unlimited lives and axes cheats

     I'm pretty sure the disk images on Asimov and Vault do not have the
Unlimited Lives and Unlimited Axes patches. You can use the Sector Editor in
Copy II Plus to search for the byte combinations and make the changes to Disk
1:

Lives: CE 4B 03 --> EA EA EA  (Search or try Trk/Sec 5/9 starting at byte $E4)
Axes:  CE 4E 03 --> EA EA EA  (Search or try Trk/Sec 5/B starting at byte $3D)



Rubywand


Conan:Hall of Volta is copyright 1984 DataSoft, Eric Parker and Eric 
Robinson.

This is its name on the title screen, NOT "Conan the Barbarian" as I'd 
originally thought.

This walkthrough is copyright 2000 Andrew Schultz and is not affiliated 
with DataSoft in any way.  Please do not reproduce or redistribute 
without my prior consent.  This is part of my effort to help preserve 
the memory of Apple IIe games, and although it was enjoyable, it 
involved considerable work.  However, a pleasant and specific request 
for this FAQ will almost certainly be honored.

Check for other FAQs and info on classic Apple IIe games at
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Exhibit/2762/games/other.htm

---------------------------------

Brief summary:

You, Conan the Barbarian, must enter a castle and defeat the evil Volta.  
You are armed with ten boomerang swords, the ability to jump, and your 
own cunning.  Along the way magic gems and keys and even an Avian Ally 
will help you through seven levels of the castle, but there will be many 
monsters to hinder you as well.

---------------------------------

OUTLINE:

Controls

Boomerang Swords

Pre-Game Text

Scoring

Brief map of the levels

Walkthrough by level(1-7)

Death Messages

Utter miscellany

---------------------------------

Controls

I imagine a joystick is available but do not know how to toggle 
controls.  The keyboard controls are more than adequate and are listed 
as follows:
Up/down/momentum left/momentum right:  AZ <- ->
Throw boomerang sword:  space
Jump(somersault):  Q
Toggle Sound:  S
(caps lock must be set to capitalized)

  Useful tips about controls:
  1)Most important:  "momentum left" and "momentum right" mean that 
they're not just used to go left and right.  You have five states:

Running left/Walking left/Standing/Walking right/Running right

  Depending on what state you're in, hitting the left/right arrow will 
move you to the left/right on this spectrum.  Running also allows you to 
jump further, which is critical in just about every level in the game.

  2)Q or the arrows stops you when you are climbing.  This is very 
useful on level 3 or 4, when it's best to stop near the top/bottom of a 
ladder.
  3)Using A or Z when walking will cause you to climb the next available 
ladder.  It will not stop you.
  4)If you jump while running, you go farther than if you jump while 
walking.  If you jump while standing still, you land where you jumped.
  5)Any non-movement key will stop you as long as you are not in midair.

Boomerang Swords

As you start the game with only 10, you probably want to conserve them 
as much as possible.  Here are ways to lose boomerang swords that are 
best avoided:

Throwing the swords into walls/trees
Throwing the swords into a platform slightly above yours(level 3)
Throwing the swords and running away(they eventually sink to the ground)
Throwing the swords into dragon breath(level 5)
Throwing the swords into the power generator(level 6)

You may be able to save an sword if you hit a monster just as your sword 
is about to turn around;  for instance, on level 5, if you hit the 
dragon from a distance, the sword is returned to you.  Although running 
out of boomerang swords does not bar you from finishing the game, it is 
very hard to start collecting them again.  Below is a brief list of 
levels where you can pick up new swords:

Level 4:  At various spots on the ledges
Level 5:  On the bottom portion, between two of the fire pools
Level 6:  On the bottom floor, in the center.  **NOTE**:
Level 7:  None on level 7 proper, but you can re-trace your steps to 
level 6.

Pre-Game Text

      Introduction
  Conan:  Hall of Volta
Destroy Volta.  Beware of
his minions and other
dangers which lie ahead.
Use gems and keys to
your advantage.

