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Rygar NES Guide
Text Version 1.2
By Jay McGavren
Release 2001-04-06
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Copyright 1997-2001 Jay McGavren. Permission is given to reproduce
this document in any media as long as all text remains intact and no
fees are charged for its distribution.

Questions, comments, and corrections should be directed to the
author's E-mail address: [email protected].

Version History:
1.0  - Initial release
1.01 - Extremely minor update regarding Wind Pulley use
1.1  - Added some interesting bugs/tricks (thanks to Frank Piringer!)
1.11 - Added Belzar bug
1.2  - Added Ligar tip (thanks to Y.B. Normal!)

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Your Stats
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Tone
      A measure of your current strength. The higher this number,
      the more damage your attacks will do. This is built up by
      killing monsters.
Last
      Your current experience. Also built up by killing monsters.
      When it reaches 48 another unit will be added to your
      maximum HP, and another unit will be added each time this
      number doubles thereafter (i.e. at 96, 192, and so on).
Mind
      Built up by gathering the star icons enemies sometimes drop
      when killed. The single-star icon gives you 1 Mind unit, the
      double-star icon gives you 3 Mind units. Mind units are used to
      cast spells (see below). You can hold a maximum of 7 units.

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The Spells
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Power Up
      Increases the reach of your weapon until you are killed. Costs 3
      Mind units.
Attack and Assail
      For a short time all enemies on the screen will take damage each
      time you attack. Costs 5 Mind units.
Recover
      Completely refills your HP. Costs 7 Mind units.

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The Items
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Grappling Hook
      Once you have this item you can press Up and B at any time to
      launch a grappling hook straight into the air. If it strikes a
      ceiling (even one that's not visible on the screen) it will catch
      and hold, allowing you to climb up and hang from it. When
      standing on a ledge you can press down and B to descend.
Wind Pulley
      With this item you can cross chasms that are spanned by ropes.
      In side-view mode simply walk off the ledge by one end of the
      rope and the pulley will catch on. In overhead-view mode walk
      around by one end of the rope; when you hear a "click" sound the
      pulley is attached and you can cross.
Crossbow
      Use this item to shoot a rope across chasms with posts on
      either side. You can then use the pulley to cross. Stand next to
      one of the poles and press B to fire the crossbow.
Coat of Arms
      Before you have this item some hermits will ask you if you
      have the Coat of Arms. Once you have it these same hermits
      will give you a potion to completely refill your HP at any time.
Indora's Armor
      Increases your defensive power.
Life Potion
      Once you have this item simply highlight it in the submenu and
      press B to completely refill your HP at any time. It's only good
      for one use but you can get another at any time.
Pegasus Flute
      Once you have all the items, if you play this flute at the right
      location, you'll be given access to the final stage. It can also
      help during the final battle.

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General Hints
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Easy Experience 1
      In the first area you can back yourself up against a wall, duck,
      and start pounding away at the B button to get some easy Mind
      points and experience. If you have a turbofire controller you
      can let it do all the work for you while you go grab a snack.
Power Up
      The Power Up spell only costs 3 Mind points and its effect is
      permanent (until you're killed), so cast it as soon as you have
      the necessary points.
Attack and Assail
      Attack and Assail is pretty much a waste of your time. Save
      your Mind points for the Recover spell.
Overhead View Jumping Attacks
      Partly thanks to sloppy programming, you can jump up in
      overhead view mode and hit enemies that are actually behind
      you, without any risk of being hurt yourself.
When to Use the Grappling Hook
      Can't advance? Maybe there's a platform on the screen above
      or below you. Toss the grappling hook up to see if it catches
      anything or lower yourself down if you can.
Maximizing HP
      Try to get to bosses with full Mind points and a healing potion
      if you can. Wait until your HP is low and then use the healing
      potion, and then wait for your HP to run low again before
      using the Recover spell. Budget your strength carefully and
      you can kill bosses you otherwise wouldn't be ready to face.
Easy Experience 2
      One of the best places in the game to get experience quick is in
      the flying stone islands of Lapis, and you can get to it as soon
      as you have the grappling hook. Head as far right as you can
      and launch the grappling hook up to climb to the next screen.
      You'll be attacked by a lone robot. It'll take many hits to kill
      but it's worth lots of experience. Then enter the nearby door
      and when you exit the robot will be back. Kill it again and
      repeat the process and eventually you'll be strong enough to
      finish it (and anything else) in a single hit.
Easy Experience 3
      Another excellent place to power up is the Tower of Garba,
      accessible once you have the crossbow. The snail near the
      center of the tower reappears each time you leave the screen and
      return. Go off the right side of the screen, come back in, and
      start pounding the B button (you may have to take a couple hits
      before it's dead if you're not strong enough). You can quickly
      build up enough strength to take the snail out in one hit, and
      then even the final boss will be easy.

