Ultimate Armor Guide - Guide for Vagrant Story
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******************************************************************************* ******************************************************************************* ******************************************************************************* *************** _______________________________________________ *************** ************* | | ************* ************* | VAGRANT STORY ULTIMATE ARMOR GUIDE | ************* ************* | | ************* ************* | VERSION 2 | ************* ************* | | ************* ************* | By Samuel Riesterer (c) | ************* ************* | | ************* ************* | A.K.A. Braveheart | ************* ************* | | ************* ************* | March 2001 | ************* ************* | | ************* ************* | Version 2 - April/May 2001 | ************* ************* | | ************* ************* | [email protected] | ************* ************* |_______________________________________________| ************* *************** *************** ******************************************************************************* ******************************************************************************* ******************************************************************************* ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TABLE OF CONTENTS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. COPYRIGHT NOTICE II. INTRODUCTION Updates III. DEFINITIONS IV. LEVELS OF ARMOR Head Armor Body Armor Arm Armor Leg Armor Shield Armor The Best Armor? V. MATERIAL VI. STATS VII. COMBINING Type Stat In Combining Points To Consider In Combining Combining Rates VIII. The Armor You Will Need IX. Total Of Armor Needed X. Places To Acquire The Armor The Forgotten Passageway The Iron Maiden B2 Alternative Places To Find Needed Armor XI. Combining The Armor Head Armor - (D) Dread Helm 100/100/100 Body Armor - (D) Dread Armor 100/100/100 Arm Armor - (D) Dread Glove 100/100/100 Leg Armor - (D) Dread Legs 100/100/100 XII. Shield Armor Shield Stats Shield Locations Shield Material Combinations Shield Combinations Shield Alternatives (D) Dread Shield 100/0/0 (H) Dread Shield 100/100/0 (H) Dread Shield 100/100/100 XIII. Raising Class And Affinity Stats Helpful Things To Know Opposing Stats The Process Where To Rack Up Class And Affinity Stats XIV. Credit And Thanks ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. COPYRIGHT NOTICE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This guide is copyrighted material. No one may alter, add to, subtract from, edit, change, convert, modify, or abridge this guide in any way. This guide may not be reproduced in any form (written, visual, electronic or audio) for any reason without my expressed written permission. This guide may be used for informational purposes for private use only. The text of this guide may be quoted in any form (written, visual, electronic or audio), up to and inclusive of two hundred (200) words without my express written permission, providing the words quoted do not amount to a complete section nor do the words quoted amount for 25 percent or more of the total text of the work in which they are quoted. You must also give my name (Samuel Riesterer) as clearly the source of the quotation. This guide may be made available on a non-commercial web site only with my expressed written permission and provided the following conditions are met: (1) It appears in its original form without additions, subtractions, or modifications; (2) It is freely accessible; (3) It is available with no cost of monies, materials, goods, services, etc.; (4) It is not used for promotional or profitable purposes; (5) My name is given as the author (Samuel Riesterer). Violators of any of the above stipulations will be prosecuted. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- II. INTRODUCTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This guide will assist you in combing and making ultimate armor. Ultimate armor as I define it is the best possible armor you can combine, in the best material, and having 100 in every stat. This is no easy task. In fact, few will every take the challenge to follow it. However, for those who do, this guide will prove very useful. Most of the material that will be explained has been personal tested out. However, not everything has. Where there is question, I will explain it. Just don't complain to me if something goes wrong. It will be very beneficial to read through this guide FIRST before starting it (particularly the "Raising Class And Affinity Stats"). If you have questions or comments concerning this guide or the game, please email me at [email protected]. Please put "VAGRANT STORY" in the subject of your email to ensure it will not be deleted by mistake. Also, I would love to have any information that is not presented in this guide, as well as any corrections or improvements on my examples. I am sure with all the figures and tables in this FAQ that there may be mistakes. I am rather picky about having accurate information, so email me if something is amiss. ****************************************** Updates ****************************************** This version differs from version 1 by the following: -Corrected spelling mistakes -Corrected material -Corrected figures for the combinations given -Added missing material -More efficient processes for some -Fixed the rates for combining -Additional information about combining -Additional information about factors for rates -Added section about shield stats, combinations, and locations -Adjusted section "Raising Class And Affinity Stats" and added new information -New "Credit And Thanks" section ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- III. DEFINITIONS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It will be helpful to understand how I define certain terms in this guide: Armor: Any type of head, body, arm, leg, or shield armor Level: The level of the armor (from 1 to 16) Material: The type of material a piece of armor is made out of Class: The defense against the 6 classes Affinity: The defense against the 8 affinities Type: The defense against the 3 types (Blunt/Edged/Piercing) Stat: The number of defense Piece: A single piece of distinct armor Category: The type of armor it is (head, body, arm, leg, shield) Result: The piece of armor that is forged Rate: The figure used to determine the stat of a combined piece ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IV. LEVELS OF ARMOR ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There are five categories of armor: Head, Body, Arm, Leg, and Shield. In each category, there are a total of 16 levels of armor. Essentially, the higher the level, the better the armor is. ****************************************** Head Armor ****************************************** 1 Bandana 9 Barbut 2 Bear Mask 10 Basinet 3 Wizard Hat 11 Armet 4 Bone Helm 12 Close Helm 5 Chain Coif 13 Burgonet 6 Spangenhelm 14 Hoplite Helm 7 Cabasset 15 Jazeraint Helm 8 Sallet 16 Dread Helm ****************************************** Body Armor ****************************************** 1 Jerkin 9 Segmentata 2 Hauberk 10 Scale Armor 3 Wizard Robe 11 Brigandine 4 Cuirass 12 Plate Mail 5 Banded Mail 13 Fluted Armor 6 Ring Mail 14 Hoplite Armor 7 Chain Mail 15 Jazeraint Armor 8 Breastplate 16 Dread Armor ***************************************** Arm Armor ****************************************** 1 Bandage 9 Plate Glove 2 Leather Glove 10 Rondanche 3 Reinforced Glove 11 Tilt Glove 4 Knuckles 12 Freiturnier 5 Ring Sleeve 13 Fluted Glove 6 Chain Sleeve 14 Hoplite Glove 7 Gauntlet 15 Jazeraint Glove 8 Vambrace 