SOUL CALIBUR: Nightmare Movelist By Jeffrey "OneShot" Wong (jeffwong@li.net) The information of this faq has been borrowed _heavily_ from from Mark Griffin's Soul Calibur faq. You may know him as Mr MG. You can find his faq at www.gamefaqs.com or www.fighters.net. Without his faq, this faq would not have been possible so all credit for the moves provided goes to him and the people kind enough to help him compile his faq. I'm simply adding some information to each indivdual move for Nightmare. I have never written a faq before so I have no idea what rules I'm breaking in creating this faq. The faq is currently very unfinished. Please give info and comments for missing moves :) This FAQ uses many notations to make reading the FAQ easier and to keep it simple when printing the file. Please check these notations as they may be different from what you as used to. Also note that some characters have their own notations for items such as stances. ub u uf Joystick directions. b n f u - up d - down b - back f - forward db db df n - neutral G - Guard A - Horizontal Attack B - Vertical Attack K - Kick A - Throws Air (avoided by not jumping (duh!)) H - High (blocked standing or avoided ducking) M - Medium (blocked standing) SM - Special Medium (blocked low or medium) L - Low (blocked low or avoided jumping . - Moves also hits Grounded Opponents [G],u - Jump [d] - Crouch G+A - Genric Throw (break with A) G+B - Genric Throw (break with B) A+B+K - Soul Charge (See Game Elements) A+B+K,G - Spirit Charge (See Game Elements) [x] - Hold button/direction 'x' x+y - Press x AND y at the same time x,y - Press x THEN y x/y - Press x OR y x~y - Press y as soon as you have pressed x but not both at the same time - While Standing up from a crouch - While you are fully crouched Nightmare ********* Name: Nightmare Weapon: Soul Edge Weapon Name: Soul Edge, AKA The Phallus Symbol^_^ Style: The Memories of Soul Edge? Age: Unknown Birth date: Unknown Family: Unknown Birth Place: Unknown Height: 5ft 6 Weight: 209lbs Blood Type: Unknown === Moves === --- Notations --- - Night Behind Stance - Night Lower Stance - Night Side Stance --- Throws --- Move Name Break Notes: G+A Hilt Impact A Nightmare grabs his opponent and strike them with the hilt of his Phallus Symbol twice. It sends the enemy backwards quite a bit. G+B Nightmare Slasher B Nightmare does a rising slash and then brings the sword down on his opponent. ,G+A/G+B Flap Jack A+B (OD),,G+A/G+B Downed Flap Jack ,throw Calamity Fall A/B ,throw Unholy Terror A/B ,throw Witch Hunt A/B A powerful back through where he shoves his sword right through his opponent's back and into the ground. As he pulls the sword back out, he twists the Phallus Symbol slightly that inflicts some more damage. Ouch! --- Attacks --- Move Name Height Notes: A Slash H A simple horizontal slash. It can be easily ducked. It's best used to play keep away and move right into the Night Lower Stance by pressing and holding the A button down. A,A,B Slash Cross H,H,M A standard looking combo. He does two quick horizontal slashes followed up by a long ranged downward vertical one. Very easily predicted after it's used two or three times. The final attack comes out way too slow to be effective. However, IF it connects, it'll take off a good chunk of energy. A,d,A,A Double Grounder H,L,L Nightmare does a high horizontal slash followed by two powerful sword sweeping attacks. A great combo because the low attacks usually catch your opponent off guard. However, the first low attack for the combo comes out very slowly because there seems to be a slight pause and makes it easy to be countered before the second and third attacks come out. f,A Quick Spin Slash H Nightmare pivots on one foot as he extends his sword forward and does a very wide horizontal slash. Very very useful, especially against those who like to do the 8-way run. It comes out very quickly and can catch unsuspecting opponents. Holding down the A button makes your character move into the Night side stance. f,[f],A Right Slasher M Nightmare takes a step forward and does a backfist type sword attack. Slow in execution, but very damaging. I think if this connects up close, it inflicts even more damage. df,A Armet Crusher M One of the best moves around where Nightmare uses the flat of his Phallus Symbol to strike his opponent. Great for close game because it has a horizontal arc and knocks an opponent away even when blocked. Very very useful and should be exploited. d,A Leg Slasher L Nighmare ducks and slashes at his opponent's