About Arrow Duel
Arrow Duel is a standoff between a red archer on a stone pillar to the left and a blue archer on a pillar to the right. You take one shot each per turn, and every arrow flies in a real arc pulled down by gravity and pushed by the wind, so angle and power have to work together. A headshot does far more damage than a hit on the legs, and when a health bar runs out the archer flops over like a rag doll and the round is over.
Every round has a new arena. The pillars change height and distance, and sometimes a wooden watchtower blocks the straight path so you have to lob over it. The wind shifts every turn, and a small arrow at the top shows which way and how hard it blows. Balloons drift through the middle: pop one with an arrow to win a heart that restores health, a triple shot, or a power arrow that hits much harder.
Play the computer on three levels. Easy misses plenty and suits a first try, while Hard is precise and goes for the head. The computer also learns from its misses, getting closer after every one. Or duel a brother, sister or friend, taking turns on one computer or one phone, in a best of 3 or best of 5 match.
How to play
- Choose the computer or a friend, then pick how many rounds to play.
- On your turn, drag back from anywhere: the white dots show the start of the arrow's path.
- Check the wind arrow at the top and raise or lower your angle to make up for it.
- Let go to shoot. Aim for the head, or pop a balloon for a bonus.
- Knock out your rival in enough rounds and you win the match.
Controls
| Keyboard | ↑ and ↓ (or W and S) change the bow angle. Hold Space or Enter: the power meter rises and falls, so let go at the right moment. In 2-player mode you take turns with the same keys. |
|---|---|
| Mouse | Press anywhere and drag back, like pulling a bowstring, then let go to shoot. The drag direction sets the angle and its length sets the power. |
| Touch | Put your finger anywhere on the screen, drag back and let go to shoot. 2-player mode works on phones and tablets too: you pass the device on each turn. |
Tips to win
- If your arrow lands short, add a little power and keep the same angle, so you know exactly what changed.
- A strong headwind needs a higher angle or more power, and a tailwind carries your arrow further.
- The triple shot spreads its arrows a little, which is perfect when you are not sure of your aim.
- When a tower stands in the middle, shoot high with medium power so the arrow drops onto your rival from above.
Arrow Duel: questions and answers
Can two people play on one phone?
Yes. The game is turn-based, so each player drags and shoots on their own turn, on a single phone, tablet or computer.
Is there any blood?
No. Arrows stick with a burst of yellow stars, and a knocked-out archer falls over with cartoon X eyes. No blood and nothing scary.
What do the balloons do?
Pop one with an arrow to win a bonus: the heart gives back 25 health, x3 makes your next shot three arrows, and the lightning bolt makes your next arrow hit harder.
Is the computer a good shot?
On Easy it misses a lot, Medium and Hard shoot better, and on every level it corrects its aim after each miss, just like a real player.