Samurai Warriors Keiji Maeda FAQ ( 5/16/04) by Keiji Maeda - Marco Ongpin Table of Contents I. Legal Notice/Disclaimer II. Update History III. Biography IV. Unlocking Keiji Maeda V. Using Keiji Maeda A. Regular attacks B. Charge attacks C. Mounted attacks D. Other attacks E. Musou specials F. Equips VI. Keiji Maeda's Weapons A. Weapons B. Getting Keiji Maeda's 5th level weapon VII. Keiji Maeda's Costumes VIII. Stage flow A.Chart B. In-depth IX. 100% mission completion X. Stats, Skills and Rank A.Stats B.Skills C.Rank XI. Endings A. How to unlock B. Movies(spoilers) XII. Q and A XIII. What is to be added soon. XIV. Special Thanks XV. Contacting Me =========================== I. Legal Notice/Disclaimer =========================== This FAQ is copyright 2004 by Marco Ongpin. Ask me if you want to post it somewhere else. Don't pass it off as your own or ... else. All other copyrights and trademarks mentioned in this FAQ are the property of their respective owners... including me... who owns this faq but not the characters or trademarks in this faq. Phew. =================== II. Update History =================== 1.00 Started- completed most of the faq. 1.50 Almost done- added the 2 missions... changed some mistakes. added "how i got it" to the 5th level weapon. 1.75 Finishing touches- fixed stage flow, gave thanks to more people and put "what you need to do" for 100% completion. 1.90 Whoops, missed a spot- added endings, Q and A and an Items part. 2.00 Bear with it- I'm almost done, just the minor tweaks and the enormous in-depth stage list to go... oh and I added his skills chart and a few more Q and A. 2.50 Gah!!!- added the in-depth faq, just a few moer corrections and i'm done with this guide. 2.51 A new skeleton- recently, i saw the other people's guides, then i soon discovered that mine was pathetically short, so i decided to fix the skeleton. ================ III. Biography ================ Koei's Interpretation: Maeda was the adopted son of Toshihisa Maeda. When the house of Maeda was passed along to Toshiie Maeda, Keiji took to the road and soon gained honor and fame in various battles. He rode his horse Shofu into battle, brandishing a two-pronged spear. He was barred from Toyotomi’s Kyushu campaign for his wild ways. But Kagekatsu Uesugi’s trusted assistant Kanetsugu Naoe liked him and invited him to provide aide in the attack against the Honma family on the island of Sado. Afterwards, he returned to the capital and devoted himself to art and literature. When Tokugawa challenged Uesugi, he once again fought with Uesugi’s army. During the battle against Mogami, he broke through the enemy base with only eight riders and blew the enemy formation apart. Found in Koei's forums(written by: DynastyIain) : The 16th century was a tumultuous time in Japan. Many heroes appeared in this time. Keiji was born to such a time. Keiji was the Maeda family's legitimate son. However, the inheritor of the Maeda house became impossible thanks to political reasoning by command of Nobunaga Oda who was the Lord. He performed many great deeds on the battlefield. Moreover, he was one of the cultured people of the time, he was said to have had the highest capability that a human being could have. However, he is not blessed with the tide of history, he was nearly always with the losing side, said to enjoy a beautiful defeat better than an ugly victory, his last battle was in 1599, he retired at age 59 with an outstanding war record. He spends the rest of his fortunate life after this war in Yonezawa, he died in 1612 after enjoying a long full life. ========================= IV. Unlocking Keiji Maeda ========================= To unlock Keiji Maeda, just beat the game with Kenshin Uesugi. ==================== V. Using Keiji Maeda ==================== ------------------ A. Regular attacks ------------------ S: Swings the weapon to the right. SS: Swings the weapon to the left. SSS: Swings the weapon to the right. SSSS: Swings the weapon from right to left ending in a slam to the ground. Jump+S: A mid-air