=============================================================================== V A N D A L H E A R T S =============================================================================== _ | ) &&& &&& |( &&& &&& ,--------------------------------------------| |=======@ &&& &&& `--------------------------------------------| |=======@ &&& &&& |( &&& &&& &&& &&& && &&&&& &&& && |_) &&& &&& && && &&&& && && && && && && &&& &&& && && && && && && && && && && &&& &&& &&&&&&& && && && && && &&&&&&& && &&&&&&& && && && &&&& && && && && && &&&&& && && && &&& &&&&& && && &&&&&&& &&& &&& &&&&&& &&& &&&&& &&&&&&&& &&&& &&& &&& && && && && && && && & &&& &&& &&&& && && && && && &&& &&& &&& &&&& &&&&&&& &&&&& && &&& &&&&&&&&&&&&& && && && && && && & && _ &&&&&&&&&&&&& &&&&&& && && && && && &&&& | ) &&& &&& |( &&& &&& ,--------------------------------------------| |=======@ &&& &&& `--------------------------------------------| |=======@ &&& &&& |( |_) =============================================================================== C H A R A C T E R A N D H I N T S G U I D E =============================================================================== VANDAL HEARTS - CHARACTER AND HINTS GUIDE Playstation - US Version VERSION: 3.0 LAST UPDATED: September 21, 2000 AUTHOR: Jeff Chan [Atom Edge] E-MAIL: lazysilverwolf@youareadork.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= ---------------------------[ LEGAL INFORMATION ]--------------------------- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Copyright 2000 by Atom Edge All rights reserved This document was created and maintained by Atom Edge, it's author. It is the sole property of its author, whom bears the copyright and reserves all rights. It is protected by "United States Code: Title 17 - Copyrights", the "Berne Convention for the Protection of Literacy and Artistic Works (Paris Text 1971)", any and all copyright and patent laws applicable and International Treaties. This document can only appear in one of two forms: electronic and a personal printed file for private use. The ONLY websites that can post this document are: :: Gamewinners :: VG Strategies :: GameFAQs This document may not be reproduced or retransmitted (the above listed websites are the only sites exempted from this) in any way, shape, form, or medium. You may not alter, edit, format, remove or add materials to any part of this document. It may not be offered for money and/or compensation (even if profit attempt fails) or offered as a bonus or gift for accessing a web page or purchasing an item. It must always remain in the English Language. It will not be translated to any language for any reason whatsoever. It will not appear in any publication. This document was in no way intended for commerical, promotional and/or profitable uses. This guide is limited to personal and private use only. Any other uses MUST be priorly approved by the author, Atom Edge . If this copyright is trangressed, the violators will face immediate civil and/or criminal penalties to the fullest extent possible. Any breach of copyright (which includes acts of stealing, plagerism, pirating, uses not private and personal, posting without permission, ect.) will be treated with immediate civil and/or criminal penalties. By accessing, reading, viewing, or using this document in any way, you automatically agree to abide by this copyright. This copyright supercedes any conversation, verbal exchange and written statements that have any affiliation with this guide (barring statements through e-mail from the author concerning the hosting of this guide). The latest version of this document contains the copyright information that is valid for the latest version, and all prior versions. There's no reason for not checking the latest version, their locations are listed above. Ignorance to this, the copyright, or the law is no excuse. VANDAL HEARTS, all characters and associated materials are copyright KONAMI. No breach of copyright intended. This guide, it's author, and persons otherwise associated (through contributions, hosting, etc.) make no claims to the above stated articles. All trademarks and copyrights not acknowledged in this document are respected. Information in this document is provided "as is," without warranty or guarantee of any kind, either express or implied. Under no circumstances will this guide, it's author, and persons otherwise associated with this guide, be held responsible by any party for any direct, indirect, consequential, or special damages incurred through use of this document, including without limitation, lost profits, and loss of computer data. If for any reason you do not agree with parts or the entire copyright, your only remedy shall be to not use this guide. A T T E N T I O N W E B M A S T E R S --------------------------------------- If you wish to post this guide, you must agree to the following: - You have prior, express, and written permission from the author, Atom Edge (e-mail me with your name, the name of your site and it's URL) - Allowing you to post this does NOT give you any bit of ownership - It will remain in a text format unedited, unaltered, and unchanged - Credit is given to it's author, Atom Edge - No revenue/compensation may be made/gained through distribution (including without limitation to placing it on a website that is commercial, password protected/members only, or placing this guide on a page that has any form of advertising, be it on the page or placed in a frameset) - It may not be used for commercial or promotional uses - Your site must be videogame related and have no illegal material - Your site must be freely accessible with no members/password protection - You will keep the most current version displayed (I will e-mail the latest version every time I update) - You acknowledge that this is copyrighted work, and will abide by all terms. - You acknowledge that the author reserves all rights (including without limitation to the right of having this document removed as I see fit for any reason whatsoever. This is so that I can keep track of who is using this. If you choose to host this, your site's name and URL will be posted above. Take note, if you choose to disregard any of the guidelines stated above, you are committing a felony, which will be addressed accordingly. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------[ END LEGAL INFORMATION ]------------------------- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ Section 1 - INTRODUCTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.1 Author's Note 1.2 Contact Info 1.3 Revision History Section 2 - CHARACTERS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.01 Ash 2.07 Grog 2.02 Clint 2.08 Dolan 2.03 Diego 2.09 Amon 2.04 Eleni 2.10 Sara 2.05 Huxley 2.11 Zohar 2.06 Kira 2.12 Darius Section 3 - HINTS AND TIPS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.1 Level Gain 3.2 The Trials of Toroah and Ash's Vandalier Class Section 4 - CLOSING ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4.1 Credits and Special Thanks 4.2 Final Words 111 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 11 --------------------------[ INTRODUCTION ]--------------------------- 11 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1111 +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ 1.1 Author's Note +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ My favorite genre of video games has always been Strategy RPGs (mainly due to Final Fantasy Tactics). I've also loved Konami games. Being the company that created masterpieces like Metal Gear Solid, Suikoden, and Castlevania: SotN, my expectations of this game was high. And it stacked up. +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ 1.2 Contact Info +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ My e-mail is lazysilverwolf@youareadork.com Be forewarned though as if your email is pointless (see below) I will delete and ignore it. No question about it, no exceptions. By the way, before you e-mail me anything, check to see if it's already in the guide. To do this quickly use the find feature (Ctrl + F). The following are the messages I will answer. :: Webmasters who want to host this guide :: Criticism either positive or negative :: Contributions :: Corrections :: General Talk on the Game or this FAQs :: Anything I might find helpful Not only will I not answer the following, but I'll delete them on sight and add your email to my filter. :: Questions already answered :: Questions regarding how to play the game :: Questions on how to beat a part of the game* :: Questions about another game :: Question not related to something in this FAQ :: Death Threats - yes, I've gotten these before** :: Viruses and Trojans - and these too** :: SPAM - I don't care for your half assed money making schemes :: Chain Letters - what would compel you to think I would want these :: Anything Rude - this is obvious :: No subject line - not worth my time if you can't even write a subject line * This one really annoys me. There are plenty of great guides out there that are written for the express purpose of helping you through the game. Check those (listed in the credits section). My guide is written for Characters and hints, not written as a walkthrough. If I were willing to write an email explaining how to beat something, I would've put it in here. If it's not here, then I probably won't write it, be it into this guide or in email. ** These get special treatment. I don't just delete them and filter your e-mail, I will report these to your ISP. This will get your internet connection summarily terminated. Also, as far as death threats, or any threats and things that are illegal activities, they will be reported to the police, or any other authorities. I will not hesitate. I've gotten people expelled from high school when they e-mailed a death threat using a school computer. I do not tolerate crap of any kind. If I haven't covered whatever type of message you might want to send, rest assured it's most like one that I will not answer. Please note, I do not check my e-mail everyday, in fact I only check it weekly. Even when I check it, it may take weeks to answer as I do have a job, school and my own life to deal with. Also, I am sorry for the restrictions, but I have recieved an enormous amount of unwanted mail. This is the only way I can deal with it. Especially considering some of the crap I've gotten before. +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ 1.3 Revision History +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ Version 1.0 - April 19, 2000 ------------------------------ - The beginning of something big, or what will hopefully be big. Version 2.0 - April 24, 2000 ------------------------------ - It's finished Version 3.0 - September 20, 2000 ---------------------------------- - Changed ASCII Art title - Changed Format - Changed Table of Contents - Updated Legal Information - Changed Intro into Author's Note and Contact Info - Removed Review and summed it up in the Author's Note - Characters section revised - Added the Hints and Tips section - Revised the Level Gain trick - Added the section on the Vandalier and Trials of Toroah - Closing added 2222 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 22 ---------------------------[ CHARACTERS ]---------------------------- 222 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 2222 +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ 2.01 Ash +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ Ash is like any other main character from an video game. Well rounded. He's got good strength, defense, magic and magic defense. Range isn't bad either. Normally you'll just want him to hit opponents directly. Although on certain occassions, you could use Ash's diverse spells as offense. Don't worry about him losing, he can heal himself early on. Also, although Ash is a great character, you shouldn't use him much. This is because enemies in the Trials of Toroah are based on Ash's level, and if you don't use him, every enemy will be pretty weak. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Ash follows his unique class progression. Nobody else in the game has access to his classes. It's really a shame, as his first three (the normally accessable ones) are usually a step ahead of everyone else. Later on, if you complete the Trials of Toroah, then you will have access to the class of Vandalier. Check the section '3.2 Vandalier' for more details. +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ 2.02 Clint +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ Clint is a powerhouse. Every game has a Clint. Although, going against normal traits of powerhouses having slow speed, ect. Clint is actually pretty good, since this game doesn't have speed. He goes whenever he wants. Can take huge amounts off enemies in one hit. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Clint belongs to the Soldier class (including Grog and Dolan). He can advance as either a Knight, or an Armor. I suggest Armor. The Armor class is basically a human tank. Huge power and awe inspiring defense. Only weak point is the bad range. +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ 2.03 Diego +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ Diego is a long range character. He serves pretty good throughout the game. He's pretty reliable, as he seems like the second strongest archer (next to Kira). * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Diego belongs to the Archer class which can advance and stay as an archer type or switch over to an Airman. Airmen are generally stronger, but they are weak to Archers. Others in the group include Kira, Amon and Darius. I suggest you advance Diego as an Airman. Though they are weak to Archers, you really do need to have something that can take down swordsman early on. +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ 2.04 Eleni +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ This little girl is one of the strongest characters you can get (the third strongest). She starts out weak, but be patient, as once she gets Phase Shift, you'll have this goofy looking grin on your face. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Eleni is one of the two mages in the game. Mages either advance into the sorcerer path, or the monk path. Sorcerers are the second best class in the game (second only to Vandalier). Monks are about the worse. If you can't figure out which class to choose, your brains probably been reduced to something a scientist would love to examine. The only other character that follows Eleni's path is Zohar. +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ 2.05 Huxley +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ If you've ever played an RPG, you'll know how important a healer is to the team. Huxley is your first dedicated healer and probably the best. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Huxley shares his class with only one other person, Sara. Though Huxley is old he can still be very helpful. He starts off as a healer, and can continue so, or switch over to a cruddy Monk. Monks suck. Well they don't suck, but they can't hold a candle to anything. As a healer, Huxley can serve to keep the party healthy (which is vital in this game, as once someone faints, they are out of the battle). Monk's only have the factor of offense that make them the least bit better than Healers in anyway. This is a moot point though, as late in the game, Healers have better offensive spells. +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ 2.06 Kira +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ Kira is also a long range character. Compared to Diego, she seems to be more useful. Though it's a shame she leaves for awhile, she will rejoin you. As it stands, she's more effective than anyone else that follows her class path. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Kira belongs to the Archer class which can advance and stay as an archer type or switch over to an Airman. Archers are weaker, but Airmen are weak against arrows, and certain archers in this game are a real pain. Others in the group include Diego, Amon and Darius. I suggest you keep advancing Kira as an Archer. Although Airmen generally deal more damage, she is very potent as an archer. She can safely weaken most enemies from afar and not take any counter damage. +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ 2.07 Grog +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ Grog is one of the coolest characters in any game. Just watch the drunk hit an opponent and you'll know what I mean. He's a decent character and will be an asset to your party until your Magicians get powerful. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Grog belongs to the Soldier class (including Clint and Dolan). He can advance as either a Knight, or an Armor. I suggest Knight. Grog isn't quite as strong as Clint is, and should be played more specialized. With a Knight, you have more choices, as far as range goes. +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ 2.08 Dolan +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ Dolan's a decent character. When he comes to your party, you should be getting pretty strong. He isn't too unique, as he plays just like Grog and Clint (not a bad thing at all though). * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Dolan belongs to the Soldier class (including Clint and Grog). He can advance as either a Knight, or an Armor. I suggest Knight. Dolan just doesn't have the power behind his punch like Clint and Grog do. So use specialized tactics. +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ 2.09 Amon +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ Another long range fighter. Amon seems to be the most worthless character in the game, but in actuality, this game doesn't have any extremely crappy characters. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Amon belongs to the Archer class which can advance and stay as an archer type or switch over to an Airman. Airmen are generally stronger, but they are weak to Archers. Others in the group include Diego, Kira and Darius. I suggest you advance Amon as an Airman. He's pretty crappy as an archer, but can compare decently to Diego as an Airman. +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ 2.10 Sara +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ If you've ever played an RPG, you'll know how important a healer is to the team. Sara is your second dedicated dedicated healer. She doesn't seems quite as effective, but she's still useful. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Sara shares his class with only one other person, Huxley. She starts off as a healer, and can continue so, or switch over to a cruddy Monk. Monks suck. Well they don't suck, but they can't hold a candle to anything. As a healer, Sara can serve to keep the party healthy (which is vital in this game, as once someone faints, they are out of the battle). Monk's only have the factor of offense that make them the least bit better than Healers in anyway. This is a moot point though, as late in the game, Healers have better offensive spells. +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ 2.11 Zohar +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ Aside from Ash when he's a Vandalier, there's nothing that can even compare to Zohar. Right when you get him, you'll know quite how lucky you are. He's essentially a pumped up version of Eleni. He shares the same traits, only he's much more powerful. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Zohar is one of the two mages in the game. Mages either advance into the sorcerer path, or the monk path. Sorcerers are the second best class in the game (second only to Vandalier). Monks are about the worse. If you can't figure out which class to choose, your brains probably been reduced to something a scientist would love to examine. The only other character that follows Zohar's path is Eleni. +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ 2.12 Darius +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ Darius is the last character you get in the game. He follows the archer path and can stay an archer or switch to the skys. I never really got a chance to see Darius shine, as when you get him, you'll be using your magicians more than anyone (well you'll be paying attention more to them). * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Darius belongs to the Archer class which can advance and stay as an archer type or switch over to an Airman. Archers are weaker, but Airmen are weak against arrows, and certain archers in this game are a real pain. Others in the group include Diego, Kira and Amon. I suggest you keep advancing Darius as an Archer. Although Airmen generally deal more damage, he can safely weaken most enemies from afar and not take any counter damage. 3333 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= _33 -------------------------[ HINTS AND TIPS ]-------------------------- 33 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 3333 +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ 3.1 Level Gain +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ Now this is one of the weirest RPGs. Normally you can develop for experience and gain levels. Not in Vandal Hearts. You develop in each battle you fight. The problem is, since you can't repeat a fight, and there are no random battles, you can't continuously train and get stronger. This will pose a distict problem for two types of people. The first are the people who can't stand to have a weak party and has to have the highest level possible to obtain. The other group of people this will effect are people like me, who tend to always manage to do something wrong. In some battles, I messed myself up and somehow managed to be a lot of levels below the enemy, and get my rear end beaten to the floor and handed back to me. There is a nice trick to help out, if you should be one of the two types of people listed above. Since all experience is gained in a manner to even out levels, when you do something to a lower leveled person, you gain close to no experience. If you do something to a higher level person, you get more exp. But, if you do something to yourself, like use Bless Weapon or Mystic Shield, you get a set amount of exp. There is a stage called Castle Ruins in the second Chapter. It's right before you fight the mad Magnus. The battle starts off with you on one side and a door on the other side. Get to the door, and you will end the battle, but... if you don't get to the doorstep, you won't end the battle and you can go on forever. What's interesting is that there is a large wall like thing that four shooter imps stand on and shoot you at the beginning. On this wall like guard post, are two healing circles. Healing circles are a panel that will recover some HP and MP at the end of each round to whoever stands on them. This is where the trick begins. Clear out all the enemies in the