(screen 2)
      Characters
  Conan     Volta
      Avian Ally

(screen 3)
      Objects
  Key Locked Door Unlocked Door
     Gem     Gem Holder
       Extra Sword

Scoring

Action                         Score
Staying in bubble(3)           10 per "tick"
Killing the bird(1)            750
Getting a key(2,4)             1000
Unlocking a door(2,4,5)        2500
Putting gem in holder          5000
Killing a mushroom(4)          750
Killing a dragon(5)            2500
Killing dragon-breath(5)       0
Hitting green star(7)          750
Hitting purple star(7)         750
Killing a huge wasp(7)         15050
Touching your avian ally(3)    free life
Completing a level             1000 * (level #)
Endgame bonus                  20000 * (men left)

Brief map of the levels(for fun):
3<-2<-1
|
v
4->5->6->7->(8)

Walkthrough by level

Level 1:  this is the easiest of the levels, not surprisingly.  In fact, 
it's not too tough to get by without killing the bird, which is a good 
idea since you'll probably want to save the swords for 
later(alternatively you can practice killing him without wasting an 
axe.)  Go left and climb up the stairs.  Wait for the bird to fly by 
you(he'll come close but won't touch you!)  Then run left, jump onto the 
platform(if you don't run, you may be obstructed by the chandelier), 
climb up, go left, climb up, go right as fast as you can, jump over the 
chasm, and climb up.  Now that you are on the roof of the castle just go 
left and jump to get on to the turret that will lead you to tougher 
climes.

(Note:  Fred Rose pointed out that it is possible to gain an extra life 
on this level.  The trick is to get by the bird without killing it.  [He 
also pointed out that it's supposed to be a bat, which isn't a bird but 
actually a mammal, hence "Bats in the Belfry" as a death message!]  You 
fall off the right turret.  You then look for a secret stair down in the 
tree.  There will be a squelching noise signifying an extra life which 
will get the game off to a very good start.)

Level 2:  You don't even have to face any monsters on this level, but it 
is still tricky.  It is pretty much a one-way deal;  two trees separate 
you from level 3, and they have branches on each side.  To get to the 
ground, first hit left once until you fall to a branch, then hit right.  
Go right to pick up the key and then run left(two quick lefts) to jump 
over the pond.  Climb up the  tree stairs and go through the door at the 
top.  Standing at the right of the platform run left(two quick lefts) 
and jump.  Then climb down and go all the way left.  Run right(two quick 
rights) and you will fall down to another branch.  Starting from the far 
right run left(two quick lefts) and jump--but not too late, or you'll 
hit your head on the branch above and fall into the spikes between the 
second two trees.  Since you have the key, you'll unlock the door.  Try 
to jump when you land and then go left(there is a slight ledge) but if 
that doesn't work, just go all the way right, run left, and jump.  Hit 
left if Conan has stalled.  On to level 3.

Level 3:  Let's look at the right-hand side of the board first.  There 
are the middle, upper, and lower sections, and you start in the middle.  
Climb down the ladder until you are just out of reach of where the ants 
may cross.  You will need to wait while the gates that pop up on the top 
and bottom(and teleport you to the bottom and top respectively) do so.  
It may take a while before a)both ants are on the bottom and out of 
sight and b)a gate opens on the bottom.  When this happens run down and 
to the left, then go sharply to the right.  Pick up the gem and then 
move left from under the tree.  Something that looks like a buzzard and 
more your enemy than ally will come flying by.  Jump up to touch it--it 
is the avian ally described in the instructions.  You'll get a free 
life.  Now, wait until a teleportal appears on top and the ants are down 
below(and away from the location of the teleportal below.)  While you 
can follow the ants just after they go through the portal, keep in mind 
it could be a quick death for you if you are not careful.  Once you are 
able to get back to the middle level, go just left of the ladder(but 
make sure you can still move left) and wait for the scorpion to be 
around the middle of his platform and moving to the right.  Go left and 
jump, then go left so you are running.  Jump over the scorpion(you 
should make it even if he turns unexpectedly) and run past the gem-
holder--don't jump.  A bubble will have formed on the water, and you 
must jump in it.  Wait until you are two-thirds of the way up and then 
just walk left.  You will fall down to level 4.

Movement information to be aware of:  You cannot jump into a teleport 
door.  You will land just short of it.  Also, your avian ally is not an 
ally if you are on the top platform andjumping away from the ants.  If 
you jump into him, he will hinder you and you won't get an extra life.  
You must be under him.

Level 4:  This level has a lot of random factors.  On the far left is a 
platform that drops down, followed by a platform in the center that 
shoots up, followed by the platform on the left, etc.  Your main object 
is to put two gems in the holders in the lower right corner, pick up the 
key that drops, and go through the locked door to level 5.  However, if 
you just wander around you will get killed quickly by those annoying 
mushrooms-with-stalks-that-have-turned-to-legs.  So here is a map with 
explanation.

