==================================================== FIRE PROWRESTLING Z CHARACTER GUIDE: WANDERLEI SILVA ==================================================== for Sony PlayStation 2 (Japan) Version 1.1 by Bill Wood (billwood661@comcast.net) Last modified: 8/5/03 Fire ProWrestling Z (c) 2003 Spike NOTE: This guide views and prints best with a monospace typeface. =================== ==VERSION HISTORY== =================== 1.1 - Minor corrections. 1.0 - Initial release of the guide. ===================== ==TABLE OF CONTENTS== ===================== SECTION 1: HISTORY OF WANDERLEI SILVA SECTION 2: SKILL AND PARAMETER STATS SECTION 3: MOVELIST SECTION 4: SHOOT FIGHTING IN FIRE PRO Z SECTION 5: STRATEGY SECTION 6: CLOSING ========================================= ==SECTION 1: HISTORY OF WANDERLEI SILVA== ========================================= Affectionately nicknamed "The Axe Murderer" for his menacing ring presence, PRIDE's Wanderlei (the "W" is pronounced like a "V") Silva ranks as one of that promotion's elite martial artists and their perennial middleweight champion. Hailing from the Brazilian MMA team Chute Boxe, Silva stalks the ring as though he's thirsting for blood. His intense prematch staredowns can put the fear of God into his opponents, and several of Silva's matches have ended within the one or two minute mark. When the bell rings, Silva usually pounces from his corner onto his opponent, raining down a volley of lethal Muay Thai punches and kicks. He has an impressive MMA record of 21-3-1 (his last loss was over three years ago to Tito Ortiz), and there has yet to be an opponent able to defeat him in the PRIDE arena. Just ask Kazushi Sakuraba, the Japanese icon of MMA who faced Silva twice and was defeated as many times. As of this writing, Silva and Sakuraba are set to have their third meeting at the upcoming PRIDE Grand Prix tournament. Saku needs to make a comeback in a big way, but this may be the wrong opponent to mount a comeback against! ======================================== ==SECTION 2: SKILL AND PARAMETER STATS== ======================================== SKILL ----- Real Name................Wanderlei Silva FPZ Name...................Andrei Jiruba Promotion..........................PRIDE* FPZ Promotion..............Grapple House Size...............................Small Class...............................Free Height............................182 cm Weight.............................92 kg Country...........................Brazil Birthdate.......................7/3/1976 Stance..........................Shooting Offensive Skill..................Shooter Return Skill.....................Shooter Critical Type...................Striking Special Skill...............Wild Warrior Recovery..........................Medium Recovery (when bleeding)............Slow Respiratory.......................Medium Respiratory (when bleeding).......Medium Awareness.........................Medium Awareness (when bleeding).........Medium Neck Strength.....................Medium Arm Strength......................Medium Waist Strength....................Medium Foot Strength.....................Medium Movement Speed...............Medium Fast Ascend Speed........................Slow Ascend Skill...............Cannot Ascend * = All shootfighters in FPZ are grouped under the "Grapple House" roster. If you choose to separate them between PRIDE, UFC and K-1, Silva obviously belongs in PRIDE. PARAMETER - OFFENSE PARAMETER - DEFENSE ------------------- ------------------- Punch.............8 Punch.............7 Kick..............8 Kick..............7 Suplex............3 Suplex............2 Submission........5 Submission........6 Stretch...........6 Stretch...........6 Power.............5 Flying............1 Instant-P.........7 Crush.............1 Arm Power.........4 Vs Lariat.........1 Technical.........3 Technical.........5 Rough.............9 Rough.............7 Ground............8 Ground............7 TOTAL SKILL POINTS (on a scale from 0-300): 193 SKILL CHANGES FROM FIRE PRO D TO FIRE PRO Z: N/A ======================= ==SECTION 3: MOVELIST== ======================= NOTE: This movelist is my direct translation of the Japanese Fire Pro Z Player's Guide, there may be some minor errors. If I was unable to translate, I looked up the move in Edit Mode. Specialty moves are marked with [S]. Finisher is marked with [F]. Moves marked with a [C] have "CRITICAL!" potential. Moves marked with a [M] end in a mount position. KEY: ([]) = Square button (X) = X button (O) = Circle button STRIKES ------- Standing ([])......................................Jab Standing (X)........................Muay Thai Low Kick Standing (O) + d-pad.............Muay Thai Middle Kick Standing (O)......................................Hook [C] Standing ([]) + (X)................Muay Thai High Kick [C] Running ([]).........................Single Leg Tackle [M] Running (X)...............................Jumping Knee [C] Running Counter ([])..............................Hook [C] Running Counter (X)..............Muay Thai Middle Kick Running to corner.................................none GRAPPLES -------- Grapple ([])............................Face Knee Lift Grapple ([]) + Up........................Judo Takedown Grapple ([]) + Left/Right...............Body Knee Lift Grapple ([]) + Down..................Leg Trip Takedown [M] Grapple (X).............................Front Facelock Grapple (X) + Up..............................Hip Toss Grapple (X) + Left/Right...............Short Uppercuts Grapple (X) + Down...............Muay