Jade Empire - Style Guide

By Link_6512 a.k.a LinkOmega

Copyright 2005 Stephen Spotswood

ESRB Rating: M

==============================
Table of Contents
==============================
1. Version Histroy

2. Introduction

3. Styles

  3a. Martial Styles
  3b. Magic Styles
  3c. Weapon Styles
  3d. Transformation Styles
  3e. Support Styles

4. Legal Stuff
===============================

===================
1. Version Histroy
===================

05/21/05: Version 0.5: started the guide, and i figure that i might only have
to do 1 update

??/??/05: Version 1.0: final version, coming some time this year, i'll add the
game description and harmonic combos as well as the rest of the support styles,
i gotta get them again

================
2. Introduction
================

Alright, this is Link_6512 and just so you know, this is my first guide. Thats
why I started off simple with a style guide for my favorite RPG, Jade Empire.
Unfortunatly, I will not be covering anything from the limited edition, i
didn't get to preorder it. But if anyone could email me any info I can add the
content In the update. I don't have much to say in the introduction, so i guess
we should just move forward. Oh, if you have any questions or comments or if i
missed anything (for one, i don't konw if you gain any styles by going though
the Inquisitor instead of the Exicutioner, but you can do both anyway so you
might as well) then email me at [email protected]. Thank you.

P.S. You supposably gain a style by going through the arena with a flawless
victory (means you haven't lost a match) and after the gold division fight,
Sweet Poisen Lynn should teach you some style. Thing is, i never got it. I did
get Flawless victory, but i think i know why i didn't get it. It may be because
of the fight against The Serpent. If you let The Black Whirlwind fight him you
get the double axes but not a style from Lynn. You may have to fight the
Serpent yourself in order to get it. Please email me to let me know.

===========
3. Styles
===========

To become a master, one must master all. In order to master all, one must
learn. Ok, enough with the lesson, the best part about Jade Empire has to be
the combat. Of course, you gotta have multiple ways to fight, so enter the
different styles of Jade Empire. I won't be explaining the upgrades, but just
remember that the upgrades just make the styles faster and more powerful. So
you can still compare the fully upgraded styles to eachother. And when in Chi
Strike or Focus mode, they all use up the same amount. a But first, i gotta
explain the layout. Oh, and I will not be adding the in game descriptions till
the update, i gotta beat the game on Open Palm again, I deleted my data from
the first time, sorry.

--------------
Style name (if its a weapon style it will inculde what type of weapon it is,
like a Long Sword)
--------------

-----------------------
Stats

Strength: any where from 1-5 or none (support style only)
Speed: any where from 1-5
Chi cost: anywhere from 1-5 or none
Focus cost: anywhere form 1-5 or none
(of course 1 is the lowest and 5 is the highest)
-----------------------

Effect: support and magic and some transformation styles only, like Heavenly
Waves slow effect

How to obtain style: its self explanitory, although it depends on what style
you start with. For example, if you start with Legendary Strike, you can learn
White Demon from one character in the game, but if you start with Thousand
Cuts, there will be someone else who teaches White Demon.

Preferred Character type: means its good for a certian type of character, like
strong.

My Thoughts: My thoughts on the style.
------------------------

That explains the layout, now let us begin.

==================
3a. Martial Styles
==================
EVERYBODY WAS KUNG-FU FIGHTING!!!!!!!! Martial styles are the very base of the
game. They are the styles you will use the most. While martial styles are the
only way to defeat ghosts, some creatures are immune to it. Such as the Mother,
as well as golems, so watch out.

------------------
Legendary Strike
------------------

---------------
Stats

Strength: 3
Speed: 3
Chi cost: none
Focus cost: none
---------------

Effect: none

How to obtain style: Either select it at the beginning of the game, or learn it
from the trainer in the Assassin golem factory, or Zin Bu.

Preferred Character type: Balanced, they start with it if you don't customize
anyway

My Thoughts: This is my favorite martial style, why? Its the balanced style,
thats why! Its got good strength and good speed, making it the choice for
beginners. And besides, the name is just awsome.

