If you're not quite sure if you're ready to
Archon yet, test yourself with these NPCs. Some are more difficult than others, but each offer different circumstances under which you'll be able to see a bit of what it takes to be successful in the
Domain of Arbaces. While each mob isn't exactly the same as you'll encounter in DOA, this list will help prepare you for the challenges that you'll face.
As a hero, you will likely need to flee many times during each of these fights - and that's OK! No one finishes a mob in DOA in one fell swoop - in fact, we recommend that you practice a tactic called "bash-flee" where you enter combat for one round, bash, then immediately flee out. This sounds tedious, and it is, but it ensures your safety from a high damage mob. Practice this tactic, learn your character's strengths and limitations, and you'll find yourself as an Archon in no time. Additionally, we recommend practicing "looking" before you flee or enter a room, as a nasty paralyzing creature might be lurking in the room you are wanting to flee to. Practice 'scanning' and 'look west' before walking into the west room. While this sounds annoying, and it can be, this practice will help save your life in the Domain of Arbaces. Patience and diligence is the key!
In Order of Relative Difficulty:
- Fendawyr the half dragon located in CPK in the Tower of Art. While some well equipped level 180 players can defeat Fendy, this is a good mob to get started with. You should be able to easily kill him at hero without any problem at all. Be sure to keep a watchful eye on 'who tower' and 'who wilds' to look for potential CPKers.
- The Chromatic Dragon located in a non-pk room in Rune?. Standard issue dragon fight here. No bash, vuln to pierce. You should have no problem killing this dragon as a hero.
- Mama Dragon located in a non-PK room in Irda Isle. This dragon is immune to bash, and resides in a No-Magic tunnel. You'll need to use your melee attacks, and herbalism and throwing (if you have it) to widdle her down to nothing. She drops the commonly-used-as-CPK-gear items such as the dragon leggings and dragon jaw helmet.
- The Ash Dragon located in a non-PK room in Vospire. Like all dragons, the Ash Dragon is also immune to bash and vulnerable to pierce. While he has very high HP and deals a considerate amount of melee damage, he does not cast anything out of the ordinary. Patience and diligence will win this fight.
- The fire dragon and water dragon located in NPK rooms as part of the Yourban run in Dungeon Deceit. Follow the Yourban run guide to locate the fire dragon in the fire pathway (west of the chamber of elements) and the water dragon, located in the water pathway (south of the chamber of elements). Both of these dragons offer increased HP and melee attacks under difficult room effect circumstances (fire and water). The water dragon is arguably more challenging, but is a great mob to practice for DOA as you will likely need to flee frequently.
- Captain Mericus? located in a non-PK room in the Magencia. Casts spells, has generally higher HP than most 4th class mobs, and deals a decent amount of damage. No CPK risk involved. If you can kill Mericus with ease, than you might consider attempting his CPK and more difficult counterpart Demonis.
- The High Priests & Priestesses of Xaventry including, in order of difficulty. All pathways include at least one CPK room, but only Gath is actually fought in CPK.
- The High Priestess of Vandyne - standard fight in NPK, high hp, high melee damage, some standard spells
- The High Priest of Maradas - standard fight in NPK, summons elementals to contend with (blind or spook them), somewhat high hp, not too bad melee damage, casts some standard spells
- The High Priest of Dira - No-Magic fight in NPK. No spell casting, all out damage and hp war. Flee east, nw, sw, south to heal up. Watch your levitation, as you can get stuck if it wears off!
- The High Priest of Ithrilis - No-Magic fight in NPK. There's not where to re-spell up or heal, you'll have to come into this fight prepared to outleash huge amounts of damage (think bombs and herbalism). Sleeping to regen, or walking back in is the only way to heal up. Arguably as difficult if not more so than Gath.
- The High Priestess of Gath - the only of one actually in CPK, but it is a private CPK room with no chance of another player walking in (though they can loot you if you die). Gath casts standard spells, including tremor, poison, plague and blind. It helps to use a soldier against her, but be careful to not let it or yourself die.
- The Knight, Sir Tristan located in non-pk in Runic Castle. Tristan webs, casts nasty spells, deals lofty melee damage and has a decent amount of HP - making him the perfect sparring partner to practice for DOA. If you trick him into Agrippa's no-magic room, he's a whole lot easier - but where's the fun in that?
- '''A Horrifying, Demonic Blarg located in non-pk in Focault's Residence. Blarg is an annoying, long fight. While there is no CPK risk here, he can paralyze you, cast some nasty spells, poison the room and deal hefty melee damage. This is a good mob to test your patience without any CPK risk. You have to fight him solo, as the windy room will separate any formations just like inside DOA.
- Hetharin located in CPK in Seelie Castle. Deals substantial melee damage, has decent HP and casts some wicked spells. Be prepared for CPK, keep a watchful eye on 'who planar' and practice fleeing out when he casts nasty spells towards you (to avoid them landing!)
- The Kraken located in underwater CPK in Pirate's Cove. Deals substantial melee damage, has decent HP, has 2 guards to contend with in the same room, and is under water. Keep a watchful eye on 'who towne archon' for people trying to CPK you. If you have room shield, use it to block yourself from being seen on 'where' and from invaders from entering your room (note that they can 'dispel magic' east of you to take down your room shield.)
- Lord Pumpkin located sometimes in CPK, sometimes in NPK in Winterborn Mansion. Pumpkin is a great mob to practice with in terms of dealing with paralyzation. He can para you, cast some lofty spells, has high hp and deals substantial melee damage. As a hero, I strongly recommend fighting him only when he is in NPK. Withstanding his para will be a major challenge for heroes with low-ish hp. Don't get down if you cannot outlast the para - in fact, some mobs in DOA can do this with ease, so you might as well get used to it and gain an understanding of the importance of avoiding those mobs.
- The White Queen? and The Black Queen? on the Isle of Sea Hag? pose a pretty lofty challenge for a hero. You'll likely want to bring a partner with you. But if you and a friend can widdle either of these two down, what are you waiting for?! Get your butt into DOA now!