SDA Knowledge Base - User contributions [en]

New Recording Devices

2014-04-15T23:56:25Z

Duckfist: /* Capture Devices List */

== Audio/Video Connectors ==

=== Standard Definition Connectors ===

{| class="wikitable"
|'''Connectors'''
|[[image:Compositeconnector.JPG | frame | center | From left to right: Composite Video (Yellow), L Audio (White), R Audio (Red), and the higher quality S-Video ]]
|-
|'''Resolutions'''
|240, 480i
|}

Standard definition capture devices have connectors for the three RCA plugs. Yellow for composite video and red and white connectors for stereo audio. For older consoles that only have mono audio (NES), sometimes only the white or red plug is available. Otherwise, red corresponds to the right channel and white to the left. There is another connector for S-Video that provides significantly higher quality than composite. These connectors are common for older consoles (Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Nintendo 64). You can also use these connectors to capture standard definition footage from newer consoles.

=== High Definition Connectors ===

{| class="wikitable"
|'''Connectors'''
|[[image:Componentconnectors.JPG | frame | center | Component Connectors - the Green, Blue, and Red cables on the left are used for video (Y,PB,PR) and the white and red connectors are used for audio]] [[image:Hdmiconnector.JPG | frame | center | HDMI Connector - With HDMI a single cable is used to send both video and audio]]
|-
|'''Resolutions'''
|480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
|}

High definition capture devices have component connectors and/or HDMI connectors. For component connectors you have three cables for video (Green, Blue, and Red) and red and white connectors for audio. HDMI connector uses one connector for both the audio and video signal. HDMI video is superior to component since it provides a digital signal. These connectors should be used to capture footage from newer consoles (Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii U) in high definition.

==== Note for HDMI Capture ====

A/V footage sent over HDMI connectors may have content protection that will prevent you from recording it. This content protection is known as High Definition Content Protection or HDCP for short. If you plan to record footage from a Playstation 3 using an HDMI connector, HDCP will prevent you from doing so. You have a few options.

*Use component A/V connectors instead
*Some HDMI splitters may be able to [https://forum.speeddemosarchive.com/post/how_to_bypass_hdcp_for_use_with_blackmagic_intensity_ps3_owners_read_here.html bypass HDCP.]

Currently the Playstation 3 is the only console on the market that uses it. It is not yet known if the upcoming Xbox One or Playstation 4 will use HDCP.

==Capture Devices==

One of the major steps in an eventual submission is recording the run. VHS is no longer an acceptable medium for submissions, so runners will have to invest in a dedicated device that can capture their gameplay. There are many, many devices available for this purpose to fit a variety of needs. This page is meant to give runners a resource for what to look for and what other runners have used and recommend.

The first thing to note is that a proper recording setup usually requires a bit more than just a capture device. Specifically, a [https://kb.speeddemosarchive.com/Splitters#Powered_Splitters distribution amplifier] (aka a splitter) is used to provide the same input signals to multiple devices, namely a TV and your capture device. Creating a full capture setup is discussed in more detail on the Recording and Streaming Setup page. This page will eventually expand to include recommendations for distribution amplifiers and other equipment.

Also keep in mind some of your limitations. Some devices might require a more powerful computer to run smoothly (especially HD devices). Recording footage directly to a hard drive on your computer might ease organization, but it will use up a lot of space. Many people choose external DVD or HDD recorders for this reason. DVD/HDD recorders also provide a benefit in that they "just work", while many PC-based devices require some setup and are dependent on the stability of the recording software. Most DVD or HDD recorders do not provide a way to stream gameplay though, so a PC-based device would still be required if you intend to stream.

=== Device Parameters ===

There are many things to consider when looking for a capture device, but the main concern should be whether or not it will capture the games you're interested in running. The easiest way to determine this is to narrow down which inputs you are interested in capturing. See the [https://kb.speeddemosarchive.com/Capture_Device A/V Connectors] page for specific information about each of the types of video cables. The devices table below lists all of the inputs that a particular device can handle. Also make sure that the device supports your particular type of video signal. This information is listed in the Compatibility column; NTSC for US/Japan, PAL for EU. If you plan to stream, you should avoid [https://kb.speeddemosarchive.com/DVD HDD and DVD Recorders] since they will generally not be able to provide real-time video to a computer. You would have to purchase another capture device in order to stream and record simultaneously with an HDD or DVD recorder. Finally, if you intend to capture content from systems older than PS2, make sure that the device can handle 240p signals. This includes NES, SNES, Genesis, and some PS1 output. Some devices have nuances where they cannot correctly capture these signals; this is something that has to be learned from experience, and is not something that a manufacturer lists in the product details.

The other columns in the table list other information about particular devices. Issues are simply any known technical limitations or problems with the device. Any fields with asterisks (*) have some caveats that are noted in the comments column. Finally, the Recommend column lists the number of people that have used and recommend a particular device. 4/4 means that all of 4 users recommend a device, while 2/4 means only 2 of 4 users would recommend it. Any fields marked with N/A were not reported for that device.

== Capture Devices List ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Device !! Inputs !! Type !! Price !! Compatibility !! 240p-Capable? !! Issues !! Recommend? !! Comments
|-
| Encore ENMVG2 A/V Grabber || Composite, SVid || USB || [http://www.amazon.com/Encore-ENMVG-3-Audio-Video-Grabber/dp/B00BMMVG3U/ $20] || NTSC, PAL || Yes || Slightly washed-out images. || 1/1 || Dull colors can be easily fixed during post-processing. ENMVG3 is the current production version.
|-
| Hauppauge HDPVR 2 || Component, HDMI || USB || [http://www.amazon.com/Hauppauge-Edition-Definition-Capture-Passthrough/dp/B008ZT8QKO/ $150] || NTSC, PAL || No?* || Early units may experience blackouts when analogue Component input is used, known defect || 1/1 || Max supported data rate of 14 Mbps. Features HDMI pass-through.
|-
| Elgato Video Capture || Composite, SVid || USB || [http://www.amazon.com/Elgato-Video-Capture-Device-10020840/dp/B0029U2YSA/ $80] || NTSC, PAL || No?* || Must use bundled capture software, limited recording options. || 0/2 || N/A
|-
| Blackmagic Design Intensity Shuttle Thunderbolt || Composite, SVid, Component, HDMI || Thunderbolt || [http://www.amazon.com/Blackmagic-Design-Intensity-Shuttle-Thunderbolt/dp/B007ZDHDRS/ $230] || NTSC, PAL || No? || N/A || 1/1 || Works with variety of editing software, passes uncompressed video.
|-
| Pinnacle Dazzle DVC100 || Composite, SVid || USB || [http://www.amazon.com/Avid-Technology-Dazzle-Recorder-V14-0/dp/B0063B242M/ $50] || NTSC, PAL, SECAM || Yes || Cannot handle audio stream directly. || 2/3 || Audio stream is not exposed to DirectShow or the OS; can be bypassed by using Line-in port instead of relying on audio from the device. Can also use Virtual Audio Cables to grab the audio stream. DVC101 models also exist; differences not known.
|-
| StarTech HD Video Capture (PEXHDCAP) || Component, HDMI, VGA, DVI || PCIe || [http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Express-Video-Capture-1080p/dp/B007U5MGBE/ $120] || NTSC, PAL || Yes* || N/A || 1/1 || SD capture is only supported by using special RGB conversion cables and via the VGA port. Composite and SVid not available.
|-
| EZcap 116 || Composite, SVid || USB || [http://www.amazon.com/EzCAP116-Converter-Camcorders-Satellite-Supports/dp/B003YGJLWU/ $30] || NTSC, PAL || Yes || N/A || 2/2 || Many, many "cloned" versions of this device. Clones may exhibit different characteristics.
|-
| AVerMedia C027 || Composite, SVid, Component, HDMI || PCIe || [http://www.amazon.com/Avertv-Definition-Analog-Capture-MTVHDDVRR/dp/B002SQE1O0/ $90] || NTSC, PAL || Yes || N/A || 3/3 || Name varies by region.
|-
| AVerMedia C281 || Component || HDD Recorder || [http://www.amazon.com/AVERMEDIA-C281-Capture-Record-resolution/dp/B005YR0M0W/ $115]* || NTSC || No || N/A || 1/1 || Requires user-provided 2.5" HDD to record footage. Features a pass-through so a distribution amplifier is not needed.
|-
| Roxio Game Capture HD Pro || Component, HDMI || USB || [http://www.amazon.com/Roxio-Game-Capture-HD-PRO/dp/B008YTAGGW/ $120] || NTSC, PAL || No || Can only record through bundled software. || 0/1 || N/A
|-
| Diamond VC-500 One Touch || Composite, SVid || USB || [http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-VC500-Touch-Capture-Device/dp/B000VM60I8/ $35] || NTSC || Yes || Onboard sound not the best. || 1/1 || N/A
|-
| AVerMedia C985 || HDMI || PCIe || [http://www.amazon.com/AVerMedia-C985-Gamer-1080p-Capture/dp/B007UXJ6LE/ $180] || NTSC || No || N/A || 1/1 || Provides HDMI pass-through so no distribution amplifier is required.
|-
| Blackmagic Design Intensity Pro || Composite, SVid, Component, HDMI || PCIe || [http://www.amazon.com/Blackmagic-Design-Intensity-Pro-Editing/dp/B001CN9GEA/ $190] || NTSC || No || N/A || 0/1 || Features pass-through on all inputs.
|-
| Elgato Game Capture HD || Composite, SVid, Component, HDMI || USB || [http://www.amazon.com/Elgato-Capture-PlayStation-Recorder-10025010/dp/B00840353W/ $160] || NTSC, PAL || No || SVideo and Composite inputs may have chroma problems. || 0/2 || Includes dedicated component cables for PS3.
|-
| AVerMedia C875 || Component, HDMI || USB* || [http://www.amazon.com/AVerMedia-Portable-Capture-Xbox360-60Mbps/dp/B00B2IZ3B0/ $160] || NTSC || No || Low bitrate capture and frame rate is auto-selected. Pass-through blacks out occasionally. || 0/1 || Also known as Live Gamer Portable. Uses hardware encoding, so the raw stream is not passed to the host PC.
|-
| AVerMedia C127 || HDMI, VGA || PCIe || [http://www.amazon.com/AVERMEDIA-Broadcaster-capture-1080p60-Component/dp/B006T8QCYA/ $110] || NTSC || No || N/A || 1/1 || Works great by itself, but can have driver issues if used alongside a C027 in the same system. Can take 1080p60 input, but can only record 1080p30 from it.
|-
| Blackmagic Design Intensity Shuttle || Composite, SVid, Component, HDMI || USB 3 || [http://www.amazon.com/Blackmagic-Design-Intensity-Computers-Professional/dp/B003WSQTWU/ $190] || NTSC || N/A || Compatibility with various USB 3 controllers very iffy. Make sure it works with your USB 3.0 card or mobo before purchasing. || 0/1 || Features pass-through on all inputs.
|}

Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/Game Mechanics

2013-09-29T17:33:01Z

Duckfist: /* Sword Slashing */

= Game Parameters and Controls =

*Press Left and Right to run
*Press Up and Down while hanging from a wall to climb it
*Press Down while on the ground to crouch
*Press A to Jump
*Press B to Slash, damaging enemies, some projectiles, and breaking Item Orbs
*Hold Up and Press B to use Ninjutsu
**Must not be holding Left or Right
*Press Start to Pause and skip cutscenes 

*Ryu has 16 HP, as do all bosses.
*All of Ryu's attacks will deal 1 damage.
*While in mid-air, you can't change the direction you are facing
**Moving backward in mid-air slows you down to about 1/3 of the speed of moving forward
*Slashing your sword has a 20 frame cooldown time. See ''[[Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/Game Mechanics#Sword_Slashing|Sword Slashing]]''.
*Using Ninjutsu has a 20 frame cooldown time, and all projectiles must be off the screen before firing again.
**You can move Left or Right immediately after using Ninjutsu. This is '''Moonwalking'''.
*Ryu's HP is automatically refilled only after completing an entire act.
*Ryu begins every act with the Shuriken and 10 Ninpo.
*Ryu runs at 1.5 pixels per frame (at 60 fps).
*Ryu climbs at 1 pixel per frame.
*Ryu's collision box is horizontally smaller than in Ninja Gaiden, with respect to standing on surfaces. 

= Sword Slashing =
[[File:Slashclimb.gif|256px|thumb|right|Slash-climbing is faster than normal wall climbing.]]
*20 frame cooldown.
*Slashing while standing on the ground forces you to stand still for the duration of the cooldown. 

==Jump Slashing==
Like in Ninja Gaiden, it is useful to jump slash to kill ground-based enemies without stopping. However, in Ninja Gaiden II, the sword's hitbox is different such that it is often more difficult to successfully kill enemies with jump slashes. A and B must be hit in quicker succession than in Ninja Gaiden in order to kill most enemies. However, with a zero-time penalty from damage boosts in this game, it is often wiser to boost off of an enemy than kill it, or even to use ninjutsu to kill enemies at the expense of a few frames lost. 

While slashing in mid-air, you can move left and right. But, if you slash in mid-air just before moving backwards, you move at full horizontal speed for the duration of the slash cooldown. This will not work if you have previously moved backwards in mid-air during the current jump. This is '''Backslashing'''.
*Example input: Facing Right: Tap A, tap B, hold Left 

==Slash Climbing==
Unlike Ninja Gaiden I, you can climb up and down most walls in Ninja Gaiden II as if they were ladders. You can speed up the rate of your climb by jumping off of the wall, slashing immediately, and then moving back against the wall. If done quickly enough, you can gain 2-3 pixels in height each time this is executed. Since you climb at a rate of 1 pixel per frame, each successful slash-climb can save 2-3 frames. Done repeatedly throughout a run, several seconds can be saved. The technique can be difficult and tire your hands, though, so only do as much as you're capable of, as messing up can easily cause you to lose time.
Also note that this technique is especially fast in Stage 4-2 when climbing up waterfalls. 

After reaching the top of a wall, you'll have to walljump at the top to finish the ascent. Since you'll be travelling at "backwards mid-air" velocity until you actually land on top, if you slash-climb during the walljump, you'll have full horizontal velocity already when you reach the top. 
*Example input: Hold Right, tap A, tap B, release Right, hold left. If done while clung to a wall, this is '''Slash Climbing'''. 

==Canceling==
This refers to bypassing the cooldown of slashing your sword or using ninjutsu. Normally, you have to wait 20 frames from slashing your sword before being able to slash it again. If you slash your sword just before landing from a jump, you don't slow down, and the slash cooldown is reset. This is a '''Landing Slash''', which is one implementation of canceling. Like Slash Jumping, performing a Landing Slash is slightly more difficult in Ninja Gaiden II due to a difference in hitboxes from the first game. Also remember that like the first game, landing on the ground cancels the cooldown of your current attack, allowing you to attack again immediately, similiar to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. 

You can also jump after slashing on the ground to cancel it, minimizing time spent standing still and allowing another immediate slash in mid air. Combining these techniques together, you can slash 3 times in quick succession by doing a Landing Slash, a regular slash while on the ground, and a Jump Slash immediately afterwards. This can be abused to kill bosses in low% slightly faster, and in a Tool-Assisted Speedrun to kill some bosses nearly instantly.
Also note that if you jump immediately after using Ninjutsu, you can slash immediately (or use another ninjutsu, if the first shot has already left the screen) in mid-air. 

=Damage Boosting=
[[File:SampleBoost.gif|256px|thumb|right|Damage boost up to an out-of-reach platform]]
A damage boost refers to purposely taking damage to save time, and is usually done in the following forms: 
*Avoiding the damage would normally take too much time
*While not climbing, taking damage pushes Ryu upwards a few pixels, letting you reach some platforms quicker, or clip over walls.
*Taking damage gives you permanent invulnerability until you hit the ground, and then 1 additional second of invulnerability. 

