Weapons
Find weapons in chests that boost attack power — better swords replace weaker ones.
Base attack of 3 is enough for rats and goblins. It is not enough for trolls and dragons. Weapons bridge the gap. Found in treasure chests, a weapon adds a bonus to the player attack stat. Better weapons appear on deeper floors, and finding one replaces the current weapon. The combat formula already includes the weapon bonus — a + w — so equipping a weapon changes every future fight.
The Program
5 REM === DUNGEONS OF DORIN ===
10 BORDER 0: PAPER 0: INK 7: CLS
15 GO SUB 2500
20 DIM d(16,16): DIM v(16,16)
22 DIM j(5): DIM k(5): DIM l(5): DIM n(5)
24 LET h = 20: LET z = 20: LET a = 3: LET f = 2
26 LET w = 0: LET p = 0
28 LET g = 0: LET e = 1: LET q = 0: LET b = 0
40 REM === generate floor ===
42 FOR i = 1 TO 16: FOR o = 1 TO 16
44 LET d(i,o) = 1: LET v(i,o) = 0
46 NEXT o: NEXT i
48 REM place rooms
50 LET s = INT (RND * 3) + 3
52 DIM u(5,4)
54 FOR i = 1 TO s
56 LET u(i,1) = INT (RND * 10) + 2
58 LET u(i,2) = INT (RND * 10) + 2
60 LET u(i,3) = INT (RND * 4) + 3
62 LET u(i,4) = INT (RND * 4) + 3
64 FOR c = u(i,2) TO u(i,2) + u(i,4) - 1
66 FOR o = u(i,1) TO u(i,1) + u(i,3) - 1
68 IF c >= 1 AND c <= 16 AND o >= 1 AND o <= 16 THEN LET d(c,o) = 0
70 NEXT o: NEXT c
72 NEXT i
74 REM connect rooms
76 FOR i = 1 TO s - 1
78 LET t = u(i,1) + INT (u(i,3) / 2)
80 LET t2 = u(i,2) + INT (u(i,4) / 2)
82 LET t3 = u(i+1,1) + INT (u(i+1,3) / 2)
84 LET t4 = u(i+1,2) + INT (u(i+1,4) / 2)
86 IF t <= t3 THEN FOR o = t TO t3: IF t2 >= 1 AND t2 <= 16 AND o >= 1 AND o <= 16 THEN LET d(t2,o) = 0
88 IF t <= t3 THEN NEXT o
90 IF t > t3 THEN FOR o = t3 TO t: IF t2 >= 1 AND t2 <= 16 AND o >= 1 AND o <= 16 THEN LET d(t2,o) = 0
92 IF t > t3 THEN NEXT o
94 IF t2 <= t4 THEN FOR c = t2 TO t4: IF c >= 1 AND c <= 16 AND t3 >= 1 AND t3 <= 16 THEN LET d(c,t3) = 0
96 IF t2 <= t4 THEN NEXT c
98 IF t2 > t4 THEN FOR c = t4 TO t2: IF c >= 1 AND c <= 16 AND t3 >= 1 AND t3 <= 16 THEN LET d(c,t3) = 0
100 IF t2 > t4 THEN NEXT c
102 NEXT i
108 LET x = u(1,1) + 1: LET y = u(1,2) + 1
110 LET t = u(s,1) + 1: LET t2 = u(s,2) + 1
112 IF t >= 1 AND t <= 16 AND t2 >= 1 AND t2 <= 16 THEN LET d(t2,t) = 2
114 LET t = INT (RND * 3) + 2
116 IF t > 5 THEN LET t = 5
118 LET m = t
120 FOR i = 1 TO m
122 GO SUB 1600
124 LET j(i) = t: LET k(i) = t2
126 GO SUB 1700
128 NEXT i
130 FOR i = 1 TO 2
132 GO SUB 1600
134 LET d(t2,t) = 3
136 NEXT i
146 GO SUB 380
148 CLS
150 GO SUB 300
152 GO SUB 500
154 REM === main loop ===
156 PAUSE 0: LET i$ = INKEY$
158 LET b = b + 1
160 LET t = x: LET t2 = y
162 IF i$ = "q" OR i$ = "Q" THEN LET t2 = y - 1
164 IF i$ = "a" OR i$ = "A" THEN LET t2 = y + 1
166 IF i$ = "o" OR i$ = "O" THEN LET t = x - 1