slash. ----------------- B. Charge attacks ----------------- T: Swings his weapon upwards, spins twice skewers the enemy then brings his spear up. ST+(TT): An uppercut followed by a hit with the end of his weapon and a pose (stuns enemies around him). SST+(TT): A hit with the elbow followed by a spin attack then a slam to the ground with his weapon. SSST+(TT): Twirls his weapon in mid-air. (very strong) Jump+T: Slams the ground with his weapon. ------------------ C. Mounted attacks ------------------ S: Slashes to the right. T: Horse stomps on the ground. ST: Slash to the right and he swings his weapon for a longer reach. SST: Slashes twice to the right and hits an opponent with the end of his weapon causing him/her to be stunned. SSST: Slashes thrice to the right then slams his weapon onto the ground. SSSS: A series of slashes (right side). T(while moving): horse jumps. O:slow, strong slashes to the right. ---------------- D. Other attacks ---------------- Dash Attack: Turns around swinging his weapon from the left to the right. Counter Attack: A downward slash. Deadlock attack: Two slashes from right to left then a knockback move. Musou:Several slashes to the front.(immobile) True musou: Several slashes to the front followed by a short combo.(immobile until the short combo). -------- E. Musou -------- Musou Quote: "Roar! Here We go!" True Musou Quote:"Why are tigers strong? Because they're born that way!" The new musou: For those who played the "Dynasy Warriors" series, you can now replace your musou attacks with combos. -------- F.Equips -------- Usually, when I play Keiji I use Matsukaze, and the four base stats with the exeption of the moon stone, which is replaced by the vixen's tail, but here are other potential Keiji builds. "All-out attack" Power Bracer Vixen Tail Demon Staff Matsukaze Saddle Element Rune "Well balanced" Himiko's Rune Solar Gem Cloak of Might War Rations Matsukaze Saddle "Treasure Hunters(castle)" Tengu Sandals War Rations Lantern Guiding Doll Kappa Amulet ========================= VI. Keiji Maeda's Weapons ========================= ---------- A. Weapons ---------- 1st Weapon - Double Pike Number of Attacks: 4 Base Attack Power: 17 Description: A pike with a dual blade 2nd Weapon - Koto Pike Number of Attacks: 6 Base Attack Power: 27 Description: Called such for it's resemblance to the musical instrument. 3rd Weapon - Crimson Pike Number of Attacks: 8 Base Attack Power: 34 Description: The spear used by Keiji when he drove away the mogami forces. 4th Weapon - Kagura Number of Attacks: 8 Base Attack Power: 45 Description: Named after a divine dance for it's elegance and grace in battle. 5th Weapon - Izanagi Number of Attacks: 8 Base Attack Power: 50 Statistics: Life +50 Attack +46 Mounted Attack +44 Musou Charge +26 Description: The pike said to belong to Izanagi, one of the gods of creation. ----------------------------------------- B. Getting Keiji Maeda's 5th-level weapon ----------------------------------------- Map: Kawanakajima Challange (Keiji's 5th map) Mode: Hard or Chaos Method: Defeat all Enemy sub-generals(there are three of them) and generals exept Kenshin. Notes: Do not let any of your generals kill them, you will lose the weapon. You must beat musou mode once. More Notes: I got his weapon and i experimented more on how to get it. Virtually, you CAN'T MISS it EVEN if you: A) meet Kenshin before you get the weapon. B) fail any mission , either "the yukimura kid" or the "love is blind". C) defeat a sub-general last. The ONLY WAY you can LOSE THE WEAPON it is if: A) a general is killed by one of your generals. B) If your playing 2 player mode and your friend killed a general. How i got it: I first went upwards, towards the location of Saiga, killing the Reserve Captain and Shikenaga Honjo on the way. After killing Takahiro Kitajo, I went towards Yukimura's appearance location. Then i killed Kagie Kakizaki, then i went up to Okuni's location met up with her and closed the gate and defeated Yoshikiyo Murakami. Soon afterwards, i rushed to the sub-general of Kagekatsu