On the "Astral Rope" (FTL calls them "Materializers") level, some of the buttons have *very* remote effects. You have to press a loose brick in one part of the level to open the room (small one in the center of a much larger one) with the key to one of the "colorful" locks. After you've defeated the Knight there, search his possessions for the next key you need. Then you need to push an obvious button with non- obvious effect. It opens a room way at the other end of the dungeon with another Knight and some items you will probably want/need. Capt.Cook: You really ought to explore the "Cowards..." area if you can take it (a green Magical Box and/or Horn of Fear might help). There are some very useful items there. My take on the next level down is that it is a death trap. If you haven't thoroughly explored the Firestaff level yet, now is the time to do it. Then I'd proceed to the bottom level (mind you, I've only tried this in a very odd way. I know at least four routes to the bottom level, and can't say whether any of the other three will get you killed). There is something you need down there, which will probably prove useful on the Fire Elemental/Demon level. Hmmm. Well, I finished the game, and not until level 13/14 did I figure out that those skeleton heads on the walls were more than just mere wall decorations. I think I found 3 sets of "Boots of Speed", have the back- rank characters wearing two. No terribly obvious advantage to them, unless my strategy of outrunning fireballs doesn't work without them (I don't think it matters). COREY, your "Boots of Speed" - are these speed boots? if so, notice that the characters may still move at normal speed while in the yellow load zone. This is in contrast to the noticable delay in movement yellow zone normally entails. enjoy! J.D.THOMAS .... AS I WAS SAYING BEFORE ,AFTER I FINALLY ENTERED THE 10TH LEVEL, THE GAME WAS REAL EASY TO LOCK UP. ONE PLACE WAS WHEN I WAS TRYING TO GET THE DIAMOND EDGED SWORD FROM THE HALLWAY THAT FILLED WITH POISON GAS. NOW I AM FINALLY ON THE LAST LEVEL WHERE I AM TRYING TO GET THE WIZ WITH THE FIRESTAFF. TO J.D. .... IT LOCKS UP WHEN EVER ALL CHARACTERS RECIEVE DAMAGE AT THE SAME TIME. ON THE DOOR..,THERE ISN'T A DOOR THERE,I CHOPPED IT OPEN BECAUSE IT WAS LOCKING UP BEFORE. John: The main factor in regenerating Mana is Wisdom. Raise it, and Mana will come back faster (there is a way to raise Wisdom). The Difference in the upgraded Version are slight but they do have a bearing in the game as you go through. 1) At the begining of the game there are more small stone that you can pick up and use to throw at the monsters until better equipped. 2) When you get down to Level 11 (the knight level) in one area you will see a sign that says IF you run you will be chased down and kill (something like that) In ver 1.0 you had 2 doors and when you entered into the doors it opened a secret wall and there where 2 more spiders waiting for you. Well in the ver1.2 they put a door there and it makes it much easier. Although they did make it a little tougher in another where instead of having to kill one set of 2 knights you have to kill 2 sets of them without the assistance of doors. That part I like alot. 3) they have taken the RING OF TIME from the level 7(ghosts open arena area) 4) In the RA LEVEL they have removed the Lock Picks..put that was no lost they did nothing anyway. Generally the Second level is the "Choose Your Fate" level where there are six different doors to choose from... The Third level is the "Meet your Doom", or "Purple Worm" level... The Fourth level is the "Treasure Stores" level, and the Fifth level is the "Riddle Room" level... The names of course aren't "official", but mostly derived from the features on the levels... Ike, when you successfully Fluxcage and Fuse Lord Chaos, you'll know it.. what usually happens is that he'll escape from the cage before you can use the FLUX option of the FireStaff... either that, or you didn't get him on all sides... (If you hear the "Transporter sound", like when you step into a "Blue Mist", it means Lord Chaos has teleported himself out of your reach... and you have to try again...)