Vampire Chronicle for Matching Service (Capcom, 2D Versus Fighting, DCast) Secrets FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) V1.0 10/10/00 Written by: Richard Uyeyama (ru e ama best com)* * Instances of the letter "y", the "at" symbol, and all periods have been removed (replaced with spaces) from the above e-mail address in order to prevent unscrupulous UCE (unsolicited commercial e-mail) bot processes from adding to the amount of e-mail I already get... The latest version of this file can be found at: A Chronicle of the Darkrealm http://www.best.com/~ruyeyama/dcast/acotd.html Document formatting, organization, and wording Copyright 2000 by Richard Uyeyama. Permission granted by author to duplicate (unaltered) this document in its entirety for NON-PROFIT purposes only. All other rights reserved. Author reserves the right to rescind specific or general permission, if he sees a reason (such as loophole abuse) to do so. Unauthorized duplication of this document is a violation of all applicable national and international laws. This document is protected by International Copyright Law. It is a criminal act to use this document (or any derivative work (including translations)) in any way that makes you (and/or your company) money; you MAY NOT sell this document, host this document on a website with an ad banner and/or membership fee, give this document away as a "purchase bonus", and/or use this document in any other manner which profits (financially) you (and/or your company) either directly or indirectly. If you are unsure as to whether you can use this document, or if you wish to apply for specific rights not granted to you by the above, send a polite, detailed, and clearly phrased inquiry to me at the e-mail address listed above. Note, however, that due to the amount of e-mail I get, I may not be able to reply to every query or request I receive (also note that the lack of a reply will NEVER constitute legal permission). GameFAQs (www.gamefaqs.com) has been granted permission to host this document. The following webpage contains the most recent version of the above copyright notice. If there is a discrepancy between the above copyright notice and the one located on my current webpage, the information on my webpage will be treated as authentic: http://www.best.com/~ruyeyama/faqlegal.html Vampire Chronicle for Matching Service is Copyright 2000 by Capcom Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. "Koumori, te... nezumi ni niteru to omowanai?" -- Felicia (Pocket Fighter) Table of Contents: 0. Document History I. Basic Stuff 1. What is this document? 2. What is Vampire Chronicle for Matching Service? 3. Modes and Types 4. Note on name differences 5. Terminology, notation, and stuff II. Characters and Stuff 1. Hidden Characters A. Oboro Bishamon B. Shadow C. Marionette 2. Hidden Battles (ARCADE MODE) A. CPU Challenger B. Oboro Bishamon battle 3. "Random Select" III. Costumes, Poses, and Stuff 1. Costume/color select 2. Win poses 3. Opening poses 4. Taunts (Friendships) IV. Other Codes and Stuff 1. EX Options 2. Staff Roll 2 BGM 3. VERSUS MODE Stage color variants 4. 5-button reset V. Miscellany 1. Official Moves Lists 2. What determines the BGM 3. ARCADE MODE Endings 4. Screensaver function VI. Thanks and Stuff ------------------- 0. Document History ------------------- V1.0: 10/10/00 Launch version (8/10/00: Vampire Chronicle for Matching Service now on sale) -------------- I. Basic Stuff -------------- I.1 What is this document? This document is an English language informational resource for Vampire Chronicle for Matching Service (which I shall hereafter refer to as simply "Vampire Chronicle" (or "VChronicle"), for the sake of brevity), a 2D versus fighting game by Capcom. In this document, I'll be covering codes, secrets, details, clarifications, and other such information which may be of interest to Vampire Chronicle fans. This is a Secrets FAQ (side note: I'm using "faq" herein with its more colloquial definition of "document of organized information", rather than its more traditional definition, which implies organizational headings in the form of questions...), and not a moves list or strategy guide, btw, so I won't be including a complete moves/combo list, or detailed character strategies, or anything like that in this document... This document was written for the J version (currently the only version available) of Vampire Chronicle. Vampire Chronicle for Matching Service (DCast, J) basic info: 1 Disc (T-1235M) 1-2 Players Works with: Arcade stick, VMU (3 blocks), PuruPuru Pack, VGA Box, DCast Keyboard, DCast Modem. 