Well, managed to get past Bravery and Loyalty on Ransatsu... Wanted to re-do the fight once to make sure that everyone survived the fight, which they did. First attempt ended with my mystic union (Perneth leading) dead... Good thing they can deal almost 7K between the 2 unions, though dealing that much for only 10 units is a little low. Doesn't help that they haven't exactly upgraded their equips, though that's mostly my fault for not keeping up. Still, not exactly sure what level I sure aim for since if their damage output is too high, then they won't get the necessary arts EXP. If the weapon stats are too low, they won't survive anything. Also doesn't help knowing that they haven't exactly improved for the past 4 BRs. Will likely have to use the Wisdom's Echo quest to get them up to speed with Liza. She starts at BR31 and comes with a pretty nice weapon. But first, I should probably get Oakes to learn Vivification Herb then beat the Dominator for recruiting Ripley for a second Bard. Will definitely aim to turn Jodo into a Bard. Maybe I'll also run into a few new rares along the way? It's definitely going to take a while before I can get everything to spawn.
Up to BR5 now, mostly due to getting a Chain50 for hiring Hematea. He's worth hiring due to having Invo/Hex (more flexible to work with), but he's not exactly spectacular for the amount of effort you need to spend just to get him. He practically needs an Enchanted Glaive, but I don't know if I can get him Mystic focused enough for it. So far, the mystic union is still asking for Balance accessories, so that's a little worrying. Maybe... Haven't exactly fought 10 battles before entering a town to change their focuses. I'll see soon enough with Marty though. There's a pretty good chance that I can get the Combat union completely focused. But first, Vivification Herb then Dominator. All while Emma's still in the party.
Got a pretty good idea of what endgame will look like, especially in terms of union numbers. Most likely end with 4 unions instead of the usual 5 because of the lack of status control. I'll probably stick Jodo in the mystic union since Ripley with the Might Javelin would be much better off in a combat union. The problem now is what kind of mystic union I should have. There's no way to use Animalcule (only 2 Hex units), Whiteout is pushing it (only 4 Invo/Evo units) and Blackout is a generally safe option. Fatal Eclipse is a possibility, but that unit comes so late in the game that I'm not entirely sure if it would be worth the trouble to use her as a Psi leader. I'll probably just spark it for the sake of completeness. Oh, noticed that I can get Crimson Flare too! Maybe I'll try for this type of run as well. Only managed to do it a few times with the uniques and it's impossible with the soldiers because there aren't any with Psi.
Normal mode is on hold for the time being. Trying to kill that Steamroller in the Mines with everyone alive before moving on to the other things I should be doing, like recruiting more people. Funny thing about all the attempts? The Steamroller kept picking on David. Probably because the game recognizes that he has the lowest defense out of everyone...? Thought that Emma would be targeted, but I guess not.
More later. Once I get some time to play. Should be able to get some in on Friday and Saturday.
26 Jan 2011
22 Jan 2011
Well then.
I might end up with an X360 at some point, if only to play around with programming. Might as well pick Last Remnant on that system since I'm still poking at various things and would like to compile an accurate max stats chart. Along the way, noticed that the weapon strengthening is different between the versions, with the X360 getting better boosts. Well, depends since some of the weapons have much higher stats on the X360 but are more balanced on the PC. Then there's also the units themselves since stats are also part of the damage output equation. There are a few things I want to test such as the style change thing. The PC version does have class restrictions when it comes to style change within battle, so I want to see if it's not present in the X360 version. Just to satisfy my curiosity.
Since I restarted the game on both modes, looks like I'll be rare hunting like crazy again. Need to compile a rather large list of HP values for graphs, and to maybe fix the layout over at the wiki... I want help damn it! There's about 260 rares, and I'll be going at both modes. That's a lot of rares to poke at! Still, there's info to gather.
In terms of progress, not much has been made. Both modes are past Namul Niram, but the Ransatsu run is around the Nest of Eagles part and is thus further along. Need to go to Athlum Castle for the scene, but I still haven't done Emma's quest. The recruits I have are doing OK, but it could be a lot better. Oakes still hasn't learned Vivification Herb and that's worrying me. What's even more worrying is the lack of units on hand... Haven't gone back to the Numor Mines to kill the necessary Quien for Vega, don't have Union of the Golden Chalice Rank 1 for someone else, etc. I should probably get moving on that since I'll need the team completely outfitted and ready for that fight. Will keep Emma around for a little while longer as a crutch, just in case. For the Normal run, it's not as bad. Everything is proceeding smoothly, but I do need to upgrade the mystic units' equips soon since they need to be able to defend themselves with CAs. Perneth is fine since most of the enemies will be in unions and Hexes hit unions pretty hard. Think that's about it for now.
Since I restarted the game on both modes, looks like I'll be rare hunting like crazy again. Need to compile a rather large list of HP values for graphs, and to maybe fix the layout over at the wiki... I want help damn it! There's about 260 rares, and I'll be going at both modes. That's a lot of rares to poke at! Still, there's info to gather.
In terms of progress, not much has been made. Both modes are past Namul Niram, but the Ransatsu run is around the Nest of Eagles part and is thus further along. Need to go to Athlum Castle for the scene, but I still haven't done Emma's quest. The recruits I have are doing OK, but it could be a lot better. Oakes still hasn't learned Vivification Herb and that's worrying me. What's even more worrying is the lack of units on hand... Haven't gone back to the Numor Mines to kill the necessary Quien for Vega, don't have Union of the Golden Chalice Rank 1 for someone else, etc. I should probably get moving on that since I'll need the team completely outfitted and ready for that fight. Will keep Emma around for a little while longer as a crutch, just in case. For the Normal run, it's not as bad. Everything is proceeding smoothly, but I do need to upgrade the mystic units' equips soon since they need to be able to defend themselves with CAs. Perneth is fine since most of the enemies will be in unions and Hexes hit unions pretty hard. Think that's about it for now.
14 Jan 2011
Nom nom nom
I've been devouring souls lately... Restarted my game (again) and actually finished it! Admittedly, I had help through the PWWT event, but at least it's done! And now I'm suffering through NG+, which isn't as bad as I thought. I initially complained because I lost a large number of souls early on and the fact that my Crescent Falchion +5 wasn't quite cutting it anymore. Until I started abusing the Clever Rat's Ring to boost my attack, then switched over to the Crescent Uchigatana +5. It was unusually easy to upgrade that weapon, and I'm not sure what else I should make. There are still a bunch of upgrade paths that I need to complete for trophies.
Phalanx went down really quickly, though I did play around with it while blasting it with Soul Ray. Tower Knight gave me a little trouble because I couldn't lock-on to its head about half the time. Ended up rescuing Biorr for the Penetrator. Couldn't take it down fast enough alone... Can get him to about the halfway point before getting overwhelmed because I generally hate going around in circles just to kill something. Haven't gone against Allant because doing so would place my status as endgame. Not something that I want to do just yet since it would block off talking to the Maiden in Black for gaining Soul Levels. Stonefang went down really quickly. Didn't take too many arrows against the Armor Spider, though I did end up getting hit a few times. Took off about half my HP while in Soul Form. The Flamelurker was a funny little fight. I actually managed to get it stuck in a loop for a bit, then got a little too trigger happy and got it unstuck. Died in a swipe. Since I didn't exactly want to melee against it, I decided to poison it from behind. Sure it took forever, but it was the safest way to do things. My build probably sucks for PvE. Dragon God died in one go. For once. Tower of Latria wasn't too bad either. Didn't have the Anti-Magic Field when I went through the first 2 areas, but didn't need them for the most part since Poison Cloud worked just fine against everything there. Decided to spam it for the third section to go "Happy Squid Head Stabby Time!" against the BPs there. Played against the Old Monk offline since I don't like dealing with PvP. Shrine of Storms went by OK... Had some difficulty against the Adjudicator since I couldn't quite remember how I dealt with it the first time around. Ended up jumping down to melee the damn thing since I couldn't shoot it from above or below. The Old Hero was easy while sniping, but getting there was the hard part. What was it again...? It was the opposite of the Kirby Type boss run. The Storm King was pretty fun. A little aggravating because I couldn't find the little nook for hiding against its assaults. Ended up using my Sticky Composite Bow +5 to kill off those Storm Beasts. The sword was too weak(?!) and took too long to swing. Also, I suck at using large swords. Only thing left? Valley of Defilement. Keep dying at certain parts, so it'll take a little while before I'll get through it. Will probably need to tag along a weapon that could be enchanted with fire damage... or using that Lava Bow or tagging along an obscene number of Fire Arrows. Good thing my DEX is 40... But the biggest problem is that I'm going to need a weapon that scales with my DEX and can also be enchanted for higher rank runs.
While online, ended up meeting a few players. Many were quite nice, while one was rather... annoying. He kept summoning me in 4-2, to the point that I was quite happy to see someone else summon me. I don't like summoning others, mostly because I don't want to be invaded and that I'm not exactly the most careful player around. At least my ranking's been improving quite a bit. Got a bunch of S ranks through helping others get through the final parts of World 1 (Penetrator and Allant). While helping out, managed to kill at least 1 BP, which helps in shifting my CT back towards white. Had it Pure Black to deal with a sidequest to get the Talisman of Beasts. It's pretty amusing to kill Ariona/Ostrava in a second with Poison Cloud, stopping him from suicide. Or was it assisted suicide? I'll never know... but at least he's alive this cycle so that I can listen to his little bit before he kills himself.
Anyways, also got in some SenBASA while I was at it. Finished Mitsunari's Grey route (100%!) while having only the most basic weapon equipped. It was pretty interesting testing out some of his properties. Turns out that he can do quite a bit of damage while using his delay. Found that it was easier taking out bases using the delay property than using a bunch of his skills. Seems like he requires a little zoning as well, though not as much as Oichi. In the meantime, also started up Motochika's, and hopefully I'll get through it soon. All of the allies he can recruit are very straightforward to get; just playing the route is enough.
And for a little added fun, restarted Last Remnant. Well, more like restarted the Athlum-only runs because I don't quite remember what I was doing. Added a little extra to the Normal mode run; fresh Athlum-only. Ransatsu gets the bonus of NG+ goodies, though it won't do any good anyways. Along the way, I'm going to have to gather rare monster HP values since quite a few of them are still missing.
