***ARCANA HEART (FULL!) FAQ/MOVELIST (US PS2 Version)*** Copyright 2008 Shiki Dan shikidan(at)hotmail(dot)com Version 1.02: Fixed some glaring typos; added info on Jump, Special, and Super Cancels; added info on Good and Bad Endings Version 1.00: 4/23/08 Table of Contents -------------------- O. Basic Control Notion I. Battle Flow -1. Lifebar -2. Super Meter -3. Homing Meter --3A. Homing Commands --3B. Guard Cancels --3C. Homing Cancels II. Arcana System -A. Passive Effects -B. Arcana Force III. Clashing System IV. Universal Command Lists V. Character Command Lists -Heart Aino -Saki Tsuzura -Kamui Tokinomiya -Konoha -Lilica Felchenerow -Yoriko Yasuzumi -Maori Kasuga -Lieselotte Achenbach -Mei-Fang -Kira Daidohji -Fiona Mayfield VI. Arcana Command Lists -Partinias -Bhanri -Anutpada -Moriomoto -Tempestas -Dieu Mort -Ohtsuchi -Gier -Lang-Gong -Niptra -Orichalkos VII. Unlockables/Misc. Info VIII. Credits/Thanks ***********0. BASIC CONTROL NOTION*********** (Up) (Up-Back) O O O (Up-Forward) (A) Light (B) Medium (C) Strong \ | / Attack Attack Attack (Back) O- O -O (Forward) / | \ (S) Special/Homing Button (Down-Back) O O O (Down-Forward) (Down) Terminology used in this FAQ: ub, u, uf: Up-Back, Up, Up-Forward d, n, f: Back, Neutral, Forward db, d, df: Down-Back, Down, Down-Forward qcf-Quarter Circle Forward (D, DF, F) qcb-Quarter Circle Back (D, DB, B) hcf-Half Circle Forward (B, DB, D, DF, F) hcb-Half Circle Back (F, DF, D, DB, B) Charge b,f-Hold back for 1 second, move to forward Charge d,u-Hold down for 1 second, move to up Charge u,d-Hold up for 1 second, move to down 360- Rotate the joystick/pad 360 degrees (full circle) 720- Rotate the joystick/pad 720 degrees (2 full circles) (air)- Move can also be done while jumping or in the air <AIR only>-Move can ONLY be done while jumping or in the air j.- jump(ing) cr.- crouching ch.- charge A/B/C-Press any of the A/B/C attack buttons ABC-Press ALL of the ABC attack buttons The PS2 Version default controller set-up is as follows: (A) Light Attack--[] Square Button (B) Medium Attack--/\ Triangle Button (C) Strong Attack--() Circle Button (S) Special/Homing--X Button Arcana Force (ABC)--L1 Button AB--R1 Button Throw (A+S)--R2 Button ***********I. BATTLE FLOW*********** As with any fighting game, the goal is to win the match either by: KO--Depleting your opponent's lifebar Time Over--Having a larger lifebar once the time limit expires for the round (On the default setting, matches in Arcana Heart are set to 2 out of 3 rounds, with a 60 second time limit.) There are 3 meters to keep track of during battle: +++++++1) Lifebar-- <Long bar above your character's portrait at the top of the screen> Also called your Health Meter, when this is emptied you will lose the round. +++++++2) Super Meter-- <Bar at the bottom corner with a number> This allows you to do Super Attacks when filled. Each character and Arcana has their own unique Super Attacks. Each player's Super Meter starts the match empty at the 0 level and can be raised up to a maximum of 9 levels. As a note, the color of the number in your Super Meter indicates whether use of the Arcana Force (see below) is available. Super Meter levels will carry over between rounds. Every character can fill her Super Meter by: ---Getting hit by your opponent: *You receive a minimal amount of meter for guarding your opponent's attacks but moreso by taking direct hits. ---Making attacks (except for characters with Orichalkos): *Normal attacks only build meter if they make contact with the opponent (either by hitting, being guarded, or clashing) **Special attacks build a minimal amount of meter if they whiff (do not make contact with the opponent) but more if they actually connect. ---Manual Charge (Characters with Orichalkos only): *Characters using the Orichalkos Arcana can charge their meter by holding db/d/df+S. You can continue holding down the command to increase your meter at a steady rate. +++++++3) Homing Meter-- <Represented by 3 stock bars just above the Super Meter> This allows you to utilize Homing Commands, Guard Cancels, and Homing Cancels. Using one of these commands requires a single stock which will then empty, except for with the use of Guard Cancels or Homing Cancels, in which case the Homing Stock will not only empty but be crossed out with an "X". Empty stock bars will gradually replenish, and once filled up completely you will have access to use it again. "X"ed stock bars will be frozen for a few seconds before turning into empty stock bars and gradually refilling themselves. As a note, activating your Arcana Force (see below) will replenish ALL of your Homing Stocks instantly regardless of status. For homing commands, you can continue to hold the (S) button to continue moving in the direction of your command. You do NOT use any additional Homing Stocks by holding down the (S) button--you can fly/dash as long as possible at just the single cost of a stock. As a general rule most homing commands will last until you