4800 (y)en I.2 What is Vampire Chronicle for Matching Service? Vampire Chronicle is a game in Capcom's Vampire ("DarkStalkers" in the US) series of 2D versus fighting games. Vampire Chronicle is heavily based upon Vampire Savior, but incorporates elements from all previous (to VChronicle) Vampire games (Vampire, Vampire Hunter, Vampire Savior, Vampire Hunter 2, Vampire Savior 2). Vampire Chronicle is *not*, however, a compilation disc, but rather a (single) new game, in which you get to select both the game's rules (Mode) and your character's style (Type). So, similar to Street Fighter Zero 3 ("Street Fighter Alpha 3" in US), it is possible to have two characters of different Types fighting against each other. =) Aside from being able to select Modes and Types, the biggest addition to the game is its netplay capability, which allows people to play each other over a network (this is what "for Matching Service" refers to), without necessarily being in the same room. =) Unfortunately, though, use of the network seems to require a registration process (and fees, I think), which seems limited to Japan only. Note on NETWORK MODE: I haven't played any games in NETWORK MODE, so consequently, there will be very little information pertaining to it in this Secrets FAQ. It is, however, possible (I can't say for sure, of course) that some of the secrets which work in other MODES of the game may (may) also work in NETWORK MODE. Note on VChronicle sales: Capcom, for reasons I'm not entirely sure of, decided to make Vampire Chronicle available for purchase *only* via Dreamcast Direct (www.d-direct.ne.jp). Unfortunately, Dreamcast Direct does not, as far as I can tell, take foreign (to Japan) orders... which, for people outside of Japan, makes the game significantly harder to get. So if you've been having trouble (or had trouble) finding this game, that's probably why. =/ I.3 Modes and Types Mode Select: After selecting ARCADE or VERSUS MODE, you will be presented with a Mode Select screen, where you will be given the following choices: Vampire, Hunter, Savior. The Mode will determine the rules of the game, as follows: Vampire Mode - Vampire rules. Life bar: Life bars are reset after each round. Super rules unique to Vampire Mode: Super meters are reset after each round. The Super meter can hold only 1 Super, which will disappear if it is not used within a certain time limit; during this time (when the Super meter is flashing), the next EX or Special attack done will automatically use the Super (a Special attack will become an ES attack), and reset the meter. Other: All CPU opponents in ARCADE MODE will be Vampire Type. Hunter Mode - Vampire Hunter rules. Life bar: Life bars are reset after each round. Super meter: Super meters are *not* reset after each round. The Super meter can store up to 99 Supers. Other: All CPU opponents in ARCADE MODE will be Hunter Type. Savior Mode - Vampire Savior rules. Life rules unique to Savior Mode: Life bars are *not* reset after each round (damage that the winner has taken carries over to the next round). Damage is partially recoverable (avoid getting hit (or blocking any attacks) for a while, and your health will gradually recover, up to an indicated maximum). Super meter: Super meters are *not* reset after each round. The Super meter can store up to 99 Supers. Other: Every CPU opponent in ARCADE MODE will be either Savior Type or Savior2 Type. (Side notes: Life bars and Super meters are, of course, reset after each match, regardless of which Mode you select. TRAINING MODE seems always to be in Savior Mode.) Type Select: In ARCADE, VERSUS, or TRAINING MODE, after selecting your character (and your game speed, if you have the Game Speed option set to a "Free" setting), you will be presented with a Type Select menu, where you will be given the following choices: Vampire Type, Hunter Type, Savior Type, Savior2 Type. Your character Type will determine your character's moves and abilities, as follows: Vampire Type - Vampire moves and abilities. Hunter Type - Vampire Hunter moves and abilities. Savior Type - Vampire Savior moves and abilities. Savior2 Type - Vampire Savior 2 moves and abilities. (Side note on Hunter2 Type: fyi, for those of you wondering where "Hunter2 Type" is, I've actually seen Savior2 Type referred to as "Savior2/Hunter2 Type" on the Capcom (Japan) webpages. I haven't played either VHunter2 or VSavior2 (neither was released in the US, as far as I know...), but I'm guessing from this that the character moves and abilities were probably pretty much the same in these two games. I guess "Savior2/Hunter2 Type" just got shortened to "Savior2 Type" for reasons of brevity. ^^ ) Note on older versions of newer characters: It is indeed possible to play an "earlier" version of a character, even if that character wasn't in the earlier Vampire games. Such characters have been retro-adjusted for those character Types, by adjusting their moves and abilities in an appropriate way. Using Vampire Type Lilith as an example (Lilith wasn't a playable character in Vampire), these are some (but not all) of the changes made (comparing to Savior Type): - Her Super Jump is gone, but she now has an Air Dash (forward). - Luminous Illusion is now her only EX move. - Soul Flash now goes a lot further (LP goes about halfway across the screen, MP goes about 3/4 across, and the HP version goes almost all the way across the screen). For more information on retro-adjusted characters, see a more general FAQ or Moves List(s) for Vampire Chronicle. I.4 Note on name differences Between the Japanese and U.S. versions of the Vampire series of games, some of the character names (as well as the game names) have been changed. In this document, I shall refer to the characters (and games) by their original (J version) names. For reference purposes, here are the original names, and what each was changed to for the US versions: Vampire DarkStalkers Vampire Hunter NightWarriors Vampire Savior Vampire Savior (Arc) or DarkStalkers 3 (PSX) Aulbath Rikuo Bulleta Baby Bonnie Hood Gallon Jon Talbain Lei-Lei Hsien-Ko Phobos Huitzil Zabel Zarock Lord Raptor Also note that Anita (Donovan's ward) was changed to "Amanda"; also, I