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Thursday 25 December 2014

Final Fantasty VII - Limit Breaks

Limit Breaks

Each character in FF7 has up to seven limit breaks; three levels with two at each level, and one final limit break at level 4.


You unlock new levels by having that character defeat enemies (ie, deal the final blow), and unlock the second limit break at each level by having them use the first one.  The final limit break requires a specific item for each character in order to unlock it, and characters begin with their first limit break unlocked.

To unlock the first three levels of limits;


Name1/12/11/22/21/32/3
CloudBraverCross-Slash
(Braver x 8)
Blade Beam
(120 kills)
Climhazzard
(Blade Beam x 7)
Meteorain
(200 kills)
Finishing Touch
(Meteorain x 6)
BarretBig ShotMind Blow
(Big Shot x 9)
Grenade Bomb
(80 kills)
Hammerblow
(Grenade Bomb x 8)
Satellite Beam
(80 kills)
Ungermax
(Satellite Beam x 6)
TifaBeat RushSomersault
(Beat Rush x 9)
Water Kick
(96 kills)
Meteodrive
(Water Kick x 7)
Dolphin Blow
(96 kills)
Meteor Strike
(Dolphin Blow x 6)
AerisHealing WindSeal Evil
(Healing Wind x 8)
Breath of the Earth
(80 kills)
Fury Brand
(Breath of the Earth x 6)
Planet Protector (80 kills)Pulse of Life
(Planet Protector x 5)
Red XIIISled FangLunatic High
(Sled Fang x 8)
Blood Fang (72 kills)Stardust Ray
(Blood Fang x 7)
Howling Moon
(72 kills)
Earth Rave
(Howling Moon x 6)
Cait SithDiceNASlots
(40 kills)
NANANA
CidBoost JumpDynamite
(Boost Jump x 7)
Hyper Jump
(60 kills)
Dragon
(Hyper Jump x 6)
Dragon Dive
(76 kills)
Big Brawl
(Dragon Dive x 5)
YuffieGreased LighteningClear Tranquil
(Greased Lightening x 8)
Landscaper
(64 kills)
Bloodfest
(Landscaper x 7)
Gauntlet
(64 kills)
Doom of the Living
(Gauntlet x 6)
VincentGaliant BeastNADeath Gigas
(40 kills)
NAHellmasker
(56 kills)
NA

And for the level 4 limits;
  • Cloud
  • Barret
  • Tifa
  • Aeris
  • Red XIII
    • Defeat Lost Number in Shinra Mansion.  Open the safe using right 36, left 10, right 59, right 97.  It's weak against paralysis so try Seal Evil or Choco/Mog.
  • Cait Sith
  • Cid
  • Yuffie
  • Vincent

Sunday 31 August 2014

Persona 4 - Quests

Here's a list of the quests in date order.  I typically copy them into a sticky-note per playthrough and move a space down the list as the days pass, so I know which quests I can currently be working on.

Use this page for specific information on how to do each quest.

18/4 - Quest 23
25/4 - Quest 3
1/5 - Quest 5
2/5 - Quest 4
2/5 - Quest 2
2/5 - Quest 1
18/5 - Quest 10
18/5 - Quest 7
23/5 - Quest 8
3/6 - Quest 49
3/6 - Quest 25
3/6 - Quest 14
5/6 - Quest 11
5/6 - Quest 9
7/6 - Quest 15
7/6 - Quest 12
9/6 - Quest 16
9/6 - Quest 17
30/6 - Quest 19
3/7 - Quest 22
12/7 - Quest 21
13/7 - Quest 18
9/8 - Quest 27
22/8 - Quest 28
22/8 - Quest 24
2/9 - Quest 47
5/9 - Quest 29
20/9 - Quest 31
26/9 - Quest 34
1/10 - Quest 35
8/10 - Quest 39
8/10 - Quest 37
8/10 - Quest 32
9/10 - Quest 38
9/10 - Quest 33
31/10 - Quest 40
12/11 - Quest 50
22/11 - Quest 43
22/11 - Quest 44
22/11 - Quest 45
22/11 - Quest 46

Hermit

Quest 6
Quest 13
Quest 20
Quest 26
Quest 30
Quest 36
Quest 41
Quest 42
Quest 48

Wednesday 20 August 2014

Persona 4: Defeating Shadow Kanji, Nice Guy, and Tough Guy

Yeah, I'm taking a break from Vandal Hearts II for a moment.

For this battle, you have a party of Yukiko, Chie, Yosuke and the protagonist (I call him August).

I fused a Rakshasa for this battle; it's strong against physical attacks, but not weak against lightening.  I lucked out and gave it Media; ideally, I'd have liked for it to have some sort of third level attack skill for greater damage, but no luck there.

Your first priority is to take out Nice Guy.  I had Yosuke use Magaru, to damage all three, while Yukiko used Agilao on Nice Guy alone, since he's weak against fire.  He absorbs Ice, which Tough Guy is weak against, while Tough Guy absorbs Fire.  Chie used physical attacks while August either attacked Nice Guy or used Media.

Once Nice Guy is down, Chie can start using Mabufu.  Yosukue keeps using Magaru, while August and Yukiko are on healing duty or attacking Shadow Kanji.  Tough Guy absorbs physical attacks, so no point using those.

Once both helpers are down, pile on Shadow Kanji.  Elemental skills tend to do more damage than physical attacks.  Guard if he uses Power Charge.  Otherwise, it's a straightforward slugfest.  It's easier to use August to heal, since I found Yukiko's Agilao to be the best damage skill I had.  Yukiko and Yosuke both died once, but luckily, Yukiko can use Recarm now, so I only needed one Revival Bead.  My party was around level 26, which made the whole battle much easier.

Saturday 12 July 2014

Vandal Hearts II Guide: Chapter II

Killea Bog
00,22 - Naigama
08,23 - X-boom
09,06 - Map-A
09,13 - Magibook
11,18 - Map-4

It's fairly easy to take out all but the healing mage, then send your treasure hunter flying around to get all the treasures.  Give the magibook to whichever one of your mages didn't take the other one.

Fortuna
02,37 - Dirtball
14,37 - Urn

The dirtball is an important piece of the good ending, and it's only available at night.  Make sure the little clock in the top right on the worldmap is pointing between 10pm-12am.

Put your mages right up front, near the bridge.  That'll give them just enough reach to damage the first group of four when they move in, especially if you put the one with both a magibook and philbook on the right, or give the other a little extra movement with the runners. 

Have Maria and Pike take out the group on the wall with orbs, and then just go on from there.

Polata Ruins
08,15 - Angelrod
00,00 - C-heels
12,00 - E-punch
18,00 - G-coater

Send your fliers down to support Joshua early on.  You can also use blockmake, rather than going down the stairs at the side.  You can also use blockmake to trap one or two enemies on top of the wall, and leave them there while you hunt for treasure.

At this point, you can reach earlier maps in the game to pick up some additional treasure.

Danjou Forest
00,14 - Novacula

For this one, it's easier to give your treasure hunter the blockmake ability, rather than a shield.  Kill off all but one enemy, then tease them while your treasure hunter makes his way up the tree.  I found it easiest to put everyone back over the bridge, behind a barrier of guys with shields loaded up with recovermarks.   It takes a while to build a staircase of blocks.

Yuta Plain (W)
15,09 - Boots

Put the boots on your treasure hunter, and it'll all get slightly easier.

Dybosa Ridge
01,03 - Beacon
18,07 - Hint-7
30,03 - W-cape
 14,17 - Pickax
17,16 - Stoneye


I found it easiest to have my treasure hunter pick-up the three hidden items along the bottom of the hill while the rest of the party made their way up the middle, carefully dodging arrows.  I left one of the mages alive (drained of MP) while the treasure hunter picked up the chests.

Aposs Port

20,31 - Tower
22,30 - F-socks
20,21 - G-cap
22,00 - Tower

You can send the rest of the party off to deal with the various groups while your treasure hunter goes after the Tower and the F-socks.  When you get down to Mohosa, you can use two blocks to trap him on his island, then pelt him with magic at your leisure.  Or send your fliers in.