either attack, hit the ground, or come in contact with the opponent. This allows your character a vast amount of options of mobility and is one of the most defining features of Arcana Heart. ***3A>Homing Commands-- Arcana Heart has a plethora of uses of the homing button for mobility purposes. You can use the (S) button on the ground or in the air to "home in" on your opponent no matter where she is on the screen. ON THE GROUND: n/d+(tap)S--A short hop Up-Forward (uf). n/d+(HOLD)S--Your character does a short hop in place and then glides toward her opponent's location. This will track your opponent even in the air, as long as you continue holding the (S) button. (The Down+S command works the same as Neutral+S, unless you continue holding the "d" direction down against an aerial foe, in which case your homing jump will cancel itself out early by hitting the ground. If you merely release "d" and hold the (S) button, it functions exactly the same as Neutral) b/db+(tap)S--A short back dash...then a slide to your original spot. b/db+(HOLD)S--Your character does a short back dash then dashes forward across the ground. This does NOT track an aerial opponent. You will continue to dash facing the same direction as long as you hold the button--in fact it's possible to dash under a Jumping opponent and keep going to the opposite corner of the screen. f/df+(tap)S--A VERY short dash forward. f/df+(HOLD)S--Your character dashes forward very quickly. This does NOT track an aerial opponent. Works the same as b/db+S except without the back dash. IN THE AIR: Neutral+(tap)S--your character will freeze in place and then drop quickly in a Down-Forward(df) trajectory (direction)+(tap)S--Your character dashes forward briefly in the direction pressed and then drops to the ground. Neutral+(HOLD)S--Your character beelines to your opponent, regardless of her location. (direction)+(HOLD)S--Your character will make a short air dash in the direction held and then fly to your opponents location. You can change the direction of your flight by continuing to hold down (S) and moving to a different directional command. You can change direction several times in a single flight, and you can change directions upward, downward, or forward but NOT backward. For example, you could go: db-->u-->d-->uf-->df but NOT db-->u-->d-->db nor db-->u-->uf-->d (in this example, the "d" would be read by the game engine as inputting "df") ***3B>Guard Cancels-- The usages of the Homing Button aren't limited to just mobility. It is also vital for defense through Guard Cancels (GCs). GCs are essentially just Homing Commands you can use while Guarding in order to break out of guard stun, for the purposes of turning the tables on an attacking foe. There are two types of Guard Cancels: i) Backward Guard Cancel: *While guarding, (air) db/b/ub+S (ub+S can only be used in the air)* Your character does a short back dash if the (S) button is tapped. If the (S) button is held, you will do a short back dash followed by a forward dash. Used in the air, your character will air dash back and then fly in the direction(s) held if you continue to hold the (S) button. The main feature of the Backward GC is that you have INVINCIBILITY FRAMES during PART of the back dash. It's represented in the game as your character flashes--it ends shortly before the recovery of the back dash. You can cancel out of the Backward GC at any time by performing any attack. ii) Forward Guard Cancel: *While guarding, (air) Neutral/d/u/uf/f/df+S (u/uf+S only in the air)* Your character dashes forward, temporarily surrounded by a protective shield which gives you CLASHING FRAMES during PART of the forward dash. In the air, your character will also fly in the direction(s) held after the shield wears off if you continue to hold the (S) button. The Clashing Frames of the Forward GC last noticeably longer than the back GC invincibility. You can cancel out of the forward GC at any time (whether your shield's clash frames activate or not) by performing any attack. For more on the Clashing System, read below. ***3C>Homing Cancels-- The Homing Button is used often for more that just mobility and defensive purposes, but for all-out offense. *When making an attack which connects or is guarded by the opponent press (or hold) any direction+S* This will cancel the recovery of your attack and allow you to follow-up with any action of your choosing. You can continue to hold any direction+S to move in the pressed direction(s). Homing Cancels in Arcana Heart closely resemble Roman Cancels from the Guilty Gear series--the main differences of Homing Cancels compared to Roman Cancels are the free range of movement that is available, and the fact that Homing Cancel usage is not dependent on Super(Tension) Meter. Common uses of Homing Cancels are: --To continue and extend combos --To create longer and more damaging combos that wouldn't otherwise be possible --To reduce the recovery of laggy moves and avoid leaving your guard open --To close the distance between you and your foe --To create pressure and open up mindgames ***********II. ARCANA SYSTEM************ After the Homing System, this is the second feature of Arcana Heart which truly distinguishes the game from all other fighting games. In addition to the 11 "Pure Maidens" you can select, there are also 11 Arcana Elementals to choose from that you can equip. By choosing an Arcana, your character is given certain unique abilities and bonuses. In addition, the Arcanas themselves have their own movesets...which gives ALL characters access to a completely new set of Special Attacks and even Supers. The concept is most similar to the Stand system from the Jojo series, but the fact that all 11 characters can mix with all 11 Arcanas creates a possibility of 121 unique combinations! Although the Arcanas all have separate movesets, they also have some common features shared between them: A> Passive Effects: --Most of the Arcana have properties which can modify your character's basic moves in some way. These effects are constant and automatically applied to character--separate from the Arcana's actual command list. For example, Bhanri adds Clashing Frames to your forward dash, while Orichalkos features a way to manually charge your Super Meter by pressing db/d/df+S on the ground (while at the same time you lose access to the db/d/df+S homing command) B> Arcana Force: **Press ABC (available only once per round)** Arcana Force is a combination of Bursting from Guilty Gear and Rage Explosion from the Samurai Shodown series. When you press ABC, your character goes into a dramatic pose, the screen will freeze, the background graphics will change and your character gains a short burst of invincibility as she drops towards the ground (although she can NOT attack or cancel out of the animation). After that, your Super Meter begins to rapidly drain as you stay in Arcana Force mode. Once your Super Meter reaches 0, Arcana Force will automatically de-activate--thus obviously, the more Super Meter you have when you activate, the more time you have available for your Arcana Force. --Other than your Super Meter reaching zero, there are only 2 other ways for Arcana Force mode to end: -The first is for the round to end...either by KO or time over. If the round ends while you are in Arcana Force mode--whether you win, lose, or draw--you keep whatever Super Meter you had left for the next round (assuming of course, that it wasn't the last round of the match). -The second is to use your "Arcana Blaze". The Arcana Blaze is a unique Super attack exclusive to Arcana Force mode where your character summons her Arcana on screen for an attack. Regardless of whether the Arcana Blaze hits or misses, it uses all of your remaining Super Meter and ends your Arcana Force. The Arcana Force can be used in most situations, though only once per round. The availability of the Arcana Force is reflected by the color of the number in your Super Meter bar: BLUE number: Your Arcana Force is able to be activated RED number: Your Arcana Force is unavailable for the rest of the round The invincibility of the start-up animation of the Arcana Force is essentially unpunishable so it can be used as a "combo breaker" or a "get out of jail free card" since you can activate even when your character is in hit stun from a combo. Besides being useful as a "combo breaker", there are other bonuses garnered by activating Arcana Force: --Access to the Arcana Blaze attack (see above) --"Arcana Force Effects", which are like Passive Effects but are only active during Arcana Force. For example, Moriomoto will regenerate your character's lifebar at a steady rate during Arcana Force. --Attack/Defense bonus: All Arcana give a bonus to your Attack, Defense, or both to your character during Arcana Force. In most cases, this bonus is fairly negligible but in a few instances it can be fairly substantial (i.e Orichalkos) ***********III. CLASHING SYSTEM*********** One of the more esoteric features of the Arcana Heart gameplay engine has to be the Clashing System. Although this kind of system has been present in more subtle forms in older fighting games such as Rival Schools and Guilty Gear, Arcana Heart has expanded upon it to a conspicuous extent. In a nutshell, the Clashing System is what occurs when the hitboxes of two opposing attacks make contact with each other at _the exact same time_. The parts of an attack which can activate clashes are called "clashing frames". ("Frames" in this instance is understood to be a measurement of time--Arcana Heart runs at 60 frames per second (real time), so 1 frame is 1/60th of second as the game is running and can be used to measure the length of attacks) Nearly all attacks in Arcana Heart have some clashing frames, but some have far more clashing frames than others. Grabs and throws do not have any clashing frames. There are also a few non-attack moves in the game which have clashing frames, such as the forward dash