Phalanx went down really quickly, though I did play around with it while blasting it with Soul Ray. Tower Knight gave me a little trouble because I couldn't lock-on to its head about half the time. Ended up rescuing Biorr for the Penetrator. Couldn't take it down fast enough alone... Can get him to about the halfway point before getting overwhelmed because I generally hate going around in circles just to kill something. Haven't gone against Allant because doing so would place my status as endgame. Not something that I want to do just yet since it would block off talking to the Maiden in Black for gaining Soul Levels. Stonefang went down really quickly. Didn't take too many arrows against the Armor Spider, though I did end up getting hit a few times. Took off about half my HP while in Soul Form. The Flamelurker was a funny little fight. I actually managed to get it stuck in a loop for a bit, then got a little too trigger happy and got it unstuck. Died in a swipe. Since I didn't exactly want to melee against it, I decided to poison it from behind. Sure it took forever, but it was the safest way to do things. My build probably sucks for PvE. Dragon God died in one go. For once. Tower of Latria wasn't too bad either. Didn't have the Anti-Magic Field when I went through the first 2 areas, but didn't need them for the most part since Poison Cloud worked just fine against everything there. Decided to spam it for the third section to go "Happy Squid Head Stabby Time!" against the BPs there. Played against the Old Monk offline since I don't like dealing with PvP. Shrine of Storms went by OK... Had some difficulty against the Adjudicator since I couldn't quite remember how I dealt with it the first time around. Ended up jumping down to melee the damn thing since I couldn't shoot it from above or below. The Old Hero was easy while sniping, but getting there was the hard part. What was it again...? It was the opposite of the Kirby Type boss run. The Storm King was pretty fun. A little aggravating because I couldn't find the little nook for hiding against its assaults. Ended up using my Sticky Composite Bow +5 to kill off those Storm Beasts. The sword was too weak(?!) and took too long to swing. Also, I suck at using large swords. Only thing left? Valley of Defilement. Keep dying at certain parts, so it'll take a little while before I'll get through it. Will probably need to tag along a weapon that could be enchanted with fire damage... or using that Lava Bow or tagging along an obscene number of Fire Arrows. Good thing my DEX is 40... But the biggest problem is that I'm going to need a weapon that scales with my DEX and can also be enchanted for higher rank runs.
While online, ended up meeting a few players. Many were quite nice, while one was rather... annoying. He kept summoning me in 4-2, to the point that I was quite happy to see someone else summon me. I don't like summoning others, mostly because I don't want to be invaded and that I'm not exactly the most careful player around. At least my ranking's been improving quite a bit. Got a bunch of S ranks through helping others get through the final parts of World 1 (Penetrator and Allant). While helping out, managed to kill at least 1 BP, which helps in shifting my CT back towards white. Had it Pure Black to deal with a sidequest to get the Talisman of Beasts. It's pretty amusing to kill Ariona/Ostrava in a second with Poison Cloud, stopping him from suicide. Or was it assisted suicide? I'll never know... but at least he's alive this cycle so that I can listen to his little bit before he kills himself.
Anyways, also got in some SenBASA while I was at it. Finished Mitsunari's Grey route (100%!) while having only the most basic weapon equipped. It was pretty interesting testing out some of his properties. Turns out that he can do quite a bit of damage while using his delay. Found that it was easier taking out bases using the delay property than using a bunch of his skills. Seems like he requires a little zoning as well, though not as much as Oichi. In the meantime, also started up Motochika's, and hopefully I'll get through it soon. All of the allies he can recruit are very straightforward to get; just playing the route is enough.
And for a little added fun, restarted Last Remnant. Well, more like restarted the Athlum-only runs because I don't quite remember what I was doing. Added a little extra to the Normal mode run; fresh Athlum-only. Ransatsu gets the bonus of NG+ goodies, though it won't do any good anyways. Along the way, I'm going to have to gather rare monster HP values since quite a few of them are still missing.
25 Dec 2010
Bleh.
So I screwed up trying to recruit Ravness. Again. For about the 3rd time. I didn't realize that the flags were HP percentages at certain battles, so I have to deal with that all over again. Good thing there's that W.O.R.L.D. system to exploit. Currently training up the team (Hobyrim included since I want a Swordmaster deployed) to about Lv. 20 to start the events for recruiting Deigo, then Xapan. Maybe I should have just recruited that mercenary back in Chapter 2, but eh. I was wondering if there was a fight with him later on, so I wanted to fight him then. Too bad the first time I attempted the fight, the army got overwhelmed pretty quickly. Everything was at Lv. 20~21, along with a lot of monster units closer to the front lines. The only unit that can deal with them is my Dragoon... and Witch. They can deal consistent and considerable amounts of damage to them when compared to, quite frankly, everyone else. Don't know what level I should aim for, but it's going to be a pain getting everyone at a decent level... Even with buffing, it's not going to make much of a difference if the enemy has much better equipment than my own team. I think I'll stop with the grinding once Hobyrim reaches about Lv. 15. Should be good enough since he can do preemptive attacks once he's got enough TP. The generic units are really dragging everyone else down (except for the Witch) because their base stats are about 10 points lower. What the hell... Canopus can easily deal more damage than the other Vultan on the team, and I even loaded him with Phys ATK up skills! Unfortunately, because of his much higher WT, didn't bother outfitting him with a bow because of the added WT. A hammer and shield should do, so he's kinda tanky. Still not as much as Jeunan as he can take absurd amounts of damage.
I really should have class changed Denim ASAP. The Warrior class has a pretty crappy WT rating when compared to the other classes. I think I should have changed him into a Ninja, but that would mean starting training at Lv. 1, and my patience is wearing a little thin from training Hobyrim. I really don't want to go to Brigantes just yet since that would set off a flag and consequently screw up trying to recruit Deigo. I could attempt right now since I'm within 3 levels. Just need to upgrade everyone's equips since they should be able to use the +1 variants. They have to deal damage faster than they can receive it... and the Clerics need to get moving to heal Diego once he ends up in a little too much trouble.
I really should have class changed Denim ASAP. The Warrior class has a pretty crappy WT rating when compared to the other classes. I think I should have changed him into a Ninja, but that would mean starting training at Lv. 1, and my patience is wearing a little thin from training Hobyrim. I really don't want to go to Brigantes just yet since that would set off a flag and consequently screw up trying to recruit Deigo. I could attempt right now since I'm within 3 levels. Just need to upgrade everyone's equips since they should be able to use the +1 variants. They have to deal damage faster than they can receive it... and the Clerics need to get moving to heal Diego once he ends up in a little too much trouble.
19 Dec 2010
Sanhora still creeps me out.
Can I just say that I'm thoroughly traumatized by Sound Horizon's newest album now?
OK?
Right. Done.
Seriously, that album is really creepy when you consider all the fairy tales used as a theme for the story. And it's a really ugly cycle of revenge. Holy crap it's weird. It's a good thing my parents don't understand a single word.
... Still, love the music and some of the tracks are really good. I especially love tracks 8 and 9.
OK?
Right. Done.
Seriously, that album is really creepy when you consider all the fairy tales used as a theme for the story. And it's a really ugly cycle of revenge. Holy crap it's weird. It's a good thing my parents don't understand a single word.
... Still, love the music and some of the tracks are really good. I especially love tracks 8 and 9.
17 Dec 2010
Still tired.
I think I'll continue poking at the X360 chart for a few more days before turning my attention to tweaking the PC one. There's still the guide summaries that I've been meaning to finish... which are going to take forever since I'm still in the formations section! I'm not going to do the walkthrough since there are other sites for that. Just the system data should be enough...
Still going through Tactics Ogre. I restarted my game because I wanted to play with 2 very specific restrictions to mimic the old version: no KOs (there was permadeath a la Fire Emblem), no C.H.A.R.I.O.T. (save and reload, only without the saving and reloading). It's been going pretty well. Just got to Chapter 2 and now I'm doing some grinding because I want to try keeping Arycelle alive to have her join later. Then, I can have 2 unique archers to rain death upon my enemies! Unique characters tend to have better WT values and you want low WT values. I've also recently taken a liking to making my Clerics a bit more battle ready with that Item Sling. Been throwing a lot of bombs lately to help out the front lines, along with buffing and healing. The healing items are a lot cheaper than casting the spell, though spells can reach targets further away. Mostly use my Valkyrie for that, though I think I might have another Valkyrie join her soon enough. The Knight is just too slow for my liking, even though he's very good at taking damage. Might just class change him into a Rune Fencer instead of hiring someone else.
Not much to say since it's been exams and archery lately. Will probably start up Last Remnant again at some point to continue with the Athlum-only run. Been meaning to get on that.
Still going through Tactics Ogre. I restarted my game because I wanted to play with 2 very specific restrictions to mimic the old version: no KOs (there was permadeath a la Fire Emblem), no C.H.A.R.I.O.T. (save and reload, only without the saving and reloading). It's been going pretty well. Just got to Chapter 2 and now I'm doing some grinding because I want to try keeping Arycelle alive to have her join later. Then, I can have 2 unique archers to rain death upon my enemies! Unique characters tend to have better WT values and you want low WT values. I've also recently taken a liking to making my Clerics a bit more battle ready with that Item Sling. Been throwing a lot of bombs lately to help out the front lines, along with buffing and healing. The healing items are a lot cheaper than casting the spell, though spells can reach targets further away. Mostly use my Valkyrie for that, though I think I might have another Valkyrie join her soon enough. The Knight is just too slow for my liking, even though he's very good at taking damage. Might just class change him into a Rune Fencer instead of hiring someone else.
Not much to say since it's been exams and archery lately. Will probably start up Last Remnant again at some point to continue with the Athlum-only run. Been meaning to get on that.
12 Dec 2010
X360 Unique Leader Classes
This list is mostly obsolete. Any further updates will be made in my guide on the wiki here.
Still WIP...
This is all theoretical. This is just a chart of possible classes, not which ones are the best for each unit. It's up to the player to figure that out.
Classes and Skills
*Rush has several stopping points based on what Skill he's trained, and whether or not he has Item/Mys balance. It's not recommended to try for Ordainer unless you happen to have a lot of time on your hands.
*I'm not sure about Ghor at the moment. He technically should stay as an Axeman, but Warrior requirements may be lax enough for him to go there if Gaou is any indication.
*I haven't found any concrete evidence that Paris asks about Invocations at BR50, but I put that down because he asks about Wards at BR50 in the PC version and all other BR-related points were the same.
*Torgal should really be stuck in the Fencer class, but it seems that the requirements for it may be lax enough to allow for QW to progress. Requires Item/Mys balance be kept to progress.
*Some have "Guardian?" alongside their expected Item class. This is because I'm not entirely sure if Guardian will take priority for Item>Mys over the other classes. The checks would argue that Item classes should take priority since Item classes don't need the other groups to be insignificant. The question is what would happen to units that have Item>Mys but Items isn't a significant group.
*It seems that in order to change into a hybrid class, the unit already needs to be in the same type of hybrid class. This leaves all unique leaders ineligible for Assassin, Terror Knight, etc., even if they have the right equipment and Skills.
***Copied from the PC version. Will double check with X360 guides. Only the earliest variations will be of any use since all of them start at unit BR14 instead of being scaled to the "appropriate" unit BRs. Like Aristocrat/Djin/General/Raider being at unit BR69 since they can be hired after entering Undelwalt (Shield of Remembrance is found in Undelwalt). It is possible to max them out even if you get them at endgame.
===NOTES===
Classes were determined through possible Skills that the unit would end with and their ending stats. I don't know how accurate the GFAQs compiled chart is, so I cross-referenced with 2 JP charts found here and here (translated on my page since it's also relevant on the wiki). I have also calculated most of the units' BR98 stats as it appears that the X360 units stop at BR98. Seen here.
A few key notes here and there as well...
Warrior - Either PG or TH is needed for this class. Requires Item/Mys balance to achieve and progress.
Fencer - Either OH or DW is needed for this class. Requires Item/Mys balance to achieve and progress. QW is essentially the Sovani equivalent to DW, and can be used to progress.
Gladiator Trap - Mys>Item, STR53. This is very bad for very Mystic oriented units. This class forces them to use CAs instead of their MAs when the option to go all-out appears. The only way to escape this is to proceed to a Rank 7 class, which is only possible if you're Rush, Leucetius or Wyngale. Or reach a different Rank 6 class (Alchemist or Commander) before hitting STR53.
