(NOTE: If you use the 'Ctrl-F' feature, simply stick a ^ in front of the number
of the section you are looking for and search, you'll go straight to it...so to
go to Lesson2, type ^4)
Table Of Contents:
1.) Purpose
2.) What is a folder anyway?
3.) Lesson1: Fluidity
4.) Lesson2: Theme
5.) Lesson3: Addons
6.) Lesson4: NC Tips
7.) Contact, Info, Credits...and that stuff.
In Megaman Battle Network 3, you must use a folder to defeat enemies and bosses.
While it is fairly easy to make a folder that will get you through the "story
mode" of this game, when you face off against another human in a NetBattle, the
worth of your folder will almost certainly be the deciding factor in the fight.
This FAQ will help you make an excellent folder, from scratch.
#------------------------------#
| ^2) What IS a folder anyway? |
#------------------------------#
What is a folder? Well, in the simplest sense, a folder is a collection of 30
chips, of which a few (4-6 ish) are megachips, and one gigachip. In MMBN3, you
earn these "battlechips" either by finding them, getting them out of "chip
traders", or fighting and earning them from enemy "viruses". This FAQ assumes
that you have a large amount of chips to draw on at the time of making your
folder. If this is not the case, you can still use this FAQ, in tandem with an
FAQ that shows you all available chips (I would recommend nessie's Chip FAQ).
Use the FAQ and make a "hypothetical" folder, which you will work to build or
"construct" by earning more battlechips.
#------------------------#
| ^3.) Lesson1: Fluidity |
#------------------------#
Fluidity is a measure of how fast your folder "flows". You may or may not have
noticed its effects, and a lot of what I'm gonna say is intuitive. Still, I'm
gonna explain why fluidity is a must for every folder.
There are two parts to fluidity (folder speed). The first part almost everybody
always knows and remembers right away, that is code compatibility (having all
chips in the same code). Then there is the much-less frequenly thought of
meaning of the word, and that is how well your FOLDER actually flows...more on
what I mean about that in a second.
***Part1: Code compatibility
I'll take this moment right now to ask all of you about the strongest chips in
the game. Excluding the promotional gimmicks from capcom, you can score 500~
damage with a certain gigachip, the AlphaArmOmega. That's a hefty amount of
damage, but yet the chip is all-but completely useless. Why? Because it is in V
code. It is (almost) always better to use 5 chips than to use just one.
ESPECIALLY if you are trying to work your way through your folder till you hit
a certain PA. You can cause a lot more damage per turn if you use 5 chips....
here are some reasons:
1.) Much more chance of actually getting a hit (ever prepare an awesome 300 hit
attack, then MISS)
2.) Your five chips can help each other (invis + varsword, Areagrab + Plasma3,
Plasma3+ Elec30, Plantman + Wood30 etc.)
3.) You can use defensive chips, and evade your opponents' attacks without
slowing your attack pace down.
4.) Even if you get worthless chips to chose from, you can just sift your way
through them and get to the rest of your folder quickly.
So, remember - One coded folders ONLY. If you have a two coded folder, be
ABSOLUTELY sure that at least 15-20 of your chips are * code, to offset the
difference a little bit.
***Part2: Duplication
It's not enough that you use 5 random chips every turn. If you want to have
maximum damage potential, you have to use the RIGHT chips. You probably all know
this concept, I'm just trying to put it in words for you. Tell me: Is
Salamander, Bolt, and Gaiablade without Fountain any use? Not really, no. So
even though they ARE * coded, having them in the custom window WITHOUT fountain
works AGAINST fluidity. This can be applied to almsot every attack. If I like
using Plasma3 and Plantman, how would I benefit from having 4 *-coded Elec30's
in my custom window without any Plasma3's? Though they all are * coded, not
having anything BUT them hurts fluidity. To quantify this, anything that
requires some (2/3/4/5) chips-in-order (PAs are a prime example) can potentially
impede fluidity. This, unfortunately, includes ALL PA's and ALL combos. SO:
whadda ya do 'bout it?
There are some ways to offset this problem greatly, and that is duplication.
