********************************************** ***Zero Statistics and Tactics Guide v.1.22*** ********************************************** Table of Contents ***************** 1. About This Guide 2. Legal Info 3. Version History 4. FAQs 5. Terms Used In This Guide 6. Zero's Weapons 7. Zero's Forms 8. Zero's Ex Skills 9. Tips and Tricks 10. General Strategies 11. Contact Info 12. Bounties 13. Credits About This Guide **************** This guide is designed to help you use Zero efficiently. It contains Zero's statistics to allow you to make decisions on how you want to use Zero, and tactics and tricks you can use to further increase your skill level. All statistics in this guide have been individually tested by myself to make sure they are all accurate and no assumptions about them have been made. Legal Info ********** Copyright 2004 Ryan Smallwood This guide may not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal, private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide on any other web site or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a violation of copyright. Version History *************** This section contains all the versions ever made for this guide, when they were done and what was added. Version 1.00 March 4, 2004 -The initial guide with all basic information. Version 1.10 March 5, 2004 -Tripple Shot Shard Damage Added -Form Changing added to Tips and Tricks Section -Ex Skill Section has more details on skill usefulness and was reformatted -More information added to Contact Info Section -Bounties Section Added -Credits Section Added Version 1.20 March 6, 2004 -Added General Strategies Section -Added Buster Shot Info -Added More Bounties -Added Chain Rod Spike Kill and Buster Shot Carry Tricks to the Tips and Tricks Section -Minor Spelling Errors Fixes and a Slight Bit of Reformatting Version 1.21 March 7, 2004 -Added Reference to MegaMan360's FAQ Version 1.22 May 30, 2004 -Added Extra Z Saber Attack Combo 2 to Tips and Tricks Section. -Added 2 Extra Z Saber Attacks Combo to Tips and Tricks Section. -Added Infinite Z Saver Attacks Combo to Tips and Tricks Section. -Changed Double Jumping Charge Slash Trick in Tips and Tricks Section to just Double Jumping Slash due to the fact it works with any jumping slash charged or not. FAQs **** (Currently Empty) Terms Used In This Guide ************************ This section contains all the names of the moves I mention in my guide for reference of how they work, if you do not know already. Buster Shot: This is the normal shot released by the buster without charging it. You can have only 3 Buster Shots and Dash Buster Shots on the screen at one time. Chg. Buster Shot: This is the shot of green energy that is shot out when you charge your buster to level 1 Chg. 2 Buster Shot: This is the shot when you charge your buster all the way to the maximum. It can take on elemental properties based on the elemental chip you have equipped. Dash Buster: This is a regular buster shot used while dashing. You can have only 3 Buster Shots and Dash Buster Shots on the screen at one time. Slash 1(): This is the first slash you use with your Z Saber while stationary on the ground the () contain the type of slash it is. Slash 2(): After attacking using a Slash 1 while standing still with your Z Saber, a Slash 2 is used, the () contain the type of slash it is. Slash 3(): After attacking with Slash 2 while standing still, Slash 3 is used with you Z Saber, the () contain what type of slash it is. Back Slash: Your Z saber is swung backwards hitting enemies in front of you above you and behind you, this is one of your basic standing slashes and can be Slash 1-3 depending on your form. Forward Slash: Your Z saber is swung from top to bottom, effectively hitting enemies some what above you and in front of you, this is one of your basic standing slashes and can be Slash 1-3 depending on your form. Overhead Slash: Your Z saber is swung from behind you hitting enemies behind you, above you and in front of you, this is one of your basic standing slashes and can be Slash 1-3 depending on your form. Rise Slash: You bring your Z saber upwards hitting enemies in front of you and high above you, this is one of your basic standing slashes and can be Slash 1-3 depending on your form. Walking Slash: Similar to Back slash, this slash is used on all forms while attacking with your Z saber and walking, if