Bushido Blade Player's Guide
(see Disclaimer and Note of Usage)
1234567890 By Leif Powers
.......... HWPOWERS@prodigy.net
Version 2
11/23/1998
There are many Bushido Blade move lists kicking around the
litany of cyberspace. However, when I actually tried to play the game
with these lists, I found their limited scope a hindrance to learning
the game's nuances. Although they do an excellent job of providing
bare-bones commands and workings of the game, they fail in aiding
players (especially novices) with the tricky and the not-so-obvious
details in the game. This, then, is the purpose of this Guide, to
help new players ease into playing well and to help others with
analyses and (somewhat) thorough exploration of the game.
1. Where do I begin?
2. Now that I can see past my face...
3. Bushido Blade Damage and Rules of Fighting
4. My General Fighting Strategies
5. My Weapon Tactics
6. Stance Properties
7. Crippled/Ground Fighting
8. Stages
9. Totally Subjective Observations
10. Hints for Hunting
11. Slash (Chambara) Mode
12. Secrets and Other Stuff
13. Credits for all Involved Parties
14. Heretofore and forthwith, the obligatory Disclaimer
15. Guide Questions and Feedback
16. Now that you've read that, the good stuff...
17. Note of Usage
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1.Where do I begin?
Well, whatever character you choose, you will be in a half-cage (Yahiro
Road), with a path leading to trees. One opponent will be before you. Now, you've
got 2 options. Kill all these people who come one at a time, or run to the well.
If you wish to spill blood ASAP, just defeat all these opponents here and
you will advance to fight more and, if you complete this quest with honor, you
get the first ending. To get the second ending...
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2.Now that I can see past my face...
Hit L1 and start running like no tomorrow in the direction of the trees
(cropped for cleanliness). Eventually, you will hit a passage that seems like a
dead end. Go on, for it is a) a way for the game to load data about the next
section and b) a cheap way for a dumb computer player to catch up with you. You
should keep running against the "dead end" until the enemy catches up with you,
at which point the game should load the next section, a bridge. Another dilemma.
Run across it, and you may access the hole which leads around the waterfall into
the bamboo (Hint: you can hold the climb button while running and automatically
ascend.). If you like extreme sports, take a fall off the bridge or the ledge,
and you end up on ground level. Now, for purposes of orientation, look directly
in the direction of the passage you just went through. On your right is a loop
which leads you back up to the ledge and the waterfall bypass. On the left, a
route which leads to a waterfall and thence to the Bamboo Thicket. When one
reaches the thicket, move towards the narrowing passage until it meets the next
scene, the front of the castle. Now, there are two ways to go, AGAIN:
1. Jump off the wall and end up in a pile of mud. This has 2 effects:
a) you lose your opponent
b) your clothes get muddy. I hate that palette.
After you run out of the muck, drop into the frozen Dozaemon Moat and
pass through to the procession of steps to the top.
2. Go through the gate and run past the Cherry Blossoms to the steps until
you reach the top.
This top step leads into a massive yard (Yagura Point), the exit of which is at
the corner opposite your entrance. This passes into the construction yard, where
the well is located, fenced off by yellow barricades. Now, for the second ending
to work properly, you must injure your first opponent's knee and then fall in.
Stuart Kushon e-mailed me with a tip, saying that you can jump straight into the
well without injuring your opponent to get the second ending. Amazingly, after
the fall into a muddy Grotto, your clothes are clean once again. After this, you
must defeat all comers from here on out, save (except for) the last boss,
flawlessly (no scratches, they ruin your clothes). The rest of the
navigation is easy once you arrive in the Grotto.
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3. Bushido Blade Damage and Rules of Fighting
Whatever weapon you pick, it is governed by certain rules of collision,
determining the results: weapon deflection (or struggle), light hit, kill). All
attacks may be classified into roughly 1 of 4 categories.
Strike: an attack which originates from above or below along in a vertical change
of direction. Usually targeting either the head or the knees.
Lash: an attack coming from the left or right side of the body and moving in a
horizontal direction. Usually targets body and knees.
Thrust: an attack which moves straight at the opponent blade first. Usually
targets body.
Sidearm: doesn't do anything but a light hit, but a strike afterwards can kill.