------------------
Leaping Tiger
------------------

--------------
Stats

Strength: 2
Speed: 4
Chi cost: none
Focus cost: none
--------------

Effect: none

How to obtain style: Either select it at the beginning of the game, or learn it
from the trainer in the Assassin golem factory, or Zin Bu.

Preferred Character type: Magic, why i do not know, but if you don't do
customize then they start with it anyway

My Thoughts: I can see why its good for Magic characters, low strength yet a
good amount of speed. This is my least favortie martial style, its just not
powerful enough. Sure, its good but Magic players tend to be Intermediate so
you sacrific strength for chi and speed. And its the only martial style that
makes things show up on your hands, claws come out of your characters hands.

----------------
White Demon
----------------

-------------
Stats

Strength: 5
Speed: 1
Chi cost: none
Focus cost: none
-------------

Effect: none

How to obtain style: Either select it at the beginning of the game, or learn it
from the trainer in the Assassin golem factory, or Zin Bu.

Preferred Character type: Strong, go figure, if you don't customize then Tiger
Shen (being the only strong character, even for the limited edition) will start
with it anyway

My Thoughts: Sacrific all sense of speed for unbelievable strength. So its
Perfect for Tiger Shen but for everyone else except balanced its not as
effective.

----------------
Thousand Cuts
----------------

-------------
Stats

Strength: 1
Speed: 5
Chi cost: none
Focus cost: none
-------------

Effect: none

How to obtain style: Either select it at the beginning of the game, or learn it
from the trainer in the Assassin golem factory, or Zin Bu.

Preferred Character type: Speed, its perfect for anyone who wants to attack
unrelentlesslly, regardless of strength

My Thoughts: Sacrific all sense of strength for unbelievable speed. This is the
only style that lands 6 blows instead of 3.


----------------
Drunken Master
----------------

--------------
Stats

Strenght:4
Speed: 3
Chi cost: none
Focus cost: none
--------------

Effect: none

How to obtain style: Once Henpecked Hou joins your party, his special ability
is to throw wine bottles that you pick up to enable Drunken Master. There is a
time limit however.

Preferred Character type: All, there is no certain type that would be
preferrable for Drunken Master.

My Thoughts: While you might think that Drunken Master is the uber martial
style, it isn't. First, its the time limit, since you don't have forever to use
it, you might as well not. Second, its not the fastest, nor the strongest, nor
even a good balanced. I think it was just put in for more humor, just like Hou.


================
3b. Magic Styles
================
MY HANDS ARE ON FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Magic is just about in every game. But every
game doesn't do it like Jade Empire.I mean sure, in other games you learn
spells that cast fire, then you get a stronger version of the spell, and so on.
But in Jade Empire, you kinda get 3 different spells in one, with the ability
to make it stronger when ever you have ability points. Of course, the 3 spells
I speak of are a regular single attack, the power attack, and the area attack,
each have different effects, looks, and strenght so use them all. Unfortunatly
there are only 4 magic styles. Even worse is the fact that you can only learn 3
of them.

----------------
Dire Flame
----------------

--------------
Stats

Strenght: 3
Speed: 3 (for all magic styles, the speed is the same, so its all 3)
Chi cost: 3
Focus cost: none
--------------

Effect: Immolated

How to obtain style: Either choose it over Ice Shard when you recieve the
amulet, or learn it from the trainer in the Assassin golem factory, or Zin Bu.

Preffered Character type: Balanced and Magic

My Thoughts: This is probably the style that everyone will chose when the time
comes. I mean come on, its fire. Its not my favorite, but it is great.

-----------------
Ice Shard
-----------------

---------------
Stats

Strenght: 2
Speed: 3
Chi cost: 2
Focus cost: none
---------------

Effect: Frozen

How to obtain style: Either choose it over Dire Flame when you recieve the
amulet, or learn it from the trainer in the Assassin golem factory, or Zin Bu

Preffered Character type: Magic

My Thoughts: I prefer Ice Shard over Dire Flame, even though its not my
favorite, because of the effect. While it might not last as long as Dire
Flames, its does allow you to get those extra hits in, think about it.

