/===========================================================================\ | Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin | \===========================================================================/ Skill FAQ by Darth Nemesis (darthnemes1s@aol.com) v1.6 02/10/2007 ================================[ Description ]================================ This guide provides a listing of every skill and describes how to obtain them. ==============================[ Version History ]============================== 1.6 (02/10/2007) - Updated Yagyu Shuriken mastery description and shop notes. 1.5 (01/19/2007) - Added more strategies and relics from Inventory Guide, since people seem to be looking here for them. 1.4 (12/30/2006) - Corrected note about buying multiple copies of a subweapon. 1.3 (12/16/2006) - Added attributes for any abilities that have them. 1.2 (12/16/2006) - Added MP costs and explanations for different versions of each spell. 1.1 (12/12/2006) - Made some locations more specific. Added some strategies. 1.0 (12/11/2006) - Every skill and spell listed, all descriptions and locations complete. ===================================[ Note ]==================================== Note that subweapons gradually do more and more damage the more SP you gain for them, so even if a mastered weapon doesn't change significantly, it will still be much more powerful than its 0 SP counterpart. The shop stocks different items depending on your current progress in the game. The times at which the stock changes are: (1) Beginning of the game (2) After clearing City of Haze (3) After beating Great Stairway boss (4) After beating first Tower of Death boss (5) After beating second Tower of Death boss (6) After beating first Master's Keep boss A reference to shop(#) in an item entry means that the item is available from the corresponding point in the game onwards. If you already have a subweapon, you can buy it again from the shop to add 10% toward its mastery. Picking up another copy of a subweapon that drops from an enemy will not increase its SP, however. ===============================[ Area Listing ]================================ Entrance - left side of Dracula's Castle Buried Chamber - bottom of Dracula's Castle Great Stairway - middle/lower right side of Dracula's Castle Tower of Death - upper right side of Dracula's Castle Master's Keep - top of Dracula's Castle The Throne Room - final staircase and throne room City of Haze - first town portrait, far left of castle Sandy Grave - first desert portrait, far right of castle Nation of Fools - first circus portrait, middle of castle Forest of Doom - first forest portrait, closer to top of castle 13th Street - second town portrait, below throne room Forgotten City - second desert portrait, below throne room Burnt Paradise - second circus portrait, below throne room Dark Academy - second forest portrait, below throne room Nest of Evil - after completing quest "The Nest of Evil", below drawbridge ================================[ Subweapons ]================================= 001 [Knife] 20 MP | 300 SP to master Find: Entrance, through wall destroyed by Behemoth Attr: Piercing Mstr: Throw 3 knives instead of 2. Desc: A throwing knife used by hunters. 002 [Axe] 22 MP | 1000 SP to master Find: Drops from #004 Axe Armor Attr: Piercing Mstr: Axe increases in size. Desc: A throwing axe that is especially effective against targets overhead. 003 [Cross] 30 MP | 2000 SP to master Find: Complete quest "Pray Before the Cross" Attr: Holy Mstr: Cross increases in size. Desc: A holy cross that dispels evil. 004 [Holy Water] 25 MP | 2000 SP to master Find: Complete quest "The Statue's Tear" Attr: Fire, Holy Mstr: Holy fire travels for a distance along ground. Desc: Blessed water that wards off evil. Note: Known to freeze game occasionally. 005 [Bible] 22 MP | 2000 SP to master Find: Complete quest "Ghosts of the Desert" Attr: Holy Mstr: Book increases in size and moves faster. Desc: A book containing words that exorcise evil. 006 [Javelin] 25 MP | 1500 SP to master Find: Drops from #030 Armor Knight Attr: Piercing Mstr: Javelin increases in size. Desc: A throwing spear that sticks into the ground. 