After much deliberation, I have decided to make a new category for the JP version of the game.

My reasoning for doing this is due to a recent run submitted by HurricaneCat_0311 - there is nothing wrong with the run, but I noted that there appear to be some mechanics that are not achievable in the NES US version, in particular the ability to throw SUPER slow pitches.

Please let me know if you feel I've made this change in error.

As gross as the physics and bugs in this game are, I think the out of bound strats have gotten to a point that warrants a category where stroking out to "give up" on a hole is not allowed. Here's my submissions for this hypothetical category for the US and Japan courses:

US Course: 13:14

Japan Course: 13:32

After some discussions with NESCardinality a couple of weeks ago, we decided that it was very possible to beat dragon warrior without casting a single spell. Your first realistic chance to win the game is at level 27, although the odds are slim. By the time you hit level 29, you are a strong favourite to beat DL2 without even having to use a single healmore!

I was able to prove this concept on an edited ROM of DW with experience requirements cut by 67% (i.e. 33% of the normal values), and a few days later I was able to complete a full run without casting a single spell.