for the Bhanri Arcana and the Forward Guard Cancel (in the case of the Forward GC, your character's _entire body_ has clashing frames for a brief period). In a traditional fighting game (such as Street Fighter), what would happen if two characters hit each other at the same time is that they would "trade hits" and that both characters would take damage from each other's attacks. As a general rule, you would have wanted to be the one who had thrown a stronger attack since generally stronger moves would "trade in your favor"--in other words, your opponent would have taken more damage than you. The Clashing System essentially takes all of that and turns it on its head. In Arcana Heart when two attacks hit each other at the time a clash occurs, the two immediately cancel each other out. This is represented in the game as a green flash with lightning sparks as the attacks "clash", in which both attacks do no damage and both players can choose to cancel the recovery lag of their moves early by making an attack. It is important to point out that when two attacks clash, they do NOT _automatically_ have their recoveries (lag) canceled out. Instead, to cancel the recovery of a clashed attack you MUST input another attack. Alternatively, you can use the (S) Button to perform a Homing Command (it is NOT considered to be a Homing Cancel by the game and thus your stock bar will be emptied but won't be "X"ed by this). Also note, that if the clashed attack is Jump or Special/Super Cancelable you can cancel the recovery of it into a Jump or Special/Super Move. (***More on Jump and Special/Super Cancels below) Thus, you should be wary if you find yourself clashing while doing a slow attack with a long recovery lag. As a general rule, with clashing you would want to be the one who is throwing a (most likely weaker) faster attack with minimal recovery. Take note that the special non-attack clashing moves such as the Bhanri forward dash and the Forward Guard Cancel can also cancel out of their clashes at any time. An interesting property about Clashing is that projectiles will not "clash" with physical attacks. Instead they will either be nullified without causing any damage (like the old days of Art of Fighting, where you could jab away any projectile!) or even reflected right back at your opponent! The trajectory of the reflected projectile depends on the attack used, for example Kira's d+B will always reflect a clashed projectile directly upward at close to a 90-degree angle but many characters' df+C attacks will reflect them up-forward at a 45-degree angle. Note that this doesn't work with ALL projectiles, including beams such as Partinias' Roz Toxo. One final property to note about clashing--you can clash with attacks that are unblockable. So if you see an unblockable coming and you can't evade or jump away in time, you can try to clash with it! However, this does NOT apply to any grabs nor throws. Although grabs and throws have no clashing frames they will ALWAYS grab someone in range even through clashes. ***********IV. UNIVERSAL COMMAND LIST*********** These are moves that all characters in the game have: (*)-- Requires 1 Homing Stock Standing Guard (guards Overhead and Mid-level attacks): Hold b Crouching Guard (guards Mid-level and Low attacks): Hold db Air Guard: Hold ub/b/db while jumping or in the air <<**Some attacks cannot be guarded in the air but only on the ground>> Jump: Tap u High Jump: Tap db/d/df, then ub/u/uf Double Jump: During a Jump/High Jump, tap ub/u/uf (*)Homing Jump: Hold S when the opponent is knocked away up into the air Forward Dash: f,f while standing Back Dash: b,b while standing Forward Air Dash: Tap f,f during a Jump/High Jump/Double Jump Backward Air Dash: Tap b,b during a Jump/High Jump/Double Jump (*)Homing Dash: Hold S when the opponent is knocked across the screen <<**All characters have access to a maximum of 2 Jumps and 1 Air Dash in the air, with the exception of Tempestas-using characters**>> <<**You cannot jump after using an air dash**>> Jump Cancel: Press ub/u/uf during a normal/command attack (**Not all normal attacks are Jump Cancelable**) Special Cancel: Input any special move during a normal/command attack (**Not all normal attacks are Special Cancelable**) Super Cancel: Input any Super Move during a normal/command/special attack (**Not all special attacks are Super Cancelable**) Grab: (n)A+S Throw: (b/f) A+S Air Throw: <AIR ONLY> A+S (ground launcher): f+C (can hold) (air launcher): df+C (can hold) Recovery: After hit stun in the air, tap A/B/C (*)Wall Recover: After being launched to the corner, press S just before hitting the wall. (*)Ground Recover: Press S just before hitting the ground (*)Homing Command: (air) any direction+S (can hold) (*)Forward Guard Cancel: n/d/f/df+S (when guarding, can hold) (*)Backward Guard Cancel: d/db+S (when guarding, can hold) (*)Air Forward Guard Cancel: <AIR ONLY>u/n/d/uf/f/df+S(when guarding, can hold) (*)Air Backward Guard Cancel: <AIR