Guardian Trap - Item>Mys, STR47, doesn't meet requirements for another Rank 5 class that requires Item+Com. Bards and Scouts are very likely to fall into this. Hunters, Wanderers and Thieves should be exempt from this. Can be escaped if the unit can progress to a Rank 6 or 7 class. It's actually not that bad of a trap to fall into simply because of the effects the class gives (unit becomes more of a tank).
Look here for the PC version.
Still WIP...
This is all theoretical. This is just a chart of possible classes, not which ones are the best for each unit. It's up to the player to figure that out.
Classes and Skills
| Unit | Arts | Starting Class | Potential Final Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rush | Herbs All arts | Fighter | Scholar/Fencer/Warrior Guardian/Thief Gladiator/Alchemist Ordainer/Warlock |
| Allan | Dual Power Grip Invocations/Explosives/Traps Hexes 50/Shards 66 | Deathknight | Stay |
| Baulson | Two-handed Herbs Remedies 18/Potions 30 | Freelancer | Warrior/Scholar Guardian Gladiator |
| Blocter | One-handed/#Power Grip Herbs Hexes 33/Traps 44 | Axeman | Fencer/Warrior Guardian Gladiator |
| Caedmon | Dual Two-handed Herbs/Potions/Evocations Remedies 27/Traps 36 | Freelancer | Fencer/Warrior/Scholar Guardian Gladiator |
| Darien | Two-handed Herbs/Lotions Remedies 45/Potions 53 | Lancer | Guardian Gladiator |
| David | One-handed(/Power Grip) Invocations/Herbs Remedies 34/Shards 50 | Mysticknight | Guardian Gladiator/Alchemist |
| Emma | One-handed/#Dual Wield Remedies Invocations 19/Potions 32 | Swashbuckler | ... Gladiator |
| Emmy | One-handed/Power Grip/#Dual Wield Remedies Hexes 45/Traps 57 | Swashbuckler | Gladiator |
| Gabriel | #One-handed/Power Grip Herbs/Potions Invocations 25/Lotions 36 | Freelancer | Scholar Guardian Gladiator |
| Gaou | Two-handed(/Power Grip) Potions Hexes 48/Traps 58 | Warrior | Guardian Gladiator |
| Ghor | Power Grip Psionics 73/Potions 85 | Axeman | Warrior Guardian Gladiator |
| Glenys | One-handed/#Power Grip Remedies Evocations 47/Herbs 55 | Samurai | Guardian Gladiator |
| Haruko | (Two-handed) Remedies Invocations 76/Lotions 83 | Healer | Scholar/Bishop |
| Irina | Two-handed Remedies/Lotions/Traps Psionics 76/Shards 85 | Scholar | Scholar Alchemist |
| Kate | (One-handed) Hexes Evocations 52/Explosives 64 | Specialist | Scholar Thief/Guardian? Gladiator |
| Khrynia | Power Grip Invocations/Evocations/Explosives Hexes 75/Shards 85 | Mysticknight | Thaumaturge/Thief/Guardian?Gladiator/Alchemist |
| Leshau | (Power Grip) Evocations/Hexes Psionics 33/Potions 44 | Marksman | Scholar Thaumaturge/Sage/Guardian Gladiator |
| Leucetius | Dual Power Grip Invocations/Evocations/Hexes/Remedies Psionics 82/Explosives 91 | Sage | Gladiator Warlock |
| Loki | Power Grip Invocations Hexes 24/Herbs 33 | Mysticknight | Guardian Gladiator |
| Maddox | (One-handed/Two-handed with Ama-Gi) Invocations/Hexes Remedies 36/Herbs 44 | Marauder | Scholar/Bishop Sage/Thaumaturge |
| Nora | Power Grip Invocations Hexes 34/Lotions 47 | Ranger | Scholar Guardian Gladiator |
| Pagus | Two-handed Invocations/Remedies Wards 50/Herbs 26 | Shaman | Scholar/Bishop Guardian/Thaumaturge Commander/Gladiator |
| Paris | (Two-handed) Remedies Invocations 50/Traps 65 | Healer | Scholar Guardian Gladiator |
| Rhagoh | (Power Grip) Remedies Hexes 37/Lotions 44 | Healer | Healer Bishop/Scholar Guardian |
| Roberto | Power Grip Potions Invocations 46/Explosives 57 | Swashbuckler | Thief/Guardian? Gladiator |
| Sheryl | (Two-handed) Evocations Hexes 51/Lotions 63 | Marksman | Scholar Guardian Gladiator |
| Sibal | Two-handed(/Power Grip with Daedalus) Herbs/Lotions Invocations 35/Explosives 45 | Warrior | Guardian Gladiator |
| Torgal | Quad Wield/Dual Power Grip Evocations Psionics 45/Potions 24 | Fencer | Fencer Guardian Gladiator |
| Violet | Two-handed Remedies Hexes 26/Explosives 42 | Runemaiden | Scholar Thief/Guardian? Gladiator |
| Wyngale | Quad Wield/Dual Power Grip Invocations/Evocations/Hexes/Remedies/Psionics/Traps Wards 77/Shards 84 | Wizard | Gladiator/Alchemist/Commander Warlock |
| Yuniver | (Two-handed) Invocations/Hexes Evocations 74/Potions 84 | Specialist | Specialist Scholar Thaumaturge/Sage Gladiator |
| Zolean | (Power Grip) Invocations/Hexes Evocations 59/Traps 71 | Specialist | Specialist Scholar Thaumaturge/Sage Gladiator |
*I'm not sure about Ghor at the moment. He technically should stay as an Axeman, but Warrior requirements may be lax enough for him to go there if Gaou is any indication.
*I haven't found any concrete evidence that Paris asks about Invocations at BR50, but I put that down because he asks about Wards at BR50 in the PC version and all other BR-related points were the same.
*Torgal should really be stuck in the Fencer class, but it seems that the requirements for it may be lax enough to allow for QW to progress. Requires Item/Mys balance be kept to progress.
*Some have "Guardian?" alongside their expected Item class. This is because I'm not entirely sure if Guardian will take priority for Item>Mys over the other classes. The checks would argue that Item classes should take priority since Item classes don't need the other groups to be insignificant. The question is what would happen to units that have Item>Mys but Items isn't a significant group.
*It seems that in order to change into a hybrid class, the unit already needs to be in the same type of hybrid class. This leaves all unique leaders ineligible for Assassin, Terror Knight, etc., even if they have the right equipment and Skills.
| Jorgen | Availability | Arts | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| *Adventurer | After Numor Mine | Remedies/Herbs Invocations 24/Lotions 36 | C |
| Aristocrat | After entering Undelwalt | Herbs Wards 79/Lotions 89 | B/M |
| Djin | After entering Undelwalt | Invocations Hexes 82/Shards 92 | B/M |
| General | After entering Undelwalt | Hexes Evocations 80/Potions 90 | B/C/M |
| *Raider | After entering Undelwalt | Potions Remedies 81/Explosives 91 | C |
| Sage | After Numor Mine | Invocations Psionics 37/Explosives 46 | B/M |
| *Warrior | After entering the Aqueducts Can recruit before fighting the Gates of Hell | - Invocations 49/Herbs 62 | C |
===NOTES===
Classes were determined through possible Skills that the unit would end with and their ending stats. I don't know how accurate the GFAQs compiled chart is, so I cross-referenced with 2 JP charts found here and here (translated on my page since it's also relevant on the wiki). I have also calculated most of the units' BR98 stats as it appears that the X360 units stop at BR98. Seen here.
A few key notes here and there as well...
Warrior - Either PG or TH is needed for this class. Requires Item/Mys balance to achieve and progress.
Fencer - Either OH or DW is needed for this class. Requires Item/Mys balance to achieve and progress. QW is essentially the Sovani equivalent to DW, and can be used to progress.
Gladiator Trap - Mys>Item, STR53. This is very bad for very Mystic oriented units. This class forces them to use CAs instead of their MAs when the option to go all-out appears. The only way to escape this is to proceed to a Rank 7 class, which is only possible if you're Rush, Leucetius or Wyngale. Or reach a different Rank 6 class (Alchemist or Commander) before hitting STR53.
Guardian Trap - Item>Mys, STR47, doesn't meet requirements for another Rank 5 class that requires Item+Com. Bards and Scouts are very likely to fall into this. Hunters, Wanderers and Thieves should be exempt from this. Can be escaped if the unit can progress to a Rank 6 or 7 class. It's actually not that bad of a trap to fall into simply because of the effects the class gives (unit becomes more of a tank).
Look here for the PC version.
11 Dec 2010
Hm. Another book.
I should probably pick up the Tactics Ogre guide at some point since I want to check out the in-game achievements. Someone already posted them on the boards, but I also like collecting books. It should also help with doing a perfect run, and I don't always like using the net for looking things up.
So that's what I've been playing lately. Haven't really touched SenBASA in a while, but that'll change once exams are done (and maybe after I stop hurting my elbow from archery...). Still have to co-op with a friend after all! And maybe with a certain group of friends, since that's really the only multiplayer game I have. I just hope it doesn't involve keeping me awake until 4am just to see the consequences again.
Anyways. Tactics Ogre. I'm actually getting close to finishing it for both versions. Went Law with the PSP version because of the new W.O.R.L.D. system (trying to recruit Deigo at the moment), and went Chaos all the way for the PS1 version. I do have saves at critical decision points for the PS1 version since everything has to be done in that playthrough. Pretty sure that I messed up when it comes to recruiting new story units, but eh. Just playing through it for the sake of playing through it. The only thing that I bothered checking up on was the levelling system and the classes. Plus, I cheated a little with the levelling by letting them get a level up every time they hit another unit. It's the same as letting them throw rocks at each other for hours on end, only a lot faster. I also don't think I can rotate the map since it's not in full 3D. Makes seeing where they should go a little harder than necessary, but at least the cursor changes colour if the unit can move to that space. The story's kinda not clicking at the moment, probably because of the translation being not so great. There were a few grammatical mistakes, but no spelling mistakes as far as I can tell. The text also bothers me because it looks like it's the JP wide-width lettering.
Since the winter break is coming up, I guess I should finish up with summarizing the Last Remnant guide, however incomplete it may be. And maybe get a playthrough or two in. I have about a month. Maybe. Gotta keep up with the archery! I want to shoot against the coaches!
SB3 script should be coming in soon... Just got the SB2H one, along with the SBX guide. Love the anime style used in X. Too bad X came out after 2H. Also, ordered another copy of Grimoire NieR for scanning purposes. Seems the webmaster at Dokuganryu.com moved on, so finding high res scans just got a bit harder.
EDIT: Well, what do you know. The script came in today. On a Saturday. They make deliveries on Saturdays? And a nice copy of the SB3OCW to replace the one I murdered for scanning.
So that's what I've been playing lately. Haven't really touched SenBASA in a while, but that'll change once exams are done (and maybe after I stop hurting my elbow from archery...). Still have to co-op with a friend after all! And maybe with a certain group of friends, since that's really the only multiplayer game I have. I just hope it doesn't involve keeping me awake until 4am just to see the consequences again.