Uesugi, Tomonobu Saito and beat him along with the Reserve Captain near him. then i beat the three remaining generals in the north area of the map. Then Kenshin appeared. I killed his sub-general surrounded by Saiga and Yukimura and rushed to Date, (But if you are too late, Date could die.Don't worry about the other generals, they stick together.) Defeat the remaining generals (exept Kenshin) and the Supply will appear. * Suggestions: When i played this stage, I had Power bracer and Rough Wind equipped, these are primarily the only items that will come in handy in this stage,(besides maybe himiko rune and solar gem, depending on your current stats.) It is best to keep all things offensive, so you can take out enemies fast, but of course, you could equip war drum to keep morale up. It also helps. DO NOT EQUIP THE MATSUKAZE SADDLE. when you start the game, there will be one right in front of you. It would be nice if you had a decent 4th level weapon before you try this stage. ============================ VII. Keiji Maeda's Costumes ============================ 1st: A big lion-haired guy with a red suit and bells around his waist. 2nd: A bald monk with a white robe and an octopus-like symbol in the back??? ================= VIII. Stage Flow ================= -------- A. Chart -------- -------------------------------------- - The Battle of Ise [F] - -------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------- - The Battle of Nagashino [F] - ----------------------------------- | --------------------------- - Dance of Kyoto [F] - --------------------------- | --------------------------------- - Owarada Infiltration [C] - --------------------------------- | ---------------------------------- - Kawanakajima Challange [F] - ---------------------------------- F = Field C = Castle S = Siege Breakpoint: Owarada Infiltration, if you fail the requirements, you end in this stage. How to unlock 5th level: In "Battle of Ise" Beat Saiga and Shoukei, succeed the "surrender" mission. (defeat Shoukei after Saika or you will fail.) In "Battle of Nagashino" Perform all missions given to you without fail, (don't charge out to the barricades and don't let yukimura die, defeat him yourself) succeed in both "young tiger" and "go home" missions. In "Dance of Kyoto" beat Goemon's challange eliminate Okuni and Goemon don't let the Oda troops withraw. Beat all missions exept "go away" missions. In "Odawara Infiltration" , beat Date's sub-generals and then Date to advance to the final mission. If not, it ends in the fourth stage. Beat all missions. ( make sure you defeat both Date's generals before encountering Date or you will fail.) ----------- B. In-Depth ----------- Stage 1:The battle of Ise Basic Information: Mission Time - 30:00 Enemy Generals - 10, (Shoukei, Saiga Magoichi, Tomosada Hattori and 7 pilgrims) Mission Objectives - If all peasant troops flee or are defeated. Mission Fail - If Oda Nobunaga is defeated Cinematics - 3 "THE WILD ONES" - appears as an intro. "FIRE ATTACK" - appears if you succeed in either the "rekindling" or the "fire attack" mission. "EXECUTION" - appears if you fail the "surrender" mission. The Stage: You start out in the west side of the map, just above one of the enemy outposts. Eliminate it and move towards the northern outpost, killing all troops in your way. Once there, take out the pilgrim in the northern outpost and the mission "rekindling" will be given to you. (do not mind the "ready cannons" mission, because it always succeeds.) If you successfully cleared out the enemytroops on your way towards the northern camp on your way up a while ago, this mission will automatically succeed because that is the path Hideoshi will take.After the fire attack succeeds, you will view a cinematic of the central fortress burning. Then you will be given the "Surrender" mission. Go towards the easternentrance of the fortress and beat up Magoichi. You will succeed the mission.The peasant troops will start to flee, but Tomosada Hattori locks the gates. Defeat the two remaining pilgrims (in the