ONLY> ub/b/db+S (when guarding, can hold) (*)Homing Cancel: during an attack, any direction+S (can hold) <<**Some attacks cannot be Homing Canceled**>> Arcana Force: Press ABC (**Can only be used only once per round**) Arcana Blaze: qcf+ABC (during Arcana Force) <<**Uses all remaining Super Meter levels**>> <<**Automatically cancels Arcana Force**>> ***********V. CHARACTER COMMAND LISTS*********** ------------------------------------------- Heart Aino "The Maiden who seeks the power of love!" ------------------------------------------- Command Attacks: f+B j.b+B j.d+C Special Attacks: Iron Fist Punch.........................qcf+A/B/C Heartful Punch..........................f,d,df+A/B/C Ribbon Wing.............................b,d,db+A/B/C Super Kick..............................<AIR ONLY> qcb+A/B/C Super Attacks: Iron Fist Love Punch.....................qcf+AB Awesomely Heartful Punch.................(air) f,d,df+AB -------------------------------- Saki Tsuzura "The Maiden with a noble heart" -------------------------------- Command Attacks: f+B j.b+B j.df+C Special Attacks: Claimh Solais...........................ch.d,u+A/B/C Brionac.................................ch.b,f+A/B/C Orna....................................ch.u,d+A/B/C Fragarach...............................<AIR ONLY> f,d,df+A/B/C Super Attacks: Garbh Dagda..............................qcf+AB Liath Fall...............................(air)qcb+AB ------------------------------------ Kamui Tokinomiya "The Maiden who is burdened by time" ------------------------------------ Command Attacks: f+A df+B j.f+A j.d+C Special Attacks: Uruma...................................hcf+A/B/C Habaki..................................ch. b,f+A/B/C Tenza...................................<AIR ONLY> b,d,db+A/B/C Kofu....................................f,d,df+A/B/C (counter) Air Kofu................................<AIR ONLY> f,d,df+A/B (counter) Kunugi..................................d,d+A/B Wazahane................................<AIR ONLY> d,d+A/B/C Super Attacks: Muon.....................................qcf+AB Kodama...................................hcb+AB (can hold) Seizan...................................<AIR ONLY> b,d,db+AB Shimatsuri(requires 3 Levels)............(after Kofu counter) d,d,d+AB -------------------------------------------- Konoha "The Maiden descended from enchanted ninjas" -------------------------------------------- Command Attacks: b+A f+B df+B j.d+C Special Attacks: Shuriken................................qcf+A/B/C (can perform 3x) Kunai...................................<AIR ONLY> qcf+A/B/C Howling Wind............................f,d,df+A/B/C Heaven Technique........................b,d,db+A/B/C Earth Technique.........................qcb+A/B/C Ninja Vanish............................d,d+A/B/C Flying Squirrel.........................<AIR ONLY> qcb+A/B/C Decoy...................................hcb,f+A/B/C Falcon Claw.............................<AIR ONLY> d,d+A/B/C -Roll...................................(after Falcon Claw) b/f+A/B/C Izuna Drop..............................<AIR ONLY> 360+A/B/C Super Attacks: Doppelganger.............................qcf+AB Konoha Drop..............................(close) ch.d,u+AB (rotate 360 motions) ---------------------------------------- Lilica Felchenerow "The demon Maiden who just doesn't care" ---------------------------------------- Command Attacks: b+B f+B Special Attacks: Tornado Edge............................(air) f,d,df+A/B/C -(after Tornado Edge)...................qcf+A/B/C (can perform 2x) Air Twist...............................<AIR ONLY> qcb+A/B/C Axel Slide F............................qcf+A/B/C -Quick Step.............................(after Axel Slide F) qcf+A -Speed Blade............................(after Axel Slide F) qcf+B -Heel Cutter............................(after Axel Slide F) qcf+C -Flash Step.............................(after Axel Slide F) AC Axel Slide B............................qcb+A/B/C -Wall Step..............................(after Axel Slide B) qcf+A -Speed Blade............................(after Axel Slide B) qcf+B -Heel Cutter............................(after Axel Slide B) qcf+C -Flash Step.............................(after Axel Slide B) AC Super Attacks: Hurricane Edge...........................(air) qcf+AB Cyclone Storm............................qcb+AB -------------------------------------- Yoriko Yasuzumi "The Maiden obsessed with the occult" -------------------------------------- Command Attacks: f+A f+B df+A df+B j.uf+C j.f+C j.df+C j.d+C Special Attacks: Punishment..............................(air) qcf+A/B/C Anguish.................................b,d,db+A/B/C Revenge.................................<AIR ONLY> qcb+A/B/C Ancient Talisman........................