16 Dread Glove ****************************************** Leg Armor ****************************************** 1 Sandals 9 Poleyn 2 Boots 10 Jambeau 3 Long Boots 11 Missaglia 4 Cuisse 12 Plate Leggings 5 Light Greave 13 Fluted Leggings 6 Ring Leggings 14 Hoplite Leggings 7 Chain Leggings 15 Jazeraint Leggings 8 Fusskampf 16 Dread Leggings ****************************************** Shield Armor ****************************************** 1 Buckler 9 Kite Shield 2 Pelta Shield 10 Casserole Shield 3 Targe 11 Heater Shield 4 Quad Shield 12 Oval Shield 5 Circle Shield 13 Knight Shield 6 Tower Shield 14 Hoplite Shield 7 Spiked Shield 15 Jazeraint Shield 8 Round Shield 16 Dread Shield ****************************************** The Best Armor? ****************************************** The last three levels in all categories are always called Hoplite, Jazeraint, and Dread. Dread armor is the last level and is usually viewed as the best armor. However, this is not necessarily the truth. Compare the following stats: Armor Material Type Str Int Agl Total ------------------------------------------------- Head Damascus Hoplite 19 18 -3 34 Head Damascus Jazeraint 20 17 -3 34 Head Damascus Dread 21 15 -3 33 Body Damascus Hoplite 26 25 -4 47 Body Damascus Jazeraint 27 23 -4 46 Body Damascus Dread 28 22 -4 46 Arm Damascus Hoplite 19 18 -3 34 Arm Damascus Jazeraint 20 17 -3 34 Arm Damascus Dread 21 16 -3 34 Leg Damascus Hoplite 21 21 -4 38 Leg Damascus Jazeraint 22 20 -4 38 Leg Damascus Dread 23 18 -4 37 Shield Damascus Hoplite 29 27 -4 52 Shield Damascus Jazeraint 31 26 -4 53 Shield Damascus Dread 33 23 -4 52 If we total all the stats up, Hoplite would be tied with Jazeraint for first place (205) and Dread would be last (202). Therefore, it really depends on preference. Hoplite is actually the most balanced and could therefore be called the best armor. Besides, its magic stat is the highest and magic is usually the only thing that is very damaging. However, Dread armor is level 16 and the hardest armor to forge. Therefore, it is almost like a "status symbol" to have it. Because of this, this guide will view Dread armor as the best armor and show you how to make it. Besides, you can only do this guide after playing through the game once, which means your character is going to kick butt anyways. Even if your character is weak, we are only talking about a few points here-- it doesn't really matter. People who want to make ultimate armor do not do so for defense; they do it because of the status symbol. If you decide to forge Jazeraint or Hoplite instead, that is your choice. You will be able to do so much easier than Dread, but you will have to adjust the information presented in this guide. Reading and studying the "Combining" section will help you understand how to do this on your own. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- V. MATERIAL ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There are seven types of material an armor is made out of: Wood (only shields), Leather (only head, body, arm, and leg), Bronze, Iron, Silver, Hagane, Damascus. The strongest material is Damascus. It will be the type of material your ultimate armor should be in. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VI. STATS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There are three sets of stats for every armor: Class, Affinity, and Type. Class includes: Human, Beast, Undead, Phantom, Dragon, Evil Affinity includes: Physical, Air, Fire, Earth, Water, Light, Dark Type includes Blunt, Edged, Piercing For each of these types, the max stat you can get is 100 (except with gems for shields). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VII. COMBINING ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You no doubt know about combining in Vagrant Story. It is a very complex system within the game that takes a long time to master. This guide is not a guide about understanding combining. However, understanding a certain aspect will be very beneficial. For one, as I have stated, I have not actually tested some parts out and others I have deviated a little bit from the processes. If you understand a few things, you too will be able to adjust, improvise, and deviate. This improvising will allow you to achieve the same success but, in many cases, more easily or convenient. In order to do this guide, you will have to have access to the last workshop (Godhands), which allows you to combine any material together. This workshop is only found after the first play. You need the gold key to access it and it is in the Undercity West. This is where you will do the most of your combining. ****************************************** Type Stat In Combining ****************************************** Of particular importance concerning combining is the Type stat (Blunt/Edged/ Piercing). This is because it can only be increased through the combining process. When you combine two pieces of armor, the resulting stat will be: stat of piece 1 + stat of piece 2 X the rate (if the final stat is a decimal, it is floored down to the lowest whole integer; for example, 31.9 = 31, 5.1 = 5). It is the rate that is critical. There are three major rates when combining. Observe some examples: Stats Stats Rate Stats of of of Piece 1 Piece 2 Result Piece ---------------------------------------- 15/6/7 28/2/15 80% 34/6/17 22/0/10 11/30/7 60% 19/18/10 6/6/8 5/6/9 40% 4/4/6 The three rates above are the three rates you get when combining. Although they are fairly accurate, they are still just estimates. There are a few instances where it will be off one point. At any rate, use the rates as gauges, NOT EXACT PROJECTIONS. ****************************************** Points To Consider In Combining ****************************************** -The workshop you combine the pieces in does not affect the rate or the resulting stat -The slot you put the pieces in does not affect the rate or the resulting stat -Combining two different categories of armor (e.g. head with body) does not seem to matter -There are never two different rates for the same combination (e.g. 80% for blunt but 60% for edged) -The resulting piece does not seem to matter (e.g. if the result is better than the two pieces combined, it will not be a better rate solely for that reason) -The computer will floor the final stat down to the lowest integer. And once it is combined, it is a whole number (there are no hidden tenths). -The closer the stats are to each other the better. For example, combining a stat of 50 with a stat of 3 at rate 80% will result in a stat of 42. That is 16% LOWER than the highest number (50). But if you combine a stat of 50 with another stat of 50 at rate 80%, you will get a resulting stat of 80. That is 63% HIGHER than the highest stat (50). This is good to know in order to find the quickest way to achieve maxed out stats. For example, say you have eight pieces of a stat 10. And you want to combine them all together and get the best possible stat. Compare the following worst method: 10+10=20*80%=16 16+10=36*80%=20 20+10=30*80%=24 24+10=34*80%=27 27+10=37*80%=29 29+10=39*80%=31 31+10=41*80%=32 Now for the best method: 10+10=20*80%=16 10+10=20*80%=16 10+10=20*80%=16 10+10=20*80%=16 16+16=32*80%=25 16+16=32*80%=25 25+25=50*80%=40 Obviously you can see that combining like stats nets the quickest route. It may not seem like much, but when you are dealing with a max stat of 100 and have to collect all the pieces, you want to cut every corner. Besides, if you project the first example forward, eventually the final stat would level out at 36 and not go higher. In light of all this, however, be aware that the total of the two pieces is what counts. For instance, combining a stat 50 with stat 50 