The mechanics of damage boosting is very similar to that in Ninja Gaiden I, with a few differences. 
*While not climbing a ladder, taking damage pushes you in the direction that you got hit from. 
You lose all control in this situation until you land on the ground. If you take damage while wallclimbing, there is no effect on your controls.
*You do not lose any horizontal speed when damage boosting. Whatever your previous horizontal speed was before the boost, that will be your speed during the boost. 
This means that you can get boosted at full speed, even in Stage 2-2 when the wind is active. Thus, damage boosting in Ninja Gaiden II can rarely slow you down, and is encouraged almost everywhere that you cannot easily pass enemies, provided that you have the health to do so. Keep in mind that if you have recently moved backwards in mid-air, getting boosted will move you at the same slow speed, too. 
*You gain a few pixels of vertical height when damage boosting, but not as much in comparison to Ninja Gaiden I. 
While you can still reach higher platforms by damage boosting, it requires a bit more timing than in Ninja Gaiden I, since you usually have to hit an enemy at the pinnacle of your jump in order to get a successful increase in height. 
==Boost Grabbing==
*If you take damage in mid-air, and Ryu's hitbox is overlapping a climbable wall, he will instantly begin climbing it and not be boosted. This is called '''Boost Grabbing'''. You must be holding Up for this to work. 
In Ninja Gaiden I and II, there are no ceilings - you simply pass through solid wall by entering it from underneath. Also, some walls in the background can be climbed, but if you're on the ground, you'll simply walk in front of it (or inside of it). If you're inside a wall and want to climb up its side, you typically have to move outside of the wall and then move back towards it so that it'll detect collision against it and you can begin climbing. A Boost Grab is where you actually grab onto the wall earlier by simply taking damage while overlapping the side of the wall. You can be about 16 pixels from the edge of a wall and still cling to it after a Boost Grab. This is primarily useful in Stage 2-2, Stage 4-1, Stage 4-2, and Stage 7-1, saving significant time in most cases. If you're holding A and Left or Right during a Boost Grab, you instantly walljump, losing no horizontal speed. 

=Items, Ninjutsu, and Ninpo=
'''Ninjutsu''' are the special abilities in the Ninja Gaiden games that can help Ryu make it through each stage. They typically cost some '''Ninpo''', or Spiritual Strength, to use. Most ninjutsu are intended to deal damage to enemies, or help Ryu indirectly, such as the Shadow Clone. Ninjutsu and Ninpo can be found inside of Item Orbs, which are scattered throughout each stage. 

Mechanics: 
*Hold Up and Press B to use your current Ninjutsu.
**Must not be holding Left or Right.
**You can move Left or Right immediately after firing the Ninjutsu, resulting in a moonwalk.
*You begin the game with 10 Ninpo, 40 Max Ninpo, and the Shuriken.
**You begin each act with 10 Ninpo.
**If you game over, back to 10 Ninpo.
*You can collect an additional 10 Max Ninpo in each act after act 1 by collecting that act's Scroll.
*All Ninjutsu deals 1 damage per projectile against every boss. Shuriken does not damage bosses.
*You fire an additional projectile per Shadow Clone that is out. 

==Types of Ninjutsu==
*'''Shuriken'''
*'''Windmill Shuriken'''
*'''Art of the Fire Wheel'''
*'''Invincible Fire Wheel'''
*'''Fireball''' 
Other Items: 
*'''Shadow Clone''': An image that follows your movements, but attacks with you simultaneously.
**You can have up to 2 Shadow Clones out at once.
**Shadow Clones are retained across stages and acts, but are lost upon death.
**Simultaneous sword slashes will not deal additional damage to a boss, but simultaneous Ninjutsu will.
*'''Purple Ninpo''': Restores 10 Ninpo.
*'''Orange Ninpo''': Restore Ninpo to Max.
*'''Extra Life''': Kills you.
*'''Orange Points''': Gain 1000? points.
*'''Purple Points''': Gain 300? points.
*'''Scroll''': Adds 10 to your Max Ninpo.
**Can only collect 1 scroll per act.
**Acts 2-7 have Scrolls.
**Some acts have multiple scrolls, but after collecting one, the other Item Orbs that contained scrolls will instead drop Purple Ninpo.

Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/Game Mechanics

2013-09-26T22:51:46Z

Duckfist: /* Jump Slashing */

= Game Parameters and Controls =

*Press Left and Right to run
*Press Up and Down while hanging from a wall to climb it
*Press Down while on the ground to crouch
*Press A to Jump
*Press B to Slash, damaging enemies, some projectiles, and breaking Item Orbs
*Hold Up and Press B to use Ninjutsu
**Must not be holding Left or Right
*Press Start to Pause and skip cutscenes 

*Ryu has 16 HP, as do all bosses.
*All of Ryu's attacks will deal 1 damage.
*While in mid-air, you can't change the direction you are facing
**Moving backward in mid-air slows you down to about 1/3 of the speed of moving forward
*Slashing your sword has a 20 frame cooldown time. See ''[[Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/Game Mechanics#Sword_Slashing|Sword Slashing]]''.
*Using Ninjutsu has a 20 frame cooldown time, and all projectiles must be off the screen before firing again.
**You can move Left or Right immediately after using Ninjutsu. This is '''Moonwalking'''.
*Ryu's HP is automatically refilled only after completing an entire act.
*Ryu begins every act with the Shuriken and 10 Ninpo.
*Ryu runs at 1.5 pixels per frame (at 60 fps).
*Ryu climbs at 1 pixel per frame.
*Ryu's collision box is horizontally smaller than in Ninja Gaiden, with respect to standing on surfaces. 

= Sword Slashing =
[[File:Slashclimb.gif|256px|thumb|right|Slash-climbing is faster than normal wall climbing.]]
*20 frame cooldown.
*Slashing while standing on the ground forces you to stand still for the duration of the cooldown. 

==Jump Slashing==
Like in Ninja Gaiden, it is useful to jump slash to kill ground-based enemies without moving. However, in Ninja Gaiden II, the sword's hitbox is different such that it is often more difficult to successfully kill enemies with jump slashes. A and B must be hit in quicker succession than in Ninja Gaiden in order to kill most enemies. However, with a zero-time penalty from damage boosts in this game, it is often wiser to boost off of an enemy than kill it, or even to use ninjutsu to kill enemies at the expense of a few frames lost. 

While slashing in mid-air, you can move left and right. But, if you slash in mid-air just before moving backwards, you move at full horizontal speed for the duration of the slash cooldown. This will not work if you have previously moved backwards in mid-air during the current jump. This is '''Backslashing'''.
*Example input: Facing Right: Tap A, tap B, hold Left 

==Slash Climbing==
Unlike Ninja Gaiden I, you can climb up and down most walls in Ninja Gaiden II as if they were ladders. You can speed up the rate of your climb by jumping off of the wall, slashing immediately, and then moving back against the wall. If done quickly enough, you can gain 2-3 pixels in height each time this is executed. Since you climb at a rate of 1 pixel per frame, each successful slash-climb can save 2-3 frames. Done repeatedly throughout a run, several seconds can be saved. The technique can be difficult and tire your hands, though, so only do as much as you're capable of, as messing up can easily cause you to lose time.
Also note that this technique is especially fast in Stage 4-2 when climbing up waterfalls. 

After reaching the top of a wall, you'll have to walljump at the top to finish the ascent. Since you'll be travelling at "backwards mid-air" velocity until you actually land on top, if you slash-climb during the walljump, you'll have full horizontal velocity already when you reach the top. 
*Example input: Hold Right, tap A, tap B, release Right, hold left. If done while clung to a wall, this is '''Slash Climbing'''. 

==Canceling==
This refers to bypassing the cooldown of slashing your sword or using ninjutsu. Normally, you have to wait 20 frames from slashing your sword before being able to slash it again. If you slash your sword just before landing from a jump, you don't slow down, and the slash cooldown is reset. This is a '''Landing Slash''', which is one implementation of canceling. Like Slash Jumping, performing a Landing Slash is slightly more difficult in Ninja Gaiden II due to a difference in hitboxes from the first game. Also remember that like the first game, landing on the ground cancels the cooldown of your current attack, allowing you to attack again immediately, similiar to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. 

You can also jump after slashing on the ground to cancel it, minimizing time spent standing still and allowing another immediate slash in mid air. Combining these techniques together, you can slash 3 times in quick succession by doing a Landing Slash, a regular slash while on the ground, and a Jump Slash immediately afterwards. This can be abused to kill bosses in low% slightly faster, and in a Tool-Assisted Speedrun to kill some bosses nearly instantly.
Also note that if you jump immediately after using Ninjutsu, you can slash immediately (or use another ninjutsu, if the first shot has already left the screen) in mid-air. 

