Blade

Koichi. I will say no more. :3

Near as I can tell, S-Ko is based off a "vengeance ghost". If you want to read specifically, here's an article on Sadako: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadako_Yamamura "They" (I say "They" because there's more than one ghost possessing Zappa's body) say they'll curse Faust until the end of time...not sure what sort of vengeance this is referring to if any. It's quite possibly an aimless wrath (which tends to happen with misguided spirits who loathe the living, or specifically hatred towards the generation incarnation of a person, not necessarily the person himself/herself, if you've ever read the manga/watched the anime "Ceres: The Celestial Legend", the lore is similar) or just a misunderstanding (more likely the latter). Warning: the following is INFERRED speculation (based on provided information), it is neither confirmed nor denied in any part, but is the sum total of information I've gathered and put together, so do not consider this canonical as of yet. Inferring for just a moment that Faust is Dr. Baldhead (since both back stories claim Faust/Dr. B were famous surgeons). The suspicion is that during a very important surgery Faust was "set up" by someone within the PWAB/U.N. vis a vis the Soshiki Assassin Syndicate, at the time these organizations worked together towards a common goal (this being before Zato-1 was leader and revolutionized the Guild *see Night of Knives/Zato-1's backstory*). Basically someone within the guild was acting under PWAB orders to force Faust to botch his surgery with a certain girl, resulting in her death. It is never said who this girl is, only that she was very important to Faust. The end result drives Faust mad and he goes on a killing spree, eventually taken into custody. He is in prison for a time and then set free and given a giant scalpel by Testament (I do not know if Testament recalls this personally, but this story is told in the original GG manual). He is given the chance to compete in a tournament where bloodshed is allowed. After a time "Dr. Baldhead" regains some semblance of sanity and begins to rebuild the remainder of his life. He puts a bag on his head and once again (or perhaps for the first time) takes the name "Faust" (probably based on the Wagner opera character who made a deal with the devil in exachange for happiness). It should be noted that Dr. Baldhead may or may not be his real name, but a name born out of his insanity, just as Faust may or may not be his real name...there's just too little information to go by. Faust decides to do two things: 1. Seek out the "true" killer of the girl. (Though most infer it was his fault.) And if there is no evidence of this, seek out the conspiracy behind his surgery. 2. Save as many lives as possible along the way. Now there's a bit of a twist to this...somehow Faust is highly experienced in teleportation and random summoning spells, and some form of transformation, besides being highly gifted in using his giant scalpel. We do not know if he gained these powers over time, at one specific point, or if he always had them. None of this is ever explained (though he did have a teleportation battle with Raven and lost in the LtA novel). It should be noted he is highly knowledgeable in Gear physiology and was able to bring Dizzy out of her berserker rage. He has also come to a stalemate with Slayer who even offered him a position as one of the Soshiki "Elders" though he declined. Venom referred to him as the "Dark Doctor" at one point, suggesting he had some prior history with the guild, either as a working assassin, or perhaps for some other reason (such as illegal/black market medical treatment for criminals). ~~~~~ Lastly, regarding the ghosts that possess Zappa, specifically S-ko (she is not called Sadako officially for copyright reasons). We do not know if this girl is the girl Faust failed to save, though it might be, we just don't know. Faust and Zappa have encountered one another on several occaisions in the story, usually ending up with Faust either unable to cure him, cure him incorrectly, cure him only for S-ko to come BACK, or Zappa actually knocking him out...so take your pick. If I were to guess, S-ko isn't really after Faust per se, or Axl for that matter, but in fact she just hates everyone regardless of who it might be and for any potential number of reasons however illogical that might sound. She is what you call a vengeful grudge ghost (see the movie "Grudge" for details). Even if someone were to get to the root of her problem, such as what happened at the end of the American movie "The Ring", it would only "free" her to do more damage (might wanna look up Horror Movie Tropes). As for Megumi, she existed in the 21 century, and, going by the logic that ghosts have a habit of keeping their names whilst undead, the likelihood that S-ko is Megumi is very low, that said, she would've recognized Axl by now, which hasn't happened or even been hinted at. The only inferrence being that S-ko reminded Axl of Megumi...nothing more. So there you go.