----------------
Stone Immortal
----------------

--------------
Stats

Strenght: 5
Speed: 3
Chi cost: 5
Focus cost: none
--------------

Effect: Petrified

How to obtain style: When you reach Tiens Landing, you will meet to people
supposably playing a game. They tell you that they can teach you 2 styles, on
one condition. You must either be following Open Palm, or Closed Fist. For
Stone Immortal, you must be at least more then half way up the Open Palm path,
then talk to the female of the 2. She will fight you and once you win you get
Stone Immortal. This is the only way to get it.

Preffered Character type: Strong and Magic

My Thoughts: While this is the strongest magic style, it isn't the best. The
strange thing is though that you would expect to learn it if you were Closed
Fist, since its the strongest.

----------------
Tempest
----------------

--------------
Stats

Strength: 4
Speed: 4 (tempest is the fastest magic style, but by just a hair, which made it
a 4 instead of a 3, mostly because of the area attack)
Chi cost: 4
Focus cost: none
---------------

Effect: Disoriented

How to obtain style: When you reach Tiens Landing, you will meet to people
supposably playing a game. They tell you that they can teach you 2 styles, on
one condition. You must either be following Open Palm, or Closed Fist. For
Tempest, you must be at least more then half way down the path Closed Fist
path, then talk to the male of the 2. He will fight you and once you win you
get Tempest. This is the only way to get it.

Preffered Character type: Speed and Magic

My Thoughts: Now this is the best magic style. The effect lasts a good while,
and its the fastest. But the big thing about it is the area attack. It will
disorient anyone in the area and its practicly instant. The only bad this is
that its Closed Fist only.


===================
3c. Weapon Styles
===================
Now heres where the fun begins. There are more weapon styles then anyother in
the game and they are all cool. And of course you had to think there has to at
least one uber style in the game, and it belongs to the weapons. Of course I am
a weapons man so thats why I like them so much, but weapons are one important
part of the game, you can't defeat golems without them.

-------------------
Fortunes Favorite: Long Sword
-------------------

-----------------
Stats

Strength: 3
Speed: 3
Chi cost: none
Focus cost: 3
-----------------

Effect: none

How to obtain style: Choose it over Golden Star when you talk to Weapon Master
Goujin.

Preffered Character type: All

My Thoughts: While its not really for a certian type, it is the most balanced
weapon.

------------------
Golden Star: Staff
------------------

----------------
Stats

Strength: 2
Speed: 3
Chi cost: none
Focus cost: 2
----------------

Effect: none

How to obtain style: Choose it over Fortunes Favorite when you talk to Weapon
Master Goujin.

Preffered Character type: Magic, i mean come on, its weak, its not very fast,
its perfect for a magic player.

My Thoughts: This has got to be the worst weapon in the game. I really don't
have anything to say except don't get it!

------------------
Dragon Sword: Long Sword
------------------

----------------
Stats

Strength: 4, 5% increase over Fortunes Favorite
Speed: 3
Chi Cost: none
Focus cost: 3
----------------

Effect: none

How to obtain style: When you get to the Imperial City, go to the Blacksmiths
shop near the school. You can buy it there.

Preffered Character type: All

My Thoughts: This is my favorite weapon, mostly because its a sword and it
looks cool, but it is one awsome weapon.

------------------
Flawless: Staff
------------------

----------------
Stats

Strength: 3, 5% increase over Golden Star
Speed: 3
Chi cost: none
Focus cost: 3
----------------

Effect: none

How to obtain style: Same as the Dragon Sword.

Preffered Character type: Magic

My Thoughts: Hardly an improvment over Golden Star. If you got the silver and
you want every style you can get your hands on then go ahead.

-----------------
Crimson Tears: Double Swords
-----------------

---------------
Stats

Strength: 4
Speed: 4
Chi cost: none
Focus cost: 4
---------------

Effect: none

How to obtain style: When fighting in the arena, when you get to the Silver
final fight, Lucky Chu will come to you with Sweet Poisen Lynn. They try to get
you into poisening Crimson Khanna. Decline their offer then Tell Khanna about
what they were going to do. After the fight she will teach you Crimson Tears.