=Damage Boosting=
[[File:SampleBoost.gif|256px|thumb|right|Damage boost up to an out-of-reach platform]]
A damage boost refers to purposely taking damage to save time, and is usually done in the following forms: 
*Avoiding the damage would normally take too much time
*While not climbing, taking damage pushes Ryu upwards a few pixels, letting you reach some platforms quicker, or clip over walls.
*Taking damage gives you permanent invulnerability until you hit the ground, and then 1 additional second of invulnerability. 

The mechanics of damage boosting is very similar to that in Ninja Gaiden I, with a few differences. 
*While not climbing a ladder, taking damage pushes you in the direction that you got hit from. 
You lose all control in this situation until you land on the ground. If you take damage while wallclimbing, there is no effect on your controls.
*You do not lose any horizontal speed when damage boosting. Whatever your previous horizontal speed was before the boost, that will be your speed during the boost. 
This means that you can get boosted at full speed, even in Stage 2-2 when the wind is active. Thus, damage boosting in Ninja Gaiden II can rarely slow you down, and is encouraged almost everywhere that you cannot easily pass enemies, provided that you have the health to do so. Keep in mind that if you have recently moved backwards in mid-air, getting boosted will move you at the same slow speed, too. 
*You gain a few pixels of vertical height when damage boosting, but not as much in comparison to Ninja Gaiden I. 
While you can still reach higher platforms by damage boosting, it requires a bit more timing than in Ninja Gaiden I, since you usually have to hit an enemy at the pinnacle of your jump in order to get a successful increase in height. 
==Boost Grabbing==
*If you take damage in mid-air, and Ryu's hitbox is overlapping a climbable wall, he will instantly begin climbing it and not be boosted. This is called '''Boost Grabbing'''. You must be holding Up for this to work. 
In Ninja Gaiden I and II, there are no ceilings - you simply pass through solid wall by entering it from underneath. Also, some walls in the background can be climbed, but if you're on the ground, you'll simply walk in front of it (or inside of it). If you're inside a wall and want to climb up its side, you typically have to move outside of the wall and then move back towards it so that it'll detect collision against it and you can begin climbing. A Boost Grab is where you actually grab onto the wall earlier by simply taking damage while overlapping the side of the wall. You can be about 16 pixels from the edge of a wall and still cling to it after a Boost Grab. This is primarily useful in Stage 2-2, Stage 4-1, Stage 4-2, and Stage 7-1, saving significant time in most cases. If you're holding A and Left or Right during a Boost Grab, you instantly walljump, losing no horizontal speed. 

=Items, Ninjutsu, and Ninpo=
'''Ninjutsu''' are the special abilities in the Ninja Gaiden games that can help Ryu make it through each stage. They typically cost some '''Ninpo''', or Spiritual Strength, to use. Most ninjutsu are intended to deal damage to enemies, or help Ryu indirectly, such as the Shadow Clone. Ninjutsu and Ninpo can be found inside of Item Orbs, which are scattered throughout each stage. 

Mechanics: 
*Hold Up and Press B to use your current Ninjutsu.
**Must not be holding Left or Right.
**You can move Left or Right immediately after firing the Ninjutsu, resulting in a moonwalk.
*You begin the game with 10 Ninpo, 40 Max Ninpo, and the Shuriken.
**You begin each act with 10 Ninpo.
**If you game over, back to 10 Ninpo.
*You can collect an additional 10 Max Ninpo in each act after act 1 by collecting that act's Scroll.
*All Ninjutsu deals 1 damage per projectile against every boss. Shuriken does not damage bosses.
*You fire an additional projectile per Shadow Clone that is out. 

==Types of Ninjutsu==
*'''Shuriken'''
*'''Windmill Shuriken'''
*'''Art of the Fire Wheel'''
*'''Invincible Fire Wheel'''
*'''Fireball''' 
Other Items: 
*'''Shadow Clone''': An image that follows your movements, but attacks with you simultaneously.
**You can have up to 2 Shadow Clones out at once.
**Shadow Clones are retained across stages and acts, but are lost upon death.
**Simultaneous sword slashes will not deal additional damage to a boss, but simultaneous Ninjutsu will.
*'''Purple Ninpo''': Restores 10 Ninpo.
*'''Orange Ninpo''': Restore Ninpo to Max.
*'''Extra Life''': Kills you.
*'''Orange Points''': Gain 1000? points.
*'''Purple Points''': Gain 300? points.
*'''Scroll''': Adds 10 to your Max Ninpo.
**Can only collect 1 scroll per act.
**Acts 2-7 have Scrolls.
**Some acts have multiple scrolls, but after collecting one, the other Item Orbs that contained scrolls will instead drop Purple Ninpo.

Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos

2013-09-26T22:50:57Z

Duckfist: /* Additional Information */

[[Category:NES]]
[[Category:Games]]
= Categories =
[[Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/any %|Any %]] - Do whatever it takes to beat the game as fast as possible 

= Additional Information =
[[Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/Game Mechanics|Game Mechanics]] - Fundamentals of gameplay, control, and specific techniques 
[[Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/Additional Resources|Additional Resources]] - Links to other helpful resources

Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/Game Mechanics

2013-09-26T22:48:26Z

Duckfist: /* Canceling */

= Game Parameters and Controls =

*Press Left and Right to run
*Press Up and Down while hanging from a wall to climb it
*Press Down while on the ground to crouch
*Press A to Jump
*Press B to Slash, damaging enemies, some projectiles, and breaking Item Orbs
*Hold Up and Press B to use Ninjutsu
**Must not be holding Left or Right
*Press Start to Pause and skip cutscenes 

*Ryu has 16 HP, as do all bosses.
*All of Ryu's attacks will deal 1 damage.
*While in mid-air, you can't change the direction you are facing
**Moving backward in mid-air slows you down to about 1/3 of the speed of moving forward
*Slashing your sword has a 20 frame cooldown time. See ''[[Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/Game Mechanics#Sword_Slashing|Sword Slashing]]''.
*Using Ninjutsu has a 20 frame cooldown time, and all projectiles must be off the screen before firing again.
**You can move Left or Right immediately after using Ninjutsu. This is '''Moonwalking'''.
*Ryu's HP is automatically refilled only after completing an entire act.
*Ryu begins every act with the Shuriken and 10 Ninpo.
*Ryu runs at 1.5 pixels per frame (at 60 fps).
*Ryu climbs at 1 pixel per frame.
*Ryu's collision box is horizontally smaller than in Ninja Gaiden, with respect to standing on surfaces. 

= Sword Slashing =
[[File:Slashclimb.gif|256px|thumb|right|Slash-climbing is faster than normal wall climbing.]]
*20 frame cooldown.
*Slashing while standing on the ground forces you to stand still for the duration of the cooldown. 

==Jump Slashing==
Like in Ninja Gaiden, it is useful to jump slash to kill ground-based enemies without moving. However, in Ninja Gaiden II, the sword's hitbox is different such that it is often more difficult to successfully kill enemies with jump slashes. A and B must be hit in quicker succession than in Ninja Gaiden in order to kill most enemies. However, with a zero-time penalty from damage boosts in this game, it is often wiser to boost off of an enemy than kill it, or even to use ninjutsu to kill enemies at the expense of a few frames lost. 

While slashing in mid-air, you can move left and right. But, if you slash in mid-air just before moving backwards, you move at full horizontal speed for the duration of the slash cooldown. This will not work if you have previously moved backwards in mid-air yet during the current jump. This is '''Backslashing'''.
*Example input 1: Facing Right: Tap A, tap B, hold Left 

==Slash Climbing==
Unlike Ninja Gaiden I, you can climb up and down most walls in Ninja Gaiden II as if they were ladders. You can speed up the rate of your climb by jumping off of the wall, slashing immediately, and then moving back against the wall. If done quickly enough, you can gain 2-3 pixels in height each time this is executed. Since you climb at a rate of 1 pixel per frame, each successful slash-climb can save 2-3 frames. Done repeatedly throughout a run, several seconds can be saved. The technique can be difficult and tire your hands, though, so only do as much as you're capable of, as messing up can easily cause you to lose time.
Also note that this technique is especially fast in Stage 4-2 when climbing up waterfalls. 