will result in the same number as combining, say, 75 + 25, or 68 + 32. -A piece of armor is generally only as good as its lowest stat. A piece of armor with a low stat of 0 will drastically reduce that type of stat in the end. For example, combining a stat of 88/76/69 with 74/55/0 at 80% rate = 100/100/55. Not bad at first glance, but consider this: you are going for maxed out stats of 100/100/100 and 55 is still lower than 69. However, there may be some good in such instances. For example, combine 100/88/0 with 0/77/100 at 80% and you get 80/100/80. That is much better. ****************************************** Combining Rates ****************************************** There are rules to getting any of the three rates. However, the rules are vague and not definitively known to me. Also, there are exceptions to every rule. It seems the programmers threw some "rotten apples" into the mix, so sometimes things won't go as planned. And though the information that follows it vague and imperfect, it should be more than enough for you to experiment and improvise on your own. 80% Rate - The two pieces are of the same material and have fairly similar stats and/or levels 60% Rate - The two pieces are of the same material but have somewhat different stats and/or levels 60% Rate - The two pieces are of different material but have fairly similar stats and/or levels 40% Rate - The two pieces are of different material and have somewhat different stats and/or levels I have done numerous tests and have theories, proposed by myself and others, in regards to the factors in determining what rate you will get. However, I have not found a common thread in my examples that is definitive. One theory is that if the stats of the two pieces are corresponding in rank, it is considered "fairly similar" and nets a better rate. Corresponding rank is when the highest stat of both pieces is the same type (e.g. Blunt), and the second highest is the same type, and the lowest stat is the same as well. For example, a piece with stats = 31/6/25 is the same rank as 5/0/1. I have pretty much done all I am going to do testing wise. If you have any conclusive evidence regarding this issue, I would love to receive it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VIII. The Armor You Will Need ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following are the best pieces of armor to work with for two reasons: (1) they have high stats, and (2) they are easy to get. Piece Stats ------------------------- Tilt Glove 12/12/12 Missaglia 12/12/12 Plate Mail 10/10/10 Fluted Armor 15/15/15 These pieces will be the primary pieces you will use to combine. The shields are an altogether different matter (see the "Shield Armor" section that follows). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IX. Total Of Armor Needed ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- All told, for the processes I will give, you will need: 55x (H) Missaglia 60x (S) Missaglia 85x (H) Tilt Glove 68x (S) Tilt Glove 16x (H) Fluted Armor 16x (H) Plate Mail 4x (S) Brigandine Don't be frightened by the amount of armor you need. The beauty about the examples I will give is that you get everything from two racking places, and everything needed is in relative proportion to what you end up getting (except maybe the (S) Missaglia, which will be the last thing you will end up needing). It will take some time though. You can do other things while you are racking to help with the boredom. For example, you can practice chaining the enemies, build up class and affinities on your weapons, or switch your weapons periodically to build up the number of attacks on that weapon type. Obviously, you cannot fit everything into the container. You will have to combine as you go. If you are really serious about doing all of this guide, then discard most of your armor (except maybe the high level ones). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- X. Places To Acquire The Armor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The two primary places to rack are: The Forgotten Passageway (accessed via The Keep), and Iron Maiden B2 (accessed via The Iron Maiden B1 via The Keep). The enemies in both of these places have a 3% drop rate for the pieces you are trying to acquire. There are other places but these two are the most efficient overall. ****************************************** The Forgotten Passageway ****************************************** In the Forgotten Passageway, there are a total of four Blood Lizards. Two of them each carry 1x (H) Fluted Armor and 2x (H) Tilt Glove. The other two carry 1x (H) Plate Mail. The most efficient way is to kill all four Blood Lizards and then exit the area. You do not have to kill the two Imps in the room "Awaiting Retribution." You do, however, have to kill them in the room "The Fallen Knight." ****************************************** The Iron Maiden B2 ****************************************** In the Iron Maiden B2, there are a total of four Liches and two Lich Lords. Combined together, three of them each carry 1x (H) Missaglia and 2x (H) Tilt Glove and the other three each carry 1x (S) Missaglia, 1x (S) Brigandine, and 2x (S) Tilt Glove. There is a path that will take you to every room the Liches and Lich Lords are and very efficiently: The Spider > Lead Sprinkler > The Spider > Squassation > The Spider > The Strappado > Thumbscrews > The Strappado > Tablillas > Strangulation > Tablillas > Tormentum Insomniae > Iron Maiden B3... and then back again in reverse order. You will, rather quickly, memorize this order and be able to do things in a fast and perfect manner. A few notes, however, are in order: -If you keep your HP under 150, you can also encounter a few Dark Crusaders and one Last Crusader. They carry good weapons and gems. You will sacrifice one Lich if you do. It is one that carries the (S) Missaglia, which you need more then anything. You can keep your HP under 150, and then heal after fighting the Dark Crusader in the room "Tabillas." Then the next time you come to this room the Lich will be there. When you want your HP to drop again, simply use break arts. -The Shriekers in the room "The Spider" each carry a fine wine. -You do not have to kill the Shriekers in the rooms "Lead Sprinkler" and "Squassation." Just go into the room in battle mode. Then open up the sphere as soon as you can and kill the Lich in one hit or with chains, aiming for the body or head. This should turn your body around to face the door. Then run for the door, open it, and press X again to sheath your weapon before the door opens, then exit the room. You should exit before the Shrieker gets a chance to attack. BE VERY CAREFUL. If you have low HP, and they cast Banish, and it hits you, and you fail to use Absorb Magic, you will probably die. That's a lot of "ifs" but it happened to me three times. The feeling is not good. You should be fine if you do what I told you to. Just watch the dots over their heads. If it is two dots as you are killing the Lich, then don't be impatient: kill the Shriekers too. ****************************************** Alternative Places To Find Needed Armor ****************************************** Note that the following places are the only additional places where you can find the corresponding armor. The % number in front of the enemy indicates the chance that that enemy will drop the armor. (H) Fluted Armor ---------------- Chest in "The Flayed Confessional (Great Cathedral L1)" (H) Plate Mail -------------- 3% Lich Lord in "Salvation for the Mother (Undercity West)" 3% Lich Lord in "The Crumbling Market (Undercity West)" (after all cutscenes) (H) Missaglia ------------- 5% Crimson Blade in "Rue Crimnade (Town Center East)" (after