168 IF i$ = "p" OR i$ = "P" THEN LET t = x + 1
170 IF i$ = "h" OR i$ = "H" THEN GO SUB 700: GO TO 154
172 IF t = x AND t2 = y THEN GO TO 154
174 IF t < 1 OR t > 16 OR t2 < 1 OR t2 > 16 THEN GO TO 154
176 IF d(t2,t) = 1 THEN GO TO 154
178 FOR c = 1 TO m
180 IF j(c) = t AND k(c) = t2 AND n(c) > 0 THEN LET i = c: GO SUB 800: GO TO 196
182 NEXT c
184 LET x = t: LET y = t2
188 IF d(y,x) = 2 THEN GO SUB 600: GO TO 154
190 IF d(y,x) = 3 THEN GO SUB 750: LET d(y,x) = 0
196 GO SUB 380
198 GO SUB 300
199 GO SUB 500
200 GO TO 154
300 REM === draw viewport ===
302 FOR c = -3 TO 3
304 FOR o = -3 TO 3
306 LET t = x + o: LET t2 = y + c
308 LET i = 1: LET i2 = 0
310 IF t < 1 OR t > 16 OR t2 < 1 OR t2 > 16 THEN GO TO 340
312 IF v(t2,t) = 0 THEN GO TO 340
314 LET i = d(t2,t)
316 LET i2 = 7
318 IF i = 1 THEN LET i2 = 4
320 FOR s = 1 TO m
322 IF j(s) = t AND k(s) = t2 AND n(s) > 0 THEN LET i2 = 2: LET i = 5
324 NEXT s
340 LET t3 = 3 + c: LET t4 = 11 + o
342 IF o = 0 AND c = 0 THEN LET i2 = 7: LET i = 6
344 IF i2 = 0 THEN PRINT AT t3, t4; " ": GO TO 370
346 IF i = 0 THEN PRINT AT t3, t4; INK i2; ".": GO TO 370
348 IF i = 1 THEN PRINT AT t3, t4; INK i2; CHR$ 143: GO TO 370
350 IF i = 2 THEN PRINT AT t3, t4; INK i2; ">": GO TO 370
352 IF i = 3 THEN PRINT AT t3, t4; INK i2; "$": GO TO 370
354 IF i = 5 THEN PRINT AT t3, t4; INK i2; "M": GO TO 370
356 IF i = 6 THEN PRINT AT t3, t4; INK i2; "@": GO TO 370
358 PRINT AT t3, t4; INK i2; "?"
370 NEXT o: NEXT c
372 RETURN
380 REM === update visibility ===
382 FOR c = y - 2 TO y + 2
384 FOR o = x - 2 TO x + 2
386 IF c >= 1 AND c <= 16 AND o >= 1 AND o <= 16 THEN LET v(c,o) = 1
388 NEXT o: NEXT c
390 RETURN
500 REM === draw status ===
502 PRINT AT 8, 2; INK 7; "HP:"; h; "/"; z; " "
504 PRINT AT 9, 2; INK 4; "AT:"; a + w; " "
506 PRINT AT 10, 2; INK 5; "DF:"; f; " "
508 PRINT AT 8, 20; INK 6; "FL:"; e; " "
510 PRINT AT 9, 20; INK 6; "AU:"; g; " "
512 PRINT AT 10, 20; INK 3; "PT:"; p; " "
514 RETURN
600 REM === stairs down ===
602 LET e = e + 1
604 IF e > 10 THEN GO TO 1100
606 PRINT AT 12, 5; INK 7; BRIGHT 1; "DESCENDING..."
608 PAUSE 30
610 GO TO 40
700 REM === use potion ===
702 IF p <= 0 THEN PRINT AT 12, 5; INK 2; "No potions! ": RETURN
704 LET p = p - 1
706 LET h = h + 10
708 IF h > z THEN LET h = z
710 PRINT AT 12, 5; INK 4; "Healed! HP:"; h; " "
714 RETURN
750 REM === open chest ===
752 LET i = INT (RND * 3)
754 IF i = 0 THEN LET t = INT (RND * 5) + e * 2: LET g = g + t: PRINT AT 12, 3; INK 6; "Found "; t; " gold! ": GO TO 770
756 IF i = 1 AND p < 3 THEN LET p = p + 1: PRINT AT 12, 3; INK 4; "Found a potion! ": GO TO 770
758 IF i = 2 THEN LET t = INT (e / 3) + 1: IF t > w THEN LET w = t: PRINT AT 12, 3; INK 7; "Better weapon! +"; w: GO TO 770
