Musashi: Samurai Legend Technique Guide Email: Ayala555@gmail.com Table Of Contents 1) Legalities (LAW) 2) Introduction (INT) 3) Technique Tutorial (TET) 4) Fundamental Techniques (FUN) 5) Secret Techniques (SET) 6) Defensive Techniques (DET) 7) Ascetic Techniques (AST) 8) Last Words (LWO) -=Legalities=- (LAW) 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 part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a violation of copyright. Currently, this guide may ONLY be posted at gamefaqs.com as well as neoseeker.com. Please email me if you wish to post this guide on your site and I may consider it. Copyright 2005 Michael Ayala -=Introduction=- (INT) Salutations! First I would like to thank you for accessing my first FAQ. I found that writing a guide based on the techniques of Musashi: Samurai Legend would be a realtively easy venture, yet one that would be of aid to the Musashi community. Secondly I encourage you to use the FIND FUNCTION (ctrl+f) and type in the abbreviations I provided in the Table of Contents to make your browsing experience easier. Although this is a relatively short FAQ, doing this will make things a bit easier. Please bear in mind that although I did list the location of the enemies in this guide, I only listed the location that you encounter them in FIRST. This is because as the game goes on you'll end up encountering most, if not all, the enemies in the game in a single area. However, if you feel that providing every location would be more helpful, please email me and I will consider doing so. Also, if you found that any part of this FAQ was too vague, then please email me and I will atempt not only to help you, but to revise the guide as well. But enough talk, on to the FAQ! -=Technique Tutorial=- (TET) Before we dive into the meat of the guide, I'll briefly describe what techniques are and how you go about learning them. Techniques are enemy abilities that Musashi can learn by closely monitoring his opponent. To focus on an enemy, press and hold R1 to lock onto the closest enemy. Once you do this, a gauge will appear on the left hand side of the screen. This is called the Focus Gauge. As you continue to lock onto your opponent, the gauge will steadily increase. Once the gauge is completely filled, Musashi will be able to learn the enemy's technique. Usually, in order to learn the enemy's skill Musashi will have to be attacked with the skill while the gauge is full. Once that happens, you will need to press the appropriate on-screen instructions to add the new attack to your repertoire. There are rare cases in which Musashi only needs to witness the technique in order to learn it, but those are few are far in between. In addition, you must be very careful while focusing on your opponent. If you wander too far from the enemy, you will go out of the "Focus Range" and the lock on will be broken. When this happens, you will be forced to re-lock onto the opponent and fill the focus gauge back up from scratch. Also, if you block at all while you are focusing, the gauge will be reduced to zero and you will have to refill it. In short, if you need to evade the enemy's attack, you will have to dodge out of the way by pressing the D-pad in the direction you want to dodge and press "X." When you do this, Musashi will do a quick jump to the side of your opponent and safely out of harms way. You can also attack the enemy to cancel its attack, but this should be done sparingly as you might accidentally kill it. The speed of this gauge is affected by Musashi's "Focus" stat. The higher the stat, the faster the gauge will increase. Also bear in mind that each technique has its own level of difficulty to learn. In some cases if your Focus stat is too low, then the gauge will stop completely and turn red. If this happens, you'll either need to use an item that increases Focus like the "Squint Julep," wear an accessory like the "Tiger Eye," or just run around and kill things until you level up and increase your Focus stat a few times. It's also worth noting that you can't learn a technique from every enemy you encounter. So then, how can you discern which enemy has a learnable technique? The answer is simple, really. When you lock onto an enemy, if you can learn a technique from it the center its HP Gauge will be Blue. Likewise, if an enemy doesn't have an ability, or if you already learned the enemy skill, the center of the gauge will be clear. Finally, in