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Pool of Radiance
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== Gameplay == ''Pool of Radiance'' is based on the same game mechanics as the ''[[Editions of Dungeons & Dragons#Advanced Dungeons & Dragons|Advanced Dungeons & Dragons]]'' rule set.<ref name="gmmag">{{cite magazine |date=September 1988 |title=''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' |magazine=[[G.M. The Independent Fantasy Roleplaying Magazine]] |publisher=Croftward |pages=18β20 |volume=1 |issue=1}}</ref> As in many role-playing games (RPGs), each [[player character]] in ''Pool of Radiance'' has a character race and a [[character class (Dungeons & Dragons)|character class]], determined at the beginning of the game. Six races are offered, including [[elf (Dungeons & Dragons)|elves]] and [[halfling]]s, as well as four classes ([[fighter (Dungeons & Dragons)|fighter]], [[cleric (Dungeons & Dragons)|cleric]], [[wizard (Dungeons & Dragons)|magic-user]], and [[rogue (Dungeons & Dragons)|thief]]).<ref name="gmmag" /> Non-human characters have the option to become [[Character class (Dungeons & Dragons)#Multi-classing|multi-classed]], which means they gain the capabilities of more than one class,<ref name="C+VG" /> but advance in levels more slowly.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}} During character creation, the computer randomly generates statistics for each character, although the player can alter these attributes.<ref name="AA14" /> The player also chooses each character's [[Alignment (Dungeons & Dragons)|alignment]], or moral philosophy; while the player controls each character's actions, alignment can affect how NPCs view their actions.<ref name="C+VG" /> The player can then customize the appearance and colors of each character's combat icon.<ref name="gmmag" /> Alternatively, the player can load a pre-generated [[party (role playing games)|party]] to be used for introductory play.<ref name="TGM" /> These characters are combined into a party of six or less, while leaving two open slots to add NPCs.<ref name="GameSpotAD&D">{{cite web |title=GameSpot's History of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons |url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/history_add/p4_02.html |access-date=5 August 2009 |website=[[GameSpot]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20041209001609/http://www.gamespot.com/features/history_add/p4_02.html |archivedate=December 9, 2004}}</ref> Players create their own save-game files, assuring their characters can continue regardless of events in the game. The [[MS-DOS]] version can be copied to the hard drive. Other computer systems, such as the [[Commodore 64]], require a separate disk for saved games.<ref name="Dragon143" /> [[File:Pool of radiance panels.png|left|thumb|300px|The game interface. Clockwise from upper left: conversation with a [[Dragon (Dungeons & Dragons)|dragon]]; the party in combat; exploring the graveyard; sample character view.]] The game's exploration mode uses a three-dimensional first-person perspective, with a rectangle in the top left of the screen displaying the party's current view; the remainder of the screen displays text information about the party and the area.<ref name="Gamasutra">{{cite web |last=Barton |first=Matt |date=23 February 2007 |title=The History of Computer Role-Playing Games Part 2: The Golden Age (1985β1993) |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20070223b/barton_04.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227174428/http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20070223b/barton_04.shtml <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archive-date=27 February 2009 |access-date=26 March 2009 |work=[[Gamasutra]]}}</ref> During gameplay, the player accesses menus to allow characters to use objects; trade items with other characters; parley with opponents; buy or sell items or pool the characters' money; cast magic [[Magic of Dungeons & Dragons|spells]], and learn new magic skills.<ref name="Zzap" /> Players can view characters' movement from different angles, such as an aerial view.<ref name="Zzap" /> The game uses three different versions of each [[sprite (computer graphics)|sprite]] to indicate differences between short-, medium-, and long-range encounters.<ref name="HighScore" /> In combat mode, the screen switches to a top-down perspective with [[Isometric graphics in video games|dimetric projection]], where the player chooses what actions the characters will take in each round; these actions occur immediately, instead of happening after all commands are issued as is standard in some RPGs.<ref name="Gamasutra" /> Optionally, the player can let the computer choose character moves for each round.<ref name="Zzap" /> Characters and monsters may make an extra attack on a retreating enemy that moves next to them.<ref name="Gamasutra" /> If a character's [[hit point]]s (HP) go below zero, another character must bandage the wounded character to prevent their death.<ref name="Gamasutra" /> The game contains [[random encounter]]s, and game reviewers for ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' magazine observed that random encounters seem to follow standard patterns of encounter tables in pen and paper ''AD&D'' game manuals. They also observed that the depictions of monsters confronting the party "looked as though they had jumped from the pages of the ''Monster Manual''".<ref name="Dragon143" /> Different combat options are available to characters based on class: fighters can use melee or ranged weapons; magic-users can cast spells; thieves are able to "back-stab" opponents by strategically positioning themselves.<ref name="Gamasutra" /> As fighters progress in level, they can attack more than once in a round, and they also gain the ability to "sweep" enemies, effectively attacking each nearby low-level creature in the same turn.<ref name="GameSpy">{{cite web |author=Battaglia, Scott |title=The GameSpy Hall of Fame |url=http://archive.gamespy.com/legacy/halloffame/por_a.shtm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041211091618/http://archive.gamespy.com/legacy/halloffame/por_a.shtm |archive-date=11 December 2004 |access-date=5 August 2009 |work=[[GameSpy]]}}</ref> Magic-users and clerics are allowed to memorize and cast a set number of spells each day, and cast spells must be memorized again before reuse; this process requires all characters to rest in a camp for several hours, which also restores lost hit points to damaged characters.<ref name="Gamasutra" /> This chore of memorizing spells each night significantly added to the amount of game management required by the player.<ref name="tresca2010">{{citation |last1=Tresca |first1=Michael J. |title=The Evolution of Fantasy Role-Playing Games |page=142 |year=2010 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8H8bzqj6S4sC&pg=PA142 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0786458950}}</ref> As characters defeat enemies, they gain [[experience point]]s (XP). After gaining enough XP, the characters "train up a level" to become more powerful.<ref name="gmmag" /> This training is purchased in special areas within the city walls.<ref name="C+VG" /> In addition to gaining new spells from training, mages can increase their spells known by transcribing spells from scrolls that they find in unsettled areas.<ref name="Gamasutra" /> Defeated enemies in these areas also contain items such as weapons and armor, which characters can sell to city stores.<ref name="Dragon143" />
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