Master Ninja Gaiden Black's Obliteration Technique & Water Run

AntMag.NET

Alright, let's get into some of the cooler mechanics you'll be using in Ninja Gaiden Black. These aren't necessarily tied to a specific mission, but knowing them will make your life a whole lot easier.

The Obliteration Technique

This is a crucial one for managing crowds. If you leave enemies even partially alive after slicing them up, they'll keep coming at you. To avoid this, once you've dismembered an enemy, get close and press the Y BUTTON. Ryu will finish them off cleanly. Trust me, you don't want a bunch of crawling, limbless enemies chasing you down!

Charged Projectiles

You'll get a few different projectile weapons throughout the game, and three of them can be charged up for extra oomph: the Fiend's Bane Bow, Windmill Shuriken, and Incendiary Shurikens. Just hold down the B BUTTON while you have one of these equipped, and Ryu will power up his throw. A charged shot can easily lop off a limb or even take an enemy down completely.

The Water Run

This one's pretty neat. When you're running across water, as soon as Ryu's feet hit the surface, tap the A BUTTON. He'll run right on top of it! If you happen to fall in, don't sweat it – just keep tapping A BUTTON to get back on the surface.

Infinite Oxygen

Good news for underwater sections: Ryu can now breathe underwater forever! No need to worry about finding air pockets or running out of oxygen. Just swim through and explore to your heart's content.

Manual Save

You can choose to save manually in the options menu. Once enabled, you'll need to access a Save Statue twice. The first access refills your health, and the second time you interact with it, the manual save menu will pop up. It's a good idea to get in the habit of manual saving, especially before tough boss fights.

Ryu's Armory Reloaded: Weapon Combos

Now, let's talk weapons! Knowing your combos is key to dealing with different enemy types and situations.

Dragon Sword / True Dragon Sword

This is your bread and butter. Here are some essential combos:

Level 1: PIERCING DRAGON'S FANG (XXXXX), TIGER ROAR (XXY), SEAL OF TEN (XX → XX), THREE LIGHTS (XX → XY), BLADE OF EMPTY AIR (XYX), SCARLET DRAGON (X, HOLD Y), WINDMILL SLASH (→ X), VIOLENT WIND (→ XX → X), PIERCING WIND (→ XX → Y), CRIMSON TEMPEST (YY), HAZE STRAIGHT SLASH (HOLD Y), AZURE DRAGON (→ Y), SCARLET DRAGON (→ HOLD Y)
Level 2: DRAGON TEAR (XXX → X), FANG OF THE WOLF (XXYY), IKARUGA (XXY → Y), WRATH OF IZANAGI (XX → XYY), BLADE OF SUSANO'O (XYXXXX), IZUNA DROP (XYXXXY), VIOLENT GALE (→ XX → XX), DRAGON OF HEAVEN (→ XX → YY → Y), DRAGON OF EARTH (→ XX → YY → HOLD Y), UNDEFEATABLE DEMON (YYY), FLYING CRANE (ROTATE 360, Y)
Level 3: FORTUITOUS PHOENIX (XXYYYY), GLEAMING BLADE (ROTATE 360, HOLD Y)
Level 4: STEEL SPLITTER (XXXY), CLOUD DRAGON FLYING SWALLOW (X, HOLD Y, YYY)
Ultimate Techniques: OBLIVION CROSS CUT (HOLD Y + ESSENCE), BLADE OF THE DRAGON'S SCALES (HOLD Y + MAX ESSENCE), ROARING GLEAM (ROTATE 360, HOLD Y + ESSENCE), TRUE DRAGON GLEAM (LVL 4) (ROTATE 360, HOLD Y + MAX ESSENCE)

Lunar

The Lunar staff is faster now, especially when upgraded. Remember, not all combos are equally effective, so practice!

Level 1: DRAGON'S FANG SPIN (XXXX), GLEAMING SHADOW (XXY), INFINITY THRUST (X → XX), BOLTED GATE (→ XX), FIERCE LION (Y), REMNANT BLOSSOMS (HOLD Y), WANING MOON (→ Y)
Level 2: DRAGON TALON SPIN (XXXY), YIN-YANG THRUST (X → XXX), ABSOLUTE DARKNESS (X → XYX), IZUNA DROP (X → XYXY), SUN AND MOON (X → XYY), CHARGING LION (→ XXX), FIRST WIND (→ YYX), MOONLIT SHADOW (→ YYY), WANING EVIL (ROTATE 360, HOLD Y)
Level 3: AMITABHA THRUST (X → XXXX), MOLTEN ROCK (XYXXX), STRANGE SOUL (XYYYY), BLADED SPIDER (YYY → YYYYY), DESTRUCTION SPIN (ROTATE 360, Y)
Ultimate Techniques: EIGHT DESTRUCTIONS (HOLD Y + ESSENCE), DANCE OF FLAME (HOLD Y + MAX ESSENCE), HAZY SHADOW (ROTATE 360, HOLD Y + ESSENCE), HEAVENLY SHADOW (ROTATE 360, HOLD Y + MAX ESSENCE), HEAVENLY IZUNA (ROTATE 360, HOLD Y + MAX ESSENCE + Y)