If you’ve ever rolled a d20 or fantasized about killing draconians under a red sky, there’s a decent possibility that you’ve encountered Champions of Krynn. Published in 1990 by Strategic Simulations Inc. (SSI), this tactical RPG broke the seal on the Dragonlance Gold Box trilogy—a bold foray away from the standard Forgotten Realms and into the conflict-ridden continent of Ansalon. A nostalgic nod for fans of Dungeons & Dragons and traditional RPGs, Champions of Krynn is so much more than a retro throwback—it’s an exemplary model of how to successfully translate a beloved fantasy world into digital format.
A Faithful Adaptation of the Dragonlance Setting
From the very beginning, Champions of Krynn establishes that this is not your typical dungeon crawl. The game begins in the legendary Inn of the Last Home in Solace, immersing the player in the Dragonlance lore from the first screen. Your group is hurled into a fight with Baaz Draconians within moments, priming the pump for a greater conflict centered around the nefarious Myrtani, an Aurak Draconian who takes off with a cryptic ancient tome.
Throughout the story, Dragonlance book fans will see familiar names, places, and lore-filled situations. The game is enriched by cameos from pivotal characters and references to the source book series, which add depth and establish the setting’s unique tone of hope, sacrifice, and high-risk adventure.
Depth in Character Creation and World-Building
What truly sets Champions of Krynn apart is its deep customization and mechanics rooted in Dragonlance lore. Players can build a party with races like Kender, Qualinesti Elves, Hill Dwarves, and more. Instead of the traditional Paladin, you’ll find the Knight of Solamnia—a class bound by the Oath and the Measure, starting with plate armor and a sword, but required to donate gold at every settlement due to a vow of poverty.
Mages on Krynn don’t merely cast spells —they do magic by tapping into the world’s moons, whose influence varies with lunar cycles. Clerics have a choice of several gods, each bestowing different powers and spellcasting capabilities, providing actual strategic differentiation. Such a design doesn’t merely provide flavor—it enhances the sense of being in a living, breathing fantasy world.
Combat and Gameplay: Tactical and Classic
As with the other Gold Box titles, Champions of Krynn includes a top-down, turn-based combat system based upon a cavalier projection. A difficulty setting is added for the game, a welcome addition for players wanting more control over the level of challenge. Combat is highly detailed, with draconians acting exactly like their tabletop equivalents. For example, when a Baaz is killed, it petrifies, potentially leaving your weapon stuck within until the battle is over.
These minor but effective details transform mundane fights into memorable scenes and make combat an authentic extension of the source material.
Technical Highlights and Reception
Graphically, Champions of Krynn was on target for the era. Its 16-color EGA graphics and 16-color palette are certainly antiquated by today’s standards, but in 1990, it stood its ground against such games as Secret of the Silver Blades. The MS-DOS port included AdLib sound support, and even permitted mouse or joystick input—a luxury few games afforded during the era.
Critics were generally impressed. Dragon Magazine gave it a perfect score, complimenting how well it did at evoking the flavor of tabletop D&D. Games International liked its simplified combat and character creation, although it felt the story was a bit more anorexic than in previous SSI attempts. Computer Gaming World’s Scorpia mentioned some weaknesses—such as the absence of XP for our characters and a slow fight against the final boss—but referred to it as a solid contender, particularly for the books’ fans.
Legacy and Enduring Influence
With sales of more than 116,000 copies, Champions of Krynn was successful within its genre and time frame. It’s become a classic over the years among retro RPG players. It was once ranked as one of the greatest D&D games ever by IGN, and GameSpy appreciated its mechanics and use of the Dragonlance setting, even though the graphics had aged.
Over 30 years on, Champions of Krynn remains a beacon of how to effectively bring a dense tabletop world to life as a rewarding digital experience. It won’t have the sheen of contemporary RPGs, but its dedication to lore, strategic combat, and player choice still reserves it a position among the best.