LLL EEEEE GGG EEEEE N N DD A RRRR Y Y

LLL EEEEE GGG EEEEE N N DD A RRRR Y Y
LLL E G E N N N D D A A R R Y Y
LLL EEE G GG EEE N N N D D AAAA RRRR Y
LLL E G G E N NN D D A A R R Y
LLLLLLLLL EEEEE GGGEGGG EEEEE N N DD A A R R Y

RRRR IIIII DD EEEEE SSSSS
R R II D D E S
RRRR II D D EEE S
R R II D D E S
R R IIIII DD EEEEE S

-----------------------------------
/A legendary air ride machine guide/
------------------------------------
OOOO
O c O
OOOO
Table of Contents
[Intro]
a.First Words
b.Legal Stuff I
c.Legal Stuff II
d.Controls
[How To Get]
a.Dragoon
1.Air Ride
2.Top Ride
3.City Trial
b.Hydra
1.Air Ride
2.Top Ride
3.City Trial
[Dragoon Insider]
a.Dragoon Info
b.Special Traits
c.Gliding Properties
d.Top Speeds
e.Battle Strategies
f.Racing With the Dragoon
[Hydra Insider]
a.Hydra Info
b.Special Traits
c.Gliding Properties
d.Top Speeds
e.Battle Strategies
f.Racing with the Hydra
[Multiplayer]
a.Dragoon
1.V.S. 1 Person
2.V.S. 2 Persons*
3.V.S. 3 Persons**
4.Team Battles
5.V.S. CPU
6.Swoop and Run
b.Hydra
1.V.S. 1 Person
2.V.S. 2 Persons*
3.V.S. 3 Persons*
4. Team Battles
5.V.S. CPU
6.Swift Kills
[Credit, Dedications, and other stuff]
[Final Word(s)]
* Persons is an actual word
** See above
-----------
{FIRST WORDS}
-----------
Welcome to the world of "Kirby Air Ride"! Now if you have been
playing Air Ride for a while you have most likely heard of the (dramatic
music) LEGENDARY AIR RIDE MACHINES! If you haven't been playing for
a long time, read this part first.
Legendary air ride machines are ARMs that have REALLY souped up
flight and/or speed abilities. Now, they aren't there right from the
beginning. You, the player, must earn them. In KAR there are 3 modes.
You can only get the LARMs in 1 mode. And in that mode, you can only
A. ride them temporarily and give them up or B. complete specific checklist
items and get all three parts from them. If you do B., you can ride the
LARM in "Free Run" mode. For A., you have to open up boxes and find the
three parts. More will be explained later on.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------
/Legal Stuff I/
-------------
This FAQ is copyrighted.

Copyright 2004-2005 alvbg15

The only web site(s) that have permission to post this FAQ/Guide
are/is GAMEFAQS and other affiliates of GAMEFAQS. If you want to print
or save this FAQ out/on notepad for personal use, be my guest. In fact,
print it out and give it to all your friends, I don't care. Just don't:
A.Sell it for profit and B.Put it on a website. And give me credit too.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------
/Legal Stuff II/
--------------
All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are
owned by their respective trademark and copyright holders. This means that
Kirby, Air Ride Machines, and other things made by HAL Laboratory, Inc.
or Pokemon are not mine. So you can't accuse me of stealing characters or such.
Also, all the numbers (e.g. 60km per hour for a certain star) are from a board
kirbymaniac made. Kirby Bless Him and All Those Who Posted There!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------
/Controls/
--------
If you read the "Kirby Air Ride" manual, you will see that the
controls are really simple. You just use the control stick and A (A can
be substituted with L or R). But "simple" and "pathetically easy and not
worth while" are totally different. This game will take you at least a
month or two, give or take a few weeks, unless you are a person who can
skip school and/or work for a few weeks. And it is really, REALLY addictive.
There are alot of other "special" techniques and moves you can do
but those are covered in other FAQs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------
{HOW TO GET}
----------
Like I said, LARMs arn't normal ARMs so they cannot be ridden until
you complete paths A and/or B. Being the wonderful person I am, I will tell
you how to get them. If you have the LARMs (both of them), you can skip this
part. But it will take quite a long time, unless you have a lot of purple
blocks (at least 4). And once you have assembled a LARM in City Trial, you
will always crave for more. Every trial, you will try to assemble a LARM and
that will probably interfere with your patch-harvesting. You have been warned.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------
/Dragoon/
-------
The Dragoon "rips through the sky like a hot knife through butter!
It's been said that this machine resembles a phoenix when it's slicing up
the sky at unimaginable top speeds." This descriptive description from the
manual tells how the Dragoon performs, but doesn't tell how it looks like.
Well, remember the shiny, big bird from the first Pokemon episode? Think that
with a kirby on top. <(oo<)

