uses casts Lere Death Fgn [be] 7-Fgn WCARBPHM 1/use summon Death Hammer [c8] 1-Weap AC - 1 W------- Death Stars [3a] 1-Weap ------H- 4/uses range-atk Deathdrum [5d] 6-Inst AC - 2 ----B--- 10/uses casts Dest Deathhorn [ba] 6-Inst ----B--- 30/uses breath Eff: 6 Deathring [58] 8-Ring AC - 1 W----PH- 64/uses casts Ande Divine Halbard [8e] 1-Weap AC - 1 W----PHM Dmnd Bracers [bd] 3-Armr AC - 8 -CAR---- Dmnd Flail [d6] 1-Weap W----P-- Dmnd Helm [4b] 4-Helm AC - 4 W----PH- Dmnd Plate [54] 3-Armr AC - 8 W---BP-- Dmnd Scale [b5] 3-Armr AC - 7 W---BPH- Dmnd Shield [49] 2-Shld AC - 5 W---BPH- Dmnd Staff [db] 1-Weap AC - 1 --A----- Eff: 13 Dmnd Suit [d5] e-Clk AC -15 W----P-- Dozer Fgn [38] 7-Fgn WCARBPHM 1/use summon Dragon Fgn [62] 7-Fgn WCARBPHM 1/use summon Dragonshield [53] 2-Shld AC - 4 W--RBPH- 20/uses breath Dragonwand [57] 9-Wand -CA----- 35/uses breath Dynamite [6a] a-Acc WCARBPHM 1/use casts Mama Eelskin Tunic [d9] 6-Inst AC - 4 ------H- Elf Boots [4c] a-Acc WCARBPHM Elf Cloak [2e] e-Clk AC - 3 -CAR---M Eternal Torch [b7] a-Acc WCARBPHM torch? Familiar Fgn [cc] 7-Fgn --A----- summon Eff: 13 Ferofist's Helm [99] 4-Helm AC - 7 W----PH- event Fin's Flute [29] 6-Inst AC - 2 ----B--- Fire Horn [1e] 6-Inst ----B--- 50/uses breath Fire Spear [81] 1-Weap W--RBPHM 1/use range-atk Firebrand [83] 1-Weap Poss AC - 1 W--RBPH- Flame Horn [5b] 6-Inst ----B--- 60/uses breath Flame Knife [af] 1-Weap AC - 1 ---R---- 20/uses casts Flco Flame Sword [50] 1-Weap AC - 1 W----PH- Flare Crystal [f3] a-Acc -CA----- 5/uses sp-restore Frost Horn [47] 6-Inst ----B--- 65/uses breath Galt's Flute [46] 6-Inst ----B--- 88/uses casts Wihe Galvanic Oboe [c2] 6-Inst ----B--- 5/uses casts Wizw Eff: 5 Gauntlets [13] 5-Glov AC - 1 W----PH- Giant Fgn [1b] 7-Fgn WCARBPHM 1/use summon Gods' Blade [f5] 1-Weap AC - 5 W----P-- Halbard [ 7] 1-Weap W----PHM Hammer of Wrath [98] 1-Weap W----P-- event Harmonic Gem [c3] a-Acc -CA----- 1/use sp-restore Hawkblade [2f] 1-Weap W---BPH- Heartseeker [b1] 1-Weap Crit AC - 2 ---R---- Eff: 10 Helm [11] 4-Helm AC - 1 W--RBPHM Helm of Justice [9c] 4-Helm AC - 9 ---R---- Eff: 8 Herb Fgn [67] 7-Fgn WCARBPHM 1/use casts Herb Holy Avenger [ac] 1-Weap AC - 4 -----P-- casts Grre Holy Handgrenade [6d] a-Acc WCARBPHM 1/use casts Mama Holy Missile [f4] 1-Weap W--RBPHM 1/use range-atk Holy Sword [84] 1-Weap AC - 2 -----P-- casts Grre Holy TNT [b6] a-Acc WCARBPHM 2/uses casts Mama Horn of Gods [f8] 6-Inst ----B--- 25/uses breath Hourglass [cd] a-Acc -CA----- 2/uses casts Stun Hunter Blade [f6] 1-Weap AC - 3 ------H- Hunters Cloak [c7] 3-Armr AC - 8 ------H- I-ching [90] a-Acc -------M 25/uses casts Scsi Incense [8f] a-Acc -------M 3/uses casts Regn Kael's Axe [2a] 1-Weap Pois W---BPH- 1/use range-atk Kali's Garrote [ae] 1-Weap AC - 1 ---R---- Eff: 8 Kato's bracer [44] a-Acc -CAR---- Eff: 9 Lamp [ 2] WCARBPHM 1/use lamp? Leather Armor [ c] 3-Armr AC - 2 W--RBPHM Leather Gloves [12] 5-Glov AC - 1 WCARBPHM Left Key [a4] a-Acc WCARBPHM event Lever [a5] a-Acc WCARBPHM event Lightstar [86] a-Acc ------H- 1/use range-atk Litewand [1f] a-Acc -CA----- 80/uses casts Lere Long Bow [ 8] b-Bow W--RBPHM Luckshield [37] 2-Shld AC - 3 W--RBPH- Eff: 6 Mage Fgn [63] 7-Fgn WCARBPHM 1/use summon Mage Staff [3f] 1-Weap AC - 2 -CA----- Eff: 2 Mages Cloak [cb] 3-Armr AC - 4 --A----- 10/uses casts Basp Mages Gloves [f2] 5-Glov AC - 4 -CA----- Magic Triangle [96] a-Acc WCARBPHM event Mandolin [14] 6-Inst ----B--- Master Wand [68] 9-Wand -CA----- 11/uses casts Nila Masterkey [6e] a-Acc WCARBPHM Eff: 11 Minstrels Glove [c6] 5-Glov AC - 7 ----B--- Misercorde [ab] 1-Weap AC - 3 ---R---- casts Grre Molten Fgn [26] 7-Fgn WCARBPHM 1/use summon Mthr Arrows [2b] c-Arws W--RBPHM 10/uses range-atk Mthr Axe [23] 1-Weap W---BPHM 1/use range-atk Mthr Bracers [1c] 3-Armr AC - 4 -CAR---- Mthr Chain [19] 3-Armr AC - 4 W---BPHM Mthr Dagger [20] 1-Weap WCARBPHM Mthr Gloves [22] 5-Glov AC - 2 W---BP-- Mthr Helm [21] 4-Helm AC - 2 W--RBPHM Mthr Plate [25] 3-Armr AC - 6 W----PH- Mthr Scale [1a] 3-Armr AC - 5 W--RBPH- Mthr Shield [18] 2-Shld AC - 3 W--RBPH- Mthr Suit [f0] 3-Armr AC -10 W----PH- Mthr Sword [17] 1-Weap W--RBPH- Nightspear [77] 1-Weap W--RBPHM range-atk Nospin Ring [6f] 8-Ring WCARBPHM Eff: 3 Nut [a6] a-Acc WCARBPHM event Ogrewand [43] 9-Wand -CA----- 88/uses casts Wigi Oscon's Staff [b8] 1-Weap Pois AC - 3 -CA----- 10/uses casts Ston Eff: 13 Pipes of Pan [5e] 6-Inst AC - 2 ----B--- casts Grre Plate Armor [ f] 3-Armr AC - 5 W----PH- Poison Dagger [c0] 1-Weap Pois AC - 1 ---R---- Power Ring [5f] 8-Ring -CA---H- 17/uses casts Magm Powerstaff [51] 1-Weap WCARBP-- 51/uses casts Sowh Pure Shield [3e] 2-Shld AC - 5 -----P-- Pureblade [34] 1-Weap -----P-- Purple Heart [d7] a-Acc WCARBPHM 10/uses casts Rest Rainbow Rose [95] a-Acc WCARBPHM event Red Rose [93] a-Acc WCARBPHM event Red's Stilleto [b0] 1-Weap AC - 2 ---R---- casts Hafo Right Key [a3] a-Acc WCARBPHM event Robes [10] 3-Armr AC - 1 WCARBPHM Scale Armor [ e] 3-Armr AC - 4 W---BPH- Sceadu's Cloak [9d] 3-Armr AC -12 ---R---- event Shadelance [9e] 1-Weap W----PH- casts Nila Shadow Door [aa] a-Acc WCARBPHM event Shadow Lock [a9] a-Acc WCARBPHM event Shadowshiv [ad] 1-Weap ---R---- Eff: 6 Sheetmusic [a2] a-Acc WCARBPHM event Shield Ring [28] 8-Ring AC - 2 WCARBPHM Shield Staff [2d] 1-Weap AC - 2 WCARBPHM Short Sword [ 4] 1-Weap W--RBPHM Shrill Flute [d1] 6-Inst AC - 2 ----B--- 5/uses casts Fafo Shuriken [24] a-Acc W--RB-HM 1/use range-atk Slayer Fgn [3d] 7-Fgn WCARBPHM 1/use summon Smokey Lens [71] WCARBPHM event Song Axe [60] 1-Weap AC - 3 ----B--- range-atk Eff: 5 Soothing Balm [ca] a-Acc WCARBPHM 5/uses casts Regn Sorcerer's Hood [da] 4-Helm AC - 3 -CA----- casts Magm Eff: 14 Sorcerstaff [45] 1-Weap AC - 2 -CA----- 80/uses casts Diil Soul Mace [42] 1-Weap Poss W---BPH- Spanner [a8] a-Acc WCARBPHM event Spark Blade [c1] 1-Weap AC - 2 W------- casts Shsp Spear [15] 1-Weap W--RBPHM 1/use range-atk Speedboots [5a] a-Acc W--RBPHM Eff: 7 Spell Spear [27] 1-Weap W--RBPHM 1/use range-atk Sphere of Lanatir [73] a-Acc AC - 5 -CA----- event Staff [ 9] 1-Weap WCARBPHM Staff of Gods [f7] 1-Weap AC - 2 -CA----- 10/uses casts Jobo Eff: 12 Staff of Lor [4f] 1-Weap -CA----M 35/uses casts Rest Staff of Mangar [bb] 1-Weap Poss AC - 4 --A----- Eff: 4 Steady Eye [8d] a-Acc AC - 4 ------H- Stealth Arrows [8b] c-Arws AC - 2 ------H- 24/uses range-atk Stoneblade [6c] 1-Weap Ston W----PH- Strifespear [a1] 1-Weap Crit W---BPH- casts Fade Surehand Amulet [cf] a-Acc ---R---- Eff: 6 Tao Ring [8a] 8-Ring AC - 5 -------M casts Levi Tesla Ring [bc] 8-Ring AC - 2 -CA----- 25/uses casts Wizw The Book [d3] a-Acc -----P-- 4/uses casts Disp Thief Dagger [41] 1-Weap ---R---- Eff: 8 Thieves Dart [d0] a-Acc ---R---- 1/use breath Thieves Hood [ce] 4-Helm AC - 4 ---R---- casts Invi Eff: 8 Thor's Hammer [6b] 1-Weap W----P-- range-atk Eff: 1 Thunder Sword [bf] 1-Weap AC - 2 ----B--- casts Grre Titan Bracers [d8] 3-Armr AC -10 -CAR---- Titan Helm [80] 4-Helm AC - 5 W----PH- Titan Plate [7e] 3-Armr AC -10 W----P-- Titan Shield [7f] 2-Shld AC - 6 W---BP-- Titan Suit [f1] 3-Armr AC -15 W------- Torch [ 1] WCARBPHM 1/use torch? Tower Shield [ b] 2-Shld AC - 2 W---BPH- Trick Brick [61] a-Acc -CA----- 30/uses casts Ices Troll Ring [64] 8-Ring WCARBPHM Eff: 1 Troth Lance [d4] 1-Weap AC - 1 W----PH- Tslotha's Head [78] a-Acc WCARBPHM Tslotha's Heart [79] a-Acc WCARBPHM event Tung Plate [c5] 3-Armr AC -12 W----P-- Tung Shield [c4] 2-Shld AC - 7 W---BP-- Valarian's Bow [7b] b-Bow AC - 4 W--RBPHM event Vanquisher Fgn [4d] 7-Fgn ----B--- 1/use summon Wand of Force [dd] 9-Wand -CA----- 10/uses casts Fota Wand of Fury [85] 9-Wand AC - 1 -CA----- 10/uses breath Wand of Power [74] 9-Wand AC - 3 -CA----- casts Grsu War Axe [ 6] 1-Weap W---BPHM 1/use range-atk War Staff [40] 1-Weap WCARBPHM Wargloves [55] 5-Glov AC - 4 W----P-- Werra's Shield [a0] 2-Shld AC - 8 W---BPH- event Eff: 10 White Rose [91] a-Acc WCARBPHM event Willow Flute [82] 6-Inst AC - 2 ----B--- 5/uses casts Wizw Wineskin [76] d-Cont WCARBPHM 10/uses drink/use Wizhelm [56] 4-Helm AC - 3 -CA----- 25/uses casts Wizw Yellow Rose [94] a-Acc WCARBPHM event Yellow Staff [8c] 1-Weap AC - 4 -CA----- Eff: 2 Youth Potion [df] a-Acc WCARBPHM 10/uses casts Olay Zen Arrows [5c] c-Arws W--RBPHM 10/uses range-atk Effect 1: Regenerates HP. Effect 2: Regenerates SP. Effect 3: Party not affected by spinners. Effect 4: Spells consume 1/2 spell points. Effect 5: Unlimited bard songs. Effect 6: (?) Increases chance to Hit? Effect 7: (?) Increases chance to Run? Effect 8: (?) Increases chance to Hide in Shadows? Effect 9: Unknown Effect 10: (?) Protection from breath attacks? Effect 11: (?) Opens anything? Effect 12: Spells consume 1/4 spell points Effect 13: Regenerates SP... and? Effect 14: Resurrects a dead character --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 2.4 Estimated melee damage, alphabetical order --------------------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER: These are rough estimates, not accurate predictions! Even if the estimates are incorrect, these numbers give a good prediction of which weapons do more damage than others. Admt Sword [30] W--RBPH- Melee-dam: 6-12 Aram's Knife [65] W----PH- Melee-dam: 6-12 Bardsword [1d] ----B--- Melee-dam: 6-20 Broadsword [ 3] W---BPHM Melee-dam: 2-8 Conjurstaff [4e] -CA----- Melee-dam: 5-14 Crystal Sword [59] W---BPH- Melee-dam: 7-49 Dagger [ 5] WCARBPHM Melee-dam: 1-2 Dayblade [2c] W---BPH- Melee-dam: 4-25 Death Hammer [c8] W------- Melee-dam: 13-69 Death Stars [3a] ------H- Melee-dam: 1-2 Divine Halbard [8e] W----PHM Melee-dam: 12-75 Dmnd Flail [d6] W----P-- Melee-dam: 13-69 Dmnd Staff [db] --A----- Melee-dam: 10-34 Fire Spear [81] W--RBPHM Melee-dam: 11-67 Firebrand [83] W--RBPH- Melee-dam: 13-76 Flame Knife [af] ---R---- Melee-dam: 22-162 Flame Sword [50] W----PH- Melee-dam: 7-49 Gods' Blade [f5] W----P-- Melee-dam: 45-325 Halbard [ 7] W----PHM Melee-dam: 2-16 Hammer of Wrath [98] W----P-- Melee-dam: 8-64 Hawkblade [2f] W---BPH- Melee-dam: 4-25 Heartseeker [b1] ---R---- Melee-dam: 6-9 Holy Avenger [ac] -----P-- Melee-dam: 37-261 Holy Missile [f4] W--RBPHM Melee-dam: 1-2 Holy Sword [84] -----P-- Melee-dam: 12-68 Hunter Blade [f6] ------H- Melee-dam: 85-645 Kael's Axe [2a] W---BPH- Melee-dam: 7-22 Kali's Garrote [ae] ---R---- Melee-dam: 43-323 Mage Staff [3f] -CA----- Melee-dam: 3-24 Misercorde [ab] ---R---- Melee-dam: 55-391 Mthr Axe [23] W---BPHM Melee-dam: 4-10 Mthr Dagger [20] WCARBPHM Melee-dam: 3-4 Mthr Sword [17] W--RBPH- Melee-dam: 4-10 Nightspear [77] W--RBPHM Melee-dam: 13-83 Oscon's Staff [b8] -CA----- Melee-dam: 7-35 Poison Dagger [c0] ---R---- Melee-dam: 9-51 Powerstaff [51] WCARBP-- Melee-dam: 4-25 Pureblade [34] -----P-- Melee-dam: 6-48 Red's Stilleto [b0] ---R---- Melee-dam: 68-516 Shadelance [9e] W----PH- Melee-dam: 1-2 Shadowshiv [ad] ---R---- Melee-dam: 7-49 Shield Staff [2d] WCARBPHM Melee-dam: 3-17 Short Sword [ 4] W--RBPHM Melee-dam: 1-8 Song Axe [60] ----B--- Melee-dam: 1-2 Sorcerstaff [45] -CA----- Melee-dam: 6-15 Soul Mace [42] W---BPH- Melee-dam: 5-19 Spark Blade [c1] W------- Melee-dam: 11-67 Spear [15] W--RBPHM Melee-dam: 1-8 Spell Spear [27] W--RBPHM Melee-dam: 4-18 Staff [ 9] WCARBPHM Melee-dam: 1-8 Staff of Gods [f7] -CA----- Melee-dam: 13-43 Staff of Lor [4f] -CA----M Melee-dam: 6-21 Staff of Mangar [bb] --A----- Melee-dam: 10-66 Stoneblade [6c] W----PH- Melee-dam: 4-5 Strifespear [a1] W---BPH- Melee-dam: 6-7 Thief Dagger [41] ---R---- Melee-dam: 1-1 Thor's Hammer [6b] W----P-- Melee-dam: 10-66 Thunder Sword [bf] ----B--- Melee-dam: 12-68 Troth Lance [d4] W----PH- Melee-dam: 37-261 War Axe [ 6] W---BPHM Melee-dam: 2-8 War Staff [40] WCARBPHM Melee-dam: 4-32 Yellow Staff [8c] -CA----- Melee-dam: 9-30 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 3 Item drop guide --------------------------------------------------------------------------- As one of the other FAQs comments, starting from scratch in Bard's Tale 3 is unbelievably tedious not only because you'll want to get your eventual Archmage up to level 13 in each of the early classes (Conjurer, Magician, Sorcerer, Wizard) before defeating Brilhasti ap Tarj, but also because it takes a long time to collect your equipment and there's no equipment stores anywhere in the game. This takes a very long time if you don't either have characters to import from other games or don't have strong items and/or buff characters to help with leveling. For a quick start, give Shadelances and Stoneblades to fighters, Heartseekers to rogues, and Conjurstaff or Staff of Mangar or Staff of the Gods to spellcasters. I'll travel through each area of the game noting what items to be on the look out for and which classes they'll be for. I'll mark items that I would upgrade to (i.e. dump your Scale Armor in favor of Plate Armor) and items that are the best of its type for each class (Titan Suit is the best armor for warriors). I'm only listing obvious upgrades. Not all items have an obvious upgrade, so if you don't see an item in this listing, you may still want to check the item list to see if you want to keep it or not, especially if you don't already have an item of that type. I don't believe any item has a negative effect. Warriors and paladins can equip almost all the same items. In the 1st half of the game, paladins get Pureblades and Pure Shields. In the 2nd half of the game, warriors get Titan Suits. The only worthwhile spellcaster equipment that cannot be equipped by the early classes (conjurors, magicians, sorcerers, wizards) is the Staff of Mangar which won't spawn until Gelidia which means you'll already have your Archmage and your Chronomancer, so it doesn't really matter. Remember, a geomancers can equip anything that either warrior or a spellcaster can equip (but not the exclusively paladin equipment). The only disadvantage I know of to upgrading a warrior or a paladin to a geomancer is that your character goes back at level 1 again and hence will take a rather long time to build up the spell resistance and penetration that a high level character has. ----- 3.0 - Drop areas ----- There are eight distinct divisions in the game defining where items may spawn. To start off, all droppable items spawn in the Malefia division. The eight areas are roughly: Skara Brae, Catacombs, Unterbrae, Arboria, Gelidia, Lucencia/Kinestia, Tenebrosia/Tarmitia, Malefia. I say "roughly" because, often, the last level of one dimension spawns items belonging to the next dimension. For example, the deepest floor of Unterbrae drops like Arboria, the deepest level of Kinestia drops like Tenebrosia/Tarmitia, and the last level of Tarmitia drops like Malefia. Outside of Malefia, most items spawn only in one or two areas. There are a few exceptions to this, the most notable being the Harmonic Gem which spawns everywhere except for Skara Brae (and the wilderness). It's also useful to know that Wineskins and Canteens spawn in all areas. ----- 3.1 - Skara Brae ----- This division includes both the city and the wilderness outside. There's not much point to finding items in Skara Brae unless you're starting from absolute scratch. The Catacombs drop much better items than the ones you'll find here. Weapon Halbard: Warrior/paladins/hunter's upgrade. Monks can use them too. Shield Tower Shield: Upgrade for everyone except for spellcasters and monks. Armor Plate Armor: Warrior/paladin/hunter's upgrade. ----- 3.2 - Catacombs ----- This division includes the Catacombs and appears to also include the 1st floor of Unterbrae. Weapon Bardsword: Bard's upgrade. First item that gives unlimited songs. Shadowshiv: Rogue's upgrade. Shield Staff: Spellcaster's upgrade. Armor Mthr Bracers: Spellcaster's upgrade. Rogue can use them too. Mthr Chain: Monk's best. Mthr Scale: Rogue's upgrade. Mthr Plate: Warrior/paladin/hunter's upgrade. Helm Mthr Helm: Upgrade for everyone except spellcasters. Monk's best. Shield Mthr Shield: Upgrade for everyone except spellcasters and monks. Gloves Mthr Gloves: Warrior/bard/paladin's upgrade. Instrument Fin's Flute: Bard's upgrade. Ring Shield Ring: Everyone's first. Only monks have an obvious ring upgrade after this. Cloak Elf Cloak: Spellcaster/rogue/monk's best (and only). If you figure out what a Shadowshiv does when equipped, I'd like to know. Every weapon found here, except for the Mthr Dagger, is an improvement over the Short Sword and the Broadsword. The Dayblade and Kael's Axe are a fighter's weapon upgrade of choice here. These two do about the same damage on average. Usable by warriors, bards, paladins, and hunters. Given a choice, bards should go with the Bardsword for the unlimited songs ability. Given that geomancers count as spellcasters, I tend to save my extra Elf Cloaks for them (until you find Dmnd Suits for them, that is). ----- 3.3 - Unterbrae ----- As noted above, the 1st floor of Unterbrae drops like the Catacombs. Therefore, this division starts on the 2nd floor of Unterbrae. These items all