Now, the game makes attacks end in a weapon deflection if the two weapons collide
with each other, even if that Nodachi was sitting on your opponent's head. A
clash is the result of both players using the same attack motion (most likely
using single button presses from the same stance) and colliding. The outcome of
the clash is determined in this way (I think):
Forward: Opponents are pushed off their feet.
Back: You fall to your knees. Consider a prayer.
_
T: \
X: These buttons make you struggle harder. It's a button mash!
O:_/
When your opponent scores a light hit, its damage depends on the region hit:
Legs: Fall down and enable kneeling commands.
Non-weapon arm: lose the use of sidearm and dirt throwing techniques.
Anywhere else is a negligible hit, except if you're trying to get the second
ending and you get cut up.
Killing hits are determined by two criteria:
1. Hit must go through head/torso/upper legs to a significant degree.
2. The edge (usually tip) or foremost part of the weapon must be the
point of impact. All other hits are light hits.
Speed: Listed below is a ranking of moves based on average connection time for a
kill (fastest to slowest).
1. Thrusts 1. Single Button Presses
2. Slashes 2. Stationary Special Moves
3. Strikes 3. Dashing or Sidestepping Moves
Honor: Honor, which is necessary to get endings, is violated by these actions:
1. Hitting opponents before they are in ready stance.
2. Hitting opponents while they are on the ground or getting up.
3. Hitting opponents in the back when their backs are turned.
Hitting an opponent in the back while they are facing you does not dishonor you
in most instances. However, the game has been known to declare you dishonored if
you hit an opponent in the back:
1. During an opponent's attack
2. If you do a dodging lash and you chop the opponent in two, back
first.
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4. My General Fighting Strategies
There are, IMHO, 4 kinds of effective fighting strategies.
1. The Running Game
This strategy involves running around your opponent until you are in
position to strike a vital area, at which point you attack with a running
O or X move. Elicits comments like, "You cheap son of a spoony bard" and,
"That doesn't count." Ha Ha Ha. This strategy is why I have no friends anymore.
2. Noble Swordmanship
Go straight for the kill using head and body shots and combos. The
hardest way to play this game. The only way to settle which player is better.
3. Mercenary
Use anything and everything. Throw dirt, sidearms, and insults at your
opponent. Thrust incessantly. Hit them in the knees, then run away. Sidestep
until you vomit. Jump like an astronaut. If possible, hit opponents in the back
with a running lash. After death, mutilate the body.
4. The Masochist's Dream
This is hard, but it sure pays off in "Boo-Yah" points. Get right next
to your opponent and start defending from middle stance. When your opponent
hits you in the knee, roll back and wait for the opponent to move in. Then start
striking, throwing dirt, and laying down like a severed frog's leg plugged into
the wall. The Sidearm Throw into High Strike is a great attack from here.
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5. My Weapon Tactics
Katana
Stance Ratio: 10-45-35
The Katana is the most diverse weapon in the game. So make use of it.
Don't sit in one stance or do one attack. Those are for other weapons, with
skewed strengths. Katana players need to keep their opponent guessing, because
not only is this the most familiar weapon in the game, but its attacks are
formulaic, and most have simple counters.
High
Oddly enough, this does low shots the best. With about
half the decent moves targeted there, High Stance is one to put your
opponent off guard with. The T-O and O-T combos work well against
incorrigible turtles.
Middle
You can do almost anything from here. This is just a plain
decent stance to return to. Use thrusts to pester opponents' defenses.
Just use dashing attacks sparingly.
Low
The attacks from this stance are actually better than most from
Middle Stance. The only gripes here: speed and lack of diversity. This is
the stance that makes your opponent turtle because of its range.
Utsusemi: Against a running opponent, and especially the computer, use
the four quick strikes. It's a tad risky in close, and only useful when
your opponent is at a medium distance and incapacitated.
Against: Go through Slash mode. Devise your own tactics for countering and
handling different attacks. Use the strengths of your weapon. No weapon
can out-average a Katana. These tactics will also help with all fights.
Rapier
Stance Ratio: 25-5-70
This weapon is one of the most off-balanced in Bushido Blade. With most
of the power in its Low Stance, players must strike first and strike true. Kills
are just a thrust away, so put thought into your tactics. Try some lashes every
so often to let sidesteppers know you're onto them. Do what your opponent does.