Tehapi Dunes

There's no treasure here initially.  Come back after fighting the Sand Worm.

10,17 - Map-6
13,20 - Bugeyes
18,12 - L-vase
23,15 - Zebra

The Zebra shield has the Reanimator skill, which is the first time in the game that you can revive characters who die.  It's still game-over if Joshua dies.

The Rock
11,15 - Puggio
29,16 - Iron-fan

Lots of mages here, but you can generally dodge one attack then pound them with your own magic.

Liuki Checkpoint
04,03 - Puggio
05,04 - Philbook
07,08 - Urn
05,16 - L-slab
06,16 - Hint-8
15,23 - Ancient

Go up the left side, and send your treasure hunter and his assistant up to get the three treasures right in front of you.   I had them take out the mage and one of the fliers, while the other went after the main group.  Try to make the mages move before you attack the group on the side because they can both heal.

Yuggor Station
00,28 - Ringrod
07,28 - Runners
13,17 - Shades
14,15 - Tower

You'll need blockbreak to get near the chest containing the Tower.  After this battle, you can buy re-animator orbs.  Expensive but worth it.

East Railroad
02,32 - Bullion

It's pretty easy to get the bullion, and equally easy to get Manon to use up her MP.  You'll want all of your guys to move in at once, because she has recovermarks.

Gabhul Castle
02,17 - Ancient
15,17 - Saviorod

The items are in chests, so hard to miss.

Gabhul Castle (2)
01,22 - Bugeyes
14,22 - W-cape
07,00 - Hint-9

Friday 4 July 2014

Long Live the Queen - a Few Achievements

This playthrough will get you the following achievements;

  • Long Live the Queen
  • Discovered a Terrible Family Secret
  • Cause a Couple to Divorce
  • Angel of Music
  • You Do if I Say You Do
...and the following epilogues;

  • Refuse lumen
  • Marriage
  • Evil lumens
  • Angel
  • Printing press
  • Hospital
  • Queen
This is a useful resource for other achievements, epilogues, and a few deaths.

Week 1

Studied Trade in the morning.
Studied Production in the afternoon.
Walk in the garden.

Week 2

(Studied Court Manners in the morning.)
(Studied Trade in the afternoon.)
Arrest her
Attend Court Sessions

Week 3

Studied Production in the morning.
Studied Trade in the afternoon.
Play with Toys

Week 4

Studied Elegance in the morning.
Studied Elegance in the afternoon.
Sneak out

Week 5

Studied Foreign Affairs in the morning.
Studied Foreign Affairs in the afternoon.
Don't wear it
Sneak Out

Week 6

Studied Herbs in the morning.
Studied Battlefield Medicine in the afternoon.
I won't free her
Walk in the garden.

Week 7

Studied Herbs in the morning.
Studied Battlefield Medicine in the afternoon.
Give her title to Ignatius
Attend Court.

Week 8

Studied Court Manners in the morning.
Studied Court Manners in the afternoon.
Invest
Attend Court.

Week 9

Studied Internal Affairs in the morning.
Studied Internal Affairs in the afternoon.
Sneak Out.

Week 10

Studied Internal Affairs in the morning.
Studied Internal Affairs in the afternoon.
Offer to punish the Duchess of Hellas
Command her to marry an Ixionite
Attend Services.

Week 11

Studied Public Speaking in the morning.
Studied Public Speaking in the afternoon.
Walk in the gardens.

Week 12

Studied Flattery in the morning.
Studied Flattery in the afternoon.
Invest
Attend court.
Put on the conversation outfit.

Week 13

Studied Court Manners in the morning.
Studied Court Manners in the afternoon.
Ask the Earl of Io about her story
Sneak out.

Week 14

Studied Public Speaking in the morning.
Studied Ciphering in the afternoon.
Attend court.


Week 15

Studied Composure in the morning.
Studied Composure in the afternoon.
Religious doctrine
Attend court.

Week 16

Studied Presence in the morning.
Studied Presence in the afternoon.
I will parade and make a speech
Attend services.
Put on the royal_demeanour outfit.

Week 17

Studied Composure in the morning.
Studied Ciphering in the afternoon.
Banion, Duke of Maree
Accept
I plan to marry you.
Attend services.

Week 18

Studied Flattery in the morning.
Studied Flattery in the afternoon.
Display it
Greet her politely
Assassins
More guards

Play with toys.

Week 19

Studied Lore in the morning.
Studied Lore in the afternoon.
Keep them the same
Sneak out.

Week 20

Studied Meditation in the morning.
Studied Meditation in the afternoon.
Pardon him
Attend court.

Week 21

Studied Divination in the morning.
Studied Divination in the afternoon.
That's hilarious!
Ignore it
Attend court.

Week 22

Studied Lore in the morning.
Studied Lore in the afternoon.
Send him to your uncle
Speak to father.

Week 23

Studied Ciphering in the morning.
Studied Ciphering in the afternoon.
Reject her
Sneak out.

Week 24

Studied Decoration in the morning.
Studied Decoration in the afternoon.
Sneak out.

Week 25

Studied Instrument in the morning.
Studied Instrument in the afternoon.
Attend court.

Week 26

Studied Voice in the morning.
Studied Voice in the afternoon.
Sneak out.
Put on the art outfit.

Week 27

Studied Voice in the morning.
Studied Voice in the afternoon.
Go to Sudbury for Gwenelle's party
Attend court.

Week 28

Studied Instrument in the morning.
Studied Voice in the afternoon.
Flatter them both
Offer to help
Sneak out.
 
Week 29

Studied Court Manners in the morning.
Studied Production in the afternoon.
 Ask about Briony's parents
Play with toys.

Week 30

Studied Presence in the morning.
Studied Instrument in the afternoon.
Attend court.

Week 31

Studied Presence in the morning.
Studied Instrument in the afternoon.
Sneak out.

Week 32

Studied Foreign Intelligence in the morning.
Studied Voice in the afternoon.
Employment
Save it for later
Walk in the garden.

Week 33

Studied Foreign Intelligence in the morning.
Studied Foreign Intelligence in the afternoon.
Music
Attend court.
Put on the intrigue outfit.

Week 34

Studied Foreign Intelligence in the morning.
Studied Foreign Intelligence in the afternoon.
Recruit soldiers
Stay in the capital
Attend court.

Week 35

Studied Foreign Intelligence in the morning.
Studied Foreign Intelligence in the afternoon.
You have nothing more to learn about Foreign Intelligence.
Sneak out.

Week 36

Studied Public Speaking in the morning.
Studied Presence in the afternoon.
Sing to him
Attend court.

Note: what you do after this point makes very little difference.

Week 37

Studied World History in the morning.
Studied World History in the afternoon.
Sneak out.

Week 38

Studied Novan History in the morning.
Studied Foreign Affairs in the afternoon.
An extravagant feast
Sneak out.

Week 39

Studied Novan History in the morning.
Studied Novan History in the afternoon.
Visit tomb.

Week 40

Studied Novan History in the morning.
Studied Novan History in the afternoon.


Sunday 22 June 2014

Vandal Hearts II Guide: Chapter 1

Set-Up

From here on, I found it easier to have a designated character for each type of weapon.  I generally set it up like this;


James: Sword, shields, L-Armour.
Vlad: Axes, Lances, shields, A-Armour.
Lira: Ballistics, ie, Bows/Throwing Weapons, L-Armour.

Prateau, Mage: Staff, shield, R-Armour.
Gilti, Mage: Staff, shield, R-Armour

Pike, Treasure Hunter: Knives, shields, S-Armour.  Should always have the Unlock and Searchmark skills available.
Maria, Treasure Hunting Support: Special Weapons, S-Armour.  Give Blockmake, Blockbreak, and Terraform as they become available.



Battles

Railroad

4,53 - Halbert

You start this battle without a chance to change your equipment.  Vlad has Clive's stuff, and Pike has Yuri's.

You can ignore the Halbert for now - you'll have to come back once you've gotten some flying armour, anyway.

Visit the shop only, re-equip your characters and head back to the Railroad.