This basically means putting more than one of each chip of that
specific combo/PA in your folder. Why does it help? Well, your odds of getting
the chip increase DRAMATICALLY. So, naturally, you're more likely to see it in
a battle (and at the time you need it). Though it is possible that you will get
swamped by these chips, it is also somewhat unlikely. Typically I can get a
three-chip-combo of which I have 4 copies in one turn (my first turn). Of
course, that's because I use ANOTHER trick.
That trick is to use Custom1 and Custom2 programs. If you have 10 chips in your
custom window, you are seeing a full 1/3 of your folder in your first turn.
After you use your first five chips, you've seen 1/2! It's almost CERTAIN that
you will get the chips you need in that time frame if you have enough
duplicates.
By what I've just told you, you can see why MasterStyle is not a good PA. It
impedes fluidity, and since it's composed of Megachips, it CANNOT be
duplicated. So you'll almost always have the individual components clogging up
your chip window...the same goes for Z-PA's (since you can only have 4 of a
chip, and they are multi-coded).
That's the basics of Fluidity in a nutshell...practice the principle well and
your folders will automatically perform better than they are now.
Most beginners including myself, when i was a beginner organize their pack by
"attack value" and then pick out some of the strongest chips available for
their folders. Having strong chips is always a good thing, but not at the cost
of having an effective FOCUS.
A Focus is a combo, or PA that your folder is centered around. It is the
primary method that you use to deal damage. If my focus was the 2xHero PA, I'd
be sure to have 3 or 4 copies of it, so that I was able to get it quickly. Yes,
this is the same as in the case of fluidity, duplication. Remember: having more
of any particular chip increases the odds of your getting it dramatically.
Since the focus of your folder is what you are trying to damage your opponent
with, you'd better do everything in your power to get it efficiently. Back to
the central question of this part, Why Bother? You'll recall that I mentioned
earlier it's not enough to toss out 10 chips each of which does a lot of damage,
those 10 chips have to be coordinated in their efforts for MAXIMUM potential.
I can't ZeusHammer my opponent and THEN put my barrier on, I have to do it the
other way around. Having a central theme in your folder makes sure that your 30
chips are all working together to achieve one goal...one crushing modus of
attack. Yes ladies and gentleman ALL 30 CHIPS. Not just the few that are part
of your central PA/Combo.
***Part2: Choosing a Focus - what goes into it?
-Originality
There are lots of things to consider when choosing a focus, some more important
than others. When designing a folder that you intend to show off online,
>originality< becomes an important factor. The reason so many folders (nowadays)
are considered utterly unoriginal is because they select an overused focus
(such as Flashman + Hyperrat) and DO NOT DO ANYTHING UNIQUE WITH IT. Anytime an
interesting twist or a new combo is added that still fits with the theme and
flows well, the new folder is almost guaranteed to be appreciated. Take, for
example, a Bubbleman + BubSprd + Sensor folder. There are plenty of BubSprd
folders in the RFF, we've had Bubbleman +Sensor folders in the RFF, but fusing
all three ideas together in a manner that worked.....that makes it worth rating
(well, not anymore, since i made that folder now, but that aside).
-Accuracy
Another thing to consider, how >accurate< is your main combo? If you decide to
focus an entire folder around the GutsShoot PA, you've got to pay attention to
the way your attack only hits one panel. It'd be very easy to miss....your
opponent would have to be stunned for it to work. So even though the PA only
REQUIRES 3 chips, you're gonna be needing another chip in there to keep your
opponent stuck...a Timpani * IIRC for example. The EverCrs PA can deal up to
1500 damage. but if you can successfully land this sucker on an opponent, you're
lucky, nothing more. Accuracy is a big deal.
-Fluidity
Another thing to consider, >fluidity<. How fluid is your main combo? You all
probably knew this from last section ;) but I'm just gonna show the connection
anyway. If I try to center my folder around the Z-Cannon3, the Z-Cros, H-Burst
(Spreader O-Spreader P-Spreader *), BodyGrd, PoisPharoah, Masterstyle PA, or
the Meteors R chip, I can only have one copy of it in my folder. As you all
know, less duplicates = less fluidity = bad. Also, what code is your main
offensive in? If I have a very accurate attack (Bass+) but it is in X code,
I'll have a hell of a time working out fluid and effective support for it. Of
course, you COULD make an effective 2-coded folder, but now I'm just repeating
lesson1 :). Just remember, fluidity of your main combo matters.