used while walking through and enemy it has the potential to hit twice. Dash Slash: Hitting enemies in front of you and somewhat above you used with Z Saber while dashing, if used while dashing through an enemy it may hit twice. Rolling Dash Slash: After using a dash slash you will roll forward and perform a Rolling Slash if you have the ability, this hits multiple times and floes well with Dash Slash so they appear to be 1 attack when they the initial blow is really a dash slash. Repeatedly attack while using this to continue the roll. Jump Slash: While jumping and using the Z Saber this hits enemies some what above you and in front of you. Rolling Jump Slash: After doing a jump slash you will use this ability if you have it and hit enemies all around you multiple times. It flows well with jump slash so they appear to be 1 attack when the initial blow is really a Jump Slash. Wall Slash: This slash is used while sliding down a wall with your Z Saber hitting enemies in front of you. Chg. Slash: This slash is used when you charge you Z Saber full it strikes enemies in front of you. This attack takes on elemental properties of the equipped elemental chip. Chain Rod: This is the basic attack of the chain rod used any time. You may aim it in any of the 8 basic directions with your control pad. Chg. Chain Rod: When your chain rod is fully charge you spin it around hitting nearby enemies many times over. This attack absorbs elemental properties of the equipped elemental chip. Throw Shield: This is the attack you use when you used a charged Shield Boomerang attack, it goes in a circle and comes back to you damaging any enemies it meets. This attack absorbed the elemental properties of your equipped elemental chip. Reflect Shot: While guarding yourself with the boomerang shield this is the attack used when you block an enemy buster shot and it is reflected back at them. Energy Chain: An Ex skill that lets you drain enemies life by holding the attack button after using Chain Rod. Energy Chain(damage): Refers to the damage done by energy chain Energy Chain(heal): Refers to the amount of life healed by energy chain. Laser Shot: An Ex Skill that replaces Chg. 2 Buster Shot when you have the neutral elemental chip equipped. It pierces through objects and keeps going. Triple Shot: An Ex Skill that replaces Chg. 2 Buster Shot when the ice elemental chip is equipped. After hitting its target it splits into 3 ice shards that go forwards and fan out. Has ice chip elemental properties. Triple Shot(Blast): This refers to the main triple shot blast before it splits. Triple Shot(Shards): This Refers to the 3 shards that come out after using the Triple Shot. Spark Shot: An Ex Skill that replaces Chg. 2 Buster Shot when the lightning elemental chip is equipped. After hitting 2 smaller shots are shot out upwards and downwards. Has lightning chip elemental properties. Spark Shot(blast): The main attack of spark shot before it hits. Spark Shot(spark): The attack of spark shot once it splits. Blast Shot: An Ex Skill that replaces Chg. 2 Buster Shot when the fire elemental chip is equipped. When it hits it creates an explosion to occur continuously hitting anyone who touches it. Had fire chip elemental properties. Blast Shot(blast): Refers to the main attack of the blast shot. Blast Shot(explosion): The explosion that occurs from using blast shot. Tenshouzan: An Ex Skill used by the Z saber. To use hold up and attack while on the ground, this causes you to jump and swing your saber up hitting enemies above you and in front of you. This takes the fire chips elemental properties if the fire chip is equipped. Sengatotsu: An Ex Skill that replaces your dash slash and rolling dash slash. It hits enemies in front of you. This takes the lightning chips elemental properties if the ice chip is equipped. Sharp Edge: An Ex Skill used with your Z saber when you hold down in the air and attack. This causes you to fall and hit enemies below you. This takes the elemental properties of the ice chip if it is equipped. Kougenjin: An Ex Skill used while holding down and attacking while stationary on the ground. This causes you to slash forward and release a wave of energy when used. Kougenjin(Wave): This is the energy wave released by the Kougenjin it hits enemies in front of you. Kougenjin(Slash): This is the slash of your sword done by the Kougenjin when its used hitting enemies