legs. Quick and effective. Since it's swung in a horizontal arc, it helps keep opponents from doing their 8-way run. db,A Shadow Slicer L Knightmare crouches and does a wide, I mean REALLY wide, low horizontal slashing attack. It's an excellent attack. Quick. It has a long range allowing you to execute this attack from afar. db,[A] Delay Slicer L A much much stronger version of the above attack. The delay helps mess with an opponents parrying/deflect game. I think it takes off WAY too much if it connects. It is hard to anticipate this attack for some reason because it looks like it is intended for a medium height attack. b,A Backspin Slash H Picture Nightmare doing a backfist except he's using his Phallus Symbol :) Although very damaging, it comes out a bit slow and can be predicted and easily ducked. It leaves you fairly open to an attack at the beginning and end of the attack. [G],u,A Diving Leg Slash L A pretty useful sword-sweeping attack where Nightmare does a little hop and slashes at his opponent's leg when he lands. Although powerful, it seems to cry out juggle bait. u,A Jumping Backspin Slash H A good keep-away attack where Nightmare jumps and does a little backspinning slash, as if doing a hopping backfist with his sword. It's even better to do the ub,A version. It comes out a bit slow though and can be ducked. ,A,A Maelstrom SM,L {SG} ^[d] ^Cancel 2nd Hit B Sword Buster M Nightmare does a quick downward vertical slash. It's a useful attack but can easily be sidestepped. However, it's useful to use if you wish to move into the Night Lower Stance by simply holding down the B button afterwards. B,f Gun Turret Buster M A quicker vertical downward slash of the above attack except it has a quicker recovery because Nightmare doesn't seem to follow through with the downward vertical slash. Good recovery and can be used with little risk. However, if your opponent sidesteps, you're in trouble. But then again, if any of your moves are sidestepped, you're in trouble ;) B,b Rampart Buster M Nightmare bring ths sword up over his head, as if he's going into his Night Behind Stance, only to execute a powerful downward vertical slash. Holding the joystick back extends the delay and increases the damage inflicted the long it's held. He goes into his Night Behind Stance from time to time. I think timing has a lot to do with this. B~G,B Helm Divider M,L {SG} ^[B] ^Night Behind Stance B~G,K Break Kick M,M B,B Mail Splitter M,M A standard B,B combo. Nightmare does a quick vertical slash followed up by another almost suicidal-looking verical slash. The second slash is very powerful if it connects. The can easily be sidestepped. Has quite a bit of range. B,d,A Buster Grounder M,L A powerful but slow combo where Nightmare does a downward verical slash followed up by a low and wide horizontal sword-sweeping slash. Although the first attack is fairly quick, the second low attack comes out very slowly due to a slight pause between attack and can easily be countered before it comes out. B,d,[A] Delayed Buster Grounder M,L This is the same as the above attack except you can delay your second sword-sweeping attack...as if the delay isn't long enough ;) f,B Piercing Strike M A LONG ranged poking attack where Nightmare bring his Phallus Symbol in front of him and takes a quick dash toward his opponent. It can be sidestepped however. Use this from afar. f,[f],B Lock Splitter M Nightmare does a slight axis shift and does a wickedly powerful downward vertical attack. It has long range but comes out fairly slow and can be countered before move comes out. Very damaging. f,[f],B~A Cannonball Splitter M,M An EXTREMELY powerful attack where your character does a forward somersault and brings his Phallus Symbol down on his opponent when he lands. If you are hit with this, you can kiss a huge chunk of your energy bar goodbye. I think this is his most powerful attack, excluding his unblockable. Heck it might be even stronger if this move connects fully. Although very powerful, it can easily be sidestepped or countered since Knightmare will be vulnerable during the first several frames of the attack. df,B Sky Splitter M A powerful attack where Nighmare does a arcing upward vertical slash that is useful for floating your opponent. It can be easily sidestepped. Holding down the button makes Nightmare go into the Night Behind Stance. If you launch your opponent with this attack and go into the Night Behind Stance, you can do a Terran Stomper by pressing B, which will hit the opponent on their