007 [Ricochet Rock] 22 MP | 1000 SP to master Find: Drops from #026 Lerajie Attr: Piercing Mstr: Throw a second rock at an angle upwards. Desc: A weapon that bounces back after hitting walls. Note: Known to freeze game occasionally. 008 [Boomerang] 28 MP | 1500 SP to master Find: Drops from #058 Skelerang Attr: Piercing Mstr: Boomerang increases in size and moves faster. Desc: A throwing weapon that returns to the thrower in an arc. 009 [Bwaka Knife] 22 MP | 1000 SP to master Find: Sandy Grave, room next to far right room, top right (use shoulder jump then double jump) Attr: Piercing Mstr: Knife increases in size and moves faster. Desc: A throwing knife used by the Bwaka people. 010 [Shuriken] 20 MP | 300 SP to master Find: Buy from shop(1) for $1,000 Attr: Piercing Mstr: Throw 4 large shurikens instead of 2 small ones. Desc: A throwing blade used by ninjas. 011 [Yagyu Shuriken] 24 MP | 1000 SP to master Find: Buy from shop(2) for $3,000 Attr: Piercing Mstr: Doubles in size. Desc: A refined throwing blade used by the deadliest ninjas. 012 [Discus] 32 MP | 1500 SP to master Find: Buy from shop(4) for $8,000 Attr: Piercing Mstr: Throw a second disk backward; it will then roll forward. Desc: A round disc with razor edges. 013 [Kunimitsu] 24 MP | 1000 SP to master Find: Buy from shop(4) for $5,000 Attr: Piercing Mstr: Throw 4 swords instead of 2. Desc: A short sword with a beautifully-crafted blade. 014 [Kunai] 20 MP | 500 SP to master Find: Buy from shop(2) for $2,000 Attr: Piercing Mstr: Throw 5 kunai in an arc in front of you. Desc: A ninja's knife; it is also a deadly throwing weapon. 015 [Paper Airplane] 3 MP | 100 SP to master Find: City of Haze, behind a breakable wall one screen right and two screens down from the first save room (across from Cream Pie) Attr: Piercing Mstr: Little Parodius figures ride on the plane. Desc: Not terribly intimidating, but just might put someone's eye out. 016 [Cream Pie] 3 MP | 100 SP to master Find: City of Haze, under a breakable floor one screen right from the first save room Attr: Blunt, Dark Mstr: No visible difference Desc: A throwing weapon aimed at an enemy's face for psychological damage. Note: The Dark attribute makes it a cheap and effective weapon against Whip's Memory, though mastered Shuriken is more powerful. 017 [Crossbow] 24 MP | 500 SP to master Find: Drops from #049 Crossbow Armor Attr: Fire Mstr: Larger explosion. Desc: A ranged weapon that fires bolts. 018 [Dart] 3 MP | 200 SP to master Find: Buy from shop(1) for $1,000 Attr: Piercing Mstr: Darts always hit bullseye. Desc: Does extra damage if it hits the center of the target. 019 [Grenade] 28 MP | 1500 SP to master Find: Nation of fools, 4 rooms down from west save room, guarded by a ring of fire Attr: Fire Mstr: Throw WWI-style stick grenades. Desc: Explodes 1 second after the pin is pulled, Fire attribute. 020 [Steel Ball] 30 MP | 1000 SP Find: Sandy Grave, two rooms left and one room up from the middle transporter Attr: Blunt Mstr: Becomes a spiked ball. Desc: A very heavy steel ball. 021 [Stonewall] 24 MP Find: Forest of Doom, right entrance to rightmost building (head back left after exiting dark cave) Desc: A defensive, stationary stance passed down in the Morris family. Note: CON +80, MND +80 while attack button held down. This can be used to easily fulfill the requirements for Build Your Strength 4 and Mental Training 4 by talking to Wind as Charlotte while holding R to keep Jonathan using Stonewall. 022 [Offensive Form] 25 MP Find: Buried Chamber, at the far left Attr: Blunt Desc: A stance that emphasizes offense. Note: STR +8 023 [Defensive Form] 25 MP Find: Drops from #083 Final Guard Attr: Blunt Desc: A stance that emphasizes defense. Note: CON +8 024 [Taunt] 10 MP Find: Tower of Death, directly above portrait to Forest of Doom Attr: Blunt Desc: Draws enemy attention to you. Note: Useful in the battle where you must cast Sanctuary to draw attention away from Charlotte. 