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Walkthrough
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Gran Mountain
      Work your way to the right through the first area and into the
      passes of Gran Mountain. Explore the different doorways you
      find here, and eventually you'll find a passage to a valley in
      Garloz.
Garloz
      This is an overhead-view area. Head north, then west through
      the opening in the cliff. Then go due north and take the
      right-hand path. This will lead you to a hermit who will give
      you the Grappling Hook.
Rolsa Valley
      From there head back south to your starting point, and this time
      head east. Go north around the upper end of the bay and east
      through the first opening in the cliff you reach. Enter the
      doorway just to the north. This should take you to a wall of
      stones alongside a river in the Rolsa Valley. Proceed all the
      way to the right to find the entrance to Eruga's Forest.
Eruga's Forest
      Head to the right. When you can't move any farther along the
      forest floor, try throwing the grappling hook up above the
      screen to climb up to the branches above. After a while you'll
      come upon Eruga's lair.
Eruga
      You should have at least 6 full units on your life bar, a
      powered-up weapon, and enough Mind points to cast Recover
      before you enter Eruga's lair. Simply walk up to him and start
      pounding away at the B button. Don't even make an effort to
      dodge the projectiles as that will waste precious time. Once he's
      defeated a portal will open and take you to one of the Gods of
      Indora, who will give you the Wind Pulley. You'll be returned
      to Garloz.
Mt. Primeval
      Back in Garloz, head to the southernmost peninsula you can
      reach on foot. Cross the rope on the western side of this
      peninsula and go west. You'll come across the portal to Mt.
      Primeval, where flying dragons will attempt to drop eggs on
      you from above. Head all the way to the right to discover
      Sagila's Cave.
Sagila's Cave
      Work your way to the right and you'll find your way outside
      again. Further to the right is another entrance to the caves. At
      the ledges set above shafts in the floor you can use your
      grappling hook to climb down. Head down to the lowest levels
      of the caves and you'll find Sagila's web.
Sagila
      He's easy to beat at any level. Simply use the grappling hook to
      climb all the way up to the center of the ceiling and attack left or
      right with your weapon to drive him back when he approaches.
      It might take a minute to finish him but if you're careful you
      won't even be injured. Your reward is the Crossbow.
Lapis
      Head to the eastern edge of Garloz, past the entrance to Rolsa
      Valley. You'll find the entrance to an area where you'll be
      attacked by more dragons. Past here are the flying islands of
      Lapis. Whenever you can't proceed further, try using the
      grappling hook to climb up or down to find the next island. The
      crossbow will allow you to pass chasms with no rope stretched
      across them. Eventually you'll find your way to Belzar.
Belzar
      You'll want at least 8 HP before you face him. Climb up right
      next to him and start pounding away. Simply jump straight up
      over his intermittent shots and keep hitting him. When you beat
      him you'll be given the Coat of Arms.
Dorago's Palace
      Once back in Garloz cross the rope near the entrance to Mt.
      Primeval, then head north and west. Stand just below the log
      and use the crossbow to reach the palace. The interior of the
      palace is a mazelike overhead-view area. It will take time but
      you shouldn't have too much trouble finding your way to
      Dorago.
Dorago
      Be sure to have a healing potion before you face him. Stand
      below and to the side of him and start jumping and hitting him.
      Try to stay in one place and he should be easily beaten. You'll
      then receive the Armor.
Tower of Garba
      Return to Gran Mountain and climb up near the summit, then
      head to the right to find the tower. Inside you'll face a series of
      tough bosses. Your best bet is to use brute force and have
      enough Mind for a Recover spell as well as a healing potion.
      You'll want at least 9 HP before you try this place. The reward
      for beating the dragon at the top is the Pegasus Flute.
Sky Castle
      Go back to Rolsa Valley and find the hermit who says you'll
      need the grappling hook. Use the hook to scale the tower he
      resides in. Once you have all the treasures you can can blow the
      flute at the top of this tower to open the entrance to Ligar's
      castle in the sky. Fight your way through its mazelike interior
      to challenge the final boss.
Ligar
      You're in for a rough time if you face him with anything less
      than the full 12 HP. You can try to play carefully and dodge his
      bullets, but this can be difficult. Make the task a little easier
      by playing the Pegasus Flute during the fight; it'll make his
      bullet-spewing arms disappear for a few moments. If you can get
      to him with your Mind points and potion intact, then just go
      crazy and keep hitting him in the head, healing yourself when
      necessary. He should be dead before your HP runs out.
      Congratulations! Sit back and enjoy your hard-earned ending.

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Game Genie Codes
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PPPPPP
      Enemies run from you - by Jay McGavren
ZEVLEY
      Most enemies disappear as they approach you - by Jay McGavren
PELAGE
      Enemies are invisible - by unknown author

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Bugs
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Scale Cliff in Garloz (From Frank Piringer)
      Follow the map to just before the first hermit, where the evil
      tree blocks the path. Kill the tree, and go to the top of the
      path.  Just before turning right, press against the top of the
      path and jump towards the right (which will scroll the
      screen).  As the screen scrolls, press up and left.  As soon
      as the screen stops scrolling right, it should roll back
      towards the left.  Do this a few times as you fall, and be
      sure to land on the LEFT screen. You should be a few
      centimeters above the ground! Press up and left, and you can
      now walk on the top green part of the map! It might look
      distorted, and will show random parts of the map. If you want
      to get back down, go back to the first screen where you
      scrolled back and forth, and jump off towards the right.
Kill Eruga Easily (From Frank Piringer)
      Enter his room, and immediately jump on his head. After his
      first shot, try and direct him towards the right side of the
      screen, where the invisible door is.  After a few shots,
      he'll gradually start to get stuck in the wall. If you keep
      bouncing on his head, and avoiding his shots, eventually
      he'll begin twitching back and forth quickly, always ending
      up facing the right. Eventually, you'll be able to jump off,
      and he won't turn around, leaving his back open to attack.
Kill Belzar Easily (From Frank Piringer)
      As soon as you walk into Belzar's room, use the grappling
      hook and go down below the screen.  The screen will scroll
      into an empty sky, and then scroll back up. Belzar will be
      about an inch lower then before, and you can just jump up and
      hit him. His shots will be much easier to dodge this way.