think Lin-Lin (Lei-Lei's sister) may have been renamed, but if so, I'm not sure what her US version name would be, so... I.5 Terminology, notation, and stuff Mode vs. MODE: In order to avoid any potential confusion, note that, in this document, I shall be referring to the main menu MODES (ARCADE, VERSUS, TRAINING, NETWORK, OPTION) in FULL CAPS, in order to distinguish them from the gameplay Modes (Vampire Mode, Hunter Mode, Savior Mode). Buttons: When referring to the six attack buttons, I shall use the following designations: light/medium/hard punch, light/medium/hard kick. On the Arcade Stick, as in the arcade versions of the Vampire series games, the standard layout of these six buttons is as follows: LP MP HP LK MK HK In denoting d-pad positions and movements, I'll be using the following notation: n neutral Here's a visual chart: u up d down u u f forward ub uf uf ub b back b n f f n b df down-forward db df df db db down-back d d uf up-forward ub up-back (facing right) (facing left) And here follow some of the other standards of notation I may use in this document: P Any Punch button (LP/MP/HP) K Any Kick button (LK/MK/HK) PP Any 2 Punch buttons (LP+MP / LP+HP / MP+HP) KK Any 2 Kick buttons (LK+MK / LK+HK / MK+HK) PPP All 3 Punch buttons KKK All 3 Kick buttons + at the same time as , then / or x(y) press y while holding x >= greater than or equal to <= less than or equal to 360 spin joystick/d-pad 360 degrees (1 complete circle) 720 spin joystick/d-pad 720 degrees (2 complete circles) ------------------------ II. Characters and Stuff ------------------------ II.1 Hidden Characters There are three hidden characters in Vampire Chronicle: Oboro Bishamon, Shadow, and Marionette. II.1.A Oboro Bishamon -------------- Oboro Bishamon is a variant of Bishamon, with a slightly different set of moves and abilities. The easiest way to tell Bishamon and Oboro apart (visually) is by the fact that Bishamon has spirit flames hovering around him, and Oboro does not. To play as Oboro, simply hold the START button down when selecting Bishamon. This works in ARCADE, VERSUS, and TRAINING MODE (and probably in NETWORK MODE as well). Oboro is automatically assigned Savior2 Type. Oboro is considered a unique character (he has his own high score listing) in ARCADE MODE, but not in VERSUS MODE (he shares statistics with Bishamon), for some reason. Finishing ARCADE MODE with Oboro will earn you an ending and credits, just like any normal character. Oboro notes: Oboro does not appear in the "Random Select" lineup. To get Oboro via Random Select, hold the START button down when selecting your character, and if you get Bishamon as your selection, you'll get to play Oboro instead (note: this also works in conjunction with the Shadow code (hold down the 5th START when selecting your costume color), but not, it seems, with the Marionette code (even in mirror matches)). II.1.B Shadow ------ Shadow is a large, uh, shadowy creature that takes over the body of his (?) opponent after he defeats him/her/it. So, after defeating an opponent, he essentially becomes that character (after discarding his current host) for his next battle. To play as Shadow, move your character select cursor to the Random Select box (marked by a "?"), then press the START button 5 times, and press a P or K button (or PP/KK) to select your initial costume color. This code seems to work only in ARCADE MODE (side note: if you want to play as Shadow against human opponents, just start an ARCADE MODE game with Shadow, and have your opponent come in as a Challenger). Shadow does not have a high score listing (at the end of the end credits sequence). Shadow will be listed as "?" in the ARCADE MODE top 5 lists ("SCORE RANKING" and "VS RANKING"). Shadow does not get an ending in ARCADE MODE, but does get a special end credits sequence (same as Marionette's), with different music, and monochromatic (shades of brown) character portraits shown during the credits. Pre-select Shadow's first host: Move the character select cursor to the character you want, then press the START button 3 times. Now move the select cursor to the Random Select box, enter the Shadow code, and select your costume. The character you pre-selected should appear as Shadow's first host. Shadow notes: The first character Shadow plays as will be assigned randomly (by the "Random Select" process), unless you use the pre-select code (see above) previous to entering the Shadow code. Also note that, while you can select character Type and costume color for the first character Shadow plays as, for every match after the first, the character Type and costume color will have been determined by the opponent you just defeated (this also results in Shadow himself sometimes (usually) changing color between matches...). Finally, note that, while playing Shadow, you cannot select your win pose for the match-winning round (it's predetermined for every character, as Shadow's "old host discard" sequence). II.1.C Marionette ---------- Marionette is a, um, marionette. At the beginning of each match, she animates a duplicate (same character and Type) of her opponent. To play as Marionette, move your character select cursor to the Random Select box (marked by a "?"), then press the START button 7 times, and press a P or K button (or PP/KK) to select a costume color. This code seems to work only in ARCADE MODE (side note: if you want to play as Marionette