Sky Dragon) 3% Lich in "Corner of the Wretched (Undercity West)" 3% Lich in "Larder for a Lean Winter" (Undercity West)" (HP 200 or greater) 3% Lich in "The Crumbling Market (Undercity West)" (after all cutscenes) 3% Lich Lord in "Saint Elmo's Belt (Iron Maiden B3)" 3% Lich Lord in "Salvation for the Mother (Undercity West)" 3% Lich Lord in "The Crumbling Market (Undercity West)" (after all cutscenes) 3% Blood Lizard in "From Boy to Hero (City Walls North)" (before Limestone Quarry) (S) Missaglia ------------- 3% Lich Lord in "Dunking the Witch (Iron Maiden B3)" (H) Tilt Glove -------------- 5% Crimson Blade in "Kesch Bridge (Town Center East)" (after Sky Dragon) 3% Death1 in "Bite the Master's Wounds (Undercity West)" 3% Death2 in "Bite the Master's Wounds (Undercity West)" (HP 225 or greater) 3%* Lich in "Corner of the Wretched (Undercity West)" 3%* Lich in "Larder for a Lean Winter (Undercity West)" (HP 200 or greater) 3%* Lich in "The Crumbling Market (Undercity West)" (after all cutscenes) 3%* Lich Lord in "Saint Elmo's Belt (Iron Maiden B3)" 3% Lich Lord in "Crossroads of Rest (Undercity West)" 3% Lich Lord in "The Body Fragile Yields (Undercity West)" (HP 201 or greater) (S) Tilt Glove -------------- 5% Crimson Blade in "Shasras Hill Park (Town Center East)" (after Sky Dragon) 3%* Lich Lord in "Dunking the Witch (Iron Maiden B3)" *The percentage that the enemy would drop the corresponding armor would actually be double than this because they carry two of the pieces. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- XI. Combining The Armor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following gives step by step instructions on what to combine. I have overcompensated for the fact that I haven't test everything out exactly as follows. In other words, if you follow the steps you will succeed but you don't necessarily have to do it this way. Feel free to experiment but always view the resulting stat and compare it with my examples to see if you are on track. There are completely different ways besides my examples to achieve the desired end. However, the basic ideas of my examples are, in my opinion, the quickest way to get there. In the following processes, note: -The letter in parenthesis indicates the material (S=Silver, H=Hagane, D=Damascus) -The figure before the "x" is the number of combinations you need to make -The figures given are the lowest stat of the corresponding piece of armor -The order the pieces are listed sometimes matters ****************************************** Head Armor - (D) Dread Helm 100/100/100 ****************************************** You need: 68x (S) Tilt Glove 4x (S) Brigandine 1x (H) Tilt Glove 11x (H) Missaglia 10x (S) Missaglia The process: # Piece 1 Stat Piece 2 Stat Result Stat ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32x (S) Tilt Glove 12 (S) Tilt Glove 12 (S) Freiturnier 19 16x (S) Freiturnier 19 (S) Freiturnier 19 (S) Freiturnier 30 4x (S) Freiturnier 30 (S) Freiturnier 30 (S) Freiturnier 48 4x (S) Freiturnier 30 (S) Brigandine 0 (S) Rondanche 18 4x (S) Rondanche 18 (S) Tilt Glove 12 (S) Rondanche 24 4x (S) Freiturnier 48 (S) Rondanche 24 (S) Fluted Glove 43 4x (S) Fluted Glove 43 (S) Freiturnier 30 (S) Hoplite Glove 43 2x (S) Hoplite Glove 43 (S) Hoplite Glove 43 (S) Jazeraint Glove 68 1x (S) Jazeraint Glove 68 (S) Jazeraint Glove 68 (S) Dread Glove 100 1x (H) Missaglia 12 (H) Missaglia 12 (H) Plate Legs 19 1x (H) Plate Legs 19 (H) Tilt Glove 12 (H) Missaglia 24 1x (H) Missaglia 24 (H) Missaglia 12 (H) Plate Legs 28 3x (H) Missaglia 12 (H) Missaglia 12 (H) Plate Legs 19 2x (H) Plate Legs 19 (H) Missaglia 12 (H) Fluted Legs 24 1x (H) Fluted Legs 24 (H) Plate Legs 28 (H) Hoplite Legs 41 1x (H) Fluted Legs 24 (H) Plate Legs 19 (H) Hoplite Legs 34 1x (H) Hoplite Legs 41 (H) Hoplite Legs 34 (H) Jazeraint Legs 60 4x (S) Missaglia 12 (S) Missaglia 12 (S) Plate Legs 19 2x (S) Plate Legs 19 (S) Missaglia 12 (S) Fluted Legs 24 2x (S) Fluted Legs 24 (S) Plate Legs 19 (S) Hoplite Legs 34 1x (S) Hoplite Legs 34 (S) Hoplite Legs 34 (S) Jazeraint Legs 54 1x (H) Jazeraint Legs 60 (S) Jazeraint Legs 54 (D) Dread Legs 68 1x (D) Dread Legs 68 (S) Dread Glove 100 (D) Dread Helm 100 ****************************************** Body Armor - (D) Dread Armor 100/100/100 ****************************************** You need: 44x (H) Tilt Glove 4x (H) Plate Mail 4x (H) Fluted Armor 12x (S) Missaglia The process: # Piece 1 Stat Piece 2 Stat Result Stat ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4x (S) Missaglia 12 (S) Missaglia 12 (S) Plate Legs 19 20x (H) Tilt Glove 12 (H) Tilt Glove 12 (H) Freiturnier 19 8x (H) Freiturnier 19 (H) Freiturnier 19 (H) Freiturnier 30 4x (H) Freiturnier 30 (H) Tilt Glove 12 (H) Tilt Glove 33 4x (H) Tilt Glove 33 (H) Freiturnier 30 (H) Tilt Glove 50 4x (H) Tilt Glove 50 (H) Plate Mail 10 (H) Plate Mail 48 4x (H) Freiturnier 30 (H) Fluted Armor 15 (H) Fluted Armor 36 4x (S) Missaglia 12 (H) Plate Mail 48 (D) Plate Mail 36 4x (S) Plate Legs 19 (H) Fluted Armor 36 (D) Fluted Armor 33 4x (D) Fluted Armor 33 (D) Plate Mail 36 (D) Hoplite Armor 41 2x (D) Hoplite Armor 41 (D) Hoplite Armor 41 (D) Jazeraint Armor 65 1x (D) Jazeraint Armor 65 (D) Jazeraint Armor 65 (D) Jazeraint Armor 100 ****************************************** Arm Armor - (D) Dread Glove 100/100/100 ****************************************** (Obviously you have to do the process twice to get two of them.) You need: 20x (H) Tilt Glove 4x (H) Plate Mail 4x (H) Fluted Armor 11x (H) Missaglia 10x (S) Missaglia The process: # Piece 1 Stat Piece 2 Stat Result Stat ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8x (H) Tilt Glove 12 (H) Tilt Glove 12 (H) Freiturnier 19 4x (H) Freiturnier 19 (H) Tilt Glove 12 (H) Tilt Glove 24 4x (H) Tilt Glove 24 (H) Plate Mail 10 (H) Plate Mail 27 4x (H) Freiturnier 19 (H) Fluted Armor 15 (H) Fluted Armor 27 4x (H) Fluted Armor 27 (H) Plate Mail 27 (H) Hoplite Armor 43 2x (H) Hoplite Armor 43 (H) Hoplite Armor 43 (H) Jazeraint Armor 68 1x (H) Jazeraint Armor 68 (H) Jazeraint Armor 68 (H) Dread Armor 100 1x (H) Missaglia 12 (H) Missaglia 12 (H) Plate Legs 19 1x (H) Plate Legs 19 (H) Tilt Glove 12 (H) Missaglia 24 1x (H) Missaglia 24 (H) Missaglia 12 (H) Plate Legs 28 3x (H) Missaglia 12 (H) Missaglia 12 (H) Plate Legs 19 2x (H) Plate Legs 19 (H) Missaglia 12 (H) Fluted Legs 24 1x (H) Fluted Legs 24 (H) Plate Legs 28 (H) Hoplite Legs 41 1x (H) Fluted Legs 24 (H) Plate Legs 19 (H) Hoplite Legs 34 1x (H) Hoplite Legs 41 (H) Hoplite Legs 34 (H) Jazeraint Legs 60 4x (S) Missaglia 12 (S) Missaglia 12 (S) Plate Legs 19 2x (S) Plate Legs 19 (S) Missaglia 12 (S) Fluted Legs 24 2x (S) Fluted Legs 24 (S) Plate Legs 19 (S) Hoplite Legs 34 1x (S) Hoplite Legs 34 (S) Hoplite Legs 34 (S) Jazeraint Legs 54 1x (H) Jazeraint Legs 60 (S) Jazeraint Legs 54 (D) Dread Legs 68 1x (D) Dread Legs 68 (H) Dread Armor 100 (D) Dread Glove 100 ****************************************** Leg Armor - (D) Dread Legs 100/100/100 ****************************************** You need: 22x (H) Missaglia 18x (S) Missaglia The process: # Piece 1 Stat Piece 2 Stat Result Stat ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10x (H) Missaglia 12 (H) Missaglia 12 (H) Plate Legs 19 4x (H) Plate Legs 19 (H) Plate Legs 19 (H) Plate Legs 30 2x (H) Plate Legs 30 (H) Plate Legs 30 (H) Plate Legs 48 2x (H) Plate Legs 19 (H) Missaglia 12 (H) Fluted Legs 24 2x (H) Fluted Legs 24 (H) Plate Legs 48 (H) Hoplite Legs 57 1x (H) Hoplite Legs 57 (H) Hoplite Legs 57 (H) Jazeraint Legs 91 8x (S) Missaglia 12 (S) Missaglia 12 (S) Plate Legs 19 2x (S) Plate Legs 19 (S) Plate Legs 19 (S) Plate Legs 30 2x (S) Plate Legs 30 (S) Plate Legs 19 (S) Plate Legs 39 2x (S) Plate Legs 19 (S) Missaglia 12 (S) Fluted