Railroad
4,35 - H-Ring

The Halberd is still here if you haven't gotten it before.  Use this battle to learn new weapon skills.

Luxar Village
04,24 - Cutlass
07,13 - V-cape
15,17 - Bandana
16,24 - Graver

This battle will begin as soon as you enter and exit the tavern.

After this battle, stock up on weapons.  There are also two goblin shields, which you should buy.  Sell the Bullion.

Bahtar Plain
01,12 - Shades
01,28 - Urn
09,29 - Ballast
11,13 - Hint-5

Go after one group at a time.  Be careful when sending your treasure-hunter out by themselves.  I suggest that you work along the side left of where your characters start, where most of the treasures are.

It's easier to go after Godeau with only one character at first.  He'll move first, and if you know who he's going to target, it's pretty easy to dodge until his mp runs out.

Fort Gusta
Return later for treasure.
15,02 - S-coater
15,02 - Runners
15,12 - [I]-ring

If Maria stands on 15,25, the enemies can't get high enough to attack her or Gilti, but they can both rain arrows and thunderbolts down.

The Runners are hidden under the chest with the S-Coater.  Open the chest first, then stand on the spot where it was.

There are a couple of new weapons for sale in Luxar after this battle.  In the Tavern, speak to the man, who mentions Triangle.  Go to the shop, scroll down below 'items', and click on '???' until he sells you Map-3.

Triangle
03,03- Goblin
03,03 - Clump
10,08 - Pipe

If you come here now, you'll only face four enemies.  The clump is hidden underneath the chest with the Goblin Shield, and it's an important piece of the best ending.

Kumenu Canyon
18,08 - Goblin
33,01 - Hint-6
33,08 - L-vase

Use the select button to see where your enemies are able to reach, and dodge the archer and mage.  If you're lucky, the enemy mage will move into attack range and you can take him out early. 

Use your two teams to carefully take out the guys near them while moving together.  That should leave you with only the archer and Thorpe herself to deal with.  Send your treasure hunter over to grab the Goblin at this point, while your team takes out the archer and sends someone to tease Thorpe into using up her MP.

Porta River
01,01 - L-glove
14,17 - Magibook
14,29 - Nailbat

The nice thing about this battle is, you can kill all the enemies and then collect the treasure at your leisure, as long as you keep someone on the wrong side of the bridge.  Give the Magibook to one of your mages, it's a great accessory.

Ghote Plain
01,01 - Balloon

You can get an extra Recovermark here if you prepare properly.  Equip a character with nothing but a Shield with Weapon Trade, and have them swap with Yuri at some point.  You can steal your other allies weapons in a similar way, but those skills are easy to get so I don't usually bother.

This is an easy one.  You can grab the balloon on the first turn, and Yuri and his friends are fully capable of raining down hell on the foot soldiers near them.

Barm Mountain Range
05,14 - Pickaxe
23,08 - Maracas

You can steal Yuri's items in this battle, if you prefer.

With the Pickaxe and Maracas equipped, head back to Fort Gusta.

Fort Gusta
06, 27 - Joule

Use the blockmake ability to help your treasure hunter climb on top of the big post.  The Joule has the 're-move' skill, which lets another character move twice.  This can be useful.

Mine Level 1
09,07 - V-cape
09,13 - Philbook
13,20 - Map-11
15,20 - T-ring

Bring a couple of c-potions along.

Split your team at first; your two mages can take out the two bugs coming up along the [x,0] edge, while your physical attackers can take care of the two on the [23,X] flank.  Your two flyers can take out one of the nearby bugs below you immediately.

Blockmake is essential for getting half of the treasures here, and it'll make getting down off the ledge easier too.

JackBlade
01,38 - Pole-ax
30,38 - Goblin

Make life easier, and move everyone up near the top of the map.

Mine Level 2
21,00 -  Hi-Herb

One of the simpler levels.

Mine Level 3
03,08 - Hi-herb

Mine Level 4
00,24 - B-insect
14,24 - Goblin

This battle becomes easier if you use blockmake to create a path straight up the middle, rather than going down the sides.  As long as you're careful to dodge the mages, you should be fine.  And you get a lovely new Recovermark!

Chamber
07,07 - C-potion

My dilemma here was whether to have Lyra learn the bow or the ballistic.  I went with the bow.  You won't need 'blockmake', so you can always have Maria use the ballistic if you're in the same situation.

After taking out the foot soldiers, use flyers and mages to take out the bosses.  It's much easier trying to dodge with a few people than all of them.

Saturday 14 June 2014

Vandal Hearts II Guide: Prologue

In order to get the best ending, you will need to obtain at least one of every weapon in the game so this guide will include that goal.  I aim to master each of these, so I can move the skills around and sell the empty ones.

The percentage shown on the save screen is the percentage of weapons you've found.  2-Handed is 1% while 1-handed is equal to 0.5%.

Set-Up

I generally leave the characters with the type of armour they started with - Clive with A, Joshua with L, and Yuri with R. 

Battles

Tutorial

No Treasure.


Polata Village

Buy a Bowie Knife and an Antennae, and equip them both on the same character.  Otherwise, buy whatever mixture of weapons and armour you like, and equip them on whoever you like.  You goal is to eventually buy all of them. 

Rosace Hill
22,22 - Hint 1

Defeat the three enemies, and send your little guy with the antennae to stand on 22,22.  Have him attack empty squares if he hasn't learned the Searchmark tech by then.

Mastha Canyon
20,10 - Hint 2
01,00 - Mallet


Transfer your learned skills onto the highest weapon of that level, and sell them to buy a few different weapons.  Again, equip these on anyone you can, but make sure someone has the unlock skill.

Kill all but one enemy, and then go for the chests (use 'unlock' to unlock them).  The trick is to tease the enemy; if only one character is in range, they'll go for that one.  Just make sure you don't get too close to the rest of the group.

Return to Polata, buy new weapons, and deliver the Muherb to Dr Bonner.

Yuta Plain (w)
00,11 - Hint 3
15, 23 - B-Light
Return for Extra Treasure in Chapter 2


Yuta (E)
03,14 - Hint 4
04,05 - Goblin Shield
14,21 - Goblin Shield

You are going to want to grab as many Goblin Shields as you physically can, because they carry Recovermarks, which restore 15hp per turn, and stack to heal more.  There's only one point in the game where they're sold, and the rest you have to find.

Danjou Forest
00,23 - Pinwheel 
Return for Extra Treasure in Chapter 2

You'll need to go up the stairs to get to the pinwheel in the treasure chest.  There's more treasure here, but you'll need the blockmaking skill to grab it.

Go to the Hideout.

Kutao Mt.
06,11 - Urn
11,11 - Map-12 

The two treasures here are very close together, so you won't need to waste much time.  Map-12 opens a bonus area.

Queentia (Map-12)
04,05 - Hi-herb
04,09 - Hi-herb
09,08 - Graver
10,04 - Hi-herb
12,13 - Rebelrod
15,08 - Hi-herb
17,04 - Hi-Herb

All of the treasures are in chests.  If you come here now you'll only face two enemies.

Byron Manor (Sewers)
13,16 - Bullion
14,28 - Cutlass
15,05 - Halbert

This map is non-repeatable, so grab the treasures now.  Particularly the Bullion.  Consider bringing along some c-potions, too.

If you choose to go back, you'll get a chance to change your equipment and visit the shop again, though there isn't anything new.  There are two battles in a row after this point.

Byron Manor (Dining Room)
04,09 - Herb

This map is also non-repeatable.

Sunday 8 June 2014

Shadow Hearts: Covenant - Great Gama and the Man Festival

To upgrade Joachim's abilities, you'll need to face his teacher, Great Gama, three times.  You will also need to complete the Man Festival.

Muscle Arts

  • Drain Touch: automatic.
  • Grand Slam: face Great Gama the first time you visit Southampton.
  • Deathtron Hammer: face Great Gama in Southampton before heading to Apoina Tower again.
  • Artem Buster: face Great Gama in Nihonibashi.
Man Festival

You can tackle the Man Festival in Nihonibashi, after visiting the Azuka Stone Platform and gaining all of the Muscle Arts.  Speak to the Great Gama to begin.