drop in Arboria as well (but not in Gelidia), so feel free to move on when you're ready. Weapon Mage Staff: Spellcaster's upgrade. Regenerates SP. Pureblade: Paladin's upgrade. Shield Admt Shield: Warrior/rogue/hunter's upgrade. Luckshield: If you can't find an Admt Shield, settle for a Luckshield. Pure Shield: Paladin's upgrade. Armor Admt Bracers: Spellcaster/rogue's upgrade. Admt Chain: Bard's upgrade. Admt Plate: Warrior/paladin/hunter's upgrade. Helm Admt Helm: Upgrade for everyone except spellcasters and monks. Gloves Admt Gloves: Warrior/paladin's upgrade. Accessory Ali's Carpet: Only normal accessory that improves AC except for the Steady Eye which only hunters can equip. If you figure out what a Thief Dagger or Luckshield or Kato's Bracer do when equipped, I'd like to know. The Luckshield has the same effect as a Shadowshiv. The Hawkblade and the War Staff are a fighter's weapon upgrade of choice here. Usable by warriors, paladins, and hunters. Paladins should upgrade to the Pureblade as that can do yet more damage. If you didn't find a Bardsword for you bard before, pick up a Song Axe here for the unlimited songs ability (but less damage than the Bardsword). The Song Axe does pitiful damage but can improve your AC. ----- 3.4 - Arboria ----- This division starts on the deepest floor of Unterbrae and includes all of Arboria. These items all drop in Gelidia as well. Weapon Conjurstaff: Spellcaster's upgrade. Spells consume half SP. Flame Knife: Rogue's upgrade. Stoneblade: Warrior/paladin/hunter critical-hit weapon. Shield Dmnd Shield: Warrior/bard/hunter's upgrade. Paladins can use it too. Dragonshield: Rogue's best. Armor Dmnd Plate: Warrior/paladin/hunter's upgrade. Helm Dmnd Helm: Warrior/paladin/hunter's upgrade. Wizhelm: Spellcaster's upgrade/best. Gloves Wargloves: Warrior/paladin's best. Ring Nospin Ring: Negates spinners. Anyone can equip it. You only need one party member to equip it to get the effect. Bow Bard Bow: Bard's best. Bards should probably stick with either the Bardsword or a Song Axe for the unlimited songs ability rather than upgrading to a weapon with higher damage. I don't see much point in upgrading past a Stoneblade. Sure, some of the later weapon improve AC, but I think critical hit ability is more important, especially given the massive amount of hit points that enemies have in the endgame. Later on, when hunters reach 99% in their critical hit ability, you may want to upgrade to weapons that improve AC. If your didn't get a Pure Shield before, paladins can also use the Dmnd Shield which is equivalent. Among the miscellaneous items found here are Troll Rings and Masterkeys. If you don't already have enough rings for everyone, you can equip a Troll Ring for its (very minor) HP regeneration ability. I'm not clear what ability a Masterkey gives. I'm testing the theory that the wearer is immune to traps on chests. Oh, the traps still go off, but I haven't been hurt by said traps while wearing a Masterkey. ----- 3.5 - Gelidia ----- Weapon Kali's Garrote: Rogue's upgrade. Staff of Mangar: Spellcaster's upgrade. Same effect as Conjurstaff. Shield Titan Shield: Warrior/bard/paladin's upgrade. Armor Dmnd Scale: Bard/hunter's upgrade. Titan Plate: Warrior/paladin's upgrade. Helm Titan Helm: Warrior/paladin/hunter's best. Ring Angel's Ring: Everyone's best (except for monks). Equipping on a dead character will consume the ring in order to resurrect him or her. Tao Ring: Monk's best. Wand Wand of Fury: Spellcaster's best. The only normal wand that improves AC when equipped. Accessory Steady Eye: Hunter's best. Arrows Stealth Arrows: Hunter's best. The only arrows that improve AC when equipped. If you figure out what Kali's Garrote or a Heartseeker (other than the critical hit ability) or Oscon's Staff or Deathhorn do when equipped, I'd like to know. If you didn't find a Fin's Flute for your bard before, pick up a Willow Flute here. Or, even better, pick up a Galvanic Oboe for unlimited songs and swap out your Bardsword or Song Axe for a stronger weapon such as a Thunder Sword. If you have any monks, you can find Tao Rings here for them (AC -5). However, by this point, I expect a monk's AC to already be at -50 (or very close), so it's not a big deal. I'd rather choose a ring that gives a special ability, especially a Nospin Ring. After Gelidia, you won't see Nospin Rings, Conjurstaffs, or Staff of Mangars until Malefia, so consider hanging out in either Arboria or Gelidia for a little bit longer. I usually seem to get at least one Conjurstaff over the course of completing Arboria and Gelidia. Nospin Rings seem to be fairly rare, so move on if you start getting impatient. For spellcasters that don't yet have a Conjurstaff or a Staff of Mangar, you can find Yellow Staffs and Oscon's Staffs here. They both provide the SP regeneration ability and are a direct upgrade from the Mage Staff. ----- 3.6 - Lucencia, Kinestia ----- This division starts in Lucencia and includes all of Kinestia except for the Sanctum. Armor Hunters Cloak: Hunter's upgrade. Tung Plate: Warrior's upgrade. Paladin's best. Shield Tung Shield: Warrior/bard/paladin's best. Helm Thieves Hood: Rogue's best. This is less useful than it would seem since we'll have the Helm of Justice in the endgame. Gloves Minstrels Glove: Bard's best. If you figure out what the Thieves Hood or the Surehand Amulet do when equipped, I'd like to know. Spellcasters upgrade to either the Blood Mesh Robe or the Mages Cloak. Both are armor. As for the miscellaneous items, you can find Familiar Fgns here. Equipping one on a spellcaster gives the SP regeneration ability. Figurines fall