stage. Now have both Sara and Huxley stand on the healing circles. They can continue to cast Mystic Shield and never run out of MP. They will slowly gain levels. Be forwarned, this takes extremely long, as the experience gained from Mystic Shield is quite close to nothing. But with patience (and a multitude of battle saves) you will eventually get them to a pretty high level. After this, have all your characters use a mage oil on them and they will get a massive boost in experience. If some characters died during the fight (most likely your Airmen as the Shooter Imps are extremely annoying, or some character didn't bring a mage oil into the battle, just have them bring one into another battle and use it then. Two last warnings, though. The first is to completely ignore Ash from this process. If you level him up high, the Trials of Toroah will be extremely difficult. This is bad, as they are difficult to begin with. Although, if you want a challenge, go right ahead. The second warning is to those who don't like "tricks." This does make the game extremely boring and for some it's deemed cheap and whatnot. I'll not bother argueing this, as I'd just be a hypocrit since I deem most tricks cheap anyway. +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ 3.2 The Trials of Toroah and Ash's Vandalier Class +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ I've been mentioning these two throughout this guide now. Perhaps I should explain it =]. Throughout the game, in six different battles, you can pick up six different 'keys'. You pick them up like any other ite, simply by finding a 'weird' spot on the ground and examining. Just a side note, most normal items are extremely easy to spot, but the keys are slightly harder. Anyway, since you can't repeat any battles, once you past even ONE battle without grabbing they key (if there is a key in the level), you lose your chances at the strongest, excuse me, I'm sorry, it should say cheapest, character in the game. Anyway, once you have a key, and equip it on Ash, go into a Dojo. Leave, and the Dojomaster will be prompted to ask if you want to enter a trial. If you choose to accept, you'll be placed into a battle slightly different than any other in the game. They usually pit you against a group of the strongest enemies (and not just one, but a couple of them) you've faced thus far. In each battle, you have to collect prism. If you don't collect the prism, the battle is worthless, and you can't repeat it (not to my knowledge anyway). Also, keep in mind that all enemies that appear in trials don't have a set level. They are all dependent on Ash's level. If you did the level gain trick (listed above) correctly, than laugh your ass off, as you've caught a break. Keeping on subject, once you've done this for all six trials, you can Ash can advance from the Paragon class into the Vandalier class. The Vandalier class is the best in the game. It gets a bonus in stats (don't all cheap characters get these?) and better equipment than anything you can find in stores. On top of this, Ash will now have access to EVERY spell in the game, including Kain's cheap Plasma Wave. Some spells, like Harmful Wave, don't even cost any MP. In addition (Vandalier's got a lot of bonuses, huh?) Ash can use all items in the game as a magic spell that doesn't cost any MP. This gets extremely cheap since Life Orb will recover all of his HP and MP, meaning infinite Plasma Waves and Holy H2O will recover every party members health. Simply put, if you manage to lose after getting a Vandalier, you're reading the wrong guide. 4 4 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 4444 --------------------------[ CLOSING ]-------------------------------- 4 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 4 +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ 4.1 Credits and Special Thanks +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ ------------------------------------- R E S O U R C E S ------------------------------------- Thanks to: - Wolverine, Inc. - for his wonderful walkthrough on Vandal Hearts. It's the home of some of the best strategies to get through the tougher battles in the game. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ----------------------------------------------------- M I S C E L L A N E O U S ----------------------------------------------------- For making this guide possible, as always special thanks to: - Gamewinners and Al Amaloo - for hosting my guide and providing a great site. - GameFAQs and CJayC - for hosting my guide and providing a great Message Board. - Konami - for making some of the best games I've ever known. - Sony - for creating the PSX which let me play some of the best games I've ever known. - You - for reading this guide. - Me, Atom Edge - for writing this guide. +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ 6.2 Final Words +=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+=-~-=+ Konami is truly a great company. Their masterpieces include this, Azure Dreams (a seriously underrated game), Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (greatest side scroller of all time and a game that gave Final Fantasy VII a run for it's money), and the imfamous Suikoden series (and Viktor's hilarious lines... 'I'll piss on you!!!'). There are so few guides out there for Vandal Hearts, and I found that plain wrong. Such a good game deserves so much more praise. Thank you for reading, and I hope you've enjoyed one of Konami's great games, Vandal Hearts. /\ @;;;;;;;;;; \-----------------------------------------------------------------, @^^^^^^^^^^ /================================================================` \/ - A - T - O - M - - E - D - G - E - Copyright 2000 by Atom Edge - End of Document -