  ...^-!
Sv---^       5   .=where random sword/gem may appear
 v. H^..    H-   *=where to put gems(i.e. gem holders)
 v!--^-- -L-H    H=ladders, -=where you can walk, !=you'll fall through
 v...^.H         v,^=platforms that move up/down
 v---^-- ---H    k=where to get the key, L=locked door to use it on
         k**H    S=where you start, 5=on to level 5

My preferred walkthrough is to run right and climb down the upper left 
ladder.  I wait, so that I can't be touched by mushrooms walking 
overhead, until a gem is accessible.  Note:  if it's over the place 
where you'll fall through you can pick it up when you fall through.  I 
also pick up any swords I can--they're needed in later levels!

Once I get a gem, I go and put the first gem in the gem holder.  To jump 
between platforms you must be running, or you will fall in the hot water 
below, so be warned!  When I'm leaving the gem room, I like to walk 
after I've gotten off the stairs then run once I've crossed the door and 
jump.  Two quick right arrows after I jump make sure I don't land in the 
drink.

For the second gem I stand on the stairs below the center platform.  I'm 
untouchable there and can wait for a gem as I please.  Once I get it, 
back to the holder room.  The key will fall and I pick it up.  Now it is 
certainly possible to complete the level, but perhaps it is more 
advisable to stay to pick up another gem to facilitate level 5.

This level may require patience as due to random factors you may not see 
a gem for a while and may be faced with a lot of monsters for longer 
than you'd like.

One particularly annoying random happening is when the monsters get 
stuck in the doors to the right, going back and forth one square.  
Fortunately, if you wait, they will jump off to the right where it looks 
like they're stuck again, but really, they'll fall out of sight with 
their next jump(one bug makes up for the other!)

Movements:  If you jump and touch a monster that is falling/jumping, you 
will bounce off, but once you are on the ground, you will be fair game.  
Also, if you jump and acquire a gem, your lateral momentum is wiped out.

Level 5:  If you have gotten an extra gem from level 4, the task is 
considerably easier.  In any case, you still need to kill a bunch of 
dragons.  To do so you want to walk until you are just right of the 
candle.  When a dragon is on the level above you, on the left, and going 
to the left, throw an sword.  He'll have a rude surprise when he comes 
through the teleportal!  If your timing is right, you may be able to get 
the sword back.  Repeat until the first of the locked doors on top 
opens.  Then go right through the portals and be sure to run when you 
are on the top level just before the unlocked door.  Jump across the 
chasm(or you'll be killed) and put the gem in the gem holder.  Then jump 
back, go left(teleporters are disabled now), pick up the key, go right 
and into level 6.

If you didn't get a gem on level 4, you have a tough task on your hands.  
You should probably kill the dragons first and then go down below your 
starting point to pick up the gem.  You'll have to get a running start 
to jump over the pools, and the fire-spark that moves about can't be 
killed by swords.  However, you may be able to pick up an sword or two 
along the way, which will help in future levels.

Level 6:  This level is tough until you find a place where you can't be 
killed and you can "snipe" the eyes, which appear one at a time.  The 
shocks are invincible(except when they "walk" over the moving platforms 
on the second floor), and even if one is destroyed, the power generator 
spits another one out so there are six shocks.  NOTE: if you die, all 
shocks disappear.

The places the shocks cannot reach are the torches on the left-hand 
walls.  Run left into the torch just below the door you entered by.  Hit 
the right arrow and then quickly hit the left arrow.  You should be 
facing right, protected by the torch.  Now all you have to do is wait 
for the eyes to come your way.  There are about four pre-set patterns 
for the eyes, and in at least half of them, the eyes will fly by you.  
Since your sword passes through the sparks, the eyes are easy targets.

When you have killed six eyes, the partial ladder in the upper left hand 
corner will be complete.  Climb it and throw an sword.  You will cause 
the chandelier to fall from the ceiling and take out the power 
generator, killing the sparks as well.  The exit on the right, 
originally blocked by a stream of static, is also accessible;  it will 
teleport you to level 7.

As an added bonus, if you have under ten swords left, the bottom floor 
will replenish your swords up to the original ten if you can wait.