south and east outposts)then go defeat Tomosada Hattori. This unlocks the gates. Once unlocked, go towardsthe isolated pilgrim and lead him towards the south-west waypoint (the one where Ranmaru is) then, get the other two. Lead them to the same location and themission will be complete. Requirements to unlock 5th stage: succeed in "Surrender" mission. -------------------------------------------------------- Stage 2:The battle of Nagashino Basic Information: Mission Time - 60:00 Enemy Generals - 11 (Katsuyori Takeda, Yukimura Sanada, Nobukimi Anagama, Nobushige Oyamada, Masakage Yamagata, Masatoyo Naito, Nobufusa Baba, Masatane Hara, Masatsugu Tsuhiya.)(sub-generals Nobukado Takeda, Kunoichi) Mission Objectives - If Katsuyori Takeda is defeated Mission Fail - If Oda Nobunaga is defeated Cinematics - 2 "CHANGE" - appears at the start of the battle. "WARRIORS OF OLD" - appears if you succeed in "mayhem" mission. The story thus far:The Oda army achieved victory at Ise. Meanwhile, Katsuyori, the lord of the Takeda clan began his march to the capital. Seeking to put an end to the Takeda clan once and for all, Nobunaga engaged Katsuyori's forces at Nagashino. The Stage: You start directly in front of the barricades, go directly north towards Mitsuhide and help him protect the mountain.(there are around 15 troops) After you defeat the troops, go down to the bottom of the map and seal the gate there,(do not enter Shi*tagatahara, go below it) This will cause Masakage Yamagata to pull back. Then , Charge into the "X" sign on the map and kill 20 of Masatoyo Naito's troops.Then, you will view a cinematic of the Takeda cavalry being decimated. A pop-up will say Masakage Yamagata has been slain. So, defeat the remaining Takeda cavalry in your base and then head for Yukimura,(make sure he dosen't reach the barricades) meet up with him and defeat him to succeed the "go home" mission.(defeat Kunoichi while you're at it) Once Yukimura is defeated, Katsuyori will accept his defeat and begin retreating, defeat him to end the stage. Requirements to unlock 5th stage: succeed in "Go Home" mission. -------------------------------------------------------- Stage 3: Dance of Kyoto Basic Information: Mission Time - 45:00 Enemy Generals - 2 (Goemon Ishigawa, Okuni) Mission Objectives - If Goemon Ishigawa is defeated Mission Fail - If Keiji Maeda is defeated. Cinematics - 3 "I REMEMBER YOU" - appears at the start of the battle. "KING OF THIEVES" - appears if you meet up with Goemon. "DANCE" - appears if you meet up with Okuni. The story thus far: The Takeda cavalry was decimated by a barrage of musket fire, and the battle of Nagashino ended in a total victory for the Oda army. Disillusioned by this new art of warfare, Keiji deserted the Oda ranks and headed for Kyoto, alone. The Stage: In this stage, you start out pretty surrounded, without troops exept for a few generals and 5 waypoints, all of which are isolated. Start by heading straight for Goemon, eliminating the enemy waypoint in the way, when you meet up with him, he will chalange you(don't kill him yet). Head for Okuni's location and get the kills there, along with eliminating Okuni. Once you get 100 kills, you will get the mission to fight Goemon, beat him and the reserve captain near him and head for your starting location. Enter the castle and fight your way in. From the entrance, go westward and close the gate. Once closed, go towards the north-west entrance and close that as well. Go back in the castle and eliminate the last three waypoints. Soon, you will get the mission to eliminate all the miscreants. Go back to the castle entrance and kill them from there. At 30-35 minutes into the stage, you will get a mission to send the Oda trrops away, do this by meeting up with them.