against human opponents, just start an ARCADE MODE game with Marionette, and have your opponent come in as a Challenger). Marionette does not have a high score listing (at the end of the end credits sequence). Marionette will be listed as "?" in the ARCADE MODE top 5 lists ("SCORE RANKING" and "VS RANKING"). Marionette does not get an ending in ARCADE MODE, but does get a special end credits sequence (same as Shadow's), with different music, and monochromatic (shades of brown) character portraits shown during the credits. Marionette notes: When you select Marionette, you also get to select a Type for her. However, being that Marionette always duplicates the character *and* Type of her opponent, this is almost always a pointless select process. In fact, the only case I've noticed where Marionette's Type selection comes into play is for Marionette vs. Marionette battles, where both Marionettes will end up with the Type that the Challenger selects. Possible Marionette bug: In ARCADE MODE, after Marionette defeats a (player-controlled) Challenger, then returns to play against her next CPU opponent, her character Type will, for some reason, be the same as it was during her last match (the challenge she defeated), regardless of what Type her current opponent is! II.2 Hidden Battles (ARCADE MODE) There are 7 stages in ARCADE MODE (side note: Jedah will be your Stage 7 (final) opponent, regardless of which character, Type, and/or Mode you play). There are, however, two extra battles which can be earned, as follows: II.2.A CPU Challenger -------------- Before Stage 6 ("Iron Horse, Iron Terror" (train stage)) begins, if you have fulfilled the following conditions, a CPU challenger will appear before your next opponent (note: the challenge will occur on the same stage as your next opponent): 1) No continues or challengers. 2) Get a COMPLETE or PERFECT designation on all match-winning rounds. 3) Get >= 3 EX and/or Dark Force Finishes. Notes on condition 1: Since scoring is done in increments of 100, the last two digits (tens and ones digits) of your score are actually used only to keep track of now many "credits" have been used during your game; they start out at 00, and go up by 01 each time you continue or are challenged (by a human player)... (side note: The CPU Challenger does not increase the "credits" tally, and so will not count as a "challenge", for the purposes of any conditions that prohibit continues/challenges.) Notes on condition 2: In Savior Mode, in order to get a "PERFECT" designation (message appears after "YOU WIN"), you can't have lost any lives. In Vampire and Hunter Modes, however, even if you lose any previous rounds (which negates the "COMPLETE" designation (no rounds/lives lost)), it is still possible to get a "PERFECT" on your match-winning round... (Side notes on condition 2: I suspect the original intention was a "don't lose any rounds" condition, but due to the way the condition was programmed (based upon VSavior, and thus, Savior Mode), when the condition was applied to Vampire and Hunter Modes, a possibly unintentional loophole appeared, allowing you to lose a round, so long as you get a PERFECT on the match-winning round...) Notes on condition 3: Any three instances of either an EX Finish or a Dark Force finish will do (i.e. you don't necessarily have to get three of one type). Even if more than one effect is active when you defeat your opponent, you'll only get credit for one (for example, if, while playing Savior2 Type Morrigan, you do an Astral Vision (EX), then a Savior2 Dark Force (DF), then finish off your opponent with a Cryptic Needle (EX) while the first two effects are still active, you'll still only get credit for one EX/DF finish (in this case, the Dark Force Finish, I think). Also note that finishing an opponent off with block damage will count as a "Cheap Finish", and thus will not count towards the EX/DF Finish condition, even if it was an EX move or DF effect that finished off the (blocking) opponent. Notes on Savior Mode, in regards to condition 3: In Savior Mode, only the match-winning "round" counts as a Finish. Thus, regardless of how long you've set your matches to ("DAMAGE GAUGE" in the Game Options menu), you can only earn one Finish per opponent in Savior Mode. Here are the CPU challengers that appear for each character (Mode and Type don't seem to affect these): Character CPU Challenger Anakaris Q-Bee Aulbath Felicia Bishamon Victor Bulleta Donovan Demitri Bishamon Donovan Bulleta Felicia Morrigan Gallon Anakaris Jedah Demitri Lei-Lei Zabel Lilith Morrigan Morrigan Demitri Phobos Felicia Pyron Phobos Q-Bee Anakaris Sasquatch Aulbath Victor Lilith Zabel Lei-Lei Oboro Bishamon Victor Shadow varies (random?) Marionette varies (random?) Note: Since Vampire Type Phobos and Vampire Type Pyron seem to have no EX moves (and since Vampire Type has no Dark Force), it looks like there's no way to get a CPU challenger when playing as Vampire Type Phobos/Pyron. II.2.B Oboro Bishamon battle --------------------- If, upon defeating Jedah, you have fulfilled certain specific conditions, you will get to fight an additional battle, against Oboro. The battle will occur on the alternate color version of Bishamon's stage (ABARAYA), with different BGM ("Abaraya 2" in the Sound Test section of OPTION MODE). You may not continue against Oboro, but the game ending and credits will be the same as normal (i.e. same as if you didn't get the Oboro battle), whether you win or lose... Here are the conditions: 1) No continues or challengers. 