The Rapier is best in a side-to-side fight, so convince your opponent there is
no other option.
High
When your opponent is close, switch here. This has the most
slices, which can knock your opponent away just a bit, perfect for Low
Stance, the best one by far. Just don't switch too fast, because that is
the best way to die. Make it clear with mad strikes and a couple
follow-up thrusts that you are not to be messed with.
Middle
Why, o why does the game start you here? This position is a good
contender for Worst Stance. Only a novice will fall for the cheap tricks
here. Get into Low Stance IMMEDIATELY!
Low
The thrusts are quick and effective. Even button mashers can win
consistently from here. Get in range and let a fusillade of attacks put
your opponent on the retreat. That means you, Black Lotus!
Against: Sidestep. No other option is as effective against the might of
Low Stance. Never sit in one place. The T-T thrusts are like a flood that
keeps on coming.
Naginata
Stance Ratio: 30-30-40
Your opponent's distance is your power. The farther away you are, the
more options and therefore strength you have. If there's even an off chance that
your adversary will get inside, run. Thrusting is the only out in many of your
fights. Impatience plays into your hands. When you think your opponent is
boiling over, strike.
High
Long range fighting is this stance's forte. The triple T strikes
and the dashing attacks can surprise an opponent innured to close-up
brawling. Just watch it. Overextension is very easy with the Naginata.
Mikado: Change up T-T-T and T-T-O.
Middle
Thrust when close with ruthless timing. Prediction of incoming
attacks is critical to effective fighting here.
Mikado: The combo with a jump should be abused.
Low
Two hit combos from this stance can knock off a hasty opponent.
Close fighting is easiest here. Knock opponents into thrust range for
rapid disposal with triple jabs (four for Mikado).
Against: Overload deflection with fast combos and harass with running
strikes. Get in closer than you think possible by sidestepping and then
advancing with an attack.
Hammer
Stance Ratio: 50-15-35
Fighting with a weapon like the Hammer depends on first strikes. So play
easy. Tease your opponents. Deceive them into believing your assault is over.
Then show them who's boss.
High
The hammer flurry is half your strength. Move close, and let 'em
have it. If you miss, go for a longer range single move. Always be ready
to whack unsuspecting opponents with low hits, because the mentality is,
"High stance! Get ready for a pounding!"
Middle
The Advance Stance. Show opponents how fast you can crack their
noggins. Or let opponents advance, and punish them with quick combos.
Low
When opponents get in your face, Hammerspin till you barf. There
is also a unique X-T attack that changes levels, for confusing opponents
used to the big head swings. Kannuki players, use this stance more often
than High Stance, since you have the four strikes from Hammerspin.
Against: Time attacks so that they will collide with the Hammer. What you
don't need is a Hammer blocking attacks. That's the Hammer that comes
crashing down on your head. And keep your fighting short and sweet. The
Hammer has good deflection. Either fight or flee.
Nodachi
Stance Ratio: 35-25-40
You MUST take the intitative. Your weapon is lethargic in close. Plan on
taking your range and leveraging it for the battle pace. Fighting with a Saber
in close should not be a priority. Make a fight a series of trading blows.
Stance changes should be premeditated to give yourself time. Consider running
and then changing strategy. You, however, need to also see to it that runners
going for you be punished for their follies. One last note: Conserve your energy.
Don't try to make the other person pay for every mistake. You'll just make one
of your own.
High
From this stance, catch close opponents in different strikes and
combos, hopefully leading up to the Triple T strikes. Diffuse
sidesteppers from this stance.
Middle
Make a quick blow every so often at the beginning of the fight.
It pays dividends in a cautious opponent who will fall easily to a
brutal onslaught from a long range later in the fight, even if the first
strike fails. O-O-T should not be left aside. It can make mincemeat of
even a cautious opponent in a bad position.
Low
This stance pulls its weight in its O-O slashes against dashing
attackers. Coupled with the high-low capability of the high stance, the
offensive capabilities of this stance extend your attacks to the entire
opponent. Be on the lookout for a close attacker. Not only are you in
a bad defensive position, your slow attacks make you an easy target.