Essentially, you're fighting through multiple battles.  You can save after every ten.  I found Mind's Eyes on Joachim, Yuri and Kurando helpful, and you'll want to bring Anastasia along when you can to take pictures.

The battles are easy.  For the last few, as long as you protect specific characters against specific status effects, you'll be fine.  Here's what you'll need.

  • Kurando: Pocket Watch.
  • Gepetto: Shell Bracelet.
  • Lucia: Pocket Watch.
  • Karin: Anne's Cross.
  • Blanca: Will Power.
  • Anastasia: Leonardo's Bear.

Saturday 7 June 2014

Shadow Hearts: Covenant - Anastasia's Albums & Silver Eggs

You need to collect five Silver Angels in order to trade them for Anastasia's best weapon.  You'll find them in the following locations.

  • On the roof of the Hermitage after fighting Veronica.
  • Behind the rack of vegetables in Inugami Village,
  • In the Doll House, in the room at the end of the first floor corridor.
  • Prize in the Solomon Trials: Worshipful 1.
  • Complete the Wrestler's Quiz in Nihonibashi park.

To gain these Albums, have Anastasia use Snapshot on the enemies listed.

SkillEffectEnemyLocation
Aqua RaiseWater Damage and PoisonPendulumPetrograd
Solomon Trials: Monk 1, Monk 3
Direct PressReduce enemy HP by 50%HatiIdar Flamme
Solomon Trials: Believer 2, Believer 3
Cash StealSteal CashAndreSolomon Trials: Monk 3, Believer 4
RemoveRemove positive Status effectsOscarSolomon Trials: Monk 4, Believer 4
Pillage StormSteal ItemMini TanukisSolomon Trials: Believer 4
Falling LeavesAllows quick escapeTenguForest of Wind (wear a warning device)
Power CannonSpecial damage, 17 hits, linear.Mecha LordAzabu Kamiyashiki
Solomon Trials: Embodiment 2
Spirit WardPermanently remove enemy from battle.King TamakosQueen's Garden
Solomon Trials: Embodiment 2
NightmareReduce Enemy HP to 1.BaileyDoll House
EuthanasiaLarge circular Water damage and status effect.OrobasNeam Ruins, Bonus Area

Saturday 31 May 2014

Shadow Hearts: Covenant - Spoiler-Free Item Guide Part 6, Sidequests to Final Battle

Ring Soul
Character Abilities/Ultimate Weapons or Armour
Lottery Members
Crests 
Sidequest 


Cannes

- Lenny 1: speak to the children at the beach.

Petrograd

- Lenny 2: speak to the old lady near the bridge.
- Prayer Robe (Anastasia's Ultimate Armour): speak to the queen in the Hermitage, in the room behind the throne room.

Domremy

- Charm Pouch (Blanca's Ultimate Weapon): return to the church.


Champs Elysees

- Lenny 3: speak to Nupach.



Paris Cathedral

- Nemesis Fan (Lucia's Ultimate Weapon): trade the Research Paper to Malkovich.  This is the best ending for the Straw Millionaire quest.  If you ended the quest another way, you can buy the fan from the shop here.


Cannes

- Lenny 4: speak to Cesare on the stairs.

Wine Cellar


Decarabia: Play third and final Lucky Chests game.


Le Havre

Unlock Black Forest: speak to Gauss in the shop. 

Black Forest

- Pure Extract: near save point.
- The Chariot: chest shortly after second white flower.
- Slow 4: on the right side.  You're supposed to take the middle turning here, so be careful not to miss the chest.

- Seventh Key: return after the boss battle.  Take the first right fork, and it's hidden along the side of the second right.
- Seven Stars: search the centre of the junction where you found the Seventh Key.

Florence

- Microskirt (Karin's best armour): speak to Healthy Rooney, and she'll hand it over if you've hit 10,000 steps.
- Unlock Tiffauges Castle: speak to Backstreet Nero.


Southampton

- Bride's Dress: Return to speak to Carla in Florence, then speak to Laurence on the wall.

Tiffauges Castle 

- Ronove: in the corridor shortly before you run into Bread.
- Petrify 3: Room north of Bread.
- The Devil: Keep heading north.  It's in a chest to the northwest, after you pass Maivia.
- Lottery 4: Go through the mirror near Maivia, and Alicia is to the northeast.
- Daphne Fruit: go through the mirror south of Alicia, and it's near the locked door further south.

- Crucifix:Go through the mirror near the locked door, and keep going south and it's in the 4-way room which mirrors where Bread was standing.
- Seal of the Urn: south of the Crucifix.
- Wolf Bout 13: go through the mirror to the east of the Crucifix, and make your way to the southern room.
- Neo-Amon: To get to the boss battle, go north from the wolf.  After passing through the locked door, go through the mirror to the west again, and go north.

Neam Ruins

Speak to Roger Bacon to unlock.  Go down through the bit of the ruins you've covered before, until you come to a new area.

- Seal of Wisdom: travel down using the purple block, then make your way to the northwest corner.  Use the purple block east of the chest to go up.
- Thera Extract: on the small ledge after that purple block.
- Delay 4: on the small ledge after that purple block.

Go back down, and travel up on the block furthest south.  Flip the switch and go down again.  You want to travel up on the block roughly in the middle of the area.  You'll know it's the right one if you end up in a row of gold, blue, and your purple block.  Move forward, using the only blocks available, until you go down twice.

- Strike Expand: near the last purple block you took down.

- Shanghai Heaven: hidden in the alcove northwest of that block.

Go southeast and press the switch.  Go up using the block in the southwest, then again with the block up here.  Hit the purple switch and then the green switch, then go all the way back down.  Head up using the block to the north.  Keep moving forwards until you can hit an orange switch, then go all the way back to the two purple blocks.  Take the southern one again.  Press the green and purple switches, then come back down.

Take the purple block near the Seal of Speed up.  Press the green switch and go back down.  Return to the southwest corner and take the lower block.  Press the purple and green switches again, then go back down.  Take the upper block, and follow the path to a chest.

- Eternal Key

Use the lower block and hit the switches again.

- Pure Extract: northeastern corner of this floor.
- Seal of Speed: west of the pure extract.

Take the block near the seal of speed.  Go up again, ignoring the green switch.


- Seventh Key
- Hieroglyphics: take the block near the chest, then take the next purple block to the north.  Ride it down to the chest.  

Press the switch before riding back up.  Take the block to the right.  Ride the blocks around until they go back down.

- Daphne Fruit: west corner of this area.
- Bat's Gold: take the purple block south of the Daphne Fruit, and it's on the next floor.
- Zodiac Bracelet: take the red block and it's in the room with the save point.

- White Underpants: speak to Roger.
- Chimera Claw (Yuri's ultimate weapon): Leave, then return and speak to Roger again. 
- Dating Outfit: Speak to Roger after completing the Trade Quest and the bonus Neam dungeon.


St Marguerite Island - Fort of Regrets

- Engagement Ring: grab it from Serge in the top right of the first level.  You'll find Irene near the shop.
- Lottery 3: Ludwig, to the west of the second level.  You'll need to play three times.
- Ogress Mask: get from Kazuna in the northwest corner of the second level.  Give it to the Japanophile near the Paris Cathedral.
- Broken Watch: obtain from the sailor in the northeast corner of the second level, show it to a man in the Foreigner's Cemetery.
- Nautilus: peak to the Professor, then go back and forth between him and the other Professor on Cannes beach.  You'll need the Hieroglyphics from Neam.
- Durandal: on the fourth level.
- Biker Jacket (Yuri's Ultimate Armour): head to the place where you fought Lenny.

Mukyo-An

- Lottery 2: in the garden.

Le Havre

- Lottery 1: outside the shop. 

Forest of Wind

- Wolf Bout 14: in the middle of the path.
- Falling Leaves: snapshot Tengu - wear a warning device to ensure they don't escape. 

Montmarte

Wolf Bout 15: automatic. 


Yokohama Streets

Unlock Doll House: Speak to Mizuta near the save point.
Steel Egg: speak to the man at the far eastern edge of the streets.

