Conserve Memory - DRO has a very large memory footprint. This is partially due to the fact that it is a java application and mostly due to the 1158 JPEG hexes and counters that it must load for display on your computer. In order to reduce the wear and tear caused by swapping between RAM and your hard drive, we recommend that you have at least 128 MB of RAM. Further, we also suggest that you close all other applications before starting DRO.

Scale the Map - It is easiest to play DRO when you can see the whole game board rather than having to scroll around the map. With a reasonable sized monitor, you can achieve this by using the Scale menu item. First, maximize the DRO window. Next, select the Scale menu item and drag the slider until the whole map barely fits inside of the window.

Viewing Obscured Hexes - It is difficult to see the terrain inside of a hex occupied by counters and impossible to determine the intrinsic strength of an occupied castle. Until we rectify this difficulty with the game, we suggest that you simply move the counters to an adjacent hex in order to determine the original hex's attributes. Just make sure to move them back promptly (especially if they are an opponent's counters).

Log Events Liberally – Make sure that you explicitly record of your actions in the log. Familiarize yourself with the event types in the Log Event dialog. This gives you an idea of the extent of the ad-hoc logs. Since you might not be online to explain the state of your previous move to the next player, don’t leave any ambiguity. For instance, log where a random events unit enters the board. Log ambassador failures and their duration. Declare all attacks before resolving any. Be clear whether your troops are inside or outside of the castle. Indicate whether your flying units have landed or not. By all means, don’t forget to log your victory points for plunders and monarchs.