SAMURAI WARRIORS (US)

============================================
SAMURAI WARRIORS (US)
Character Guide: Ranmaru Mori
Version 1.05
Created by: Sima Zhongda
============================================

============
CONTENTS
============

1. Introduction
2. About Ranmaru
3. Unlocking Ranmaru Mori
4. Ranmaru's Tale
5. Mission Completion Guide
5.1 Defense of Inabayama Castle
5.2 The Battle of Ise
5.3 Betrayal at Honnouji
5.4 The Battle of Anegawa
5.5 Gifu Infiltration
5.6 Defense of Azuchi Castle
6. Endings
6.1 Ending 1: "The Next Life"
6.2 Ending 2: "True Intent"
7. Weapons
7.1 General List
7.2 Kamudo: Ranmaru's Fifth Weapon
8. Attacks
8.1 General
8.2 Special
9. Statistics
10. Skills
10.1 Might
10.2 Prowess
10.3 Guard
10.4 Element
11. Thanks
12. Copyright and Contact Information

====================
1. Introduction
====================

Welcome to my Character Guide for Ranmaru Mori. The purpose of this document is
to provide accurate and reliable information that will aid in the use and
development of Ranmaru as a Samurai Warrior. The guide was made, in the most
part, based on my experience playing the game. While the procedures to obtain
Ranmaru's fifth weapon, as well as to unlock some missions are based on guides
submitted to GameFAQs by EChang and TheLeftWings, they are by no means mere
copies of their work. Everything I included in this guide was personally tested
and slightly modified by myself, in order to provide more details or just to
make things simpler, depending on the case, given the fact that this is a guide
for the American version of the game. I am also fully aware of the fact that my
way is not the only way of getting things done, and I myself discovered other
ways, but for the sake of simplicity I only wrote what I considered the
easiest, simplest methods.

====================
2. About Ranmaru
====================

Born Nagasada Mori, son of Yoshinari Mori in the Mino region northeast of
present day Nagoya. His older brother Nagayoshi suppressed an insurrection at
Ise Nagashima, and was awarded 200,000 goku for his success. (A goku is a unit
of measure for rice, roughly equivalent to a one year supply for one man. The
more goku a leader possesses, the more troops he is able to feed, and thus, the
stronger his influence.) In addition, Nagayoshi accompanied Hideyoshi Toyotomi
and participated in the Battle of Nagakute, where he died while still in his
youth. From an early age, Ranmaru was Nobunaga's attendant. Recognized for his
talent and loyalty, he was appointed to a responsible post. At Oumi, he was
given 500 goku, and after Katsuyori Takeda's death, he was awarded the 50,000
goku at Iwamura Castle in Mino. While residing with Nobunaga at Honnouji
Temple, Mitsuhide Akechi launched a fierce assault. Even though they fought
resolutely, Ranmaru and his younger brothers perished defending Nobunaga.

Source: http://www.koei.com/SamuraiWarriors/character/character_pop10.htm

=============================
3. Unlocking Ranmaru Mori
=============================

In order to unlock Ranmaru Mori, complete Mitsuhide Akechi's Story Mode.

=====================
4. Ranmaru's Tale
=====================

-------------------------------------
- Defense of Inabayama Castle [F] -
-------------------------------------
|
-------------------------------
- The Battle of Ise [F] -
-------------------------------
|
--------------------------------
- Betrayal at Honnouji [F] -
--------------------------------
|
---------------------------------
- The Battle of Anegawa [F] -
---------------------------------
|
------------------------------------------
| |
------------------------------ ------------------------------------
- Gifu Infiltration* [C] - - Defense of Azuchi Castle [C] -
- (Upper Path) - - (Lower Path) -
------------------------------ ------------------------------------

F = Field C = Castle

* In order to access this stage, accomplish all missions given during The
Battle of Anegawa (rescue Nagahide Niwa, defeat Masamune Date, prevent the
enemy from breaking through, prevent Magoichi Saika from sniping Nobunaga,
defeat Ieyasu Tokugawa and defeat Mitsuhide Akechi).

===============================
5. Mission Completion Guide
===============================

5.1 Defense of Inabayama Castle [Field]

Mission #1: Inabayama
Description: Defeat the enemy advance force!
How to Trigger: Appears automatically, around 12 seconds into the stage.