Air Ride: You can't get it on Air Ride mode.

Top Ride: Honestly, a Dragoon in Top Ride?!?

City Trial and Free Run for CT: For City Trial, it is simple. As you and your
ARM are blasting boxes, you might come across a pale or rainbow colored thing
with a white aura. Run over it and you have found your first Dragoon part!
If it is blue, go to the "How to get Hydra" section. Anyways, if you find
three Dragoon parts in one game, a fancy musical number plays and a little
clip showing the three parts interlocking with each other appears. Now you
can ride your newly found Dragoon ONE TIME ONLY for the entire City Trial.
Just hope the stadium game following your trial is High Jump (English) or
Air Glider (English). This star is my personal favorite.

For Free Run, you have to complete these three challenges:
Dragoon Part A. Jump over 1000 feet in High Jump
Dragoon Part B. During 1 City Trial match, fly through 5 rings in the sky
Dragoon Part C. Fly over 1300 feet in Air Glider
Note: For parts A. and C., go to City Trial and get a Dragoon. Then play the
stadiums.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
/Hydra/
------
The Hydra "was born to battle. It consumes a great deal of Boost
power during races and has no rivals to speak of". For the records, The
Hydra looks nothing like a 3 headed snake. Instead, imagine a frog with
horns.

Air Ride: Null. Void. Nada.

Top Ride: No.

City Trial and Free Run for CT: To get the Hydra in City Trial mode, you
have to do the same as you would do for the Dragoon, except you need green
parts.

For Free Run, you have to complete these three challenges:
Hydra part X Destroy all the grey houses on the beach in one game
Hydra part Y Destroy 150 rivals total in Desruction Derby
Hydra part Z Destroy 1,500 enemies total in Kirby Melee