Thai Middle Kick Grapple (O).................MACHINE GUN FACE KNEE LIFT [S][C] Grapple (O) + Up...................Short Uppercut Rush [C] Grapple (O) + Left/Right...............Cyber Knee Lift [C] Grapple (O) + Down................Knee Strikes to Head [C] Grapple ([]) + (X)..........................Kenka Rush [C] Back Grapple ([])...........................Face Punch Back Grapple (X)...........................Middle Kick Back Grapple (O)......................Face Punch Renda [C] Back Grapple (O) + Up/Down........Back Brain High Kick Back Grapple (O) + Left/Right.....D.Choke Sleeper Hold Back Grapple ([]) + (X)....................Back Tackle [M] Back Grapple Counter ([])....................Elbow Pat Back Grapple Counter (X)...........Double Elbow Strike OPPONENT DOWN MOVES ------------------- Opponent Face Up at Head (X)........Mounted Face Punch Opponent Face Up at Head (O)...........Stomping (face) Opponent Face Up at Feet (X)..................Low Kick Opponent Face Up at Feet (O)............Guard Position [M] Opponent Face Down at Head (X)..BACK OF HEAD KNEE RUSH [F][C] Opponent Face Down at Head (O)......Mounted Head Punch Opponent Face Down at Feet (X)....Cruc. Rev. Knee Hold Opponent Face Down at Feet (O).....Back Mount Position [M] Running at Downed Opponent (O)................Stomping MOUNT MOVES ----------- Mount Position ([])...............Guard Position Punch [C] Mount Position (X)................Knee Strikes to Head [S][C] Mount Position (O)....................Guillotine Choke Mount Position Counter..........Triangle Choke w/Punch Front Facelock Attack ([])..................Face Punch [C] Front Facelock Attack (X).........Knee Strikes to Head [S][C] Front Facelock Attack (O)..................Back Switch Front Facelock Attack Counter...............Leg Tackle [M] Back Mount Position ([])..............Back Mount Punch [C] Back Mount Position (X).......Back Mount Knuckle Arrow Back Mount Position (O)..................Choke Sleeper Back Mount Position Counter........Escape through legs POST AND APRON MOVES -------------------- Post ([]).........................................none Post (X)..........................................none Post (O)..........................................none Post ([]) + (X)...................................none Run-Up Post vs Standing ([])......................none Run-Up Post vs Downed (X).........................none Corner Grapple (O) + Up...............Corner Knee Lift Corner Grapple (O) + Left/Right.......Corner Body Blow Corner Grapple (O) + Down.............Corner Knee Lift Front Avalanche Counter...................Slap to face Back Avalanche Counter..................Backhand Elbow Apron Grapple from inside.........................Hook [C] Apron Grapple from outside........................Hook [C] Running to out of bounds..........................none Slingshot to outside..............................none Slingshot to inside...............................none DOUBLE AND TRIPLE TEAM MOVES ---------------------------- Two Platon Front Grapple...................W. Dropkick Two Platon Back Grapple.....................W.Backdrop Two Platon Corner..................Highjack Piledriver Three Platon Front Grapple.............Triple Beatdown Three Platon Back Grapple..............Triple Beatdown Three Platon Corner....................Triple Beatdown PERFORMANCE ----------- Analog Stick Left......................raises one fist Analog Stick Right...................raises both hands Analog Stick Up...................stares down opponent Analog Stick Down........taunts opponent ("Bring It!") MOVELIST CHANGES FROM FIRE PRO D TO FIRE PRO Z: N/A =========================================== ==SECTION 4: SHOOT FIGHTING IN FIRE PRO Z== =========================================== Because shoot fighters are such a unique class of fighter in Fire Pro Z, I will outline the pros and cons of using them in what is primarily a pro wrestling game before we discuss Silva's strategy: PROS OF SHOOT FIGHTING IN FIRE PRO Z: ------------------------------------ * Knowing the Fire Pro Z shoot grapple system puts you at an advantage versus opponents that don't * Because shooters usually can "CRITICAL!" opponents with a variety of submission holds or strikes, they can end a match quicker than most professional wrestlers * Shooters work well from the mount position, most professional wrestlers don't * High defensive stats vs. Submission and Stretch means shooters won't easily submit to holds CONS OF SHOOT FIGHTING IN FIRE PRO Z: ------------------------------------ * Higher learning curve as you will need to perfect the timing of shoot grapples and mounts * On average, you will need to win more grapples to have success in a shoot match * Shooters are poorly-equipped defensively versus both heavy and junior pro wrestlers (generally low defensive stats vs. Flying, Crush and Lariat) * Shooters can't perform high-flying moves or other moves that take advantage of the wrestling ring Basically, if you're up to the challenge of mastering the learning curve of shoot fighting in Fire Pro Z, you will be rewarded with a whole new aspect of gameplay. SHOOT FIGHTING BASICS There are three main shoot positions in Fire Pro Z: mount, back mount and front facelock. Here is a brief description of these positions, along with their grapple timing: MOUNT - The opponent is on the ground face up. The attacker mounts him, straddling his torso. The timing for the mount grapple is just after the attacker leans his torso back and is preparing his attack. BACK MOUNT - The opponent is on