MACE - The Dark Age Character Guide: Asmodeus
Version 1.0
Written by Master ZED (
[email protected] *OR*
http://members.aol.com/masterzed/ )
A short and sweet guide dedicated to the master of the Mace of Tanis, Asmodeus!
*Be forewarned you will need a N64 GameShark to access Asmodeus!*
Contents:
0. Version history
1. Intro
2. Access and Warnings
3. Moves
4. Advantages and Problems
5. General Strategies
6. Credits & Legal
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0. Version history
----------------------------
1.0: Initial release
The latest version of this doc will be at GameFAQs. It will not be hosted at my site
as my site does not cover MACE or any N64 material for that matter.
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1. Intro
----------------------------
I felt this guide necessary because there were no resources I could find on MACE that
mentioned controlling the demon, even though he could be accessed via the GameShark.
Understandable no one would try though; if he wasn't meant to be playable why bother?
Being the main boss and not normally accessible, you'd think a player getting ahold of him
would be a glitchy mess. Not true. Seems the programmers must have loved the guy so much
they kept him for a pet because in the majority of the stages not only is he playable, he
does have a valid move set and yes, you can use his execution!
This guide is solely dedicated to getting started playing as Asmodeus.
This guide will show you how to get Asmodeus, his moves, how he plays, and any combos
I or anyone who'd like to contribute can find. This will NOT tell you the basics
such as counter-attacking, other FAQs can do that. Just remember a lot of the basic
moves will be thrown out the window due to Asmodeus' inability to perform them. That
and the fact Asmodeus is VERY limited compared to the others. He can still put up a
fight though, but I recommend that if you're a first-time player to MACE that, if you're
looking for a first character to master, you do NOT turn to Asmodeus. Master someone
else first if that's what you're looking for. Why? Re-read this paragraph and find out
if you didn't figure it out already. Anyone else will do better to teach you the basics
of MACE, even Pojo the chicken. :P
But if you ever wanted to beat Asmodeus by mastering him first and strategizing from that,
now's your chance. :)
So without further ado, the cruel master himself...
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2. Access and Warnings
----------------------------
I. Warnings
A. You MUST have a Gameshark or other hacking device. There's no way around that as far
as I know (but if you can use his Execution, who knows...). Any version should do, but
of course if your GameShark cannot access Asmodeus, check the codes, then ask around,
and if all else fails, upgrade and try one last time.
B. He is not playable at the following stages:
Mordos Kull/Dregan
Takeshi/Ichiro
Al-Rashid
Ragnar/WarMech
If you try to access these stages with Asmodeus, the game will freeze.
C. Do not lose unless you are on Asmodeus' stage, and even then, do not lose to a 2nd Asmodeus.
The game may freeze because you will go through the motions of gaining the Mace and Asmodeus
himself cannot gain the Mace, plus when I tried this at Lord Deimos' stage the game froze
when Asmodeus hit the lava.
What happens if he loses at his stage to anyone else? They gain the Mace as if they won the
game, with one exception: the ending will not be shown and the game will continue as normal
afterwards.
D. If you go through Grendal in the normal game with Asmodeus, when you go through the
intro sequence to the fight with the CPU, you won't move! You'll be stuck at the entry
ledge, unable to fight (namely because the fireball won't reach the platform). You can
go back through the door a ways but if you go too far Asmodeus will fall off and the
game may freeze when he hits bottom (it might not for you, but it did for me so...)
If you really must fight Asmodeus with Asmodeus, start a 2 player fight when you reach
the fight with the CPU Asmodeus. When you win that fight, become Asmodeus at the vs. screen
(if you're not already Asmodeus) and you're set. The fight will start at the platform.
E. If you manage to beat the game with Asmodeus and get to the ending screen, you will get
The Executioner's ending. Kinda fitting though.