Doll House

- Thera Extract: right side of the path to the door.
- Nightmare Album: take a snapshot of Bailey.
- Lottery Ticket: near the fireplace in the northern room on the ground floor.
- Petrify 4: in the corridor on the first floor.
- Crucifix: in a room off the first floor corridor.
- Silver Angel: room at the end of the first floor corridor.


Inugami Village

- Unlock the Dog Shrine: speak to Saki in her living room. 

Dog Shrine 

- REI Stone: First room to the west.
- Talisman of Mercy: chest in the room furthest west.
- Poison 4: chest in the room furthest west.
- Strongoids: chest in the room furthest west.

Go back to the entrance, removing the map stones on the way.  Make a path going straight north.

- JIN Stone: chest in the first northern room.
- ZAI Stone: chest in the second northern room.
- Seal of the Urn: chest in the second northern room.

Head back, picking up the stones on the way. 

- Ultra Belt: eastern room.
- Zen Stone: chest in the furthest north-east room.
- Mana Extract: chest in the furthest north-east room.

Go back to the save point.


- Mumeiro (Kurando's Ultimate Weapon): from the beginning, use the north-south piece and the zen stone to create a path which ends directly in the middle of the 3x3 grid.
- Jutendouji (Kurando's final Fusion): after speaking to Saki, leave the village and return.  You'll gain it automatically after the battle.
- Autumn Kimono: after the battle, speak to Saki at her home.

Goreme Valley

- Complete the Solomon Trials.


Nihonibashi

- Mr Wrestler: speak to Yamaguchi in the western park.
- Silver Angel: speak to Yamaguchi again and complete the wrestling quiz. 
- Blue Virgin: speak to Pierre, now you have all the stud cards and all the other dresses.
- Great Question: complete the Man Festival.

Petrograd

- Gold Angel: speak to Edgar, now that you have all the Silver Angels.  

Azuka Stone Platform

Time to finish this.

- Spiderweb: to the northwest of the red circle, level 1.
- Seal of Strength: level 2.  Go forward a bit from where you start and take the right path.

- Dancer's Stars (Lucia's Best Armour): Level 2, eastern side of the map, just past the green warp.

Turn the thing so green is at the front.

- Pure Extract: Level 2, just beyond the red warp point.
- Ultra Belt: on the 3rd level, to the east of the red warp you came up on.
- Evasion Down 4: northeast corner of level 2.

Turn the thing so the yellow is at the front.

- Monk Earrings: to the northwest.

Turn the alter ring so the green is at the front.

- Devil Loincloth (Kurando's Best Armour): use the yellow warp to head up to the 4th floor. 
- Death: take the green light up from 3rd to 4th, and it's to the south.

Turn the thing so the blue is at the front.

- Getitup: to the south-west, past the red warp.

Turn the thing so the green is at the front and watch the scene.

- Seventh Key: from the entrance, take the red warp to the second floor, then the yellow warp back to the first.  It's just to the north.
- Crucifix: take the blue warp from the first floor to the fourth, and it's in a chest nearby.

You may want to make an extra save before taking the warp up.

- Good ending: choose to live in peace.
- Bad Ending: choose to live life your own way.
- Reborn Droplet: go the graveyard after making a choice and examine the tree.  You'll need to have all summons levelled up to max for both Yuri and Kurando.
- Dark Seraphim: Go through the Door to the Labyrinth, then through the Door of Desires.

Tuesday 27 May 2014

Shadow Hearts: Covenant - Yuri's Family

Here's a bit of trivia for you.  Yuri has beaten up every relative he has.

In the first Shadow Hearts game, he faces Ben/Jinpachiro multiple times, though, in fairness, this is a manifestation of his own issues and not literally his father's soul.

In Shadow Heatrts: Covenant, Yuri greets both his cousin and his aunt by attacking their fused forms.  He also defeats his own mother's reflection in the Glass Castle you enter when you first reach Goreme Valley.

Edit:  I tell a lie.  Yuri does not physically attack his great-grandmother in St Marguerite.  But, his mother attacks his reflection in the Glass Castle, and his aunt and cousin beat the crap out of one another.

Monday 26 May 2014

Shadow Hearts:Covenant - Lottery Members

The lottery is an ongoing subquest throughout the Shadow Hearts series.  You win prizes by completing challenging judgement rings.  These prizes will ultimately include Joachim's ultimate armour, so it's worth playing!  The later players won't play unless you've completed earlier lotteries, so it's worth doing all of them.  You can only play if you have lottery tickets, which can only be found not bought, so try not to waste them.

You'll find the lottery members as follows:

  • Lottery 16: Automatically, in Le Havre.
  • Lottery 15: Southampton, in the northeast corner of the main square.
  • Lottery 14: In Rhondda Mine.  He's hiding in a dead end towards the east.
  • Lottery 13: Under the Convenir awning in Cannes.
  • Lottery 12: In a cell in St Marguerite Island.
  • Lottery 11: Natalya, a maid in the Hermitage.  She'll only be available after you've broken in via the catacombs.
  • Lottery 10: Return to Gepetto's apartment, just before heading back to Apoina Tower.
  • Lottery 9: In the Brick Warehouses in Yokohama.  The lottery player is Manuel to the southeast of the savepoint.  
  • Lottery 8: Battleship Mikasa, near the Cabin Key.   
  • Lottery 7: in Nihonibashi, near the pillar on the right at the end of the bridge. 
  • Lottery 6: Inugami Village - examine the tree behind the save point.  
  • Lottery 5:  Return to Azabu Kamiyashiki and check Locker 5 again.
  • Lottery 4: In Tiffauges Castle.   You'll find specific directions to this lottery and the next few here.
  • Lottery 3: In the Fort of Regrets.
  • Lottery 2: in the garden at Mukyo-An, after finding the other fourteen.
  • Lottery 1: outside the shop at Le Havre after finding all the others.


Shadow Hearts: Covenant - Karin's Sword Arts

You can power up Karin's Sword Arts by collecting pages of the Nibelung.  You'll find them as follows:

  • Nibelung Prelude: automatically, in Paris.
  • Nibelung Scene 4: speak to the man in the square in Southampton.
  • Nibelung Scene 7: Speak to the man near the fountain in Florence.
  • Nibelung Scene 2: automatically, in St Marguerite.
  • Nibelung Scene 5: speak to Old Boris while in Petrograd.
  • Nibelung Scene 8: check the skeleton near the save point, in the Catacombs under Petrograd.
  • Nibelung Scene 3: speak to Sukiyama on the Battleship Mikasa.
  • Nibelung Scene 6: Azama in the foreigner's cemetery in Yokohama. 
  • Nibelung Scene 9: from Sefo the Barfly in Southampton. 
  • Nibelung Finale: after finding all the previous scenes, examine the wall behind the statue in the final area of the Queen's Garden (go back in after defeating the boss).

Shadow Hearts: Covenant - Wolf Bout

The Wolf Bouts involve fighting a number of other wolves in order to power up Blanca's abilities and obtain his best weapon.  The trickiest bit is making sure you're protected against whatever status effect each wolf uses.

You'll find the wolves as follows.

  1. In Paris, impossible to miss.  You'll also obtain a point card at this stage, which the other wolves will sign.
  2. Return to the Wine Cellar, and you'll find the wolf where you fought the boss.
  3. In Florence, to the left of the save point.
  4. In the SG Italian Branch HQ, on the third floor after defeating the boss.
  5. Automatic, on St Marguerite Island.
  6. Return to Petrograd before heading to Goreme Valley.  You'll find the wolf in the alleyway where Anastasia hid.
  7. In the catacombs under Petrograd.  He's in a cell near the Ring Soul.
  8. Speak to Nagy near the well in Domremy, then head out to the woods.  The wolves are in the east.
  9. In the Battleship Mikasa.  Return to the area after defeating the boss.  You'll find the wolf in Kurando's area, in the second south turn.  Protect against petrify.
  10. Nihonibashi, in the park to the east.
  11. Inugami Village, near the waterfall. 
  12. Inside the immortal mountain.  Put the blue crystal in the first warp, the red in the one to the west in the next area, and use yellow at the next altar.  Protect against Death. 
  13. Inside Tiffauge Castle.  More specific directions are given here.  It's in the southeastern-most room. 
  14. In the Forest of Wind, in the middle of the path.
  15. Automatically, when you return to Montmartre.