Legs 24 2x (S) Fluted Legs 24 (S) Plate Legs 39 (S) Hoplite Legs 50 1x (S) Hoplite Legs 50 (S) Hoplite Legs 50 (S) Jazeraint Legs 80 1x (H) Jazeraint Legs 91 (S) Jazeraint Legs 80 (D) Dread Legs 100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- XII. Shield Armor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now, to burst your bubble: forget about making a (D) Dread Shield with 100/100/100. It is hard enough simply making a (D) Dread Shield, let alone one with maxed stats. This is because you can only get two Damascus shields in the game and they are both in chests. Granted you can combine Wood with Damascus and have the result still Damascus, but Wood + Damascus will almost always be the worst rate (38.5%). Furthermore, to bring up the Edged and Piercing stats, you would have to mix in numerous (W) Pelta Shields (+10 in Edged) and (W) Targes (+10 in Piercing). Don't get me wrong, it is possible, but consider this: if you had 64x (W) Pelta Shields, 64x (W) 65 Targes, and 2x (D) Casserole Shields, the best you could come up with is a (D) Heater Shield with stats = 11/5/6. Obviously you can see that you would need literally thousands of wood shields to get (D) Dread Shield 100/100/100. I estimate it will take about 5000 shields. At 4 shields an hour, and two hours a day, it will take about 2 years (not counting additional time to deposit, combine, etc.)!! Some have even set out to make it and I commend them for it. However, I am not going to work out a plan to make it. I will leave that to the courageous fellows who take up this quest. If you have a scheme and wish to email me it, I may add it to a future revision (with credits of course). I will, however (because I'm nice), list the stats for all the shields you can get in the game, their location, and the combination possibilities. ****************************************** Shield Stats ****************************************** These are the stats fresh from the enemy. Note that the Type stat is the same for all materials if it is uncombined. Buckler 10/0/0 Pelta Shield 0/10/0 Targe 0/0/10 Quad Shield 0/0/15 Circle Shield 15/0/0 Tower Shield 0/0/20 Spiked Shield 12/0/0 Round Shield 18/0/0 Kite Shield 0/20/0 Casserole Shield 20/0/0 Heater Shield 0/0/25 Oval Shield 15/15/0 Knight Shield 0/25/0 Hoplite Shield 25/10/0 ****************************************** Shield Locations ****************************************** Note that some enemies will not appear unless your HP is a certain amount. Others will not appear until a certain event, while others not after a certain event. For more information see the footnotes. M Shield Room Area Enemy % ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- W Buckler Worker's Breakroom Wine Cellar Chest -- W Buckler Rue Mal Fallde Town Center West Crimson Blade 10% *a B Buckler The Rene Coastroad Town Center West Crimson Blade 10% *a B Buckler Advent Ground Sanctum Lizardman 6% W Pelta The Gallows Wine Cellar Chest -- W Pelta Tircolas Flow Town Center West Crimson Blade 10% *a B Pelta Shrine of the Martyrs Sanctum Skeleton Knight 3% I Pelta Coal Mine Storage Abandoned Mines B1 Goblin Leader 3% I Pelta Greed Knows No Bounds Abandoned Mines B1 Goblin Leader 3% I Pelta The Dark Tunnel Abandoned Mines B1 Goblin Leader 3% *b W Targe Rue Sant D'alsa Town Center West Crimson Blade 10% *c W Targe Corridor of the Clerics Sanctum Skeleton 3% W Targe Theology Classroom Sanctum Skeleton 3% B Targe Bandits' Hideout Catacombs Chest -- B Targe Coal Mine Storage Abandoned Mines B1 Goblin 3% *d B Targe Conflict and Accord Abandoned Mines B1 Goblin 3% B Targe Miners' Resting Hall Abandoned Mines B1 Goblin 3% *d B Targe The End of the Line Abandoned Mines B1 Goblin 3% B Quad Miners' Resting Hall Abandoned Mines B1 Chest -- I Quad Rue Aliano Town Center South Crimson Blade 10% *e I Quad The Gabled Hall City Walls West Zombie Knight 6% *f H Quad Forcas Rise Town Center South Crimson Blade 10% *e W Circle Coal Mine Storage Abandoned Mines B1 Goblin 3% W Circle Everwant Passage Abandoned Mines B1 Goblin 3% W Circle Miners' Resting Hall Abandoned Mines B1 Goblin 3% W Circle The Dark Tunnel Abandoned Mines B1 Goblin 3% *g W Circle The Suicide King Abandoned Mines B1 Goblin 3% B Circle Hewn from Nature Snowfly Forest Chest -- B Circle Rue Aliano Town Center South Crimson Blade 10% *e H Circle Acolyte's Burial Vault Abandoned Mines B2 Chest -- H Circle Forest River Snowfly Forest Chest -- H Circle Swords for the Land City Walls South Lizardman 6% H Circle The Boy's Training Room City Walls South Lizardman 6% H Circle Hall of Poverty Undercity West Zombie Knight 6% H Circle Underdark Fishmarket Undercity West Zombie Knight 6% D Circle The Gallows Wine Cellar Chest -- B Tower Forcas Rise Town Center South Crimson Blade 10% *e I Tower Hidden Resources Abandoned Mines B2 Chest -- I Tower The Warrior's Rest The Keep Chest -- I Tower The Boy's Training Room City Walls South Lizardman 6% *h I Tower Where Weary Riders Rest City Walls South Lizardman 6% *i H Tower Those who Fear the Light Temple of Kiltia Gremlin 6% *j H Tower Forest River Snowfly Forest Zombie Knight 12% H Tower Way of the Mother Lode Undercity West Zombie Knight 6% B Spiked The Weeping Boy City Walls South Lizardman 6% *k B Spiked Where Weary Riders Rest City Walls South Lizardman 6% I Spiked The Children's Hideout Undercity West Chest -- I Spiked Screams of the Wounded Limestone Quarry Dullahan 3% I Spiked The Fallen Hall Limestone Quarry Dullahan 3% H Spiked Delusions of Happiness Abandoned Mines B2 Blood Lizard 6% H Spiked The Air Stirs Limestone Quarry Gremlin 3% *l H Spiked The Timely Dew of Sleep Limestone Quarry Gremlin 3% H Spiked Where the Serpent Hunts Limestone Quarry Gremlin 3% H Spiked Those who Fear the Light Temple of Kiltia Gremlin 6% *m H Spiked Those who Fear the Light Temple of Kiltia Gremlin 6% *j I Round Bandits' Hollow Abandoned Mines B2 Blood Lizard 6% S Round Gharmes Walk Town Center East Chest -- H Round From Squire to Knight City Walls North Blood Lizard 6% H Round Catspaw Blackmarket Undercity East Chest -- H Round Nameless Dark Oblivion Undercity West Dark Skeleton 6% H Round Tears from Empty Sockets Undercity West Dark Skeleton 6% H Round Beggars of the Mouthharp Undercity West Dullahan 9% *k H Round Path to the Greengrocer Undercity West Dullahan*1 9% *n H Round The Body Fragile Yields Undercity West Dullahan 9% *o H Round The Crumbling Market Undercity West Dullahan 9% *p H Round Corridor of Tales Limestone Quarry Gremlin 3% *q H Round The Air Stirs Limestone Quarry Gremlin 3% H Round The Rotten Core Limestone Quarry Gremlin 3% I Kite Be for Battle Prepared City Walls North Blood Lizard 6% I Kite The Invaders are Found City Walls East Dark Skeleton 6% I Kite The Squire's Gathering City Walls East Dark Skeleton 6% I Kite Corner of Prayers Undercity West Dark Skeleton 6% I Kite Corner of the Wretched Undercity West Dark Skeleton 6% I Kite Fear of the Fall Undercity West Dark Skeleton 6% I Kite Larder for a Lean Winter Undercity West Dark Skeleton 6% H Kite Stone and Sulfurous Fire Limestone Quarry Chest -- H Kite Shasras Hill Park Town Center East Crimson Blade 10% *h H Kite Cleansing the Soul Iron Maiden B1 Dark Skeleton 6% H Kite Fear of the Fall Undercity West Skeleton 6% B Casserole From Squire to Knight City Walls North Blood Lizard 6% I Casserole Rue Fisserano Town Center East Crimson Blade 10% *h I Casserole Kesch Bridge Town Center East Crimson Blade 10% *h H Casserole Awaiting Retribution Forgotten Pathway Blood Lizard 3% H Casserole The Oracle Sins No More Forgotten Pathway Blood Lizard 3% H Casserole Excavated Hollow Limestone Quarry Chest -- H Casserole Blooding Iron Maiden B1 Dark Skeleton 6% H Casserole The Judas Cradle Iron Maiden B1 Dark Skeleton 