Part 6

Master the Unlabored Flawlessness and Dark Dragon Blade in Ninja Gaiden 4. Learn about the 5% Health Trick and Ultimate Techniques.

The Unlabored Flawlessness (UF) weapon in Ninja Gaiden 4, while having slow attack animations, possesses a unique ability known as the 5% Health Trick. When Ryu's health (HP bar) drops below 5%, the kanji on the UF glow. Striking a boss with the glowing UF during this state can deplete 40-55% of their health in a single combo.

Level 7 Attacks (UF):

• Flaming Hell Slash: [][]/";
• Flying Dragon Falling Slash: []/\"";
• Forest Winds & Mountain Fires: [], PRESS & HOLD /\, /\;
• Boulder Splitter: /\;
• Steel Splitter: PRESS & HOLD /\;
• Hundred Demons Bite: --> [];
• Flaming Whirlwind: --> /\;
• Hundred Man Slash: ROTATE 360, /\;

Ultimate Techniques (Level 7 Only - UF):

• Tempered Steel Splitter: PRESS & HOLD /\ + ESSENCE;
• Earth Splitter: PRESS & HOLD /\ + ESSENCE MAX;

The Dark Dragon Blade (DDB) is a highly stylish weapon in Ninja Gaiden 4, comparable in power to the Unlabored Flawlessness but without the 5% health trick. It requires no upgrades and can only be obtained on harder modes by collecting all 50 Golden Scarabs. The DDB features quicker combo attacks and a visually impressive Ultimate Technique, though its Essence absorption for Ultimate Attacks takes three seconds to fully charge.

Attacks (Dark Dragon Blade):

• Gleam of Heaven & Earth: []/\;
• Flaming Hell Slash: [][]/";
• Drak Dragon Descending Fiends: /\;
• Dark Dragon Flaming Dragon: PRESS & HOLD /\;
• Hundred Demon's Bite: --> [];
• Flaming Whirlwind: --> /\;
• Hundred Man Slash: ROTATE 360, /\;
• Corpse Crusher: [] OR /\ NEXT TO DOWNED ENEMY;

Ultimate Techniques (Dark Dragon Blade):

• Dark Dragon Cauterizing Slash: PRESS & HOLD /\ + ESSENCE;
• Dark Dragon Gates of Hell: PRESS & HOLD /\ + ESSENCE MAX;

Ninja Gaiden 4 also features secondary weapons and armlets. Secondary weapons include Shurikens (Incendiary, Windmill), Smoke Bomb, APFSDS Cores, Explosive Cores, Bow/Strongbow, and Spear Gun. Armlets include the Armlet of the Sun, Armlet of the Moon, Armlet of Benediction, Armlet of Fortune, Armlet of Celerity, and Armlet of Potency. The Armlet of the Sun and Moon boost attack or defense. Benediction increases Yellow Essence by 1.5%. Fortune provides an additional Ninpo refill. Celerity reduces Ultimate Attack charge time by 1.5 seconds, and Potency enhances kick and throw attacks.

Enemy Ambushes are optional challenges in Ninja Gaiden 4 where continuous waves of fiends spawn. On Normal Difficulty, Ryu faces 60 fiends, increasing by 20 per difficulty level, reaching 120 fiends on Master Ninja Mode. Skipping an ambush forfeits Karma scores but prizes are often Power-ups like Lives of the Thousand Gods or Spirit of the Devils. Ambushes are available during specific chapters and some become unavailable after certain events.

Enemy Ambushes List:

• Challenge #1: Chapter 3 - Airship;
• Challenge #2: Chapter 6 - Archives Room;
• Challenge #3: Chapter 10 - Ritual Room;
• Challenge #4: Chapter 12 - Peristyle Passage;
• Challenge #5: Chapter 12 - Aquaducts 4B;
• Challenge #6: Chapter 15 - Zarkhan Stadium;
• Challenge #7: Chapter 15 - Stairway to the Imperial Palace;
• Challenge #8: Chapter 16 - Underground Passageway;
• Challenge #9: Chapter 16 - Drawbridge Square;
• Challenge #10: Chapter 18 - Great Bridge Square;

Rachel also has an Enemy Ambush in each of her chapters, which can lead to the highest ranking for that chapter.

Rachel Enemy Ambushes:

• Rachel Enemy Ambush #1: Monastery Annex;
• Rachel Enemy Ambush #2: Military Gate;
• Rachel Enemy Ambush #3: Hayabusa Village - Central Bridge;

Essence is released upon defeating enemies in Ninja Gaiden 4, with three types: Blue (restores health), Red (restores Ninpo), and Yellow (currency for purchasing items from Muramasa). Essence can be absorbed for health and currency, or strategically used to charge Ultimate Attacks by holding the Triangle Button. Releasing the button unleashes the attack, which can instantly kill enemies.