order to learn the enemy's ability you must be attacked in a certain fashion. Take the Voltrabot for example. You can learn the skill "Paralyzing Palm" from it, but there is a catch. The Voltrabot has three main forms of attack. First, it can squat down and spin its arms in a circle, knocking you clear across the battlefield. Second, if you are far away it can utilize a potent lightning attack. Lastly, if you are out of range of both attacks, it will briefly charge it's arms and jab at you. Only the jab attack teaches you the "Paralyzing Palm" technique. The other attacks, though interesting, can't be learned. But don't worry; this guide tells you exactly which attack teaches you what ability. -=Fundamentals=- (FUNT) -Chain Attack- MP Cost: 0 Description: A Five hit combo. Repeatedly press square to perform. Enemy: Ninjaroid Enemy Description: A grey, ninja-like creature with exceptionally long claws and glowing red eyes. Its function is akin to the Puties of Power Rangers fame. Location: Wellspring Woods Method: Press square when the Ninjaroid attacks you. -Three Sixty- MP Cost: 0 Description: A whirling slash with the katana. Rotate the left analog stick and press square to perform. Enemy: Galvabot Enemy Description: A large grey robot with two very long arms and short, stubby legs. Little more than cannon fodder to Musashi Location: Wellspring Woods Method: Press square when it hits you with it's whirling arm attack. -Sonic Thrust- MP Cost: 0 Description: A quick thrust. Push the left analog stick forward and press square to perform. Enemy: Ripper Bat Enemy Description: ...A bat with a spear-like tail. Come on, its the only bat in the entire game! Location: Wellspring Woods Method: Press square when the bat charges into you with its tail. -Counter Attack- MP Cost: 0 Description: Duplicate an enemy's attack to unleash a critical hit. Charge focus gauge and press square to perform. Enemy: Master Mew teaches you this skill near the beginning of the game. Enemy Description: He's a small, old catguy with an eyepatch over his left eye. Tends to speak in broken English. Location: Dojo Method: Simply focus on Mew and wait until the "!" appears over Musashi's head. -=Secret Techniques=- (SET) -Angry Hornet- MP Cost: 10 Description: Stab foes in a flurry of thrusts. Only the final stab inflicts damage. Enemy: Ninja Driller Enemy Description: A Ninja-like creature armed with a large drill. Also wears a yellow construction hat and outfit. The hat has a light that actually functions while the creature is in the mine. Location: Roguefort Mine Method: Press square when the Driller stabs wildly at you with its drill. -Banishing Blade- MP Cost: 20 Description: Slash enemies into four even chunks. Can strike twice. Enemy: White Ninjaroid Enemy Description: A white, ninja-like creature with exceptionally long claws and glowing red eyes. No real threat. Location: Wellspring Woods (2nd visit), Roguefort Mine (2nd visit) Method: Just have the Roid' attack you. It's the only ability it has. -Celestial Strike- MP Cost: 20 Description: Split enemies vertically. Enemy: Axe Vault Guardian Enemy Description: The "powered" version of the zombies found shambling around in the pre-revived Mouna Temple. This behemoth towers over Musashi with an enormous axe and an annoying retractable shield. Location: Mouna Temple Method: Press square when the Guardian hits you with an overhead slash with its axe. -Diving Falcon- MP Cost: 10 Description: A jump and a downward thrust. Enemy: Green Ninjaroid Enemy Description: A green, ninja-like creature with exceptionally long claws and glowing red eyes. A bit more dangerous than it's younger brothers, but not by much. Location: Wellspring Woods-Nebulium Tower Method: Press square when the Ninjaroid dives on top of you. You need to be a fair distance away to entice the Roid' into attacking you, but on that same token if you're too far away it will break your focus. -Double Cross- MP Cost: 15 Description: Carve a tic-tac-toe into enemies. Enemy: Yellow Ninjaroid Enemy Description: A yellow, ninja-like creature with exceptionally long claws and glowing red eyes. Not much of a threat as they can be easily knocked into nearby pools of magma. Location: Mount Terrior Method: This skill is the Yellow Ninjaroid's primary form of attack, so all you need to do is get hit with it with a full focus guage and press square. -Fish Fillet- MP cost: 5 Description: Fillet