Okay so I just discovered the secret to Dangoku on Pad! It's like...A REVELATION! (Stick Users wouldn't understand, maybe.) Anyway, instead of doing the inputs as separately listed in her movelist, do the inputs as if you were doing a backwards Overdrive or Sol's Forcebreak Overdrive...here's what to do: + MASSHOU + FUKUMETSU+DANGOKU I left out the "Fukumetsu" for a reason in that input, you still do it, but the idea is to get the last two inputs in a "single motion" without double-tapping and screwing up the input. You still hit at the same time as just before So really it looks like this: + +()::+ I hope that helps! It sure helps me!

Well here's the 2nd Half of A.B.A.'s backstory, enjoy! For those who missed Part 1 ~~~~~ Slayer states that Flament Nagel was in fact just an Axe that had possessed a giant creature’s body. It didn’t matter how much power the host possessed…if he could not hold Flament Nagel…his power was useless. Even so, Slayer did not anticipate meeting with Flament Nagel years later. It seems that Nagel was removed from his own “host” and put in storage by a famous alchemist and professor by the name of Paracelsus, who tried doing several experiments with him. But because the professor was taken from his home in Frasco, the house was later abandoned. At some point Slayer was requested to “tidy” things up a bit in the area and investigate the various goings on within the house. The scene opens up with ABA talking to “Paracelsus”. ABA: “Dear, what would you like for dinner?” Para: “I’m…not your “Dear”…. ABA: “But you ARE my Dear…because I’m y-o-u-r Dear!” Para: “Somehow I don’t think that’s true…and you’ve got the wrong idea…” ABA continues the argument saying she thought about it a lot and wants to be his wife. (!) It makes her very happy. (!!) (Flament Nagel to himself): “What’s become of me…why did things end up like this!? Why do things have to be so weirrrdd!!!” *Nagel begins to hop away from her. But she happily follows him.* It’s about this time that Slayer appears on the two… Slayer: “So this must be the battle relics storage room…could you be Flament Nagel?!” Para: “Ah….about me…well the truth is…I’m not…” ABA: “Dear, who is this?” Slayer: “I am Slayer, which way would the battle relics storage room be?” Para: “S-s-s-Slayer!!? I’m not really sure but we’ve never met…” Slayer wonders what the two are doing in this storage room of all places. But since his name is Slayer…he has a job to do… Slayer: So what exactly are you? ABA: I’m A.B.A. I don’t know what I am. Slayer: All alone with an axe? Interesting. ABA: Paracelsus isn’t an axe. He’s a Key! <3 Slayer: A key?! ABA says she doesn’t know but he fits her anti-savage philosophy of keys and battle. Slayer says he understands the situation and begins to leave. Whether Flament Nagel wants to be a Key or an Axe is no concern of his. ABA: Isn’t that good? Paracelsus is a key! And in the future we’ll open lots of doors together!? (!!!) Slayer says it’s too bad about the circumstances, and wonders what they plan to do at this point. ABA replies that even though Paracelsus is a key, she has every intention of making him a human someday. Paracelsus argues that he really is indeed an Axe from the dark ages (and doesn’t really want to be human). ABA says that axes don’t just stand up and talk and that in her mind only a beautiful key could do that. After her “explanation”, Paracelsus explains that “this is why” he is no longer “Flament Nagel”. ABA agrees that Paracelsus will stay Paracelsus. Slayer: I’m not sure why you’re hiding it, but you seem serious about it. I wish you happiness! I hope your memories are precious! ABA says she’s VERY Happy. Para: Whoa-whoa HOLD IT!! *Para hops after Slayer* Slayer: What... Para: No! You’re right, it’s a lie! I really am Flament Nagel! A nightmare on the battlefield! I can’t believe I’m asking this but please don’t leave me here! Slayer: Hmm. Para: I’ve had about all I can stand of this place! Para begins to talk about all his problems being locked up in storage in a scientist nuthouse and being treated as just a useless “inanimate” object that just happens to talk, all this with ABA compounding to the matter. ABA tries to tell him not to cry. He yells and says SHES part of the PROBLEM! She says he’s being mean and starts to cry. Slayer asks what the problem really is. Para begs Slayer to take him away from this place, begging him to give him something to “cut into” (him being bloodthirsty of course!). Slayer says he can’t as that’s not how the world works, and the period of war is long over. Having someone to spend time with is more than enough, he thinks. Para says he DID think about it! And that any place is better than here! He says he can still be of use to people if they just give him a chance. He begins to beg in earnest. ABA begins to cry at how she’s feeling abandoned by him. He rescinds that he is NOT CALLED “Paracelsus” and that his name is “Flament Nagel”. Slayer observes this is almost like a developed “split-personality” and isn’t convinced, so he says “Farewell.” Para: WAIIT!! *gets tied back with chains* This damn thing! DAAAA! *cuts the chains around him with his