into their own category and therefore don't compete with wands or accessories. ----- 3.7 - Tenebrosia, Tarmitia ----- This division starts in the deepest level of Kinestia (the Sanctum) and includes all of Tenebrosia and all the warring states of Tarmitia but not the last level of Tarmitia (Tarmitia proper, so to speak). Weapon Misercorde: Rogue's upgrade. Armor Titan Bracers: Spellcaster/rogue's best. Rogues, however, will want to go with Sceadu's Cloak once you reach Malefia. Instrument: Eelskin Tunic: Hunter's best (and only). (How does it make any sense for a hunter to have an instrument?) Cloak Dmnd Suit: Geomancer's best. Warrior/paladin best (and only). If you don't have Wizhelms for your spellcasters, pick up Sorcerer's Hoods here. If your bard needs better AC, put on a Cli Lyre. If you want to keep the unlimited songs ability, stick with a Galvanic Oboe. This late in the game, the unlimited songs ability is less crucial given how many songs your bard can croak out before needing another drink. ----- 3.8 - Malefia ----- These are the cool items that drop here and nowhere else. This division includes the last level of Tarmitia (Tarmitia proper). Weapon Heartseeker: Rogue's critical-hit weapon. Hunter Blade: Hunter's best. Staff of Gods: Spellcaster's best. Spells consume quarter SP. Armor Mthr Suit: Hunter's best. Titan Suit: Warrior's best. (Note: Paladin's can't equip it.) Gloves Mages Gloves: Spellcaster's best. Since a hunter should have an innate 99% critical hit ability by now, I upgrade to a Hunter Blade for the improved AC. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 4 Ability discussion --------------------------------------------------------------------------- There are 14 differing abilities provided by equipping specific items. Some abilities affect the whole party while some effect only the individual equipping the item. (1) HP regeneration. In combat, this ability heals 1 HP/turn. Outside of combat, 1 HP is healed at regular intervals. Thor's Hammer [6b] 1-Weap W----P-- range-atk Troll Ring [64] 8-Ring WCARBPHM Both the Troll Ring and Thor's Hammer drop in Arboria and Gelidia. Given that the Stoneblade drops in the same areas, I would choose the Stoneblade for its critical-hit ability which becomes more and more important, as you progress into the 2nd half of the game. Front-row characters should probably stick with rings that improve AC. (2) SP regeneration. In combat this ability heals 1 SP/turn. Outside of combat, 1 SP is healed at regular intervals. Mage Staff [3f] 1-Weap AC - 2 -CA----- Yellow Staff [8c] 1-Weap AC - 4 -CA----- The Mage Staff drops in Unterbrae and Arboria, the Yellow Staff in Gelidia. I'd go with these only if I didn't have the Conjurstaff, the Staff of Mangar, or the Staff of Gods. (3) Negate spinners. Prevents spinners from affecting the party. Nospin Ring [6f] 8-Ring WCARBPHM The Nospin Ring drops in Arboria and Gelidia. Note: You only need to one character to equip a Nospin Ring to get its effect. (4) Half SP consumption. All spells consume half the normal SP amount, rounded down. This affects all spells in and out of combat, except when Trap Zap-ing a chest which consumes 2 SP no matter what. Conjurstaff [4e] 1-Weap AC - 2 -CA----- Staff of Mangar [bb] 1-Weap Poss AC - 4 --A----- Probably the single most useful spellcaster weapon until the Staff of Gods. Later in the game, I make sure to give one to a geomancer since they have such low SP capacity. The Conjurstaff drops in Arboria and Gelidia, the Staff of Mangar in Gelidia. (5) Unlimited bard songs. A bard with this ability gets all of his/her songs for free. Bardsword [1d] 1-Weap ----B--- Galvanic Oboe [c2] 6-Inst ----B--- 5/uses casts Wizw Song Axe [60] 1-Weap AC - 3 ----B--- range-atk The Bardsword drops in the Catacombs, the Song Axe in Arboria and Gelidia, the Galvanic Oboe in Gelidia. The Bardsword does good damage early in the game, whereas the Song Axe does only piddling damage. The Song Axe makes up for this difference by improving your AC. Since I kept my bard in the back-row, the Song Axe's poor damage didn't matter. (6) Unknown-- improves chance to hit? I've read that, in Bard's Tale (1), the Luckshield improves chances to hit. I've never noticed much difference. Deathhorn [ba] 6-Inst ----B--- 30/uses breath Luckshield [37] 2-Shld AC - 3 W--RBPH- Shadowshiv [ad] 1-Weap ---R---- Surehand Amulet [cf] a-Acc ---R---- The Shadowshiv drops in the Catacombs, the Luckshield in Unterbrae and Arboria, the Deathhorn in Gelidia, the Surehand Amulet in Lucencia and Kinestia. (7) Unknown-- improves party's chance to flee? I've read that Speedboots improve a party's chance to flee an encounter. Though entirely believable, I never spent the time to verify this. Speedboots [5a] a-Acc W--RBPHM Speedboots drop in Arboria and Gelidia. (8) Unknown-- improves chance to Hide in Shadows? I've read that the, in Bard's Tale (1), the Thief Dagger improves a rogue's chance to Hide. Though entirely believable, it's rather hard for me to verify given that beating Brilhasti ap Tarj sends the entire party up to level 36 (unless you managed to accidentally disable this event-- hey, I've done it) and a level 36 rogue is close to perfect at his/her Hide in Shadows ability. Helm of Justice [9c] 4-Helm AC - 9 ---R---- Kali's Garrote [ae] 1-Weap AC - 1 ---R---- Thief Dagger [41] 1-Weap ---R---- Thieves Hood [ce] 4-Helm AC - 4 ---R---- casts Invi The Thief Dagger drops in Unterbrae and Arboria, Kali's Garrote in Gelidia, the Thieves Hood in Lucencia and Kinestia. (9) Unknown Whatever the bonus is, I don't think it's mere a spellcaster bonus since a rogue can equip