-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
Gan Ning Character FAQ by essellAY (22/12/04)
Version 1.0
Copyright 2004 Tristan Smith
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
Contents
========
1 - Historical Background
2 - Weapons
2.1 - Iron Sword
2.2 - Steel Sword
2.3 - River Master
2.4 - Sea Master
3 - Moveset
4 - Musou Path Guide
4.1 - Pirate Attack on the High Seas
4.2 - The Battle at Chi Bi
4.3 - The Battle at He Fei
4.4 - The Battle at Fan Castle
4.5 - The Battle at Yi Ling
4.6 - The Nanman Campaign
4.7 - The Siege of He Fei Castle
5 - Legal Information
6 - Contact Information
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
1 - Historical Background (adapted from the in-game biography)
==============================================================
Lived: ? - 222 AD
A Wu officer and a former pirate, he attached bells to himself and surrounded
himself with other ruffians. He served under both Liu Biao and Huang Zu, but
after being passed over for promotion he took his services to Sun Quan. At the
recommendation of Zhou Yu and Lu Su, Sun Quan welcomed him to Wu. He later
fought at Chi Bi and in the campagin against Wei.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
2 - Weapons
===========
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
2.1 - Iron Sword
================
Stat Boosts: Attack +16, others are variable
Max Hits: 4
Element: None
This is the run-of-the-mill pirate cutlass that appears in movies and suchlike.
It's pretty weak but it looks quite cool for a basic weapon.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
2.2 - Steel Sword
=================
Stat Boosts: Attack +31, others are variable
Max Hits: 5
Element: None
Another generic sword, although slightly more decorative than the Iron Sword.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
2.3 - River Master
==================
Stat Boosts: Attack +46, others are variable
Max Hits: 6
Element: None
This is a medium length sword with a wide blade and an ornate hilt. A truly
unique weapon.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
2.4 - Sea Master
================
Stat Boosts: Attack +46, Speed +22, Jump +21, Attack +25, Luck +26,
Musou Charge +28
Max Hits: 6
Element: Lightning
Whereas the other 3 weapons can be obtained in just about any level on any
difficulty, this weapon can only be obtained by meeting the strict requirements
for it on Hard difficulty.
Strategy:
Setting Up: First, go to Options and set the difficulty to Hard. Then go into
Free Mode, select the He Fei level (Wu Forces) and choose Gan Ning (obviously).
It will be a huge advantage if you equip an item such as the Red Hare Saddle to
give you a horse from the start.
Getting the Weapon: From your position in the center, head north-east to where
Cao Pi and Cao Hong are marked on the map. Kill Cao Hong and Pang De will
retreat. Instead of killing Cao Pi, get back on your horse (or Cao Hong's, if
you don't have one) and head west towards Cao Cao's base. On your way there,
you should see an event in which Taishi Ci is ambushed and killed by archers.
Following this event, Zhang Liao will retreat from the stage and you'll see a
message telling you that a Supply Unit has appeared. Keep heading west and then
follow the Supply Unit south until you meet up with it. Kill the Supply Captain
and then pick up the weapon he drops - that's the Sea Master.
Beating the Stage: Your side will be having a lot of difficulty by the time
you've gotten the weapon so you'll have to sort out the battle quickly. Head
south and kill Xiahou Dun and take out the gate in the south-west. Kill Cao Ren
and then Li Dian and Yu Jin will retreat, leaving the enemy with just 4
generals, 3 officers and 3 Gates. Head to the central island and take out Xu
Huang and Cao Zhang and they'll be down to just 2 generals and 2 officers when
Jia Xu retreats. Find Cao Pi who will be on the central island or at the
north-east and kill him quickly to make Zhen Ji retreat. From there, take out
the Gate Captain in the north-east and then head west to kill Xu Zhu at the
enemy's camp. Kill the last 2 Gate Captains near Xu Zhu and you should still
have at least 2 generals left and 3 Gates to help you with the final fight
against Cao Cao. Go around the rest of the map killing any enemies and then,
when the map is clear except for a small area of red, ride towards Cao Cao.