way down from the juggle. This only works if you juggle with a counter hit. If you simply launch them, they won't float into the air high enough for the second attack to connect. d,B Shadow Buster SM Nightmare ducks and does a downward vertical slash. It comes out quick and has just as quick a recovery. However, it can be sidestepped. Holding down the B button makes your character go into the Night Lower Stance. db,B Drilling Thrust M/throw A great keep away poking attack where Nightmare jabs at his opponent's stomach. Although it can be sidestepped, it comes out quick and usually catches unsuspecting opponents. If the attack catches an oppoent from close range, it automatically turns into a modified throw where Nightmare lifts his opponent up while the blade is still imbedded in their stomach, arcs them over his head, and slams them down on the ground behind him. b,B,B Double Headbutt M,M Nightmare does a quick headbutt followed up by another headbutt. Can't be countered between headbutts which is very good. Good for close combat. Since nightmare's game is played best from afar, using the double headbutt helps push the opponent back into maximun damage range ;) b,[b],B,B Fatal Dive M,L A SLOW but very very powerful attack. Nightmare jumps high into the air, his Phallus Symbol held up over his head where he bring his Phallus Symbol down on his opponent, immediately bringing his sword back vertically upwards right after he lands which is great for launching your opponent. Holding down the B button makes him go into the Night Lower Stance afterawards. d,df,f,B Earth Divide M ! An EXTREMELY powerful yet SLOW attack. Nightmare's Phallus Symbol seems to burst into flames as he brings his sword up over his head, holds it there for a second, and then brings it down in a wicked downward vertical slash. It leaves you very open during the beginning of the attack but if you execute this from afar, the long range of the attack and catch your opponent offguard since they might actually dash in to knock you out of your attack. Cancel by pressing the G button. This is an unblockable attack and EXTREMELY damaging one. However, it's very slow :( [G],u,B Diving Cannonball Lift M Nightmare does a little hop into the air and does an upward veritcal slash the moment he lands Catches opponents off guard if they're expecting the A-button version. Pretty powerful but can be sidestepped or countered while you are in mid-flight during the attack. Holding down the B button makes him go into the night Behind Stance. Seems to launch your opponent quite high. u,B Fatal Buster H A hopping version of Nightmare's Fatal Dive attack. b,[b], B. He simply hops up into the air and brings his sword down in a downward vertical slash on his descent. ,B Cannonball Lift M A great and quick juggle started. From his crouching position, Nightmare does a long ranged upward vertical slash that can float his opponent high into the air. Holding down the B button makes your character move into the Night Behind Stance afterwards. ,B Splitter Buster SM Whil he is in his crouching position, he does an downward vertical slash. Although it comes out fast, it can be sidestepped. Holding down the B button makes you go into the Night Lower Stance afterwards. f,K Jade Crusher H A kick ass punching attack where Nightmare punches at his opponent with that claw-like hand of his. I guess his hand is like that from handling his Phallus Symbol so much;P Anyway, it's very very quick and has high priority. If it were a medium attack, Nightmare would be a whole lot deadiler since he would have a great close-combat game :) Use this whenever your opponent gets close. It'll send them flying back into prime killing range. f,[f],K Shoulder Rush M A good rushing attack where Nightmare lunges at his opponent shoulder first. It looke more like a headbutt than a shoulder attack. It helps close the gap between you and your opponent. However, I suggest not because Nightmare is best played from afar. df,K,K,B Accel Headbutt M,L,M Nightmare does a roundhouse, followed up by a spinning low kick, followed up by a headbutt. A GREAT combo because it forces your opponent to block high, then low, then high again. d,df,f,K,K,K,K,K,K Stomping L.L.L.L.L.L A good move to use on opponents while they are on the ground. It's quite funny to watch. Nightmare brings his foot up off the ground and starts stamping it repeatedly. If this move connects with a lying opponent, it's hilarious watching them writhing in pain with each successful stomp. Not too useful