Shadow Hearts: Covenant - Spoiler-Free Item Guide Part 5, Yokohama to Asuka Stone Platform.

Part 4

Ring Soul
Character Abilities/Ultimate Weapons or Armour
Lottery Members
Crests 


Yokohama

Brick Warehouse

- Dandy's Kimono: in the chest visible as soon as the scene ends.  It's to the north-east.
- Naberius: after the forced battles, it's to the north.
- Seal of Speed: in a warehouse to the northwest.
- Mana Root: in a chest in a warehouse to the northwest.
- Lottery Ticket: in a warehouse to the west.
- Small Jug: in a warehouse to the west.
- Hit Area Expand: in a chest in a warehouse to the west.
- Silver Rasp: Chest near the save point.
- Giant Pillar: with Joachim, examine the pillar in the western warehouse.
- Cimeies: buy from Secret Dealer Kensuke in the northwest warehouse.
- Racoon Toy: buy from Secret Dealer Kensuke.
- Lottery 9: Manual Labourer Murai, to the southwest of the save point.

Yokohama Streets

- Soul Drop: after the scene, check just to the north of the old man.
- Amdusias: go south from the save point.  It's in a chest just before the screen changes.
- Mr. Doctor: hidden just in front of Gerard's van.
- Beastmaster: give Pierre the Racoon Toy.  You should have enough cards to make all the dresses including this one.
- Shining Oil: speak to Tomoko three times.
Ring Soul: from Gerard, go south.  The Ring Soul is in an alley to the west.
- The Sun: north of the Ring Soul.

Battleship Mikasa

Ring Soul: in the boxes to the north, right at the beginning.
- Vapula: underneath the stairs leading up to the boat.
- Nibelung Scene 3: speak to Sukiyama at the top of the stairs.
- Security Key 1: in a chest visible after going below decks.
- Security Key 2: in the first room you come to with Yuri's team.
- The Lovers: Kurando's team will find it in the southeast.
- Cabin Key: after Yuri goes through Door 3, it's straight ahead.
- Lottery 8: down the south corridor near the Cabin Key.
- Lottery Ticket: Yuri will find it in the cabin.
- Instant Death 2: Yuri will find it in the cabin.  This is Treasure:Sneak.
- Vine: after Kurando goes through door A, it'll be opposite switch B.
- Tent: in the northeast of the room where the two teams meet.


Ouka

Do not pick up any items, they will not sync to Yuri's inventory.

Yokohama Streets

- Treasure:Roamer: speak to Croft, in the alleyway north of the save point.


Foreigner's Cemetery

- Sp-Defend Down 3: north of the save point.
- Pure Root: from the shop, take the first left, and it'll be in the middle of the clearing.
- Calming Charm: take the next left, and it'll be in the dead end.

Go back to the entrance and take the first right.

- Strike Expand: in the first open area.
- Dispelling Charm: take the first right then the left after the strike expand.  The other paths from this area loop round in a circle.

Go back to the start, go left then right along the last red path.

- Fifth Key: just before the save point, there's a little path which goes slightly down beside the path.  The chest is at the end of it.

Imperial Capital


Nihonibashi
 
- The Tower: behind the pillar at the end of the bridge.  On the right.

Head west at the fork.

- Daphne Fruit: examine the door to the northwest just before the screen changes.
- Lottery Ticket: examine the wall next to the well-dressed man standing outside the park.
- Emcee's Desk: examine the desk behind the ring.
- Buer: to the east of the ring.
- Artem Buster: fight Great Gama. I suggest using the Mind's Eye.

Go back to the fork and go east.

- Mana Extract: examine the telephone pole near the save point.
- Seal of Wisdom: northwest of the park. 

After the battle, Sara is standing next to the park though there are no new pit fights to attempt right now.


- Extreme: only available if you have a 65% ring perfect rate.

A Few Things to Take Care Of ...

Foreigner's Cemetery

Ring Soul: on the grass, just to the south of the entrance.
- Nibelung Scene 6: speak to Azama.
- Soul Drop: examine one of the graves.

Battleship Mikasa

- Wolf Bout 9: from the save point, go through the top left door to Kurando's area.  The wolf is in the dead end to the south right after Door 4, the equivalent of where you found the lottery in Yuri's area.  Guard against petrify.
- Foras:  from the Wolf, head all the way to the area in the southwest.  You'll come to the Captain's cabin where he'll ask you a few questions.


Nihonibashi

- Lottery 7: near the pillar on the right at the end of the bridge.  
- Wolf Bout 10: in the park, near the Seal of Wisdom.


Imperial Capital

Hojo Research Lab

- Loin Guard: after the scene, head into the eastern room which held Nicolai.  Examine the contraption.
- Evasion Down 3: chest in the southeast of the large room to the north of the save point.
- Thera Root: enter the large room, and go up the stairs on the northwest.  Follow the path around to find the Thera Root.
- Lottery Ticket: once in the tunnels you explored with Ouka, go to the far east.
- Dragonsword: in a southern alleyway in the second part of the tunnels.
- Lottery Ticket: examine the shooting gallery.
- Strike Expand: you'll find it in the northeastern corner of the corridor after the shooting gallery.
- Pure Root: dead end to the south.
- Strike Expand: dead end to the west in the next area.
- Step Tripler: when you reach an area with a fourway intersection, you'll find it to the west.
- SP-Attack Down 3: on Ouka's bed.
- Daphne Fruit: north of the save point.
- Seal of Luck: halfway up the stairs, hidden against a far wall.
- Fifth Key: in a chest, a few levels up from the Seal of Luck.
- Tent: chest at the top of the stairs.

Forest of Wind

- Seal of the Soul: to the right of the path.

 Purgatory

- Strike Expand: top right of the triangle.
- Mana Root: top left of the triangle.
- Hit Area Expand: mid-left of the triangle.

Inugami Village

- Soul Drop: in the hut near the entrance.  You can unlock all of Yuri's forms now.
- Lottery 6: examine the tree behind the save point. 
- Silver Angel: behind the rack of drying vegetables.
Ring Soul: northeast corner of the village.
- Valefor: just to the right of the Ring Soul.

- Clay Idol: halfway along the path to the shrine.

- Lottery Ticket: under the stairs in the house.
- Sunrise Oil: in Saki's room, near the window.
- Seal of Aura: in Saki's room, to the right of the bed.
- The Star: to the right of the entrance to Saki's house.

A Few Things to Take Care Of...


Forest of Wind

- Malphas: take the right path and it's right at the end.

- Blood Jewel: go back to the screen with the fork from the right path.  Without moving, hit X and you should get it.  This is Treasure:Roamer.

Yokohama Streets

- Treasure: Done: speak to Lord Croft.

Mukyo-An

- Dog Bone: this is Treasure:Done.  You'll find it near the pond in the garden.

You can also make some progress with the Straw Millionaire Quest at this point.

Yokohama

- Talking Panda: Trade the Fine Tea Set to Akiko the celebrity on Yokohama Street.
- Strongoids: trade the Fine Tea Set to Kitayama in the Brick Warehouses.  This is a bad trade which ends the quest. 
- Bune: buy from Dangerous Toys store in the Brick Warehouses.

Inugami Village

- 10-Day-Old Rice:  Trade the Talking Panda to Ichizumi.  He's on the path to the spring in Inugami village.
- Third Key: Trade the Talking Panda in Nihonibashi, but, again, that's a terrible trade.
- Wolf Bout 11: near the waterfall.

Southampton
Head back to Southampton.

- Nibelung Scene 9: from Sefo the rescued Barfly.
- Research Paper: trade the 10-Day-Old Rice to Fusty Fleming, upstairs in the Inn.

Paris (Montmartre)

- The Emperor: speak to Ernest.