(air) hcb,f+A/B/C -(Pentagram follow-up 1)................u,db,uf,ub,df,u during Ancient Talisman -(Pentagram follow-up 2)................u,df,ub,uf,db,u during Ancient Talisman -(Pentagram follow-up 3)................d,ub,df,db,uf,d during Ancient Talisman -(Pentagram follow-up 4)................d,uf,db,df,ub,d during Ancient Talisman Super Attacks: Demon King...............................qcf+AB Anathema.................................(close) hcb+AB (then tap directions) ----------------------------------------------- Maori Kasuga "The Maiden who purifies evil with her sisters" ----------------------------------------------- Command Attacks: f+A f+B df+A df+B Special Attacks: Ouka....................................f,d,df+A/B/C Sekka...................................<AIR ONLY> f,d,df+A/B/C Tumuji Gake.............................b,d,db+A/B/C Raishin Otoshi..........................d,d+A/B/C Hikejigake (1)..........................(air) qcf+A/B/C Hikejigake (2)..........................(air) qcb+A/B/C Super Attacks: Hama no Shishiku.........................b,d,db+AB Taima no Zuikaku.........................qcf+AB Kararaito no Ya..........................f,hcf+AB -(after Kararaito no Ya) Kobu............hcf+AB (requires 1 extra gauge) --(after Kobu) Kamukura..................hcf+AB (requires 1 extra gauge) -------------------------------------------------------- Lieselotte Achenbach "The Maiden who is a wanted criminal on every continent" -------------------------------------------------------- Command Attacks: (With Elfriede out) Tap A, hold b/f f+B j.d+C Special Attacks: Crimson Gaze............................(close) hcb,f+A/B/C Soul Split..............................(air) qcf+A/B/C ***The following moves are available with Elfriede out of the suitcase*** Coffin..................................qcf+A/B/C (can hold) Submission..............................(air) qcb+A/B/C Insanity................................(air) b,d,db+A/B/C Cruel World.............................(air) d,d+A/B/C Gatekeeper..............................(air) f,b,f+A/B/C Summoning...............................(air) hcb+A/B/C Super Attacks: Deception................................qcf+AB Deathwish................................(air) qcb+AB --------------------------------------------------- Mei-Fang "The Maiden who was created with Elemental Science" --------------------------------------------------- Command Attacks: b+A f+B Special Attacks: White Tiger.............................qcb+A/B/C Blue Dragon.............................f,d,df+A/B/C Rock Turtle.............................qcf+A/B/C (can perform 3x) Phoenix.................................<AIR ONLY> db,qcf+A/B/C Backflip................................b,d,db+A/B/C Super Attacks: Four Emperors............................qcb+AB Wise Hermit..............................<AIR ONLY>qcb+AB Kirin Jacket.............................f,d,df+AB -(after Kirin Jacket) UV Cannon..........qcfx3+AB (requires 1 extra gauge) --------------------------------------------- Kira(-sama) Daidohji "The Maiden who wants to take over the world" --------------------------------------------- Command Attacks: j.d+C Special Attacks: Kira(-sama) Driver......................(close) 360+A/B/C Flying Kira Driver......................<AIR ONLY> qcb+A/B/C Daidohji Slam...........................hcb+A/B/C -Brain Obliterater......................(after Daidohji Slam) A/B/C Tokyo Launcher..........................f,d,df+A/B/C Tokyo Grenade...........................b,d,db+A/B/C Super Attacks: Armageddon...............................(close) 720+A/B/C Kirageddon...............................<AIR ONLY> hcbx2+A/B/C ---------------------------------------------- Fiona Mayfield "The Maiden who is trapped in the other world" ---------------------------------------------- Command Attacks: f+B j.d+C Special Attacks: Caledfwich..............................f,d,df+A/B/C Rhon Gomyniad...........................hcb+A/B/C Heaven's Fall...........................<AIR ONLY> qcb+A/B/C Grand Divide............................qcf+A -Misty Chain............................(after Grand Divide) qcf+B --Angel Wing............................(after Misty Chain) qcf+C ---Sacred Bringer.......................(after Angel Wing) A/B/C Super Attacks: Excalibur................................f,d,df+AB Gae Bulg.................................qcb+AB (after Angel Wing) Sacred Punishment.....360+A/B/C ***********VI. ARCANA COMMAND LISTS*********** ---------------- Partinias "Arcana of Love" ---------------- Passive Effects: --Hold u after Double Jumping and your character will float to the ground Arcana Force: --Tria Sfaira (qcfx2+S) will NOT cost any meter to use. In addition, you can use Tria Sfaira repeatedly without limit to the number of projectiles on the screen. Special Attacks: Roz Sfaira..............................(air) qcf+S Roz Toxo................................(air) f,d,df+S Roz Kyklos..............................(air) qcb+S (can hold) Super Attacks: Tria Sfaira..............................(air) qcfx2+S Ouranio Toxo.............................