F. In case you go back to the character select while using the char pic/ending codes,
the cursor may start on Ragnar. I'm telling you that in case you panic over this, and
yes, someone just might. Don't laugh (too hard). :)
II. Gaining access to Asmodeus
Choose out of these which you want:
81138C52 342C - 1st player always has Asmodeus' body, moves, and quotes
81138C4E 342C - 2nd player always has Asmodeus' body, moves, and quotes
80138C3B 000B - 1st player always has Asmodeus' character pic and ending
80138C37 000B - 2nd player always has Asmodeus' character pic and ending
Activator codes - Hit the R button at the VS screen or hold before & after selecting character
D007CD2B 0010 & 81138C52 342C - P1 gets Asmodeus' body, moves, and quotes
D007CD2F 0010 & 81138C4E 342C - P2 gets Asmodeus' body, moves, and quotes
D007CD2B 0010 & 80138C3B 000B - P1 gets Asmodeus' character pic and ending
D007CD2F 0010 & 80138C37 000B - P2 gets Asmodeus' character pic and ending
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3. Moves
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Key
F: Forward
B: Back
QCF: Quarter circle forward (Down, Down-forward, Forward)
HCF: Half circle forward (Back, Back-down, Down, Down-forward, Forward)
Q: Quick attack
S: Strong attack
K: Kick
Moves
Overhead attack: Q
Air counter: F + S
Short arm swipe: B + S
Throw: F + Q
Double Axe Handle (Overhead): Q + S
Fireball: QCF + Q
Uppercut: HCF + Q
Reflect: F, B + Q
Combos
These are all 2-hits right now:
Q x2
B + S x2
K x2
S x2 - only against another Asmodeus since the first Strong will sweep most opponents into
the air and the second blow isn't likely to juggle.
Execution
B, F + K (close)
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4. Advantages and Problems
----------------------------
Advantages:
1. His Quick is an overhead attack alone. You do not need to use the slow Q+S to attack
a crouching turtle. :)
2. When you use his counter, the setup has practically no animation, it is immediate.
Since his blocking stance is exactly the same, a good Asmodeus player may end up scaring
another player continuously throughout a match because he won't know if Asmodeus is simply
blocking or is about to knock him to the ground unless Asmodeus sets up too early. That
is, IF you can find someone that will play against you if you use Asmodeus.
3. POWER. He is ferociously powerful, but you were expecting that. :P
4. His fireball cannot be blocked. Be careful though; it can be reflected.
Problems:
1. He is slow. His power is what keeps him from being worthless, that and his fireball...
2. He cannot jump, evade, or crouch. You will end up taking everything head-on, so
master using the counter-attack and reflect moves!
3. He cannot use the environment to his advantage. This could be a problem if you like to
make use of the stage props, or an advantage since you can't fall into something like lava.
That's all I can think of right now...
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5. General Strategies
----------------------------
I. Always be ready to counter. Since you have no movement besides forward, back, and kill,
counters will become your savior. Don't simply try and hold a counter-attack ready stance
though. Although the animation is nonexistant he still has a lag time after lowering his
guard without countering.
II. Do not worry about low attacks. Since Asmodeus can't crouch, his block counts against
all blockable attacks. Of course, that also means he can counter-attack low attacks no
problem.
III. Master Reflect! Never use the simpler B + Q since the Reflect causes the same damage if
it hits the target plus the fact it is much faster. You could even combo an opponent if you
reflect their projectile and hit them at the same time.
IV. If they jump and you see it coming, use the air counter. They may not always attack,
so using a real counter-attack here isn't always the best course of action.
V. At most stages, the fight will start with them in range of Asmodeus' throw. If you feel
lucky you may want to try and start the fight with this since his throw causes major damage.
VI. Remember this: Although it can be reflected and dodged, Asmodeus' fireball cannot be blocked
or counter-attacked. So don't worry if you see them enter a blocking stance as you launch it
into their face, if they don't dodge or reflect it it'll drill right through them.
VII. Know the hit detection of the Kick button's attack. It may miss smaller opponents if
they're too close and in the beginning you'll probably overestimate its reach missing the
2nd combo hit repedetly.
VIII. If they're really close up, B + S x2, Reflect, or a fireball will teach them.
IX. His uppercut is really slow but VERY powerful. If you can sneak it in, do so!
X. Q + S is particularly slow and doesn't do much more than a lone Quick attack. The only
thing it can do that a lone Quick can't is guarantee a knockdown, but since Q x2 is a
knockdown and it does more damage, there's really no reason to use Q + S!
XI. Of course, the most important strategies... master his execution and have fun!
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6. Credits & Legal
----------------------------
Thanx:
Atari and Midway - For making the game, duh!
InterAct - For the N64 GameShark.
GameFAQs - For hosting a couple of my docs (this one for example).
cmgsccc.com - For the GS codes I used above.
And a big shout out to (most of) the guys at the GameFAQs' SNES FF3 Board!
Legal:
If you wish to use this guide at your site, all I ask is that you leave everything completely
unchanged. If you decide to publish it, follow the preceding sentence AND notify me first.
I simply like to have credit for my work, however small it may be. :P
All trademarks, etc. belong to their respective holders. I am not responsible in the case
this document happens to cause any harm whatsoever in any way.
© 2001 Master ZED