against standing opponents due to its lack of range. d,df,f,[K] Stamp Through the Earth L A stonger verion of Nightmare's Stomping attack, the move above. Holding down the K button delays the attack, making it stronger the longer you hold it. It comes over VERY slow and can probably be connected sucessfully after a high floating attack. Either that or your opponent is an idiot ;P [G],u,K Diving Accel Kick L Nightmare does a litle hop where he does a leg sweep upon landing. Pretty useful but leaves you wide open during the beginning of the attack since you are in mid-air. u,K Rolling Sobat M Nightmare does a hopping spinkick where he brings his heel down at his opponent's face. It looks like it hurts more than the damage actually inflicted. ,K Rising Night Kicks M,M A rising attack where Nightmare executes a rising knee followed up by a medium height front kick. It has a short range, but can be used with little risk since it is so quick. Make sure your opponent is close though. f,[f],A+B Flying Edge M A very powerful attack where Nightmare lunges forward and sings his sword, landing on his back afterwards. It comes out quick but leaves you open when you get up from the ground. Holding down on the joystick makes Nightmare remain on the ground instead of automatically getting back up. df,A+B Dark Soul Impact L Oo! A NASTY impaling attack. One hit from this move looks like it could cut your opponent's legs off. A very very powerful and is very very unpredictable. The beginning animation of this move looks very much like his db,B thrusting attack, making your opponent think he has to block high. Boy, will he be in for a surprise. Although sidesteppable, it comes out fairly fast and its damage potential is worth it. It also hits opponents lying on the ground for big damage :) A+K,A Spin Kick to Slash H,H Nightmare does a high heel kick followed up by a high horizontal slash. Not too useful because both moves can be ducked and even an idiot can block them. Holding the A button afterwards makes Nightmare go into the Night Side Stance. A+K,A,A,B Spin Kick to Slash Cross H,H,H,M A bit better than the above combo. Nightmare does a heel kick followed up by two high horizontal slashes and a downward vertical slash. Although powerful, the chances of connecting this combo is slim. The first three moves can be ducked and even countered if your opponent does a rising attack. Holding the B button afterwards makes him go into the Night Lower Stance. A+K,A,A,d,A Spin Kick to Grounder H,H,L,L Much much better than the above combo. Nightmare does a heel kick followed by a high horizontal slashes that flows into two wide arcing low horizontal slashes. Although a VERY good combo, there is a slight pause between the high horizontal slash and the first lower one. A+K,K Spin Kick Combo H,M A double kick combo where Nightmware does a heel kick followed by another waist high heel kick that can be used without much risk because it is quick and has a fast recovery. Even if your opponent ducks under the first attack, the second comes out quick enough that he won't be able to do a rising attack. f,[f],B+K Drop Kick H Hey, it's a drop kick where Nightware jumps at his opponent and kicks at them with both feet before falling down flat on his helmetted face. It is one wickedly powerful looking attack. Looking, I say. Unfortunately, it isn't as strong as it looks which is odd because it sends your opponent flying backwards about half the entire ring. Can be ducked and sidestepped with ease. Guarding against it is even easier ;) B+K Night Behind Stance Nightmare goes into his Night Behind Stance where he holds his Phallus Symbol behind his back, in a ready slashing position. He moves very slowly around the battle field in this Stance. His front looks WIDE open, like he's just asking for a sword through the gut, which will eventually be your opponent's mistake when they try to do that :) f,B+K Night Lower Stance Nightmare crouches low on the ground. In this position, he can't move around on the battle field. He stays stationary. A GREAT turtling position that can easily be wrought almost useless by a sidestepping opponent :( b,B+K Night Side Stance Nighmare holds his Phallus Symbol by his side, the tip of the blade touching the ground. It looks like he's catching his breath in this position. He moves very slowly around the battle field in this position. --- Stances --- ---> Night Behind Stance Move Name Height Note: d/u,B+K Side Spin Nightmare does a axis shift and ends up in his Night Behind