the ground face down. The attacker mounts him, straddling his lower back. The timing for the back mount grapple is just after the attacker raises his fists and is preparing his attack. FRONT FACELOCK - This is the rarest of shoot positions, and the easiest to master as far as timing goes. The front facelock is basically a counter to a mount attempt. The mount is countered by grabbing the attacker's torso when he is coming in for the shoot. The timing for the front facelock grapple is when the fighter that is countering slams his opponent to the mat. (NOTE: In MMA fighting, the front facelock position is commonly known as a "sprawl".) You'll need to learn timing of each of these instances to master shoot fighting. Play against another shooter on Level 1 CPU difficulty and practice your timing over and over until it becomes as instinctive as regular Fire Pro grappling. LEARNING THE MOUNT SYSTEM WITH WANDERLEI SILVA If you're using Silva to learn the mount system, here's a helpful hint; go to Victory Road and start a new game (Jr. or Heavy). Choose the New Japan (View Japan) roster first. Now try to win each match using these moves as your main offense: Running ([]).........................Single Leg Tackle Grapple ([]) + Down..................Leg Trip Takedown Back Grapple ([]) + (O)....................Back Tackle Opponent Face Down at Feet (X).....Back Mount Position Opponent Face Up at Feet (O)............Guard Position Each will result in a mount attempt. Once you have the mount, use any followup you want. If the opponent sprawls on you, practice that button timing as well. Since Victory Road opponents start at Level 1 difficulty and gradually increase, your timing will be forced to improve with subsequent matches. I've found this to be the best way to learn the Fire Pro Z mount system. ======================= ==SECTION 5: STRATEGY== ======================= GENERAL STRATEGY Hey kiddies, wanna know what a "CRITICAL!" looks like? Well, you may have a good chance of seeing one with Wanderlei Silva. His "Striking" "CRITICAL!" type gives him a whopping 18 moves to score a KO with, which is about 17 more than most pro wrestlers have in FPZ. So your basic strategy should be, of course, to strike. But since many of his grapples lead to strikes as well, don't be afraid to go for the lockup. In fact, _every_single_one_ of his strong grapples have "CRITICAL!" potential! Scary! The upside to all of this is you really don't have to bother with the mount system to have success with Silva. You can strike and grapple just like any other wrestler and still have the ability to knock your opponent senseless. But since he has 2 specials and 5 "CRITICAL!"s from the mount, it may be worth your while to learn how to use them. Another big problem for Silva's opponents is that once they start dropping from the impact of his blows, they can be left prone in the face down position, and Silva's brutal knee rush to the head is his finishing move from this position. Silva's special skill is "Wild Warrior", which fits him to a "T" and spells even more trouble for anyone who faces him. In a nutshell, it means his special moves do even more damage when he's healthy, plus he may recuperate quickly and refuse to stay down on the mat, even after a strong attack! Silva does have one glaring weakness though, and that is his defensive stats vs. pro wrestlers. A pitiful 1 rating vs. Flying, Crush and Lariat and a 2 rating vs. Suplex means you don't want him in a pro wrestling environment. Seeing as Silva's never worked a pro wrestling match in his entire career, these stats are accurate. If you want a quick, MMA-style KO, you'll want to distance yourself and time your strikes as the opponent is walking in. If you're patient however, you may want to win grapples and build up to your strong grapples, where you have the potential to KO with five different moves! Any way you use Silva, the potential for devastation is there. STRIKES In a word, ouch. His strong Hook and Muay Thai High Kick can both "CRITICAL!", and with an 8 offensive rating in both kicking and punching, just about any strike you land will do serious damage. My advice here would be not to bother with the smaller blows, just start dropping those bombs like Silva does in real life. It's possible with Silva to end a match inside the 15 second mark (but not much sooner, as it takes the referee several seconds to recognize a "CRITICAL!" in FPZ). (SIDE NOTE: See PRIDE 10: Yvel vs. Goodridge to see just how quickly a well-timed Muay Thai kick can end a match in real life!) GRAPPLES Let me state this clearly; if you work your way up to strong grapples with Silva, your opponent is in a world of hurt. By glancing at the movelist, we can see he has two specials here (which equal extra damage), plus "CRITICAL!" ability across the board. If you're used to using pro wrestlers in FPZ, just go ahead and lock up with your opponent as you would with any other wrestlers. Silva's grapples usually end up as punches or Muay Thai kicks anyway. The "Kenka Rush" (Grapple [] + X) is a devastating technique where Silva pounds his opponent into the mat with his fists, the opponent falls and begs for mercy, and Silva continues his attack! It looks absolutely brutal, and if you can get a "CRITICAL!" on top of it... ====================== ==SECTION 6: CLOSING== ====================== In closing, I would like to thank: * www.pridefc.com for historical reference. * CJayC and GameFAQs for hosting this guide. Fire ProWrestling Z Character Guide: Wanderlei Silva (c)2003 Bill Wood