6% H Casserole The Wheel Iron Maiden B1 Dark Skeleton 6% D Casserole Companions in Arms Limestone Quarry Chest -- B Heater Rue Crimnade Town Center East Crimson Blade 10% *h I Heater Delusions of Happiness Abandoned Mines B2 Chest -- H Heater The Whirligig Iron Maiden B1 Dark Skeleton*2 6% H Oval Where Darkness Spreads Great Cathedral L1 Chest -- H Knight Nature's Womb Snowfly Forest East Chest -- H Hoplite Squassation Iron Maiden B2 Chest -- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Footnotes: *a After battle with Ogre *b Before battle at Hewn From Nature *c After cutscene with Guildenstern/Samantha/Sydney at Villeport Way *d HP 190 or more *e After battle with Rosencrantz *f Before battle with Duane *g Before battle at Hewn From Nature *h Before battle with Sky Dragon *I HP 215 or more *j HP 150 or more; After cutscene with Sydney/Rosencrantz at Chamber of Reason *k HP 210 or more *l HP 150 or more *m HP 149 or less; After cutscene with Sydney/Rosencrantz at Chamber of Reason *n HP 150 or less *o HP 200 or less *p Before battle with Dao *q HP 180 or more *1 This Dullahan is the best Dullahan to rack on because he is only one door away from a new area and he also drops a strength elixir. *2 The fastest way to make this enemy reappear is to travel from "The Whirligig" to "Blooding" and then back again. ****************************************** Shield Material Combinations ****************************************** First Slot-->Wood Bronze Iron Hagane Silver Damascus Second Slot --------------------------------------------------- Wood | Wood Bronze Iron Hagane Silver Damascus Bronze | Bronze Bronze Hagane Hagane Bronze Hagane Iron | Iron Hagane Iron Hagane Iron Hagane Hagane | Hagane Silver Hagane Hagane Hagane Hagane Silver | Silver Bronze Iron Hagane Silver Silver Damascus | Damascus Hagane Hagane Hagane Silver Damascus ****************************************** Shield Combinations ****************************************** First Slot-->BUCKLER PELTA TARGE QUAD CIRCLE TOWER Second Slot ---------------------------------------------------- BUCKLER | Buckler Buckler Pelta Buckler Targe Buckler PELTA | Buckler Pelta Quad Targe Buckler Pelta TARGE | Pelta Quad Targe Circle Pelta Buckler QUAD | Buckler Targe Circle Quad Tower Spiked CIRCLE | Targe Buckler Pelta Tower Circle Spiked TOWER | Buckler Pelta Buckler Spiked Spiked Tower SPIKED | Quad Buckler Spiked Targe Round Round ROUND | Buckler Pelta Buckler Round Buckler Kite KITE | Pelta Buckler Targe Buckler Spiked Buckler CASSEROLE | Targe Pelta Spiked Buckler Kite Targe HEATER | Quad Targe Pelta Buckler Quad Kite OVAL | Circle Quad Targe Pelta Buckler Targe KNIGHT | Tower Circle Quad Targe Pelta Buckler HOPLITE | Spiked Tower Circle Quad Targe Pelta JAZERAINT | Round Spiked Tower Circle Quad Targe DREAD | Kite Round Spiked Tower Circle Quad First Slot-->SPIKED ROUND KITE CASSEROLE HEATER Second Slot --------------------------------------------------- BUCKLER | Quad Buckler Pelta Targe Quad PELTA | Buckler Pelta Buckler Pelta Targe TARGE | Spiked Buckler Buckler Spiked Pelta QUAD | Targe Round Buckler Targe Buckler CIRCLE | Round Buckler Spiked Kite Quad TOWER | Round Kite Buckler Targe Kite SPIKED | Spiked Kite Casserole Buckler Round ROUND | Kite Round Casserole Heater Buckler KITE | Casserole Casserole Kite Heater Buckler CASSEROLE | Buckler Heater Heater Casserole Oval HEATER | Round Buckler Buckler Oval Heater OVAL | Kite Casserole Targe Spiked Knight KNIGHT | Casserole Circle Buckler Round Targe HOPLITE | Buckler Quad Casserole Buckler Circle JAZERAINT | Pelta Buckler Buckler Buckler Kite DREAD | Targe Pelta Buckler Targe Buckler First Slot-->OVAL KNIGHT HOPLITE JAZERAINT DREAD Second Slot --------------------------------------------------- BUCKLER | Circle Tower Spiked Round Kite PELTA | Quad Circle Tower Spiked Round TARGE | Targe Quad Circle Tower Spiked QUAD | Pelta Targe Quad Circle Tower CIRCLE | Buckler Pelta Targe Quad Circle TOWER | Targe Buckler Pelta Targe Quad SPIKED | Kite Casserole Buckler Pelta Targe ROUND | Casserole Circle Quad Buckler Pelta KITE | Targe Buckler Casserole Buckler Buckler CASSEROLE | Spiked Buckler Round Buckler Targe HEATER | Knight Targe Circle Kite Buckler OVAL | Oval Hoplite Quad Buckler Spiked KNIGHT | Hoplite Knight Buckler Quad Buckler HOPLITE | Quad Buckler Jazeraint Buckler Circle JAZERAINT | Buckler Quad Buckler Dread Buckler DREAD | Spiked Buckler Circle Buckler Dread ****************************************** Shield Alternatives ****************************************** The alternatives to a (D) 100/100/100 are: 1: (D) Dread Shield 100/0/0 2: (H) Dread Shield 100/100/0 3: (H) Dread Shield 100/100/100 The first option takes 32 play-throughs to make. The second takes 12 play- throughs. The last option takes multiple play-throughs and multiple shields. I have listed the process for all options, and with different ways to do the last option. This way you can decide which one you feel like doing. I must say that I have not done any of these processes to the fullest. However, I have done some combining and run some tests. For the (D) Dread Shield, I simply used the 80% rate for estimations but I can guarantee that it will be 100/0/0 in the end. Some of the stats for the other processes are tested but most are simply my assumptions on a certain combination netting a certain rate. It may turn out worse or better but be forewarned. ****************************************** (D) Dread Shield 100/0/0 ****************************************** You need: 32x (D) Casserole Shield --> 32 play-throughs 24x (D) Circle Shield / The process: # Piece 1 Stat Piece 2 Stat Result Stat ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12x (D) Circle 15/0/0 (D) Circle 15/0/0 (D) Circle 24/0/0 12x (D) Casserole 20/0/0 (D) Circle 24/0/0 (D) Kite 35/0/0 12x (D) Kite 35/0/0 (D) Casserole 20/0/0 (D) Heater 44/0/0 8x (D) Heater 44/0/0 (D) Casserole 20/0/0 (D) Oval 51/0/0 4x (D) Heater 44/0/0 (D) Oval 51/0/0 (D) Knight 76/0/0 4x (D) Knight 76/0/0 (D) Oval 51/0/0 (D) Hoplite 100/0/0 2x (D) Hoplite 100/0/0 (D) Hoplite 100/0/0 (D) Jazeraint 100/0/0 1x (D) Jazeraint 100/0/0 (D) Jazeraint 100/0/0 (D) Dread 100/0/0 ****************************************** (H) Dread Shield 100/100/0 ****************************************** You need: 12x (H) Knight Shield \ 12x (H) Oval Shield > 12 play-throughs 12x (H) Hoplite Shield / The process: # Piece 1 Stat Piece 2 Stat Result Stat ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12x (H) Knight 0/25/0 (H) Oval 15/15/0 (H) Hoplite 9/24/0 12x (H) Hoplite 9/24/0 (H) Hoplite 25/10/0 (H) Jazeraint 20/20/0 6x (H) Jazeraint 20/20/0 (H) Jazeraint 20/20/0 (H) Dread 32/32/0 3x (H) Dread 32/32/0 (H) Dread 32/32/0 (H) Dread 51/51/0 1x (H) Dread 51/51/0 (H) Dread 51/51/0 (H) Dread 81/81/0 1x (H) Dread 81/81/0 (H) Dread 51/51/0 (H) Dread 100/100/0* *This is based on the assumption of an 80% rate. ****************************************** (H) Dread Shield 100/100/100 ****************************************** Plan 1 ------ You need: 40x (H) Oval Shield -> 40 play-throughs 40x (H) Heater Shield The process: # Piece 1 Stat Piece 2 Stat Result Stat ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20x (H) Heater 0/0/25 (H) Heater 0/0/25 (H) Heater 0/0/40 20x (H) Heater 0/0/40 (H) Oval 15/15/0 (H) Knight 9/9/24 20x (H) Knight 9/9/24 (H) Oval 15/15/0 (H) Hoplite 14/14/14 10x (H) Hoplite 14/14/14 (H) Hoplite 14/14/14 (H) Jazeraint 22/22/22 5x (H) Jazeraint 22/22/22 (H) Jazeraint 22/22/22 (H) Dread 35/35/35 2x (H) Dread 35/35/35 (H) Dread 35/35/35 (H) Dread 56/56/56 1x (H) Dread 56/56/56 (H) Dread 35/35/35 (H) Dread 72/72/72* 1x (H) Dread 72/72/72 (H) Dread 56/56/56 (H) Dread 100/100/100* *This is based on the