-Effectivity
Then there's the effectivity of your main combo. Effectivity basically means
will your basis cause a sufficient amount of damage, and will the damage likely
land. The PoisPharoah PA is EXTREMEMELY accurate, as it hits anywhere.
Furthermore, it goes through barriers and Auras and invis and shadow and moles
(yes Yoh, it goes through mole3). However, it doesn't do enough damage. You'll
probably net about 300 damage before your opponent destroys the statue.
Furthermore, you're limited to only one copy of it. Effective? Nah, not
really...not the way that 4 flashmen and 3 hyperrats are effective.
***Part3: Supporting your Focus
If my focus is the BodyGrd PA, what use is it to me if my opponent is on
icepanels and has areagrabbed my front row? Answer: no use at all. They'll
dodge almost every single shuriken, perhaps one or two at most will hit. If
I'm focusing on LifeSword, what good is it to me if my opponent stays in their
back row and grabs my first? Nothing at all! I won't even be able to hit his
nose, let alone cause the 400 damage my focus indicates.
It is not enough to create an effective, accurate, and fluid focus, you have to
be sure that ALL 30 of your chips help (or at least do not hinder) your focus.
NO CHIP in your folder should be wasted. If my focus is the LifeSword PA, I'm
gonna need some areagrabs/metagels...to make sure I stay in range, I'm gonna
need some way of making sure my opponent is in range, just in case he counters
my areagrabs. What about fan*? To suck him in? 4 lifesword Y + 3 Fans + 3
Areagrabs...I'm up to 18 chips all on my focus. Now as for coded add-ons....
hmm, why not add the Yamatoman chip series? They're all in Y code, and they're
dangerous chips...they don't hurt my focus, and will keep my opponent on their
toes. Will I use attack boosters like atk+10 and atk+30? Yeah, why not? They'll
boost the yamatomens's multiple attacks, making them quite deadly. In fact, why
not use Navi+20 and Navi+40, since I'm only gonna be needing the boosters for
yamatoman? This now brings us up to 26 chips. That's solid. The last four chips
can be used for other "standards", I'll talk about that in another lesson. For
now, you're done! That's a folder right there. Note, how 12 of the chips are
the focus, 14 are support, and ALL are in one code!. That's the way a folder
should *ideally* be.
OK, here it goes! Compared to the last lesson (ie: about Focus) this one should
be REALLY easy to understand and implement.
So you've got a central theme, and you've struggled with it. You've made many
duplicates, you've added sufficient support chips, you've chopped it down to
one or two codes, and made it as fluid as diarrhea. Now what? Well, there are
some chips that you still ought really to add...the "addons" or extra chips.
I've split them into two categories, defense and beneficials. We'll do
beneficials first.
***Part1: Benenficial chips
There are some chips that are almost always needed. Things that you simply
can't do without, or - at the very least - are very good to have. Now (of
course) this can all be changed if your folder is BASED on a weird system
(more on that later). Confused? I would be too...let's just cut to the chase.
*) need something extra to be fully effective (ie: Geddon3+Sanc/Repair,
Geddon2+Airshoes, Lava+HeatStyle Sand+FlotShoes etc.)
**) Only serve one of two purposes..more on this later.
Here's why these are so necessary...
a) They are very likely to bother your opponent: If you control the stage type,
they'll find themselves at a disadvantage. If they are aquastyle and you set an
icestage and launch a areagrab + plasma3, odds are that they're finished. Or if
they are a woodstyle and u go lavastage, they'll be harrassed every time they
try to move (100 damage).
b) Protect yourself: If they control stagetype, you might find the stage
Geddon2'ed (all holes), and you'll be limited to one tile, and you'll just be
helplessly watching as 18 shurikens slam you (bodyguard), or 15 snakes bite you
(2xAreagrab */R + Snakes R)
c) For those chips marked with **, they only do your side, so while they almost
can't bother your opponent, they can still serve you very well defensively.
Sanctuary/Repair will save you from what your opponent tries to get you with.
Nevertheless, i wouldn't advise using these except if comboed with something
else that brings out their potential (ie: Geddon3 + Sanctuary).
Most good folders have at least one stage-changing chip....plus, almost all
stage changing chips (except Geddon2 and 3 and Sanctuary) come in * code.
