General

Adventure Quest (AQ) is an online RPG that was developed by Artix Entertainment in 2002. It is a browser based game that requires flash. Game play is turn based; that is, you trade actions with your opponent. AQ does not allow player vs. player as it is meant to be a single-person game.

AQ is a free game, although game play is enhanced with upgrades. There are two level of upgrades: Guardian and X-Boost. Upgrades include higher level caps, powerful equipment, and the ability to use the Guardian server.

Challenges, Quests, and Events

There are different ways to play AQ, with different kinds of goals. Gameplay can roughly be divided into four types: random events, challenges, quests, and special events.

Random play is a quick and easy way to level up and kill time. There are no goals or objectives, and players can heal and restock potions between battles.

Challenges are simple games in which the goal is to kill as many monsters as possible. Examples are the Frogzard Challenge and the Joust Challenge. As players rack up higher numbers, the monsters become more difficult.

Quests are sub-divided into class/ race quests and general quest. The main objective of a quest is to complete a series of challenges to reach a goal. A reward of some type is given when the goal is reached.

Class quests are special because they allow a player to level up in a specific class. Class quests can prove to be extremely challenging, but also have long-term rewards.

Special events include holiday-themed quests and challenges, wars, and cut-scenes that are essentially movies. Special events keep AQ fresh and exciting.

Classes and Races

Players take on a class or race by buying special "armor" relevant to the class. Classes bestow special abilities to the player as the player levels up by completing class quests. Currently, Guardians can achieve 10 class levels, Adventurers (free accounts) can achieve 5.

Races have ten levels. All of the race's special abilities are given up front to the wearer of the race-class. The frequency of the special powers, as well as how well they perform, go up as the player levels up doing the race quests.

Players must switch armors to access classes and races. For example, a player wearing Knight armor who wants to become a werewolf must switch to werewolf armor. This makes it impossible to combine class and race powers.

Basic Combat

Basic combat works like this: The player enters combat during a quest, challenge, or random play. The background is loaded with the monster(s), the player, pets, and companions. Depending on DEX and LUCK attributes, one side will get the first attack in.

During the player's turn, it is possible to pick the best weapon, armor, shield, pet, and sometimes companion to use against the enemy. Weapons, armor, and shields can be switched out freely. Casting spells, using special class powers, or picking a pet will use the player's turn.

The player and monster take turns until the monster dies, the player dies, or the player flees. The player can make adjustments to protection, weapons, spells, and pets throughout the combat.

The key to successful combat is to optimize damage towards the enemy's weaknesses and optimize protection against the enemy's attacks.

Companions and Pets

Players can have one companion and one pet to keep them company and help in combat. Pets can be purchased, found randomly, or given temporarily as a reward for completing a quest. Companions can be summoned either by class power or spell, found, or picked before a quest. There are many, many different pets and companions.

Ever Changing, Ever Upgrading

AQ is always changing and upgrading. New monsters, quests, spells, and upgrades happen weekly. New special events are frequent. From week to week and month to month, the content of AQ is always fresh and exciting.