============================================================================== ____ _____ __ __ ______ | _ \ | __ \ /\ \ \ / / | ____| | |_) | | |__) | / \ \ \ / / | |__ | _ < | _ / / /\ \ \ \/ / | __| | |_) | | | \ \ / ____ \ \ / | |____ |____/ |_| \_\ /_/ \_\ \/ |______| ___ | _ )_ _ | _ \ || | |___/\_, | |__/ ____ _ ______ _ | _ \(_)___ _ __ ___ _ _ / / _ \(_)_ ____ _ _ __ | | | | / __| '_ \ / _ \ | | | / /| |_) | \ \/ / _` | '__| | |_| | \__ \ | | | __/ |_| |/ / | __/| |> < (_| | | |____/|_|___/_| |_|\___|\__, /_/ |_| |_/_/\_\__,_|_| |___/ ___ | __|__ _ _ | _/ _ \ '_| |_|\___/_| _ _ _ _ _ ____ ____ | \ | (_)_ __ | |_ ___ _ __ __| | ___ | _ \/ ___| | \| | | '_ \| __/ _ \ '_ \ / _` |/ _ \ | | | \___ \ | |\ | | | | | || __/ | | | (_| | (_) | | |_| |___) | |_| \_|_|_| |_|\__\___|_| |_|\__,_|\___/ |____/|____/ ============================================================================== Table of Contents ============================================================================== 1. Introduction 2. Hints 3. Controls 4. Levels 5. Equipment Upgrades 6. Character Upgrades 7. Legal ============================================================================== 1. Introduction ============================================================================== Title : Brave Developer: Disney/Pixar Platform : Nintendo DS Release : June 19, 2012 Rating : Everyone 10+ for fantasy violence FAQ Date : March 2018 Version : 1.00 Copyright: (c) 2018 Brett K. Carver Brave was released on multiple platforms including: Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360. This walkthrough is for the Nintendo DS version. While all versions follow the same basic story and game play, the DS version is somewhat simplified for use on a handheld device. For example: * The only playable character is Merida, where the other versions include: the three princes (as bears), Queen Elinor (as a bear) and the whisps (co-op play). * Orbs (money) are only acquired from chests and critter drops. There are no flowers/logs/barrels/pots to break. * There are 25 shorter levels as opposed to 8 longer levels. * There are a less character upgrades available in the DS version. * Levels are scored (bronze/silver/gold) based on the number of orbs (money) collected. There are no trophies or achievements to earn other than perhaps buying all the upgrades and finding all the armor/bows/weapons which contribute the percentage completion. * There's no difficulty setting. This document is not a complete jump-by-jump walkthrough, but more of a reference for the game and what to expect. It should assist with game play and figuring things out without spoiling all the fun. ============================================================================== 2. Hints ============================================================================== For most ledges where falling off will kill you, you can walk up to the edge without falling off. You have to jump to get off. Some multi-wave battles have different music. When the music stops, the battle is done. Mandrakes (make a squawking sound) can steal dropped orbs and cause you to drop all your orbs if they hit you. Kill them promptly and from a distance. If you die on a level, you will lose some of your orbs (death penalty) but you will respawn at approximately the same location. You will also lose the 100 orb one-life bonus for the level. All levels can be re-played from the main map. One might do this if a chest was missed, if orbs were lost during the level, or simply to get more orbs to buy character upgrades. The game has three save-slots that include a percentage of the game completed, and the name of the current level you are on. If you go back to replay a level, the save file name will reflect your new location. The percent complete is important because it will indicate if you missed something. For example, an item upgrade chest contributed 1%. This is fully documented below. The purpose of collecting orbs is to buy character upgrades. As such, completing the "Lucky" upgrade is a good initial strategy. The more orbs collected before they vanish, the more upgrades can be purchased. It may be better to select one skill, ranging or melee (sword fighting), and focus on those upgrades first. Accurate jumping is a major component of the game as there are many places where you have to jump across areas on multiple small platforms. You'll need to get good at it. You do cast a shadow when jumping which can sometimes help with making a good landing. Bonus orbs are awarded for finishing a level without dying, and for replaying a level. Chests with orbs/restore are dark-gray with brown highlights. Item chests are brown with yellow/gold highlights. If you repeat a level the item chests act like regular chests. Item upgrade chests contain a specific armor/bow/sword. So if you miss a chest, that item will be missing from the equipment choices. Boss battles involve hitting (arrow or sword) one or more waystones with the correct element to deactivate them, then attacking the boss with the correct element. After some time the waystone(s) will re-activate so you have to hit them again. Nuisance critters will also spawn to keep things interesting. Ranging Strategy: I like playing as a ranger. Here's the character upgrade path that works well for a ranger. 