It's doubly important to use this stance cautiously.
Utsusemi: See Katana, Low Stance.
Against: Trying to block this thing is a lost cause. Get your opponent
first. Even if you miss, you've probably got better position. Turn that
into an inconvenient strike to the body or knees.
Long Sword
Stance Ratio: 10-30-60
Use sparingly. That's the mantra for the Long Sword. Most attacks are
short range. The ones that aren't become abused because they are easy avenues
to a kill. One important aspect is to lure your opponent in. How? By using quick
strikes to provoke a hasty strike or lunge. Sidestep or back away, and now a
swift end is near. Only the Saber can fight with a Long Sword in close, so making
use of your speed is essential.
High
I will admit, some of the attacks here rock. But the moves are
not too dissimilar from Middle Stance. For almost all intents and
purposes, the loss of lower defense and the time taken shifting stance
are not justified by tactical advantage. Purely a surprise stance.
Middle
The top says it all.
Low
The confusing three hit combo makes this a superior stance.
Against: Block. Then show what a nuisance you can be with knee attacks
and sidestepping hits.
Saber
Stance Ratio: 30-30-40
This sword, unlike the Long Sword, has the diversity and the speed to
take the fight to the opponent. From every stance, advancing and fast combo moves
give the Saber a wider scope. But the range is still a problem. Instead of
focusing on yourself, one must look at the adversary for victory. Mistakes are
just cause for retaliation. You are a pirhana, and the opponents are meat. Chop
them up.
High
Tatsumi, Red Shadow & Mikado: Work those combos!
Tatsumi & Kokuren: The five thrusts are finishers, not lead-ins.
When you can see the whites of their eyes, let this one loose.
Middle
Advance, then make opponents lunch from their body parts.
Low
T-T is a really tricky move. If you have it lined up, no one can
stop it. But if you miss, pray that your opponent is as freaked as you.
Perform advancing strikes when your opponent is ready for them. If your
adversary is going for an attack, it's more than likely that attack will
give you an unwelcome haircut. Your recovery time will probably be fast
enough to start another attack that your opponent will not be ready for.
Against: Block it, but don't hit right away, especially if you have an
unwieldy weapon. Instead, maneuver for better position and fight on your
own terms.
Broad Sword
Stance Ratio: Who cares?
Let's put it this way: The broad sword just does one thing: it cuts right
through prepared defenses. High strikes to rival the Hammer, Middle slashes to
knock off heads, and a thoroughly brutal Low X move give any fighter power to
kill. The sidestep is your biggest enemy. Alternate your moves, and the fight
is yours. All the stances are effective. Don't be afraid to shift.
Against: Sidestep like a top. Nearly all the moves are vertical. The ones
that aren't, can be easily outrun with a dash.
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6. Stance Defensive Properties
This is not intended to point out specifics of each stance for each weapon, but
rather to raise some general points about the majority of stances.
When one starts the fight in Middle Stance, most general attacks are blocked, by
nature that the weapon is stuck out in front of you. Is that a good thing? The
extended weapon serves as easy prey for quick deflections and death. Putting your
weapon out for your opponent to manipulate must therefore hand over the intiative
and possibly the fight. What are your alternatives? High Stance? High Stance puts
your weapon in the middle of your head. Now all of your front leg protection is
gone, and all that stands between your leg and your opponent's weapon are your
reflexes and the mercies of collision detection. That puts you, in a bad way,
out of the fight. The pluses? More head and body protection. Low Stance. When you
stick your weapon down here, you either have it in front or back. If you have it
in front, it guards against crippling, but most of the weapons have it in back,
providing little protection against anything! Of course, the moves of each stance
have to be considered to paint a complete picture of which stances are proper
to assume, but this is just a little thought exercise.
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7. Crippled/Ground Fighting (In Chronological Order)
1.Knee Hit
2.Face-Up
These are the considerations: a) Is my opponent crippled? (Let's assume
no for the time being.) b) Where is my opponent?
Possiblities
1. Medium or Long range
a) Roll back.
1. Distance closes. *Starting Position A*
b) Get up.
1. Distance closes. *Starting Position A*
c) Lay down/roll around and get dirty.