Try to knock Cao Cao away from his bodyguards to fight him, or kill them first;
otherwise they'll hurt you a lot and give Cao Cao openings to do huge damage on
you. When you have Cao Cao on his own, it's just a matter of doing 6-hit combos
with Square until he's dead. If Cao Cao blocks (as he often does), just stop
attacking and hold L1 to block while he attacks; start hurting him again as
soon as he finishes his combo. Just repeat this tactic until eventually he dies
and you'll receive your reward when you finish the level - the Sea Master!
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
3 - Moveset
===========
Key: S = Square, T = Triangle
S: A diagonal swipe from his right shoulder to the left side of his waist.
SS: A swipe from left to right at waist-height.
SSS: A swift stab forwards.
SSSS: A high kick.
SSSSS: Another swipe from left to right, but with Gan Ning slightly crouched.
SSSSSS: Gan Ning spins in a full circle with his blade outstretched. Incredibly
useful for crowd-clearing.
T: Basically the same as SSSSS.
ST: An uppercut to knock enemies into the air. If used repeatedly to "juggle"
an enemy, huge combos can be made.
SST: A lunge forwards with his blade sideways which stuns enemies.
SSST: A lunging strike forwards.
SSSST: A diagonal swipe from bottom-left to top-right.
SSSSST: Two stabs into the ground which unleash lightning energy forwards over
a medium distance.
Jumping Move (X,S): Gan Ning jumps into the air and comes down with the end of
his sword pointing towards the ground.
Mounted Move (S while on a horse): Basic swipes down alternating sides of the
horse.
Mounted Charge Move (T while on a horse): A swipe down the right-hand side and
then a swipe down the left side.
Musou Move (O): Gan Ning crouches and then charges forward with his sword out
sideways in front of him, he then finishes with a series of
crowd-clearing spinning slashes (like SSSSSS).
Horse Musou (O while on a horse): A series of swipes on alternating sides.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
4 - Musou Path Guide
====================
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
4.1 - Pirate Attack on the High Seas
====================================
Head east and then south until you meet the first Lt. Commander. Kill him and
head to the far east where the second Lt. Commander is waiting and give him the
same treatment. From there, head north onto the next boat and get the Musou
stat boost from the jar on the left hand side of the boat. Continue north and
then take out the Gate Captain to stop reinforcements from that end of the
level.
Head back the way you came until you reach the 3rd Lt. Commander in the
north-west; after defeating him, head south past the Commander and defeat the
final Lt. Commander and the other Gate Captain. You'll find the Life stat boost
in a jar at the very south-west of the map. After you've finished all that,
simply take out the Pirate Captain to complete the level.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
4.2 - The Battle at Chi Bi
==========================
From the start, head north, east and north again to reach Xiahou Dun on the map
and defeat him to give your side a quick morale boost. Now go back towards the
start and head north to defeat Xiahou Yuan and force Cao Ren and Yu Jin to
retreat. Take out the Gate and follow up by killing Cao Pi and Li Dian. Head to
the very north of the level and take out all 4 of the gates from west to east,
taking the Life stat boost from a pot on the westernmost ship along the top.
Kill Yue Jin on the far east and then head south to take out the last Gate and
Zhang He, making Wen Pin and Cao Zhang retreat. Keep heading south and you'll
find a Musou stat boost on the first ship you reach. From there, head back
north and then west to kill Cao Xiu and Zhang Liao. At some point around now,
Xun Yu will arrive with reinforcements to the north, so you can either head
straight for Cao Cao and finish the level or take a detour to kill Xun Yu.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
4.3 - The Battle at He Fei
==========================
Begin the level by going to the north-east of the map and taking out Cao Pi,
Cao Hong and the Gate to deliver a huge blow to the enemy and win one front of
the battle immediately; take the Musou stat boost at the very north-east. When
Taishi Ci dies in the cutscene and Sun Quan begins to retreat, head to the
central island and take out Xu Huang and Cao Zhang to win the struggle in the
centre. Then, simply destroy the remaining forces in the south-west (Xiahou
Dun, Cao Ren and a Gate) and the battle is almost won. When you head north to
the remainder of the enemy, you'll be greeted by Xu Zhu; defeat him and the 2
Gate Captains before taking the Life stat boost near the north-west Gate. When
all that is done, just take your time to finish off Cao Cao.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
4.4 - The Battle at Fan Castle
==============================
From the beginning, head east, up the steps and then south to fight Guan Ping.