2) Get a COMPLETE or PERFECT designation on all match-winning rounds. 3) Don't use AUTO blocking. 4) Get >= 2 of a specific EX Finish (listed below), anytime *before* the match-winning round against Jedah. Notes on condition 1: (see condition 1 notes for CPU challenger) Notes on condition 2: (see condition 2 notes for CPU challenger) Notes on condition 3: If you have the AUTO GUARD option in the Game Options menu set to OFF, you won't be allowed to select AUTO blocking. If the AUTO GUARD option is set to ON, then after selecting your character, you'll be given an AUTO choice (or choices, if the Game Speed option is set to one of the "FREE" options); so just don't select AUTO, if you're trying to get the Oboro battle. =) Notes on condition 4: If more than one effect is active when you defeat your opponent, you'll only get credit for one; so even if you finish your opponent with the proper EX move, if another effect (Dark Force, for example) is active, and takes precedence, the EX move won't count towards the EX Finish condition (so if you want to be on the safe side, just don't activate any other effects besides the proper EX move, just before finishing your opponent... =) ). Also note that finishing an opponent off with block damage will count as a "Cheap Finish", and thus will not count towards the EX Finish condition, even if it was the proper EX move that finished off the (blocking) opponent. Finally, note that, for some reason I'm not entirely sure of, the match-winning round against Jedah will *not* count towards the EX Finish condition, even if you finish him off with the proper EX Finish... so make sure to complete this condition *before* your final round against Jedah! Notes on Savior Mode, in regards to condition 4: (see Savior Mode condition 3 notes for CPU challenger) Here are the EX moves (name, command, and character Type(s) that can use each (V=Vampire, H=Hunter, S=Savior, s2=Savior2)) which will fulfill condition 4, for each character: (note on [bracketed] command notes: a "2" or "3" after the command listing means the EX move requires/uses 2 or 3 (respectively) charges on the Super meter; an "A" means the move may be done on the ground or in the air; a "C" means the move must be done close to the opponent (within throwing distance); a "D" means the move must be done right after the opponent has been knocked down (hit by Bishamon/Oboro's crouching HK attack, for example)) Character EX move Type(s) Command Anakaris Pharaoh Salvation ..Ss2 HK,MP,d,MK,HP [2,A] or Pharaoh Decoration ..Ss2 HK,MP,LK,d,LP,MK,HP [3,A] Aulbath Aqua Spread V... f,df,d+(PPP/KKK) .HSs2 f,df,d+(PP/KK) Bishamon Togakubi Sarashi ..Ss2 d,d+PP [D] Bulleta Beautiful Memory V.Ss2 b,db,d,df,f+KK Demitri Midnight Pleasure V... d,f,df+PPP .H.. d,f,df+PP ..Ss2 LP,MP,f,MK,MK [2] Donovan Change Immortal VHSs2 MP,LP,b,LK,MK Felicia Please Help Me .HSs2 b,db,d,df,f+KK Gallon Moment Slice ..Ss2 LP,MP,f,LK,MK Jedah Prova=Di=Servo VHSs2 b,db,d,df,f+KK, K Lei-Lei Chuukadan ..Ss2 b,db,d,df,f+PP Lilith Gloomy Puppet Show ..Ss2 b,db,d,df,f+KK [2] Morrigan Darkness Illusion V... LP,LP,f,LK,HP .HSs2 LP,LP,f,LK,HP [A] Phobos Final Guardian Beta ..Ss2 f,d,df+KK Pyron Cosmo Disruption .HSs2 b,db,d,df,f+(PP/KK) Q-Bee +B (Plus B) VHSs2 b,db,d,df,f+KK [A] Sasquatch Big Sledge ..Ss2 720+KK [C] Victor Geldenheim 3 ..Ss2 720+KK [C] Zabel Hell Dunk .HSs2 f,d,df+PP Oboro Togakubi Sarashi ---s2 d,d+PP [D] Shadow (same as current host) Marionette (same as current form) Some character-specific notes: Anakaris - You can do 2 of one, two of the other, or even one of each. Aulbath - The K version is auto-aim; the P version is manual (hold the P buttons, then let go when you want to trigger the attack). Bulleta - For Savior2 Type, which pair of K buttons you use will affect how quickly the attack starts (LK+MK is the quickest). Felicia - For Savior and Savior2 Type, which pair of K buttons you use will affect the initial attack path. Jedah - After starting the move with KK, you still have to hit a K button (timing is important) to grab your opponent. Lei-Lei - The bomb can damage you too, so be careful! Lilith - If the hat hits, a minimum amount of damage will always occur, but if you time the puppet moves correctly, a whole lot more damage will be inflicted upon your opponent; improper timing is marked by bluish speech, while proper timing is marked by orangish speech. Pyron - The K version will center further away from you than the P version; hold the buttons down to charge up a stronger attack. Sasquatch - All that's actually necessary is a 630 degree motion (1.75 revolutions); this can start from f/b/u/d and go in either direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise, regardless of which side you're on); unfortunately, it looks like you have to jump to execute this move properly (upon landing). (side note: similarly, for the 360 degree commands, all that's really necessary is 270 degrees (starting at f/b/u/d, and going in either direction); f,df,d,db,b,ub,u+command and b,db,d,df,f,uf,u+command can actually be done without jumping, if you do them quickly, btw...) Victor - (see Sasquatch notes) Shadow and Marionette - Just do the proper EX for Shadow/Marionette's current host/form, on two or more occasions. Since some character