End of Round and Battle Text Delay

### Frames Note

Frames in timing calculations refer to 60 frames per second or Hz. NGP(C) video is ~30 frames per second, with each frame displayed twice on Switch to make 60 fps. All timings done with Switch.

I believe the 1 frame differences are explained by the NGP(C) CPU polling button presses at ~60 Hz while video runs at ~30 Hz. In theory, there is a 50/50 chance for a 1 frame delay or no delay, depending on whether the current video frame is being displayed the first or second time when the CPU orders new animation to start.

### Language Note

Real English and Japanese carts only boot in their respective language. Unlike other NGP(C) fighting games, The Last Blade does not boot in whatever language the console is set to. Switch and Steam ports allow booting in either English or Japanese.

### Flawless Victory

Earning a flawless victory displays "Great" in English and "完全胜利" (Complete Victory) in Japanese. This lasts 240 frames = 4.0 seconds in both versions. Taking any damage reduces the end of round delay to either 121 or 122 frames for ~2.0 seconds. I've timed both. Thus if you can manipulate the AI to deal damage and recover in less than 2 seconds, you come out ahead. Mainly applicable to Easy.

### Victory Quotes

The victory quotes spoken by each character while still on the battle screen take more frames based on the amount of text + spacing between words. Japanese is usually but not always faster. I timed for two battles each:

- **Moriya**: 224 or 225 frames in English, 177 frames in Japanese.
- **Yuki**: 225 or 250 frames in English, 197 frames in Japanese.
- **Akari**: 208 frames in English, 200 frames in Japanese.
- **Kagami**: 173 frames in English, 186 or 200 frames in Japanese. *Faster in English* and does have less text.
- **Kouryu**: 224 or 225 frames in English, 175 frames in Japanese.

Yuki's and Kagami's differences being more than 1 frame apart are not understood. Not based on a flawless victory. I've seen Kouryu's quote in Japanese fail to display. Still takes the same time.

### Full Portrait Quotes

The full portrait quotes displayed with "Win Level" at the top are only 1 frame with perfect/rapid fire button pressing in both Japanese and English. These quotes last until you press B, which is A by default on Switch. That the delay is 1 frame versus 2 frames minimum is evidence of NGP(C) polling and processing button inputs at ~60 Hz while having ~30 Hz video.

### Calculation Example

Story 1 has 5 victory quotes and Story 2 has 7. Let's compare Japanese Moriya and Yuki. Moriya is 5 * (197 - 177) = 100 frames = 1.67 seconds faster in Story 1 and (7 * 20 / 60) = 2.33 seconds faster in Story 2, with identical battle times.

### Note for the Future

Ideally, we would time only for the battles and not count the battle transitions. If a tool can be developed to *auto calculate* the total battle time, then I think we'd all agree to have runs retimed. Perhaps worth keeping this in mind when picking a character.

In the meantime, characters being inherently faster in one language and versus each other without regards to strategy is unfortunate. Open to debate if tool-assisted timing should add the 2 second flawless victory delay since the difference impacts strategy. I'd argue that it *should* since it opens up deeper strategy in Easy.

EXTRA: The 12 Skill Scrolls, What They Do, How Good They Are and How to Get Them

Save and open spreadsheet pic for full size. Kind of interesting that all SNK gameplay [footage](https://www.youtube.com/@snkplaymoreGame/search?query=beyond%20the%20destiny) shows players equipped with two scrolls. Developer intention is to use them.

![](/static/blob/rnq1m6xe.png)

Check this hotness out. Yuki goes Super Saiyan under the power of XII (漢). Takes damage but doesn't flinch so keeps attacking the final boss of Story 2 like he's nothing. Second and later hits of combos and knockdown moves will flinch as normal. Individual hits, including projectiles, will not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtuL31ShXn8

IV (者) is fun with 2 players to play tennis one time but most AI opponents won't launch projectiles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfiRoc92pkA

Moveset Wiki (wip) & Cheats/Unlockables/Codes/Secrets

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ngpc/197757-the-last-blade-beyond-the-destiny/cheats

https://strategywiki.org/wiki/The_Last_Blade:_Beyond_the_Destiny/Moves

The cheats info link seems to be the best form of help for how to:
Play in EX Mode, 
Unlock Characters, 
Unlock Minigames, 
How to play in Story 1 Mode after Story 2 Mode is made the default on certain characters

- - - - - -

Something to mention, and what I'm not sure of with the cheats list:

On a fresh file i bought only the ending 1 for Akari after beating story 1 with her and I was able to play as Hagure even though the cheat page says you need to buy both endings, i did the same for Kaede, and same thing, i can buy and play Awakened Kaede, and i didn't play or beat story 2 for either character. so yeah not sure... i think the cheat page is wrong on that.

- - - - - -

As far as the Move Wiki stands, I've added plenty of stuff for Akari, and I am working on Amane now.

Obviously if you look you can see it's still in the works for adding other characters data, and honestly there may be some moves for her that I don't know of, but i logged what i could find online, and could find in the training mode with testing around, all as accurately as I could. 
Heck, there's even some interesting reactions for moves when in the air and versus other characters in the air, so that's why I say that.

/Forgot to share this info for a long while now but here it is now. hopefully this info helps anyone needing it :D

***Edit: No longer actively working on the moveset wiki for this game because it's too much effort and not enough request for it, sorry, but atleast theres the basic and main special moves and what not on there that someone else put long ago***

Power, Speed, EX, KAN Explanation (剣質)

Mode is known as "Sword Type" in the English instruction manual and 剣質 in Japanese. Literal translation is "Sword Quality".