Note: Hydra parts will take considerably longer to get.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------
{DRAGOON INSIDER}
---------------
Now that you have the Dragoon (preferably on Free Run), you need to
know how to succesfully pilot one. Try to always keep the Dragoon in the air
unless your common sense is screaming "DON'T FLY!". The Dragoon is faster
in the air than a Hydra on the ground, provided that the Hydra pilot is
inexperienced and there are a lot of bumps.
The Dragoon is a souped up Flight Warpstar, so don't get cocky and attack
opponents head on. The Dragoon is not built for offence.
Instead, avoid attacking at all costs. If you must attack, refer to the
"Swoop and Run" section.
The Dragoon boasts considerable speed, but will not compete against
opponents like Hydras and, in some cases, Formula Stars. Use Boost Panels
and Star Draft a lot. Charge when turning hairpin corners for extra boosts
of speed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
/Special Traits/
--------------
The Dragoon has better flight capacities than a Flight Warpstar.
If you haven't flown a Dragoon, you haven't flown at all.Think about that.
The Dragoon also can trek down a course at 60 km (courtesy of kirbymaniac's
very informative board). It's a little big, though, so you'll get damaged
when your turning a tight turn with an enemy near.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------
/Gliding Properties/
------------------
The first thing you have to remember is that no machine can fly
forever. Pay close attention to your boost indicator; when you are gliding
the boost meter goes up. When it is in the green zone, you start to fall
rapidly. You also fall down when you bump into an object directly above you
or you get attacked. To glide, just run off a cliff or jump and push up
with the control stick.
The Dragoon can fly almost vertically up, making it handy for
gliding over things. It can easily go past 1000ft in High Jump and the controls
arn't as bad as most flying-based ARMs. The only problem is that it is prone
to having wide turns in the air. Oh well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------
/Top Speeds/
----------
The Dragoon can blaze on the ground to a top speed of 60km. Although
not as fast as its counterpart, the Hydra, it can outrun almost all the ARMs.
Once it takes flight, it goes faster (90km) than a formula star at its
top speed (71km). There's not much more to tell here.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------
/Battle Stratagies/
-----------------
The Dragoon isn't built for head-on battle, but when you are forced to
fight you should use the "Swoop and Run" stratagy (explained later on). But
sometimes you can't use that stratagy. Maybe your opponent is a Hydra, and is
just to freakin' fast to swoop down on. Or your opponent is a wheelie scooter,
who can turn just as you strike, leaving you vulnerable. Well, then read this
part and learn some other slick moves.
If you just can't seem to swoop them or even catch up to them, try
luring them to the volcano area, assuming your in city trial. Doge the fire
snake thingys as much as you can and start spinning around in circles. If your
opponent is a human he will get so bored from not being able to kill, he will
follow you and get flamed. Literally. If your opponent is a CPU, he will follow
you anyways. It's phycology.
If you're in a stadium, like kirby melee 1 (2), only pick up patches
that do the attacking for you, like the sword and mike abilities. That way
you can focus on spinning into your foes. Same with destruction derby. But
if your playing dd with a shadow star or Hydra as your foe, DON'T RUN
INTO 'EM! Shadow stars and Hydras do alot of damage to poor, unsuspecting
Dragoons. DON'T RUN INTO THEM!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------
/Racing with the Dragoon/
-----------------------
Try to stay in the air as much as you can, because its top speed isn't
something to really brag about. Charge when turning for a faster speed and
star draft all the time. That's really all I can say.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------
{HYDRA INSIDER}
-------------
(Yoda voice) Hate, or Love. There is no like. Really.
Some people hate it and some people love it. I have never seen a person to
date who "likes" it. The Hydra is a green, frog like ARM
that can go at a whopping 200km! The only drawback is that you
need to charge up the Boost Meter to max to use the Hydra.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
/Special Traits/
--------------
The Hydra is fast. Very fast. You'd think Kirby would need an air bag
and a seat belt after seeing one crash into a wall. And if you have ever
seen a Hydra explode, you are very lucky. It stops 2nd fastest, only yeilding
to the Swerve (Ruins) Star. The Hydra can even K.O. a Dragoon in one hit!
Very, very scary when you're up against one.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------
/Gliding Properties/
------------------
Although you should stay on the ground as much as you can, sometimes
it's smart to glide. The Hydra can travel 60km in the air, which isn't bad.
The only problem is that it is a big target in the sky, so even a winged
star can effectively damage or K.O. it. Also note that the boost meter
doesn't decrease when you're gliding. Go figure.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------
/Top Speeds/
----------
200km on the ground. (O_O). But it is pitifully slow in the air,
compared to the Dragoon. This speed will be even faster if you collect
a lot of top speed patches, which is sorta hard to believe. Nothing else
to say, really.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------
/Battle Stratagies/
-----------------
Do I really have to put this in? The Hydra, like I said, can
K.O. an opponent in one hit. But incase you're having trouble K.O.ing
a ARM, listen up. Taunt them alittle by zooming in their faces, stoping,
then going the opposite direction. Sooner or later, they will come. When
they do, run into them. :)
When flying, try to get above your enemy, then press A. You will
drop suddenly and crash into your opponent.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------
/Racing with the Hydra/
---------------------
If you can wait the long charge waiting time, you've got the race
in the bag. At 200km and 1 hit K.O.s, you won't have much trouble. Just
stay away from the unneccesary jumps, for they slow you down drastically.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------
{Multiplayer}
-----------
I love multiplayer, especially City Trial's Free Run. Why? Free Run
gives you a huge battlefield, a wide selection of crafts, and no time limit.
You can have a huge battle royale for as long as you want! And when you get
bored, you can play in the stadium, although you can't use the Dragoon/Hydra.