>> Obstacles:
-Including: Rook, Pawn, Rockcube
Rook * is ideal and best. Pawn and Rockcube are kinda okay but no, Rook * is the
best. The reason? Well, though it is possible to counter, very few folders have
the chips needed to counter this chip...and it lasts a long time.
a) Likely to bar many attacks: Any gun-type attack will find this an irritant.
b) WILL stop arealocking!!!! This is an EXCELLEnt way to stop ppl from grabbing
you and getting in range
c) As is the case with most of these chips, is * coded and easily fits in most
folders...2 is enough...unlss you have to have more for your focus.
>> Grabchips
-Including: Areagrab, Metagel1 -3, Panelgrab
If your opponent is on one tile, they are as good as dead. Think about it......
all your chips have perfect accuracy. You can chuck a blackbomb on their head,
set up perpetual sensor3 chains, stepsword/cros them, evilcut them, hell...you
can put on an invis and shoot them with your buster if you want. Though they
CAN put on a lifeaura or defense chip and then countergrab out, odds are
excessively high that they will die at your hands, or take a significantly high
amount of dmaage.
The converse is true as well, however. If they grab you, and arealock you, you
are done for.
So 3 areagrab *'s (or *well-coded* metagel1/2/3's, and panelgrab *'s if all
else fails) are an ABSOLUTE REQUIREMENT...there is only one exception.
That is if you are basing your folder on the assumption that your opponent will
areagrab/lock you, and are prepared to respon with 4 GrabRvng chips. This is
VERY effective at times, but equally risky. While you CAN deal 80*8 (640)
damage, per chip, without attack boosting, by locking yourself... you leave
yourself vulnerable to far worse. Anything from lifesword slashes (400 each),
to Full Blown Meteoric Hell (40+30x4)x31 = 4960.
>> Fluidity Increasing Chips:
-Including: Folderbak, Fstgauge*, and Fullcust
* Only if it is not in your NC block.
The very ROOT of these chips is to make your fluidity go up. The one gives you
all your chips back and instantly gives you a fresh selection of chips in your
custom window. The FastGauge makes your custom window go at 2x the speed, so
that you are almost never without a chip. The Fullcust allows you to end a
custom window early, so that you can cut that 1/2 time in 1/2, if you wish. You
should almost certainly make space for these chips...i'd probably preset the
fullcust * too, if i were you.
*** Part2: Defense chips
>>Recovery vs Avoidance
Obvious aint it? Recov chips are popular especially among beginners, and I won't
deny that it is extremely annoying to have an opponent in the crushing grip of
death and they suddenly get back 300 health. But still, the mere act of
recovering indicates that you have lost health. WOuldn't it be better never to
lose that health at all? After all, that DOES increase your busting level.
Rather than having 4 recov chips, have 4 defense chips that nullify damage
before it hurts.
That said, let's proceed to discuss the best means of defense:
[worst] DarkAura->
Though many pros will disagree, I hold that this is an extremely effective means
of defense. Still, i would highly recommend AGAINST using it. Why? Because of
three things. One, it is A-Coded, and hence only any use with A-coded folders.
Two, it requires that wretched hole * chip (which is frankly too large an
inconvenience for a defense chip) or the DarkLicencese (which seriously messes
up your NC Block). Three, it is a gigachip (so you only get one, and you can't
use folderbak).
[Not very good] LifeAura->
Not as good as DarkAura, but still highly effective. Don't be fooled, you're far
from invincible. But yes, most opponents will have to bust a good combo to get
rid of this (and very few folders have northwinds in them). Still, only use it
if your folder is D-Coded, as it is really pointless otherwise.
[Very good, BUT] Barr500 PA->
This is an EXTREMELY solid means of defense...this + a sanctuary is INSANE (as
it takes your base 1000 hitpoints and makes it 3000). Unfortunately the Barr200
is limited in its choice of codes. E-Coded, this is a great defense. But still,
it is 3 chips for a one-time defense. If you plan on using this, be sure to make
it part of your focus (hence 2 or 3 copies).