Mission #2: Lumber
Description: Defeat the enemy unit by the storehouse!
How to Trigger: Appears automatically, when Koruku Hachisuka enters the
storehouse.

Mission #3: Resolution
Description: Take Sunomata Castle and silence its cannons!
How to Trigger: At sunrise Hideyoshi's castle appears and this mission is
given.

Mission #4: Prove Yourself
Description: Defeat all Oda officers!
How to Trigger: Accomplish Mission #3 and encounter Noh.

Mission #5: Hanbei's Revolt
Description: Prevent Hanbei Takenaka's revolt!
How to Trigger: Accomplish Missions #1, #2 and #3.

5.2 The Battle of Ise [Field]

Mission #1: Ready Fire Attack
Description: Eliminate the fortress defense troops!
How to Trigger: Appears automatically, around 12 seconds into the stage.

Mission #2: Ready Cannons
Description: Protect the Cannon unit until it can attack!
How to Trigger: Appears automatically, around 2 minutes into the stage.

Mission #3: Rekindling
Description: Protect and secure a path for the task force!
How to Trigger: Accomplish Mission #1.
Note: In this case, Hideyoshi advances towards the west.

Mission #4: Fire Ploy
Description: Protect and secure a path for the task force!
How to Trigger: Fail Mission #1.
Note: In this case, Hideyoshi advances towards the south.

Mission #5: Occupation
Description: Occupy all four enemy fortresses!
How to Trigger: Fail Mission #3 or Mission #4.

Mission #6: No Surrender
Description: Defeat the enemy commander!
How to Trigger: Accomplish Mission #3, #4 or #5.

Mission #7: Destroy and Create
Description: Obliterate the Ikko Army!
How to Trigger: Accomplish Mission #6.

5.3 Betrayal at Honnouji [Field]

Mission #1: Blockade
Description: Prevent the Akechi Army from entering Honnouji!
How to Trigger: Appears automatically, around 35 seconds into the stage.

Mission #2: Flames of Vengeance
Description: Thwart the Akechi Army's fire attack!
How to Trigger: Appears automatically, some time after Mission #1 is given.

Mission #3: Blood of the Viper
Description: Eliminate Noh!
How to Trigger: Appears automatically, when Nobunaga meets with Noh.

Mission #4: Blade of Judgement
Description: Eliminate Mitsuhide Akechi!
How to Trigger: Appears automatically, when Nobunaga exits his castle from
the west gate.

Mission #5: Trap
Description: Escape together with Noh!
How to Trigger: Allow Mission #1 and Mission #2 to fail, then meet with
Nobunaga.
How to Accomplish: When Nobunaga meets with Noh and she defects, this
mission is automatically accomplished, and Mission #3 is given.

Mission #6: Retribution
Description: Escape together with Oichi!
How to Trigger: Allow Mission #1 and Mission #2 to fail, then meet with
Nobunaga.
How to Accomplish: Oichi must reach the escape point.
Note: There is no access to the room Oichi starts in, unless Nobunaga comes
along.

5.4 The Battle of Anegawa [Field]

Mission #1: Regroup
Description: Restore cooperation with Nagahide Niwa!
How to Trigger: Appears automatically, around 14 seconds into the stage.

Mission #2: Masamune's Assault
Description: Rescue Shibata Army and eliminate Date Army!
How to Trigger: Appears automatically, or approach Tokugawa's main camp.

Mission #3: Protect the Middle
Description: Prevent the enemy from breaking through!
How to Trigger: Meet with Toshie Maeda.

Mission #4: Unseen Foe
Description: Prevent Magoichi's sniping attempt!
How to Trigger: Appears automatically, or approach Tokugawa's main camp.

Mission #5: Query
Description: Defeat Ieyasu Tokugawa's unit!
How to Trigger: Accomplish Mission #4, or approach Tokugawa's main camp.

Mission #6: Doubt
Description: Defeat Mitsuhide Akechi's unit!
How to Trigger: Accomplish Missions #1, #2, #3 and #4, and approach
Tokugawa's main camp.
Note: Accomplishment of this mission leads to the upper path of Ranmaru's
Tale: Gifu Infiltration.

