Here are the instuctions to the spectrum original. Most of the stuff applies to the GBA remake, apart from the keys, which have changed to the GBA controls
The tricks mentioned at the end are in the Gameboy version, with the option to turn them off.
"CHAOS"
By Julian Gollop (1985)
Instructions taken from "The Rebelstar Collection" Players' Manual by Julian
Gollop (1991), with additions by Death and Ian Coates (OKTUP AT MONO.CITY.AC.UK)
COPYRIGHT
Julian Gollop has kindly agreed to this game being made Public Domain. Anyone
is freely allowed to duplicate and distribute this game for use in Spectrum
emulators. It is requested that the identification of Julian Gollop as the
author of this software is not removed and the code not altered.
INTRODUCTION
'Chaos' is a battle between 2 to 8 wizards, and or all of which can be
computer controlled. Most spells are used to summon creatures which are
controlled by the casting wizard. Other spells have a variety of different
effects. The popularity of this game resulted in 'Lords of Chaos', which adds
many aspects to the basic concept of magical combat.
STARTING THE GAME
Select the number of wizards to participate and select the level of any
computer controlled wizards (from 1 to 8). For each wizard enter a name,
computer or human control, a character shape and a colour.
'Chaos' is played in a series of game turns. Each turn is played in three
phases; the spell selection phase, the casting phase and the movement and
combat phase.
KEYS:
QWE
A D All move in the appropriate direction
ZXC
S Selects an creature/wizard
K Cancel movement/ranged combat
I Show Information/stats on creature
1-8 Highlights creations of wizard # (1-8)
0 End your turn
(See here for GBA controls)
MOVEMENT
To move something, select it with <S> and then press the direction keys to
move it as desired.
COMBAT
In order to attack an enemy creature you must move into it. If your creature
is able to fly then you can do a ranged attack by placing the cursor on top of
the enemy creature (or you can move into it as before). Success depends on the
attackers combat rating compared to the defenders defence rating with a random
factor involved. Some creatures have ranged combat (ie if they carry weapons -
see chart below) which occurs when the creature has finished moving. Move the
cursor to the target and press <S> to fire. The target must be in line of
sight.
MAIN MENU:
1. Examine spell Tells you creature/attack stats and chance of
it working
2. Select spell Obvious really. On the select spell screen each
creature has a symbol next to it:
* = Chaos spell
- = Neutral spell
^ = Law spell
As more Law(Chaos) spells are cast, the % chance of a
Law(Chaos) spell working in the future increases.
Neutral spells have no effect either way. The lighter
the colour the name of the spell is, the higher the
chance of it working. The overall state of the world
is indicated by the number of symbols on the main
option menu. The more symbols, the more Chaos/Law the
world is (ie if it was (*****) then the world would
be very chaotic and it would be worth considering
trying to cast a real red/green dragon).
Real/Illusion Creatures can either be created as real creatures or
illusion creatures. Illusions have 100% chance of
working but are destroyed by the disbelieve spell.
Real creatures have a chance of failing, but are
unaffected by the disbelieve spell. Other than that
the two work the same.
3. Look at board Use it to see what's in range of a spell/what's
attacking you. Press "I" to examine a creature.
Press "0" to return to menu.
4. Continue Goes to next player
You get one round where everyone casts a spell then a round to move/attack in.
If you are player one then you get to cast your spells and move first. The
last player is at a disadvantage that he can be attacked before he has a
chance to move, but has the advantage that illusion spells can be cast without
the risk of being disbelieved for one turn (useful for dragons). Some spells
need to be cast at a target - attack spells need an enemy creature, create
spells need a square adjacent to your wizard. Press "S" to cast the spell.
Undead creatures can only be attacked by undead, magic weapons or attack
spells.
When you've moved all you want to press "0" or "TAB" to end turn.