1. Use all the initial orbs to fully upgrade Lucky to help you get even more orbs. 2. Fully upgrade Multiple Arrows. 3. Fully upgrade Piercing Arrows. 4. As funds permit, get Health Boost and Health Regeneration. 5. Add Slam Attack next as it can be helpful if enemies close in. 6. Get all the rest of the upgrades as funds permit. Notes: * It's possible to play up through the first boss (level 7) and probably farther with no upgrades beyond Lucky. This should get you around 2K orbs, enough to buy the next two upgrades. You don't have to wait (unless you like the challenge). The point is that by the time you need the upgrades, you will have enough orbs to get them. * You want multiple arrows (hit multiple targets) before piercing arrows (hit targets behind the front line). That is, you need to kill the close ones before you worry about the ones farther away. * You can complete the game with just the Multiple and Piercing arrow upgrades. Those plus the item upgrades is enough to kill everything you will encounter. * I didn't find Rain of Arrows that useful compared to Multiple and Piercing, so it's not a priority. Melee Strategy: It's similar to the ranging strategy except steps 2 and 3 are replaced with Sword Master, 3 Hit Combo, and Circle of Blade. You may switch steps 4 and 5 as Slam Attack is more important when you're surrounded in close combat. The only place where ranging is required is to hit certain element stones you can't approach on foot. ============================================================================== 3. Controls ============================================================================== + Pad : move Merida A Button : shoot arrows : clear text messages : skip cut scenes A Button hold : charge Rain of Arrows attack B Button : jump Y Button : swing sword Y Button hold : charge Circle of Blade attack X Button : open chests X Button hold : push or drag items R Button : roll and dodge attacks : while jumping (B), use Slam Attack L Button : cycle through elements Start Button : pause / options Touch Screen : select element : solve puzzles ============================================================================== 4. Levels ============================================================================== As noted above, this is not a jump-by-jump walkthrough, so this section is primarily to document the nature of each level and the key items to watch for or acquire. As the levels are basically linear, you can't really get lost. With the exception of the tutorial and boss levels, every level has a cave which is often where you find upgrade chests and the element stones. For each level, when you see the three wisps you have found the exit. There are several types of puzzles/mini-games throughout the levels: 1. Pressure plates you stand on in the correct order. 2. Pattern repeat, from 3 to 5 patterns long. 3. Create a pathway between blocks, from 1 to 4 simultaneous paths. 4. Move a block through a maze-like path to the exit. 5. Move blocks to clear a path to the exit. The first one is pretty easy. The pattern-repeat is random each time so there's nothing to document. The other three are very hard to represent in text, but the attempts are below. Once you see each puzzle, hopefully the text diagram will make sense. If not, don't worry, none of them are that hard to solve. The percent complete displayed on the save game screen is calculated based on the following values. 50% 2% for completing a level (2% * 25 levels) 18% 1% for item upgrade chests (1% * 3 items * 6 upgrades) 16% 4% for each element (4% * 4 elements) 13% .5% for each character upgrade (.5% * 26 upgrades) 3% 3% extra for completing the final boss level ==== 100% If you have completed all levels and obtained all upgrades, you will start the final boss level (Mor'du's Lair) at 95%. If you have less, you missed something along the way. You will need a total of 9500 orbs to purchase all the character upgrades. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.1. Forest Pursuit ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Setting: Outside forest - tutorial level Chests : 2 Items : Short Sword ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.2. Wildwood Confines ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Setting: Outside forest Chests : 3 Items : Air element (purple) Hint : It may be necessary to use a sword on the golem in the cave. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.3. Woodland Rapids ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Setting: Outside forest Chests : 3 Items : Basic Armor Puzzles: 2 [3] [1] [2] [3] [2] [1] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.4. Impervious Fen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Setting: Outside island Chests : 4 Hints : The first occurrence of Mandrakes: "Mandrakes?" "What?! That devilish thing is stealing what's on the ground." "That thing is a thief!" Puzzles: 1 .|. |.. --- |_. ..| --- ..| .|. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.5. Gassy Grotto ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Setting: Outside islands Chests : 3 Items : Short Bow : Earth element (green) Hint : Steam vents give a little puff before they erupt. : When you get Earth/green you will automatically switch to it, but any critters still in the cave are Air/purple so switch back. Puzzles: 1 [1] [2] [3] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.6. Mountain Bog ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Setting: Outside islands Chests : 4 Items : Bearstrike Blade Sword Puzzles: 3 Pattern x3 .|. .|. .|. ..| ------- .|. ..| |.. ..| ------- |.. ..| .|. .|. Pattern x3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.7. Den of the Earth Giant ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Setting: Outside - Boss level Waystone: Earth/green Boss : Air/purple Critters: Earth/green ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.8. Sunken Brook ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Setting: cliffside with waterfalls Chests : 3 Items : Bearstrike Armor : Water element (blue) Hint : Watch for falling rocks on the red circles. : Don't be in a hurry to leave the last area (with the three movable stones). Backtracking to the elevator rock resets the spawn so you can farm this area for orbs as much as you want. Puzzles: 3 [4] [2] [1] [3] . . . v . . . # # v . . >>> v v . . ] . . v >>> . . . v . . . . <<< >>> . . . . > > v # . . ^ . v > > > > # v [ ^ < < < < v ^ . . . . # ^ < < < < @ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.9. Naval Memorial ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Setting: rocky cliffside Chests : 3 Items : Bearstrike Composite Bow Puzzles: 1 [1] [3] [4] [2] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.10. Coastal Cliffs ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Setting: seaside cliffs Chests : 3 Items : Elkhorn Gladius Sword : Fire element (red) Hint : Like before, be aware you auto-switch to the new element. : Shoot the 4 stones from the center of the cave because you can't run back and forth fast enough. Puzzles: 2 .|. .|. .|. .|. |.. ..| ----------- .|. |_. ._| ..| ..| |.. ----------- ..| ..| |.. |. .|. .|. Pattern x3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.11. Rocky Crag ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Setting: seaside cliffs Chests : 3 Items : Elkhorn Armor Hint : When coming out of the passage where the whisps are, break the rock to the left and go down the ramp. Puzzles: 3 # . . v . . # # # v . . # >>> v v . ] # # . . v . . . <<< v . . . . . . . [1] [2] [4] [5] [3] . # v < < # @ . v . ^ . v . > > ^ > ] v . # . ^ . v . > > ^ # > > ^ # . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2.12. Refuge of the Air Giant ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Setting: seaside - Boss level Waystones: Air/purple, Earth/green Boss : Earth/green Critters : Water/blue ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.13. Descent of Fire ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Setting: cliffs Chests : 4 Items : Elkhorn Siege bow Hint : Check left after leaving the cave. Puzzles: 3 [3] [5] [1] [4] [2] .|. .|. ..| .|. ------- ._| .|. |.. ..| ------- |.. ..| |. .|. Pattern x4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.14. Magma Fissure ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Setting: underground with lava Chests : 5 Items : Mustangshock Tulwar Sword Puzzles: 2 . . . . . v . # # # # v >>> v . . v ] . . v . . . . . v . <<< . <<< # # . . . # . @ . # v < . v . . v ^ . v . . v ^ . v . [ < < ^ . v . . # ^ < < . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.15. Hazardous Cascade ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Setting: underground with lava Chests : 3 Items : Mustanghoof Armor Puzzles: 2 [1] [4] [2] [3] .|. .|. .|. .|. |.. ..| ----------- .|. |_. ._| ..| ..| |.. ----------- ..| ..| |.. .|. .|. .|. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.16. Buried Passage ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Setting: underground with lava Chests : 4 Items : Mustangshock Hunter Bow Hint : Use the rock to get the chest (right) before stopping the steam. : After solving the last puzzle to open the exit, you can jump off the ledge and exit (no need to backtrack). Puzzles: 2 Pattern x4 # . . . # . # . . v v . # . . . # . # . . v v . # . <<< # . ] # >>> v v . ] . . . ^ <<< . . . . . . . . . ^ . . . . . . . . # # . ^ . . # # . . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.17. Fire Giant's Chamber ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Setting: underground with lava - boss level Waystones: Air/purple, Earth/green, Fire/red Boss : Water/blue Critters : Water/blue ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.18. Tranquil Glacier ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Setting: snow covered islands with ice flows Chests : 4 Items : Ursineleash Edge Sword Puzzles: 2 . @ > > v # . . . . v . . . . . > > ] . . . . # . . . . # . . .|. .|. .|. ..| ..| |.. ----------- ._| ..| |.. |.. ..| |.. ----------- |.. ..| |.. .| .|. .|. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.19. Iceberg Reef ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Setting: snow covered islands with ice steps Chests : 3 Items : Ursinelash (sic) Armor Puzzles: 4 Pattern x5 [3] [2] [4] [1] # # . v . . # . . v . . # >>> v . . ] . <<<<< . . # # . . . . . . . . . . @ . . # . . [ v < < < . # v . . ^ . . v . # ^ . . v . . ^ . . > > > ^ # . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.20. Crystal Hollow ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Setting: snow covered islands Chests : 4 Items : Ursineleash Battle Bow Puzzles: None, but this level is a real "drag" and you must "push" through it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.21. Haunt of the Ice Giant ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Setting: snow island - boss level Waystones: Air/purple, Earth/green, Fire/red, Water/blue Boss : Fire/red Critters : Fire/red ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.22. Chilling Caverns ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Setting: ice cave Chests : 4 Items : Sharpened Cutlass Sword Hint : Check left when you exit the cave. Puzzles: 4 .|. .|. .|. .|. ..| .|. .|. |.. --------------- ._| .|. .|. |.. |.. ..| |.. .|. --------------- |.. ..| |.. .|. .|. .|. .|. .|. Pattern x5 [1] [4] [3] [5] [2] . . v v . . . . v v . . >>> v v . . ] . # >>> . v . # . . . v # # . . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.23. Grandiose Labyrinth ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Setting: underground catacombs Chests : 4 Items : Eagleclas Armor Puzzles: 1 solve pressure plates 4 times in this order: [ ] [X] [X] [X] For chest to the far left [X] [X] [X] [ ] For chest to the near left, over spikes [X] [ ] [X] [X] Open secret passage with armor upgrade [X] [X] [ ] [X] For chest to the near right over spikes ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.24. Forgotten Kingdom ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Setting: underground catacombs Chests : 5 Items : Eagleclaw Great Bow Hint : Once you trigger the purple and green stones, go to the far right and put the blue stone on the pressure plate. : 4 mini-bosses at the end, one of each element, big orb drops in order: Air/purple, Earth/green, Water/blue, Fire/red. Puzzles: 1 . # . . . . . > > > > v . ^ . . # v . ^ . . > v ] . ^ . . ^ v @ > # # ^ < ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.25. Mor'du's Lair ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Setting: lost kingdom castle - final boss level Chests : 0, and the only drops are healing pots Hint : 4 waves: Air/purple, Earth/green, Water/blue, Fire/red. : Killing the largest critter in each wave is enough to "clear" it. ============================================================================== 5. Equipment Upgrades ============================================================================== Testing with training and fully upgraded items doesn't show any difference in effectiveness. So like the other versions of the game, it doesn't matter which item you use, they are all upgraded equally. If you like fighting in the blue dress, feel free to do so. I like using the training bow because the others are too large and look unrealistic as Merida runs around. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5.1 Armor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Training Armor Basic Armor Bearstrike Armor Elkhorn Armor Mustanghoof Armor Ursinelash (sic) Armor Eagleclas Armor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5.2 Bows ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Training Bow Short Bow Bearstrike Composite Elkhorn Siege Mustangshock Hunter Ursineleash Battle Eagleclaw Great ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5.3 Swords ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Training Sword Short Sword Bearstrike Blade Elkhorn Gladius Mustangshock Tulwar Ursineleash Edge Sharpened Cutlass ============================================================================== 6. Character Upgrades ============================================================================== Most of the upgrades have three levels at increasing cost (200, 300, 500). A couple only have a single level. The descriptive text has some inconsistencies in the use of singular/plural forms. So any awkward phrasing below is not a transcription error. In most cases, the text for the final upgrade is also used after it has been purchased. The two single upgrade cases use different text after the final upgrade. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6.1. Piercing Arrows ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 - 200 - Arrows will go through enemies and hit any other enemies behind the main target. 2 - 300 - Fully pierce enemies with this powerful upgrade. 3 - 500 - Arrows will go through enemies and objects, the element of the arrow will adjust to the enemy it touches. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6.2. Rain of Arrows ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 - 200 - Hold the A Button to charge up; on release, you will unleash a rain of arrows that will hit everyone on screen. 2 - 300 - Hit a larger amount of enemies with this larger rain of arrow attack. 3 - 500 - Merida will shoot as many arrows in the air, to hit a larger amount of enemies. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6.3. Multiple Arrows ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 - 200 - Shoot up to three enemies at the same time. 2 - 300 - Shoot more enemies. 3 - 500 - Shoot up to five enemies at the same time. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6.4. 3 Hit Combo ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 - 1000 - Allow a stronger third strike to be added after two successful hits using the Y Button. done - Third strike is stronger. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6.5. Circle of Blade ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 - 200 - Hold the Y Button to charge up; on release, you will perform a circular attack that will hit all your surrounding enemies. 2 - 300 - More powerful circle attack. 3 - 500 - The largest circle attack that Merida can perform. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6.6. Slam Attack ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 - 200 - While in the air, press the R Button to slam the ground pushing back all enemies around the point of impact. 2 - 300 - Very powerful slam attack, push the enemies even further away from Merida. 3 - 500 - The attack will hit a larger amount of enemies on the ground. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6.7. Sword Master ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 - 200 - Boost the damage you will do with all your sword attacks. 2 - 300 - The Sword attacks are more powerful. 3 - 500 - Stronger sword attack from Merida. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6.8. Health Boost ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 - 500 - Gives you an extra amount of health. done - More health is given to Merida. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6.9. Health Regeneration ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 - 200 - Your health will slowly refill over time. 2 - 300 - The refill is faster. 3 - 500 - The health bar is rapidly refilled. Level 1 takes about 4 minutes to restore 50% of normal health (no boost), so basically useless. Level 2 about 1 minute. Level 3 around 30 seconds. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6.10. Lucky ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 - 200 - Increase the range orb are collected and give the chance to receive health potions from defeated enemies. 2 - 300 - Merida will attract orbs that are further and potion will be more common. 3 - 500 - Merida will attract orbs that are far from her and potion will drop often. ============================================================================== 7. Legal ============================================================================== This document is for the express use on the GameFAQs (gamefaqs.gamespot.com) web-site. It is available for personal use only. It may not be hosted or displayed on any other web-site, or in any other printed or electronic media without prior approval of the author. I may be contacted at: bkc956 at gmail dot com. Make the subject line something clear like "Brave FAQ" lest you be ignored. This document is copyright: (c) 2018 Brett K. Carver. All Rights Reserved. ---end---