025 [Wrecking Ball] 25 MP | 1000 SP to master Find: Drops from #081 Heavy Armor Attr: Blunt Mstr: Becomes a spiked ball and swings more horizontally. Desc: Swing a steel ball with devastating destructive power. 026 [Rampage] 20 MP Find: Buy from shop(5) for $3,000 Attr: Blunt Desc: Flying fists of fury. 027 [Knee Strike] 20 MP Find: Entrance, 2 squares up and 4 right from Behemoth save room Attr: Blunt Desc: A jumping knee strike inspired by legendary martial artists. 028 [Aura Blast] 40 MP | 1500 SP to master Find: By the elevator near the clock tower (need flying) Attr: Holy Mstr: Blast has a wider area of effect. Desc: A technique that converts mental energy into a shockwave. 029 [Rocket Slash] 40 MP | 1500 SP to master Find: Complete quest "Art of the Zepyhr" Attr: Piercing Mstr: No visible difference Desc: Dash at the enemy and perform a lightning-quick slash. ===============================[ Magic Spells ]================================ Note: When controlling Charlotte, spells can be charged for an additional meter (usually takes a lot less time than the first meter), increasing their effectiveness. I refer to these versions of a spell as Half and Full. 030 [Toad Morph] 10 MP Find: Forest of Doom, right after boss Attr: Blunt Half: Morphs active player into a frog, allowing access to tight areas. Full: Attacking in toad form does more damage. Desc: A shapeshifting spell that turns the caster into a frog. 031 [Owl Morph] 10 MP Find: Dark Academy, 1 square left of the first save room Attr: Blunt Half: Morphs active player into an owl, allowing access to high areas. Full: Morphs active player into an owl, allowing access to high areas. Desc: A shapeshifting spell that turns the caster into an owl. 032 [Sanctuary] 80 MP Find: Sandy Grave, rolling boulder room, bottom left (need Toad Morph) Attr: Holy Half: Cures things not quite one screen width away Full: Cures things more than one screen width away Desc: An advanced spell that cures status abnormalities for all within range. Note: This spell is needed during a particular boss fight to get the good ending. It can also be used to kill Red Skeleton and Red Axe Armor, but the Undead Killer whip is much faster. 033 [Speed Up] 20 MP Find: The Throne Room, above a breakable ceiling right outside throne room boss door Attr: Piercing Half: Move at double speed, slight damage to objects hit Full: Move at triple speed, slight damage to objects hit Desc: A spell that speeds up your movements. Note: You do damage when you run into things, just like the Black Panther soul in the Sorrow games. This can be used to destroy weak enemies and even some projectiles, such as the fireballs thrown by the final boss. 034 [Berserker] 20 MP Find: Drops from #090 Armored Fleaman Half: STR +50, but constantly attacking and can't move. Half: STR +100, but constantly attacking and can't move. Desc: Increases strength, but you're limited to attacking only. Note: Can cancel out of this by casting again. 035 [Eye for an Eye] 15 MP Find: Forgotten City, far left end of path above ground Attr: Piercing Half: Do damage to enemy when it damages you Full: Do twice as much damage to enemy when it damages you Desc: A spell of vengeance that shares damage received with enemies. Note: Damage seems to be recalculated based on enemy stats, so the numbers aren't identical. 036 [Clear Skies] 15 MP Find: Sandy Grave, 7 squares above the bottom teleporter Half: Creates a projectile shielding zone at character's current position Full: Shield zone has twice the height and width Desc: A defensive spell that neutralizes ranged attacks. Note: Effective against the blocks thrown by Mummy Man. 037 [Time Stop] 50 MP Find: Complete quest "Hands of the Clock" Half: Stops time for 5 seconds Full: Stops time for 10 seconds Desc: A high-level spell that stops time. Note: Subweapons that travel through enemies, such as the Bwaka Knife, will continue to damage while frozen, so this can be useful to hold them in one spot. 038 [Heal] 200 MP Find: Complete quest "Holy Appearance" Half: Heals 50 HP Full: Heals 100 HP Desc: Healing magic. Restores HP. 039 [Cure Poison] 10 MP Find: Burnt Paradise, top left, 2x2 room above 3x3 room Half: Cures poison for both characters Full: Cures poison for both characters Desc: A spell that neutralizes poison. 