it. Kato's bracer [44] a-Acc -CAR---- Kato's bracer drops in Unterbrae and Arboria. (10) Unknown-- decreases damage taken from breath attacks? I've read that, in Bard's Tale (1), the Breath Ring decreases damage taken from breath attacks. Though believable, I've never tried to verify it and I'm not even sure how I would go about verifying it. Breath Ring [52] 8-Ring WCARBPHM Heartseeker [b1] 1-Weap Crit AC - 2 ---R---- Werra's Shield [a0] 2-Shld AC - 8 W---BPH- event The Breath Ring drops in Arboria and Gelidia, the Heartseeker only in the Malefia division. (11) Unknown The theory I'm testing now is that the Masterkey allows me to open trapped chests without taking any hurt from the traps I spring when doing so. Masterkey [6e] a-Acc WCARBPHM The Masterkey drops in Arboria and Gelidia. (12) Quarter SP consumption All spells consume quarter the normal SP amount, rounded down. This affects all spells in and out of combat, except when Trap Zap-ing a chest which consumes 2 SP no matter what. Staff of Gods [f7] 1-Weap AC - 2 -CA----- 10/uses casts Jobo The Staff of Gods drops only in the Malefia division. The best of the spellcaster equipment. To see why this is I say this, think about a NUKE that costs less than 40 SP. Better yet, think about two NUKEs together costing less than 80 SP. Some enemies in Malefia take as many as four NUKEs to take down. (13) SP regeneration-- and more? These items each give the SP regeneration ability. Because the game treats separately from the Mage Staff and the Yellow Staff, I figure it's because they also give some extra bonus. I checked my SP consumption and, unfortunately, no, said extra bonus is not decreased SP consumption (wouldn't that be great?). Dmnd Staff [db] 1-Weap AC - 1 --A----- Familiar Fgn [cc] 7-Fgn --A----- summon Oscon's Staff [b8] 1-Weap Pois AC - 3 -CA----- 10/uses casts Ston Oscon's Staff drops in Gelidia, the Familiar Fgn in Lucencia and Kinestia, the Dmnd Staff in Tenebrosia and Tarmitia. Don't use the figurine, equip it. (14) Resurrection The resurrection ability works differently than all the other abilities. Instead of providing a passive benefit like all the rest, these items provide their benefit only at the time they are equipped. When equipped on a dead character, these items will resurrect said character and then disappear. Note: These items do not prevent a character from dying and also do not automatically resurrect a dead character. To trigger the ability on the wearer that just died, simply unequip and re-equip the item. Angel's Ring [b9] 8-Ring AC - 2 WCARBPHM Sorcerer's Hood [da] 4-Helm AC - 3 -CA----- casts Magm The Angel's Ring drops in Gelidia, the Sorcerer's Hood in Tenebrosia and Tarmitia. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Appendices --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Appendix A - Item listing, file order --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Item data taken from the version for the Apple. [ 0] [ 1] Torch WCARBPHM 1/use torch? [ 2] Lamp WCARBPHM 1/use lamp? [ 3] Broadsword 1-Weap W---BPHM [ 4] Short Sword 1-Weap W--RBPHM [ 5] Dagger 1-Weap WCARBPHM [ 6] War Axe 1-Weap W---BPHM 1/use range-atk [ 7] Halbard 1-Weap W----PHM [ 8] Long Bow b-Bow W--RBPHM [ 9] Staff 1-Weap WCARBPHM [ a] Buckler 2-Shld AC - 1 W--RBPHM [ b] Tower Shield 2-Shld AC - 2 W---BPH- [ c] Leather Armor 3-Armr AC - 2 W--RBPHM [ d] Chain Mail 3-Armr AC - 3 W---BPHM [ e] Scale Armor 3-Armr AC - 4 W---BPH- [ f] Plate Armor 3-Armr AC - 5 W----PH- [10] Robes 3-Armr AC - 1 WCARBPHM [11] Helm 4-Helm AC - 1 W--RBPHM [12] Leather Gloves 5-Glov AC - 1 WCARBPHM [13] Gauntlets 5-Glov AC - 1 W----PH- [14] Mandolin 6-Inst ----B--- [15] Spear 1-Weap W--RBPHM 1/use range-atk [16] Arrows c-Arws W--RBPHM 24/uses range-atk [17] Mthr Sword 1-Weap W--RBPH- [18] Mthr Shield 2-Shld AC - 3 W--RBPH- [19] Mthr Chain 3-Armr AC - 4 W---BPHM [1a] Mthr Scale 3-Armr AC - 5 W--RBPH- [1b] Giant Fgn 7-Fgn WCARBPHM 1/use summon [1c] Mthr Bracers 3-Armr AC - 4 -CAR---- [1d] Bardsword 1-Weap ----B--- Eff: 5 [1e] Fire Horn 6-Inst ----B--- 50/uses breath [1f] Litewand a-Acc -CA----- 80/uses casts Lere [20] Mthr Dagger 1-Weap WCARBPHM [21] Mthr Helm 4-Helm AC - 2 W--RBPHM [22] Mthr Gloves 5-Glov AC - 2 W---BP-- [23] Mthr Axe 1-Weap W---BPHM 1/use range-atk [24] Shuriken a-Acc W--RB-HM 1/use range-atk [25] Mthr Plate 3-Armr AC - 6 W----PH- [26] Molten Fgn 7-Fgn WCARBPHM 1/use summon [27] Spell Spear 1-Weap W--RBPHM 1/use range-atk [28] Shield Ring 8-Ring AC - 2 WCARBPHM [29] Fin's Flute 6-Inst AC - 2 ----B--- [2a] Kael's Axe 1-Weap Pois W---BPH- 1/use range-atk [2b] Mthr Arrows c-Arws W--RBPHM 10/uses range-atk [2c] Dayblade 1-Weap W---BPH- 80/uses casts Lere [2d] Shield Staff 1-Weap AC - 2 WCARBPHM [2e] Elf Cloak e-Clk AC - 3 -CAR---M [2f] Hawkblade 1-Weap W---BPH- [30] Admt Sword 1-Weap W--RBPH- [31] Admt Shield 2-Shld AC - 4 W--RBPH- [32] Admt Helm 4-Helm AC - 3 W--RBPH- [33] Admt Gloves 5-Glov AC - 3 W----P-- [34] Pureblade 1-Weap -----P-- [35] Boomerang a-Acc W--RB--M range-atk [36] Ali's Carpet a-Acc AC - 2 WCARBPHM 50/uses casts Male [37] Luckshield 2-Shld AC - 3 W--RBPH- Eff: 6 [38] Dozer Fgn 7-Fgn WCARBPHM 1/use summon [39] Admt Chain 3-Armr AC - 5 W---BPH- [3a] Death Stars 1-Weap ------H- 4/uses range-atk [3b] Admt Plate 3-Armr AC - 7 W----PH- [3c] Admt Bracers 3-Armr AC - 6 -CAR---- [3d] Slayer Fgn 7-Fgn WCARBPHM 1/use summon [3e] Pure Shield 2-Shld AC - 5 -----P-- [3f] Mage Staff 1-Weap AC - 2 -CA----- Eff: 2 [40] War Staff 1-Weap WCARBPHM [41] Thief Dagger 1-Weap ---R---- Eff: 8 [42] Soul Mace 1-Weap Poss W---BPH- [43] Ogrewand 9-Wand -CA----- 88/uses casts Wigi [44] Kato's bracer