Anyways. Tactics Ogre. I'm actually getting close to finishing it for both versions. Went Law with the PSP version because of the new W.O.R.L.D. system (trying to recruit Deigo at the moment), and went Chaos all the way for the PS1 version. I do have saves at critical decision points for the PS1 version since everything has to be done in that playthrough. Pretty sure that I messed up when it comes to recruiting new story units, but eh. Just playing through it for the sake of playing through it. The only thing that I bothered checking up on was the levelling system and the classes. Plus, I cheated a little with the levelling by letting them get a level up every time they hit another unit. It's the same as letting them throw rocks at each other for hours on end, only a lot faster. I also don't think I can rotate the map since it's not in full 3D. Makes seeing where they should go a little harder than necessary, but at least the cursor changes colour if the unit can move to that space. The story's kinda not clicking at the moment, probably because of the translation being not so great. There were a few grammatical mistakes, but no spelling mistakes as far as I can tell. The text also bothers me because it looks like it's the JP wide-width lettering.
Since the winter break is coming up, I guess I should finish up with summarizing the Last Remnant guide, however incomplete it may be. And maybe get a playthrough or two in. I have about a month. Maybe. Gotta keep up with the archery! I want to shoot against the coaches!
SB3 script should be coming in soon... Just got the SB2H one, along with the SBX guide. Love the anime style used in X. Too bad X came out after 2H. Also, ordered another copy of Grimoire NieR for scanning purposes. Seems the webmaster at Dokuganryu.com moved on, so finding high res scans just got a bit harder.
EDIT: Well, what do you know. The script came in today. On a Saturday. They make deliveries on Saturdays? And a nice copy of the SB3OCW to replace the one I murdered for scanning.
23 Nov 2010
Let Us Cling Together
Started Gyoubu's story first since I wanted to get his over with to unlock Hondam, and Chika's story isn't something I want to do right away. And finished it within 5 stages. Also noted that you have to exit the game completely in order to try avoiding the Base Defense stage. I don't mind the stage that much but I don't need any of the stage materials or "No Damage" robes anymore, so playing it is really a waste of time unless I'm fugitive hunting. Finished with Mitsunari, and started his Blue route again for that weird trophy. He almost has ATK1000, so it shouldn't be too bad due to his ridiculously high DPS. It's going to be a slight pain getting all the fugitives for every character, but at least there's no associated trophy for it. Only need to do it with one character.
Just as a little fun note, I've only noticed that Keiji and Ieyasu have idle animations so far. Most of the characters I haven't left alone long enough to see. They both have 2; Keiji either rotates his sword arm shoulder or waves around his arms, while Ieyasu either folds his arms or scratches his head. Once he folds his arms, he doesn't do another idle animation until you move him.
In the meantime... I've started Tactics Ogre: 運命の輪/The Wheel of Fortune. The JP version still does retain the "Let Us Cling Together" subtitle, it's just not part of the logo. It's pretty hard, but probably because I haven't played an SRPG in a while. Also interesting systems in place. I think I might have to grind a little bit to get their levels up so they can take the new equipment that I can finally buy for them. I think I might have to pre-order this since we're also getting the tarot card bonus. I've always been interested in how to use them, even if it's just a bunch of superstition. The imagery is fascinating, much like the Ars Goetia demons. Kinda funny. An atheist scientist that's genuinely interesting in demonology and the supernatural, even if it's just for the meanings behind it. Oh, and because there's new art work on it. Always a good excuse, considering that I'm not sure if the game's getting an art book or an Ultimania.
... And I feel like a lonely MasaMitsu fan. Good thing no one in the SB commu knows who I am. *ahem*
Just as a little fun note, I've only noticed that Keiji and Ieyasu have idle animations so far. Most of the characters I haven't left alone long enough to see. They both have 2; Keiji either rotates his sword arm shoulder or waves around his arms, while Ieyasu either folds his arms or scratches his head. Once he folds his arms, he doesn't do another idle animation until you move him.
In the meantime... I've started Tactics Ogre: 運命の輪/The Wheel of Fortune. The JP version still does retain the "Let Us Cling Together" subtitle, it's just not part of the logo. It's pretty hard, but probably because I haven't played an SRPG in a while. Also interesting systems in place. I think I might have to grind a little bit to get their levels up so they can take the new equipment that I can finally buy for them. I think I might have to pre-order this since we're also getting the tarot card bonus. I've always been interested in how to use them, even if it's just a bunch of superstition. The imagery is fascinating, much like the Ars Goetia demons. Kinda funny. An atheist scientist that's genuinely interesting in demonology and the supernatural, even if it's just for the meanings behind it. Oh, and because there's new art work on it. Always a good excuse, considering that I'm not sure if the game's getting an art book or an Ultimania.
... And I feel like a lonely MasaMitsu fan. Good thing no one in the SB commu knows who I am. *ahem*
15 Nov 2010
To hide in a corner.
*ahem* So I put in a request in a certain kink meme. It's not a popular pairing at all (at least not on Pixiv), so I'm wondering if anyone would fill it out. Maybe I'll edit this post later with what I put in my comment after it's been filled. At least someone else is seconding the request... I'm so going to hell for this, but I just can't help myself when it comes to obscure pairings and generous helpings of Foe Yay. I really can't. A hint: This guy doesn't remember the other guy's name until you play one specific stage. And even then, he only remembers his last name. Actually, there's another stage where he remembers, but that's only because another certain person is there. It's an incredibly obscure thing that most people wouldn't even bat an eye to. I noticed it because the dialogue in the games amuses me so. Each character has a distinct speech pattern and how they refer to themselves (pronouns) and each other (honorifics). Those little details is exactly what makes this series so much fun. Well, good gameplay helps too.
Oh, and I wasted quite a bit of time looking a vids on NicoDou. Why? Because I wanted to know where some of the groupings were coming from. 東西トリオ is a new one, consisting of Ieyasu/Motochika/Masamune. There's no need for explanation of this grouping at all, really. If you've paid attention to the entire game series, that would be enough info. There were already hints of the 東西兄貴 from Battle Heroes. Something about Motochika wanting to steal something from the Oushuu forces (Kojuurou the Right Eye, Masamune's 'soul'). Then from SB2H, we have 兄貴と狸, which is expanded upon in BH and 3. And finally in 3, 権現 and 独眼竜 team up in the Eastern Army/東軍. 関ヶ原 is very obviously IeMitsu. Oh, and I was trying to figure out the 黒権現 thing. It seems like it stemmed from Mistunari's 2nd costume resembling an angel. So to complement that, let's have Ieyasu completely lose it. And boy is the 黒権現 insane. Well, as insane as whoever the artist is. Or a depressed 権現. Like so.
Anyways, literally blasted through Magoichi's stories. Both of the main ones, and noticed that I had the option to go directly to Honnoji while going through her yet-to-be-completed Red route. I think as long as the Honnoji route is attached to something, you can go directly there. I think Magoichi is the only one who can do that, and it would make sense since she actually has ties to Nobunaga. Anyways, Aniki has been unlocked, so I think it's only him and Gyoubu that I have to deal with in terms of stories. Shouldn't be too bad. Gyoubu can easily handle himself on Extreme right now, and Aniki has his trusty net. Almost done hunting down all the fugitives with Mitsunari, so that trophy will be mine and I can start the "get through Extreme with the default weapon" thing. Still a little worried about that "kill less than 100" trophy... Going to need a second player to help, most likely.
EDIT: HOLY EASTERN HOLLYHOCK OF THAT TANUKI. SOMEONE WROTE FOR THE REQUEST I WANTED. ... In the exact the opposite of what I wanted. Well, I suppose I could out myself on this. Doubt they'll find me here anyways. I wanted a MasamunexMitsunari fic. Context is this: Mitsunari never remembers Masamune's name in any of the stages he appears in unless Ieyasu is also there. He screams "Date! Ieyasu!" in Osaka Summer Blue (Blue route final) and Sekigahara - Traces. We all know how cocky the One-Eyed Dragon is, so he doesn't take it well that he's not remembered, even after his defeat at Odawara Castle. So... Masamune's going to make him remember the One-Eyed Dragon. Should have included blood-play in the request, just to see what they would do~
And another crack fic, but even better~ Yeesh, it seems like I'm the only one who got a fic so far. I thought no one liked this pairing... Maybe it was because how vague it was and that prompt meant that you can draw from anything. Prefer the game-canon because that's what I know. It awesome of that anon to use both KG's and Chika's endings since those ones are the happiest and most amusing. Everyone lives when KG's involved, and throwing in Chika's Green means that Ieyasu and Mitsunari aren't going to kill each other. Well, maybe they will but not after a long while seeing as how Chika seems to be quite fond of both.
Oh, and I wasted quite a bit of time looking a vids on NicoDou. Why? Because I wanted to know where some of the groupings were coming from. 東西トリオ is a new one, consisting of Ieyasu/Motochika/Masamune. There's no need for explanation of this grouping at all, really. If you've paid attention to the entire game series, that would be enough info. There were already hints of the 東西兄貴 from Battle Heroes. Something about Motochika wanting to steal something from the Oushuu forces (Kojuurou the Right Eye, Masamune's 'soul'). Then from SB2H, we have 兄貴と狸, which is expanded upon in BH and 3. And finally in 3, 権現 and 独眼竜 team up in the Eastern Army/東軍. 関ヶ原 is very obviously IeMitsu. Oh, and I was trying to figure out the 黒権現 thing. It seems like it stemmed from Mistunari's 2nd costume resembling an angel. So to complement that, let's have Ieyasu completely lose it. And boy is the 黒権現 insane. Well, as insane as whoever the artist is. Or a depressed 権現. Like so.
Anyways, literally blasted through Magoichi's stories. Both of the main ones, and noticed that I had the option to go directly to Honnoji while going through her yet-to-be-completed Red route. I think as long as the Honnoji route is attached to something, you can go directly there. I think Magoichi is the only one who can do that, and it would make sense since she actually has ties to Nobunaga. Anyways, Aniki has been unlocked, so I think it's only him and Gyoubu that I have to deal with in terms of stories. Shouldn't be too bad. Gyoubu can easily handle himself on Extreme right now, and Aniki has his trusty net. Almost done hunting down all the fugitives with Mitsunari, so that trophy will be mine and I can start the "get through Extreme with the default weapon" thing. Still a little worried about that "kill less than 100" trophy... Going to need a second player to help, most likely.
EDIT: HOLY EASTERN HOLLYHOCK OF THAT TANUKI. SOMEONE WROTE FOR THE REQUEST I WANTED. ... In the exact the opposite of what I wanted. Well, I suppose I could out myself on this. Doubt they'll find me here anyways. I wanted a MasamunexMitsunari fic. Context is this: Mitsunari never remembers Masamune's name in any of the stages he appears in unless Ieyasu is also there. He screams "Date! Ieyasu!" in Osaka Summer Blue (Blue route final) and Sekigahara - Traces. We all know how cocky the One-Eyed Dragon is, so he doesn't take it well that he's not remembered, even after his defeat at Odawara Castle. So... Masamune's going to make him remember the One-Eyed Dragon. Should have included blood-play in the request, just to see what they would do~
And another crack fic, but even better~ Yeesh, it seems like I'm the only one who got a fic so far. I thought no one liked this pairing... Maybe it was because how vague it was and that prompt meant that you can draw from anything. Prefer the game-canon because that's what I know. It awesome of that anon to use both KG's and Chika's endings since those ones are the happiest and most amusing. Everyone lives when KG's involved, and throwing in Chika's Green means that Ieyasu and Mitsunari aren't going to kill each other. Well, maybe they will but not after a long while seeing as how Chika seems to be quite fond of both.