Level 7:  This level has some nasty and seemingly random traps.  
Basically, Volta, in the upper left corner, puts gems into a machine.  
They turn into whirling stars that will kill you on contact.  The green 
ones, when hit with an sword, turn into gems, and even if you already 
have a gem and kill a green one, you can come back for the gem later.  
The purple ones simply change direction.  Stars may also release the 
bee/mosquito in the lower right corner.  In addition, stars are "smart--
" there are only a few patterns, but they will chase you into the 
chamber of gem holders if you stay there too long.  The best way to 
avoid the stars is to be near a stair and climb down and up to avoid the 
rounds they make.

The most annoying pitfall in level 7 may be the drop back to level 6.  
While it's handy if you've run out of swords, you'll want to remember to 
run and not walk when you cross the gap at all other times.  My 
recommendation is to cross once and hang out around the leftmost ladder-
-you can avoid most of the stars that come at you by briefly climbing 
down and then up the ladders.  When you place a gem, beware.  The 
"smart" stars Volta produces may go to the gem chamber instead of out 
and around as usual.

The second most annoying pitfall is the small thing in the lower right 
that will kick you back up if you fall off the platform and run left--
you must instead walk and jump immediately.

You can tell how long the vanishing platform will be up by its tone--the 
lower it is, the longer before it disappears, and the safer it will be 
for you to cross.

To win the level, place three gems in the gem holders.  The avian ally 
will then be released from the cage.  He'll pick Volta up and drop him 
in the pool of fire.  Then he'll pick you up and fly you through the 
open door.

Rough map:
          DOOR
          ------
VO AA|         |
--   |    -----+
     |    | H  |
     |    +--  |
  ***|POOL|    |
-----+----+    |
H             ^|
.-----  -------+
  H H    H H |Bee
PL-----v6--------
^=kicks you back up
v6=down to level 6
.=occasional platform
VO=Volta & machine
*=gem holders
AA=Avian Ally
P(OO)L=pool
Bee:  can be released by stars

Level 8:  This is just a victory message, but "level 8" appears on the 
screen.  It awards you a bonus for each man you have left.

Thus, Volta was destroyed and Conan continued in search of high 
adventure.

Death Messages

When you die in Conan the Barbarian, several death messages are printed 
on the screen.  The choice of messages depends on the level, but the 
message is randomly chosen from them.  Here are the ones I have been 
able to find.  Some are inappropriate to your mode of death so it does 
seem to be truly random, but the messages are appropriate to specific 
parts of the level.  Pictures shown are in parentheses.

1:  Your odyssey has ended before it had begun (torch)
    And so the story ended
    Bats in your belfry (moon)
    Back to Cimmeria barbarian!!!!
2:  (blank)
3:  You beat a heated retreat...
    Life from above (ants)
    Only a cleric can help you now (cleric)
    You Succumb to Lassitude(cavern outline)
4:  You sink slowly into a peaceful bliss (vase)
    Conan's Bane! (mushroom-thing)
    The End (crossed swords)
    Your Struggles are in Vain
5:  To be continued... (tombstone)
    The glow from the pyre lights the room (candle)
    You shuffle off defeated for now
6:  Crom awaits (eye)
    The eyes have it (eye)
    A Shocking End (static)
7:  Volta's minions take you to the Lokh-Pa slave pits (horse)
    The Crimson Orb recedes on your horizon (sun)
    You retire more dead than alive


Utter miscellany

You can rack up a million points pretty easily(but not quickly) once you 
get to level 6.  Just complete the level and fall back down from level 7 
immediately.  Each time you solve it you get 
6*4000+10000(generator)+6000=40000 points.  So if you solve level 6 25 
times, you score a million and this will flip the scoreboard.  I'm a bit 
curious as to what would happen but don't have the time to find out.

--------------------------------------------

Credits:  the inimitable apple.asimov.net for having this game
  Fred Rose for the extra-life tip.

Versions:  5/29/2000 1.0.0:  completed Conan the Barbarian(5/12) and its 
walkthrough along with interesting/useful info.
5/30/2000 1.0.0.1:  modified end-of-game info as well as some silly 
typos.  Removed unverified tip.  Changed name of FAQ to reflect game's 
actual name.
10/22/2000 1.0.1:  Added Fred Rose's(wingaddict@stny.rr.com) extra-life 
info.

Send comments, etc. to schultza@earthlink.net

