Note: This is an HTML adaptation of the Brandish Tips (SNES version) authored by the Koei Corporation.
Preface
Brandish begins with Varik falling into Ruins Area 1. There
are forty-five dungeons divided into fours major sections: Ruins
Area, Tower, Cave, and Fortress. Your goal is to find your way
out of the intricate maze by fighting monsters, discovering hidden
treasures, and solving riddles in order to return to civilization.
Controller hints
To make the game easier to play, change the walking pattern
of Varik to "Rotate" (see Configuration: L/R Key in
the manual).
Rest periodically to increase your HP by pressing L + R on the controller, simultaneously.
General tips
When you enter a shop, sell your gold bars to accumulate more
wealth. This will allow you to buy stronger shields, weapons and
magic. Note: Selling combined gold bars will be more profitable,
because they accrue interest.
Use limitless weapons as your main weapons. Save the stronger weapons for encounters with Boss monsters.
Alter the Game Speed (see Configuration in the manual) to help you get through certain rooms or to defend yourself from difficult monsters.
When your Level, Arm Strength, Magic Endurance, or Knowledge increases throughout the game, it is a good idea to save that information (see Save under Options Menu in the manual).
Rooms that have several monsters is a clue that they are guarding precious treasures. Don't avoid them, challenge yourself, Varik! By attacking certain monsters, you will be able to find additional treasures, passageways or increase your arm strength.
Warp Zones are areas that transport you to a different part of the map. Some are tricky so it is a good idea to look for switches to control the Warp Zones, buy some Warp Magic at a Magic Shop, or refer to the map frequently to confirm where you are.
When you advance to areas with several monsters, it is a good idea to close the door behind you to protect yourself.
To defend against monsters who attack from far away, such as the Archer, Coelacanth, Black Magic and Gargoyle, it is best to corner them against a wall and render them defenseless.
Location hints
Ruins Area 1
There are floor and wall switches which will open doors. Be
sure to look all around you for plaques, decaying walls, doors
and switches. But be careful where you step because you may fall
down to the Basement! Items in treasure chests, such as sledgehammers
and keys, will be very useful on this floor.
Ruins Area 4
On this floor, you will have an unexpected encounter with
Alexis. To get passed the rolling rock, shield yourself from shooting
arrows and walk over all the switches except for the last switch
(the second to the last switch triggers the rolling rock). When
the rock begins to roll towards you, run backwards and hide in
the cubbyhole on the right side of wall.
Ruins Area 5
In the last room of Ruins Area 5, you must flip the switches
appropriately in order to stop the bars and create an easy passageway
in the next room. It may help if you slow the speed of the game
when positioning these bars. If you can get through this room,
you can succeed to floor 6!
Ruins Area 7
This floor is all Warp Zones. It is a good idea to refer to
the map frequently and take notes. Be sure to walk all around
the rooms because Warp Zones may be hidden. There are no monsters
on this floor.
Ruins Area 10
This is the final and most challenging floor of the Ruins
Area. There is a Warp Zone in the beginning of this floor, so
good luck getting through! Talk to the Ghost of a Girl to get
information. In order to receive a key and proceed to the tower,
you must defeat the Wizard in the last room. It is best to keep
your back against a wall, use your shield for protection, and
attack with your strongest sword. NOTE: Only one wizard is real,
the other two are imaginary. You must kill the real wizard in
order to proceed.
Foot Of The Tower
When you move to the Foot of the Tower, you must defeat the
Giant Crab to receive a key. This key will only take you so far
before you will need to return to Ruins Area 10. Talk to the
Ghost of a Girl and she will give you a token of her thanks. Be
sure to look at doors before you touch them on this floor.
In general, after you talk with someone on a particular floor,
it is a good idea to go back and talk to them later, and you will
receive more information or treasures.
Tower 2F
A Goblin will give you some insightful information for 5000
gold pieces. Be careful of what may be behind certain walls...
Tower 3F
Talk to the Imprisoned Woman and try to help her find her
boyfriend. This will require you to go down a floor to search
for him, but she will give you a treasure.
Tower 5F
In the room with the four pillars, beware of the switch in
the middle of the room that will release four Headless monsters.
Use Invisibility Potion to fight them. If you are strong enough
to challenge them, you may find some extra treasures.
Tower 9F
You will have the chance to meet another warrior named Gadie
in the "Southeast Room". In order to figure out the
floor switches, read the plaque on the wall and remember where
you met Gadie.
Top Of The Tower
To kill the Rakshahsas, use Invisibility Potion and attack
when they are not looking.
Cave B10
The Nicksy will ask you to help the people in the cave by
getting the water to flow again. If you help them out, the Nicksy
will give you a token of her thanks.
Cave B7
You will need to search hard for switches to allow you to
cross the water. Touch stone plaques and keep some extra gold
bars on hand for when you get stranded.
Cave B6
Keep some Invisibility Potion on hand to help you fight Arachness.
Cave B3
On the perimeter of this floor, there are many crumbling walls
which will lead you to secret passageways. To get to other sections
of the maze, you must return to Cave B4 and go to the stairway
in that area. If you are strong enough to kill the Iron Knight
(the monster with the highest Defense Strength), you will receive
a reward.
Cave B2
Don't be afraid to fall into the large hole, it could lead
you to new places.
Cave B1
Be sure to check the walls around you, it may help you get
to other parts of the maze. There is a special order to opening
and closing the 10 treasure chests. You must defeat the Ninja
before moving onto the Dark Zone. It is best to attack from far
away using Barrier Magic or the Ring of Anger, and attack up close
with the Sword of Flames. You may have to slow the speed of the
game.
Dark Zones 1 and 2
Follow the monsters to lead you through the maze. Use the
magnifying glass or steel balls to check areas in front of you.
It is best to kill the Tatsujin with Fire Magic.
Fortress 1
Take off your shield of darkness in the Fortress. When defending
yourself from the Manticore in the room with all of the treasure
chests, use Heal Magic and your strongest sword. In the large
room with switches around the periphery, there is a post that
remains constant to the southwest of the warp zone. Face north
and touch the post.
Fortress 2
When you touch the Green-eyed Wall, beware of the Erase Eye
who will confuse you by erasing parts of the map. It's a good
idea to discover most of the maze before touching the wall and
setting this monster free.
Fortress 3
Read all the plaques on this floor to get extra hints. To
get through the room with all the switches, you must begin in
front of the right switch and then use the code which was on the
plaque in the room below (L=turn left, R=turn right, J=jump and
F=forward). When you flip all 5 switches in the final room and
the Warp Zone maze, one path will open up and lead you to an exit.
Fortress 4
Use Heal Magic before jumping into holes. Watch out for evil
imitation treasure chests, that can kill you. Try jumping over
them.
Fortress 5, 6, 7
You will need to do a lot of traveling between these floors
before succeeding to the Backbone level.
Backbone
Kill the Bezalhydra to get a hold of a powerful sword and
key which will bring you victory.
Berimya
Congratulations, you've made it to the final stage! To get
past the last room, use the Planet Buster sword, Star Shield and
all of your power to kill the final monster, King Berebus. It
may help to slow the game speed in this room. Good job, Varik!