11 Nov 2010
Perhaps I should have been hostile instead.
So... There's this user. ZeroJinKui. Been on GFAQs for quite a while (he's Lv.37), and was asking for some help. Too bad he sounds like a whiny brat while he's at it. We were trying to help, but it seemed like he had his ears plugged, or at least blinded to the point that he can't recognize a decent post. He was asking about farming weapons, specifically the Tier 4 and Tier 5 ones (elemental activation 10% and joke weapons). He had already gotten a few of them because of having a second player with him, but preferred to play alone. So, we suggested that the best places for weapon farming are any of the Sekigahara stages, Tedorigawa (Maeda), Ujou (Tenkai), Osaka Summer Blue (if he can handle it) and Kawanakajima (4 equips). I even gave him Kubota as a starting point to get the character's HP up so that they won't die that easily. Tenkai's stage pretty easy because he's so slow. The only real problem in the stage is the bombers running around, which is pretty easy to deal with if you keep moving. Too bad it seems like he's not good enough (what) to outrun the bombers, so he's not using that stage. He also doesn't seem to have enough DEF, which is perfectly normal if you're starting with a Lv.1 character. Said character would only have 1 slot to work with, and you would need to use a Gold Turtle (DEF+400) to soften blows on Extreme. He would probably have one if he had bothered to farm the materials from Kawanakajima and the Noshima Ocean stages. I took a jab at him, saying that he could make up for his (serious) lack of skill with a DEF boost.
Seriously, Extreme isn't that hard for most characters. I have difficulty playing on Extreme with some characters because of their movement speed and play style required. Just need some practice, that's all. And just because we're good at a game doesn't mean that we don't have a life. Some of us are naturally good at gaming. And I'm pretty sure that we don't have to hold your hand when it comes to strategy against certain bosses. The most basic one is to hit-and-run, unless you can't outrun them. Mix up blocking and dodging. Just because you can't seem to block against attacks doesn't mean that others shouldn't be able to either. Oh, and the guy who had trouble with over 2000 DEF? I ran into that problem too. Why? Kanbei at Sekigahara Plot vs. Mouri. It's that damn Akatsukimaru that really puts a dent in things because of its ridiculous attack power, mostly because it's the completed version and not the one that most people would remember from Nakatomigawa.
Really, quit complaining and learn to play the game. It really sounds like you're a rather impatient brat who wants to get all the weapons ASAP. The weapons aren't going to make much of a difference if you don't know how to play it well. At least they're not forcing you to go through a tournament in order to get their best weapons. Those challenges from SB2H? Pretty damn hard with some characters.
Seriously, Extreme isn't that hard for most characters. I have difficulty playing on Extreme with some characters because of their movement speed and play style required. Just need some practice, that's all. And just because we're good at a game doesn't mean that we don't have a life. Some of us are naturally good at gaming. And I'm pretty sure that we don't have to hold your hand when it comes to strategy against certain bosses. The most basic one is to hit-and-run, unless you can't outrun them. Mix up blocking and dodging. Just because you can't seem to block against attacks doesn't mean that others shouldn't be able to either. Oh, and the guy who had trouble with over 2000 DEF? I ran into that problem too. Why? Kanbei at Sekigahara Plot vs. Mouri. It's that damn Akatsukimaru that really puts a dent in things because of its ridiculous attack power, mostly because it's the completed version and not the one that most people would remember from Nakatomigawa.
Really, quit complaining and learn to play the game. It really sounds like you're a rather impatient brat who wants to get all the weapons ASAP. The weapons aren't going to make much of a difference if you don't know how to play it well. At least they're not forcing you to go through a tournament in order to get their best weapons. Those challenges from SB2H? Pretty damn hard with some characters.
About damn time
It took a while (100+ hours by the clock...), but Nobunaga unlocked! Admittedly, at least 5 of those hours were spent in the gallery listening to music, and at least another 50 of them spent farming ryou and materials. Seriously... I almost have all the accessories created and only really need to concentrate on farming those stupid helmets. Not exactly the best at parrying, so I was surprised that I managed to get a Daimyo helmet with Oichi while on Extreme. Time to use Keiji in Saika's stage. Hopefully I won't break my R1 button along the way. Well, considering that I only need to get one more (got a few more while playing as Tsuruhime on Extreme), shouldn't be a problem! Or maybe just use Magoichi since I'm playing through her story at the moment and her DPS is so freakishly high that I don't need to put any ATK accessories on her. Boost her DEF, tag along Matsu, and we're set.
So along the way, I figured out how to deal with Magoichi's charged shotgun blasts. They're even more broken than Dante's, and even Nero's charged shots! The charged magnum shots even have the same property as Nero's charged revolver shots (delayed explosion). It's actually pretty funny since you can easily take out bases in a few shots on Extreme. The timing was a little weird at first, mostly because I had just finished with Tsuruhime's story and she uses a different type of style (just-frames for extra shots or damage). Going with her Blue route, then replaying for her Red, then Honnoji. So, that should unlock Motochika. Too bad his story is going to piss me off again because how incredibly stupid he was, as sniffle-worthy as it was. Well, only really if you know their backstory from the previous games. Still wondering which routes are canon or tie into each other. I know that Chika's Red and Nari's Blue are connected. Magoichi's Red is probably the canon route for her. Yukimura and Masamune's Blue are probably tied as well, since those two seem to like screwing around at each other's expense (more Masa than Yuki, much to Kojuurou's annoyance).
On the fandom side of things... I've taken a liking to shipping a lot more pairings and groups than I thought. 家三, 三家, 兄貴と狸, 親家, 親三, 東西兄貴, etc. Probably because I actually took the time to read over all the scripts and playing through all their stories. Still, my favourite is 小政, along with a bit of a crack pairing in 三政. Yes, I love my Foe Yay as much as I love my Ho Yay.
I still think that Ieyasu's ending is somewhat sniffle-worthy.
So along the way, I figured out how to deal with Magoichi's charged shotgun blasts. They're even more broken than Dante's, and even Nero's charged shots! The charged magnum shots even have the same property as Nero's charged revolver shots (delayed explosion). It's actually pretty funny since you can easily take out bases in a few shots on Extreme. The timing was a little weird at first, mostly because I had just finished with Tsuruhime's story and she uses a different type of style (just-frames for extra shots or damage). Going with her Blue route, then replaying for her Red, then Honnoji. So, that should unlock Motochika. Too bad his story is going to piss me off again because how incredibly stupid he was, as sniffle-worthy as it was. Well, only really if you know their backstory from the previous games. Still wondering which routes are canon or tie into each other. I know that Chika's Red and Nari's Blue are connected. Magoichi's Red is probably the canon route for her. Yukimura and Masamune's Blue are probably tied as well, since those two seem to like screwing around at each other's expense (more Masa than Yuki, much to Kojuurou's annoyance).
On the fandom side of things... I've taken a liking to shipping a lot more pairings and groups than I thought. 家三, 三家, 兄貴と狸, 親家, 親三, 東西兄貴, etc. Probably because I actually took the time to read over all the scripts and playing through all their stories. Still, my favourite is 小政, along with a bit of a crack pairing in 三政. Yes, I love my Foe Yay as much as I love my Ho Yay.
I still think that Ieyasu's ending is somewhat sniffle-worthy.
2 Nov 2010
Already, I see a mistake
Capitalization. They forgot to capitalize some words. "well now..." Part of a line that Masamune says. Some of the item descriptions have extra spaces in them. Looks a little awkward. Oh, and they misspelled 'enemies' as 'enemys,' as found on the Jade Phoenix. That's all within the first hour of play too. Started on Masamune's story mode on Extreme (screw this, I'm using the JP terms). Dealt with Mogami's stage first since you get a bodyguard and there's a cutscene. Have to admit, I quite like Mogami's acting in this version. Not as annoying, but just as good. Kojuurou really isn't clicking for me, and neither is Masamune. Those skill name changes are irking me to no end, especially now that he's got most of his moves (I don't normally use TESTAMENT). I mean, sure, "Six Claws" makes more sense as the stance, but WAR DANCE sounds much more intimidating when shouting it at your enemies.
Anyways, started Oichi's Blue route. Should be able to get through it OK, except for the part where I decided to go for Extreme mode. It was still pretty easy after you figure out exactly how far some of her attacks reach. Her Guard+Triangle is exactly one backstep's distance away from her. Anyways, yes, I did complete it on Extreme, got both versions of her joke weapon, then did her Purple route. Admittedly, I did that on Normal because I just wanted to breeze through it. Then I tried to unlock Nobunaga using KuroKan. That didn't work out quite the way I had planned. Completely forgot that he has 2 branches in his Red that end at Sekigahara Intrusion. The upper path is where the Honnoji branch is (requires you to go after the guys and Tsuruhime), and the lower path is if go you go after Saika or Oichi. Starting that again soon, and hopefully I'll remember to get to the right path. Then it's fugitive hunting with Mitsunari so I can deal with the "use your default weapon with no accessories while on Extreme" trophy. Almost got through the first stage... but playing in SD and with only about DEF170 isn't very smart, especially if the first stage is up against the Maeda clan (minus Keiji). The SD part was pretty bad since a lot of the stuff ended up a little blurrier than usual. Oh well, I'll get through it eventually. Just need to do some hunting first!
Kingo isn't afraid of Kojuurou-sama? That's... odd. Really, it is. He's one of the most badass characters, yet he's not afraid of him. Must be the yummy vegetables he cultivates... Heard his little line about Kojuurou while beating the everlasting crap out of him with Oichi.
And... Tactics Ogre is coming out next week! Can't wait~
And while this should go in my IRL blog... Note to self, don't stick the sticky sesame ball thingy in the fridge. The texture becomes quite... unappetizing to say the least. It still tasted pretty good, just a bit off-putting to eat.
Anyways, started Oichi's Blue route. Should be able to get through it OK, except for the part where I decided to go for Extreme mode. It was still pretty easy after you figure out exactly how far some of her attacks reach. Her Guard+Triangle is exactly one backstep's distance away from her. Anyways, yes, I did complete it on Extreme, got both versions of her joke weapon, then did her Purple route. Admittedly, I did that on Normal because I just wanted to breeze through it. Then I tried to unlock Nobunaga using KuroKan. That didn't work out quite the way I had planned. Completely forgot that he has 2 branches in his Red that end at Sekigahara Intrusion. The upper path is where the Honnoji branch is (requires you to go after the guys and Tsuruhime), and the lower path is if go you go after Saika or Oichi. Starting that again soon, and hopefully I'll remember to get to the right path. Then it's fugitive hunting with Mitsunari so I can deal with the "use your default weapon with no accessories while on Extreme" trophy. Almost got through the first stage... but playing in SD and with only about DEF170 isn't very smart, especially if the first stage is up against the Maeda clan (minus Keiji). The SD part was pretty bad since a lot of the stuff ended up a little blurrier than usual. Oh well, I'll get through it eventually. Just need to do some hunting first!
Kingo isn't afraid of Kojuurou-sama? That's... odd. Really, it is. He's one of the most badass characters, yet he's not afraid of him. Must be the yummy vegetables he cultivates... Heard his little line about Kojuurou while beating the everlasting crap out of him with Oichi.