[Not too hot] Antidamage ->
Though it is quite popular, and seems very powerful, it isn't the best. Here's
why, all your opponent has to do is take a buster shot at you, and then run
around madly for about a second. There goes your defense, and zero damage
suffered. The only exception to this rule is if you pair it with a heavier
means of damage. For example, antidamage + a lifeaura. Now your opponent has to
deal you enough damage to break the lifeaura....TWICE. One time trips the
antidamage, and the other time makes you lose the barrier.
[Best...but] Mole1/2 ->
Almost as good as Invis and Shadow in that it only needs one chip, and requires
zero setup. * coded, and lasts quite long. Why doesn't it recieve their high
status? Because in order to attack, you have to come up, and in that time you
are easily countered. Well, not easily, but potentially. Lots more potential
for pain than invis/shadow.
[Best?] Mole3 ->
VERY VERY long lasting, unfortunately it is limited by codes. zero setup needed.
[BEST!!] Invis/Shadow ->
They both come in * code, and are 5-6 seconds of almost pure invincibility.
Though they can be countered, and by quite a few diferent attacks, you'll find
that almost always your opponent does not have the needed chips. They require
0 preparation to use, and hence I would HIGHLY recommend that you include 4-6
of these in your folder, ANY folder that you make. Also, try to keep it a
mix....2invis, 3 shadow...or 3 invis 2 shadow, or 2-2, or 3-3. That way you're
covered against different kinds of attacks at different times (so that a 2xHero
or FlashCrush folder doesn't leave you TOTALLY defenseless). ALso, experiment
with Antiswrd + Shadow combos...they give you pure invincibility for a short
period of time on occasion.
That's that as far as addons are concerned. Still, remember...these are just
extras. They don't make a great folder (even though they can take up to 1/3 of
it or more). THey're just "nice to have". It's the main theme/combo that gives
a folder its true power, and the fluidity that allows that power to shine
through. Don't forget that.
At this point, we've covered almost all the material on building a good folder.
You got through the process of picking one or two major attack types or comboes
to go with as your FOCUS (ie: Meteoric Hell and Snakes). You've made sure that
the two things had SYNERGY and helped each other, (you have to grab and
preferrably arealock for both, and atk+30 and atk+10 chips REALLY help both).
You've put in adequate SUPPORT chips for them (lots of areagrabs, geddons, atk+
chips, some wind thing...airsword maybe). You've made sure to include the
ADD-ONS that ought best go with every folder (grabs, stagechanging in the
geddons, might add couple of rooks, and add 4-5 def. chips, fullcust and
foldrbak if u can). You've then gone through and made sure that the folder was
as FLUID as it could be by making DUPLICATES of the essential chips and making
sure that the folder had as few codes as possible (ie: Meteors R, 4 grab *, 4
snake R, 2 Wood30 *, 2 Fire30 *, 1 Atk30 *, 3/4 Geddon *). In many senses,
you've made the folder as good as you really can.
a
the NC Block is something very important. It can be used to...enhance your
folder's ability. In this lesson, I will try to give some useful advice about
NC Blocks.
Though I warn you in advance, three things.
1-I have not consulted with other people in writing this, therefore any ideas I
have can, and in all fairness most likely WILL be influenced by my personal bias
2-All the advice I give is PURELY intended for the netbattle. If it just so
happens to help you in-game, that is a coincidence.
3- I'm assuming you have modtools, have all the "spin" items, and have
compressed everything that was compressible. For a fuller explanation on these
terms and things, go to the Navi Customizer FAQ.
*** Part1: Programs NOT to use, and why
There are some programs that, under almost any conditions, should not be used...
if it's "your style" to use them, you should change your style.
BusterEnhancers:
-----
These include atk+1, WeapLV+1, chrg+1, Sped+1, and BustrMax. Why are they so
horrible to use? Because in order for them to be useful, you have to use your
buster. The only reason to use your buster is because, at that given time, you
have no chips worth using. So instead, you use your pea-shooter. This is not
acceptable, as it means that your FOLDER wasn't good enough to have good chips
available for you! Either make your folder more fluid, or use more Custom1 and
Custom2 programs so you get a better selection. The space you waste enhancing
your buster would have been much better invested in the extra chips. The MOST
powerful buster or megabuster attack possible is not as dangerous...not NEARLY
as dangerous as the AVERAGE chip attack...especially if you enhance it and use
it properly. Never ever ever make extra space for these programs, as it is space
taken away from worthier NCP's.