040 [Cure Curse] 10 MP Find: Drops from #031 Ectoplasm Half: Cures curse for both characters Full: Cures curse for both characters Desc: A spell that dispels curses. 041 [STR Boost] 10 MP Find: Great Stairway, upper 5x4 room, top left Half: STR +15 for onscreen character(s) Full: STR +30 for onscreen character(s) Desc: Boost STR temporarily. 042 [CON Boost] 10 MP Find: City of Haze, Above third teleporter, all the way left Half: CON +15 for onscreen character(s) Full: CON +30 for onscreen character(s) Desc: Boost CON temporarily. 043 [INT Boost] 10 MP Find: Tower of Death, top left exit from elevator room Half: INT +15 for onscreen character(s) Full: INT +30 for onscreen character(s) Desc: Boost INT temporarily. 044 [MIND Boost] 10 MP Find: Great Stairway, from 3x2 room near Sandy Grave portrait, head left and take the top left exit in the next room; scroll will be on ground in plain sight. Half: MND +15 for onscreen character(s) Full: MND +30 for onscreen character(s) Desc: Boost MIND temporarily. 045 [LUCK Boost] 10 MP Find: Complete quest "Number of Fortune" Half: LCK +30 for onscreen character(s) Full: LCK +60 for onscreen character(s) Desc: Boost LUCK temporarily. 046 [ALL Boost] 30 MP Find: Entrance, above drawbridge (need flying) Half: STR,CON,INT,MND,LCK +7 for onscreen character(s) Full: STR,CON,INT,MND,LCK +15 for onscreen character(s) Desc: Boost all status attributes temporarily. 047 [Gale Force] 20 MP Find: City of Haze, one screen above third teleporter Attr: Piercing Half: Fires one Wind-based projectile which curves up and arcs back Full: Fires two Wind-based projectiles which curve up and arc back Desc: Tear through enemies with raging winds. 048 [Rock Riot] 20 MP Find: Buy from shop(1) for $1,000 Attr: Blunt Half: Drops four small rocks close in front of Charlotte. Full: Drops nine large rocks close in front of Charlotte. Desc: Dump rocks onto your enemy. 049 [Raging Fire] 20 MP Find: Entrance, above Stay Cube training area Attr: Fire Half: Fires a burst of flame a short distance Full: Fires a burst of flame twice as far Desc: Fire a burst of flame. 050 [Ice Fang] 20 MP Find: Buried Chamber, right side, at the end of a hallway leading left Attr: Ice Half: Four pairs of ice needles clamp down on enemies in front of you Full: Eight pairs of ice needles clamp down on enemies in front of you Desc: Summon a sharp, fang-like pillar of ice. 051 [Thunderbolt] 20 MP Find: Tower of Death, second 2x3 room above lower transporter, top right Attr: Lightning Half: A small lightning bolt strikes the closest enemy Full: A large lightning bolt strikes the closest enemy Desc: Call thunderbolts down from the sky. 052 [Spirit of Light] 20 MP Find: Buy from shop(4) for $3,000 Attr: Holy Half: A light ball fires up and then crosses downwards in front of you Full: Two light balls fire up and down and cross in front of you Desc: Strike enemies with concentrated light. 053 [Dark Rift] 20 MP Find: Buy from shop(4) for $2,000 Attr: Dark Half: Creates a small vortex that deals damage to enemies that touch it Full: Creates a large vortex that deals damage to enemies that touch it Desc: Open a hole into a dark dimension. Note: Effective against many enemies in the game, particularly Dagon and The Creature. 054 [Tempest] 30 MP Find: Tower of Death, 2x3 room above lower transporter, in a spiky alcove Attr: Piercing Half: Creates a small vertical column of wind that deals damage and can destroy projectiles Full: Creates a large vertical column of wind that deals damage and can destroy projectiles Desc: Summon a storm of violent winds. 055 [Stone Circle] 30 MP Find: Drops from #066 Dogether Attr: Blunt Half: Four rocks circle you Full: Eight rocks circle you Desc: Grants the protection of spirits of stone. Note: Effective against locusts used by Abaddon. 