1. Wait for the opponent to get close.
1. What are you thinking?
2. Suicidal.
2. Short range, In Front Of Legs
a) X press. Fall over.
This is a bad position because if the strike is blocked,
you are dead.
b) Roll back.
1. You escape.
1. You attack. *Starting Position B*
2. You sit. *Starting Position A*
2. You get hit.
1. Fatal.
2. Minor.
1. Back to #2.
c) Roll over.
1. Increases your chances of escaping.
2. Roll until your opponent is on your side.
1. Refer to #3.
3. Short range, On Side
a) Roll away/back.
1. Escape.
1. Attack. *Starting Position B*
2. Sit. *Starting Position A*
2. Do nothing. *Lying Position*
4. Short range, Head At Opponent's Feet
a) Roll back/forward.
1. You get hit.
1. Fatal.
2. Minor.
2. Escape.
1.Turn around. *Starting Position A*
b) Roll over.
1. Increases your chances of escaping.
2. Roll until your opponent is on your side.
1.Refer to #3.
*Lying Position* Now, you've decided to fight your opponent while on the ground.
There are certain criteria for this, that IMHO, need to be met before a lying
attack is made.
1. Is your opponent lined up?
2. Where is the weapon?
If your attack will just hit the weapon, it's more than likely
that your opponent will recover fast enough to make you a grave man.
3. What happens if it does hit?
The attack, if sucessful, will either cripple or knock your
opponent away. Most of the time, it will be to your advantage to roll
back and set yourself for the next attack. Be ready to fight when you get
up and not a second before.
*Starting Position A* Your opponent is now in front of you. How does one fight
this adversary? Unless you have a quick weapon, blocking is probably not going to
be a stellar choice because your adversary has the edge on you in almost anything.
Strike first, and a little luck might win you the day. Throwing your sidearm and
then striking often proves an effective move, but a tad predictable. One can fall
down, but there are risks in that, as outlined above. Not every strategy will work
against every opponent. Be prepared to lose, and don't freak about it, either.
It happens.
*Starting Position B* Same as above, but blocking takes on more urgency, because
an attack will almost unfailingly come from the ruffled opponent. If you have a
slow weapon, it might not be such a good idea to end up here as opposed to A.
When fighting a crippled opponent from one's knee, the same rules apply, but the
speed and consequences often vary. For instance, a miss on a dashing strike might
not prove as fatal as it would if one's opponent were standing. All that changes
here are one's odds.
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8. Stages
Here is outlined some basic stage strategy as well as specific stuff.
Basic
In every stage, there are walls. So? You can get your opponent
next to a wall, but how does that help? Well, obviously, your opponent's strikes
will be limited from a wall, reducing the possible attacks. What that means to an
experienced player is that, more often than not, an opponent will try a thrust or
a short attack. From that viewpoint, a sidestep or moving backward will put you in
a great kill position. Now, there are some considerations to be made. Try to make
opponents come to you, rather than attacking them on the wall. That's because,
with the exception of thrusting, the barrier will deflect your hits too. Don't
use the wall as your weapon. Use it to move your opponent. How does one, then, get
people to the wall to perform all this fancy-schmancy mumbo-jumbo? Well, the
quickest way is simply to run to the wall, not too close, and also not with the
wall to one's back. The purpose in this is to get the opponent not to think "Hey,
I'm not going there!" but rather to get your opponent fighting so that then your
opponent will not actively avoid the wall, but focus on killing you, and thus fall
into easy patterns and traps.
When a stage has different levels, this aids a smart person with a long range
weapon or one who is quick and exacting. Why? The different levels offer outs for
a person who is in a bad spot and needs somewhere to regroup without getting one's
opponent in one's face. When moving to low ground, run and jump off as far away
from the wall as possible. When moving to high ground, jump onto the wall rather
than climbing. Then pursue one's opponent ruthlessly ,not letting one's opponent
onto your level, and attack only when the strike is sure to kill. Don't needlessly
squander a height advantage with wild swings.
