Knights of the Round Score Multiplier

The guide provides a brief description of the score multiplier in Knights of the Round, and how to maximise scoring using the megacrush special move.

Multiplier Basics

In Knights of the Round the score multiplier is applied to all enemy kills, starting at x1 and increasing each time an enemy of the same type is killed sequentially.

For example if three soldiers, each worth 100 points, are killed one after another the first will award 100 points, the second 200, and the third 300.
The maximum possible multiplier is x4. Killing a 5th enemy of the same type resets the multiplier and awards only normal points.

The multiplier is also reset when any enemy of a different type is killed, when the scene changes, when the player is killed, and when an enemy is hit using the megacrush move (attack + jump).
Destroying a barricade does not reset the multiplier.

Building up the multiplier by selectively targeting enemies is key for maximising points and advancing character experience levels.

Using and Abusing the Megacrush

The megacrush desperation attack can be activated by pressing the attack and jump buttons at the same time.

Hitting an enemy with the megacrush resets the score multiplier, however before this happens the current score multiplier is first applied to the points awarded for all enemies of any type killed by the attack.

For example if three soldiers are killed in succession with normal attacks followed by a Swordsman (normally worth 800 points) with a megacrush - that Swordsman will award 2400 points.

Bosses do not award additional points when killed in this way, and you receive a reduced bonus for landing the killing blow with a megacrush.

Multipliers and Horses

The horse offers an additional way to rack up the points - stomping. By tapping forwards twice on the controls the horse will make a short jump forwards and crush any enemy it lands on.

The horse crush attack follows similar scoring rules to the megacrush, applying the current multiplier to the points value of any enemy killed while not advancing the multiplier. However unlike the megacrush the score multiplier is not reset after hitting with the attack.

With care it is possible to build up a score much higher than would be possible without the horse by carrying a high multiplier through waves of enemies.

Final Word

Score multipliers have a huge impact on score with over 9000 (yes really) points available from killing enemies on the first stage alone compared to less than 3000 without the benefits of the multiplier - and 3200 of those points tied up in catching the final swordsman with a megacrush while at the maximum x4 multiplier.

Picking off enemies in matching order and targeting high value targets for crush attacks makes the game considerably more difficult but the final score will reflect the effort.

[Bagheera Magaro]

This explains so much about what I was doing wrong when playing this game. I honestly didn't understand why I couldn't get to the highest level by the end of the game until now. Thanks!

[retropolcey]

good tricks, thanks

[NoPJag]

Ok forgot to mention: only heavier strikes and do not be hit (the birds are a bit difficult to handle there, the key being moving to them to take them one by one)

[NoPJag]

You're right. Also, one of the biggest tricks we had at the arcade back then (djeezes in 1993):
After beating the second boss (bradford), the first scene has 2 barricades. If you manage to kill all enemies with only heavier strikes, 2 options:
Either you have lost a life and you can try for extra lives hitting only heavier strikes on the top most barricade (the one with food).
If you didn't, then you may attempt the lowest one for a level up.
It is not systematic, but consistent enough
There is another spot like that later in the game. I would think it is the entrance of the second castle but not sure.
But definitely it is remarkable that while playing with 3 people and splitting enemies among us to score better, we never ever noticed what you explained!
So again, thanks a bunch :-) Will try this definitely!

[AT]

@NoPJag - Thanks. I wasn't entirely clear on the scoring system myself until I replayed the game to write the guide.

I have also seen it suggested that counters and heavier strikes are more likely to result in treasure drops but i've never tested whether that is the case. Either way KotR definitely has one of the more interesting 'high score challenge' type systems that rewards you for your playstyle.

[NoPJag]

Wow! I thought I really knew this game as was playing it a lot in the arcade back then, but I learned some new stuff (only knew the multiplier basics)! Thanks! Glad to see some other people still know and care about how to properly play this game!