a-Acc -CAR---- Eff: 9 [45] Sorcerstaff 1-Weap AC - 2 -CA----- 80/uses casts Diil [46] Galt's Flute 6-Inst ----B--- 88/uses casts Wihe [47] Frost Horn 6-Inst ----B--- 65/uses breath [48] Ag's Arrows c-Arws W----PH- 10/uses range-atk [49] Dmnd Shield 2-Shld AC - 5 W---BPH- [4a] Bard Bow b-Bow AC - 2 ----B--- [4b] Dmnd Helm 4-Helm AC - 4 W----PH- [4c] Elf Boots a-Acc WCARBPHM [4d] Vanquisher Fgn 7-Fgn ----B--- 1/use summon [4e] Conjurstaff 1-Weap AC - 2 -CA----- Eff: 4 [4f] Staff of Lor 1-Weap -CA----M 35/uses casts Rest [50] Flame Sword 1-Weap AC - 1 W----PH- [51] Powerstaff 1-Weap WCARBP-- 51/uses casts Sowh [52] Breath Ring 8-Ring WCARBPHM Eff: 10 [53] Dragonshield 2-Shld AC - 4 W--RBPH- 20/uses breath [54] Dmnd Plate 3-Armr AC - 8 W---BP-- [55] Wargloves 5-Glov AC - 4 W----P-- [56] Wizhelm 4-Helm AC - 3 -CA----- 25/uses casts Wizw [57] Dragonwand 9-Wand -CA----- 35/uses breath [58] Deathring 8-Ring AC - 1 W----PH- 64/uses casts Ande [59] Crystal Sword 1-Weap W---BPH- [5a] Speedboots a-Acc W--RBPHM Eff: 7 [5b] Flame Horn 6-Inst ----B--- 60/uses breath [5c] Zen Arrows c-Arws W--RBPHM 10/uses range-atk [5d] Deathdrum 6-Inst AC - 2 ----B--- 10/uses casts Dest [5e] Pipes of Pan 6-Inst AC - 2 ----B--- casts Grre [5f] Power Ring 8-Ring -CA---H- 17/uses casts Magm [60] Song Axe 1-Weap AC - 3 ----B--- range-atk Eff: 5 [61] Trick Brick a-Acc -CA----- 30/uses casts Ices [62] Dragon Fgn 7-Fgn WCARBPHM 1/use summon [63] Mage Fgn 7-Fgn WCARBPHM 1/use summon [64] Troll Ring 8-Ring WCARBPHM Eff: 1 [65] Aram's Knife 1-Weap W----PH- 30/uses range-atk [66] Angra's Eye a-Acc -CA-BP-- 7/uses casts Basp [67] Herb Fgn 7-Fgn WCARBPHM 1/use casts Herb [68] Master Wand 9-Wand -CA----- 11/uses casts Nila [69] Brothers Fgn 7-Fgn WCARBPHM 1/use casts Brkr [6a] Dynamite a-Acc WCARBPHM 1/use casts Mama [6b] Thor's Hammer 1-Weap W----P-- range-atk Eff: 1 [6c] Stoneblade 1-Weap Ston W----PH- [6d] Holy Handgrenade a-Acc WCARBPHM 1/use casts Mama [6e] Masterkey a-Acc WCARBPHM Eff: 11 [6f] Nospin Ring 8-Ring WCARBPHM Eff: 3 [70] Crystal Lens WCARBPHM event [71] Smokey Lens WCARBPHM event [72] Black Lens WCARBPHM event [73] Sphere of Lanatir a-Acc AC - 5 -CA----- event [74] Wand of Power 9-Wand AC - 3 -CA----- casts Grsu [75] Acorn a-Acc WCARBPHM 1/use heal 8 hp [76] Wineskin d-Cont WCARBPHM 10/uses drink/use [77] Nightspear 1-Weap W--RBPHM range-atk [78] Tslotha's Head a-Acc WCARBPHM [79] Tslotha's Heart a-Acc WCARBPHM event [7a] Arefolia a-Acc WCARBPHM 1/use casts Gill [7b] Valarian's Bow b-Bow AC - 4 W--RBPHM event [7c] Arws of Life c-Arws W--RBPHM 24/uses range-atk [7d] Canteen d-Cont WCARBPHM 10/uses drink/use [7e] Titan Plate 3-Armr AC -10 W----P-- [7f] Titan Shield 2-Shld AC - 6 W---BP-- [80] Titan Helm 4-Helm AC - 5 W----PH- [81] Fire Spear 1-Weap W--RBPHM 1/use range-atk [82] Willow Flute 6-Inst AC - 2 ----B--- 5/uses casts Wizw [83] Firebrand 1-Weap Poss AC - 1 W--RBPH- [84] Holy Sword 1-Weap AC - 2 -----P-- casts Grre [85] Wand of Fury 9-Wand AC - 1 -CA----- 10/uses breath [86] Lightstar a-Acc ------H- 1/use range-atk [87] Crown of Truth 4-Helm AC -10 W----PH- [88] Belt of Alliria a-Acc WCARBPHM event [89] Crystal Key a-Acc WCARBPHM event [8a] Tao Ring 8-Ring AC - 5 -------M casts Levi [8b] Stealth Arrows c-Arws AC - 2 ------H- 24/uses range-atk [8c] Yellow Staff 1-Weap AC - 4 -CA----- Eff: 2 [8d] Steady Eye a-Acc AC - 4 ------H- [8e] Divine Halbard 1-Weap AC - 1 W----PHM [8f] Incense a-Acc -------M 3/uses casts Regn [90] I-ching a-Acc -------M 25/uses casts Scsi [91] White Rose a-Acc WCARBPHM event [92] Blue Rose a-Acc WCARBPHM event [93] Red Rose a-Acc WCARBPHM event [94] Yellow Rose a-Acc WCARBPHM event [95] Rainbow Rose a-Acc WCARBPHM event [96] Magic Triangle a-Acc WCARBPHM event [97] [98] Hammer of Wrath 1-Weap W----P-- event [99] Ferofist's Helm 4-Helm AC - 7 W----PH- event [9a] [9b] [9c] Helm of Justice 4-Helm AC - 9 ---R---- Eff: 8 [9d] Sceadu's Cloak 3-Armr AC -12 ---R---- event [9e] Shadelance 1-Weap W----PH- casts Nila [9f] Black Arrows a-Acc W--RBPHM 24/uses range-atk [a0] Werra's Shield 2-Shld AC - 8 W---BPH- event Eff: 10 [a1] Strifespear 1-Weap Crit W---BPH- casts Fade [a2] Sheetmusic a-Acc WCARBPHM event [a3] Right Key a-Acc WCARBPHM event [a4] Left Key a-Acc WCARBPHM event [a5] Lever a-Acc WCARBPHM event [a6] Nut a-Acc WCARBPHM event [a7] Bolt a-Acc WCARBPHM event [a8] Spanner a-Acc WCARBPHM event [a9] Shadow Lock a-Acc WCARBPHM event [aa] Shadow Door a-Acc WCARBPHM event [ab] Misercorde 1-Weap AC - 3 ---R---- casts Grre [ac] Holy Avenger 1-Weap AC - 4 -----P-- casts Grre [ad] Shadowshiv 1-Weap ---R---- Eff: 6 [ae] Kali's Garrote 1-Weap AC - 1 ---R---- Eff: 8 [af] Flame Knife 1-Weap AC - 1 ---R---- 20/uses casts Flco [b0] Red's Stilleto 1-Weap AC - 2 ---R---- casts Hafo [b1] Heartseeker 1-Weap Crit AC - 2 ---R---- Eff: 10 [b2] [b3] [b4] [b5] Dmnd Scale 3-Armr AC - 7 W---BPH- [b6] Holy TNT a-Acc WCARBPHM 2/uses casts Mama [b7] Eternal Torch a-Acc WCARBPHM torch? [b8] Oscon's Staff 1-Weap Pois AC - 3 -CA----- 10/uses casts Ston Eff: 13 [b9] Angel's Ring 8-Ring AC - 2 WCARBPHM Eff: 14 [ba] Deathhorn 6-Inst ----B--- 30/uses breath Eff: 6 [bb] Staff of Mangar 1-Weap Poss AC - 4 --A----- Eff: 4 [bc] Tesla Ring 8-Ring AC - 2 -CA----- 25/uses casts Wizw [bd] Dmnd Bracers 3-Armr AC - 8 -CAR---- [be] Death Fgn 7-Fgn WCARBPHM 1/use summon [bf] Thunder Sword 1-Weap AC - 2 ----B--- casts Grre [c0] Poison Dagger 1-Weap Pois AC - 1 ---R---- [c1] Spark Blade 1-Weap AC - 2 W------- casts Shsp [c2] Galvanic Oboe 6-Inst ----B--- 5/uses casts Wizw Eff: 5 [c3] Harmonic Gem a-Acc -CA----- 1/use sp-restore [c4] Tung Shield 2-Shld AC - 7 W---BP-- [c5] Tung Plate 3-Armr AC -12 