Preffered Character type: All

My Thoughts: This is one great weapon, period. Though you do have to be
following the Open Palm to get it.


-----------------
Tang's Vengenance: Double Axes
-----------------

---------------
Stats

Strength: 5
Speed: 3
Chi cost: none
Focus cost: 4
---------------

Effect: none

How to obtain style: Fight thourgh the arena until you get to the gold final
fight. Fight The Ravager and afterwards allow the Black Whirlwind to fight The
Serpent. Im not entirly sure you have to let the Black Whirlwind fight the
Serpent, but you might as well let him.

Preffered Character type: Strong, speed and magic characters using this look
rather silly

My Thoughts: The fact that this weapon is pretty powerful as well as fast makes
it an excilent choice.

------------------
Mirabelle: Rifle
------------------

----------------
Stats

Strength: 5
Speed: 1
Chi cost: none
Focus cost: 5
----------------

Effect: none

How to obtain style: Once you reach the Imperial City, go to the Golden way.
There will be a man that will be spewing insoltes at people. His teacher will
eventually go up to you and tell you whats going on. Then go to Scholars Garden
and deal with the outlander. Once you win the debait (im not sure if you do,
maybe just the fight) and the fight, ask him for somthing useful, like his
weapon. He will give you Mirabelle.

Preffered Character type: Strong

My Thoughts: This is the uber style of the game. Its is extremly slow however,
though it is stronger then Tang's Vengenance. Its not hard to get so you might
as well, though you should upgrade the speed whenever you can, it'll still be
really slow though.


=====================
3d. Transformation Styles
=====================

OMG! ITS GODZILLA!!!!... or something like him. Transformation styles are for
when you need power and you need it now. Each one has a different effect and
some are immune to certain styles. So basicly, choose the right one and your
invinsible. Also, Bioware said that creatures would drop their soul and you use
that and that i could happen at anytime but its really only at certain points
that you get them, and it has been tested. I also think theres only 4 so
correct me if im wrong.

-----------------
Toad Demon
-----------------

---------------
Stats

Strength: 3
Speed: 2
Chi cost: 3
Focus cost: none
---------------

Effect: Poisoned

How to obtain style: When rescuing Dawn Star, when in the cave fight every Toad
Demon and you will get it.

Preffered Character type: all

My Thoughts: This is the average of the style, its not much but o well.

-----------------
Horse Demon
-----------------

---------------
Stats

Strength: 2
Speed: 3
Chi cost: 2
Focus cost: none
---------------

Effect: Immolated

How to obtain style: Once you get to the first heaven (the one with all the fox
guys) defeat all the Horse Demons to get it.

Preffered Character type: all

My Thoughts: Not much over Toad Demon, but it is somewhat faster.

------------------
Jade Golem
------------------

----------------
Stats

Strength: 5
Speed: 1
Chi cost: 5
Focus cost: none
----------------

Effect: Disoriented

How to obtain style: When in the Assassin golem factory, after you complete
your jobs and enter thourgh the door to make a Jade Golem, you will have to
fight 2 of them. Afterwards, you get the style.

Preffered Character type: all

My Thoughts: This is the best Transformation. Its immune to all styles (except
one, i think its weapon), and its super powerful. The only problem is that the
chi cost is extremly high.


=====================
3e. Support Styles
=====================

I'll steal your soul! Support styles are rather usefull, regardless of the fact
that they do no damage unless in Chi Strike mode. And the great part is that
they don't use Chi or Focus! Now that is awesome.

------------------
Heavenly Wave
------------------

----------------
Stats

Strength: none
Speed: 3
Chi cost: none
Focus cost: none
----------------

Effect: Slowed

How to obtain style: You start with it.

Preffered Character type: all

My Thoughts: This is the average support style, its pretty usefull, but once
you get Paralyzing Palm you'll completly forget about Heavenly Wave.


------------------------------
The rest of the support styles are coming soon, sorry.
------------------------------

======================
4. Legal Stuff
======================

Jade Empire Copyright Bioware

This Guide Copyright Me, Link_6512

Thanks to Bioware for making this awesome game

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