MegFldr1/2
-----
It's not worth it. Mathematically, it is smarter to GET more chips per turn than
it is to have more megachips in a folder, but get them less frequently. Adding
that "extra one chip" is not gonna help your folder overall. Since you can only
have one copy of it, it will be non-fluid. If you can't find a more important
support chip to put in there instead, then it's really not worth having. Now,
there ARE exceptions. Namely, when you try to use two Navi chips as a combo, and
need the megachip space to hold 6 or 8 of them (ie: Flamman + Flashman).
Storyline Programs
------
These include the Snkrun, OilBdy, Bttry, Collect, Fish, Jungle, EnergyChange,
Press, and Alpha program. They have zero application outside of the storyline,
and do nothing to augment Megaman's battle ability. As of such, there is
absolutely no point WHATSOEVER in using them.
Beat
-----
Beat is quite large, as is Tango, whereas Rush is EXACTLY one square. Since you
can only use one of them, it stands to reason to pick the best. Beat will remove
your opponents' hand when he has "good" chips, once. This may be useful, but if
you're playing a good opponent, he has multiple copies of his major attacks.
Furthermore, when he uses "folderbak", he'll get all his chips over. Tango on
the other hand is a crapload of extra hitpoints plus a barrier 200 right before
you die. Far more useful, seeing as to how your opponent has to hack away at you
for an extra, unanticipated period of time. Rush paralyzes an enemy at the time
he most wants to be mobile and sneaky - when he uses an invis/shadow/mole.
Furthermore, it only takes up one square, so it's DEFINITELY worth using if you
aren't using tango. Either way, Beat is useless and should never be used.
Block, shadow shoes
-----
They have the advantage of being smaller, but their larger counterparts are
superior by SOO MUCH, that it becomes foolish to use them. Block, requires
excellent timing and u still take 50% of the damage. Compared with Shield, a
mere 2 squares more, which allows you to take none. Shadowshoes will prevent
you from cracking tiles, BIG DEAL! Your opponent will probably not be relying
on your cracking them for him, and will do it himself with an extra geddon if
he finds it important. But flotshoes, a mere extra 2 squares more, will protect
you from lavatiles, slipping, and cracking tiles. Is it worth it? Definitely.
SetHoly, SetMagma/Lava
-----
These are simply too big to be worth it. End of story. If you are so desperate
to have a lavastage at the beginning, do yourself a favor and preset "Lavastage
*" in your folder. SetHoly, however, is simply stupid. Sure, it's nice to have
holypanels' damage halving effect, but any good folder should contain (as an
Add-On and to increase utility) SOME stage changing chips. SetIce and SetGreen
are small enough that, even if they DO get changed, they can easily make up
their sizes worth. The same is not true of SetHoly and SetMagma.
Airshoes
---
Allows him to go over holes. ZeOMIgod! This is freaking awesome! No, I'm not
being sarcastic, the function of this program is excessively important and it
GREATLY increases your utility (ability to adapt to changing circumstances).
There is one little problem, however. That problem is that this programs isn't
so little, lol. It's huge, and so oddly shaped, that it almost always is not
worth putting in. Instead of using this NC Part, use a Custom1 and use the
EXCode for Airshoes (check the Navi Customizer Guide for details). The Custom-1
glitch is nullified by your Custom1 part...and it's all set. Alternatively,
tack the chip into your folder and be done with it.
SprArmor, BrakBuster, BrakCharge
-----
SuperArmor is quite worthless. There are some attacks that, if you were NOT
wearing superarmor, would have made you flinch, and hence been invincible from
taking damage for a short period of time. Put this on, and you lose that in
trade for what? Allowing you to charge that buster which, under ordinary
circumstances, you should NOT be using. BrakCharge has more potential
usefulness, but the time it takes to charge *SHOULD* be too much. If you're
using charge+ programs, then you've gone against my first bit of advice.
BrakBuster is tempting, but when compared size-wise with HubBatch, it's a
no-brainer why BrakBuster becomes quite worthless.....Hubbatch has easily 5
times the functions.