And... Tactics Ogre is coming out next week! Can't wait~
And while this should go in my IRL blog... Note to self, don't stick the sticky sesame ball thingy in the fridge. The texture becomes quite... unappetizing to say the least. It still tasted pretty good, just a bit off-putting to eat.
27 Oct 2010
That definitely sucks
The SB:SH icon will overwrite the SB3 icon when you first load up the game, since the first thing it does is check and install the trophy data. So even if you've earned trophies in the JP version, it'll still overwrite it with the EN icon. The names will remain in the language you installed it in. Looks like I know which account I'll be playing SB:SH on. Not even installing the EN trophies then starting up the JP version will work. The reason why I want the SB3 icon is because I want to keep in line with my history of playing the imports. Plus, the "Sengoku" part in the EN version looks horrendous. It really doesn't fit with the font used in the "BASARA" part.
Oh, and I finally started a savefile with actual progress in it. Well, I don't know if you can call a file with only Masamune levelled to 20 as "progress." Anyways, noting the skill name changes.
DEATH FANG/DEATH BITE - Dragon Slash
JET-X/X-BOLT - X-Strike
MAGNUM STEP/MAGNUM STRIKE - Revolver Blitz
CRAZY STORM/CRAZY STREAM - Azure Storm
HELL DRAGON - Dragon's Eye
WAR DANCE - Six Claws
TESTAMENT - Zero Point
Yes, Masamune's moves are all in caps. He's cool enough for it. Unfortunately, I don't know if there's a name change for when he goes into 六爪流 in the EN version. The JP version probably has it listed in an official guide, and I remember seeing the upgraded versions in a magazine scan a few weeks after the game was announced. I still want PHANTOM DIVE back. It was hilariously fun to use when combined with HELL DRAGON. The natural progression for the next instalment should be allowing us to map whatever moves we want to any button sequence we want, save for the Special Skill. That I can live with, provided that the Special Skills are worth wasting a slot on. Maybe. I did like having both WAR DANCE and HELL DRAGON for use at once without having to waste an accessory slot on his PI.
There should be more name changes, but I think I'll unlock more stages first. I don't think I can play Satake's stage that many times in a row... Going through Kanbei-san's route of hilarious despair. Wonder what "なせじゃっーーー！！" was translated to?
Oh, and I finally started a savefile with actual progress in it. Well, I don't know if you can call a file with only Masamune levelled to 20 as "progress." Anyways, noting the skill name changes.
DEATH FANG/DEATH BITE - Dragon Slash
JET-X/X-BOLT - X-Strike
MAGNUM STEP/MAGNUM STRIKE - Revolver Blitz
CRAZY STORM/CRAZY STREAM - Azure Storm
HELL DRAGON - Dragon's Eye
WAR DANCE - Six Claws
TESTAMENT - Zero Point
Yes, Masamune's moves are all in caps. He's cool enough for it. Unfortunately, I don't know if there's a name change for when he goes into 六爪流 in the EN version. The JP version probably has it listed in an official guide, and I remember seeing the upgraded versions in a magazine scan a few weeks after the game was announced. I still want PHANTOM DIVE back. It was hilariously fun to use when combined with HELL DRAGON. The natural progression for the next instalment should be allowing us to map whatever moves we want to any button sequence we want, save for the Special Skill. That I can live with, provided that the Special Skills are worth wasting a slot on. Maybe. I did like having both WAR DANCE and HELL DRAGON for use at once without having to waste an accessory slot on his PI.
There should be more name changes, but I think I'll unlock more stages first. I don't think I can play Satake's stage that many times in a row... Going through Kanbei-san's route of hilarious despair. Wonder what "なせじゃっーーー！！" was translated to?
25 Oct 2010
ZANMETSU
I think some of the arguments on the forums have stopped... Which is good because now we can start focusing more on helping other users, although that might come to an end once we compile enough info into a topic. I think it was a good thing that I started compiling my own info for a little bit since that fugitive list definitely came in handy. Just wondering if I should hurt someone because he said "I love you". At least the "are there JP voices" topics are starting to die out.
... Or not. Someone just had to bring up DLC. While this is a Capcom game, and the chances of DLC are high if it were Inafune, it's not Inafune helming the game. It's Kobayashi. Things he's done don't have much of a track record for DLC, so I'm not expecting it. Instead, I'm pretty sure that it'll be something along the lines of SB3:H, much like SB2:H. Considering the numbers in Japan (~500K), I'm expecting an expansion within the next year and a half, or I guess a year now since it's almost November! Right around the same time that 2H came out.
While I did notice this while playing, I didn't bother typing it out. Most of the default routes are essentially "bad ends," considering how depressing they can be. Ieyasu's is depressing, Mitsunari's is depressing and unnerving, Masamune's shows a little growth but involves Mitsunari losing it, Keiji is still acting (you'll see why in a later route, and said route is still depressing), etc. Yeah, it's a pretty depressing game. I think the only one that doesn't end up with a depressing end is Tadakatsu, keeping in line with his previous appearances. Well, his only story was essentially rushing to save Ie-- Takechiyo. And maybe Tsuruhime, although there are times where you see that she's really not all that happy. Still, you can't really get to Nier's level of depressing. SenBASA's just too silly to go that far. Or maybe it can, with the right writers... but it's not like the series has much more to go since Sekigahara is the last major battle. The rest is just finishing up the unification of Japan, though the game does go a little further with the Osaka Summer stages.
Anyways, finished Keiji's route, which means that Oichi is available. I should be able to finish her routes pretty quickly, then blast through Ieyasu, Tsuruhime, Motochika, Gyoubu (they don't call him that in SB:SH...), Magoichi and maybe Motonari. Don't need to do Hondam or Nobunaga since they don't unlock anyone. Neither does Motonari, but I should probably deal with him for some trophies. And 2 stages to go.
Still haven't started it.
... Or not. Someone just had to bring up DLC. While this is a Capcom game, and the chances of DLC are high if it were Inafune, it's not Inafune helming the game. It's Kobayashi. Things he's done don't have much of a track record for DLC, so I'm not expecting it. Instead, I'm pretty sure that it'll be something along the lines of SB3:H, much like SB2:H. Considering the numbers in Japan (~500K), I'm expecting an expansion within the next year and a half, or I guess a year now since it's almost November! Right around the same time that 2H came out.
While I did notice this while playing, I didn't bother typing it out. Most of the default routes are essentially "bad ends," considering how depressing they can be. Ieyasu's is depressing, Mitsunari's is depressing and unnerving, Masamune's shows a little growth but involves Mitsunari losing it, Keiji is still acting (you'll see why in a later route, and said route is still depressing), etc. Yeah, it's a pretty depressing game. I think the only one that doesn't end up with a depressing end is Tadakatsu, keeping in line with his previous appearances. Well, his only story was essentially rushing to save Ie-- Takechiyo. And maybe Tsuruhime, although there are times where you see that she's really not all that happy. Still, you can't really get to Nier's level of depressing. SenBASA's just too silly to go that far. Or maybe it can, with the right writers... but it's not like the series has much more to go since Sekigahara is the last major battle. The rest is just finishing up the unification of Japan, though the game does go a little further with the Osaka Summer stages.
Anyways, finished Keiji's route, which means that Oichi is available. I should be able to finish her routes pretty quickly, then blast through Ieyasu, Tsuruhime, Motochika, Gyoubu (they don't call him that in SB:SH...), Magoichi and maybe Motonari. Don't need to do Hondam or Nobunaga since they don't unlock anyone. Neither does Motonari, but I should probably deal with him for some trophies. And 2 stages to go.
Still haven't started it.
23 Oct 2010
It's been a while...
Since I've played a Tales of... game. Tried out the Tales of Graces F demo, and currently? I'm not exactly sure what to think. Don't really get the A/B skill system, not particularly fond of using just the analog stick for movement (Vesperia was the same), and the camera is kinda weird. Then again, the last Tales I played was in 2D and I didn't exactly read what the instructions said. Plus, the demo just kinda throws you into the fray. But unlike the Vesperia demo, I actually enjoyed making a total idiot out of myself. Managed to pull off a 秘奥義, which was nice. Pascal likes making things go boom. I think I get how to restore CC. This is definitely not a Tales game that I'll be doing co-op with anytime soon. They already had enough trouble with Tales of Rebirth. This is going to kill them even faster. Definitely faster than Tales of Destiny Remake, that's for sure. One thing I did notice... the AI's actually fairly intelligent. Anyways, like all the other Inomata Tales, no chance of localization! Not even Tales of Hearts was localized and that was on the DS.
Got 2 other demos: Fist of the North Star (Hokuto Musou) and Castlevania - Lord of Shadows. Didn't exactly enjoy either of them. Hokuto felt pretty clunky and a little slow after playing some Tales of Graces and Sengoku BASARA. I'm also not a HnK fan, so there's even less reason for me to even play it. Only checked it out because they were comparing the 2 games and wanted to know which one was the one to get. It was originally between SB and SM as they were released about 2~3 weeks within each other and HM is coming out next month, and was brought into the mix because of how badly SM3 burned some of the players. I'm kinda going "eh" at SM3 because it was recently announced that it was going to be up-ported to the PS3. I might decide to check it out if they release a demo on the PSN. But as it stands, I don't really like playing KOEI games.
Castlevania. It's OK. There were a few problems with the camera and the lighting effects (somewhat inconsistent). Combat was pretty simplistic. Didn't expect anything like DMC, so... it was OK. I wasn't exactly having fun with it, but I wasn't frustrated either. Just something about the aesthetics doesn't sit all that well with me. Maybe because I'm still stuck in the old-school Metroidvania era? That really can't be it, or else I'd be saying that 3D (not the new 3D supported ones, still no opinion on it) games sucked. I don't know. Maybe it's because I'm still not quite past the little bit of knowing that 3D Castlevania games in general aren't very good. It already plays a little better than the previous entries, but it's still not as fluid as I would like it. And it was only supervised by Kojima Productions. Not like they had much of a hand in this.
Still haven't booted up the game...
Got 2 other demos: Fist of the North Star (Hokuto Musou) and Castlevania - Lord of Shadows. Didn't exactly enjoy either of them. Hokuto felt pretty clunky and a little slow after playing some Tales of Graces and Sengoku BASARA. I'm also not a HnK fan, so there's even less reason for me to even play it. Only checked it out because they were comparing the 2 games and wanted to know which one was the one to get. It was originally between SB and SM as they were released about 2~3 weeks within each other and HM is coming out next month, and was brought into the mix because of how badly SM3 burned some of the players. I'm kinda going "eh" at SM3 because it was recently announced that it was going to be up-ported to the PS3. I might decide to check it out if they release a demo on the PSN. But as it stands, I don't really like playing KOEI games.
Castlevania. It's OK. There were a few problems with the camera and the lighting effects (somewhat inconsistent). Combat was pretty simplistic. Didn't expect anything like DMC, so... it was OK. I wasn't exactly having fun with it, but I wasn't frustrated either. Just something about the aesthetics doesn't sit all that well with me. Maybe because I'm still stuck in the old-school Metroidvania era? That really can't be it, or else I'd be saying that 3D (not the new 3D supported ones, still no opinion on it) games sucked. I don't know. Maybe it's because I'm still not quite past the little bit of knowing that 3D Castlevania games in general aren't very good. It already plays a little better than the previous entries, but it's still not as fluid as I would like it. And it was only supervised by Kojima Productions. Not like they had much of a hand in this.
Still haven't booted up the game...