Mission #7: Sorrow
Description: Defeat Mitsuhide Akechi's unit!
How to Trigger: Enter Tokugawa's main camp without accomplishing any of
the given missions, or after failing at least one out of Mission #1,
#2, #3 or #4; then encounter Tokugawa or Mitsuhide. After Tokugawa
retreats, this mission is given.
Note: Accomplishment of this mission leads to the lower path of Ranmaru's
Tale: Defense of Azuchi Castle.

5.5 Gifu Infiltration [Castle]

Mission #1: Enemy Ninjas
Description: Eliminate the enemy ninja unit!
How to Trigger: Enter the large square-shaped room around the middle area
of the map.
How to Accomplish: Quickly eliminate every single one of the ninjas. There
is a time limit to do so.

Mission #2: Dark Beast
Description: Eliminate Hanzo Hattori!
How to Trigger: Hanzo appears shortly after the ninja unit does, in the
same room.

Mission #3: Vendetta
Description: Eliminate Magoichi Saika!
How to Trigger: On Floor 2, Magoichi is guarding the stairs to Floor 3.
Encounter him there.

Mission #4: Obstacle
Description: Eliminate Kunoichi!
How to Trigger: Encounter Kunoichi on Floor 2.

Mission #5: Persistence
Description: Eliminate Kunoichi!
How to Trigger: Fail Mission #4 and encounter Kunoichi on Floor 3.

Mission #6: Wild One
Description: Eliminate Keiji Maeda!
How to Trigger: On Floor 3, Keiji is guarding the stairs to Floor 4.
Encounter him there.

Mission #7: Friend and Foe
Description: Eliminate Mitsuhide Akechi!
How to Trigger: Enter Floor 5.

5.6 Defense of Azuchi Castle [Castle]

Mission #1: Hate
Description: Eliminate the assassin on the second floor!
How to Trigger: Enter Floor 2.
How to Accomplish: Find Magoichi Saika and defeat him. He is in one of the
rooms on the east side.

Mission #2: Danger
Description: Eliminate the assassin on the third floor!
How to Trigger: Enter Floor 3.
How to Accomplish: Find Kunoichi and defeat her. She is in the room located
on the northeast corner of the map.

Mission #3: Null
Description: Eliminate the assassin on the fourth floor!
How to Trigger: Enter Floor 4.
How to Accomplish: Find Keiji Maeda and defeat him. He is in a room close
to the entrance to that floor.

Mission #4: Life
Description: Eliminate the assassin on the fifth floor!
How to Trigger: Enter Floor 5.
How to Accomplish: Find Hanzo Hattori and defeat him. He is in one of the
rooms near the exit to next floor.

Mission #5: Chaos
Description: Eliminate the assassins and protect Nobunaga!
How to Trigger: Fail any of the previous missions and enter Floor 6.
Note: Any assassins that were not previously defeated will be there.

==============
6. Endings
==============

6.1 Ending 1: "The Next Life"

Clear the upper path of Ranmaru's Tale (Gifu Infiltration).

6.2 Ending 2: "True Intent"

Clear the lower path of Ranmaru's Tale (Defense of Azuchi Castle).

==============
7. Weapons
==============

7.1 General List

1st Weapon - Nodachi
Number of Attacks: 4
Base Attack Power: 15
Description: A long, heavy katana.

2nd Weapon - Zamba
Number of Attacks: 6
Base Attack Power: 25
Description: A heavy katana said to be able to cut horses in
two.

3rd Weapon - Yukimitsu
Number of Attacks: 8
Base Attack Power: 32
Description: One of Ranmaru's prized swords, forged by the
great smith Yukimitsu.

4th Weapon - Tomonari
Number of Attacks: 8
Base Attack Power: 43
Description: A great katana given to Ranmaru by his lord,
Nobunaga.

5th Weapon - Kamudo
Number of Attacks: 8
Base Attack Power: 48
Element: Ice
Statistics: Defense: +40
Ranged Defense: +48
Speed: +40
Musou Charge: +25
Description: A legendary katana said to cleave the earth and
raise mountains.

7.2 Kamudo: Ranmaru's Fifth Weapon

Stage: Betrayal at Honnouji
Difficulty: Hard
Requirements: Prevent the Akechi Army from entering Honnouji (Mission #1) and
thwart Mitsuide Akechi's fire attack unit (Mission #2).
Note: Ranmaru's Story Mode must have been completed at least once before
attempting to obtain this weapon. Otherwise the supply unit will not
appear, even if all other necessary conditions are met.