Though there may be others, I'm gonna have to say that these are the ones that
I NEVER want to catch in your NC Blocks. You might ask "About Chrg1, Spd1
programs, what if we have leftover space in our NC Block? Shouldn't we just add
them in?". In response I'd have to say "If you DO have that space, and you're
sure that you CAN'T fit in any more important programs without removing the
ones you like/need, then yes, it is best to put in chrg1 programs. However,
when submitting a NC setup along with a folder, just use an 'X' and mark them
as "empty spots". Seeing as to how nobody is gonna take chrg1 or spd1 as a
serious addition to your NC."
***Part2: Programs you ought to use, and why
Right, that's what you shouldn't do with an NC Block...now let's move on to what
you SHOULD do. The principle of the NC Block, in my opinion should be primarily
to augment Megaman, and secondarily assist his folder.
First let's cover programs that augment Megaman
----------------
HP+100 <> HP+500
---
OK, I personally don't find these very useful. I think that your folder SHOULD
be protecting you from most damage. Getting a 350 HP boost from the EX code is
probably a good idea in case your opponent manages to thwart your defense twice,
but don't forget... our job is to ANNIHILIATE with IMPUNITY! We shouldn't be
needing to soak up damage. HP+ programs are like recov150's for the NC Block.
As an EX code, this is one of the more valuable ones, as it causes no glitch,
but as a program, it is not quite so useful.
Reg+5
---
Under normal circumstances, your megaman's regular memory should be around
45-50. This is good enough, IMO, to load up most chips that you would ever
consider using as your regular chip, such as Stagechanging chips, geddon1-2,
FullCust, Fastgauge, Airshoes, and Areagrab. Now if you're thinking of loading
up an assault chip, like meteors or some gigachip, you'll see that CAPCOM was
very careful in making sure that you'd have to use pretty much your ENTIRE NC
block to do so. Frankly, it's not worth it. Still, your netNavi...your decision.
DarkLicense
---
Allows you to use your ONE dark chip (you can only have 1 darkchip in your
folder if you use this program) without needing a hole *. Unfortunately, this
is not very useful. Seeing as to how much space it takes...especially if you
choose to add in the bugstop to prevent the custom-1 glitch (you'd be better
off adding a custom1 (yellow) program). Not only that, but it takes away your
EX code. Let's analyze this real quick: Bass, DarkAura. Bass is usesless..you'd
be better off with meteors R...it can't be worse coded than Bass. Why then did
I not include this in Part1? Simple! DarkLicense as well as reg5, when used
together, allow megaman to preset DarkAura and use it as soon as a match begins.
And don't kid yourself, popping a darkaura is EXTREMELY difficult. There is,
however, one MAJOR problem...that is that it will disappear by itself within 45
seconds, IIRC. If your opponent has been using folderbak (I know you haven't ;)
he'll still have a ton of chips and will destroy you with them, guaranteed.
FlotShoes
---
This allows you to exist on any paneltype without suffering its inherent
disadvantages. You won't slip on ice, you won't burn on fire, and you won't
crack panels when they are geddoned. Though you can still take 2xDamage from
stage-element combinations, it is incredible how MUCH your utility is improved
by using this NCP. No matter what the stage type, you can still have perfect
control of your megaman. As long as it's not poison, you'll live.
Antidamage/Reflect
---
This program is excellent. I fault the antidamage program for being a tad
ungainly in shape, but if you use a custom1 and then the EX code for
antidamage, it all works out. The critical thing to think about when deciding
whether to put this in or not is will you USE it? I have a friend who equips
reflect and, when I have him arealocked on an icestage and I put a Plasma3 with
two elec 30s right next to him (300 damage per hit for 6 hits). He takes only
300 damage, since he manages to block every single one of them with his reflect.
I once arealocked him and used meteors R with 3 fire30s (130 damage per hit
for 30 hits...over 3000 damage). However, he managed to get up reflect JUST
before i launched it, and he took 0 damage... I was in front of him and so,
since he reflected the damage forward, I ended up taking 100 to the face XD. So
yes, if you are going to use it at least twice, then it is almost CERTAINLY
worth putting in (or EX-Coding in, as you prefer). However, if you are like me
and will forget that you have it, or forget to use it when you need it, or
simply are bad at using it (the button combination), then it's not worth your
time to equip this program, regardless of its benefits.