in front of you, enemies hit with the slash also get hit with the wave immediately after unless it is a boss who becomes invincible after being hit. Zero's Weapons ************** Zero can have 2 weapons equipped at a time a primary and a secondary, both may be used normally, but others need to be selected in your start screen. Each weapon has a variety of uses and can level up as you use it more giving you more skills with it. All weapons start at level 1. Buster: This Zeros shooting weapon, it does low damage bur hits enemies from afar. It is a decent weapon that can be used as a good primary or secondary weapon. However it is only actually useful in a few situations so it's not highly recommended you keep this on, just switch to it when needed. Level 1: Enables Buster Shot and Level 1 Charge Level 2: Enables Full Charge Level 3: Faster Charge Z Saber: Your close range attack weapon it does massive damage and is great on bosses, highly recommended to be used as your primary weapon. Level 1: Enables Slash 1, Walk Slash, Dash Slash, Wall Slash, and Jump Slash Level 2: Enables Slash 2 Level 3: Enables Slash 3 Level 4: Enables Full Charge Level 5: Faster Charge Chain Rod: A highly useful weapon for mobility allowing you to swing from the ceiling and wall, and pull objects and enemies towards you. While it's not recommended for battle this is great to have as your secondary weapon since it is required to beat many levels. Level 1: Enables Chain Rod Level 2: Enables Full Charge Level 3: Faster Charge Boomerang Shield: This weapon can be used to block enemy buster shots, a very limited use and when fully charged can be thrown for a ranged attack. Not very useful and not recommended even as a secondary. Only use this when encountered with buster wielding enemies. It does do ok against bosses when coupled with your Z Saber for extra hits however, using the Infinite Shield Throw Trick 2(Tips and Tricks Section) to increase your power against bosses. Level 1: Enables Reflect Shot and Throw Shield Level 2: Increase Throw Shield range Level 3: Increase Throw Shield range Zero's Forms ************ This section contains information on the forms that you can use with zero by switching between them. Forms determine zeros stats and some forms give zero abilities. You can get forms by fulfilling certain requirements in a level you haven't beaten yet. The numbers listed by the attacks are the damage the attack does, if an attack is not listed then you cannot use that attack in that form. The * rating system provided in the game on each form has no mathematical significance. It is merely there to give you a feel for how each form works. Thus two forms with the same power may do different damages, and two forms with different power ratings may in fact do the same damage. For this reason * ratings are useless and will not be listed in this guide as more accurate stats are here instead. Information on how to get Forms can be found in MegaMan360's Form and Ex Skill Guide. Many sources have incorrect information so I recommend going here if you want to know you have the right info. http://db.gamefaqs.com/portable/gbadvance/file/mega_man_zero_2_form.txt Normal Form ----------- Abilities: None Damage Taken: Normal Buster Shot: 1 Chg. Buster Shot: 3 Chg.2 Buster Shot: 6 Dash Buster: 1.5 Slash1 (back slash): 4 Slash2 (forward slash): 4 Slash3 (overhead slash): 5 Walk Slash: 3 Dash Slash: 5 Wall Slash: 4 Jump Slash: 4 Chg. Slash: 8 Chain Rod: 2 Chg. Chain Rod: 2 Throw Shield: 6 Reflect Shot: 1 Description: Your basic starting form, well balanced but nothing special. Energy Form ----------- Abilities: Find more life capsules. Damage Taken: Normal Buster Shot: 1.5 Chg. Buster Shot: 3 Chg. 2 Buster Shot: 6 Dash Buster: 2 Slash1 (forward slash): 4 Slash2 (forward slash): 4 Slash3 (back slash): 5 Walk Slash: 3 Dash Slash: 5 Jump Slash: 4 Wall Slash: 4 Chg. Slash: 8 Chain Rod: 2 Chg. Chain Rod: 2 Throw Shield: 6 Reflect Shot: 1 Description: A form with an interesting Z saber combo and some good buster damage, does pretty good with stats and the extra life capsules make it a nice good form X Form ------ Abilities: Fire 4 buster shots at a time instead of 3 Damage Taken: Normal Buster Shot: 2 Chg. Buster Shot: 4 Chg. 2 Buster Shot: 7 Dash Buster: 2.5 Slash1 (forward slash) : 4 Walk Slash: 3 Dash Slash: 5 Jump Slash: 4 Wall Slash: 4 Chg. Slash: 8 Chain Rod: 2 Chg. Chain