(air) f,hcf+S Arcana Blaze (during Arcana Force): Ilios Sfaira..............................QCF+ABC --------------------- Bhanri "Arcana of Lightning" --------------------- Passive Effects: --Clashing frames added to forward dash (f,f), f+C, and df+C Arcana Force: --Clashing frames added to Air Homing Commands Special Attacks: Tintreach...............................(air) qcf+S Crioch..................................(during clashing) f,d,df+S Super Attacks: Fearg Long (away)........................(air) qcfx2+S Fearg Long (toward)......................(air) qcbx2+S Saighnean................................hcb,f+S Arcana Blaze (during Arcana Force): Stoirm....................................qcf+ABC ----------------- Anutpada "Arcana of Time" ----------------- Passive Effects: --Back dash (b,b) creates a shadow mimic which can absorb an attack --Allows you to move after f+C and df+C are held down. After releasing f+C or df+C, a shadow mimic performs an attack in your original spot. --f+S Homing Command changes to a Teleport Dash Arcana Force: --The round timer will stop Special Attacks: Ribaku..................................(air) qcf+S Super Attacks: Mandala..................................(air) qcfx2+S Arcana Blaze (during Arcana Force): Samsara...................................qcf+ABC ------------------ Moriomoto "Arcana of Nature" ------------------ Passive Effects: -None! Arcana Force: -Your lifebar will regenerate steadily. The longer the Arcana Force lasts, the more health you will recover. Special Attacks: Vine (Horizontal).......................(air) qcf+S Vine (Diagonal).........................(air) f,d,df+S -Whiplash...............................(after Vine) b+S Seed....................................(air) qcb+S Super Attacks: Entangle.................................(air) qcfx2+S (then tap directions+S) Blossoms.................................(air) qcbx2+S Arcana Blaze (during Arcana Force): Forbidden Fruit...........................qcf+ABC ----------------- Tempestas "Arcana of Wind" ----------------- Passive Effects: -Forward Guard Cancel (f+S while guarding) now pushes your opponent away slightly instead of giving you a shield with full-body clashing frames. (Not a good trade in my opinion) -Jumping (d+S) no longer a Homing Air Dash but instead drops you quickly to the ground. -You are allowed up to 3 Jumps and 2 Air-Dashes. Arcana Force: -You are allowed up to 4 Jumps and 3 Air-Dashes. Special Attacks: Flax....................................(air) qcf+S Vertex..................................(air) qcb+S Super Attacks: Falcia...................................(air) qcfx2+S Arcana Blaze (during Arcana Force): Abolere...................................qcf+ABC ----------------- Dieu Mort "Arcana of Death" ----------------- Passive Effects: -You can use Evasion (f,d,df+S or b,d,db+S) for Recovery Arcana Force: -All physical attacks will poison the opponent Special Attacks: Poison..................................(air) qcf+S Evasion (self location).................(air) f,d,df+S then hold direction Evasion (opponent location).............(air) b,d,db+S then hold direction Super Attacks: Sacrifice................................qcfx2+S Mirror...................................hcf,b+S Drain....................................(close) hcb,f+S Arcana Blaze (during Arcana Force): Executioner...............................qcf+ABC ----------------- Ohtsuchi "Arcana of Earth" ----------------- Passive Effects: --On the ground, f+S changes into a shielded dash that gives you autoguard against all attacks except throws/grabs and low-hitting moves. The autoguard lasts as hold as you hold the (S) button, make an attack, or take a direct hit. --f+C and df+C gain autoguard when charging Arcana Force: --You gain Hyper Armor--you cannot block but your character will not go into block stun or hit stun Special Attacks: Kaname Ishi.............................(air) f,d,df+S Kaichimon...............................(air) hcf+S Super Attacks: Kaichimon Sakkido........................qcfx2+S Kaichimon Mekkijin.......................(air) f,hcf+S Arcana Blaze (during Arcana Force): Ooharae Kotoba............................qcf+ABC ------------------ Gier "Arcana of Shadow" ------------------ Passive Effects: --None! Arcana Force: --Schmerz, Schere, and Martern will do more damage (about a 50% increase) Special Attacks: Schmerz.................................(air) qcf+S Schere..................................(air) f,d,df+S Fallen..................................(air) qcb+S Super Attacks: Martern..................................(air) qcfx2+S (can hold) Arcana Blaze (during Arcana Force): Schwur....................................qcf+ABC ---------------- Lang-Gong "Arcana of Fire" ---------------- Passive Effects: --df+C and f+C become unblockable once fully charged Arcana Force: --All homing commands (except b/db+S and f/df+S on the ground) surround you with fire which can do 2 hits of damage against the opponent Special Attacks: Meteor..................................(air) qcf+S Engulf..................................