Types don't have the necessary EX move, some character Types won't actually be able to get the Oboro battle. Here's a quick reference chart showing for each character, which character Types can and cannot get the Oboro battle: (O = can, x = cannot) Character V H S s2 Anakaris x x O O Aulbath O O O O Bishamon x x O O Bulleta O x O O Demitri O O O O Donovan O O O O Felicia x O O O Gallon x x O O Jedah O O O O Lei-Lei x x O O Lilith x x O O Morrigan O O O O Phobos x x O O Pyron x O O O Q-Bee O O O O Sasquatch x x O O Victor x x O O Zabel x O O O Oboro - - - O Shadow (depends upon which characters you face) Marionette (depends upon which characters you face) Tips for Shadow: Selecting Savior or Savior2 Type will allow you to play as a Savior/Savior2 Type character for your first match, even in Hunter or Vampire Mode. You can even pre-select your first host for Shadow (see Shadow section of this document for more information) to make things easier for you. II.3 "Random Select" The Random Select process in Vampire Chronicle (random character select (ARCADE/VERSUS/TRAINING MODE), random stage select (VERSUS MODE)) isn't actually random. If you look closely, you'll notice that it's simply scrolling quickly through the selections in a repeating pattern. So if your eye is quick enough, and your timing is just right, you can actually select any character/stage you want, via the Random Select... Oboro notes: Hold the START button down when selecting your random character, and if you get Bishamon as your selection, you'll get to play Oboro instead (note: this also works in conjunction with the Shadow code (hold down the 5th START when selecting your costume color), but not, it seems, with the Marionette code (even in mirror matches)). ------------------------------- III. Costumes, Poses, and Stuff ------------------------------- III.1 Costume/color select For each character, there are 10 possible costumes/colors you may select for him/her, as follows: 6 attack buttons PP and KK 2 AUTO mode colors If you select an AUTO block option for your character, it seems that the costume/color will change into one of two costume/colors (which I'm designating Auto1 and Auto2), as follows: LP, MK, HP, or PP becomes Auto1 LK, MP, HK, or KK becomes Auto2 III.2 Win poses Each character has up to 6 win poses, which can be selected simply by holding down one of the 6 attack buttons, as the win pose is loading (if you hold down more than one button, the buttons seem to be prioritized as follows (descending order of priority): LP,MP,HP,LK,MK,HK). Note that in Savior Mode, only the match-winning round will have a win pose... Further notes: For some characters, specific Finishing effects or moves may affect their win poses. Here are some (but probably not all) examples of these: - Anakaris will have different win poses, depending upon whether he gets a normal/Special Finish, an ES/EX Finish, or an EX Finish with one of his (non-Vampire-Type) Pharaoh EX moves. - Bulleta will have a slightly different set of win poses for her match-winning round. - Felicia has a special win pose for PERFECT victories (this can be overridden, however, so don't hold any buttons down, if you want to see it). - For Shadow, the match-winning round is pre-determined (i.e. not selectable). III.3 Opening poses Some (but not all) characters have more than one match-initial opening pose/sequence. Unfortunately, I don't think there's any way to choose your opening pose, but if anybody finds a method of doing so, do let me know... =) Further notes: Some character combinations will produce special opening poses/sequences. Here are some (but perhaps not all) examples of this: - Anakaris vs. Felicia (won't happen for player Felicia vs. CPU Anakaris in ARCADE MODE, it seems) - Bishamon vs. CPU Oboro (Oboro battle in ARCADE MODE) - Bulleta vs. Gallon ("My, what big teeth you have!") - Donovan vs. CPU Jedah (Jedah battle in ARCADE MODE) - Zabel vs. Lei-Lei - Zabel vs. Bulleta III.4 Taunts (Friendships) A Savior or Savior2 Type character may Taunt (side note: the game calls them Friendships, but since most people are familiar with the concept being called a "Taunt", I'll be calling them Taunts in this document) up to 16 times per round. Since the Dreamcast controller has only seven buttons, and all seven have assigned functions in-game (6 attack buttons, and Pause), the Taunt has been made a two-button command. The default command for a Taunt is: A(START). (START(A) and A+START will also work, btw, though the risk of accidentally Pausing the game is a lot higher with those... ^^; ) If you want, you can assign the Taunt function to another command, simply by changing the "Friendship" setting in the "Button Config." section of OPTION MODE. (Side note: Because of the Taunt command, if the A button is being held down, the Pause function normally assigned to the START button will be disabled (until the A button is released).) Most characters have only one Taunt, but some characters do have more than one. If a character has more than one Taunt, it seems that one will be chosen at random (or semi-random), each time the character Taunts (exception: Demitri, it seems, will go through his Taunts in a particular (repeating) order). Here are some (but perhaps not all) of the characters that have more than one basic Taunt: Bishamon/Oboro (2), Demitri (4), Lilith (7), Victor (5), Anakaris (2, though the second (mummy) seems to be a lot less frequent). Felicia has a secondary Taunt, which is a Taunt-grab (Taunt, when close (within throwing distance)). Felicia's Taunt-grab, like any normal grab or throw move, can miss (this will earn you Felicia's standard "missed throw" animation). The Taunt-grab does no damage, but does count (if it hits) as an attack for purposes of the "First Attack" message. (side note: Felicia's "perch on opponent's head" move (Savior and Savior2 Type) will also count as an attack, even though it does no damage...) Anakaris also has a secondary Taunt, which is done by holding all three Punch buttons down while executing the normal Taunt command. Additionally, in mirror matches (same character on both sides), while one Anakaris is doing the secondary Taunt, the other Anakaris will have alternate Taunts for his normal and secondary Taunts... Further notes: Lei-Lei's Taunt can last indefinitely, if you keep holding the Taunt command (instead of immediately letting go). A character's Taunt (or selection of Taunts) may differ, depending upon who his/her opponent is (for example: Zabel's Taunt vs. Bulleta/Lei-Lei)... ------------------------- IV. Other Codes and Stuff ------------------------- IV.1 EX Options At the Main Menu, hold the Z button or L trigger down, select OPTION MODE with A/C/START, and continue to hold Z/L as the Options Menu loads, and instead of the normal Options Menu, you'll get the EX OPTION screen instead. Technical notes: Technically, a more accurate statement of the process above would be: "be holding down the Z button or L trigger while the Options Menu is loading". It's not actually necessary that you be holding down the button when you *select* OPTION MODE, just when it starts loading, almost immediately after. ^^; (i.e. if you select OPTION MODE (with A/C/START), then *immediately* press and hold Z/L, you can still get the EX Options screen; similarly, if you're holding Z/L when you select OPTION MODE, but then immediately let go, you *won't* get the EX Options screen) It's also possible to "split" the code between two different controllers (i.e. if you hold the L trigger down on the P1 controller, and select OPTION MODE by pressing A/C/START on the P2 controller, the EX Options screen will still load). Clarifying note on "Staff Credit" and "Opening Demo" options: The "Staff Credit" and "Opening Demo" options do not, as one might at first assume, change the Vampire Chronicle opening movie (OP) or end credits (ED). Rather, they are options that simply allow you to play back (and watch) the OPs and EDs for the listed games (just press the A (or C) button to play back the selected OP/ED). IV.2 Staff Roll 2 BGM If you've browsed through the Sound Test section of OPTION MODE, you've probably noticed a BGM track called "Staff Roll 2", and wondered if it's actually used in the game anywhere... It is. On the EX OPTION screen (see above), on the Staff Credit option, hold the joystick/d-pad left, up-left, or down-left while the Savior, Hunter2, or Savior2 credits are loading, and instead of the normal BGM (Staff Roll 1), a more upbeat BGM (Staff Roll 2) will play during the credits. Note: This code will not work for the Chronicle credits playback in EX Options. Nor will it work for the credits at the end of ARCADE MODE, it seems... IV.3 VERSUS MODE Stage color variants If you hold down the START button when you select your stage in VERSUS MODE, you will get an alternately colored version of that stage instead. Technical notes: This code can be "split" between two different controllers. So if you hold down the START button on the P1 controller, and select the stage with the P2 controller, you'll still end up with the alternate color version of the selected stage... IV.4 5-button reset The standard Dreamcast 5-button reset (A+B+X+Y(START)) will, from either controller, reset the game back to the main title screen. From there (or from anywhere else in attract mode), if you input the reset command again, you'll exit the game entirely, back to the main Dreamcast system menu... ------------- V. Miscellany ------------- V.1 Official Moves Lists Complete (I think) moves lists for all VChronicle characters (and Types) can currently be found on Capcom's official VChronicle site, which you can get to via the "Vampire Home Page" option in NETWORK MODE (note: if you need help configuring Dream Passport 3 to your ISP, consult a Dream Passport FAQ). Or just jump to: http://www4.capcom.co.jp/chronicle/info/waza/index.html The moves lists are in .GIF format. Note on Aulbath's moves list: Although it's not mentioned on the moves list, do note that Aulbath's "Direct Scissors" EX move (d,d+PP) will work *only* with his LP and MP costumes (no, I don't know why). Of course, that particular EX uses 3 charges on the Super meter, is fairly slow, and doesn't do nearly enough damage (imho) to make up for these two facts, so you probably won't be using it all that much (if at all) anyway... V.2 What determines the BGM Here's what determines the stage BGM in each MODE: ARCADE MODE - CPU opponent, or (human-controlled) Challenger. VERSUS MODE - The P2 character, or, if you select the CONTINUE option, the character who is challenging (i.e. the character who lost the previous match). TRAINING MODE - Your practice character. Note: Shadow and Marionette will be treated as their current host/form, for the purposes of BGM determination. If