On obstacles, practice on your own finding attacks and combos that will bypass the
obstacle and still score a hit. Any obstacle in the game can and should be used
for a sort of wall effect, whereby your opponent may feel trapped against it and
attack rashly, to your advantage. To the best of my knowledge, the bamboo is the
only thing that can be chopped down (consequently, the only effects it has are
visual). Here are some I like:
Trees: Thrust in any way possible. Running near one of these is a great way to
stop a relentless runner, by sidestepping around the tree and attacking. Running
around the tree yourself can change the camera movement so fast that a human
opponent may feel discomfort, at which point you strike. This strategy has also
been known to reset one's Playstation (by your human opponent).
Tombstones and Tablets: Higher slashes work, as well as strikes, but your opponent
must be very close to the stone to die. Try sidestepping around and slashing to
move your opponent away from the stone in a direction better suited to your weapon
(such as in Yahiro Road, try getting your opponent trapped behind the tombstones,
then jump over and thrust).
Yahiro Road: For most weapons, fighting in the default area usually works.
But if you're using a slower weapon, try moving the fight over to the trees. This
allows you to retreat to the trees if the fight gets too rough. Now, onto running.
If you're playing with a fast runner, or a skilled one, try running in between the
trees and the walls to gain better position. For laughs, you might try to get your
opponent to run very close to you, at which point you enter the tombstone corridor
and turn out of them very quickly. At that point, a human opponent might lose
sense of their position due to the camera movement and bump into the tombstones.
Bridge and Ledge: Just like fighting on a concrete block. No barriers.
Just fighting. If you like to gamble, jump off the bridge and try to hit your
opponent while your opponent is falling off. If you fall off, use the bridge
supports as though they were trees.
Long Passage to Ledge (Right way from facing Yahiro Road): Nothing of note
here.
Waterfall Passage to Bamboo: Nothing of note here either that hasn't been
said before, save the fact that one's opponent can be driven more easily to the
wall if you move them in a pattern around the frozen pool.
Ledge Passage to Bamboo Forest: Try putting yourself behind the panels
protruding from the castle and thrusting when your opponent comes past.
Bamboo Forest: Nothing of note.
Castle Front: Jump into the mud pit once, just for fun.
Cherry Blossoms: Jump up into the trees if you feel threatend as per
Yahiro Road.
Dozaemon Moat: Use the levels to your advantage. Jump back and forth.
Don't get too close to the tree. It can often cause more harm than good.
Steps to Yagura Point: Jump, never climb up steps.
Yagura Point: Only a fool dares step into the pit. A person can jump and
kill a person inside there very easily, much more than usual.
Construction Yard: One may jump in the well, but take note of the visual
obstructions. Climbing onto the small platform is a good idea.
Grotto: Nothing of note.
Helipad: Run around Katze (the Gunman) until he loses all his bullets
(10, to be precise), then hit him.
Executioner's Cove: The sea is not a wall. I repeat, the sea is not a
wall. Trying to treat it as such limits your thinking. With the sea, you may do
any move, but so can your opponent. Trying to pen opponents back there is a
needless waste of time. The rock just keeps one's shorter attacks from connecting.
Most attacks still work, so don't be complacent and don't strike without cause.
Graveyard: Nothing of note.
Meikyokan: The two pillars may be treated as the trees in Yahiro Road, but
don't let yourself be pushed to the corners. The shrine should not even be
approached. The deflection makes it as if it were a wall.
??? I haven't gotten this far yet. Contributions are more than welcome.
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9. Totally Subjective Observations
That tree in the Dozaemon Moat is a paradox. Most of the time it works for whoever
is defending it, but the attacker always seems to hit the tree.
Jumping and attacking is not really that much good at all. It can be sidestepped,
amd most of the time it doesn't even hit. It takes lots of practice and a good
dose of humor to use that attack (as you will be hit many times).
Kannuki always kicks in the Character Select Screen, but he can't kick in a real
fight.
Odd, while you could just go inside the castle through the window, that doesn't
seem to be an option.
There's no sake for weary warriors!
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10. Hints for Hunting
More often than not, a flurry of attacks will work, even against a blocking
fighter.
Look for ways to knock your opponent's weapon away, such as the Katana middle
stance O-O. It's easier to fight and win consistently when you know the outcome.
Block. It works a lot more than you think. Not against Hammer T-T-T-T, but against
cheap stuff that turns into nasty hits. Also, blocking gives you an speed edge.
