ZX SPECTRUM · CHAOS (1985)
Spells & sprites
The original game contains 60 distinct spells in 65 records. Magic Bolt, Lightning, Subversion, Raise Dead and Turmoil each occupy two records. All 60 are now available in Wizard Arena. Read the rules and fidelity notes.
These 16×16 sprites are decoded from the original game data. Creature previews use the actual four-slot frame sequences, colours and animation timers. The individual frames are shown below each preview. Plain wizards and some structures use a single bitmap; colour changes can provide animation without changing the bitmap.
Sources: Original instructions · Original spell table · Disassembly and sprite data. Credits and extraction notes.
Wizards and shared effects
Attack effects are overlays on the target, not alternate creature poses. Effect-preview timing is adapted for readability. Spell beams are drawn effects rather than additional creature sprites; the previews here show the associated impact or casting artwork.
Details that matter
- Most creatures have three bitmaps played as 0 → 1 → 2 → 1. Elf, Ghost, Wraith, Zombie and Magic Fire have four bitmap frames.
- Bear’s actual table plays 0 → 1 → 2 → 2, rather than the ping-pong pattern suggested by some annotations.
- Spectre, woods and castles animate mainly by changing colour attributes. Wall is static.
- The data includes an unused Troll sprite, but Troll is absent from the 65-entry spell table. Spider is also absent from the original Chaos spell list.
- Shadow Form alters the wizard’s appearance; Law/Chaos shifts, Subversion, Raise Dead and Turmoil do not create a new, unique creature sprite.
Original game: Julian Gollop / Games Workshop, 1985. Disassembly annotations: Lewis Lane; additional reference: Guesser and szeliga. Original artwork is preserved; browser effect timing is adapted.