(air) hcb+S Super Attacks: Flame Echo...............................(air) qcfx2+S Firestorm................................(air) hcb,f+S Arcana Blaze (during Arcana Force): Winged Inferno............................qcf+ABC ----------------- Niptra "Arcana of Water" ----------------- Passive Effects: --Fully charged f+C and df+C on block don't push the opponent back but instead put the opponent in a state of increased block stun --Fully charged f+C and df+C on hit freezes the opponent very briefly before launching them. Arcana Force: --You do not take any damage from blocked attacks Special Attacks: Pluvia..................................(air) qcb+S -Stilla.................................(after Pluvia) (air) qcf+S --Cataracta.............................(after Stilla) (air) f,d,df+S Super Attacks: Perpluvium...............................(air) qcbx2+S Nitrum...................................(close) 360+S Arcana Blaze (during Arcana Force): Regnum....................................qcf+ABC ----------------- Orichalkos "Arcana of Metal" ----------------- Passive Effects: --Can charge Super Meter manually with db/d/df+S. You do not get Super Meter for attacking. Arcana Force: --Your attack and defense are given a significant boost (around 30%) Special Attacks: Xifos...................................(air) qcf+S, then press direction Pteryga.................................(air) qcb+S Super Attacks: Dikaiosi.................................(air) 360+S Epidosis.................................f,hcf+S Iskuron..................................qcfx2+S Skleron..................................qcbx2+S Arcana Blaze (during Arcana Force): Eskaton...................................qcf+ABC ***********VII. UNLOCKABLES/MISC. INFO*********** The PS2 version of Arcana Heart has a few unlockable portraits and art. Although Fiona and Orichalkos had to be unlocked in the Arcade, they are selectable from the get-go in the PS2 version. Mildred is NOT unlockable or playable in any shape or form, so please don't ask how to play as her. There are NO unlockable characters or Arcana. --Pick any of the "Pure Maidens" in any game mode to unlock their Pose and Portrait art. This includes Story, Arcade, Versus, and even Training. --Finish Story Mode with any character to unlock her Ending art. As a side note...all the characters you have completed story mode with will have their pictures light up on the Memory Card loading screen. --Pick a character 10 times combined in all modes to unlock her Bonus art. Yes, this includes Training. You must PICK the character 10 times. For example, playing 10 games in Versus Mode won't count if you select "Rematch"...you MUST go back to the Character Select screen and pick her again after each match 10 times. --Pick any of the Arcana in any game mode (even Training) to unlock their art. --Complete Story Mode to unlock all of the Mildred and Story art. --Complete Story Mode with ALL characters to unlock the Extras Gallery **Additional Note: By "completing" Story Mode, it is to say that you must get the GOOD ending of your character. There are two possible Story Mode endings: 1) GOOD ending--You beat the 2nd form of Mildred before time expires (KO). 2) BAD ending--You beat the 2nd form of Mildred via Time Over. Your performance against the 1st form of Mildred has NO effect on the endings. It only affects the music played for the 2nd form, and how much meter the 2nd form of Mildred will start with (0 if you win, 9 if you lose). In my opinion, the difference is negligible--I don't think it really makes a significant increase in difficulty as the 2nd form of Mildred is still very defeatable even with a full Super Meter bar. ********* The PS2 version of Arcana Heart includes versions of all characters from both the original arcade release of "Arcana Heart" and the upgraded and patched version of the original game "Arcana Heart FULL!". The differences between the two versions are limited to system tweaks to make the game more "balanced". Quite a few moves had their properties changed to become faster/slower or weaker/stronger. There are also a few minor cosmetic changes, between the two games such as the graphics of the timer or how the screen zooms during homing jumps after a df+C launcher. You can toggle between these changes via the Interface option in the Options Menu. Currently, only the "FULL!" versions of the characters are allowed in Arcana Heart tournaments, however if you're just a casual player or playing on your own then feel to pick whatever version of the character you like, as some characters are definitely better in the original version (*cough*Kira*cough*). ************VIII. CREDITS/THANKS************ Examu, for creating a brand new 2-D fighter worth playing Atlus, for taking the chance to bring over an overlooked game Shoryuken.com and Guardcrush.net for in-depth info and strategies You, for reading this FAQ God, for everything This FAQ is currently hosted on: GameFAQs.com