The Tri-Ace Connection
Tri-ace may not make the best RPGs the world has ever seen, but they try unique ideas that no other RPG has attempted. Star Ocean is famous (in Japan at least) for having relationship scores between each character, allowing for many alternate endings. Also, Star Ocean's battle system is fully real time. |
Claude
An Earthling who becomes stranded on the planet Expel during a training mission. There he meets a young girl with the power to heal named Rena. Claude is mistaken for a legendary hero due to his laser weapon, which other people think is a "Sword of Light". Claude DOES wield a metal sword in battle though. Some of Claude's techniques differ depending on combat range. Strategy: Claude best played aggressively. His defense is below average, but his variety of moves, especially the distance depend ones, offer plenty of moves for him to try. It is ironic that Air slash can be both a projectile AND an anti-air move. Air slash and Shooting stars automatically pick which version depending on where the enemy is. Combos: Similar Fighters: Terry Bogart Stats: Power: 5 Energy*: 6 Defense: 4 Speed: 6 Ratio: 2 Special Moves: Air Slash*: Shooting Stars*: Burst Knuckle*: A punching technique that has Claude flying across the screen Head-splitter: Jumps into the air, comes down with a swipe of his blade Twin Slash: A two hit sword attack, Claude moves forward slightly during execution. Hyper Attacks: Dragon's Howl*: A shadowy dragon appears overhead, and fires its breath. Hits 27 times (W) Mirror Slice: Moves forward while swinging his blade frantically. 15 swings Sword Bomber: Jumps into the air and throws 8 flaming meteors downward. Can also be done in air (F) Enter: Draws his sword while saying "The enemy…" Taunt: Does a come here gesture Victory: Sheaths the blade and says "That’s just about 80 points" No one knows why… Top |
Rena
A young Expelian with the power to heal wounds. Rena meets Claude on one of her trips to Shingo Forest when she is ambushed by a wild animal. Claude saves her, then the pair is sent out into the world to unravel the mystery of the Sorcerer's Globe. Strategy: Rena makes a better helper than a fighter. Her growth and healing abilities give her the ingredients to be a great pick for a support character. Using her in actual COMBAT may not be a good idea. Her normal moves are slow and not very threatening, while her specials are nearly worthless. Combos: Stats: Power: 2+1 = 3 Energy*: 8 Defense: 3 Speed: 6 Strength: H Weakness: D Ratio: 2 Special Moves: Cure Light*: A beam of moonlight lands on the target, healing their wounds. Press*: A metal anvil drops out of the sky. Can only be blocked while jumping. Slow to start (E) Ray*: A beam comes from above Rena's head and strikes at the enemy (H) Pain Cestus: Rena does a dashing punch attack similar to Terry Bogart's. Growth: Bonus ability. While Rena is alive, all party members gain +1 to their power. Hyper Attacks: Star Flare*: Throws a star-shaped projectile. Breaks into pieces on contact. 20 hits (H) Gravity Press: Spell that drops 20 anvils like the Press special. Also slow (E) Fairy Light: Healing spell the effects ALL living members of party. Enter: Tightens her cape around her shoulders Taunt: Puts out her tongue and pulls down one of her eyelids Victory: Stand on one foot and puts both arms out to side. Top |
Lenneth Valkyrie
The Choser of Souls. Valkyrie is sent to Midgard by Odin to gather worthy human souls, which are called Einherjar (I-n-hairy-are). Her mission is to find these warriors and train them before the final battle of the gods, Ragnarok. Although she is a firm believer of her destiny, there are many clues that say Lenneth was not always the Valkyrie. Strategy: Although she has low power and defense, Valkyrie is best off in melee combat. Her distance attacks are actually best used in close. She has no one-button Launcher, but the Vertical Moment and Infinity Blast both knock the enemy into the air. Take the offense and try not to let up. Combos: Stats: Power: 4 Energy*: 7 Defense: 4 Speed: 6 Strength: H Weakness: D Ratio: 2 Special Moves: Vertical Moment*: A slide kick, followed by an upward sword attack. Launcher Infinity Blast*: Shoots a heavy arrow that falls to the ground, explodes, sending the target up. Launcher (H) 
Crystal Freeze*: Throws a burst of blue fire. When hit, the target freezes. Stunning (W) Ascended Javelin: Air only. A spear formed of sparkling dust is thrown downward. See pic (H) Angelic Flight: Using her magical wings, Valkyrie can fly! Hyper Attacks: Divine Assault*: Fires a series of 20 arrows, ending with Infinity Blast. Can use in air (H) Nibilung Valesti: 2 sword attack, Vertical Moment (C) enemy floats in a ball and impaled by 3 spears (H) Einherjar: Jumps, wings out, and summons a small army of spirits. 20 hits Nibilung Valesti Final: Level 3.Does NV, followed by Ascended Javelin and an explosion (H) Enter: A pair of wings appear out of nowhere and then Valkyrie appears. Taunt: Grows her light wings Victory: Holds her sword up high Top |
Arngrim
