| OLIGARCH | Ruler over Laks is initially good, then roguish |
| ARCH | It's so roguish, it may be over one's head (4) |
| NGAIO | No good, then very good, over NZ tree |
| GALES | Initially good drinks - and their strength is obvious! (5) |
| GHENT | Belgian city good, then bad |
| BULLYOFF | Start of play very good, then disappointing |
| STRENGTHENS | During course of stress, middle son's no good, then rallies (11) |
| IAGO | He did Moor good, then harm |
| LOOKOUT | A lout is out for nothing good, so beware! (7) |
| VIRIDIAN | Pigment - one imported by long-lasting ruler over unsettled India (8) |
| REBUKE | Tell off English ruler over German set-up (6) |
| SPARKINGPLUG | Fight with ruler over publicity for part of engine (8-4) |
| KIGALI | Unnamed ruler over leaderless nation's capital |
| TSAR | Tirelessly strict aristocratic ruler over old Mother Russia (4) |
| SKIM | Small Korean ruler over-the-top scoop! (4) |
| GLAD | Initially good ladies are delighted by it (4) |
| GRIPE | Beef goulash initially good to eat (5) |
| TROMBONE | Instrument that's initially good for Parisians in foreign capital |
| NAVIGATE | Steer Russian ruler over barrier (8) |
| EGGS | They are, for example, initially good scrambled (4) |