After reaching the top of a wall, you'll have to walljump at the top to finish the ascent. Since you'll be travelling at "backwards mid-air" velocity until you actually land on top, if you slash-climb during the walljump, you'll have full horizontal velocity already when you reach the top. 
*Example input: Hold Right, tap A, tap B, release Right, hold left. If done while clung to a wall, this is '''Slash Climbing'''. 

==Canceling==
This refers to bypassing the cooldown of slashing your sword or using ninjutsu. Normally, you have to wait 20 frames from slashing your sword before being able to slash it again. If you slash your sword just before landing from a jump, you don't slow down, and the slash cooldown is reset. This is a '''Landing Slash''', which is one implementation of canceling. Like Slash Jumping, performing a Landing Slash is slightly more difficult in Ninja Gaiden II due to a difference in hitboxes from the first game. Also remember that like the first game, landing on the ground cancels the cooldown of your current attack, allowing you to attack again immediately, similiar to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. 

You can also jump after slashing on the ground to cancel it, minimizing time spent standing still and allowing another immediate slash in mid air. Combining these techniques together, you can slash 3 times in quick succession by doing a Landing Slash, a regular slash while on the ground, and a Jump Slash immediately afterwards. This can be abused to kill bosses in low% slightly faster, and in a Tool-Assisted Speedrun to kill some bosses nearly instantly.
Also note that if you jump immediately after using Ninjutsu, you can slash immediately (or use another ninjutsu, if the first shot has already left the screen) in mid-air. 

=Damage Boosting=
[[File:SampleBoost.gif|256px|thumb|right|Damage boost up to an out-of-reach platform]]
A damage boost refers to purposely taking damage to save time, and is usually done in the following forms: 
*Avoiding the damage would normally take too much time
*While not climbing, taking damage pushes Ryu upwards a few pixels, letting you reach some platforms quicker, or clip over walls.
*Taking damage gives you permanent invulnerability until you hit the ground, and then 1 additional second of invulnerability. 

The mechanics of damage boosting is very similar to that in Ninja Gaiden I, with a few differences. 
*While not climbing a ladder, taking damage pushes you in the direction that you got hit from. 
You lose all control in this situation until you land on the ground. If you take damage while wallclimbing, there is no effect on your controls.
*You do not lose any horizontal speed when damage boosting. Whatever your previous horizontal speed was before the boost, that will be your speed during the boost. 
This means that you can get boosted at full speed, even in Stage 2-2 when the wind is active. Thus, damage boosting in Ninja Gaiden II can rarely slow you down, and is encouraged almost everywhere that you cannot easily pass enemies, provided that you have the health to do so. Keep in mind that if you have recently moved backwards in mid-air, getting boosted will move you at the same slow speed, too. 
*You gain a few pixels of vertical height when damage boosting, but not as much in comparison to Ninja Gaiden I. 
While you can still reach higher platforms by damage boosting, it requires a bit more timing than in Ninja Gaiden I, since you usually have to hit an enemy at the pinnacle of your jump in order to get a successful increase in height. 
==Boost Grabbing==
*If you take damage in mid-air, and Ryu's hitbox is overlapping a climbable wall, he will instantly begin climbing it and not be boosted. This is called '''Boost Grabbing'''. You must be holding Up for this to work. 
In Ninja Gaiden I and II, there are no ceilings - you simply pass through solid wall by entering it from underneath. Also, some walls in the background can be climbed, but if you're on the ground, you'll simply walk in front of it (or inside of it). If you're inside a wall and want to climb up its side, you typically have to move outside of the wall and then move back towards it so that it'll detect collision against it and you can begin climbing. A Boost Grab is where you actually grab onto the wall earlier by simply taking damage while overlapping the side of the wall. You can be about 16 pixels from the edge of a wall and still cling to it after a Boost Grab. This is primarily useful in Stage 2-2, Stage 4-1, Stage 4-2, and Stage 7-1, saving significant time in most cases. If you're holding A and Left or Right during a Boost Grab, you instantly walljump, losing no horizontal speed. 

=Items, Ninjutsu, and Ninpo=
'''Ninjutsu''' are the special abilities in the Ninja Gaiden games that can help Ryu make it through each stage. They typically cost some '''Ninpo''', or Spiritual Strength, to use. Most ninjutsu are intended to deal damage to enemies, or help Ryu indirectly, such as the Shadow Clone. Ninjutsu and Ninpo can be found inside of Item Orbs, which are scattered throughout each stage. 

Mechanics: 
*Hold Up and Press B to use your current Ninjutsu.
**Must not be holding Left or Right.
**You can move Left or Right immediately after firing the Ninjutsu, resulting in a moonwalk.
*You begin the game with 10 Ninpo, 40 Max Ninpo, and the Shuriken.
**You begin each act with 10 Ninpo.
**If you game over, back to 10 Ninpo.
*You can collect an additional 10 Max Ninpo in each act after act 1 by collecting that act's Scroll.
*All Ninjutsu deals 1 damage per projectile against every boss. Shuriken does not damage bosses.
*You fire an additional projectile per Shadow Clone that is out. 

==Types of Ninjutsu==
*'''Shuriken'''
*'''Windmill Shuriken'''
*'''Art of the Fire Wheel'''
*'''Invincible Fire Wheel'''
*'''Fireball''' 
Other Items: 
*'''Shadow Clone''': An image that follows your movements, but attacks with you simultaneously.
**You can have up to 2 Shadow Clones out at once.
**Shadow Clones are retained across stages and acts, but are lost upon death.
**Simultaneous sword slashes will not deal additional damage to a boss, but simultaneous Ninjutsu will.
*'''Purple Ninpo''': Restores 10 Ninpo.
*'''Orange Ninpo''': Restore Ninpo to Max.
*'''Extra Life''': Kills you.
*'''Orange Points''': Gain 1000? points.
*'''Purple Points''': Gain 300? points.
*'''Scroll''': Adds 10 to your Max Ninpo.
**Can only collect 1 scroll per act.
**Acts 2-7 have Scrolls.
**Some acts have multiple scrolls, but after collecting one, the other Item Orbs that contained scrolls will instead drop Purple Ninpo.

Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/Game Mechanics

2013-09-26T22:43:31Z

Duckfist: /* Items, Ninjutsu, and Ninpo */

= Game Parameters and Controls =

*Press Left and Right to run
*Press Up and Down while hanging from a wall to climb it
*Press Down while on the ground to crouch
*Press A to Jump
*Press B to Slash, damaging enemies, some projectiles, and breaking Item Orbs
*Hold Up and Press B to use Ninjutsu
**Must not be holding Left or Right
*Press Start to Pause and skip cutscenes 

*Ryu has 16 HP, as do all bosses.
*All of Ryu's attacks will deal 1 damage.
*While in mid-air, you can't change the direction you are facing
**Moving backward in mid-air slows you down to about 1/3 of the speed of moving forward
*Slashing your sword has a 20 frame cooldown time. See ''[[Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/Game Mechanics#Sword_Slashing|Sword Slashing]]''.
*Using Ninjutsu has a 20 frame cooldown time, and all projectiles must be off the screen before firing again.
**You can move Left or Right immediately after using Ninjutsu. This is '''Moonwalking'''.
*Ryu's HP is automatically refilled only after completing an entire act.
*Ryu begins every act with the Shuriken and 10 Ninpo.
*Ryu runs at 1.5 pixels per frame (at 60 fps).
*Ryu climbs at 1 pixel per frame.
*Ryu's collision box is horizontally smaller than in Ninja Gaiden, with respect to standing on surfaces. 

= Sword Slashing =
[[File:Slashclimb.gif|256px|thumb|right|Slash-climbing is faster than normal wall climbing.]]
*20 frame cooldown.
*Slashing while standing on the ground forces you to stand still for the duration of the cooldown. 

==Jump Slashing==
Like in Ninja Gaiden, it is useful to jump slash to kill ground-based enemies without moving. However, in Ninja Gaiden II, the sword's hitbox is different such that it is often more difficult to successfully kill enemies with jump slashes. A and B must be hit in quicker succession than in Ninja Gaiden in order to kill most enemies. However, with a zero-time penalty from damage boosts in this game, it is often wiser to boost off of an enemy than kill it, or even to use ninjutsu to kill enemies at the expense of a few frames lost. 