Stance. The axis shift is enough to dodge vertical and poking attacks but not those simple horizontal attacks, not even a simple A button attack. A Night Annilation H,M A great keep away attack where Nightmare swings at the opponent's head and follows up with another swing at their waist. It looks like he has to take that extra swing because the sword looks so damn heavy ;) Although the first attack can be dodged, the second is very hard to do so since it comes out fast and in a horizontal arc, making it unsidesteppable. Holding down the A button makes him go into the Night Side Stance. B Terran Stomper M A high damaging attack where Nightmare slashes vertically downward. It can easily be dodged and blocked though and comes out a bit slow. However, the range of this move is awesome :) K,K Night Knee Rush M,H Probably the best attack for this stance where Nightmare does a quick knee followed up by a front kick. Use this when opponent is close. You can also use this after floating your opponent with B from a Night Low Stance and holding down the B button to move into the Night Behind Stance. f,B+K Night Lower Stance From this stance, he moves into his Night Lower Stance. b,B+K Night Side Stance From this stance, he will move into his Night Side Stance. ---> Night Lower Stance Move Name Height Note: A Leg Hacker L Nightmare does a low level horizontal slash. It comes out fairly slow and doesn't have that great a range. However, it can't be sidestepped :) Holding down the A button afterwards makes him go into his Night Side Stance. B Citidel Lift L Okay, if this move actually connects, your opponent would be split in half from their groin to their head. Too bad that doesn't happen. Anyway, Nightmare sticks his sword forward toward the opponent's feet and raises it vertically upward, even hopping up into the air to make make the attack seem more powerful, launching your opponent into the air. Holding the B button will make you go into the Night Behind Stance, where you can simply press B and do a downward slash at your opponent as they land for heavy combo damage :) B~A Cannonball Splitter M,M Just like his f,[F],B~A attack where Nightmare does a forward somersault flip and brings his sword down on his opponent. Very very powerful, but highly vulnerable in the first several frames of animation because you will be in mid-air. K Night Salute M This is the BEST keep away attack. No doubt about it. It is VERY hard to get close to Nightmare when he uses this attack. One problem, side stepping this attack leaves him WIDE open, very WIDE open. Although Nightmare is stationary in his Night Lower Stance, this attack has a very slight tracking arc. Although the best keep away attack, it takes off very little. It should take off much much more! A+B Lock Splitter Alternative M Similar to his f,[f],B attack where Nightmare takes a step forward, spinning around and bring his sword around in a downward vertical slash for big damage. Although powerful, it comes out a bit slow:( B+K Night Behind Stance From this stance, he goes into his Night Behind Stance. b,B+K Night Side Stance From this stance, he goes into his Night Side Stance. ---> Night Side Stance Move Name Height Damage Note A,A Cross Grounder L,H For the first attack, Nighmare does a sword sweep followed up with a backhand-type slash. Powerful but can be avoided. If your opponent is smart, he would block the low attack and stay in the crouched position to avoid the variation to this attack, the Double Grounder Alpha, which is below. A,d,A Double Grounder Alpha L,L The absolute best attack for this stance. Nightmare does a very wide and low horizontal arcing attack. The second one connects even after the first one knocks the opponent down. B Cannonball Lift M Nighmare bring his Phallus Symbol upward in a wide arcing vertical slash. Great for launching your opponent but slow in executing. Holding the B button makes Nightmare go into the Night Behind Stance. B~A Feint Cannonball SM K Night Front Kick H He does a dinky little kick. However, great damage if it's a stun counter attack :) B+K Night Behind Stance From this stance, he moves into this Night Behind Stance. f,B+K Night Lower Stance From this stance, he moves into this Night Lower Stance ---> 8 Way Run (ARS) Move Name Height Damage Note f,A Brutal Cross H It's like Nightmare's Quick Spin Slash, standing f,A, where he pivots on one foot and does a wide horizontal slash at the opponent's head. df/uf,A Right Slasher M Nightmare does an axis shift before striking his opponent