W----P-- [c6] Minstrels Glove 5-Glov AC - 7 ----B--- [c7] Hunters Cloak 3-Armr AC - 8 ------H- [c8] Death Hammer 1-Weap AC - 1 W------- [c9] Blood Mesh Robe 3-Armr AC - 4 -CA----- [ca] Soothing Balm a-Acc WCARBPHM 5/uses casts Regn [cb] Mages Cloak 3-Armr AC - 4 --A----- 10/uses casts Basp [cc] Familiar Fgn 7-Fgn --A----- summon Eff: 13 [cd] Hourglass a-Acc -CA----- 2/uses casts Stun [ce] Thieves Hood 4-Helm AC - 4 ---R---- casts Invi Eff: 8 [cf] Surehand Amulet a-Acc ---R---- Eff: 6 [d0] Thieves Dart a-Acc ---R---- 1/use breath [d1] Shrill Flute 6-Inst AC - 2 ----B--- 5/uses casts Fafo [d2] Angel's Harp 6-Inst AC - 2 ----B--- 5/uses casts Regn [d3] The Book a-Acc -----P-- 4/uses casts Disp [d4] Troth Lance 1-Weap AC - 1 W----PH- [d5] Dmnd Suit e-Clk AC -15 W----P-- [d6] Dmnd Flail 1-Weap W----P-- [d7] Purple Heart a-Acc WCARBPHM 10/uses casts Rest [d8] Titan Bracers 3-Armr AC -10 -CAR---- [d9] Eelskin Tunic 6-Inst AC - 4 ------H- [da] Sorcerer's Hood 4-Helm AC - 3 -CA----- casts Magm Eff: 14 [db] Dmnd Staff 1-Weap AC - 1 --A----- Eff: 13 [dc] Crystal Gem a-Acc -CA----- 3/uses sp-restore [dd] Wand of Force 9-Wand -CA----- 10/uses casts Fota [de] Cli Lyre 6-Inst AC - 5 ----B--- 15/uses breath [df] Youth Potion a-Acc WCARBPHM 10/uses casts Olay [e0] [e1] [e2] [e3] [e4] [e5] [e6] [e7] [e8] [e9] [ea] [eb] [ec] [ed] [ee] [ef] [f0] Mthr Suit 3-Armr AC -10 W----PH- [f1] Titan Suit 3-Armr AC -15 W------- [f2] Mages Gloves 5-Glov AC - 4 -CA----- [f3] Flare Crystal a-Acc -CA----- 5/uses sp-restore [f4] Holy Missile 1-Weap W--RBPHM 1/use range-atk [f5] Gods' Blade 1-Weap AC - 5 W----P-- [f6] Hunter Blade 1-Weap AC - 3 ------H- [f7] Staff of Gods 1-Weap AC - 2 -CA----- 10/uses casts Jobo Eff: 12 [f8] Horn of Gods 6-Inst ----B--- 25/uses breath [f9] [fa] [fb] [fc] [fd] [fe] [ff] Effect 1: Regenerates HP. Effect 2: Regenerates SP. Effect 3: Party not affected by spinners. Effect 4: Spells consume 1/2 spell points. Effect 5: Unlimited bard songs. Effect 6: (?) Increases chance to Hit? Effect 7: (?) Increases chance to Run? Effect 8: (?) Increases chance to Hide in Shadows? Effect 9: Unknown Effect 10: (?) Protection from breath attacks? Effect 11: (?) Opens anything? Effect 12: Spells consume 1/4 spell points Effect 13: Regenerates SP... and? Effect 14: Resurrects a dead character --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Appendix B - Estimated weapon damage, file order --------------------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER: These are rough estimates, not accurate predictions! Even if the estimates are incorrect, these numbers give a good prediction of which weapons do more damage than others. [ 3] Broadsword W---BPHM Melee-dam: 2-8 [ 4] Short Sword W--RBPHM Melee-dam: 1-8 [ 5] Dagger WCARBPHM Melee-dam: 1-2 [ 6] War Axe W---BPHM Melee-dam: 2-8 [ 7] Halbard W----PHM Melee-dam: 2-16 [ 9] Staff WCARBPHM Melee-dam: 1-8 [15] Spear W--RBPHM Melee-dam: 1-8 [17] Mthr Sword W--RBPH- Melee-dam: 4-10 [1d] Bardsword ----B--- Melee-dam: 6-20 [20] Mthr Dagger WCARBPHM Melee-dam: 3-4 [23] Mthr Axe W---BPHM Melee-dam: 4-10 [27] Spell Spear W--RBPHM Melee-dam: 4-18 [2a] Kael's Axe W---BPH- Melee-dam: 7-22 [2c] Dayblade W---BPH- Melee-dam: 4-25 [2d] Shield Staff WCARBPHM Melee-dam: 3-17 [2f] Hawkblade W---BPH- Melee-dam: 4-25 [30] Admt Sword W--RBPH- Melee-dam: 6-12 [34] Pureblade -----P-- Melee-dam: 6-48 [3a] Death Stars ------H- Melee-dam: 1-2 [3f] Mage Staff -CA----- Melee-dam: 3-24 [40] War Staff WCARBPHM Melee-dam: 4-32 [41] Thief Dagger ---R---- Melee-dam: 1-1 [42] Soul Mace W---BPH- Melee-dam: 5-19 [45] Sorcerstaff -CA----- Melee-dam: 6-15 [4e] Conjurstaff -CA----- Melee-dam: 5-14 [4f] Staff of Lor -CA----M Melee-dam: 6-21 [50] Flame Sword W----PH- Melee-dam: 7-49 [51] Powerstaff WCARBP-- Melee-dam: 4-25 [59] Crystal Sword W---BPH- Melee-dam: 7-49 [60] Song Axe ----B--- Melee-dam: 1-2 [65] Aram's Knife W----PH- Melee-dam: 6-12 [6b] Thor's Hammer W----P-- Melee-dam: 10-66 [6c] Stoneblade W----PH- Melee-dam: 4-5 [77] Nightspear W--RBPHM Melee-dam: 13-83 [81] Fire Spear W--RBPHM Melee-dam: 11-67 [83] Firebrand W--RBPH- Melee-dam: 13-76 [84] Holy Sword -----P-- Melee-dam: 12-68 [8c] Yellow Staff -CA----- Melee-dam: 9-30 [8e] Divine Halbard W----PHM Melee-dam: 12-75 [98] Hammer of Wrath W----P-- Melee-dam: 8-64 [9e] Shadelance W----PH- Melee-dam: 1-2 [a1] Strifespear W---BPH- Melee-dam: 6-7 [ab] Misercorde ---R---- Melee-dam: 55-391 [ac] Holy Avenger -----P-- Melee-dam: 37-261 [ad] Shadowshiv ---R---- Melee-dam: 7-49 [ae] Kali's Garrote ---R---- Melee-dam: 43-323 [af] Flame Knife ---R---- Melee-dam: 22-162 [b0] Red's Stilleto ---R---- Melee-dam: 68-516 [b1] Heartseeker ---R---- Melee-dam: 6-9 [b8] Oscon's Staff -CA----- Melee-dam: 7-35 [bb] Staff of Mangar --A----- Melee-dam: 10-66 [bf] Thunder Sword ----B--- Melee-dam: 12-68 [c0] Poison Dagger ---R---- Melee-dam: 9-51 [c1] Spark Blade W------- Melee-dam: 11-67 [c8] Death Hammer W------- Melee-dam: 13-69 [d4] Troth Lance W----PH- Melee-dam: 37-261 [d6] Dmnd Flail W----P-- Melee-dam: 13-69 [db] Dmnd Staff --A----- Melee-dam: 10-34 [f4] Holy Missile W--RBPHM Melee-dam: 1-2 [f5] Gods' Blade W----P-- Melee-dam: 45-325 [f6] Hunter Blade ------H- Melee-dam: 85-645 [f7] Staff of Gods -CA----- Melee-dam: 13-43 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In closing... --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks to Interplay for producing such a rad series. :) I used HHD's Hex Editor v2.0 for my hex hacking needs and wrote my java scanning code with Oracle JDeveloper on j2sdk 1.4.1_05. Thanks to Scott Mutch and anyone else who emailed me information. Copyright yuandy 2004, 2006.