Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes of the Lance

About

Heroes of the Lance is a side-scrolling action RPG rooted in Dungeons & Dragons lore. Players build a squad of eight Dragonlance heroes but only one fights at a time. When the on-screen character dies, the next steps in. Combat uses authentic D&D stats from rulebooks, blending strategy with fast-paced scrolling action. The goal is to navigate the ruined city of Xak Tsaroth, fending off enemies to reach the ancient dragon Khisanth and reclaim the Disks of Mishakal. The game stands out for its strict adherence to D&D mechanics, requiring players to balance character attributes and positioning. Managing a team where only one member is active adds tactical risk, as poor choices lead to quick respawns. Though the 1988 release shows age in some platform versions, the core challenge of retrieving the relic remains engaging for fans of tactical action. Its single-player focus and direct tie to Dragonlance stories make it a niche but memorable entry in retro RPGs.

Storyline

The game is based on the first Dragonlance campaign module for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Dragons of Despair, and the first Dragonlance novel Dragons of Autumn Twilight. Heroes of the Lance focuses on the journey of eight heroes through the ruined city of Xak Tsaroth, where they must face the ancient dragon Khisanth and retrieve the relic, the Disks of Mishakal.