Backup Boss strats

Aside from the Dracula fight because that fight sucks to do without bombs so in the case of bad Sage Spawns I opt for backup strats on Skeletal Bishop and the Harpy fights. 

I'll probably have to do a more thorough guide on this at some point but the run I did below went 0 for 5 on Sages that drop bombs and forced me to utilize those backup strats so it'll do for now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3DTs0AGMZY

Sage Manipulation

As described in "The Sages" guide, what sage you get depends on what frame you hit start in the cutscene. This guide will discuss what I personally use as audio/visual cues to know when to hit start. 

Keep in mind that this is still a frame perfect thing and it's still not guaranteed to work every time. It also bears noting that these tests were done with the JP version as opposed to the US version which could yield different results.

*If any of the videos below have been removed please contact me via discord or twitter so I can make the necessary changes*

Stage 1:

Here I use an audio cue. Where I hit start tends to be around the 3rd distinct note of this track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY-oo8OsuoY&list=PL-EPbsmkjR1uj2lnLAZ2YAk2O6IoryMsg&index=3

Stage 2 & 3:

Since both cutscenes use the same track starting off, I use the same audio cue which is the 7th distinct note in this track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWTLD2EIuV0&list=PL-EPbsmkjR1uj2lnLAZ2YAk2O6IoryMsg&index=10

Stage 4:

This one has both an audio and visual cue that can be used. For audio, it is the 5th disctinct note in this track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKVOINpqVPM&list=PL-EPbsmkjR1uj2lnLAZ2YAk2O6IoryMsg&index=19

The visual cue I can also use here is waiting for the "2nd" Japanese text to appear in the cutscene. In the English version, I believe it is the "4th" letter that appears that can also be used as a visual cue.

https://i.imgur.com/Gvib4AV.png

Stage 5:

Unfortunately, this one is the most inconsistent as I just do not have a setup, I know I have gotten the results I've wanted a little after the 2nd distinct note of the track as well as a little after the first visual representation of the cutscene being visible. However, results have been too wildly varied for a consistent result to go by at this time that it is basically down to going by heart and believing you hit the right frame.

The Sages

The sages (as the series calls them) are based off the Shichi Fukujin (the Seven Gods of Luck and Fortune).

In this particular game they are hidden in 5 spots throughout the game. 

Stage 1: shoot a particular frog a number of times
Stage 2: defeat the bomb-hurling kappa on the raft
Stage 3: tail whip a specific gravestone (see Akisto's run to know which one)
Stage 4: shoot a particular vulture a number of times
Stage 5: shoot a particular fireplace

Which one you get depends on what frame you hit "start" during the cutscene before the levels themselves. This is very important to learning the game as a speedrun as bombs have the capability to destroy most boss fights making them essential for a getting an optimal time and only 3 out of 7 of them drop a bomb.

**Ebisu:**

https://i.imgur.com/vzzPLdD.png

The God of fishing, shipping and commerce will give you an upgrade to either one of your spreader or fire weapon as well as some health. Sadly, not very useful drops for the speedrun (upgrading/renewing your level 3 weapon aside).

**Daikokuten:**

https://i.imgur.com/jZ72hOO.png

The God of wealth and prosperity. Same drops as Ebisu so the same sentiment applies here.

**Bishamonten:**

https://i.imgur.com/fixeuD0.png

The God of warriors. Same drops as Ebisu and Daikokuten so the same sentiment applies here.

**Fukurokuju:**

https://i.imgur.com/fdC5qGJ.png

The God of wealth, happiness and longevity. Same drops as Ebisu, Daikokuten and Bisamonten so the same sentiment applies here.

**Jurojin:**

https://i.imgur.com/ZiswyIo.png

Unlike the first 4 sages mentioned above, Jurojin (the God of wisdom) drops health, a bomb and a magical shield. Bombs are integral to the speedrun but the health and the shield are nice to add to that as well. 

**Hotei:**

https://i.imgur.com/lxOhF2t.png

The God of happiness and abundance offers the same drops as Jurojin so this is another sage you want in a speedrun.

**Benzaiten:**

https://i.imgur.com/LjJolzi.png

The Goddess of arts and knowledge and unquestionably the most important of all 7 sages in the speedrun. On top of the usual health drop, she drops a bomb and the unique mad dog. The mad dog grants you complete invincibility for a short period of time and destroy anything that stands in your way.

The mad dog can get you killed in stage 2 so getting her in that level is not the best situation but in stage 5 she is vital (moreso than Hotei and Jurojin) as doing the last stretch of stage 5 fast while avoiding death is very hard without mad dog since the magical sheild offers no protection to the spike balls in that particular level.

Nome	Autore
Backup Boss strats	Shadax 6 years ago
Sage Manipulation	Shadax 2 years ago
The Sages	Shadax 6 years ago