(don't do this if you want to get his 5th stage) Once you eliminate all themiscreants, Goemon reappears in the center of the castle and starts going around the map, looking for you. Defeat Goemon to finish the stage. Requirements to unlock 5th stage: succeed in all missions exept "go away". -------------------------------------------------------- Stage 4: Owarada Infiltration Basic Information: Mission Time - 35:00 Enemy Generals - Various, between levels. Mission Objectives - If Ujimasa Hojo is defeated. Mission Fail - If player is defeated. Cinematics - 3 "7 STAIRS" - appears if you reach one of the seven stairs in the 3rd floor. "BUDDAH" - appears if you beat the stage. "ALTERNATE ENDING" - appears if you don't defeat Date or all his sub-generals. The story thus far: After a brief stay in Kyoto,Keiji began another journey. This time, to get a glimpse of Kenshin Uesugi, who was widely renowned as a living war god. Upon hearing that Kenshin had begun a campain against the Hojo clan, Keiji headed towards Owarada castle. The Stage: It is a castle stage. ------------------------------ Floor 1: Enemy Generals - 2 (Ujinao Hojo) (Sub-generals Ujinori Hojo) The floor: You start out in the south of the map, go upwards of the map then got to the room beside the bridge. Get the speed enhancing item and cross the bridge. Keep going straight until you get to a big room, a sub-general is in it. Kill him then go right untill you reach the room with a general. Defeat him then go to the edge of the room then go upwards. Follow the path until you reach the next floor. ------------------------------ Floor 2: Enemy Generals - 2 ( Ujikumi Hojo, Norihide Masuda) The floor: From the room you are in, go down until the last left turn, then go to that room and kill the hojo. Then turn right and go straight ahead until you reach the second general. Once you have killed him, go through the south-most door to get to the third floor. ------------------------------- Floor 3: Enemy Generals - 3 (Masamune Date) (sub-generals Shigezane Date, Kagetsuna Katakura) The floor: Exit your room and fight Date's sub-general, beat him and go up a room and head right . After you pass a room, go straight down until you meet up with Date's other sub-general.After defeating him,go to the room in your map that has a room going upwards (it is a long room) head there and beat Date. From where you are, head through either door and try to go up stairs, (it is always random which is the right stairs. Take note that each Defense captain drops Gold dust.) Once you find the right stairs, you'll be in the 4th floor. ------------------------------ Floor 4: Enemy Generals - 2 (Ujiteru Hojo, Hattori Hanzo) The floor: From where you start, go upwards then left. Once you reach a dead end, go left again and then go right. From there, keep going straight until you reach a big room where you fight a general.Beat him and go northwards, at the edge, go left to the stairs room to fight Hanzo, beat him up and climb the stairs to the boss. ------------------------------ Floor 5: Enemy Generals - 1 (Ujimasa Hojo) The floor: Fight Ujimasa, note that there are gunmen on each side of you, around 12 so take them out first. They will flinch you. Once they are dealt with, this match is pretty easy. Requirements to unlock 5th stage: On the 3rd floor, Defeat both of Date's sub-generals and then Date. -------------------------------------------------------- Stage 5: Kawanakajima Challange Basic Information: Mission Time - 60:00 Enemy Generals - 13 (too many to write by name) Mission Objectives - If Kenshin Uesugi is defeated. Mission Fail - If any officer is defeated. Cinematics - 1 "Ending" - appears if you beat the stage. The story thus far: Upon hearing Keiji's request to join his army, Kenshin put forth a condition that he must defeat the entire Uesugi army by himself. Never one to back out of a challange, Keiji headed to the agreed location of Kawanakajima. The Stage: Refer to the "5th level weapon" part of the FAQ. =========================== IX. 100% Mission Completion =========================== Battle of Ise: Mission #1: Ready Fire Attack Description: Eliminate the fortress defense troops. How to Trigger: Initial. How to Accomplish: Kill two of the four pilgrims in the north, south, east and west outposts. How to Fail: Elapsed time,(if your