Castlevania: Rondo of Blood
Castlevania: Rondo of Blood

Item Checklist

Collect every sub-weapon and relic in Castlevania: Rondo of Blood with this item checklist. Ensure Richter Belmont finds all health upgrades and essential powe.

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Item Checklist

Welcome, fellow vampire hunters! This comprehensive Item Checklist is designed to ensure you don't miss a single crucial item or power-up on your quest through the treacherous halls of Dracula's Castle in Castlevania: Rondo of Blood. We'll cover everything from essential sub-weapons to hidden health upgrades and invaluable relics. Follow these steps carefully, and Richter Belmont will be fully equipped to face the Lord of Darkness!

General Item Notes

  • Candles and Enemies: Many items, especially hearts, money bags, and sub-weapons, are dropped randomly from candles and defeated enemies. If you miss a specific sub-weapon in one location, keep an eye out for it in subsequent candles.
  • Hidden Blocks: Always be on the lookout for suspicious-looking walls, floors, or ceilings. Whips are your best friend for revealing these secrets.
  • Item Despawn: Be aware that items dropped by enemies or revealed from candles will despawn after a short period if not collected.

Stage 1: The Haunted Village

This initial stage introduces you to the basics and offers your first crucial upgrade.

  • Leather Whip Upgrade: This is your first and most vital upgrade, significantly increasing Richter's whip range and power.
    • Location: After the first few Zombie encounters, you'll reach a small elevated platform with a candle. Break this candle. Immediately after this, you'll see a series of breakable blocks in the ceiling.
    • Strategy: Jump and whip the ceiling blocks. The upgrade is consistently found in the third block from the left.
    • Common Pitfall: Don't confuse this with later ceiling blocks. The correct set is directly above the path after the initial elevated platform.
  • Heart: Essential for sub-weapon usage.
    • Location: Guaranteed from the second candle you encounter, located on the ground level shortly after the first few Zombies.
    • Strategy: Always break candles and defeat enemies to keep your heart count high.
  • Pot Roast: Recovers a significant portion of Richter's health.
    • Location: After the first set of Zombies and the elevated platform, you'll proceed to an area with more Zombies and a few Skeleton enemies. Look for a hidden block in the ceiling above the second set of stairs leading down.
    • Strategy: Jump and whip the ceiling. This Pot Roast can be a lifesaver early on.

Stage 2: The Forest of Monsters

This stage introduces branching paths and your first sub-weapons.

  • Axe Sub-Weapon: A powerful projectile, especially useful against flying enemies and bosses.
    • Location: As you progress through the forest, after the initial section with the first few Werewolves, you'll come across a series of platforms leading upwards. Look for a candle on a higher platform that is slightly out of the way, near a tree stump.
    • Strategy: Jump carefully to reach the candle and break it. The Axe is a common drop here. If you don't get it immediately, try re-entering the screen or looking for other candles in the vicinity.
  • Rosary: Clears all on-screen enemies, providing temporary relief.
    • Location: After defeating the Axe Armor (the large armored enemy with an axe), you'll proceed to a section with a small waterfall. On the higher platform immediately after the Axe Armor's location, look for a suspicious-looking block in the ground.
    • Strategy: Crouch and whip the ground repeatedly on this higher platform, specifically near the edge closest to the waterfall. It's a rare but incredibly useful item for sticky situations.
    • Alternative Location: If you miss it, Rosaries can occasionally drop from candles in later stages.
  • Holy Water Sub-Weapon: Creates a damaging flame pillar on the ground, excellent for area denial and hitting grounded enemies.
    • Location: In the later part of the stage, after the waterfall section, you'll encounter a series of Mermen. Look for a candle on a lower platform, often guarded by a Merman.
    • Strategy: Break the candle. The Holy Water is a frequent drop here.

Stage 3: The Ghost Ship

Navigate the treacherous ship and secure more powerful sub-weapons.

  • Holy Water Sub-Weapon: (If not obtained in Stage 2) Creates a damaging flame pillar on the ground.
    • Location: Inside the ship, after navigating the initial deck and entering the lower levels, you'll find a corridor with Flea Men and several candles.
    • Strategy: Break all candles in this corridor. The Holy Water is a frequent drop here. Its utility against the boss of this stage (the Minotaur) is high, so try to secure it.
  • Cross Sub-Weapon: A boomerang-like projectile that returns to Richter, hitting enemies twice. Arguably one of the best sub-weapons.
    • Location: In the ship's hold, after the section with the swinging anchors, you'll enter a room with several breakable crates.
    • Strategy: Destroy all crates. One of them will contain the Cross. This sub-weapon is incredibly powerful due to its dual-hit capability and can make many boss fights significantly easier.
  • Money Bag (Large): Grants a significant amount of points, contributing to extra lives.
    • Location: After the Cross sub-weapon, in the same area with crates, look for a hidden block in the ceiling directly above the last set of crates.
    • Strategy: Jump and whip the ceiling to reveal the Money Bag.

Stage 4: The Castle Entrance

The path to Dracula's inner sanctum begins here, with more health and utility items.