HubBatch
---
This augments megaman, and is EXTREMELY useful. I personally don't like it, but
that is strictly personal. This gives you all the benefits of these "littler"
programs which are by themselves quite useless, but when they all come in such
a convenient package deal - along with some excellent programs like Custom1,
FlotShoes, and Airshoes - it becomes a package much worth getting. Unfortunately
it comes at a cost, and that cost is half of your HP as well as your EX code
(500 hp out of a typical megaman). Bugstop stops this glitch, which is the only
thing that, IMO, keeps bugstop from being a 'worthless' program. Still, bugstop
is very big, so if you use Hubbatch + BugStop you won't be able to fit too much
more in.
Righto! Now on to the programs that augment megaman's folder
----------------
Custom1/Custom2
---
VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY useful! U see, i'm a stickler and a freak about
fluidity. If you use enough Custom1 and Custom2 programs, you can have TEN
chips in your starting window. that's a THIRD of your folder on your FIRST TURN!
If you monocode your folder too, and use 5 chips, then you can see HALF of you
folder in 2 turns!!!! Can u deny the excellence of such an ability? And let's
say that you use all 5 on your second and third turn, by your fourth turn
you've seen your ENTIRE folder! Every chip in your folder you've gone through,
meaning that you've CERTAINLY come back to folderback by now! Technically, you
could use the add function on your first turn. But you tell me, do you want to
be open to anything and everything that your oppnoent throws at you for a FULL
turn? Hell no! Annihiliate with Impunity! Frankly, the amount of deadtime that
you have while waitin for a chip after using the add feature just won't cut it.
Fastgauge
---
This program is large, but it is EXTREMELY useful. It makes the custom menu go
at 2x the usual speed. Very rarely will an opponent carry a SloGuage * to
counter this NC piece. I know that you can preset the Fastguage chip, but once
you use the fastguage chip it becomes useless. And you'll be seeing it EVERY
time you use folderbak. That's why Fullcust * does so much better as a preset.
Yet, you STILL want that guage to move quickly, right? That's why the fastguage
NCP is so important. It allows you to have your caek and eat it too, in a sense.
Hubbatch
---
It contains a Custom1, hence it is in this category. But i'm too lazy to
re-copy what I wrote earlier so go ahead and scroll up for a discussion on
Hubbatch.
---------------------------------
That, all said and done, is as full an analysis on the NC as I could possibly
have given you. I hope you all learned something from this. After having told
you all of this I will say that not every folder NEEDS a seperate NC Block.
Sometimes there is a folder that just won't work if its NC is not done in
EXACTLY one way. For example, meteoric hell folders NEED 2xCustom2 in custom
style. Otherwise, it'll take forever to get to their attack chip. Snake
folders, when they don't include an airshoes * chip, REQUIRE that their NC
Block contain it. Under those circumstances, when submitting a folder, it is
very important to include an accompanying NC Block. However, when your folder
is a kind of "standard one", the NC Block might be less important to include.
Finally, I present you with my favorite NC Block of all time:
AIM: BountyHunterSAx ... that's the number one way you'll be able to contact me.
You could send me an e-mail, but i dunno how soon i'd check it. That address
is ahmadrasheed [at] gmail.com . I freqent the BN3 Blue Messageboard so meet
me there.
Second, Credits.
* I'd like to thank The Dark Unkown and Malinhion for teaching me so much about
folder building.
* I'd like to thank all of the devoted newbies of the BN3 boards (who are now
intermediates). THeir devotion was the only thing that inspired me to write all
of these lessons in the Folder Building School.
* I'd like to curse Capcom for ruining this perfectly good series with their
despicable sequels....but instead I'll just thank them for doing this one right.
* I'd like to thank Aien Cyril for giving me the kick in the rear to actually
make an FAQ out of this, and then offering to do all of the organizational work.
..i owe you for motivating me.
* I'd like to thank my Dad for this $5k dollar computer.
Lastly, copyright information:
Wanna host this somewhere? I would be AWED and AMAZED. So that means you have
my FULL permission to copy ALL of it, edit it, and yeah. You must, however, add
this line to either the top or the bottom: "All made by t3h 1337 awesome
BountyHunterSAx" or words to that effect. Alternatively, just don't say that
you made it, and then give me a link via AIM, a post on the BN3 Board, or my
e-mail.
