The Underground Reservoir — Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Walkthrough

The Underground Reservoir — Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Walkthrough

The Underground Reservoir is a vast, water-filled dungeon within Dracula's castle, presenting unique environmental challenges and a distinct set of enemies. Navigating its submerged passages and flooded chambers requires Alucard to adapt his movement and combat strategies. This area is crucial for progression, housing key items and a formidable boss.

The Underground Reservoir is typically accessed after clearing the Abandoned Mine and interacting with the Merman Statue, which opens a path downwards. Upon entering, you'll find yourself in a series of interconnected caverns and chambers, many of which are partially or fully submerged in water. The water sificantly affects Alucard's movement, slowing him down and limiting his jump height.

Enemies in the Underground Reservoir include aquatic creatures like the Killer Fish, the venomous Sea Urchin, and the elusive Schmoo. You'll also encounter the aggressive Werewolf and the projectile-spewing Slogra in drier sections. The Scylla, a multi-headed serpent, is the boss of this area and poses a sificant threat with its varied attacks.

The water is the primary environmental hazard. While Alucard can swim, his movement is greatly restricted. This makes dodging attacks more difficult and leaves him vulnerable. The Soul of Bat relic is absolutely essential for navigating this area effectively. In bat form, Alucard can fly over the water, avoiding its movement penalties and easily reaching platforms that would otherwise be inaccessible. If you haven't acquired Soul of Bat, backtracking to the Royal Chamber to obtain it is highly recommended before proceeding.

The layout of the Reservoir is a maze of flooded tunnels and dry chambers. Look for switches that might drain certain areas or open new pathways. Some sections require precise timing to pass through currents or avoid submerged hazards. The Mist Form can be useful for passing through grates or avoiding enemies in tight underwater passages, though its utility is somewhat limited by the water's resistance.

The boss of the Underground Reservoir is Scylla. This multi-headed serpent attacks with a barrage of projectiles from its heads and can also perform a powerful charge attack. Its weak points are its heads. The best strategy is to use the Soul of Bat to stay airborne and strike at the heads from above. Sub-weapons like the Cross or Axe can also be effective. If you have high Intelligence, spells can also be used to damage its multiple heads.

After defeating Scylla, you will gain access to the Royal Chamber in the Inverted Castle, a crucial step in the game's progression. Before leaving the Underground Reservoir, ensure you have explored all accessible areas. There are often hidden rooms containing valuable items, such as powerful accessories or rare crafting materials, that can sificantly aid Alucard in his journey.

Key Navigation Tips for the Underground Reservoir:

• Prioritize acquiring and using the Soul of Bat relic to overcome water movement penalties.
• Be prepared for aquatic enemies and their unique attack patterns.
• Dodge Scylla's projectiles and charge attacks effectively.
• Explore thoroughly for hidden rooms and valuable items.
• The defeat of Scylla unlocks the path to the Inverted Castle's Royal Chamber.