enemies into three succulent slices. Enemy: Pepper teaches you this skill to you during the fourth chapter. Enemy Description: Your stereotypical belle from the south. She wears an apron and a bandana that covers the top of her head. Also has a constant, maniacal grin suggesting she loves her job. Location: Pepper's Grill. Method: Simply focus on Pepper and press square when the "!" appears over Musashi's head. -Infernal Strike- MP Cost: 10 Description: Blast enemies with an explosion of cosmic power. Enemy: Sumoroid Enemy Description: The older, larger, and far more obese cousin of the Ninjaroid. This tub of lard eclipses Musashi with its sheer girth and attempts to punch him with its flabby arms. For some bizzare reason it appears by traveling through pipes and errupting from them, bouncing around the room like an oversized beach ball. Location: Roguefort Mine Method: Press square when the Sumoroid punches you. -Karmic Circle- MP Cost: 15 Description: Throw sword to smite foes from afar. Can only hit the same enemy once. Enemy: Ninja Trooper Enemy Description: The much stronger and vicious version of the Ninjaroid series. It wears a moss green uniform and wields an imposing half-moon blade. Oddly enough this Ninjaroid hardly moves around at all. Location: Picodon Jungle Method: Press square when the Trooper hits you with its thrown blade. You'll need to be a little far away to tempt it to attack you in this fashion. -Leaping Tiger- MP Cost: 25 Description: Spin and slice twice. Nice. Enemy: Vapor Knight Enemy Description: A glorious golden robot that hovers just a few feet off the air. It wields two propeller-like blades that it uses with deadly efficiency. As its name implies, this creature constantly emits a thin veil of vapor. Location: Mouna Temple Method: Press square when the Knight slashes you with both its blades, not when it spins in a circle. You may need to weaken it first, however. Also, this is a difficult technique to learn, so use a Squint Julip and equip a Tiger Eye to make things easier. -Paralyzing Palm- MP Cost: 5 Description: Stun Opponents. To pick them up, press "X." You can then toss them in the air and slash them. Enemy: Voltra Bot Enemy Description: A large, bulky robot with lanky arms. Nearly impossible to miss as it constantly uses electrical attacks. Location: Roguefort Mine Method: Press square when the Bot jabs you with its charged arm. If you are too close then it may opt to hit you with a whirling attack. In addition, if you are too far then it will use a lightning attack. -Slice and Dice- MP Cost: 15 Description: Chop foes into itty bitty pieces. Enemy: This technique is taught to you by Trixie after you save the Maiden of the Void during chapter five. Location: Pepper's Grill. Method: Like Mew and Pepper, focus on Trixie and press square when the "!" appears over Musashi's head. -Shooting Star- MP Cost: 15 Description: A magnifient lunge through enemies. Musashi is invincible during this attack, making it an excellent evasion technique as well. Enemy: Shadowbean Enemy Description: Small plant-like creatures that barely reach Musashi's knee. It is dark gray in color and wears a leafy cloak and a pointy cap made of foliage. Location: Picodon Jungle Method: Press square when the Shadowbean hits you with its tackle attack. You'll need to be quick on your feet to prevent getting hit prematurely. -Whirling Dervish- MP Cost: 20 Description: Two circular strikes with both swords. Enemy: Red Galvabot Enemy Description: Exactly like the other Galvabots, only red. Location: Mount Terrior Method: Press square when the Galvabot begins to swing its arms wildly. You'll need to be realitvely close to tempt the Galvbot into using this attack. -X-Stream- MP Cost: 15 Description: Neatly quarter foes with two diagonal cuts. Enemy: Red Ninjaroid Enemy Description: It's a ninja. It's red. It's annoying. It's a ninjaroid. Location: Roguefort Mine (Mug quest), Mouna Temple Method: All you need to do is charge up your focus gauge and press square when you are struck with this Roid's attack -=Defensive Techniques=- (DET) -Decoy- MP Cost: 15 Description: Disappear when attacked and reappear behind your opponent. Enemy: Master Mew teaches you this technique near the end of the game. Location: Dojo Method: Focus on Mew and press square when the "!" appears. -Twin Turbine- MP Cost: Gradually consumes MP while used. Description: Rotate both swords to fend off