power* ABA: Paracelcuuuus….? Para: Now now…Slayer-sama… *hops after Slayer* Slayer: Now then…what to do…? ABA, what are your plans? ABA: I’m happy as things are, and don’t want to go extinct or blow up, that’s how I feel! Slayer: What’s that? ABA: That’s sort of…what’s your plan for Paracelsus? Para: I’m not Paracelsus! I’m not your “Dear”! ABA: I get it! You want me to beat this guy up! He’s after you because of your power! Let me help! Para (Nagel): WHY WON’T YOU LISTEN! Slayer: So preservation is what you’re after. A Duel just might make me rethink my decision! ABA: Eh? I dunno how to fight. Slayer: What’s that? ABA: I’m a homunculus. Alchemy is sorta what made me. Slayer: Oh…now that’s interesting! ABA: I’m not sure what my power is, but the potential is there. Slayer: So why don’t you give it a try and show me. That and… ABA: What…? It’s not like I’ll die. Slayer: I’m a veteran so…you might not like my style. I’m a Vampire. ABA: Eh… Para (Nagel): You’d better stop…you won’t be able to stand or do anything! ABA: Paracelsus…I’m gonna do it! That man’s going down! I’ll show you I can win! Slayer: An elegant love battle is it? The heart shows on the face. Now then! Come on…I don’t care when! Show me the power of a death god! Show me the same power you had so long ago! Prepare yourself! ABA: What? I’m not sure what you mean? I’ll do it though! I have to! EEEH! *pichi* (weak punch) *pichi* Slayer: HOP! *punches ABA into the wall* ABA: Euuuuuooooowwww!!!! Th-that…that attack didn’t work…could it be…wait a minute… Para (Nagel): Your ‘power of love’ move isn’t very good. You’d better quit, like I said. ABA: Wait…can’t sleep…can’t lose…he’s …EXTINCT!! *she gets back up barely and gets punched away again* ABA: Dwoooaaaoouuu… Slayer: Are you all talk? Para (Nagel): Enough! Stop it! ABA: Don’t come so close, eyah! Slayer: You should stop…your power reached its limit. ABA: I’m a homunculus though! *reattaches a limb* My blood’s different! Slayer: Sorry…you gave it your best, but that’s the best you have…am I wrong? If you’re serious, use your weapon. ABA: Weapon? I don’t have any weapon. Para (Nagel): *clears throat* ABA: You mean that…I have to use HIM? Slayer: Young lady, I’m not trying to hide anything, that would be rude. Don’t hold it against me. Para (Flament Nagel): Stop it! ABA: Eh!? Nagel: Use me. Slayer: Hm? Nagel: I’m a weapon, as I’ve said. Even if you’ve had the wrong idea. Slayer: Doesn’t matter to me. Do what you want. ABA: Is it okay, Para…? Nagel: YES! SHUT UP! You fighting just made me angry I wasn’t there! ABA: Okay then… *picks Nagel up* *WHUDD* ABA: Uhh?? You look pretty lovely! *starts hugging him* Nagel: Knock it off! Just go! Get going! Slayer: HWOOP!! *throws a heavy punch, but ABA blocked it* ABA: Th-that’s…here I go! I’m an innocent girl but…*rambles about justice and love* Slayer: Give me a break…. ABA: Masshou [Excision]…Fukumetsu [Ruination]…DANGOKU [DAMNATION]!! *SWOOSH* *ABA swings her weapon and blows away her opponent, only for Slayer to stand back and applaud her* Slayer: Don’t feel bad I dodged that… Nagel: That was way too weak! *a wave of power as ABA presses on and Slayer dodges again* Slayer: Well well…I was mistaken! ABA: Over there! KONZETSU [ERADICATION]!! *a blast of energy erupts, shattering a large portion of the battlefield* Slayer mentions that he appears a lot faster than he did when they fought so long ago. Nagel: He’s no human. So that means… ABA: It won’t be perfect but… Nagel + ABA: SHOUKOU: BAKUMETSU!! [EVIDENCE: DESTROYED!!] *ABA and Nagel emit a huge blast radius around themselves using her bandages as a conductor* Slayer: That’s good. ABA: What? He’s alive, and still talking? Slayer: That was very very good. Para: Huh? ABA: I heard him. Wasn’t he killed? Slayer: Whatever kind of axe you are, are you ready? ABA: Eh? Slayer: Now then…GO SEE THE STARS!! (Slayer’s Instant Kill: All Dead) *ABA + Para go ‘blasting off again’ ala Team Rocket* Slayer: Give me a break…those two need help… -Sometime later…- ABA: I looost! Para (Nagel): Hey don’t cry, girl! ABA: But…you’re my ‘Honey’… Para (Nagel): You’re…ah forget it... ABA: But Paracelsus doesn’t like me… Para: What are you going on about? I feel refreshed having let all that out… ABA: Eh? Para (Nagel): I wasn’t trying to be mean. Just now you fought pretty good. ABA: Paracelsus… Para (Nagel): You have some skill, you understand? For using a weapon. ABA: Waah…so you want me to make you dinner?! Nagel: THAT’S NOT WHAT WEAPONS DO! I’M NOT ON A DATE WITH YOU! ABA: A date…a date means dinner… Nagel: That’s not what I mean…we have a lot of work to do! ABA: So then you mean…we’ll be together? Para: What are you talking about? I’m trying to tell you….! Slayer finishes the tale by explaining that by using a doll-homunculus like ABA who bears near unlimited potential, Paracelsus can now explore his potential. They still have yet to best him, but he looks forward to the next fight, whether he goes by Paracelsus or Flament Nagel is no concern at all. But now it grows “early” and the story is over. The End…for now? Alternate "telling" of the story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbS-YC3oDnY