assumption of an 80% rate. Plan 2 ------ You need: 24x (H) Knight Shield --> 24 play-throughs 24x (H) Hoplite Shield -/ 12x (H) Casserole Shield 96x (H) Heater Shield The process: # Piece 1 Stat Piece 2 Stat Result Stat ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12x (H) Knight 0/25/0 (H) Knight 0/25/0 (H) Knight 0/40/0 48x (H) Heater 0/0/25 (H) Heater 0/0/25 (H) Heater 0/0/40 24x (H) Heater 0/0/40 (H) Heater 0/0/40 (H) Heater 0/0/64 12x (H) Heater 0/0/64 (H) Heater 0/0/64 (H) Heater 0/0/100 12x (H) Casserole 20/0/0 (H) Heater 0/0/100 (H) Oval 12/0/60 12x (H) Knight 0/40/0 (H) Oval 12/0/60 (H) Hoplite 7/24/36 6x (H) Hoplite 7/24/36 (H) Hoplite 7/24/36 (H) Jazeraint 11/38/57 3x (H) Jazeraint 11/38/57 (H) Jazeraint 11/38/57 (H) Dread 17/60/91 12x (H) Hoplite 25/10/0 (H) Hoplite 25/10/0 (H) Jazeraint 40/16/0 6x (H) Jazeraint 40/16/0 (H) Jazeraint 40/16/0 (H) Dread 64/25/0 3x (H) Dread 64/25/0 (H) Dread 64/25/0 (H) Dread 100/40/0 3x (H) Dread 100/40/0 (H) Dread 17/60/91 (H) Dread 70/60/54 1x (H) Dread 70/60/54 (H) Dread 70/60/54 (H) Dread 100/96/86 1x (H) Dread 100/96/86 (H) Dread 70/60/54 (H) Dread 100/100/100* *This is based on the assumption of an 80% rate. Plan 3 ------ You need: 32x (H) Knight Shield \ 32x (H) Oval Shield > 32 play-throughs 32x (H) Hoplite Shield / 32x (H) Kite Shield 32x (H) Round Shield 64x (H) Heater Shield The process: # Piece 1 Stat Piece 2 Stat Result Stat ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16x (H) Knight 0/25/0 (H) Knight 0/25/0 (H) Knight 0/40/0 16x (H) Oval 15/15/0 (H) Oval 15/15/0 (H) Oval 24/24/0 16x (H) Knight 0/40/0 (H) Oval 24/24/0 (H) Hoplite 14/38/0 16x (H) Hoplite 14/38/0 (H) Hoplite 25/10/0 (H) Jazeraint 23/28/0 8x (H) Jazeraint 23/28/0 (H) Jazeraint 23/28/0 (H) Dread 36/44/0 32x (H) Kite 0/20/0 (H) Round 18/0/0 (H) Casserole 10/12/0 32x (H) Casserole 10/12/0 (H) Heater 0/0/25 (H) Oval 6/7/15 32x (H) Oval 6/7/15 (H) Heater 0/0/25 (H) Knight 3/4/24 32x (H) Knight 3/4/24 (H) Oval 6/7/15 (H) Hoplite 5/6/23 16x (H) Hoplite 5/6/23 (H) Hoplite 5/6/23 (H) Jazeraint 8/9/36 8x (H) Jazeraint 8/9/36 (H) Jazeraint 8/9/36 (H) Dread 12/14/57 8x (H) Dread 12/14/57 (H) Dread 36/44/0 (H) Dread 28/34/34 4x (H) Dread 28/34/34 (H) Dread 28/34/34 (H) Dread 44/54/54 2x (H) Dread 44/54/54 (H) Dread 44/54/54 (H) Dread 70/86/86 1x (H) Dread 70/86/86 (H) Dread 70/86/86 (H) Dread 100/100/100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- XIII. Raising Class And Affinity Stats ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This process is very long. You need to do this process before you actually make the final combinations of your ultimate armor. What you do is equip certain pieces of armor, go to a certain place, cast Surging Balm, get in battle mode, and leave the game on overnight. In the morning, your stats for certain classes and affinities will be much increased, if not maxed out. This works in theory; the actual process is more difficult then it seems (read on). ****************************************** Helpful Things To Know ****************************************** -Your character has to be somewhat strong (high STR stat) for this to work. Note that you will have very good armor on so you should be OK. However, I would suggest fighting Dark and Last Crusaders in the Iron Maiden B2 first in order to get lots of HP elixirs. This can be done while racking for armor pieces (see "Places To Acquire The Armor"). Try and get your HP at least 750 or more. -Your character has to be somewhat slow (low AGL stat) for this to work. If your character is too fast, no one will be able to hit him. This is why I have not testing this process out completely. My character had about 220 in AGL on my fourth play before I found out my AGL was too high (I had to start a completely new game just to test some things). This goes to show that the best time to do this is on your second time through the game (third at the most). -If you do go through multiple game plays, be sure to not use any AGL elixirs or wines. And try not to get AGL for the roulette stat bonuses after the bosses. If you rapidly press circle button, you will automatically get the second item in the list. If the second item is AGL, simply wait a split second and then press circle. -To lower AGL: Get cursed. Equip certain weapons with a high negative AGL stat. Try an Iron Hand of Light with Bhuj Type, Elephant, or Grimorie grip (-13 AGL). Or, a Pole Axe, Bardysh, Brandestoc with Ahlspies or Spiral Pole grip; or a Holy Win with Power Palm, Murderer's Hilt, or Spiral Hilt grip. Also, unequip all gems and necklaces with a positive stat in AGL. -Surging Balm heals 5% of your max HP -Any spell cast on you will nullify Surging Balm -Stat modifying attacks will nullify Surging Balm (e.g. getting poisoned, paralyzed, etc.) -You cannot rack up armor with any enemy that might cast a spell on you. Though the enemies' MP will soon be depleted, it regenerates just like yours. When it does, either he will cast another spell or simply stay still and not do anything. -Nearly every enemy has a normal attack (e.g. with a weapon or a normal hit). These normal attacks are almost always physical (i.e. they will raise Physical stat). Some enemies have spells and some have special attacks. Some of these special attacks will raise other affinities besides Physical. -You do not have to be in battle mode for the armor to go up. You do, however, have to be in battle mode in order for the shield to go up. -You can also increase the stats in your armor with the enhancer spells. For Light, use Heal. This method is slow and takes manual operation, but it can be helpful in lifting up a piece a few points to get 100. -You can also increase the stats with the affinity based warlock spells. Simply get close to an enemy and cast it so that it hits you. -Racking up affinities is not easy. The problem with some enemies is that their risk goes sky high and never end up hitting you. Others seem to like a particular body part and only hit those parts. To counter this, try positioning yourself in an open space, one in which the enemy can move all around you. The best enemies to rack on are the Dragons. This is because their breath hits all body parts in one attack. The only remedy to these affinity problems is to monitor it. Yet even this does not help with the problem of Physical canceling out certain affinities (read on). ****************************************** Opposing Stats ****************************************** You will have to rack up 9 pieces of armor in the combining process. It has to be 9 and not 3 or 4 because of the cross conflicting stats (particularly Physical). As you probably know, when one stat goes up, there is a chance that opposing stats will go down. For example, when Human goes up, Beast might go down; when Earth goes up, Air might go down. Note that you can possibly get away with racking up fewer pieces and/or with different combinations. However, you will find that it will be hard to do because Physical can potentially take away any other affinity (and note that just about every enemy has a physical based attack). The following lists the opposing stats: Goes up Might Go Down --------------------------------------------------- Human Beast and/or Undead Beast Undead and/or Phantom Undead Phantom and/or Dragon Phantom Dragon and/or Evil Dragon Evil and/or Human Evil Human and/or Beast Physical Any combination of all other affinities Air Physical and/or Earth Fire Physical and/or Water Earth Physical and/or Air Water Physical and/or Fire Light Physical and/or Dark Dark Physical and/or Light ****************************************** The Process ****************************************** In order to make ultimate armor, you cannot rack a