  • Pot Roast: A full health recovery item.
    • Location: After the initial courtyard and entering the castle proper, you'll encounter a series of stairs. Look for a hidden block in the ceiling above the second flight of stairs, just before the first encounter with a Bone Pillar.
    • Strategy: Jump and whip the ceiling. This Pot Roast can be a lifesaver before facing the stage's challenges.
  • Invisibility Potion: Grants temporary invincibility, useful for bypassing difficult sections or surviving boss attacks.
    • Location: In the library section, after the first few bookshelves and the initial encounter with the Flea Man, look for a candle on a high ledge that requires a precise jump to reach. It's often guarded by a librarian enemy.
    • Strategy: Time your jump carefully. This potion is excellent for bypassing difficult enemy formations or for boss encounters.
  • Knife Sub-Weapon: A fast, low-damage projectile.
    • Location: In the library section, often found in candles after the Invisibility Potion location.
    • Strategy: Break candles. While not as powerful as the Cross or Axe, it can be useful for quick, precise hits.

Stage 5: The Clock Tower

Ascend the perilous Clock Tower, home to gears, Medusa Heads, and a crucial time-stopping item.

  • Stopwatch Sub-Weapon: Freezes all non-boss enemies on screen for a short duration. Invaluable for crowd control and navigating treacherous sections.
    • Location: As you ascend the clock tower, you'll find a series of gears and platforms. Look for a candle positioned precariously on a moving gear, typically after the first few sets of Medusa Heads.
    • Strategy: Wait for the gear to move into a favorable position and whip the candle. The Stopwatch is invaluable for crowd control and navigating treacherous sections.
  • Money Bag (Large): Grants a significant amount of points.
    • Location: In a hidden block near the top of the clock tower, just before the boss room. Look for a section of the wall that appears slightly discolored or out of place on the right side of the screen, shortly after the final set of gears.
    • Strategy: Whip the suspicious wall segment repeatedly. While not a direct power-up, accumulating points is crucial for extra lives.
  • 1-Up: Grants an extra life.
    • Location: After the Stopwatch, continue climbing. You'll reach a section with several gears and a long vertical shaft. On a small platform to the left, halfway up this shaft, look for a hidden block in the ceiling.
    • Strategy: Jump and whip the ceiling to reveal the 1-Up.

Stage 6: The Dungeon

A dark and dangerous stage, where you can rescue Maria and find speed-enhancing boots.

  • Key (for Maria): Essential for rescuing Maria Renard, allowing you to play as her.
    • Location: In the very first cell of the dungeon, after descending into the area. The cell is on the left side of the screen.
    • Strategy: Simply walk up to the cell door and interact with it (press Up). This is a critical step if you wish to play as Maria later in the game.
  • Boots: Increases Richter's movement speed, making platforming and dodging easier.
    • Location: After rescuing Maria, proceed further into the dungeon. You'll find a series of spikes and a hidden passage in the ceiling above a specific spike pit. This pit is usually the second or third one you encounter after Maria's cell, in a section with Bone Pillars.
    • Strategy: Use a well-timed jump to reach the hidden passage. The Boots are inside a breakable block within this secret area.
    • Common Pitfall: Missing the jump to the hidden passage can lead to falling into the spike pit.
  • Pot Roast: Full health recovery.
    • Location: In a hidden block in the floor, shortly after the Boots, in a section with more spike pits and Flea Men. Look for a slightly discolored floor tile.
    • Strategy: Crouch and whip the floor to reveal it.

Stage 7: Dracula's Keep

The final approach to Dracula's throne room, where every item counts.

  • Magic Crystal: Fully restores Richter's magic (hearts), crucial for sub-weapon spam during boss fights.
    • Location: In the grand hall leading to Dracula's throne room, look for a chandelier that seems slightly off-center or larger than the others, typically after the first few sets of Axe Armors.
    • Strategy: Jump and whip the chandelier. This item is crucial for ensuring you have enough hearts for your sub-weapons during the final confrontation.
  • 1-Up: Grants an extra life.
    • Location: In a hidden block within the final corridor before the boss. Look for a section of the floor that looks slightly different or has a subtle pattern change, usually directly before the large double doors leading to Dracula.
    • Strategy: Crouch and whip the floor. An extra life can make all the difference in the challenging final boss fight.
  • Pot Roast: Full health recovery.
    • Location: In a hidden block in the ceiling, in the same final corridor as the 1-Up, but usually slightly earlier.
    • Strategy: Jump and whip the ceiling. Collect this before the 1-Up if you need health.

Stage 8: Dracula's Throne Room (Final Boss)

While not a stage for finding items, preparation is key.

  • Recommended Sub-Weapon: The Cross is generally considered the best sub-weapon for the final boss due to its double-hit property and range. The Axe can also be effective.
  • Hearts: Ensure you enter with a full stock of hearts (99 if possible) to maximize sub-weapon usage.
  • Strategy: Utilize the Magic Crystal found in Stage 7 to replenish hearts if needed during the fight.

Remember, many items, especially sub-weapons and consumables, can be found in various candles and enemy drops throughout the game. This checklist focuses on guaranteed or highly probable locations for key items. Happy hunting, and may your whip be strong against the forces of darkness!