Immortal Mountain

- Thera Extract: after the save point, hug the left wall and it'll pop up.
- Samigina: take the right fork and it's at the end.  You can complete another area of the Solomon's Key now.
- Red Crystal: take the left fork.

Head back to the green altar and enter the red crystal.

- Blue Crystal: after warping, take the first left turn.

Head back to the altar to the south and put the blue crystal in.

- Yellow Crystal: at the end of the south path, impossible to miss.

Put the yellow crystal on the altar in the east of this area.

- Hades Fan: take the left fork, and it's right at the end.

Head right back to the beginning, taking all the crystals out of the altars on the way.  Put the blue crystal into the first altar, the one you just took the red crystal out of.  Put the red crystal into the next altar to the west, behind the loop.

- Orias: chest to the right of the path.
- Wolf Bout 12: from Orias, keep moving forward, using the yellow crystal as appropriate.

Head back to the beginning, picking up all the crystals on the way.  Put the red crystal in the first altar, and the blue crystal in the altar to the north.

Ring Soul: take the south fork.  This is the last one - you should be able to give all your characters the maximum attacks now.

After using the yellow crystal in the next altar:

- Seal of Life: end of the left fork.
- Thera Extract: head right, and it's at the chest in front of the last fork.  Go back to the most recent fork.
- Kogara-Maru: chest to the south on the next screen.
- Mana Extract: after the scene, check the right of the bridge
- Flare Brooch: left side of the bridge, about halfway across.

A Few Things to Take Care of...

Le Havre

 - Dark Tower: head down to the shop and face the peach bat.

Zurich 
 
- Anne's Cross: automatic

Montmartre

- Seventh Key: speak to Ernest's wolf.

Azabu Kamiyashiki


- Lottery Ticket: in the second room, near the save point.
- Locker 5 Key: Up the stairs, in the room to the left of the save point.
- Locker 1 Key: Up the stairs, in the room to the left of the save point.
- Seal of Strength: Up the stairs, in the room to the left of the save point.

Head back downstairs to the locker room.

- Mind's Eye: Locker 1.
- Pure Extract: Locker 5.
- Power Cannon: use Snapshot on Mecha Lord. 
- Lottery 5: Check Locker 5 after the boss fight.

Queen's Garden


- Thera Extract: through the first door to the north.
- Knight: through the first door to the north.

Come out of there and head west.

- Hit Area Expand: in the first circular room you come to.
- Lottery Ticket: in the room east of the Hit Area Expand.
- Pawn: in the room east of the Hit Area Expand.

Now head all the way around to the equivalent room on the eastern side of the dungeon.  Go south.

- Paralysis 3: in a torch between the southernmost and easternmost circular rooms.
- Queen: chest in the middle of the room.
- Seal of Force: by the side of the bed.

Now go to the northernmost circular room, and unlock the door to the south.

- Flamberge: behind a table.
- King: use the Knight on the chess board.

Head back to where you fought the boss.

- Gusion:  Examine the altar.
- Nibelung Finale: if you have all the other scenes, examine the wall behind the statue.

Enter the Asuka Stone Platform to make sure the sidequests are triggered.

Part 6

Shadow Hearts: Covenant - Ultimate Weapons and Armour Guide

Sidequests are dealt with in this post, unless a more specific link is given. Some, including the Straw Millionaire quest take place throughout the game, so you can refer to my walkthrough here.

Yuri

  • Chimera Claw: After defeating Orobas in Neam, exit to the world map.  Return to Roger Bacon and complete a spin ring to obtain the Chimera Claw.
  • Bike Jacket: complete the Lenny sidequest. 
  • Ability: fusion.  Find six soul drops to upgrade your souls to level 3.  After doing that,  maxing out Yuri and Kurando's soul charge, and answering Jeanne's question at the end of the game,  examine the tree in the Graveyard for Dark Seraphim.

Gepetto

  • Crimson Thread: Complete the Doll's House sidequest.
  • Puppeteer's Cape: prize for completing Solomon Trials.
  • Ability: Cornelia's dresses.

Blanca


Karin

  • Durandel: Complete the Fort of Regrets sidequest.
  • Microskirt: prize for 10,000 steps from the walker in Cannes.
  • Ability: Sword Arts.  Collect pages of the Nibelung.

Joachim

  • Nautilus: part of the Fort of Regrets sidequest.
  • Rose Bondage: prize from Lottery 1.
  • Ability: Muscle Arts.  Defeat the Great Gama to unlock more Muscle Arts and complete the Man Festival to unlock the Great Question form.

Lucia

  • Nemesis Fan: trade for it using the Straw Millionaire sidequest, or buy for 500,000 in the Cathedral Shop in Notre Dame.
  • Dancer's Stars: in a chest in the Azuka Stone Platform.
  • Ability: Aromatherapy Oils and Tarot Cards.  You can pick up the cards in various locations.

Anastasia

  • Gold Angel: speak to Edgar after finding five Silver Angels.
  • Prayer Robe: from the Queen in the Hermitage. 
  • Photo Albums: take photos of certain monsters to unlock new albums.

Kurando

  • Mumeiro: complete the Dog Shrine sidequest.
  • Devil Loincloth: in a chest in the Azuka Stone Platform.
  • Morph: complete the Dog Shrine sidequest to unlock Jutendouji.

Tuesday 20 May 2014

Shadow Hearts: Covenant - Spoiler-Free Item Guide Part 4, Idar Flamme to End of Disc One

Part 3

Ring Soul
Character Abilities/Ultimate Weapons or Armour
Lottery Members
Crests 

Idar Flamme

This area is ridiculous, so here's a map from the Let's Play. 





- Direct Press Album: take a picture of Hati (random battle).
- Mana Root: at the first fork, go left, and it'll be before the forced battle - marked 2 on the map.
- Jupiter Fan: after the mana root, take the next left.

From the Fan, carry on to the next junction and take the northeastern route.  Take the next left, then the next right to a dead end with two chests, marked 7 on the map.

- Thera Root
- Silver Bracelet


Head back to the entrance, then from the entrance, take every right turn.  Eventually, you'll reach a corner with three chests. marked 4 on the map.

- Cosmic Bracelet
- Soul Benediction
- Strike Expand

From the dead end, head back to the junction.  Take the northwestern route, then the next left turn.

- Bat's Gold: marked 6 on the map.

From the Bat's Gold, carry on to the junction and head south.  At the next turn, go south again to the Paralysis 2.

- Paralysis 2: marked 3 on the map.

At the shop (8), give Pierre the Purple Bondage outfit from the Hermitage, and he'll design a new outfit.  You should have enough stud cards to create all the outfits now, including the new one.

 In the next area, take the western most path north. 

- Feather Bracelet: on the right of this path.

Hit the switches and go through the door near the bracelet.

- Hit Area Expand: on the other side of the door.

- Third Key: From the start of this area, take the eastmost path north.

- Will Power: in the north-eastern most corner of the area.
- Pure Root: just after the door north of the save point.
- Seal of Speed: left of where you fought Mother Filaria.
- Replacement Man: northeast of where you fought Mother Filaria.

A few things to take care of...

- Soul Drop: next to the alter in the church in Domremy. 
- Wolf Bout 8: speak to Nagy near the well in Domremy, then into the woods near the town's entrance.  There's a group of three wolves to the east.
- Soul Drop: complete the Chests Game in the Wine Cellar again. 
- Alloces Crest. : Lottery 10, Gepetto's apartment in Paris.  You can complete an area of the Solomon's Key at this point.
- Zagan Crest: show Ernest in Montmartre your Wolf Bout stamps.
- Silver Chair: an accessory for Gepetto.  Buy it for 10,000 from the Junk Shop near the Paris Cathedral. 
- Deathtron Hammer: Defeat Great Gama in Southampton.
- Asmodeus: Head to Petrograd.  Elio, who is standing to the left of the bridge south of Edgar's shop will sell it to you.

- Treasure:Sneak: speak to Lord Croft in Cannes. 
- Soul Drop: speak to Lawrence in the alter room in Goreme valley.  You'll be able to access the Monk pit fights now. 