That just shows you how much you suck
How to beat Demon's Souls in under an hour. Exactly what it says on the tin. Watch, and feel absolutely inadequate as a gamer. I never knew some of the shortcuts this guy took, so I think I'm going to look into a bunch of them, especially for NG+. It's going to take a lot of practice to get the dodge timings right against the Penetrator, that's for sure. He's going to stab you with that long, long sword. ... I need to get off TVTropes.
Speaking of which, I completely forgot about Atlus celebrating Demon's Souls' success by doing the server thing again. Hm. Maybe I should try my luck against the Pure Black Black Phantom Miralda? Haven't dealt with her yet. Got the Pure White thing, so that's all good. I should probably finish it already, but I also want to restart with a new character. Don't really quite remember what I did, but I do know that I haven't gotten past 5-2, the level that everyone loves to hate. It's just that I haven't played in so long. I think I last touched it in February, for the Valentine's Day switch (voted black), in which I died against BP Miralda pretty quickly.
So the game came in. Haven't touched it yet aside from reading the manual. Been playing the JP version, trying to finish up some of the stuff. Well, mostly unlocking everyone because I want everyone open for when a friend comes over for a little co-op. I have about 2 weeks to do that. Already started Keiji's path, so that should be enough to unlock Oichi (already have Kotaro at 90% completion). She's pretty overpowered, so getting to Nobunaga should be a breeze~ Then I'll use Mitsunari (on Extreme) to get 2 trophies at once; the "only use normal attacks" and "use only the default weapon with no accessories on Extreme" ones. His default weapon is already at ATK232, which is pretty close to max. Should probably continue with the fugitive hunting with him and Yoshihiro, since I'm also doing the "kill less than 100" trophy. They'll need the ATK and DEF boosts. Still missing 3 stages, and I know exactly which ones those are. Looks like I'll be going with the Blue route using Keiji to get Sekigahara - Strongest, and the other 2 are Honnoji related. Should probably get moving on that. But first, I need to figure out how to keep the NA version from changing the SB3 trophy icon to the SB:SH one. I really don't like the logo as the "Sengoku" part looks so obviously out of place. Maybe I'll just play it on my NA account...? It would work since it shares the trophy set, and then I can retain the SB3 icon during trophy comparisons in my main account!
Speaking of which, I completely forgot about Atlus celebrating Demon's Souls' success by doing the server thing again. Hm. Maybe I should try my luck against the Pure Black Black Phantom Miralda? Haven't dealt with her yet. Got the Pure White thing, so that's all good. I should probably finish it already, but I also want to restart with a new character. Don't really quite remember what I did, but I do know that I haven't gotten past 5-2, the level that everyone loves to hate. It's just that I haven't played in so long. I think I last touched it in February, for the Valentine's Day switch (voted black), in which I died against BP Miralda pretty quickly.
So the game came in. Haven't touched it yet aside from reading the manual. Been playing the JP version, trying to finish up some of the stuff. Well, mostly unlocking everyone because I want everyone open for when a friend comes over for a little co-op. I have about 2 weeks to do that. Already started Keiji's path, so that should be enough to unlock Oichi (already have Kotaro at 90% completion). She's pretty overpowered, so getting to Nobunaga should be a breeze~ Then I'll use Mitsunari (on Extreme) to get 2 trophies at once; the "only use normal attacks" and "use only the default weapon with no accessories on Extreme" ones. His default weapon is already at ATK232, which is pretty close to max. Should probably continue with the fugitive hunting with him and Yoshihiro, since I'm also doing the "kill less than 100" trophy. They'll need the ATK and DEF boosts. Still missing 3 stages, and I know exactly which ones those are. Looks like I'll be going with the Blue route using Keiji to get Sekigahara - Strongest, and the other 2 are Honnoji related. Should probably get moving on that. But first, I need to figure out how to keep the NA version from changing the SB3 trophy icon to the SB:SH one. I really don't like the logo as the "Sengoku" part looks so obviously out of place. Maybe I'll just play it on my NA account...? It would work since it shares the trophy set, and then I can retain the SB3 icon during trophy comparisons in my main account!
17 Oct 2010
Whoops.
Seems like I forgot about the 2H script book, but I can't seem to find it new anywhere. Hm. I may have to get that one used or place a special order, not that it matters much. Used books from that store are usually in pretty good condition, just like when I ordered Note of Naught. Still, would prefer it new. Moving on.
So, about that livestream. It was fairly amusing streaming it from campus. No dropping out of the window, but the video sometimes reduces to still images that required constant reloading. I liked chatting with some of the users and found some of them from the KW and GFAQs boards there. It was fun watching and making silly comments. Sure, the video feed wasn't that great because of the SD output and a cheap capture card, but really can't complainsince I won't be touching the NA version until next week. I really hope that Amazon ships out my copy on the marked date because the page says that it would ship in 2~5 weeks. Well, so much for that. Won't be seeing it until next month. Guess that Capcom didn't print that many copies. It shipped 500K in Japan alone! Doubt it would reach even 10K considering the early reviews coming in, and biases from others screaming "RIPOFF!" Managed to convince one player to get 2 and 2H for the PS2. One little mention of Swap Magic, and there she went. Early on, I was the only one there that had "extensive" knowledge of the game, so I helped out a little bit here and there. He really likes using Hondam, and Hondam's joke weapon really is a tree. But the weapon description was... off? Haven't unlocked it myself since I'm not a very good Hondam player, but the translations on the KW boards say something else. Something about the tree growing big... "happiness!" It was supposed to be a cute description, I'm guessing. He seems to have switched over to Nobunaga ever since unlocking the Demon King. Not surprising since he's really fun to play as. Well, pretty much everyone is fun to play as, which is a little harder to say with the older entries in the series.
Gameplay, completely unchanged from what I've seen so far. About 10 hours worth of the livestream. Been reading reports that you don't have to unlock Hard (Extreme in JP) anymore, which is nice. I think. Unfortunately because of the renaming, some people are asking about Extreme mode when it doesn't exist in the NA version. The gameplay may have changed slightly, since there was one person claiming that the horse controls were a little better. I had no problem with them in the JP version, but they could have made the controls a little tighter and the turning a lot better. Well, that's all I've noticed about the gameplay for now.
The localization however... Never have I wanted to know who exactly was working on it. The fonts look terrible, grammar mistakes, typos or spelling mistakes, misleading translations and worst of all? THEY CUT OUT AN ENTIRE SECTION OF THE GAME. OK, so the Trivia section isn't integral to gameplay, but it usually hosts some interesting little tidbits about the generals, battlefields and battles that took place historically. For one, I never knew that Masamune liked to cook and created many regional foods that helped bolster his army's morale (from SB2H's trivia section). Seriously, they're missing out on this part. Guess that the localization team got lazy with the translations and decided to cut it. Actual translation work is all over the place. Even the English trophy data is more accurately and consistently translated than the game itself, which is pretty sad. Hell, they couldn't even decide if Shingen was dead during the game. Hint: he's not. He doesn't die either. He'll be perfectly fine in Yuki's Blue route, ready to punch him in the face again. For the accessories, they call the s-string "Normal Arts," which was bound to confuse a few people. It's the right translation, but "arts" implies a special. I don't like how they translated 固有奥義 to "Super Art." I really don't know what I would have translated it to, but definitely not that. Probably "Special Skill" since it's those are characteristic moves, like Masamune's WAR DANCE. Speaking of WAR DANCE, it's apparently been changed to "Six Claws." I can understand it being called something like that because of "claw mode"/六爪流 but seriously? All of Masamune's skills are already in English, albeit in all caps, so there was no need to change it. It's going to be a little awkward if the anime is going with what the games originally use. Way to be consistent with the franchise in the west, Capcom. Also noted that none of Magoichi's skills have the bird theme to them anymore. Yep. Picked all of that up just from watching the livestream. Pretty sure that there's more to nitpick on once I have my copy in mid-November. Shipment delay from Amazon. I'm more than likely going to get those books faster than the game.
I think I'll try to finish the rest of the stories from Devil Kings while I wait. And place an order for the SB2H script with the first 3 games. The amount of fail is beginning to hurt my head.
And a further note to self: Use Shimazu-don's tea-coloured route for the "Kill less than 100 in a story mode run" trophy. Most of the stages there don't require killing gate captains to progress. Bring along a lot of DEF, parry window up, parry damage up, base guard damage up?
Minimum number of kills:
Hetsugigawa - ~2 (ignore Muneshige, might take final base before Sorin?)
Noshima Castle - 2 (wait for the mech to be finished)
Saika - 1 (surprise her)
Mikatagahara - ~4 (gate captain, base, Hondam, Ieyasu on platform)
Kawanakajima - ~5 (Keiji, MUTEKI-SAMA, Keiji/Kasuga, Kenshin)
Oshuu - ~4 (base, Kojuurou, 双竜)
Osaka Summer Red - ~8 (Sasuke, 5 bases, Sasuke again, Yukimura. Or: Sasuke, 1 base (lower right), Sasuke, Yukimura)
Or use Gyoubu's Red with a 2nd player (preferably Shimazu with his PI):
Itsukushima (Gate captain, Motonari)
Ujou (Tenkai route: gate 4~, gate 4~, Tenkai)
Gassan-toda (1+1, Haruhisa)
Noshima Ocean (Tsuru)
Sekigahara (Saika, Tsuru, Kingo, Ieyasu)
So, about that livestream. It was fairly amusing streaming it from campus. No dropping out of the window, but the video sometimes reduces to still images that required constant reloading. I liked chatting with some of the users and found some of them from the KW and GFAQs boards there. It was fun watching and making silly comments. Sure, the video feed wasn't that great because of the SD output and a cheap capture card, but really can't complain
Gameplay, completely unchanged from what I've seen so far. About 10 hours worth of the livestream. Been reading reports that you don't have to unlock Hard (Extreme in JP) anymore, which is nice. I think. Unfortunately because of the renaming, some people are asking about Extreme mode when it doesn't exist in the NA version. The gameplay may have changed slightly, since there was one person claiming that the horse controls were a little better. I had no problem with them in the JP version, but they could have made the controls a little tighter and the turning a lot better. Well, that's all I've noticed about the gameplay for now.
The localization however... Never have I wanted to know who exactly was working on it. The fonts look terrible, grammar mistakes, typos or spelling mistakes, misleading translations and worst of all? THEY CUT OUT AN ENTIRE SECTION OF THE GAME. OK, so the Trivia section isn't integral to gameplay, but it usually hosts some interesting little tidbits about the generals, battlefields and battles that took place historically. For one, I never knew that Masamune liked to cook and created many regional foods that helped bolster his army's morale (from SB2H's trivia section). Seriously, they're missing out on this part. Guess that the localization team got lazy with the translations and decided to cut it. Actual translation work is all over the place. Even the English trophy data is more accurately and consistently translated than the game itself, which is pretty sad. Hell, they couldn't even decide if Shingen was dead during the game. Hint: he's not. He doesn't die either. He'll be perfectly fine in Yuki's Blue route, ready to punch him in the face again. For the accessories, they call the s-string "Normal Arts," which was bound to confuse a few people. It's the right translation, but "arts" implies a special. I don't like how they translated 固有奥義 to "Super Art." I really don't know what I would have translated it to, but definitely not that. Probably "Special Skill" since it's those are characteristic moves, like Masamune's WAR DANCE. Speaking of WAR DANCE, it's apparently been changed to "Six Claws." I can understand it being called something like that because of "claw mode"/六爪流 but seriously? All of Masamune's skills are already in English, albeit in all caps, so there was no need to change it. It's going to be a little awkward if the anime is going with what the games originally use. Way to be consistent with the franchise in the west, Capcom. Also noted that none of Magoichi's skills have the bird theme to them anymore. Yep. Picked all of that up just from watching the livestream. Pretty sure that there's more to nitpick on once I have my copy in mid-November. Shipment delay from Amazon. I'm more than likely going to get those books faster than the game.