Well if you think about it, an "Aria" is only a single soloist in the song that's singing, a single person. The recitativo tells the story proper, and the chorus is the song of many others. So in a way, Aria's story is only the tip of the iceberg here.

I'm starting to think you guys don't read anything I post. ;_;

5H, H STBT and if that's not safe use either FRC on STBT and block/throw. You can also rotate H STBT with S STBT. Also TK Air 236H or TK 236D never hurts for a surprise or two. Her 5K, 2S, 2K, 6H, can be used as pokes, 5H has a lot of range as it can hit someone not quite off the ground. Her Ground-to-Air Dash puts her in the best position for Airthrows too which is a good setup for combos. If you somehow land H STBT Stagger, 6P that into 5H and combo the rest. Oh yeah and you can also do 5K, close 5S, 6P, 5H -combo the rest. If that isn't comfortable you can always do 6P, close 5S into something as that's a free air combo right there.

I'm posting this here because the conversations are significant and are worth re-reading over so you guys understand more about the terms used. Think of it as a footnote.

........................ If you don't know for sure don't post...also that whole thing with Ky and Sol "boy scout" nonsense is barely even Meta-canonical.

.................Enough with the Ky x Dizzy spew guys...we don't know we don't know WE DON'T KNOW. (Dizzy-Kiske and Zazz...I mean YOU as well!) We won't know till the next game comes so talking about it is pure speculation and conjecture at this point. Meanwhile I'm working on the second half of ABA's story and the 3rd part of Night of Knives...don't post anything retarded till then, please...

That guy's been following her since GG. She tends to run away from him alot due to "things going on" but I guess when things calm down she wants to talk to him more from what is mentioned. In AC+ it's kinda sad because when she goes berserk due to Angra, he ends up being forced to kill her. (She lets him stab her to end the misery of being a killer.) ...Of course, we don't know if this is the TRUE ending or not. The other ending has PWAB chasing after her for her Kinjuu (shortly after she witnessed Eddie's death).