Thrusting is consistently fatal. If you have to abuse a move, use this one.
Honor is no virtue in VS Mode. Hit 'em in the back!!!
Throwing dirt is a good way to make your opponent frustrated. It doesn't help
your position, however.
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11. Slash (Chambara) Mode
Fight 100 ninjas, geishas, and old men with only a Katana. What fun.
The characters come ten at a time, each with their own attack that they do for no
apparent reason. When you kill nine stock enemies, you fight a boss and move on
to the next level. Now, here's the deal. All the enemies will come at you,
probably running. Let them run around. Sidestep or block if they get too close.
When they are not too far from you, they start doing the attack shown in the chart
below. It's up to you to kill them, using anything (I prefer a Thrust). Don't get
in too close. Enemies start really fighting up close. No damage is healed, ever.
The bosses are unpredictable. It's better to just kill them than figure out their
strategy du jour. Most of the time (that is to say, when you're not close) the
enemies will assume middle stance.
Enemy Numbers and Attacks
01-09:T
10:Boss
11-19:O
20:Boss
21-29:X
30:Boss
31-39:b-f+T
40:Boss
41-49:f-f+O
50:Boss
51-59:f-f+T
60:Boss
61-69:f-f+X
70:Boss
71-79:O,O
80:Boss
81-89:T,O,O
90:Boss
91-97:Anything goes.
98-100:Boss: You're done!
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12. Secrets and Other Stuff
To summarize what I know and have heard:
1st ending: Beat the game without being disgraced.
2nd ending: Run to the well as described above, then injure your opponent's leg,
and fight all the other opponents (save (except) the last last one) without an
injury of any sort.
Some hints on this:
(from Stuart Kushon)
"Uh, also . . . you can get the
> second ending without injuring a leg and jumping into the well. You can
> jump into the well, kill the first person you fight, then kill your
> characters "Well opponent", and proceed without a scratch. And when I
> mean without a scratch I mean W/O a scratch. Even blows that don't mark
> up your costume. Like a shot from Katze that just nicks you, but doesn't
> kill or even appear as a wound. If you see orange you are done. If you
> still haven't beaten it. . . here is an easy way. Pick who ever you like
> (preferably Mikado, Utsemi, or Black Loctus) and run to the well, jump
in.
> From there the fighting tactic is to just run away. The computer will
> run around for a while and then "lock onto you" and run at you from a
> distance (you'll be able to tell that they are locked on). At that point
> just wait and press T,X. The first hit will crack them in the head for a
> kill generally, if that doesn't kill them the second will put them on
> their kness. It generally kills though."
(from Kayin Amoh)
"The way my brother has done it 5 times already (with Mikado soon to
come) is to use katana, go into Low Sance, and when the time is right
just hit Square, Square for those 2 mid swipes. It usualy kills if
repeated enough times, but sometimes you'll get offed by the guy on the
beach or the girl before Meiyokan."
Enable Katze (the Gunman) in VS Mode: After doing the first two secrets, Beat
the Slash (Chambara) Mode fighters honorably and without receiving a scratch and
Katze will be next to Kannuki on the right of the selection bar (I think).
Play VS in the entire Story Mode level (donated by Paul Barney): "Start a story
mode game, then have the second player press R1+R2+L1+L2+select+start on the
second controller. The game will go to the character selection screen and both
players will be able to play on the entire island."
Physical Insults
Standing next to your dead opponent in VS mode so that, when you strike a pose,
you will stick your weapon into them, spurting fountains of blood.
Hitting a dead opponent until the replay starts.
Throw your weapon at a kneeling opponent.
Running into and knocking over your opponent.
Verbal Insults
I couldn't think of anything funny for this section. Sorry.
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13. Credits for all Involved Parties
I hereby give credit to:
All the people, institutions, and other stuff I have ever heard about in my life:
And more relevantly:
Square, Lightweight, all those people for making this game
Contributors:
Barney, Paul 'OO (pbarney@derryfield.com)
For the two-player story mode code.
Stuart Kushon (skushon@andrew.cmu.edu)
For the tip on second endings.
Kayin Amoh (darshu@hotmail.com)
For the tip on second endings.