attacks. Enemy: Ninja Miner Enemy Description: The "slave" units of the Ninjaroid series. They wear a yellow construction outfit along with a functioning miner's helmet and wield a large mining drill. Typically can be found drilling in the earth and at times will be so engrossed in their work that they will completely ignore you. Location: Roguefort Mine Method: "Threaten" the Ninja by swinging your sword at it without actually hitting it. When it begins to twirl its hammer, press square and then L1. -=Ascetic Techniques=- (AST) -Kiai- MP Cost: Gradually consumes MP while used. Description: Gradually expend MP to enhance attack. Enemy: Ninjaroid 2.0 Enemy Description: The strongest of the Ninjaroids. It appears out of thin air and begins zipping around the area with relative ease. Location: Rampart Island Method: Weaken the Ninjaroid until its HPs are in the red zone, back off, and then wait until it goes "HEYAH!!" and glows red. All you'll need to do then is get hit with one of its attacks while you have a full focus gauge. -Juggle- MP Cost: 20 Description: Impress others with your skill and finesse. Enemy: Juggleranuim Enemy Description: A leafy green plant that, once it emerges, begins juggling. An enemy like this is hard to miss. Location: Picodan Jungle Method: Back away from the monster until it comes out of hiding and begins to juggle. Once it does this, press square. This is a difficult technique to master, so be sure to use a Squint Julep and equip a Tiger Eye beforehand. YOU MUST HAVE 150 FOCUS TO LEARN. -Inner Refuge- MP Cost: Gradually consumes MP while used. Description: Assume a meditative position to become invulnerable. Musashi cannot move or attack while this skill is in use. Enemy: Blorb Enemy Description: Blorbs look little more than amorphous piles of blue goo with small nuclei. They tend to slurm around the ceilings of Mouna Temple and drop in front of hapless prey with a mighty splat. Location: Mouna Temple Method: Back away from the Blorb and focus on it like any other monster. YOUR FOCUS GUAGE MUST BE AT MAX WHEN IT TRANSFORMS INTO A CUBE. Otherwise, Musashi will not be able to learn the skill. -Zanshin- MP Cost: Gradually consumes MP while used. Description: Gradually expend MP to enhance defense. Enemy: Magma Drone Enemy Description: At first it appears to be a simple rock with an imbedded jewel. Once you approach this enemy it then springs to life and looks much like a robotic hermit crab. Location: Mount Terrior Method: All you need to do is perform a quick four hit combo on this enemy. When you don't follow through with the fifth hit, it will then hide in it's shell. After that just focus on it and occasionally whack it to keep it in its shell. Once Musashi focuses on it while it is hiding, the "!" will appear. -=Last Words=- (LWO) Well, this marks the end of the FAQ. I have to admit that this did require quite a bit of effort, but in the end I really did enjoy the experience. It also gave me a little insight as to how difficult writing a full blown FAQ can be. Again, I would like to encourage you to email me if you had any difficulties navigating this guide or understanding it. I'll make every effort to reply in a timely manner as well as revise the guide for future viewers. I hope you enjoyed this FAQ as well as the game, and until next time! *version 1.0* Completed the bulk of the FAQ. *version 1.1* Cleaned up the Kiai strategy. Realized that you actually have to get hit with the attack instead of witnessing it. *version 1.2* Corrected a few grammar issues as well as gave permission to neoseeker.com to post this guide on its site. *version 1.3* My friend Chilledlikeice decided to do a quick review of the guide and pointed out a few more grammar mistakes. He also sugessted that I write a brief tutorial on the techniques, which I plainly did. Also added enemy descriptions and fixed even more misspellings. *version 1.4* Found that a majority of people were having trouble learning Juggle and Inner Refuge. Added focus requirement for Juggle and revised the Inner Refuge strategy. Hopefully this will put the problems to rest. *version 1.5* Tweaked the Leaping Tiger technique a bit to clear some confusion. Never thought I would be updating as much as I have. Also updated my gmail address since I was forced to change it. *version 1.6* Made an addition to the 360 technique since some people were having trouble learning it. Copyright 2005 Michael Ayala