side loses generals.) Mission #2: Ready Cannons Description: Protect the cannon unit until it can attack. How to Trigger: Around two minutes into the stage. How to Accomplish: Protect the cannon troop(Yoshitaka Kuki). How to Fail: You can't fail it. Mission #3: Rekindling Description: Protect and ensure a path for the task force. How to Trigger: succeed "ready fire attack" mission. How to Accomplish: Lead Hideoshi to the western entrance of the castle. How to Fail:If the fire team is defeated. Mission #4: Fire Ploy Description: Protect and ensure a path for the task force. How to Trigger: fail "ready fire attack" mission. How to Accomplish: Lead Hideoshi to the southern entrance of the castle. How to Fail: If the fire team is defeated. Mission #5: Occupation Description: Occupy all four enemy fortresses. How to Trigger: Fail "rekindling" or "fire attack" mission. How to Accomplish: Kill the remaining pilgrims in the north, south, east and west outposts. How to Fail: You can't fail it. Mission #6: Surrender Description: Don't Let the enemy surrender. How to Trigger: Succeed in either the"Occupation", "rekindling" or "fire attack" mission. How to Accomplish: Defeat Saiga before Shoukei reaches Nobunaga. How to Fail: If Shoukei reaches Nobunaga. Mission #7: Life is Power Description: Defeat Tomosada Hattori and secure an escaspe point. How to Trigger: Succeed or fail in "surrender" mission. How to Accomplish: Kill Tomosada Hattori to open the gates. How to Fail: Don't kill tomosada Hattori. Mission #7: Peasant's escape Description: Allow the peasants to escape. How to Trigger: Once "surrender" mission fails or succeeds. How to Accomplish: Meet up with the three Pilgrims and lead them towards the exit. (the southeast waypoint) How to Fail: If the peasants are killed. Battle of Nagashino: Mission 1: Front Line Description: Defend Mt. Chausu How to Trigger: initial. How to Accomplish: Protect Mt. Chausu How to Fail: If you cross the waterway, elapsed time. Mission 2: Distraction Description: Occupy the enemy stronghold. How to Trigger: Succeed "Front Line" mission. How to Accomplish: Eliminate the Reserve Captain in the bottom of the map. How to Fail: If you cross the waterway, Elapsed time. Mission 3: Mayhem Description: Defeat 20 Naito soldiers. How to Trigger: Succeed "Distraction" mission. How to Accomplish: Kill twenty of Masatoyo Naito's troops. Note: Don't cross the river until you beat this mission, or you will fail.) How to Fail: If you cross the waterway, elapsed time. Mission 4: Katsuyori Description: Eliminate Katsuyori Takeda. How to Trigger: When Yukimura is defeated. How to Accomplish: Defeat Katsuyori Takeda when he starts fleeing. How to Fail: If Katsuyori Takeda escapes the battlefield. Mission 5: Sound of Terror Description: Obliterate the Takeda cavalry. How to Trigger: charge into the enemies ranks or fail "Distraction" mission. How to Accomplish: Protect the main camp, don't let the Takeda cavalry through. How to Fail: If the Takeda cavalry reaches the main camp. Mission 6: Barricades Description: Do not let the Takeda cavalry advance further. How to Trigger: Fail in "Sound of Terror" mission. How to Accomplish: Eliminate the Takeda cavalry. How to Fail: You can't fail it. Mission 7: Young Tiger Description: Do not let the Yukimura Sanada advance further. How to Trigger: Succeed in "Mayhem" mission How to Accomplish: Meet up with Yukimura Sanada before he reaches the barricades. How to Fail: If you don't meet up with Yukimura before he reaches the barricades. Mission 8: Go Home Description: Eliminate Yukimura Sanada. How to Trigger: Succeed in "Young Tiger" mission. How to Accomplish: Defeat Yukimura Sanada. How to Fail: If you lead Yukimura towards the muskets. Dance of Kyoto: Mission 1: Show of Force Description: Defeat 100 enemies in under 5 minutes. How to Trigger: Meet Goemon How to Accomplish: Defeat one hundred troops in under five minutes. How to Fail: Don't defeat 100 troops in 5 minutes. Mission 2: Between Men Description: Eliminate Goemon. How to Trigger: Succeed