SPELLS:
CREATURES
Undead Flying Rideable Armed Spell
Bat X Chaos
Bear Law
Centaur X Bow Law
Crocodile Neutral
Dire Wolf Chaos
Dragon, Red X Fire Chaos
Dragon, Gold X Fire Law
Dragon, Green X Fire Chaos
Eagle X Law
Elf Bow Law
Faun Chaos
Ghost X X Chaos
Giant Law
Giant Rat Neutral
Goblin Chaos
Gorilla Neutral
Gryphon X X Law
Harpy X Chaos
Horse X Law
Hydra Chaos
King Cobra Law
Lion Law
Manticorn X X Bow Chaos
Ogre Chaos
Orc Chaos
Pegasus X X Law
Skeleton X Chaos
Spectre X Chaos
Unicorn X Law
Vampire X X Chaos
Wraith X Chaos
Zombie X Chaos
OBJECT SPELLS
Magic Wood (Law) - Computer places approx 8 magic trees near your
wizard. If you put your wizard in a magic wood tree
and leave him there, he gets a new spell after a few
turns.
Shadow Wood (Chaos) - Allows you to manually place approx 8 shadow trees
near your wizard. No two trees can be adjacent, and
line of sight is needed in placing. Shadow wood can
attack anything in contact with them (except
undead) - select the tree to attack.
Magic Fire (Chaos) - Attacks and kills enemy units it covers and randomly
spreads across the map
Gooey Blob (Chaos) - Attacks enemy units it covers and randomly spreads
across the map. Any unit covered up by a gooey blob
will be able to carry on once it is uncovered (except
wizards who are killed by gooey blobs)
Wall (Neutral) - Allows four wall blocks to be built near the wizard,
which blocks creature's paths, but can be flown over.
ATTACKING SPELLS
Magic Bolt (Neutral)- Attacks creature it is cast at
Lightning (Neutral) - Attacks creature it is cast at (more powerful than
magic bolt)
Vengeance (Chaos,x1)- Allows 1 attack on an enemy creature
Justice (Law, x3) - When cast on a wizard it kills all that wizard's
creations if successful. Allows 3 attacks
Dark Power(Chaos,x3)- Allows 3 attacks on enemy creatures
Decree (Law, x1) - Allows 1 attack on an enemy creature
WIZARD'S SPELLS
Magic Armour (Law) - Gives wizard increased protection from attack
Magic Knife (Law) - Gives wizard increase attack power including undead
creatures
Magic Sword (Law) - Gives wizard increase attack power including undead
creatures
Magic Bow (Law) - Gives wizard ranged weapon including undead creatures
Magic Wings(Neutral)- Gives wizard ability to fly long ranges
Magic Castle (Law) - Gives wizard building to hide in
Dark Citadel (Chaos)- Gives wizard building to hide in
Shadow Form(Neutral)- Gives wizard increased protection and allows movement
of 3 spaces per turn
MISCELLANEOUS SPELLS
Law (Law) - Makes the world more lawful
Chaos (Chaos) - Makes the world more chaotic
Raise Dead (Chaos) - Allows reanimation of dead bodies left on screen. Any
creatures raised from the dead become undead
creatures, able to attack other undeads
Subversion (Neutral)- Realigns enemy creature to your side
Turmoil (Chaos) - Randomly moves all objects onscreen to a different
location. Only available from a magic wood
Disbelieve (Neutral)- Allows illusion creatures to be destroyed. This spell
has 100% casting chance, and is always available
There are lots of little bugs/tricks in the game,e.g.
1. create an illusion of something wimpish that isn't much use.
2. put it on the body of something powerful,but now dead.
3. cast Justice/dark power/vengeance on the wimpish creature & see what
happens.
If you're locked in combat and want to move, press I then the direction you want
to move in...works a lot of the time. On the GBA, this trick is achieved by
showing the information screen and then returning to the game, there is a chance
you will break out of the Engaged to Enemy status.
If you don't like someone, be player 1, put them player 4, and lightning them
on the first go if you have the spell. They die before they get a turn!