Fighting. Walk into a foe to strike it. WASD/arrows move, QEZC step diagonally — but you can never squeeze through a sealed corner. The faint ring marks the 8 tiles you can reach; a red-outlined tile holds a foe in arm's reach.

The floor never lies. Every big hit is painted a turn early: orange plus-marks — a shell lands there; a hot lane — a charger gallops down it (sidestep and it lies dazed); violet line — the Lich's beam; red square — a crushing blow. Stand anywhere else.

Conducts. Some restraint is remembered: win without drinking a potion (Abstinent, +150), without buying (No Deal, +100), or after daring the dark stair (Darkstrider, +75) — each win is recorded as a badge on the title screen, per hero and difficulty.

Eyes and shots. What watches you blocks auto-travel — the message names the direction, and pressing O again advances on it. Bolts need a clear line; 'no clear shot' means move first. Sleeping foes show a z; one that just spotted you shows ? and loses that turn.

Keys & vaults. The floor's elite carries a key; the golden chest is its lock. Keys crumble when you descend — spend them where you find them. The red stair plunges PAST the next floor: richer spoils, but the dark rules where you land.

The clock. Linger too long and the dark stirs, then hunts — something is sent for you. Gold, gear (press an item's number to use or wear it; mid-fight it asks twice), boons each floor, and soul embers on death for permanent Sanctum gifts.