Remember to catch up on the Straw Millionaire Sidequest at this point.  If you picked up a Super Piroshki in Petrograd, you can trade it for the following;

- Fine Tea Set: Gourmet Connoisseur Ginori in Florence.

- Talking Panda: Zinedine of Mitsuboshi in Champs Elysees. 


Apoina Tower (Again)

- Belial: Head up the west stairs and outside; it's in a visible chest.
- Strike Expand: Head up the west stairs and outside; it's in a visible chest.
Ring Soul: head up the east stairs; you'll find the Ring Soul in a little nook on the left of the second floor.
- Murderer's Wt: chest to left of scales.
- Kidnapper's Wt: chest to southwest of scales.
- Arsonist's Wt: chest in cell to right of scales.
- Thief's Wt: chest in cell southeast of scales.
- Pure Extract: after walking across the cage-bridge, it's on the left.
- Seal of the Soul: up the stairs to the right after walking across the cage-bridge.
- Hit Area Expand: north of the third level of the cage puzzles.
- Paimon: the third lever has three options; set it to the lowest level, go back down and open the chest.  You can complete an area on the Solomon Key now.

Part 5

Thursday 24 April 2014

Walking Over Alice's Grave - Part 4

I'm single by choice. Not my choice.
Orny Adams

I stared at Zhuzhen in shock. "Margarite's here?"


"Yes!" he said. “I'm so sorry Alice, I honestly thought you knew. She should be back now – let's go and check.”


We went out into the corridor, and Zhuzhen knocked on the door next to mine.


“Who is it?” Margarite sang out.


Zhuzhen identified himself, and we went in at Margarite's request. She had a towel wrapped around her hair and was rubbing it dry.


"Alice!” she gasped when she saw me.


I walked over and hugged her, almost trapping her arms in my haste. "Margarite! It's good to see you! I haven't seen you since - "


"Since the moocher mooched off?"


"Well…yes."


"I'm sorry, Alice. I'm really sorry."


Stung with the pain of missing Yuri again, I was barely listening. I noticed that she didn't look as healthy as when I had last seen her. She looked tired and…older. She'd always been so young and beautiful; now you could see the age gap between us.


Zhuzhen, who had remained in the doorway throughout this exchange said "I'll go tell Zhen that I'm leaving."


Margarite looked up at him. "You are?"


"Alice and I are going on a quest,” he said, over his shoulder as he left. “Ask Alice.”


"Well?” Margarite asked, turning her attention back to me. She continued drying her hair while I explained our goal – to find Yuri.


When I ran out of things to say, we sat in silence. I hadn't cried this time but it had been a very close call. I'd never seen Margarite cry, but if she had, I think it would have been over Yuri.


Margarite had been fond of Yuri. She'd known him only one day less than I had, and they'd had very similar attitudes to life. Margarite and I, though dissimilar, understood one another well enough. We'd traversed the trials of Xiaofang together, quite early on in our acquaintance, and nothing bonds two people quite like a near death experience. Like Yuri and I, too. That first night in the cursed village. I'd feared for my life, but he was so brave. So relaxed and reassuring. Later, he'd confessed that he felt he had to be brave, for me, so he wouldn't let me down. He thought I was brave. Me. A priest's daughter in a cursed village. I wasn't brave so much as too terrified to show fear!


Margarite broke through my recollection. "You're heading to the fort of regrets?"


"Yes. Will you come? Zhuzhen's a good fighter but he's better at back-up, and I'm still learning…"


"Oh Alice, of course I will. We're a team, right? I'll always protect you."


"Thank you. Are you sure you aren't needed here?"


"As a spy? No. I let them think I died in Neameton."


"Really?"


"Yes. I'm free as a bird. Shall we leave in the morning?”


I nodded, overcome with happiness. My emotions changed so quickly now; I could go from laughter to tears within minutes.


I stood up to go. "Thanks Margarite."


"I'm not just doing it for you. I was fond of the moocher too."


"I know – huh?"


"What?" Margarite gasped, reaching for her gun.


I waved a hand at her. "Shhh…"


I could hear Koudelka's psychic voice cutting in on my thoughts. "Alice! There…b ...tr…ble…in…Dom...y!…go...ow...!"


Margarite waited for a moment while I recovered. “What is it?”


"I jut heard Koudelka's voice! She said something about…trouble in...in Domremy? She told me to go back!"


"We were going back to France anyway. It won't hurt to stop by Domremy first.”


"I hope nothing's happened...” I say, biting my lip with worry. Margarite placed a hand on my shoulder.


"Koudelka knows where you are, doesn't she? She wouldn't warn you if you weren't able to do anything."


"You're right Margarite, of course you are. I just can't help but worry..."


"Alice, would you like me to steal a plane again?”


"Would you?"


"Alice! I wasn't serious!"


Seeing my face fall, she relented.


“I will. Tomorrow. But we need to sleep now, all right?”


I knew she was right. It was late, but I still tossed and turned for hours worrying about what was happening in Domremy.

Tuesday 1 April 2014

Shadow Hearts Covenant: Lucia's Aromatherapy

Lucia's special abilities involve using Tarot cards and aromatherapy oils to invoke special effects during battle.  You can find the oils and mix them as follows;

  • Ocean Oil: automatic, Florence.
  • Misty Oil: automatic, Florence.
  • Grass Oil: Cannes, at the bottom of the stairs which lead to the lowest level of the city.  It's in a small fountain.
  • Night Oil: automatic, Goreme Valley. 
  • Moon Oil: automatic, Petrograd. 
  • Shining Oil: Yokohama Streets; speak to Tomoko three times. 
  • Sunrise Oil: complete the Black Forest sidequest.



OilsOceanMistyGrassNightMoonShiningSunriseAurora
OceanXSmall amount of HP restored at time of use.Small amount of HP restored for one turn.Medium amount of HP restored for one turn.Small amount of HP restored for two turns.Medium amount of HP restored for two turns.Medium amount of HP restored at time of use.Large amount of HP restored for two turns.
MistyProtects against Status Abnormalities for one turn.XProtects against Ring Abnormalities for two turns.Protects against Ring Abnormalities for three turns.Protects against Status Abnormalities for two turns.Protects against Ring Abnormalities for one turn.Protects against Ring Abnormalities for three turns.Protects against Ring and Status abnormalities for three turns.
GrassMedium increase in physical defence power for three turns.Medium increase in special defence power for three turns.XSmall increase in special defence power for three turns.Small increase in physical defence power for three turns.Large increase in physical defence power for three turns.Large increase in special defence power for three turns.Large increase in physical and special defence power for three turns.
NightSmall amount of MP restored for one turn.Small amount of MP restored for two turns.Small amount of MP restored at time of use. XMedium amount of MP restored for two turns.Medium amount of MP is restored only when used.Medium amount of MP restored for one turn.Large amount of MP restored for two turns.
MoonStrike effect x 1.5 for one turn.Evasion rate doubles for one turn.Critical rate increases 1.5 times for one turn.Critical rate becomes 100% for one turn.XCritical rate doubles for one turn.Evasion rate increases 1.5 times for one turn.3rd Key effect on all characters for one turn.
ShiningLarge increase in physical attack power for three turns.Small increase in special attack power for three turns.Large increase in special attack power for three turns.Small increase in physical attack power for three turns.Medium increase in physical attack power for three turns.XMedium increase in special attack power for three turns.Large increase in physical and special attack power for three turns.
SunriseSmall amount of SP restored only when used.Small amount of SP is restored for two turns.Medium amount of SP restored for two turns.Small amount of SP restored for one turn.Medium amount of SP restored, only when used.Medium amount of SP restored for one turn.XLarge amount of SP restored for two turns.
AuroraMedium HP restore and small MP/SP restore for two turns.Small HP/MP/SP restore.  Protects from abnormalities for two turns.Small HP/MP/SP restore.  Medium defence increase for two turns.Medium MP restore and small HP/SP restore, for two turns.Small HP/MP/SP restore.  3rd Key effect for two turns.Small HP/MP/SP restore.  Medium attack increase for two turns.Medium SP/MP/HP restore for two turns.X