Simply head north and then west to take out the only Gate in the level and then
kill Guan Yu, which is a lot easier if you single him out away from most of his
guards. Complete those simple tasks and this incredibly short level is over.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
4.5 - The Battle at Yi Ling
===========================
Head up and defeat Ma Chao to force the retreat of Ma Dai and Guan So, and then
secure the Gate up ahead. Secure another Gate further north and then head west
towards Wei Yan and Zhao Yun, before finishing them both. Go further west to
the shipyard and kill Huang Quan, then head south to kill Pang Tong and make
the Ma An Gate open, allowing you access to the enemy headquarters. Secure the
Gate on your right as you go in and try to kill as many archers as possible
before they start raining down arrows on you. Go around to the east as you
progress further into the camp and head into the Stone Warrior Formation, where
there are 2 stat boosts to be found, and the map is no longer available to you.
As you enter the maze, you'll encounter Wu Lan; kill him and continue to fight
through the maze, while checking the map with Start every now and then to see
where you are. The Musou stat boost can be found in the south-west: head south
when you enter the maze and then look for a pot on your right. The Life stat
boost can be found on the far east of the maze: on the exact opposite side to
where you entered. When you have the stat boosts, head back the way you came to
the enemy camp and kill Zhuge Liang, then the last Gate Captain and then try to
beat Liu Bei's officers and finally the Shu King himself.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
4.6 - The Nanman Campaign
=========================
Head south from your starting position and take out a Gate, Wu Tugu and another
gate. Keep going south and then head north towards Dong Tu Ne to kill him. Go
east from there and take out Meng Huo and Gao Ding near your own HQ. Follow the
bridge down to kill Yong Kai and King Mulu and secure a gate. Knock them from
their elephants by firing an arrow before you get close, defeat them and take
one of their elephants; you can use it to break down the large wooden barriers.
Use the elephant to reach the western side of the central area, secure the gate
and defeat Dailai Dongzhu. Now head down the eastern side of the level and kill
Ahui Nan and the Gate Captain near him; by the time you've done that, Meng Huo
should have reappeared just north of you so you can take him down again before
heading to the south-east of the map. When you get there, kill King Duosi and
secure the Gate before heading west to kill another Gate Captain and Meng You.
Keep going west and take out Zhu Rong; at around this point Meng Huo will take
up his final position in the fortress. Keep heading onwards, defeating Meng Jie
on the way, until you reach Meng Huo. Knock him off his elephant so he won't
bother you so much while you take out the last Gate Captain. After doing that,
defeat Meng Huo for the last time to finish the level.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
4.7 - The Siege of He Fei Castle
================================
Head east from your starting point to the eastern entrance to He Fei Castle.
When you enter the castle, go north-east to the bridge where Xu Zhu is waiting
for you; kill him and cross to the other side. Go through the archway and then
go south-west to Xu Huang and Zhang He. Kill them both and head to the very
north-west of the level, where you'll find the Wind Corridor trap: just walk
around the right hand side of it and take the Life stat boost from the pot at
the top. Now head around and south to reach the second (and final) trap: the
Wall of Arrows. Just try to walk in a straight line as the arrows fire from
both sides and you'll only be hit once or twice. Take out the Gate at the end
of the trap and head out through the western entrance/exit to the castle. Wait
for the reinforcements to arrive and then defeat Man Chong and Cao Rui in the
south-east, then secure the Gate there. Make your way back into the castle and
up to the western of the 2 remaining Gates; defeat the Gate Captain and Zhen Ji
before making your way east to the other Gate. When you're there, kill Zhang
Liao and the last Gate Captain, then go up the stairs and round to fight Sima
Yi. Use the same method of using a musou attack to take out most of his guards
and then try to single him out away from the group and finish him with 6-hit
combos. Contratulations: you've finished Gan Ning's Musou Mode!
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
5 - Legal Information
=====================
This may be not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal,
private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed
publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide on any other web
site or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a violation
of copyright.
All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their
respective trademark and copyright holders.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
6 - Contact Information
=======================
Feel free to e-mail me at
[email protected] with suggestions/additions/
corrections. I'll probably get to it quite quickly.