Note: This section is centered around battling in CT's Free Run.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------
/Dragoon/
--------
Against 1 Person:
If that 1 person is on any of the regular stars, try the "swoop and
run" stratagy. But if he/she is a Dragoon or a Hydra, that strategy will
not work. So, read this.

Against Dragoons: This is hard. Your opponent is a photo copy of you.
But one fact will lead you to victory: Dragoons can't fly forever.
He/she will ALWAYS attack while flying. Copy them by flying in little
circles and land in the Garden in the Sky if you need to land. Wait for them
to land and attack. Then speed to a jump and repeat. Wasn't that fun?

Against Hydra: Very dangerous. Never get in that over-grown frog's way,
or it's RIP for you. Instead, wait until the Hydra starts flying. It's
such a big target that you can hit it with ease, if you practice. Try playing
Target Flight. It helps a lot. If you can't nail him like that or he
never takes flight, attack him from behind. It's risky, but will do the
trick. If you have a better strategy, tell me at [email protected].

Against 2 Persons:
This is much easier. In fact, (as long as they don't hate you or
they banded together) you don't even need to attack. Let them destroy each
other. But just in case the don't destroy each other, here's some ways to
take care of them.

Normal Stars: Use the "swoop and run" stratagy when you can, but when
you can't, lure them to bump into each other or into a fire dragon.

LARMs: (See above part [against insert LARM here] and use those plans)

Against 3 Persons:
I have learned that 3 people cannot EVER work together unless
they are really motivated. And even then, they will screw up and hurt
each other in some way. Trust me, I know. Just wait until they screw
and then move in. These plans can also be used in V.S. 1/2 too.
Below are the perfect places for screw ups:

Going into the Garage to switch stars: Just stalk around there when
a person needs to switch stars. When they get on a star, attack! If
you're in a tight situation, use one of the High Jump Pads located all
around the Garage to escape.

Going on the Rail Systems a lot: The Dragoon can fly at amazing speeds,
and that skill can help you track people going on the rails. Once
you are close to the opponent and a station, jump onto the rails (in
mid-air, not at the station). Hit them and swerve off the station.Take
flight as soon as you can.

Trying to copy everything you do: Phe-shaw! But if they do manage
to copy you, start going into a vertical drop. If they copy you, they
should hit the floor and stall for a moment. Strike then. Just make sure you
don't crash.

Team Battles:
When it's two against two (not covering LAN), it gets considerably
harder. Whenever there is a team, there are screw ups. Try to send your
partner to do something meaningless or time consuming. Or if you're the
inexpierienced one, take advantage of the other player's skill and only
attack when opponents are almost six feet under. If both of you are the
same, make a plan similar to this:

Always stick together. That way you can hammer someone with more force. If
they *magically* get behind you, split up and make your partner attack the
opposite person (e.g. your partner attacks your follower and you do vice-
versa). Or fly in circles. Whatever works for you. If your partner and you
are separated and can't assist one another, head for the volcanos.
Carefully guide your star in and out. The stalker should eventually run
into a fire dragon. Or you'll get burn't to a crisp. Tough Luck!

V.S. CPU: Can't be done in Free Run.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------
/Swoop and Run/
--------------
My best strategy for the Dragoon, 'Swoop and Run", has been mentioned
in this guide for along time. Now to explain it.