with the flat of his Phallus Symbol. Somewhat slow, but knocks the opponent back quick a bit, whether the attack is blocked or not. d/u,A Alternate Cross M Nightmare does a little turn and strikes his opponent with the flat of his Phallus Symbol. If you connect with this attack, your opponent will go flying:) db/ub,A Quick Back Spin Slash H b,A Back Spin Slash H Nightmare does a backfist like attack except using his sword. Very powerful but can be easily ducked :( f,B Lock Splitter M Nightmare does a powerful downward vertical slash for big damage. It can be sidestepped pretty easily though, but its range is quite useful. f,B~A Cannonball Splitter M,M Same as his other attack, f,[f],B~A where Nightmare does that somersault flip and brings his sword down at his opponent's head. It causes A LOT of damage but can be dodged or sidestepped or even countered before attack is initiated. df/uf,B Sky Splitter M Nighmare does a upward vertical slash that is great for floating your opponent. Holding down the B button makes him go into his Night Behind Stance. d/u,B Sword Buster M Nightmare does a downard vertical slash. It has a long range and good damage. Holding down the B button makes him go into his Night Lower Stance. d/u,B~G,B Helm Divider M,L {SG} ^[B] ^Night Behind Stance d/u,B~G,K Break Kick M,M d/u,B,B,B Armour Breaker M,M,L A GREAT combo...once or twice around. Nightmare does two quick downward vertical slashes followed up by a upward vertical slash that will float your opponent. A great combo because the third attack is usually unexpected....the first time around. After two or three times, it doesn't work as effectively, unless you're fighting scrubs :) Holding the B button makes him go into his Night Behind Stance afterwards. d/u,B,B,K Extended Break Kick M,M,M Another GREAT combo to mix up with the above combo. Nightmare does two quick downward vertical slashes followed up by a front kick that will connect if your opponent was expecting the d/u,B,B,B verion of this since it looks almost exactly the same :) d/u,B,d,A Buster Grounder M,L Nightmare does a vertical slash followed up by a wicked sword sweeping attack. Although it's hard to block and anticipate, there is a slight pause between attacks, allowing your opponent the time to counter attack. {SG} ^[b] ^Cancel to Night Behind Stance d/u,B,d,[A] Delayed Buster Grounder M,L {SG} ^[b] ^Cancel to Night Behind Stance db/ub,B Shadow Impact L An even NASTIER and LONGER ranged version of Nighmares df,A+B Dark Soul Impact attack where he does a little turn and then shoves his Phallus Symbol toward his opponent's feet. A bit slower, but not much, and the damage it deals is staggering. It's way too powerful and long ranged that it would be a shame if it weren't exploited:) b,B,B Fatal Dive M,L {SG} ^[B] ^Night Lower Stance f,K Slide L A sliding kick. You must be running for this to happen. You'll be suprised at how many times this moves connect :) df/uf,K Shoulder Rush M It looks more like Nightmare's b,B headbutt except it seems to have a longer forward range to it. It's as if Nightmare takes a larger leap toward his opponent. {SG} d/u,K,A Spin Kick to Slash H,H ^[A] ^Night Side Stance d/u,K,A,A,B Spin Kick to Slash Cross H,H,H,M ^[B] ^Night Lower Stance d/u,K,A,A,d,A Spin Kick to Grounder H,H,L,L {SG} d/u,K,K Spin Kick Combo H,M db/b/ub,K Rolling Sobat M {SG} f,B+K Drop Kick H Nightmare does his drop kick where he leaps at his opponent with both feet. If it connects, it'll send your opponent flying backwards about half the length of the battle field. df/d/db/ub/u/uf,B+K Night Behind Stance Spin ^f,B ^Gun Turret Buster M b,B+K Night Side Stance Nightmare is a very powerful character. In a skilled player's hands, he is absolutely DEADLY. His poking game is better than Mitsurugi's because of that f,B and df,A+B and db,B and 8-way run,db,B attack. Mixing those up really messes with an opponents game blocking game:) And I don't even need to mention Nightmare's Night Lower Stance, K button attack. Aside from sidestepping, you can't get near him it he uses that. Above his awesome poking game, the damage he dishes out is only outmatched by Astaroth, which isn't by much. Sure, he doesn't have as many unblockables (one to be exact) as Astaroth, but his overall damage potential makes him great. Heck, he has juggle combos that can take off over half of your energy bar if they connect. He is best played from afar because most of his attacks are long ranged. However, if you find yourself playing an inside game against an