the BGM-determining character (see above) is Savior or Savior2 Type, the BGM will be the default BGM for the current Stage. If the character is Vampire or Hunter Type, the BGM will be the Vampire or Vampire Hunter (respectively) BGM for that character... unless the character didn't exist in that game, in which case the default BGM for the current Stage will be used instead. For example: In VERSUS MODE, if P1 selects Vampire Type Felicia, and P2 selects Hunter Type Bulleta, then the Stage BGM will be the default BGM for whatever Stage is selected (Bulleta didn't exist in Vampire Hunter, so the BGM becomes the default selection). If Felicia loses the match, then instead of reselecting characters (the "SELECT" option), an immediate rematch is done (the "CONTINUE" option), the BGM would then be Felicia's Vampire BGM (Felicia, having lost the previous match, is now considered the Challenger). EXCEPTION to the above: The BGM for the Train stage ("Iron Horse, Iron Terror") will *always* be the default BGM for that Stage. Here's a quick reference chart showing for each character, whether he/she has unique BGM for Vampire and/or Hunter Type (i.e. whether the character was in each game (side note: Phobos and Pyron were not playable characters in Vampire, but did have their own Stages and BGMs, so...)): (O = has unique BGM, x = doesn't have unique BGM) Character V H Anakaris O O Aulbath O O Bishamon O O Bulleta x x Demitri O O Donovan x O Felicia O O Gallon O O Jedah x x Lei-Lei x O Lilith x x Morrigan O O Phobos O O Pyron O O Q-Bee x x Sasquatch O O Victor O O Zabel O O Winning BGM (the BGM played during the screen that has a quote and picture of the winning character) is determined by the character Type of the winning character. If the character didn't exist in the game equivalent to that Type (see above list), then the winning BGM will default to the Savior Type Winning BGM for that character. V.3 ARCADE MODE Endings There are, alas, only 2 actual endings in the game, regardless of Mode or Type played: 1) Jedah is triumphant (win with Jedah) 2) Jedah has been defeated (win with any character besides Jedah, Shadow, or Marionette) The final picture shown in each is sometimes different; I don't think there's a way to choose which is shown. The two picture variations are: a) a Donovan and Bulleta picture, and b) a Morrigan and Lilith picture. Shadow and Marionette have no ending, but do have a special end credits sequence, with different music, and monochromatic (shades of brown) portraits of some of the characters (Bulleta, Demitri, Victor, Zabel, Morrigan, Anakaris, Felicia, Bishamon, Q-Bee, Lei-Lei, Lilith, Donovan, Pyron, Phobos, and Jedah (in that order)) shown during the scrolling credits. V.4 Screensaver function The standard "dim the screen" screensaver will darken the screen after 5 minutes of idle time (no inputs from any controller, and no reading from the disc). And in case anybody's interested, CD spin stop activation time is 1 hour (of idle time). There is also a screensaver in the web browser (Dream Passport 3) included with the game (to get to DP3, just select NETWORK MODE, then after saving your game status (or not) to your VMU, select the "Vampire Home Page" option). The screensaver seems to be based upon pictures of the VChronicle characters, and will apparently choose one at random, and take it through one of a few simple screensaver effects. Once you're running DP3 (you don't necessarily have to be connected to your ISP), screensaver activation time is 5 minutes (of idle time). Approximately every five minutes thereafter, the screensaver will reset, choosing a new character portrait, and possibly a new effect to run... -------------------- VI. Thanks and Stuff -------------------- Thanks to: Kao Megura's SSat Vampire Savior FAQ (found at http://i.am/kao/ (KM's webpage), http://www.gamefaqs.com/ (GameFAQs)), for information on the Oboro battle character-specific EX requirements, Anakaris' secondary Taunt command, Felicia's secondary Taunt (Taunt-grab), a couple EX move names, the costume restriction for Aulbath's Direct Scissors EX move, and for pointing me in the right direction on the Oboro Bishamon code, the Shadow code, the CPU Challenger conditions, the Oboro battle conditions, the "pre-select Shadow's first host" code, the EX Options screen code, and the VERSUS MODE Stage color variation code. Kao Megura's SSat NightWarriors (VHunter) FAQ (found at http://i.am/kao/ (KM's webpage), http://www.gamefaqs.com/ (GameFAQs)), for pointing me in the right direction on the Staff Roll 2 code. Neil's PSX DarkStalkers 3 (VSavior) Secrets FAQ (found at http://www.gamefaqs.com (GameFAQs)), for pointing me in the right direction on the Marionette code. Recommended Reading: For more information on Vampire Savior (a lot of which you should be able to apply to Savior Mode and Savior Type characters in VChronicle), I would highly recommend Kao Megura's Vampire Savior FAQ, which I've personally found to be a great source of information (similarly, his NightWarriors FAQ would probably be equivalently useful, in regards to information which may be applicable to Hunter Mode and Hunter Type characters...). ------------------------------------------------ The latest version of this file can be found at: A Chronicle of the Darkrealm http://www.best.com/~ruyeyama/dcast/acotd.html ------------------------------------------------ (eof)