Rod: 2 Throw Shield: 6 Reflect Shot: 1 Description: The best form for your buster so use this whenever you use your buster. Defense Form ------------ Abilities: None Damage Taken: Half Buster Shot: 1 Chg. Buster Shot: 3 Chg. 2 Buster Shot: 6 Dash Buster: 1.5 Slash1 (back slash): 2 Slash2 (forward slash): 2 Slash3 (overhead slash): 3 Walk Slash: 1 Dash Slash: 3 Jump Slash: 2 Wall Slash: 2 Chg. Slash: 8 Chain Rod: 2 Chg. Chain Rod: 2 Throw Shield: 7 Reflect Shot: 1 Description: Horrible Z saber slash damage but the charge slash remains unhindered and it's good with shield boomerang. Its got great defense I recommend this for bosses where you usually use charged Z saber slash. Erase Form ---------- Abilities: Z saber slashes and your shield boomerang destroy buster bullets. Damage Taken: Normal Buster Shot: 1 Chg. Buster Shot: 3 Chg. 2 Buster Shot: 6 Dash Buster: 1.5 Slash1 (forward slash): 4 Walk Slash: 3 Dash Slash: 5 Jump Slash: 4 Wall Slash: 4 Chg. Slash: 8 Chain Rod: 2 Chg. Chain Rod: 2 Throw Shield: 6 Description: Decent form, this makes shield useless but its good with your Z saber against buster wielding enemies. Active Form ----------- Abilities: After doing a jumping slash it follows up with a rolling jump slash, and after a dash slash it follows up with a rolling dash slash. Damage Taken: Normal Buster Shot: 1 Chg. Buster Shot: 3 Chg.2 Buster Shot: 6 Dash Buster: 1.5 Slash1 (back slash): 4 Walk Slash: 3 Dash Slash: 5 Rolling Dash Slash: 3 Jump Slash: 4 Rolling Jump Slash: 2 Wall Slash: 4 Chg. Slash: 8 Chain Rod: 2 Chg. Chain Rod: 2 Throw Shield: 6 Reflect Shot: 1 Description: A great form for speeding through levels not good on stationary combat so keep jumping and dashing. Power Form ---------- Damage Taken: Normal Buster Shot: 1.5 Chg. Buster Shot: 3 Chg.2 Buster Shot: 6 Dash Buster: 2 Slash 1(overhead slash): 5 Walk Slash: 4 Dash Slash: 6 Jump Slash: 5 Wall Slash: 5 Chg. Slash: 8 Chain Rod: 2.5 Chg. Chain Rod: 2.5 Throw Shield: 6 Reflect Shot: 1 Description: A nice strong form that does good damage with all weapons except boomerang shield. It only has a one hit saber combo and it's really slow, so I recommend moving when using this. Rise Form --------- Abilities: None Damage Taken: Normal Buster Shot: 1 Chg. Buster Shot: 3 Chg.2 Buster Shot: 6 Dash Buster: 1.5 Slash1 (back slash): 4 Slash2 (forward slash): 4 Slash3 (rise slash): 6 Walk Slash: 3 Dash Slash: 5 Jump Slash: 4 Wall Slash: 4 Chg. Slash: 8 Chain Rod: 2 Chg. Chain Rod: 2 Throw Shield: 6 Reflect Shot: 1 Description: The strongest stationary combo in the game and good for hitting air bourn opponents while on ground, that's about all there is to say about this form. Proto Form ---------- Abilities: Weapons don't gain levels, weapons act as level 1, weapons other than shield boomerang cannot charge. Damage Taken: Double Buster Shot: 2 Dash Buster: 2.5 Slash1 (back slash): 5 Walk Slash: 4 Dash Slash: 6 Jump Slash: 5 Wall Slash: 5 Chain Rod: 3 Throw Shield: 7 Reflect Shot: 1 Description: Although this has some serious power to it you take lots of damage and are restricted to basic combos, this form is a lot of fun and makes you depend on Ex Skills for boss fights, not recommended for less skilled players. It's also your form when you play hard mode. Ultimate Form ------------- Abilities: Can use charge attacks with their own commands rather than charging. Charge Buster 1: v, v>, >, Shoot Charge Buster 2: v, v>, >, v, v>, >, Shoot Charge Saber: >, v>, v, Shoot Charge Chain Rod: >, v, v>, Shoot Charge Shield Boomerang: v, v>, >, Shoot Damage Taken: Normal Buster Shot: 1.5 Dash Buster: 2 Chg. Buster Shot: 3 Chg.2 Buster Shot: 6 Slash1 (back slash): 4 Slash2 (forward slash): 5 Slash3 (overhead slash): 5 Walk Slash: 3 Dash Slash: 5 Jump Slash: 4 Wall Slash: 4 Chg. Slash: 8 Chain Rod: 2.5 Chg. Chain Rod: 2.5 Throw Shield: 6 Reflect Shot: 1 Description: This form had pretty good damage overall, and when you are skilled enough allows you to execute charged attacks quickly making it an all around great form. Ex Skills ********* Ex Skills are gotten by beating bosses while you have an A rank. Ex Skills always do the same damage regardless of the form you use. This sections numbers are the amount of damage the skill does. Information on which bosses provide which Ex Skills can be found in MegaMan360's Form and Ex Skill Guide. http://db.gamefaqs.com/portable/gbadvance/file/mega_man_zero_2_form.txt