in " Show of Force Mission". How to Accomplish: Defeat Goemon. How to Fail: Elapsed time. Mission 3: Celebrity Description: Eliminate Okuni. How to Trigger: Meet Okuni How to Accomplish: Defeat Okuni. How to Fail: Elapsed time. Mission 4: Unwanteds Description: Attack the gathering places of the miscreants. How to Trigger: Defeat 200 troops. How to Accomplish: Seal all the gates. How to Fail: You can't fail it. Mission 5: Miscreants Description: Defeat all miscreants. How to Trigger: Succeed in "Unwanteds" mission. How to Accomplish: Kill all the miscreants. How to Fail: You can't fail it. Mission 6: Go Away Description: Negotiate with the Oda soldiers. How to Trigger: Defeat 400 troops and if the oda troops are still alive. How to Accomplish: Meet up with each Oda officer to make them go away. How to Fail: If all allied generals are eliminated. Odawara Infiltration: Mission 1: Babysitting Description: Eliminate Date Masamune's officers. How to Trigger: Meet up with one of Masamune Date's sub-generals. How to Accomplish: Defeat two of Masamune's sub-generals. How to Fail: Get to the next floor without defeating both of Date's generals. Mission 2: Serious Warrior Description: Eliminate Date Masamune. How to Trigger: Meet up with Masamune Date. How to Accomplish: Defeat Date Masamune. How to Fail: Get to the next floor without defeating Date. Kawanakajima Challange: Mission 1: The Great Keiji Description: Defeat all enemy officers. How to Trigger: initial How to Accomplish: Defeat all Generals in the map. How to Fail: Don't defeat every general in the map. Mission 2: The Yukimura Kid Description: Defeat all enemies near Zenkouji. How to Trigger: Around five minutes into the stage. How to Accomplish: Clear Mt. Zenkouji before Yukimura gets there. How to Fail: Time elapses. Mission 3: Love is Blind Description: Rescue Okuni before Goemon does. How to Trigger: When Okuni appears. How to Accomplish: Reach Okuni before Goemon reaches her. How to Fail: Goemon reaches Okuni before You do. ========================= X. Stats, Skills and Rank ========================= ------- A.Stats ------- Starting Ending Attack 60 200 Defense 56 176 Horse Attack 70 200 Horse Defense 60 178 Range Attack 68 182 Range Defense 60 178 Speed 90 180 Jump 150 200 Evade 120 190 Overall, Keiji Has the best attack average in the game. He can easily stand against an army or defeat a powerful foe. With The exeption of archers, I'd say he is unbeatable. -------- B.Skills -------- Skills are something that are made to make the game slightly easier, some of them are innate, some are activated, many of them are very useful to have. Be sure to level them up ------ Might: ------ Keiji is a might character, after all, (he has the highest attack in the game) It would be best if you would max out his "REACH" and "RAGE" skills, you will see a big difference in your gameplay. It would also be nice to have "GUTS" and "RESIST". Reach---> Guts Vitality---> Resist Frenzy---> Rage---> Precision Vigor---> Pressure -------- Prowess: -------- If you look closely at Keiji, he also has the highest horse attack in the game, Prowess adds to support skills and more power. I suggest upgrading the skills "DRIVE", "POTENCE" and "CAVELIER", but nothing can beat the powers of "MASTERY" or the blocking ability of "PARRY". Drive---> Potence---> Mastery Cavelier---> Parry Pierce Acclaim---> Rally ------ Guard: ------ Guard skills are meant to protect you from certain death. Mainly, i would like to thank Koie for adding the skills "FITNESS", "BLOCK" and "RESILIENCE" for saving me in combat a couple of times. Fortitude---> Block Counter---> Grace Focus---> Celerity---> Resilience Fitness--->Discern -------- Element: -------- Elements are meant to strengthen your combos, but the only one I added to was SSST which really helped. As I don't like his other combos that much. (note: in the element skill tree, you don't need to upgrade a skill to get the next one. Example, you can get Element shot without getting Ward or Kesa-giri.) Kesa-giri---> Ward---> Element Shot