760 LET t = INT (RND * 3) + e: LET g = g + t: PRINT AT 12, 3; INK 6; "Found "; t; " gold! "
770 PAUSE 20
772 RETURN
800 REM === combat ===
802 LET i5 = l(i)
804 RESTORE 1500
806 FOR c = 1 TO i5 - 1: READ i$, t, t2, t3, t4: NEXT c
808 READ i$, t, t2, t3, t4
810 LET i4 = n(i)
812 CLS
814 PRINT AT 0, 0; INK 2; BRIGHT 1; "COMBAT: "; i$
816 PRINT AT 2, 0; INK 7; "Your HP: "; h; " Enemy HP: "; i4
820 PRINT AT 5, 0; INK 7; "A)ttack F)lee"
824 PAUSE 0: LET i$ = INKEY$
826 IF i$ = "f" OR i$ = "F" THEN GO TO 870
828 IF i$ <> "a" AND i$ <> "A" THEN GO TO 824
830 LET c = INT (RND * 6) + 1 + a + w - t3
832 IF c < 1 THEN LET c = 1
834 LET i4 = i4 - c
836 PRINT AT 8, 0; INK 4; "You hit for "; c; "! "
838 IF i4 <= 0 THEN GO TO 890
844 LET c = INT (RND * 6) + 1 + t2 - f
846 IF c < 1 THEN LET c = 1
848 LET h = h - c
850 PRINT AT 10, 0; INK 2; "Enemy hits for "; c; "! "
852 IF h <= 0 THEN GO TO 1000
854 PRINT AT 2, 0; INK 7; "Your HP: "; h; " Enemy HP: "; i4; " "
856 PAUSE 20
858 GO TO 820
870 IF RND > 0.5 THEN PRINT AT 8, 0; INK 6; "You escape! ": PAUSE 20: CLS: RETURN
874 PRINT AT 8, 0; INK 2; "Cannot flee! "
876 LET c = INT (RND * 6) + 1 + t2 - f
878 IF c < 1 THEN LET c = 1
880 LET h = h - c
882 PRINT AT 10, 0; INK 2; "Hit for "; c; "! "
884 IF h <= 0 THEN GO TO 1000
886 PAUSE 20
888 GO TO 820
890 PRINT AT 12, 0; INK 4; BRIGHT 1; "VICTORY!"
892 LET n(i) = 0
894 LET g = g + t4: LET q = q + 1
896 PRINT AT 14, 0; INK 6; "Gained "; t4; " gold"
900 PAUSE 30
902 CLS
904 RETURN
1000 REM === death ===
1002 CLS
1004 PRINT AT 6, 6; INK 2; BRIGHT 1; "YOU HAVE FALLEN"
1006 PRINT AT 8, 4; INK 7; "Floor: "; e; " Kills: "; q
1008 PRINT AT 10, 4; INK 6; "Gold: "; g; " Turns: "; b
1010 PRINT AT 14, 6; INK 7; "Press any key"
1012 PAUSE 0
1014 GO TO 15
1100 REM === victory ===
1102 CLS
1104 PRINT AT 4, 3; INK 7; BRIGHT 1; "THE HEART OF DORIN!"
1106 PRINT AT 6, 2; INK 6; "You found the ancient"
1108 PRINT AT 7, 2; INK 6; "heart and restored Dorin!"
1110 PRINT AT 9, 4; INK 7; "Floors: 10"
1112 PRINT AT 10, 4; INK 7; "Kills: "; q
1114 PRINT AT 11, 4; INK 6; "Gold: "; g
1116 PRINT AT 12, 4; INK 7; "Turns: "; b
1118 PRINT AT 16, 6; INK 7; "Press any key"
1120 PAUSE 0
1122 STOP
1500 REM === MONSTER DATA ===
1502 DATA "Rat", 4, 1, 0, 2
1504 DATA "Goblin", 8, 2, 1, 5
1506 DATA "Skeleton", 12, 3, 2, 8
1508 DATA "Troll", 18, 4, 2, 12
1510 DATA "Wraith", 15, 5, 1, 15
1512 DATA "Dragon", 30, 6, 4, 50
1600 REM === find empty cell ===
1602 LET t = INT (RND * 14) + 2
1604 LET t2 = INT (RND * 14) + 2
1606 IF d(t2,t) <> 0 THEN GO TO 1602
1608 IF t = x AND t2 = y THEN GO TO 1602
1610 RETURN
1700 REM === pick monster for slot i ===
1702 IF e <= 3 THEN LET t = INT (RND * 2) + 1: GO TO 1720
1704 IF e <= 5 THEN LET t = INT (RND * 3) + 1: GO TO 1720
1706 IF e <= 7 THEN LET t = INT (RND * 4) + 2: GO TO 1720
1708 IF e <= 9 THEN LET t = INT (RND * 4) + 3: GO TO 1720
1710 LET t = 6
1720 LET l(i) = t
1722 RESTORE 1500
1724 FOR c = 1 TO t - 1: READ i$, t2, t3, t4, t5: NEXT c
1726 READ i$, t2, t3, t4, t5