--

### Equip EX 極 GREEN by pressing up 6 times, down 3 times, up 4 times on either Power or Speed. Switch to the other if you mess up to try again. Saved on continue.

### --

### Equip KAN with Scroll XII in English, called 漢 in Japanese. Unlock in EXTRA by buying all other scrolls, including the other 11 skill scrolls. Costs 12000 Points. Overwrites Power / Speed / EX.

--

# tl;dr

With no scrolls, the short explanation is to **use Power** to do amazing damage with Jump + A, A and Forward + A long presses. Use EX instead if there is a damaging enough combo to compensate, namely one that saves time with no knockdown. **Speed is a worse EX** since proper strategy should never lose a round.

--

### POWER 力 RED

- Strong attacks deal about double the damage compared to Speed. Weak attacks, such as most combo hits, deal the same.
- Different and generally worse combos than Speed.
- Have Hidden Secret Slash move for each character. Known as Super Desperation in The Last Blade 2.
- No Enigma Frenzy moves. Also called Fandango in The Last Blade 2.
- Dash + B is an unblockable charge up attack. Vulnerable while charging.
- Deal chip damage on block with all moves. Note that chip damage cannot KO.

Called "Strength" in the English instruction manual. Can also be translated as "Power".

--

### SPEED 技 BLUE

- Strong attacks deal about half the damage compared to Power. Weak attacks, such as most combo hits, deal the same.
- Different and generally better combos than Power.
- No Super Secret Slash moves. Known as Super Desperation in The Last Blade 2.
- Have Enigma Frenzy moves started with Down, Down + A + B. Also called Fandango in The Last Blade 2.
- Dash + B is a launching *overhead*, meaning it hits a crouched opponent even if blocking. Can block standing.
- Deal chip damage on block only with special moves, not normal moves. Note that chip damage cannot KO.

Called "Skill" in the English instruction manual and The Last Blade 2 trailer at [0:40](https://youtu.be/77BDTOORbMk?si=TgK_uaUF38r2vm-I&t=40), despite being labeled as "Speed" in the video. Can also be translated as "Technique".

--

### EX 極 GREEN

Hybrid of Speed and Power:

- Deal slightly more damage than Speed for most* attacks
- Have Speed's combos and Dash + B move.
- Have Power's Hidden Secret Slash and Speed's Enigma Frenzy moves.
- Deal chip damage on block with all moves like Power.
- **Take 15% more damage from strong attacks, less penalty on weaker attacks.**

*Training mode confirms that attacks dealing 7 to 13 points/pixels of damage in Speed will deal 1 point/pixel more in EX. Attacks dealing 14+ in Speed will deal 2 more. The boost applies to individual hits in every combo, though most are under 7. For context, each life bar is 64 pixels before applying damage modifiers outside of Training.

Should likely always use EX instead of Speed, given the weak AI. Notably the damage penalty is 30% in The Last Blade 2. Called "Extreme" in that game's English trailer at [0:40](https://youtu.be/77BDTOORbMk?si=TgK_uaUF38r2vm-I&t=40) and is the literal translation.

--

### KAN 漢 BLACK/GOLD

Turn GOLDEN! Disables blocking but can still Repel. Do not flinch from getting hit by individual attacks other than knockdown moves. First hit of combo will not flinch you but later hits will. This mode is extremely useful for speedrunning.

Modification of Power. Seems to have a slight defense advantage over Power. Appears in the Switch release trailer at [0:55](https://youtu.be/47N92d8ANrc?si=CO0Ec3Chz6DeC9-9&t=55). Literal translation is "Manly Man".

Aaamdacuaga

NewSchoolBoxer

The Last Blade: Beyond the Destiny

Neo Geo Pocket Color

Switch

FelipeNascimento83

EUR / PAL

JPN / NTSC

Kaede

Akari

Washizuka

Okina

Yuki

Zantetsu

Amano

Moriya

Any Set%

Default

SPEED 技

POWER 力

EX 極

Easy

Normal

Hard

Hibiki

Kojiroh

Kagami

Kouryu

Setsuna

Hagure

Awakened Kaede

None

Ⅰ KING 臨

Ⅱ PAWN 兵

Ⅲ WAR 闘

Ⅳ PEON 者

Ⅴ VERDICT 戒

Ⅵ FORCE 陣

Ⅶ LINE 列

Ⅷ LIVE 在

Ⅸ FRONT 前

Ⅹ BET 賭

ⅩⅠ GET 得

ⅩⅡ KAN 漢

KAN 漢

Any% Easy

Character

Mode 剣質

Difficulty

Any%

Whether any skill scrolls that improve fighting performance were equipped or not. They must be unlocked in EXTRA and purchased. In Japanese they are called 巻物「奥義」, "mystery" scrolls.

Scrolls / 巻物

Slot 1. Whether any skill scrolls were equipped or not. Leave blank if unused. They must be unlocked in EXTRA and purchased. In Japanese they are called 巻物「奥義」, "mystery" scrolls.

Scroll 巻物

Slot 2. Whether any skill scrolls were equipped or not. Leave blank if unused. They must be unlocked in EXTRA and purchased. In Japanese they are called 巻物「奥義」, "mystery" scrolls.

The Last Blade

Name	Author
End of Round and Battle Text Delay	NewSchoolBoxer 9 months ago
EXTRA: The 12 Skill Scrolls, What They Do, How Good They Are and How to Get Them	NewSchoolBoxer 11 months ago
Moveset Wiki (wip) & Cheats/Unlockables/Codes/Secrets	Aaamdacuaga 2 years ago
Power, Speed, EX, KAN Explanation (剣質)	NewSchoolBoxer 10 months ago