While slashing in mid-air, you can move left and right. But, if you slash in mid-air just before moving backwards, you move at full horizontal speed for the duration of the slash cooldown. This will not work if you have previously moved backwards in mid-air yet during the current jump. This is '''Backslashing'''.
*Example input 1: Facing Right: Tap A, tap B, hold Left 

==Slash Climbing==
Unlike Ninja Gaiden I, you can climb up and down most walls in Ninja Gaiden II as if they were ladders. You can speed up the rate of your climb by jumping off of the wall, slashing immediately, and then moving back against the wall. If done quickly enough, you can gain 2-3 pixels in height each time this is executed. Since you climb at a rate of 1 pixel per frame, each successful slash-climb can save 2-3 frames. Done repeatedly throughout a run, several seconds can be saved. The technique can be difficult and tire your hands, though, so only do as much as you're capable of, as messing up can easily cause you to lose time.
Also note that this technique is especially fast in Stage 4-2 when climbing up waterfalls. 

After reaching the top of a wall, you'll have to walljump at the top to finish the ascent. Since you'll be travelling at "backwards mid-air" velocity until you actually land on top, if you slash-climb during the walljump, you'll have full horizontal velocity already when you reach the top. 
*Example input: Hold Right, tap A, tap B, release Right, hold left. If done while clung to a wall, this is '''Slash Climbing'''. 

==Canceling==
This refers to bypassing the cooldown of slashing your sword or using ninjutsu. Normally, you have to wait 20 frames from slashing your sword before being able to slash it again. If you slash your sword just before landing from a jump, you don't slow down, and the slash cooldown is reset. This is a '''Landing Slash''', which is one implementation of canceling. Like Slash Jumping, performing a Landing Slash is slightly more difficult in Ninja Gaiden II due to a difference in hitboxes from the first game. Also remember that like the first game, landing on the ground cancels the cooldown of your current attack, allowing you to attack again immediately, similiar to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. 

You can also jump after slashing on the ground to cancel it, minimizing time spent standing still and allowing another immediate slash in mid air. Combining these techniques together, you can slash 3 times in quick succession by doing a Landing Slash, a regular slash while on the ground, and a Jump Slash immediately afterwards. This can be abused to bosses of Act 1 in low% slightly faster, and in a Tool-Assisted Speedrun to kill some bosses nearly instantly.
Also note that if you jump immediately after using Ninjutsu, you can slash immediately (or use another ninjutsu, if the first shot has already left the screen) in mid-air. 

=Damage Boosting=
[[File:SampleBoost.gif|256px|thumb|right|Damage boost up to an out-of-reach platform]]
A damage boost refers to purposely taking damage to save time, and is usually done in the following forms: 
*Avoiding the damage would normally take too much time
*While not climbing, taking damage pushes Ryu upwards a few pixels, letting you reach some platforms quicker, or clip over walls.
*Taking damage gives you permanent invulnerability until you hit the ground, and then 1 additional second of invulnerability. 

The mechanics of damage boosting is very similar to that in Ninja Gaiden I, with a few differences. 
*While not climbing a ladder, taking damage pushes you in the direction that you got hit from. 
You lose all control in this situation until you land on the ground. If you take damage while wallclimbing, there is no effect on your controls.
*You do not lose any horizontal speed when damage boosting. Whatever your previous horizontal speed was before the boost, that will be your speed during the boost. 
This means that you can get boosted at full speed, even in Stage 2-2 when the wind is active. Thus, damage boosting in Ninja Gaiden II can rarely slow you down, and is encouraged almost everywhere that you cannot easily pass enemies, provided that you have the health to do so. Keep in mind that if you have recently moved backwards in mid-air, getting boosted will move you at the same slow speed, too. 
*You gain a few pixels of vertical height when damage boosting, but not as much in comparison to Ninja Gaiden I. 
While you can still reach higher platforms by damage boosting, it requires a bit more timing than in Ninja Gaiden I, since you usually have to hit an enemy at the pinnacle of your jump in order to get a successful increase in height. 
==Boost Grabbing==
*If you take damage in mid-air, and Ryu's hitbox is overlapping a climbable wall, he will instantly begin climbing it and not be boosted. This is called '''Boost Grabbing'''. You must be holding Up for this to work. 
In Ninja Gaiden I and II, there are no ceilings - you simply pass through solid wall by entering it from underneath. Also, some walls in the background can be climbed, but if you're on the ground, you'll simply walk in front of it (or inside of it). If you're inside a wall and want to climb up its side, you typically have to move outside of the wall and then move back towards it so that it'll detect collision against it and you can begin climbing. A Boost Grab is where you actually grab onto the wall earlier by simply taking damage while overlapping the side of the wall. You can be about 16 pixels from the edge of a wall and still cling to it after a Boost Grab. This is primarily useful in Stage 2-2, Stage 4-1, Stage 4-2, and Stage 7-1, saving significant time in most cases. If you're holding A and Left or Right during a Boost Grab, you instantly walljump, losing no horizontal speed. 

=Items, Ninjutsu, and Ninpo=
'''Ninjutsu''' are the special abilities in the Ninja Gaiden games that can help Ryu make it through each stage. They typically cost some '''Ninpo''', or Spiritual Strength, to use. Most ninjutsu are intended to deal damage to enemies, or help Ryu indirectly, such as the Shadow Clone. Ninjutsu and Ninpo can be found inside of Item Orbs, which are scattered throughout each stage. 

Mechanics: 
*Hold Up and Press B to use your current Ninjutsu.
**Must not be holding Left or Right.
**You can move Left or Right immediately after firing the Ninjutsu, resulting in a moonwalk.
*You begin the game with 10 Ninpo, 40 Max Ninpo, and the Shuriken.
**You begin each act with 10 Ninpo.
**If you game over, back to 10 Ninpo.
*You can collect an additional 10 Max Ninpo in each act after act 1 by collecting that act's Scroll.
*All Ninjutsu deals 1 damage per projectile against every boss. Shuriken does not damage bosses.
*You fire an additional projectile per Shadow Clone that is out. 

==Types of Ninjutsu==
*'''Shuriken'''
*'''Windmill Shuriken'''
*'''Art of the Fire Wheel'''
*'''Invincible Fire Wheel'''
*'''Fireball''' 
Other Items: 
*'''Shadow Clone''': An image that follows your movements, but attacks with you simultaneously.
**You can have up to 2 Shadow Clones out at once.
**Shadow Clones are retained across stages and acts, but are lost upon death.
**Simultaneous sword slashes will not deal additional damage to a boss, but simultaneous Ninjutsu will.
*'''Purple Ninpo''': Restores 10 Ninpo.
*'''Orange Ninpo''': Restore Ninpo to Max.
*'''Extra Life''': Kills you.
*'''Orange Points''': Gain 1000? points.
*'''Purple Points''': Gain 300? points.
*'''Scroll''': Adds 10 to your Max Ninpo.
**Can only collect 1 scroll per act.
**Acts 2-7 have Scrolls.
**Some acts have multiple scrolls, but after collecting one, the other Item Orbs that contained scrolls will instead drop Purple Ninpo.

Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/Game Mechanics

2013-09-26T22:43:10Z

Duckfist:

= Game Parameters and Controls =

*Press Left and Right to run
*Press Up and Down while hanging from a wall to climb it
*Press Down while on the ground to crouch
*Press A to Jump
*Press B to Slash, damaging enemies, some projectiles, and breaking Item Orbs
*Hold Up and Press B to use Ninjutsu
**Must not be holding Left or Right
*Press Start to Pause and skip cutscenes 

*Ryu has 16 HP, as do all bosses.
*All of Ryu's attacks will deal 1 damage.
*While in mid-air, you can't change the direction you are facing
**Moving backward in mid-air slows you down to about 1/3 of the speed of moving forward
*Slashing your sword has a 20 frame cooldown time. See ''[[Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/Game Mechanics#Sword_Slashing|Sword Slashing]]''.
*Using Ninjutsu has a 20 frame cooldown time, and all projectiles must be off the screen before firing again.
**You can move Left or Right immediately after using Ninjutsu. This is '''Moonwalking'''.
*Ryu's HP is automatically refilled only after completing an entire act.
*Ryu begins every act with the Shuriken and 10 Ninpo.
*Ryu runs at 1.5 pixels per frame (at 60 fps).
*Ryu climbs at 1 pixel per frame.
*Ryu's collision box is horizontally smaller than in Ninja Gaiden, with respect to standing on surfaces. 