Blast---> Up-slash---> Blazon Shock---> Domino---> Blazon Domino ------------ Skill index: ------------ Might- Reach: Attack range Increases. Guts: No staggering after taking enemy ranged attacks. Vitality: Life max increases easier. Resist: No staggering after enemy attack (first hit only). Frenzy: Attack may double when near death. Rage: Musou gage fills up faster. Precision: Counter attack power increases. Vigor: Deadlocks are easier to win. Pressure: Deadlock bonus attack power increases. Prowess- Drive: Charge attack power increases. Potence: Musou attack power increases. Mastery: True musou attack power is always available. Cavelier: Horse attack power increases. Parry: Automatic guarding during movement. Pierce: Ranged attacks pierce enemies. Acclaim: Improves EXP and ratings after clearing stages. Rally: Assisting an ally increases ally's morale. Guard- Fortitude: Defense may double when near death. Block: Guard cannot be broken. Counter: Counter-attack may occur randomly. Grace: Automatic somersault. Focus: Musou max increases easier. Celerity: Speed may increase when near death. Resilience: No disorientation after any attack. Fitness: Healing items have more effect. Discern: Better items can be found. Element- Kesa-Giri: Adds an elemental attack to SSSS. Ward: Resistance from enemy elemental attacks. Element Shot: Elemental effect added to ranged attacks. Blast: Adds an elemental attack to ST. Up-slash: Adds an elemental attack to STT. Blazon: Adds an elemental attack to STTT. Shock: Adds an elemental attack to SST. Domino: Adds an elemental attack to SSTT. Blazon: Adds an elemental attack to SSTTT. Domino: Adds an elemental attack to SSST. ------- C. Rank ------- 1: Wild One 2-4:Beast of Chaos 5-7:Fierce Predator 8-10:Wild Tiger 11-13:Awesome Force 14-16:Unstoppable 17-19:Unbeatable 20:Unbelievable =========== XI. Endings =========== ----------------- A. How to unlock: ----------------- Ending: Beat his 5th campain Alternate Ending: Finish his 4th campain with only killing Date, not his sub-generals. -------------------- B. Movies(spoilers): -------------------- Ending- After crushing Uesugi's army, He stands over the defeated foe and asks again about recruitment. Kenshin says that his place is with "THEM". Final Quote: "I guess war isn't always about winning." Alternate Ending- Keiji gets accepted to Uesugi's army, and has time to think, he finds out that he's bored and wants battle. Final Quote:"Oh well, I'm sure things'll pick up." ============== XII. Q. and A. ============== Q.I haven't unlocked Keiji's 5th stage, should i play from the start or what? A. Play the missions that you failed to do the requirements in then play back the 4th stage, you should have it unlocked it by then.(do them in story mode) Q. I can't get his 5th weapon, how can i get it? A.You must personally take out all the enemy generals yourself. Take note that this includes sub-generals, there are three. You also must defeat Uesugi last. Q. Why is it Keiji Maeda and not Maeda Keiji? A. This is American version, I'm trying to express that in the name. Maeda Keiji is his japanese name, koei made a blunder so I'm making use of it. Q. Your guide sucks, take it out of Gamefaqs(tm) !!! A. I worked on this thing, so. Why would I accept a comment like that from someone who is reading it. (Don't insult me) ============================== XIII. What is to be added soon ============================== More Q. and A. (taking in questions) Finishing Touches =================== XIV. Special Thanks =================== I would like to thank the following: donthatekongming, zweijiangz, dyingeunuch and dragkill for keeping my chatrooms flowing and conferming some of my problems. and to for DynastyIain of the SW chatroom for writing info about Keiji Maeda. Sima Zhongda for writing such a great faq. nelstar for helping me get 100% in the Mission guide. and finally: Koei and Gamefaqs. For apparent reasons. ================= XV. Contacting Me ================= death_and_dishonor@yahoo.com p.s. don't badmouth me when you contact me.