The best soldier of the kingdom of Artolia. When he insults the king for giving him a trophy for "most kills", he gets set up by the kings minister, a spy from a rival country. When transporting cargo, he finds out too late that the cargo is Artolia's princess. He kills himself after Valkyrie and Princess Jelanda beg him to come with them. Watch out for the sword! He also has moves from his comrades, Aelia and Kashell Strategy: Note that Arngrim's speed is actually better then the number. He, himself, moves at a 5, but his recovery times are horrid. You swing a blade double your height and see how fast you can recover. Arngrim is very strong, but his attack speed is so bad, that the enemy will literally have a couple of seconds to counter. However, the swing easily covers half of the area of the screen! Combos: Stats: Power*: 10 Energy: 2 Defense: 6 Speed: 3(5) Strength: F Weakness: W Ratio: Special Moves: Wrenching Swing*: An over-the-head sword attack. Easily covers half the screen. VERY SLOW Splash Throw*: Swings his blade, and a reddish projectile flies out. Both sword and blast can hit Air Pressure*: Jumps into the air, and comes down at an angle, sword leading Flashing Blade: Dashes forward, does a sweep attack with his blade, followed by an Air pressure. Comrades at Arms: Hyper Attacks: Finishing Strike*: Slides in one of 8 directions, burning blade leading. Assist does forward. 10 hits (F) Final Blast: From ground level, jumps straight up with his sword flaming. 10 hits (F) Dreaded Dragon: Aelia transforms into a dragon, and shoots fiery breath at the enemy. 20 hits (F) Enter: Valkyrie appears and sparkles from her wings form into Arngrim Taunt: Slams the blade into the ground, Excaliber style Victory: Lowers his blade and moves his arm in a circle. Top |
Lezard Valeth
A half-crazed necromancer. Lezard was a student of the Florenceburg sorcerers academy, until he was thrown out for soul defilement. Since then, he discovers the Philosopher's Stone, an artifact that contains all of the secrets of magic. Now he only has a single purpose in his life, to trap the gods in his artificial bodies he created and become a god himself. He is very sick-minded, often making off-color sexual jokes at friend and foe alike. Strategy: Lezard is a very powerful, very quick magic user. However, if the enemy gets close, he is done for. Using his magical talents effectively is the only way to win with Lezard. Although his darkness attacks are too slow to combo, his poison and stone magics are fast enough. Combos: Similar Fighters: None Stats: Power: 2 Energy*: 10 Defense: 2 Speed: 6 Strength: D Weakness: H Ratio: Size: M Special Moves: Stone Torch*: A spiral of energy rises from the ground. May turn the enemy to stone for a second. (E) Poison Blow*: The air in front of Lezard turns into poisonous fumes. Poisons his enemies. Dark Savior*: Creates 3 spears of darkness that dart into the enemy from all sides. 3 hits (D) Shadow Servant: Summons 3 dark hooded demons that rise from the ground. 3 hits (D) Sap Guard: While Lezard is alive, all his enemies have a –1 penalty on Defense. Lost Magic Teleport Basic Throw: Magical throws his opponent into the air, and a dragon skeleton does a flying clothesline w/ sword. Bonus Abilities: Dodge Hyper Attacks: (aka, Great Magic) Meteor Swarm*: 12 large meteors streak from the sky in front of Lezard. 12 hits (D,E) Cosmic Spear: A large black spear stabs down from the heavens. 5 hits (D) Carnage Anthem: Waves of lava sweep across the screen. 12 hits (E,F) Petro Distruptor: Lezard touches the ground and dark vapors rise up. 10 hits + poison (B,D) Enter: A circle of darkness spreads out and Lezard appears Taunt: Laughs evilly. Victory: Waves his hand and waves of dark light surround him, and Lezard disappears. Top |
Aelia
A traveling companion of Arngrim. Aelia is a descendant of the Dragon Clan. Although the Clan died out centuries ago, Aelia's family still has some trace of the bloodline. She also has the legendary dragon gem. Aelia dies when captured by a mad wizard who wants the gem's power. Mighty in battle, Aelia is also a bit on the arrogant side. She wields a spear in battle. Strategy: A strong, but slow spear wielder. Aelia has a lot of reach with her spear, but it has horrible recovery times and even fairly long starting times. As such, she is difficult to combo effectively with. A powerful fighter, but you must anticipate well to use her effectively. Combos: Similar Fighters: None Stats: Power*: 6 Energy: 4 Defense: 4 Speed: 6 Strength: B Weakness: E Ratio: 2 Size: M Special Moves: Sonic Edge*: Throws her spear straight ahead or up-forward. (B) Spinning Edge*: Dashes forward a short distance with her spear leading. 3 hits (B) Rising Edge*: Pushes herself into the air, feet first, with her spear. 3 hits. Uppercut Stabbing Edge: Stabs the ground at her feet. Reflects ground projectiles. Basic Throw: Impales the enemy on her spear and throws the victim Hyper Attacks: Dreaded Dragon*: Aelia transforms into a dragon and shoots a beam straight ahead. 45 hits! (B) Heart Piercer: Performs 2 Spinning Edge attacks in any of the eight directions. 6 hits each (B) Gem of the Dragons: Powers herself up, giving her Super Armor Max for 10 seconds. Enter: A gem rises and glows, Aelia appears out of the red light Taunt: Crosses her arms and says "Your no match for me" Victory: Spins the spear over her head and sticks it into the ground Top |