= Sword Slashing =
[[File:Slashclimb.gif|256px|thumb|right|Slash-climbing is faster than normal wall climbing.]]
*20 frame cooldown.
*Slashing while standing on the ground forces you to stand still for the duration of the cooldown. 

==Jump Slashing==
Like in Ninja Gaiden, it is useful to jump slash to kill ground-based enemies without moving. However, in Ninja Gaiden II, the sword's hitbox is different such that it is often more difficult to successfully kill enemies with jump slashes. A and B must be hit in quicker succession than in Ninja Gaiden in order to kill most enemies. However, with a zero-time penalty from damage boosts in this game, it is often wiser to boost off of an enemy than kill it, or even to use ninjutsu to kill enemies at the expense of a few frames lost. 

While slashing in mid-air, you can move left and right. But, if you slash in mid-air just before moving backwards, you move at full horizontal speed for the duration of the slash cooldown. This will not work if you have previously moved backwards in mid-air yet during the current jump. This is '''Backslashing'''.
*Example input 1: Facing Right: Tap A, tap B, hold Left 

==Slash Climbing==
Unlike Ninja Gaiden I, you can climb up and down most walls in Ninja Gaiden II as if they were ladders. You can speed up the rate of your climb by jumping off of the wall, slashing immediately, and then moving back against the wall. If done quickly enough, you can gain 2-3 pixels in height each time this is executed. Since you climb at a rate of 1 pixel per frame, each successful slash-climb can save 2-3 frames. Done repeatedly throughout a run, several seconds can be saved. The technique can be difficult and tire your hands, though, so only do as much as you're capable of, as messing up can easily cause you to lose time.
Also note that this technique is especially fast in Stage 4-2 when climbing up waterfalls. 

After reaching the top of a wall, you'll have to walljump at the top to finish the ascent. Since you'll be travelling at "backwards mid-air" velocity until you actually land on top, if you slash-climb during the walljump, you'll have full horizontal velocity already when you reach the top. 
*Example input: Hold Right, tap A, tap B, release Right, hold left. If done while clung to a wall, this is '''Slash Climbing'''. 

==Canceling==
This refers to bypassing the cooldown of slashing your sword or using ninjutsu. Normally, you have to wait 20 frames from slashing your sword before being able to slash it again. If you slash your sword just before landing from a jump, you don't slow down, and the slash cooldown is reset. This is a '''Landing Slash''', which is one implementation of canceling. Like Slash Jumping, performing a Landing Slash is slightly more difficult in Ninja Gaiden II due to a difference in hitboxes from the first game. Also remember that like the first game, landing on the ground cancels the cooldown of your current attack, allowing you to attack again immediately, similiar to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. 

You can also jump after slashing on the ground to cancel it, minimizing time spent standing still and allowing another immediate slash in mid air. Combining these techniques together, you can slash 3 times in quick succession by doing a Landing Slash, a regular slash while on the ground, and a Jump Slash immediately afterwards. This can be abused to bosses of Act 1 in low% slightly faster, and in a Tool-Assisted Speedrun to kill some bosses nearly instantly.
Also note that if you jump immediately after using Ninjutsu, you can slash immediately (or use another ninjutsu, if the first shot has already left the screen) in mid-air. 

=Damage Boosting=
[[File:SampleBoost.gif|256px|thumb|right|Damage boost up to an out-of-reach platform]]
A damage boost refers to purposely taking damage to save time, and is usually done in the following forms: 
*Avoiding the damage would normally take too much time
*While not climbing, taking damage pushes Ryu upwards a few pixels, letting you reach some platforms quicker, or clip over walls.
*Taking damage gives you permanent invulnerability until you hit the ground, and then 1 additional second of invulnerability. 

The mechanics of damage boosting is very similar to that in Ninja Gaiden I, with a few differences. 
*While not climbing a ladder, taking damage pushes you in the direction that you got hit from. 
You lose all control in this situation until you land on the ground. If you take damage while wallclimbing, there is no effect on your controls.
*You do not lose any horizontal speed when damage boosting. Whatever your previous horizontal speed was before the boost, that will be your speed during the boost. 
This means that you can get boosted at full speed, even in Stage 2-2 when the wind is active. Thus, damage boosting in Ninja Gaiden II can rarely slow you down, and is encouraged almost everywhere that you cannot easily pass enemies, provided that you have the health to do so. Keep in mind that if you have recently moved backwards in mid-air, getting boosted will move you at the same slow speed, too. 
*You gain a few pixels of vertical height when damage boosting, but not as much in comparison to Ninja Gaiden I. 
While you can still reach higher platforms by damage boosting, it requires a bit more timing than in Ninja Gaiden I, since you usually have to hit an enemy at the pinnacle of your jump in order to get a successful increase in height. 
==Boost Grabbing==
*If you take damage in mid-air, and Ryu's hitbox is overlapping a climbable wall, he will instantly begin climbing it and not be boosted. This is called '''Boost Grabbing'''. You must be holding Up for this to work. 
In Ninja Gaiden I and II, there are no ceilings - you simply pass through solid wall by entering it from underneath. Also, some walls in the background can be climbed, but if you're on the ground, you'll simply walk in front of it (or inside of it). If you're inside a wall and want to climb up its side, you typically have to move outside of the wall and then move back towards it so that it'll detect collision against it and you can begin climbing. A Boost Grab is where you actually grab onto the wall earlier by simply taking damage while overlapping the side of the wall. You can be about 16 pixels from the edge of a wall and still cling to it after a Boost Grab. This is primarily useful in Stage 2-2, Stage 4-1, Stage 4-2, and Stage 7-1, saving significant time in most cases. If you're holding A and Left or Right during a Boost Grab, you instantly walljump, losing no horizontal speed. 

=Items, Ninjutsu, and Ninpo=
'''Ninjutsu''' are the special abilities in the Ninja Gaiden games that can help Ryu make it through each stage. They typically cost some '''Ninpo''', or Spiritual Strength, to use. Most ninjutsu are intended to deal damage to enemies, or help Ryu indirectly, such as the Shadow Clone. Ninjutsu and Ninpo can be found inside of Item Orbs, which are scattered throughout each stage. 

Mechanics: 
*Hold Up and Press B to use your current Ninjutsu.
**Must not be holding Left or Right.
**You can move Left or Right immediately after firing the Ninjutsu, resulting in a moonwalk.
*You begin the game with 10 Ninpo, 40 Max Ninpo, and the Shuriken.
**You begin each act with 10 Ninpo.
**If you game over, back to 10 Ninpo.
*You can collect an additional 10 Max Ninpo in each act after act 1 by collecting that act's Scroll.
*All Ninjutsu deals 1 damage per projectile against every boss. Shuriken does not damage bosses.
*You fire an additional projectile per Shadow Clone that is out.

==Types of Ninjutsu==
*'''Shuriken'''
*'''Windmill Shuriken'''
*'''Art of the Fire Wheel'''
*'''Invincible Fire Wheel'''
*'''Fireball''' 
Other Items: 
*'''Shadow Clone''': An image that follows your movements, but attacks with you simultaneously.
**You can have up to 2 Shadow Clones out at once.
**Shadow Clones are retained across stages and acts, but are lost upon death.
**Simultaneous sword slashes will not deal additional damage to a boss, but simultaneous Ninjutsu will.
*'''Purple Ninpo''': Restores 10 Ninpo.
*'''Orange Ninpo''': Restore Ninpo to Max.
*'''Extra Life''': Kills you.
*'''Orange Points''': Gain 1000? points.
*'''Purple Points''': Gain 300? points.
*'''Scroll''': Adds 10 to your Max Ninpo.
**Can only collect 1 scroll per act.
**Acts 2-7 have Scrolls.
**Some acts have multiple scrolls, but after collecting one, the other Item Orbs that contained scrolls will instead drop Purple Ninpo.

Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/Game Mechanics

2013-09-26T22:25:06Z

Duckfist:

= Game Parameters and Controls =

*Press Left and Right to run
*Press Up and Down while hanging from a wall to climb it
*Press Down while on the ground to crouch
*Press A to Jump
*Press B to Slash, damaging enemies, some projectiles, and breaking Item Orbs
*Hold Up and Press B to use Ninjutsu
**Must not be holding Left or Right
*Press Start to Pause and skip cutscenes 

*Ryu has 16 HP, as do all bosses.
*All of Ryu's attacks will deal 1 damage.
*While in mid-air, you can't change the direction you are facing
**Moving backward in mid-air slows you down to about 1/3 of the speed of moving forward
*Slashing your sword has a 20 frame cooldown time. See ''[[Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/Game Mechanics#Sword_Slashing|Sword Slashing]]''.
*Using Ninjutsu has a 20 frame cooldown time, and all projectiles must be off the screen before firing again.
**You can move Left or Right immediately after using Ninjutsu. This is '''Moonwalking'''.
*Ryu's HP is automatically refilled only after completing an entire act.
*Ryu begins every act with the Shuriken and 10 Ninpo.
*Ryu runs at 1.5 pixels per frame (at 60 fps).
*Ryu climbs at 1 pixel per frame.
*Ryu's collision box is horizontally smaller than in Ninja Gaiden, with respect to standing on surfaces. 

= Sword Slashing =
[[File:Slashclimb.gif|256px|thumb|right|Slash-climbing is faster than normal wall climbing.]]
*20 frame cooldown.
*Slashing while standing on the ground forces you to stand still for the duration of the cooldown. 

==Jump Slashing==
Like in Ninja Gaiden, it is useful to jump slash to kill ground-based enemies without moving. However, in Ninja Gaiden II, the sword's hitbox is different such that it is often more difficult to successfully kill enemies with jump slashes. A and B must be hit in quicker succession than in Ninja Gaiden in order to kill most enemies. However, with a zero-time penalty from damage boosts in this game, it is often wiser to boost off of an enemy than kill it, or even to use ninjutsu to kill enemies at the expense of a few frames lost. 

While slashing in mid-air, you can move left and right. But, if you slash in mid-air just before moving backwards, you move at full horizontal speed for the duration of the slash cooldown. This will not work if you have previously moved backwards in mid-air yet during the current jump. This is '''Backslashing'''.
*Example input 1: Facing Right: Tap A, tap B, hold Left 

==Slash Climbing==
Unlike Ninja Gaiden I, you can climb up and down most walls in Ninja Gaiden II as if they were ladders. You can speed up the rate of your climb by jumping off of the wall, slashing immediately, and then moving back against the wall. If done quickly enough, you can gain 2-3 pixels in height each time this is executed. Since you climb at a rate of 1 pixel per frame, each successful slash-climb can save 2-3 frames. Done repeatedly throughout a run, several seconds can be saved. The technique can be difficult and tire your hands, though, so only do as much as you're capable of, as messing up can easily cause you to lose time.
Also note that this technique is especially fast in Stage 4-2 when climbing up waterfalls. 

After reaching the top of a wall, you'll have to walljump at the top to finish the ascent. Since you'll be travelling at "backwards mid-air" velocity until you actually land on top, if you slash-climb during the walljump, you'll have full horizontal velocity already when you reach the top. 
*Example input: Hold Right, tap A, tap B, release Right, hold left. If done while clung to a wall, this is '''Slash Climbing'''. 

==Canceling==
This refers to bypassing the cooldown of slashing your sword or using ninjutsu. Normally, you have to wait 20 frames from slashing your sword before being able to slash it again. If you slash your sword just before landing from a jump, you don't slow down, and the slash cooldown is reset. This is a '''Landing Slash''', which is one implementation of canceling. Like Slash Jumping, performing a Landing Slash is slightly more difficult in Ninja Gaiden II due to a difference in hitboxes from the first game. Also remember that like the first game, landing on the ground cancels the cooldown of your current attack, allowing you to attack again immediately, similiar to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. 

You can also jump after slashing on the ground to cancel it, minimizing time spent standing still and allowing another immediate slash in mid air. Combining these techniques together, you can slash 3 times in quick succession by doing a Landing Slash, a regular slash while on the ground, and a Jump Slash immediately afterwards. This can be abused to bosses of Act 1 in low% slightly faster, and in a Tool-Assisted Speedrun to kill some bosses nearly instantly.
Also note that if you jump immediately after using Ninjutsu, you can slash immediately (or use another ninjutsu, if the first shot has already left the screen) in mid-air.

=Damage Boosting=
[[File:SampleBoost.gif|256px|thumb|right|Damage boost up to an out-of-reach platform]]
A damage boost refers to purposely taking damage to save time, and is usually done in the following forms: 
*Avoiding the damage would normally take too much time
*While not climbing, taking damage pushes Ryu upwards a few pixels, letting you reach some platforms quicker, or clip over walls.
*Taking damage gives you permanent invulnerability until you hit the ground, and then 1 additional second of invulnerability. 

The mechanics of damage boosting is very similar to that in Ninja Gaiden I, with a few differences. 
*While not climbing a ladder, taking damage pushes you in the direction that you got hit from. 
You lose all control in this situation until you land on the ground. If you take damage while wallclimbing, there is no effect on your controls.
*You do not lose any horizontal speed when damage boosting. Whatever your previous horizontal speed was before the boost, that will be your speed during the boost. 
This means that you can get boosted at full speed, even in Stage 2-2 when the wind is active. Thus, damage boosting in Ninja Gaiden II can rarely slow you down, and is encouraged almost everywhere that you cannot easily pass enemies, provided that you have the health to do so. Keep in mind that if you have recently moved backwards in mid-air, getting boosted will move you at the same slow speed, too. 
*You gain a few pixels of vertical height when damage boosting, but not as much in comparison to Ninja Gaiden I. 
While you can still reach higher platforms by damage boosting, it requires a bit more timing than in Ninja Gaiden I, since you usually have to hit an enemy at the pinnacle of your jump in order to get a successful increase in height. 
==Boost Grabbing==
*If you take damage in mid-air, and Ryu's hitbox is overlapping a climbable wall, he will instantly begin climbing it and not be boosted. This is called '''Boost Grabbing'''. You must be holding Up for this to work. 
In Ninja Gaiden I and II, there are no ceilings - you simply pass through solid wall by entering it from underneath. Also, some walls in the background can be climbed, but if you're on the ground, you'll simply walk in front of it (or inside of it). If you're inside a wall and want to climb up its side, you typically have to move outside of the wall and then move back towards it so that it'll detect collision against it and you can begin climbing. A Boost Grab is where you actually grab onto the wall earlier by simply taking damage while overlapping the side of the wall. You can be about 16 pixels from the edge of a wall and still cling to it after a Boost Grab. This is primarily useful in Stage 2-2, Stage 4-1, Stage 4-2, and Stage 7-1, saving significant time in most cases. If you're holding A and Left or Right during a Boost Grab, you instantly walljump, losing no horizontal speed.

=Ninjutsu=

Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/Game Mechanics

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Duckfist: /* Damage Boosting */

Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/Game Mechanics

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Duckfist: /* Sword Slashing */

Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/Game Mechanics

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Duckfist: /* Damage Boosting */

File:SampleBoost.gif

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Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/Game Mechanics

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Duckfist: /* Sword Slashing */

Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/Game Mechanics

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Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/Game Mechanics

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Duckfist: /* Slash Climbing */

File:Slashclimb.gif

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Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/Game Mechanics

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Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/Game Mechanics

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Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/Game Mechanics

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Duckfist: Created page with "= Game Parameters and Controls = *Press Left and Right to run *Press Up and Down while hanging from a wall to climb it *Press Down while on the ground to crouch *Press A to J..."

Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos

2013-09-26T20:55:01Z

Duckfist: Created page with "Category:NES Category:Games = Categories = Any % - Do whatever it takes to beat the game as fast as possible ..."

[[Category:NES]]
[[Category:Games]]
= Categories =
[[Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/any %|Any %]] - Do whatever it takes to beat the game as fast as possible 

= Additional Information =
[[Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/Game Mechanics|Game Mechanics and Glitches]] - Fundamentals of gameplay, control, and specific techniques 
[[Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos/Additional Resources|Additional Resources]] - Links to other helpful resources