1728 LET n(i) = t2
1730 RETURN
2500 REM === title screen ===
2510 PRINT AT 3, 4; INK 7; BRIGHT 1; "DUNGEONS OF DORIN"
2520 PRINT AT 6, 2; INK 6; "Descend ten floors of"
2525 PRINT AT 7, 2; INK 6; "darkness. Find the Heart."
2530 PRINT AT 9, 2; INK 7; "Q/A = up/down"
2535 PRINT AT 10, 2; INK 7; "O/P = left/right"
2540 PRINT AT 11, 2; INK 7; "H = use potion"
2550 PRINT AT 13, 2; INK 5; "Monsters grow stronger"
2555 PRINT AT 14, 2; INK 5; "on deeper floors."
2570 PRINT AT 16, 2; INK 4; "@ = you M = monster"
2575 PRINT AT 17, 2; INK 4; "> = stairs $ = chest"
2580 PRINT AT 20, 6; INK 7; "Press any key"
2590 PAUSE 0
2595 CLS
2598 RETURN
How It Works
Line 26 initialises the weapon bonus w to 0. The player starts unarmed (fists only).
Line 758 in the chest subroutine handles weapon drops. The weapon bonus is calculated from the current floor: INT(e / 3) + 1. On floors 1-2 this gives +1, floors 3-5 give +2, floors 6-8 give +3, and floors 9-10 give +4. The check IF t > w ensures the weapon is only equipped if it is better than the current one. If the rolled weapon is weaker or equal, the chest falls through to gold.
Line 504 in the status panel shows the total attack as a + w. When the player equips a weapon, they see the combined number increase — immediate feedback that the upgrade matters.
The Upgrade Check
Only better weapons are equipped. If the player already carries a +3 weapon and finds a +2, the chest gives gold instead. This prevents frustrating downgrades and means every weapon pickup is a genuine improvement. The player never needs to compare items and choose — the game handles it automatically.
This simplicity is a design choice. A more complex system would let the player carry multiple weapons and swap between them. But that adds inventory management, comparison screens, and more variables. The single-slot auto-upgrade keeps the focus on exploration and combat rather than menu navigation.
Stat Modifiers
The weapon bonus w is added to the base attack a everywhere combat damage is calculated. Line 832 in the player attack formula uses a + w directly. This means the weapon affects every fight from the moment it is equipped, with no additional code needed. The modifier pattern — a base stat plus an equipment bonus — is clean and extensible. Armour uses exactly the same approach for defence in the next unit.
Floor-Based Scaling
Tying weapon quality to floor depth serves two purposes. First, it ensures the player gets stronger as monsters get tougher. A weapon found on floor 7 is appropriate for floor 7 monsters. Second, it creates a progression curve — early floors offer small upgrades, later floors offer dramatic ones. This parallels the monster difficulty scaling from unit 16.
Try This
Start with a weapon. Set w = 2 in the initialisation. How does starting with a weapon change the early game? Is floor 1 too easy?
Track weapon upgrades. Add a counter for how many weapons the player has found across the entire run. Display it on the death or victory screen.