piece that has already been racked. For example, if you rack one piece in Water to 100, you cannot rack that piece in another affinity that opposes Water (which is Earth and anything Physical). If you do, Water will probably go down. Also, when you combine that piece of Water=100, you still cannot combine the resulting piece with anything that opposes Water. This may not seem like a big deal but it is. If you wait until too long to pick your 9 pieces, you will find that it will be too late to do this process. It will be very efficient to rack the pieces as you are in the combining stage. For example, in the day, acquire the pieces; in the night, leave the game on overnight and rack them. Try and equip as many pieces as you can before racking the armor. This way it will go much faster. Note that there is a lot of flexibility with determining what 9 pieces you want to rack. Just make sure you rack up a piece to a full 100 before combining and never rack a piece that has any racked-up stats. The pieces I have selected are a well-balance selection (18 arm pieces, 10 legs, 8 body) so you can equip the most pieces at one time. These are 9 acceptable pieces for each category in my examples. When you get them or combine them, be sure to set them aside to be racked. Head Armor ((D) Dread Helm 100/100/100): Armor# Armor With Stat Process ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 (S) Freiturnier 30 Rack up Human and Phantom to 100 2 (S) Freiturnier 30 Rack up Beast, Dragon, and Physical to 100 3 (S) Freiturnier 30 Rack up Undead and Evil to 100 4 (S) Freiturnier 30 Rack up Air to 100 5 (S) Freiturnier 30 Rack up Earth to 100 6 (S) Freiturnier 30 Rack up Water to 100 7 (S) Freiturnier 30 Rack up Fire to 100 8 (S) Freiturnier 30 Rack up Dark to 100 9 (S) Freiturnier 30 Rack up Light to 100 Body Armor ((D) Dread Armor 100/100/100): Armor# Armor With Stat Process ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 (H) Missaglia 12 Rack up Human and Phantom to 100 2 (H) Plate Mail 48 Rack up Beast, Dragon, and Physical to 100 3 (H) Plate Mail 48 Rack up Undead and Evil to 100 4 (H) Plate Mail 48 Rack up Air to 100 5 (H) Plate Mail 48 Rack up Earth to 100 6 (H) Fluted Armor 43 Rack up Water to 100 7 (H) Fluted Armor 43 Rack up Fire to 100 8 (H) Fluted Armor 43 Rack up Dark to 100 9 (H) Fluted Armor 43 Rack up Light to 100 Arm Armor ((D) Dread Glove 100/100/100): Armor# Armor With Stat Process ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 (H) Tilt Glove 12 Rack up Human and Phantom to 100 2 (H) Tilt Glove 12 Rack up Beast, Dragon, and Physical to 100 3 (H) Tilt Glove 12 Rack up Undead and Evil to 100 4 (H) Tilt Glove 12 Rack up Air to 100 5 (H) Tilt Glove 12 Rack up Earth to 100 6 (H) Tilt Glove 12 Rack up Water to 100 7 (H) Tilt Glove 12 Rack up Fire to 100 8 (H) Tilt Glove 12 Rack up Dark to 100 9 (H) Tilt Glove 12 Rack up Light to 100 Leg Armor ((D) Dread Leggings 100/100/100): Armor# Armor With Stat Process -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 (H) Plate Leggings 19 Rack up Human and Phantom to 100 2 (H) Plate Leggings 19 Rack up Beast, Dragon, and Physical to 100 3 (H) Plate Leggings 19 Rack up Undead and Evil to 100 4 (H) Plate Leggings 19 Rack up Air to 100 5 (H) Plate Leggings 19 Rack up Earth to 100 6 (S) Plate Leggings 30 Rack up Water to 100 7 (S) Plate Leggings 30 Rack up Fire to 100 8 (S) Plate Leggings 30 Rack up Dark to 100 9 (S) Plate Leggings 30 Rack up Light to 100 Shield Armor: This depends on what plan you follow. Select a plan and determine ahead of time 9 acceptable pieces. Then rack them like the other armor. ****************************************** Where To Rack Up Class And Affinity Stats ****************************************** Note: Only the enemies that cannot nullify Surging Balm are listed. Also note that the enemies in the timed rooms in Abandoned Mines B2 are not included. (Boss enemies are in ALL CAPS.) Room Area Enemy Stats Raised ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rue Aliano Town Center South 3xCrimson Blade Human Priests' Confinement Sanctum 5xBat Beast/Physical Hall of Dying Hope Catacombs 3xSkeleton/Z.K. Undead Where Weary Riders Rest City Walls South 3xLizardman Dragon The Oven at Neisse Iron Maiden B2 1xDark Crusader Evil Dining in Darkness Abandoned Mines B2 SKY DRAGON Air The Miner's End Abandoned Mines B2 Orc Leader Air* The Battle's Beginning Abandoned Mines B1 2xHellhound Fire The Cleansing Chantry Sanctum DRAGON Fire The Cleansing Chantry The Keep (Time Trial) Dragon Fire The Hall of Broken Vows Great Cathedral L2 FLAME DRAGON Fire The Battle's Beginning Abandoned Mines B1 WYVERN Fire Spanish Tickler Iron Maiden B1 WYVERN KNIGHT Fire Knotting Iron Maiden B1 WYVERN QUEEN Fire The Cold's Bridle Iron Maiden B2 Dark Crusader Fire* Return to the Land Snowfly Forest EARTH DRAGON Earth Return to the Land The Keep (Time Trial) Earth Dragon Earth Which Way Home Snowfly Forest 2xBasilisk Earth Gambler's Passage Abandoned Mines B2 Orc Earth* The Miner's End Abandoned Mines B2 Orc Earth* The Spider Iron Maiden B2 Dark Crusader Earth* The Giving Trees Snowfly Forest 2xIchthious Water Nature's Womb Snowfly Forest East DAMASCUS CRAB Water Nature's Womb The Keep (Time Trial) Damascus Crab Water Underdark Fishmarket Undercity West GIANT CRAB Water Sanity and Madness Great Cathedral B1 IRON CRAB Water Hall of the Wage-Paying Limestone Quarry SNOW DRAGON Water Hall of the Wage-Paying The Keep (Time Trial) Snow Dragon Water Tablillas Iron Maiden B2 Dark Crusader Water* A Light in the Dark Great Cathedral L1 ARCH DRAGON Light Bandits' Hollow Abandoned Mines B2 Blood Lizard Light* Brank Iron Maiden B2 Dark Crusader Light* The Rack Iron Maiden B2 Dark Crusader Air* The Saw Iron Maiden B2 DRAGON ZOMBIE Dark The Treaty Room Abandoned Mines B2 2xSlime Dark Notes: -* These enemies have a distinct affinity attack because they have a silver weapon and/or they have a particular gem in their weapon. At any rate, after they attack you for so long, their Physical stat will become dominant. When it does, their attack will be Physical. If you exit the room, their stat will reset. You will probably want to analyze each enemy to see which one you want. Note that all stared enemies except the Orcs and the Dark Crusader in "Brank" can also cast an enhancer on their weapon. This will lift up their corresponding affinity so that the chances of them attacking you with Physical will decrease. -You will notice that there is no place listed for Phantom. This is because all the Phantoms can cast spells on you, which will nullify Surging Balm. Of course you can manually operate the encounters but this would take a very long time. If you are looking for a Phantom that you can raise the Phantom Class, try the Ghosts in the Catacombs. Their Mind Blast attack is a Phantom/Physical attack. -All Dark Crusaders will not appear unless your HP are 149 or less when entering the room. -The Dark Crusaders in the Iron Maiden B2 are the only Evil enemies that cannot cast a spell on you. The Dark Crusader listed for Evil is the weakest of them, and hence the best one. -When racking on a particular enemy, make sure you kill the other enemies in the room first. -The Dark Dragon has a Dark affinity attack but the attack poisons you; hence it will not work with Surging Balm. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- XIV. Credit And Thanks ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -To Jay Tilton ([email protected]), whose "Enemy Guide" and "Combination FAQ" came in very handy. -To Wilson Lau ([email protected]), who pointed out numerous mistakes and fixes with my first version. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (C) 2001 Samuel Riesterer (a.k.a. Braveheart)