The procedure is quite simple, at least in theory. Hence, a step-by-step guide
seems unnecesary. Instead, I have provided the strategy I used when I obtained
this weapon, as well as some general recommendations that should make things a
little less complicated. Let us begin.

Phase #1: The south gate and the fire attack unit

To defend the south gate alone should not be much of a challenge, even on hard
difficulty. The major problem comes when the fire attack unit appears into the
scene, as leaving the south gate in order to eliminate this unit will probably
lead to failure to accomplish the first mission. What to do? Simple. First of
all, DO NOT FIGHT RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE SOUTH GATE. Instead, pull the enemy
units towards the east, to around a middle point between the south gate and the
wall, and fight there. The beauty of this trick is that the enemies are much
more interested in killing Ranmaru than in crossing the gate, and so they will
follow rather easily. Second, keep an eye on the location of the fire attack
unit, and when it comes near to being right to the east from you go to meet it,
quickly kill the Spy Leader and run back to the fighting spot. It is all right
to move at this point. Once the many generals, their officers and other various
units that come along are defeated and the message that says that the Akechi
Army was successfully repelled, the Supply Captain will appear right at the
south gate (very hard to miss); kill him for the weapon.

Phase #2: Nobunaga must escape

This is not as difficult as it seems. The one advantage of having to repel so
many enemies at the south gate is that Ranmaru is able to score many kills, and
that obviously helps morale. For this reason, let Nobunaga fight on his own for
a while and dedicate yourself to circle around the castle killing Reserve
Captains. The access to some of these gates will be impossible at this moment,
but do eliminate as many as you can. Once the enemy entry points have been
taken care of, go to Nobunaga and defeat Noh and at least some of the enemy
soldiers around the area. After this, go to Mitsuhide's location and eliminate
him; if access is still not possible keep fighting alongside Nobunaga until he
exits through the west gate and then charge into Mitsuhide and the Reserve
Captain behind him. If there are enemy entry points that have not yet been
closed, this is the time to close them. To kill some of the enemy units on the
way does not hurt, but do not spend too much time at it. Nobunaga should reach
the escape point soon and the stage will be cleared. By this strategy I managed
to have Nobunaga retreat with a little more than 10 minutes left on the timer.

Recommendations:

+ Equip Matsukaze Saddle, both for speed and for Matsukaze's trampling power.
+ Obtain a level 4 weapon and some high leveled items before attempting this.
Mitsuhide Akechi's Betrayal at Honnouji stage is perfect for farming high
leveled items in Chaos difficulty, since it is not necessary to defeat any
enemies in order to clear it.
+ It may be wise to consider resetting Ranmaru's statistics before trying to
obtain his fifth weapon. It makes things much easier.
+ If Ranmaru's statistics are reset, equip him with a Solar Gem (Life Bonus),
as well the usual attack and defense items (it is strongly recommended that
all these items are high-leveled) and the saddle, plus a Vixen Tail if you
have one. I recommend that you avoid equipping the Moon Stone (Musou Bonus),
because in this case it is important to be able to use Ranmaru's musou as
often as possible.
+ Use the mid-game Save function. One never knows what could happen.

==============
8. Attacks
==============

Coming soon.

=================
9. Statistics
=================

==================================================
| Statistic | Base | Maximum |
==================================================
| Attack | 52 | 158 |
| Defense | 54 | 180 |
|------------------------------------------------|
| Ranged Attack | 60 | 190 |
| Ranged Defense | 64 | 188 |
|------------------------------------------------|
| Horse Attack | 52 | 150 |
| Horse Defense | 64 | 188 |
|------------------------------------------------|
| Speed | 125 | 190 |
| Jump | 155 | 185 |
| Agility | 160 | 190 |
==================================================

==============
10. Skills
==============

This is the map of Ranmaru's's skills. In order to match the way they are
listed in the game, skills are separated in their four categories: Might,
Prowess, Guard and Element. While most skills have three levels of mastery
-with an increase in their training cost per level, of course- those marked as
Rare (*) must be trained only once. Requirements and initial training cost are
listed below each skill, and for skills located to the right of another and
connected to it by a line, at least one level of expertise in the first skill
is an additional requirement.

