Armstrong Park early-game wall — Moose and Rocko guard the park entrance and hit harder than anything before them. Rush straight here from Crosstown High and you’re done. Farm the first two screens until you’ve banked $40–50, then hit Merlin’s Mystery Shop or the Sushi Bar for Punch and Kick boosts. Dragon Feet from Rexy’s Dojo ($15) alone swings the fight. Don’t step into Armstrong until your stats read 32/32 minimum.
Running out of money before the mall — River City’s economy punishes waste. Buy every technique or blow cash on Smile Burger’s $3 soda and you’re broke by mid-game with nothing to show. Prioritize Willpower and Stamina foods first — fish and tea items — so you can farm longer without folding. Save technique buys for Stone Hands ($25) and Dragon Kick ($20); their wide hitboxes turn crowds into cleanup. Trash every downed enemy; the dropped coins stack faster than you expect.
The Warehouse District respawn loop — Gang members respawn the instant you backtrack, trapping you in endless fights that bleed health. If Frat Guys or Generic Dudes reappear after you walk left, you’ve triggered it. Move right, always. Never retreat more than half a screen. Need to heal? Duck into the nearest shop instead of walking back a zone. The respawn is positional, not timed.
Slick’s final form stamina drain — The last boss has a jumping attack that chips relentlessly, and most players arrive with depleted Stamina from the Dragon Twins fight right before. Below 64 Stamina, you can’t sustain the hit-trading to close. Before the rooftop, backtrack to Oak Hill Mall and buy Merlin’s Deluxe Sushi ($38) for the Stamina spike. Pair it with Grand Slam’s knockdown loop: jump, Grand Slam, repeat as Slick stands. He can’t counter it.