056 [Ice Needle] 30 MP Find: Buy from shop(2) for $3,000 Attr: Ice Half: Four small needles rotate in front of you and fire out one at a time Full: Eight large needles rotate in front of you and fire out one at a time Desc: Launch cutting shards of ice. 057 [Explosion] 30 MP Find: Buy from shop(5) for $10,000 Attr: Fire Half: Creates one explosion near an enemy Full: Creates multiple explosions that bounce back and forth between onscreen enemies. Desc: Cause an explosion near the enemy. Note: Effective against Legion. 058 [Chain Lightning] 30 MP Find: Buy from shop(5) for $10,000 Attr: Lightning Half: Shoots out a lightning bolt that bounces once Full: Shoots out a lightning bolt that bounces multiple times Desc: Create a chain reaction of lightning bolts. 059 [Piercing Beam] 30 MP Find: Master's Keep, midway between two transporters Attr: Holy Half: Fires a beam of light straight forward Full: Fires a larger beam of light straight forward Desc: Fire a concentrated beam of powerful light. 060 [Nightmare] 30 MP Find: Drops from #076 Malachi Attr: Dark Half: Fires a large meteor straight forward Full: Fires a huge meteor straight forward Desc: A concentrated mass of fear and agony born from the darkness. 061 [Summon Medusa] 25 MP Find: Drops from #057 Medusa Head Attr: Dark, Petrify Half: Shoots a petrifying beam in a wide arc in front of you Full: Shoots a petrifying beam in a wide arc in front of you Desc: Summon Medusa and activate the eye of petrification. 062 [Acidic Bubbles] 25 MP Find: Drops from #084 Glasya Labolas Attr: Blunt, Poison Half: Shoots 5 small bubbles that cause poison Full: Shoots 10 large bubbles that cause poison Desc: Create poisonous bubbles. 063 [Hex] 25 MP Find: Drops from #120 Vapula Attr: Dark, Curse Half: Shoots 5 curse glyphs that do multiple hits Full: Shoots 10 curse glyhps that do multiple hits and travel further Desc: Incant a powerful curse. 064 [Salamander] 120 MP Find: Buy from shop(6) for $200,000 Attr: Fire Half: A fire dragon seeks out enemies and circles through them, dealing damage Full: The dragon lasts twice as long Desc: An ancient fire spell that summons a powerful fire lizard. 065 [Cocytus] 120 MP Find: Complete quest "Kill Gergoth" Attr: Ice Half: Creates a storm of ice particles in an arc in front of you Full: Creates a storm of ice particles in an arc in front of you Desc: Call forth the frozen winds of hell to create a fearsome blizzard. 066 [Thor's Bellow] 120 MP Find: Drops from #129 Amducias Attr: Lightning Half: Creates a small electric storm that deals damage and sends out five lightning jolts Full: Creates a large electric storm that deals damage and sends out five lightning jolts Desc: An ancient lightning spell that creates a ball of lightning. 067 [Summon Crow] 40 MP Find: Drops from #103 Black Crow Attr: Piercing Half: Two crows hover around you and take turns swooping at enemies Full: Four crows hover around you and take turns swooping at enemies Desc: Summon a Crow to use in battle. 068 [Summon Ghost] 40 MP Find: Drops from #028 Ghost Attr: Dark Half: One ghost hovers around you and moves to hover over nearby enemies Full: Two ghosts hover around you and move to hover over nearby enemies Desc: Summon a Ghost to use in battle. 069 [Summon Skeleton] 20 MP Find: Drops from #003 Skeleton Attr: Blunt Half: Two skeletons appear in front of you to toss bones Full: Four skeletons appear in front of you to toss bones Desc: Summon a Skeleton to use in battle. 070 [Summon Gunman] 20 MP Find: Drops from #052 Skeleton Gunman Attr: Piercing Half: Two skeletons appear in front of you to shoot straight forward Full: Four skeletons appear in front of you to shoot straight forward Desc: Summon a Skeleton Gunman to use in battle. 071 [Summon Frog] 20 MP Find: Drops from #063 Frog Attr: Ice Half: Three frogs appear in front of you and hop forward Full: Six frogs appear in front of you and hop forward Desc: Summon a Frog to use in battle. =============================[ Dual Crush Moves ]============================== 072 [Rush] 50 MP Find: City of Haze, second building, largest room, bottom right exit Desc: A basic combination where both partners take turns attacking. 073 [Holy Lightning] 100 MP Find: City of Haze, just to the right of third building Desc: Summon lightning in the shape of a cross. 