Example:

= Rage = ----> = Guts* =
Life: 144 Life: 155
Atk: 90 Atk: 150
S.P.: 250 S.P. 1000

In this case, Rage is a common skill with requirements of 144 life and 90
attack, and an initial training cost of 250 skill points; Guts, on the other
hand, is a Rare skill with requirements of 155 life and 150 attack, and a
unique training cost of 1000 skill points. This is not all, however: since Guts
is located to the right of Rage and the two of them are connected by a line,
if Ranmaru were to be trained in Guts he would first need at least one level of
expertise in Rage. This being said, let us proceed.

10.1 Might

Skills of Power. They have Life and Attack requirements.

= Rage = ----> = Guts* =
Life: 144 Life: 155
Atk: 90 Atk: 150
S.P.: 250 S.P. 1000

= Vigor = ----> = Pressure = ----> = Resist* =
Life: 142 Life: 149 Life: 155
Atk: 75 Atk: 120 Atk: 150
S.P.: 100 S.P.: 150 S.P. 1000

= Vitality = ----> = Precision* =
Life: 146 Life: 155
Atk: 105 Atk: 150
S.P.: 150 S.P. 1000

= Reach = ----> = Frenzy =
Life: 140 Life: 152
Atk: 60 Atk: 135
S.P.: 150 S.P.: 150

10.2 Prowess

Skills of Balance. They have Musou and Defense requirements.

= Potence = ----> = Mastery* =
Musou: 158 Musou: 175
Def: 75 Def: 160
S.P.: 250 S.P.: 1000

= Rally = ----> = Parry* =
Musou: 164 Musou: 175
Def: 105 Def: 160
S.P.: 100 S.P.: 1000

= Cavalier = ----> = Pierce* =
Musou: 167 Musou: 175
Def: 125 Def: 160
S.P.: 100 S.P.: 1000

= Acclaim = ----> = Drive =
Musou: 132 Musou: 142
Def: 95 Def: 165
S.P.: 100 S.P.: 250

10.3 Guard

Skills of Speed. They have Musou and Speed requirements.

= Discern = ----> = Block* =
Musou: 161 Musou: 175
Speed: 140 Speed: 180
S.P.: 250 S.P.: 1000

= Counter = ----> = Grace* =
Musou: 167 Musou: 175
Speed: 160 Speed: 180
S.P.: 300 S.P.: 1000

= Fitness = ----> = Fortitude = ----> = Resilience* =
Musou: 155 Musou: 171 Musou: 175
Speed: 120 Speed: 170 Speed: 180
S.P.: 150 S.P.: 150 S.P.: 1000

= Focus = ----> = Celerity =
Musou: 158 Musou: 164
Speed: 130 Speed: 150
S.P.: 150 S.P.: 150

10.4 Element

Skills of Everyone. They have no requirements, and it costs a total of 900
skill points to train them to level 3. Because elemental skills are the same
for all characters and can always be viewed on the skills training screen, I
have not included a list of them in this guide.

==============
11. Thanks
==============

+ To KOEI, for creating Samurai Warriors.
+ To the real Ranmaru Mori, for inspiring the creation of one of my favorite
Samurai Warriors.
+ To my Oath brother Keiji Maeda, for helping me find the alternate path to
Contributor Central, among other things...
+ To EChang, for creating the guides I used as reference for obtaining
Ranmaru's fifth weapon, as well as the lower path of his Story Mode.
+ To TheLeftWings, for creating the guide I used as reference for unlocking
some of the missions from The Battle of Ise and Mission #7 from The Battle
of Anegawa, as well as some minor corrections to the method to unlock other
missions from the same stage.
+ To GameFAQs, Kongming's Archives and Neoseeker, for publishing my work.

=========================================
12. Copyright and Contact Information
=========================================

Copyright 2004 Sima Zhongda.

This document 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.

The following websites have been authorized to publish this guide:
* GameFAQs (http://www.gamefaqs.com)
* Kongming's Archives (http://www.kongming.net)
* Neoseeker (http://www.neoseeker.com)

For questions, corrections, etc., e-mail me at [email protected]. I will
give proper credit to the author(s) of any contributions I decide to post as
part of this guide.