Energy Chain ------------ Energy Chain(damage): .5 Energy Chain(heal): 1 Description: Useful for healing and filling sub tanks though the process is a bit slow, make sure there are no enemies nearby that can hurt you before using this. Laser Shot: 5 ------------- Description: When there are obstacles that you need this to pierce through use it but for the most part avoid it, as it reduces damage. Triple Shot ----------- Triple Shot(blast): 5 Triple Shot(shards): 3 Description: Useful when fighting many enemies in a row however otherwise I wouldn't use this as it does less damage. Spark Shot ---------- Spark Shot(blast): 5 Spark Shot(spark): ? Description: There is rarely a time when the sparks will hit so I don't recommend using this, due to the damage reduction. Blast Shot ---------- Blast Shot(blast): 3 Blast Shot(explosion): 1 Description: Good for use on normal enemies, terrible for use on bosses, who don't get hurt by the following explosion. Tenshouzan:6 ---------- Description: A great way to hit airborne enemies and do good fire damage without charging up. Sengatotsu: 6 ------------- Description: A more powerful dash slash basically, and great against enemies weak to lightning, not recommended if you have the active form because rolling dash slash is better in my opinion, but this is good for bosses. Sharp Edge: 8 ------------- Description: Risky attack because you usually hurt yourself while using it, but when you find a good situation to use it, it can really do some damage and having that nice ice effect. Koughenjin ---------- Kougenjin(Wave): 3 Kougenjin(Slash): 5 Description: The wave is good for giving yourself a little extra reach, even though your secondary weapon should be able to do it for you. The slash is excellent at killing regular enemies, but is not recommended for bosses who won't get hit by the wave after the slash. Tips and Tricks *************** This section contains all information and tricks I have on the game that I think is lesser known information and could be useful to helping you play better. Enjoy. Double Chain Rod Attack Trick: If you use the chain rod right as you jump you can hit the enemy twice once as it goes forwards and once as it goes back. Extra Z Saber Attack Combo: If you do a walking slash then stop and do your Slash 1-3 combo the walking slash will flow immediately into the Slash 1-3 combo allowing you to get a quick extra hit on the combo. This is great for forms with only Slash 1 as it lets you take enemies out much more quickly. Extra Z Saber Attack Combo 2: If you do a jump slash just before you hit the ground and then follow up with your standing Slash 1-3 combo you will go straight into the combo allowing for a quick extra hit. 2 Extra Z Saber Attack Combo: Do a jumping slash just before you hit the ground then immediately walk a bit and do a walking slash, then stop and do your Slash 1-3 combo. All of these will flow smoothly and quickly allowing you to get lots of extra hits in. Infinite Z Saber Attack Combo: Do a walking slash then stop and do Slash 1, then repeat over and over Zero will slowly move forward slashing wildly as these two attacks combo together really quickly. Double Jumping Z Saber Slash: Jump in the air and use a jumping Saber slash and then turn in the opposite direction and Zero will redirect the slash behind him giving you two slashes instead of one. This trick also works when your saber is charged allowing you to pretty much destroy anything around you. Infinite Shield Throw Trick 1: Stand facing a wall with a slight gap between you and the wall jump a short bit and throw your boomerang shield. If done right it will hit the wall pause there for a second then start circling around you but never actually getting to you. If you move it will go back to you and the glitch is ended. Not many good uses for this that I have found. Infinite Shield Throw Trick 2: Throw your shield boomerang then when it comes towards you dash away from it then quickly dash jump backwards over it. The shield will make another attempt to get to you and you can repeat this over and over to keep it from reaching you. This has not much use on levels but can be very helpful on bosses where the area is limited. I recommend you use the Defense form for this trick as it makes your shield throw stronger and the damage reduction helps since you now have to avoid your