My prediction is this: Guilty Gear 2: Overture Guilty Gear 3: Aria Guilty Gear 4: Recitativo (Recital) Guilty Gear 5: Chorus The collective of these are known as an "Oratorio". In opera terminology that is the basic structure. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oratorio

EX Anji pwns a lot in AC+. 6H is multihit with autoguard at the start. 5H is autoguard. 3S is 3-hit. 623+K is a special now that doesn't need to be autoguarded to come out, i.e. FREE wallstick. 623+P is like a DP now, dunno how strong it is. 623+D Forcebreak is almost like Sol's DI Volcanic Viper. And there's a few other things he can do, plus guard cancel instead of autoguard cancel.

Things I discovered while playing "Overture" this weekend: --In the scene where Izuna introduces his "pals" to Sol and Sin and they suddenly attack, he says the line "Only Justice should be able to give commands/control them like that." Now...this gives me the consideration that maybe Justice's "Command Type" abilities weren't limited to just Gears...but possibly Yokai too??? Or more accurately said: that the link between Gears and Yokai is very close. Hmmmmmm.... --If you read between the lines of the jargon Sol and Izuna use when they talk about the "Soul Sinker" system, Izuna essentially "rewrote the code" of Sol's powers so that he could project a Master Ghost (an extention/reflection of his own Soul) and generate Servants (extensions of his psyche/inner self)...if you can picture hacking into a magic system like Sol's body...that takes a lot of power to do. --"Diva" Valentine's armor gauntlets (in her Justice-lookalike form) has a word etched on them that I've been trying to read, if anyone knows what that word is, let me know, it may be something significant. Also we NEED move names for That Man's attacks, or something...something to go on, possibly have Sol go up against him, survive beyond the "conversation" they have, and listen to the voice samples (unless he has voice samples that is).

FB Lighting for Ky can still be dodged if you jump high enough.

I have a hard time with EX Ky since a lot of his moves come out much slower and he lost all his j.D options.

VT loops don't work the same way as they normally would, unless you mean Slash VT Loops? 2H hits twice again and it seems a bit too slow for it. VT Hits twice now and is a lot safer (like VV but doesn't come out as fast), plus it has Cutaway which is automatic knockdown when it hits, plus it has a "behind" hitbox so you can cross up easily.

I "used" to consider myself a "corner-rape" specialist with EX Ky, but with the changes made to him in AC+, I'm not so confident of that anymore. Changes Made: Lightning Strike FB --Comes out fast and is blockable and very useful as an anti-air/anti-airdash if they don't jump TOO high... 6K --Ground Slide...not sure what situations this is good in, Crescent Slash and Grand Vapor Thrust link from it. Needle Spike --Hits twice on ground, once in the Air and causes Ground Slide on CH, but is techable in the air after a normal hit. Needle>Greed Sever --Slow as molasses...I dunno what this is even good for...Bandit Bringer is more useful than this. Air Sacred Edge --Useful TK to be sure, or to prevent dash-ins, though it doesn't mesh well with Ky's air combos as well as Air RTL would. Also, Ky has "fewer" options after j.D now, which sucks. CSE goes "fullscreen" again, so that's useful. Ky gains his old 5H and old 6H (with that weird floating hitbox thingie). Does anyone know if Crescent Slash is an Overhead (i.e. kills low blocking)? So does anyone have any combo suggestions? I've only got maybe...3... --CSE..6H, 2H, Grand Vapor-Cutaway --Stun Raise FB>Air CSE..5S, 5H, Grand Vapor-Cutaway --*CSE (guarded)...6H (low guarded), Crescent Slash...j.K, j.S, JC, j.S,j.H, RTL...bounceback...VT-Cutaway *not sure if this one works...

You guys are jumping to conclusions faster than I can write summaries. And for the record they are SUMMARIES, NOT TRANSLATIONS. (If I could completely translate the dialogue I would, but since I'm not exactly 100% Japanese literate/comprehensive, I do what I can by ear. Zazz, stop spreading bad mojo, you know these guys believe a lot of what you say!