Whoever is posting this:
ashe.mckee@ukonline.co.uk (The Bushido Codes)
Draco (Draco's Bushido Blade Page)
Al Amaloo (http://gamewinners.netgate.net/PSX/BushidoBlade.htm)
The Game Masta (Bushido Blade HQ)
The Krazy Elf
All those FAQ writers (in the order that I typed their names)
DrBlasfemy-drblasfemy@aol.com
Andy Chien-ranmas@netcom.com
Mike Lee-mikelee@icomsim.com
ZyXx-jockej@kuai.se
Mark Blanco-mark.blanco@comm.hq.af.mil
My Playtesters, Steven and Mike
You, for reading this
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14. Disclaimer
I do solemnly swear, that the purpose of this Guide is to inform. It is
not to deride, nor is it to defame. It is not intended to make money. All
trademarks, names, etc. mentioned are probably protected by various legal
devices and are property of their respective owners. Thanks for not suing me. Your
cooperation is appreciated (seriously). All rights reserved. This Guide has been
a total waste of time. And most of all:
NO OFFENSE INTENDED!!!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. Guide Questions and Feedback
Q: Where can I get the move lists?
A: Try http://www.gamefaqs.com for most of them. I don't know where Drblasfemy's
Katana FAQ is, though.
Q: Is there going to be a Bushido Blade 2?
A: There is.
Q: Where can I learn more about Bushido Blade?
A: There are plenty of Bushido Blade sites on the WWW. Some are:
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/ashe.mckee/BushidoBlade
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Ginza/9525
http://gamewinners.netgate.net/PSX/BushidoBlade.htm
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Realm/4356
http://www.angelfire.com/ca/krazyelf/bushidoblade.html
Q: What's New Horizons?
A: Go to http://www.koei.com to find out more.
Q: Is your real name Ivan Hoe?
A: Yes, it is.
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16. Now that you've read that, the good stuff...
Environmentalist (AD&D version)
This game is simple. Choose any two characters, one with a bladed weapon
and the other with a hammer. The person with a hammer is the Druid, and the other
is the Necromancer. Choose the Bamboo Thicket Stage. The object of the game, for
the Necromancer, is to kill all the bamboo. Howvever, no one may attack until the
Necromancer kills one bamboo tree. Then it is the Druid's job to kill the
Necromancer. The Necromancer may not kill the Druid. If he does, the Druid wins.
If the Necromancer hits the Druid in the leg, the Druid may surrender and the
Druid will win. Good luck!
And its sequel, Moral Relativism...
Pick any two characters with bladed weapons. Choose the Bamboo Thicket
stage and commence battle. However, if Character 1 chops down one bamboo, then he
may no longer attack, and Character 2 may chase him around with the goal of
killing C1. But, if C2 then chops down a tree, then C1 and C2 are equal, and they
can both hit each other. If C2 chops down one after that, C1 must now chop down 2
bamboo trees for C2 to be equal. If C1 then chops down a bamboo, C2 must chop down
4 bamboo trees for C1 to be able to fight again. The penalties stop at 4 bamboo
trees per 1 bamboo. Players who may not fight their opponents may still chop down
bamboo. If players are not dead by the time all the bamboo is gone, the person who
cannot fight or the person who chopped last is the loser.
Well, that's just about it. Thanks.
Leif Powers
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17. Note of Usage
This text is copyright 1998 by Leif Powers. This document and the text it
encompasses may not under any circumstances be sold for a profit, coupled with
another product as a "bonus" (don't you let me see it, Game Cave), altered,
tampered with, improved upon, or any other action which destroys the integrity
of the document as the author originally made it, denies the author rights to
his work, denies the author's ability to determine the usage of his document,
denies the author payment for his work, or any other action not specifically
authorized by the author. These authorized actions are as follows:
1. Posting on a network, BBS, or similar medium for the FREE distribution to the
visitors of that forum, and complying with the usage stipulations above.
2. Distributing hard copies (i.e. paper or other non-electrical, magnetic, or
other medium in which the cost of reproduction is not negligible) to others,
charging only the cost to distribute and nothing more, making sure that no
profit results from this action, and that the distribution is in bona fide
compliance with the above restrictions.