shield while fighting the boss so dodging the attacks is harder. Weapon Setting B: Using Weapon setting B is the best choice because it allows you to charge your primary and secondary weapons at the same time, and when using the shield boomerang it allows you to attack while holding the shield boomerang up and only dropping it down for a tiny amount of time. Form Changing: Its often a good idea to change forms during your fight, if you know an attack is going to hit you, like when an enemy does an attack where he grabs you and continuously hurts you pause and switch to defense form to take less damage then when you are attacking switch to a higher damage form. Chain Rod Spike Kill: Drag your enemies onto spikes with your chain rod for an instant kill, however some enemies are immune to spike so it will only work on some. Buster Shot Carrying: When shooting your shots often go off screen and then disappear and do nothing. So its more beneficial for you on flat levels to continuously shoot while dashing, this way you follow your shots and they cluster together in front of you and when you get to an enemy you quickly kill them with your buster shots, and the fact you are dashing makes your buster stronger. This works best with X form which allows you to shoot 4 busters at a time, or Ultimate form where if you're good enough you can dash while shooting level 1 buster shots which have no on screen limit so you can get lots of shots out. General Strategies ****************** This section is just dedicated to strategies for doing absolutely anything and everything. I'm hoping to get a lot of other people to contribute to this section. Level Strategy -------------- This is my basic advice for beating levels. I recommend Z saber as your primary and chain rod as your secondary. Chain rod helps you get over things like spikes and is necessary on many levels for completion. And when you get energy chain, chain rod makes healing easy as long as you can find an enemy with a sizeable amount of life. Z saber is just all in all a good strong weapon for killing stuff. I recommend active form because it allows you to move through a level quickly destroying anything that comes near you. Other good choices are Energy Form which gives you a healthy supply of life items to keep you going. If you don't have either of those then Rise Form is nice as it allows you to hit air enemies pretty well and makes your basic combo much stronger. Boss Strategy ------------- When fighting bosses I recommend using Z Saber and Shield Boomerang in the Defense Form or Ultimate Form. With Defense form just keep charging both weapons at once and alternate between hitting them with each. Defense form keeps you safe from damage, increases the damage of your shield boomerang, and won't suffer a damage penalty for using your charged saber. With Ultimate Form, generally stick to using the combos to continuously attack your enemy with charged slashes, if the enemy grabs you with a grab attack or you know you will be hit, pause and switch to Defense Form, then switch back to Ultimate when the attack is over. Contact Info ************ You can E-mail me at IronChefYuKayOh@Yahoo.com I will answer any questions that are not in my guide, and if a question is asked a lot it will be added to my FAQs section. If you want to suggest ways to improve my guide, like suggesting a tip for the tips and tricks section I will read through it and if it is suitable for the guide it will be added and you will be given credit for it. Any information you wish to be added must also include how and where you found this information, so I can replicate it and see if it truly works and if I find it does, it will then be added. Also if you want credit please supply the name you want to be known as in your E-mail or I will be unable to give you credit. If you don't supply a name but do so at a later date I'll still give you credit. Thank you and that's all. Bounties ******** This section contains any information I would like to add to my guide, if you have any information listed below then please check the contact info section for information on how you can submit it. -Damage for Spark Shot(sparks) -Hard Mode Strategies -More Tips and Tricks -More General Strategies Credits ******* -CJayC for putting my guide on his awesome site -Capcom for making Mega Man Zero -MegaMan360 for allowing me to reference his guide