Start reading from here: http://dustloop.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4653&page=37

I really wish there was another way to get Raven though, seeing as a friend of mine doesn't use Live.

Out of curiousity, can you practice Organ use in Training Mode? I want to learn how to effectively give commands to servants (assuming I get this game one of these days). Also, what characters have to be unlocked for use in Training Mode/Other modes...I know Raven has to be purchased.

ABA's Story Part 1: A.B.A.’s Story Slayer relates an old story of his by starting off with a toast (drinking with the audience). He begins by relating how ordinarily a drinking glass is still a glass, until it stands on its own. He talks about what things will do to obtain their wishes, even if they are considered inanimate objects by others. Slayer states the year as “25 years ago”, assuming that he means 25 years before GGXX, the year he recalls would be 2156 in the midst of the Crusades. He refers to this story as “Shinigami no Hanashi sa.” [A Death God’s Story]. Slayer relates that during this time of turmoil, there were many places that humans refused to dwell, and as such many “inhuman” creatures existed, even beyond Gears. Slayer decided it was time to go for a stroll and explore the regions that mankind named “No-Man’s Land” or rather uninhabited spots of the world. It was in these places where conflict and Holy War were common, where destruction was rampant and anything inhuman was considered an enemy. ~~~ A giant beast tramps across the land, growling and roaring. It had apparently been the lone survivor of a great battle, and yet it still craved even more battles... Slayer was curious so he went to take a “closer look” at this survivor. Slayer introduces himself with his bravado (“As soon as I see you, it’s over…”). The creature wastes no time and swings widely with its massive claws, blasting Slayer into a wall. Slayer’s impressed, but says it’s a bit excessive and rude. The beast presses further into the attack, but Slayer dodges expertly, saying it’s lucky he DID dodge. He commends the beast saying he’s a fine warrior. Nagel: “I don’t care…even if I’m called a legend by humans…” Slayer’s surprised he’s all alone, given the circumstance. Slayer offers to “get serious” with him, saying he was rude to misjudge this creature, but even so, he is a hindrance to human existence. The beast shrugs it off with a “Whatever…you better get ready for my strength” retort. Slayer wonders if he’s just picking random fights, though he doesn’t care either way. Nagel: “My name is Flament Nagel. And anyone who doesn’t want to bleed should just go home!” Slayer asks what sort of creature he was intended to be. Flament says he was a weapon. Slayer says that this alone is good enough for him to fight, saying he can come at any time. Slayer wants to see what moves this Flament Nagel has at his disposal. Nagel takes this as an insult and rushes him directly, though Slayer dodges cleanly, saying this just made him yawn. Nagel goes all out with a flurry of swipes. Slayer dodges these with ease, saying he’s starting to get interesting. Slayer starts off with his Mach Punch. Flament Nagel blocks it…asking him if that was his “true fist” mockingly. Slayer says that if this were a game he hasn’t started having fun yet. The two glaringly clash in their attacks. Slayer says hold on…Flament Nagel asks him if he realized it yet. Slayer says that he noticed the body isn’t conscious and that the “true enemy” is the weapon embedded in the body. Flament Nagel says most humans wouldn’t catch on to this fact. This is because he is known as “Setsuna no Shura” [Carnage Incarnate]. Slayer says that may well be, but he isn’t fighting a human at this juncture anyway. Slayer really doesn’t care what Flament calls himself. Flament Nagel demands that Slayer acknowledge his strength. Slayer says for him to show him. Slayer: “Endure this! PILE BUNKER!!” The roar of the beast Flament Nagel echoes across the wasteland as the shockwaves resonate. Slayer: “Farewell…you were pretty fun for a while” And with this Slayer walks away. ~~~ More later...

I'll do Slayer's bit as best I can AFTER I finish Night of Knives...I've still got stuff to do! A.B.A. Backstory Night of Knives Part 3 Axl + Slayer Story THEN I'll get to AC+ Slayer stuff.

If you're talking about the Official GGX manga, I believe Raging Tofu and and Rallamajoop have that covered. http://dustloop.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3268 Edit: Thanks a ton, Nekich.