What "swoop and run" is, is diving without notice of anyone (at
least for the moment) , skimming the surface, and hitting the enemy while
pulling up. It's complicated, but it gets the job done. It's easiest if
the opponent is big. My tutorial will get you through:

First, find your enemy while at the Garden in the Sky. Then swoop
down and levitate above the surface so you can still pull up, but you can
hit something as small as a warp star (practice this part a lot, for this
is the hardest thing to master). As you reach your target you have the
choice of A.hitting it and landing/running away or B.hitting it while
pulling up and gliding away. A. is easiest for the beginner. Now this plan
will not always work against a swerve star or an expert, and if it doesn't,
consult the strategies mentioned before.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------
/Hydra/
------
Against 1 Person:
The battle plan is very simple. No matter who it is, no matter what
kind of ARM (except Hydra), run into them. One hit K.O.s make the Hydra
a tank. The quick stopping feature helps too. If you're facing another Hydra,
here's a strategy.

Against a Hydra: It's a survival of the smartest. Instead of charging head on,
get behind 'em and attack. If they turn around, do the same and bolt either
west or south and try again. Or get on a Dragoon and swoop him.

Against 2 Persons
This is much easier. In fact, (as long as they don't hate you or
they banded together) you don't even need to attack. Let them destroy each
other. But just in case the don't destroy each other, here's some ways to
take care of them.

Normal Stars: Use the "Swift Kill" stratagy when you can, but when
you can't, lure them to bump into each other or into a fire dragon.

LARMs: (See above part [against 1 person, it is the same] and use those plans)

Against 3 Persons
I have learned that 3 people cannot EVER work together unless
they are really motivated. And even then, they will screw up and hurt
each other in some way. Trust me, I know. Just wait until they screw
and then move in. These plans can also be used in V.S. 1/2 too.
Below are the perfect places for screw ups:

Going into the Garage to switch stars: Just stalk around there when
a person needs to switch stars. When they get on a star, attack! If
you're in a tight situation, use one of the High Jump Pads located all
around the Garage to escape.

Going on the Rail Systems a lot: If the opposing star is riding the rails a lot
(like never getting off the rails and taunting you), get on the rails yourself.
Take the rail to the left if that is the direction the opponent is going, and
vice-versa. Sooner or later, you'll catch up and K.O. them.

eam Battles:
When it's two against two (not covering LAN), it gets considerably
harder. Whenever there is a team, there are screw ups. Try to send your
partner to do something meaningless or time consuming. Or if you're the
inexpierienced one, take advantage of the other player's skill and only
attack when opponents are almost six feet under. If both of you are the
same, make a plan similar to this:

Always stick together. That way you can ensure a 75% hitting accuracy. If
they *magically* get behind you, split up and make your partner attack the
opposite person (e.g. your partner attacks your follower and you do vice-
versa). Or go in circles. Whatever works for you. If your partner and you
are separated and can't assist one another, head for the volcanos.
Carefully guide your star in and out. The stalker should eventually run
into a fire dragon. Or you'll get burn't to a crisp. Tough Luck!

V.S. CPU: Can't be done in Free Run.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------
/Swift Kills/
------------
As I have been saying through out the Hydra section, you can K.O.
a person in one hit. Practice getting your accuracy around the 60% mark.
That will add a lot more kills. If you miss, don't turn around and try again;
speed straight-forward and get to a safe spot. THEN try again. The reason is
when you turn around, you are vulnerable to attacks. Thats not good. Kirby
can't afford to die; he doesn't have life insurance. <(O_O)>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
{CREDIT, DEDICATIONS, AND OTHER STUFF!}
-------------------------------------

Credit: Kirbymaniac and all other posters for unknowingly providing me info on
the top speeds.

GameFaqs for just being them.

My brother, who helped me get 1 of the parts for the LARMs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dedicated to HAL Laboratorys, Inc. for making the game
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------
/Versions/
---------
VERSION 1.0 12/29/04 ------- completed this guide
VERSION 1.1 01/3/05 ------- put some artwork into the guide.
spell-checked it too.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------
/FINAL WORDS/
------------
May Kirby Bless Us, Everyone!

-Finition

Copyright 2004-2005 alvbg15
Can only be used for personal,
not commercial purposes outside
of GameFaqs.