Maria Renard's Abilities & Familiars

While Alucard relies on his vampiric powers and an arsenal of weaponry, Maria Renard brings a unique, animal-themed fighting style to the castle. Her abilities focus on summoning animal companions and performing swift, acrobatic maneuvers. Mastering Maria requires a different approach than Alucard, emphasizing speed and strategic use of her familiars.

Maria's Special Abilities

Maria's primary attacks involve her animal companions, but she also possesses several inherent abilities that enhance her mobility and combat effectiveness. Unlike Alucard, Maria does not utilize traditional sub-weapons or spellcasting in the same manner. Instead, her special moves are tied to her animal summons.

Double Jump: Maria can perform a second jump in mid-air, allowing her to reach higher platforms and evade enemy attacks more effectively. This is available from the start of her playthrough.
Slide: Pressing Down + Jump allows Maria to slide along the ground, useful for passing through narrow gaps and quickly closing distances or dodging.
Dash: By double-tapping Forward, Maria can perform a quick dash, increasing her movement speed for a short burst. This is excellent for covering ground or repositioning during boss fights.
Guardian Knuckles: Maria's basic attack involves a rapid flurry of punches. While not as powerful as Alucard's swords, their speed and short recovery time make them effective against smaller, weaker enemies.

Maria's Familiars

Maria's true strength lies in her ability to summon various animal familiars to aid her in battle. Each familiar has a distinct attack pattern and utility, making them invaluable tools for navigating Dracula's Castle.

Dove

The Dove is Maria's primary projectile attack. She can summon multiple doves to fly forward, dealing damage to enemies in their path. The number of doves summoned and their attack power can be enhanced.

Summoning: Press Attack button (Square/X) while holding Up.
Upgraded Dove Attack: After acquiring the Bird's Feather relic (found in the Long Library, in a hidden room accessible by breaking a wall on the upper-left side), Maria can summon a larger, more powerful flock of doves by holding the Attack button longer. This consumes more MP but deals significantly more damage.
Strategic Use: Excellent for ranged combat, hitting enemies above or below Maria, and clearing out groups of weaker foes.

Cat

The Cat familiar provides a close-range, multi-hit attack. When summoned, the cat will rush forward, clawing at enemies it encounters.

Summoning: Press Attack button (Square/X) while holding Forward.
Acquisition: The Cat familiar is available to Maria from the beginning of her quest.
Strategic Use: Ideal for dealing with enemies directly in front of Maria, especially those with high HP that require sustained damage. It can also interrupt enemy attacks.

Tiger

The Tiger familiar is a powerful, ground-based attack that can hit multiple enemies. When summoned, the tiger charges across the screen, dealing heavy damage.

Summoning: Press Attack button (Square/X) while holding Down.
Acquisition: The Tiger Scroll, which grants Maria the Tiger familiar, is located in the Olrox's Quarters area. Look for it in a hidden room on the upper-right side, often requiring a double jump or careful platforming to reach.
Strategic Use: Best for clearing out horizontal lines of enemies or dealing significant damage to larger, slower foes. Its wide hitbox makes it effective in crowded areas.

Dragon

The Dragon familiar is a devastating aerial attack that sweeps across the screen, hitting enemies both in front and above Maria.

Summoning: Press Attack button (Square/X) while holding Up + Forward.
Acquisition: The Dragon Scale, which unlocks the Dragon familiar, can be found in the Reverse Castle's Anti-Chapel. It's typically located in a high, difficult-to-reach area, often requiring precise double jumps or the use of the Gravity Boots (if playing as Alucard first and then transferring knowledge).
Strategic Use: Perfect for crowd control, hitting flying enemies, and dealing massive damage to bosses. The Dragon's wide arc makes it versatile in many combat situations.

Maria's Relics

Maria also has access to specific relics that enhance her abilities, similar to Alucard but tailored to her unique playstyle.

Bird's Feather: As mentioned, this relic upgrades Maria's Dove attack, allowing for a more potent flock. Found in the Long Library.
Tiger Scroll: Unlocks the Tiger familiar. Located in Olrox's Quarters.
Dragon Scale: Unlocks the Dragon familiar. Found in the Reverse Castle's Anti-Chapel.
Holy Glasses: While not unique to Maria, these are crucial for her to see the true form of Richter Belmont and progress the story. Obtainable after defeating the Succubus and returning to the castle entrance with the Silver Ring and Gold Ring equipped.

By effectively combining Maria's agile movements with the strategic deployment of her powerful animal familiars, You can overcome the challenges of Dracula's Castle with a fresh and dynamic approach.