aggressive player, do a headbutt, b,B,B or punch him, f,K, back out of range. Also, his b,K attack is very good at close combat because me will duck under high attacks as he attacks. If you want to take a chance and knock him back with style, do his df,A, Armet Crusher attack where he hits them with the flat of his sword and watch them go flying :) Heck, it could even knock them out of the ring. Although he is very powerful, he is also slow, almost as slow as Astaroth but not quite. You can play him like a turtle or arregesively, whatever fits your style. However, I would recommend playing him a bit aggressive because Nightmare has several mix and match poking moves that will keep your opponent guessing, giving you an advantage. One of his best moves is his db,A, that low arcing horizontal sword- sweep attack, which should be exploited. It's insanely damaging, especially if you delay the attack by holding down the A button. I find myself staring mouth agaped at how much that move takes off when it connects, especially at your opponent does a dash in combo from afar. From time to time, use his cannonball splitter, f,[f],B~A. You'll be surprised that it can actually catch a person off-guard. And when you see the DAMAGE!!! WOW!!! All you need is to hit your opponent with this move twice and poke him once afterwards and the match is over. It's THAT damaging!!! Although it is great that he has three stances, the transistion between stances, whether it be from one stance to another or from his regular stance into another one, it takes quite a bit of time and leaves you open during the transition, which you do not want. There seems to be a slight pause between stance changes that seems to add about a split second to his transition that leaves him wide open for an attack all the time :( His Night Side Stance is probably his best stance because of his A,d,A Double Grounder Alpha attack takes off quite a bit of energy and has a very long range. If your opponent could see this move coming, simply press B and watch him get floated, where you can juggle him with his double knee, K,K, after having him go into his Night Behind Stance. You might want to stay away from his Night Behind Stance because his moves, although strong, are pretty slow. Sometimes, I find it hard connecting his B attack, the downward vertical slash, after juggling an opponent because they would tech roll out of it before the blade hits them. That's why I would usually do his double knee, k,k, while in that stance. His A button attack is a good keep away move though. His Night Lower Stance can REALLY mess with an opponents mind because you can do his Cannonball Splitter, B~A, from that position, and it takes off a huge Chunk of damage. However, if your opponent sidesteps alot, that stance is almost shot to hell. That means you'll have to use his A attack, which is pretty good but slow. However, make sure you hold the A button down afterwards, so you will go into his Night Side Stance, his best stance. Overall, Nightmare is a formidable character and should/could be used as your flagship character. Aside from Mitsurugi, I think he is a best flagship character to learn. Why? Well, he's got a much more damaging poking game than Mitsurugi, and the damage he dishes out is staggering. However, I believe Mitsurugi is a bit better than him because he has more speed, something Nightmare lacks. He's easy to learn, a bit unpredictable, what with those stances (Although not as predictable as Maxi), and very strong. The stances aren't even that hard to learn, and by simply looking at what stance he is in, you can pretty much tell which button does what, unlike Maxi where you have to time out his stances ;) Because he sacrificed his speed for those powerful attacks, don't use those high risk attacks too often, like his cannonball splitter, f,[f],B~A, or his unblockable, d,d/f,f,b. I know I sound like I'm contradicting myself because I suggest using it from time to time just for the hell of it, but constantly using powerful attacks makes Nightmare open to receiving some nasty damaging attacks too because some of his moves have a lot of recovery time. However, don't play him TOO cautiously. It's not fun as fun as taking off around 90% of your opponent's life bar with only two attacks:) So go out there and kick some ass with Nightmare now. I hope this faq was helpful and will get you interested in Nightmare. Once again, the information of this faq has been borrowed _heavily_ from Compiled Mr MG (Mark Griffin)mrmg@fighters.net.