Imperial Knights game mechanics FAQ
Combat, elements, day/night, guild ranks, H-level, and other common questions.
This page answers the most common gameplay mechanic questions Imperial Knights players ask. For detailed guides on specific systems, follow the links to each topic.
Combat system
How does the turn-based combat work?
Imperial Knights uses a four-slot command battle system. Each turn, you select actions for up to four party members. Actions include attack, skill, item, defend, and flee. Enemies are visible on the field before battles begin.
See: Combat guide
What are the elemental weaknesses?
Six elements: Fire > Earth > Wind > Water > Fire. Light and Dark have mutual weakness to each other.
Elemental weapons are found in dungeon chests and quest rewards. Skills should account for element matchups. Equipment stats are less critical than elemental choices.
What is armor-break?
Armor-break is a status effect where enemy attacks damage equipment durability. When durability reaches zero, the character enters a bind state and loses command inputs for that turn. Female characters have an additional costume layer that triggers special scenes when broken.
See: Combat guide
How do I counter armor-break?
Use Repair Kits during exploration (not during battle). Male mercenaries do not trigger the costume layer, making them useful for tanking against enemies with armor-break attacks.
See: Combat guide, Party overview
Day and night system
What changes between day and night?
- Different NPCs appear at different times
- Some quests only trigger at specific times
- Night work (jobs) provides gold income
- Town investigation options vary by time of day
How do I advance time?
Sleep at the inn to advance to the next day. Some story events force a day/night transition.
Guild system
How do guild ranks work?
Completing requests raises your adventurer rank. Higher ranks unlock:
- New towns and areas
- More difficult requests
- Story progression gates
- Costume changes for Diana
What are the guild ranks in order?
Approximate progression: Beginner → Junior Adventurer → Intermediate → Advanced → Senior → Expert.
Specific ranks are tied to story progression rather than a strict numerical system.
Can I take multiple requests at once?
No. You can only hold one active request at a time. Complete or abandon the current request before accepting a new one.
Mercenary system
How do I hire mercenaries?
After story allies leave the party, they register at the guild as mercenaries. Hire them by:
- Visiting the guild
- Selecting “Hire Mercenary”
- Paying gold (approximately level × 100G)
Can I hire any ally as a mercenary?
Yes. All temporary party members become available as mercenaries after their story role ends, provided you have an open party slot and enough gold.
See: Party overview
H-level system
What is H-level?
H-level is a hidden stat that increases by viewing adult scenes. Higher H-levels unlock:
| H-Level | Reward |
|---|---|
| 2 | Repair Kit |
| 3 | Full Potion |
| 4 | Full Magic |
| 5 | Stimulant |
| 6 | Elixir |
| 7 | Puremite Ore |
| 8 | 100,000G |
| 9 | Magic Sword |
| 10 | Amatsuka Koyori Card (Platinum Rare) |
H-level resets on replays but carries the rewards into New Game+.
Does the same H-event raise H-level twice?
No. Each unique event only raises H-level once per playthrough.
See: Gallery guide
New Game+ system
What carries over into NG+?
The following carry over:
- Gold (except initial amount)
- All cards and album
- Mercenary board (previous route allies available)
- Gallery scenes (route-specific scenes from cleared routes)
- H-level (resets but rewards carry)
- Equipment and inventory (except quest items)
What does not carry over?
- Story flags from the previous playthrough
- Specific boss defeat flags
- Quest completion status
See: New Game+ guide
Elemental equipment
Where do I get elemental weapons?
Elemental weapons are primarily found in:
- Dungeon chests (especially quest-specific treasure)
- Late-game shops
- Story progression rewards
Check the walkthrough for specific locations.
Should I prioritize elemental weapons over stats?
Yes. Elemental matchups provide more damage advantage than raw stat differences. Always check enemy weaknesses before equipping weapons for boss fights.
Card system
How do cards work?
Cards are equipable accessories obtained from gacha machines in town item shops. They provide:
- Status null effects (poison, sleep, blind, silence)
- Stat boosts
- Elemental resistances
See: Card tier list, Card album guide
Do cards carry into NG+?
Yes. Cards and the album carry over into New Game+ runs.
General gameplay
How do I make gold quickly?
Early game: Sell unnecessary equipment and complete guild requests.
Mid game: Night work in towns, selling dungeon drops.
Late game: Casino farming on Route 3 (see Casino guide).
Can I save anywhere?
Save at the manor (home) or at inns. The game does not allow mid-dungeon saves in some areas.
What happens if Diana dies?
If Diana’s HP reaches zero, it is a game over. Her equipment is not lost on a game over — only when she leaves the party.
How do I unlock the Ether Knight class?
After defeating Mud Poison in the Spirit Cave and reporting to the Emperor, return to the castle basement to speak with the mage. The ritual is available on all routes.
See: Ether Knight guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions Imperial Knights players ask first.
How does the element system work?
Fire > Earth > Wind > Water > Fire. Light and Dark have mutual weakness to each other.
What happens when armor breaks?
When durability reaches zero, the character enters a bind state and loses command inputs for that turn. Female characters trigger additional costume layer effects.
How do I advance time in the game?
Sleep at the inn to advance to the next day. Some story events also trigger time transitions.
What is H-level?
H-level is a hidden stat that increases by viewing adult scenes. It unlocks rewards at levels 2-10, including the Amatsuka Koyori Platinum Rare card at level 10.
How do I hire mercenaries?
After story allies leave the party, visit the guild, select Hire Mercenary, and pay approximately level × 100G.
What carries over into New Game+?
Cards, album, mercenaries, gallery scenes, H-level rewards, and equipment carry over. Story flags and quest completions do not.
How do I become an Ether Knight?
Defeat Mud Poison in the Spirit Cave, report to the Emperor, then speak with the mage in the castle basement for the ritual.