I think I'll try to finish the rest of the stories from Devil Kings while I wait. And place an order for the SB2H script with the first 3 games. The amount of fail is beginning to hurt my head.
And a further note to self: Use Shimazu-don's tea-coloured route for the "Kill less than 100 in a story mode run" trophy. Most of the stages there don't require killing gate captains to progress. Bring along a lot of DEF, parry window up, parry damage up, base guard damage up?
Minimum number of kills:
Hetsugigawa - ~2 (ignore Muneshige, might take final base before Sorin?)
Noshima Castle - 2 (wait for the mech to be finished)
Saika - 1 (surprise her)
Mikatagahara - ~4 (gate captain, base, Hondam, Ieyasu on platform)
Kawanakajima - ~5 (Keiji, MUTEKI-SAMA, Keiji/Kasuga, Kenshin)
Oshuu - ~4 (base, Kojuurou, 双竜)
Osaka Summer Red - ~8 (Sasuke, 5 bases, Sasuke again, Yukimura. Or: Sasuke, 1 base (lower right), Sasuke, Yukimura)
Or use Gyoubu's Red with a 2nd player (preferably Shimazu with his PI):
Itsukushima (Gate captain, Motonari)
Ujou (Tenkai route: gate 4~, gate 4~, Tenkai)
Gassan-toda (1+1, Haruhisa)
Noshima Ocean (Tsuru)
Sekigahara (Saika, Tsuru, Kingo, Ieyasu)
12 Oct 2010
Art book, art book!
ククク。。。 The SB3 Official Complete Works is up for pre-order on YesAsia. Added! Once a certain book becomes available again, I guess I'll place the order. Ah, screw it. Placed it anyways since it's going to take forever for it to be restocked and waiting for the SB3 script book at the same time. Not to mention that the coupon that I got will most likely expire by the time it's back in stock. Found it on another site I frequent, so I ordered it along with the SB3 script. It'll be interesting going through those books and finding out all those trigger conditions! Wonder which ones were left on the cutting room floor? I know that Matsunaga Hisahide (I want him playable!) had PC lines. He might have been planned as playable at some point...! The SB3 one looks like it's going to be pretty thick. Think it was listed as about 650 pages long? Still, it'll be interesting.
Noticed from the very limited art I've seen from Tsuchibayashi (don't make me pronounce that, I'll butcher it), Ieyasu isn't as stocky as the CG model. Can't really say much about Mitsunari's since there's really only 1 illustration I've seen and it's really tiny. I don't think that his head is really that weirdly shaped...? The CG has become a lot more stylized, but one thing has remained constant: Masamune's eye is slit. It's a little hard to see, but it's there. Not as prevalent in the anime.
Speaking of the anime, I wonder when people would take note that it's not canon? It's actually really hard to say what's canon in the BASARA-verse, but there are certain things that carry over from game to game. Motochika and Ieyasu's friendship carried over, for one. The Masa-Yuki rivalry was there from day 1, as was the Shingen-Kenshin one. Keiji-Hideyoshi backstory definitely carried over from 2H to 3, as evidenced in his Purple route. Probably other stuff too, since I haven't exactly played the first 3 games in a while. Not sure if I really want to count Battle Heroes since I can't even play that for more than 15 minutes. I'll just have to look up the script translations and look through the script book once I get it.
Oh, and before I even get the game, someone's been kind enough to do a livestream of it. Everything looks to be intact... I think. There are differences in the translation, voices don't bug me as badly as I thought, and really? It could have been a whole lot worse. There are still mistakes within the text, but it's mostly readable. Still, it's SenBASA's second chance, and Capcom's already screwed up. Once I get my copy, I'll probably start nitpicking the living hell out of the game.
Noticed from the very limited art I've seen from Tsuchibayashi (don't make me pronounce that, I'll butcher it), Ieyasu isn't as stocky as the CG model. Can't really say much about Mitsunari's since there's really only 1 illustration I've seen and it's really tiny. I don't think that his head is really that weirdly shaped...? The CG has become a lot more stylized, but one thing has remained constant: Masamune's eye is slit. It's a little hard to see, but it's there. Not as prevalent in the anime.
Speaking of the anime, I wonder when people would take note that it's not canon? It's actually really hard to say what's canon in the BASARA-verse, but there are certain things that carry over from game to game. Motochika and Ieyasu's friendship carried over, for one. The Masa-Yuki rivalry was there from day 1, as was the Shingen-Kenshin one. Keiji-Hideyoshi backstory definitely carried over from 2H to 3, as evidenced in his Purple route. Probably other stuff too, since I haven't exactly played the first 3 games in a while. Not sure if I really want to count Battle Heroes since I can't even play that for more than 15 minutes. I'll just have to look up the script translations and look through the script book once I get it.
Oh, and before I even get the game, someone's been kind enough to do a livestream of it. Everything looks to be intact... I think. There are differences in the translation, voices don't bug me as badly as I thought, and really? It could have been a whole lot worse. There are still mistakes within the text, but it's mostly readable. Still, it's SenBASA's second chance, and Capcom's already screwed up. Once I get my copy, I'll probably start nitpicking the living hell out of the game.
2 Oct 2010
The bird did it.
フフフ。。。 Seems like having one side completely conquer all the bases in the Intrusion version of Sekigahara triggers a special line. The East side managed to do that while grinding KuroKan's levels. He's reached MAX now, which is good. So far, only him and Mitsu are maxed, while Yoshihiro is close at Lv.94. I'll probably get a few more up to max before continuing with their stories, like Yuki's blue route.
Also, I've remembered why Extreme/Ultimate mode was harder in the previous instalments; they upgrade the enemy types. Instead of the usual foot soldiers that run around, they replace them with the higher ranked ones. Makes them almost indistinguishable from the named officers when it comes to their model. They also don't fall over scared when you defeat their commanding officer or take their spawn gates. In 3, they change it to the higher ranked types, but they also throw in the regular mooks. They're also slightly less aggressive from what I remember from the previous entries, and they fall over. Admittedly, it's fun to smack them around during that state, but it really takes away from the fun present from the previous entries. I'd like it a bit harder, but not too much harder because some characters really suffer due to their speed.
In terms of stories, finished all of KuroKan's stories save for the Honnoji route. Still haven't unlocked Oichi, so I'm working on that right now. Started Masamune on Extreme to unlock Keiji. He's reached Lv.49 now, so WAR DANCE should be more useful with the extended duration. Even at Lv.1, it's not too bad if you smack something then activate, since the start is now an attack with some knockback, so you're not entirely open during activation.
Speaking of KuroKan... Seems like the SenBASA team has taken a liking to torturing the poor guy. His Red route leaves him in Sekigahara - Intrusion (means that he's neutral). Yoshitsugu (I'll just call him Gyobu since it's easier to type) has the key, which is why he's chasing the doom leper in the first place. Defeating Gyobu knocks the key out of his hands... and into Mitsunari's. Ieyasu's just amused at the entire thing since he finds KuroKan an interesting guy. Who wouldn't? He's a guy stuck in a ball-and-chain with his hair practically taped to his eyes. You do see his eyes (sorta) during a cutscene, but it's a little hard to tell what colour they are if your screen is a bit on the small side. I think they're brown. Defeating Mitsunari knocks the key out of his hands... and caught by a bird. Cue a massive amount of yelling from KuroKan. Same thing happens during the Blue route, only that he's actively chasing the bird to the north for the key. Turns out that it was Mogami's falcon that snatched the key, and defeating him leaves it on the ground. Cue KuroKan picking up the key, readying it for victory by holding it up high Zelda-style... only for the damn bird to snatch it away again. His Green route isn't too much better. He runs away to Hojo after being cornered by Gyobu, then leads a campaign with the East against Mouri. Note to self, don't play this route on Extreme. Mouri's Sekigahara version is very nasty with the solar rays, number of mini-bosses and that mech. They win, and then realize that he's still not free. Well, at least Hojo's willing to accompany KuroKan to the end of the world for that key! Really have to feel sorry for the guy.
佐吉 - Sakichi? Seen this on a few sites. I think this is Mitsunari's childhood name, much like 竹千代 (Takechiyo) was Ieyasu's.
Also, I've remembered why Extreme/Ultimate mode was harder in the previous instalments; they upgrade the enemy types. Instead of the usual foot soldiers that run around, they replace them with the higher ranked ones. Makes them almost indistinguishable from the named officers when it comes to their model. They also don't fall over scared when you defeat their commanding officer or take their spawn gates. In 3, they change it to the higher ranked types, but they also throw in the regular mooks. They're also slightly less aggressive from what I remember from the previous entries, and they fall over. Admittedly, it's fun to smack them around during that state, but it really takes away from the fun present from the previous entries. I'd like it a bit harder, but not too much harder because some characters really suffer due to their speed.
In terms of stories, finished all of KuroKan's stories save for the Honnoji route. Still haven't unlocked Oichi, so I'm working on that right now. Started Masamune on Extreme to unlock Keiji. He's reached Lv.49 now, so WAR DANCE should be more useful with the extended duration. Even at Lv.1, it's not too bad if you smack something then activate, since the start is now an attack with some knockback, so you're not entirely open during activation.
Speaking of KuroKan... Seems like the SenBASA team has taken a liking to torturing the poor guy. His Red route leaves him in Sekigahara - Intrusion (means that he's neutral). Yoshitsugu (I'll just call him Gyobu since it's easier to type) has the key, which is why he's chasing the doom leper in the first place. Defeating Gyobu knocks the key out of his hands... and into Mitsunari's. Ieyasu's just amused at the entire thing since he finds KuroKan an interesting guy. Who wouldn't? He's a guy stuck in a ball-and-chain with his hair practically taped to his eyes. You do see his eyes (sorta) during a cutscene, but it's a little hard to tell what colour they are if your screen is a bit on the small side. I think they're brown. Defeating Mitsunari knocks the key out of his hands... and caught by a bird. Cue a massive amount of yelling from KuroKan. Same thing happens during the Blue route, only that he's actively chasing the bird to the north for the key. Turns out that it was Mogami's falcon that snatched the key, and defeating him leaves it on the ground. Cue KuroKan picking up the key, readying it for victory by holding it up high Zelda-style... only for the damn bird to snatch it away again. His Green route isn't too much better. He runs away to Hojo after being cornered by Gyobu, then leads a campaign with the East against Mouri. Note to self, don't play this route on Extreme. Mouri's Sekigahara version is very nasty with the solar rays, number of mini-bosses and that mech. They win, and then realize that he's still not free. Well, at least Hojo's willing to accompany KuroKan to the end of the world for that key! Really have to feel sorry for the guy.
佐吉 - Sakichi? Seen this on a few sites. I think this is Mitsunari's childhood name, much like 竹千代 (Takechiyo) was Ieyasu's.
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