074 [Axe Bomber] 100 MP Find: Great Stairway, from 3x2 room near Sandy Grave portrait, head left and take the top right exit in the next room; follow it to a dead end and there will be a breakable wall with the scroll behind it Desc: A combination attack from both sides. 075 [1,000 Blades] 80 MP Find: Sandy Grave, 5 squares above the bottom teleporter Desc: Attack with a hail of knives. Note: More knives connect when cast with both characters out. Effective against Astarte and Final Guard. Enemies can still move during the attack, though, so a Hercules Ring can prevent you from being knocked out of the attack by regular hits. 076 [Volcano] 150 MP Find: Nation of Fools, 4 squares right from north transporter Desc: Summon an erupting volcano. 077 [Meteor] 200 MP Find: Forgotten City, boulder room, bottom right (need Frog Morph) Desc: A powerful spell that summons a meteor. 078 [Grand Cruz] 180 MP Find: Complete quest "Master the Holy Power" Desc: A secret technique of the Belmont family that releases holy energy. 079 [Divine Storm] 150 MP Find: Dark Academy, top middle, above breakable ceiling near Ruler's Sword Desc: Create an intense rain of holy water. 080 [Dark Gate] 130 MP Find: Forest of Doom, above a breakable ceiling in the middle of the dark cave area (need flying) Desc: Open the gates of darkness. 081 [Greatest Five] 250 MP Find: Nest of Evil, defeat final boss Desc: Summon four legendary warriors to join the battle. Note: Simon, Trevor, Leon, Juste, and Richter. Yes, I know the in-game description says four. ==================================[ Relics ]=================================== --- [Change Cube] Find: Entrance, under drawbridge Desc: Switch main player character with [(X)]. --- [Call Cube] Find: Entrance, in front of drawbridge Desc: call partner with [(A)]. Press again to send partner away. --- [Skill Cube] Find: City of Haze, two squares below third transporter Desc: Call partner to use their skill or magic with [(R)]. --- [Wait Cube] Find: Entrance, climb up and left after Behemoth destroys the wall Desc: Call partner with [(v)+(A)] to have partner stand still on the spot. --- [Acrobat Cube] Find: Defeat the boss of City of Haze Desc: Spring off partner's shoulders to jump again in midair. --- [Push Cube] Find: 2 squares above third transporter Desc: While pushing an object, call your partner to help you push. --- [Lizard Tail] Find: Complete quest "Preparations" Desc: Slide into narrow spaces with [(v)+(B)]. --- [Stone of Flight] Find: Great Stairway, right after Keremet fight Desc: Double-jump in midair. --- [Griffon Wing] Find: Forgotten City, far left (base of pyramid, need Owl Morph) Desc: Jump higher with [(^)+(L)]. --- [Strength Glove] Find: Sandy Grave, continue left after boss fight Desc: Increase pushing power. --- [Spinning Art] Find: Complete quest "The Spinning Art" Desc: Perform a spinning evasion move with [(>) (v) (<) (>)+(Y)]. --- [Martial Art] Find: Complete quest "The Martial Art" Desc: Perform a jumping knee kick with [(^) (<) (v) (>)+(Y)]. --- [Critical Art] Find: Nation of Fools, 1 room up from Legion Desc: Use your weapon's critical move with [(>) (>)+(Y)]. --- [Whip Skill 1] Find: Entrance, above the save room after Behemoth destroys the wall Desc: After attacking with the whip, hold [(Y)] to let it drop. --- [Whip Skill 2] Find: Complete quest "Defender of the Stairs" Desc: While jumping use [(v)+(Y)] to attack diagonally downward. --- [Book of Spirits] Find: Entrance, above the room between the transporter and Wind's room Desc: Display the names of enemies when you attack them. ==================================[ Credits ]================================== priestofb - Pointed out that Dart always hits bullseye when mastered Jigglysaint - Suggested using Astral Ring to display MP cost for each skill beast404 - Pointed out that Toad Morph does more damage when fully charged locust.inferno - Pointed out that Yagyu Shuriken doubles in size when mastered If you helped me out and some point and I forgot to mention your name, feel free to contact me and I'll add you in. =============================================================================== (C) 2007 DarthNemesis