Castlevania: Lament of Innocence Version 1.2
Castlevania: LoI Boss FAQ
Written by: Peter McEntee a.k.a. thetimetraveler
Email:
[email protected]
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Table of contents
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I. Introduction
II. Version updates
III. Brief synopsis
IV. Play control/General tips
V. Boss- Golden Warrior
VI. Boss-Parasitic worm
VII. Boss-Golem
VIII. Boss-Medusa
IX. Boss-Joachim
X. Boss-Succubus
XI. Boss-Doppelganger
XII. Boss-Walter
XIII. Boss-Death
XIV. Boss-Flame Elemental
XV. Boss-Ice Elemental
XVI. Boss-Thunder Elemental
XVII. Boss-The Forgotten One
XVIII. Credits
XIX. Legal stuff
I. Introduction
Hello and welcome to my first FAQ. Please bear with me as I explain the tough
points behind each boss. My apologies that this FAQ is not finished but it will in
time. I will also be conducting this walkthrough using the equipment, relics and
sub-weapons that I used. By using this FAQ you may not only be able to beat these
guys but look great doing it! So let's get started!!!
II. Version updates
-Version 1.0- FAQ post.
-Version 1.1- Cleaned up some errors and added addition Boss info.
-Version 1.2- Added Elementals and The Forgotten One bosses.
III. Brief Synopsis
For those who don't know, Castlevania is a long running series that has been
around since the NES days of old. The story goes as follows: throughout the
previous millennium (and even once in 21st century) the clan of vampire hunters
known as the Belmonts has been charged with fighting and defeating Count Vlad
Dracula every one hundred years. No one knew how or why this curse befell this
clan, until now that is. Castlevania: Lament of Innocent takes place in the 11th
century when the first of the Belmonts, Leon, sets out to find his betrothed
inside a dark castle. His story explains the curse and how the battle between good
and evil began...
IV. Play control/General Tips
The basic controls:
Left analog stick- Move around the area Right analog stick- opens the action
window (Items, Equipment etc.)
X button-Jump, Double jump (in air)
O button-Sub-weapon attack (the sub-weapons are: knife, axe, holy water, cross and
crystal)
Square button- Weak whip attack (Fast but weak)
Triangle button- Strong whip attack (Powerful but less recovery time)
R1 and R2 buttons- Guard (Very important!!)
L1 button- Orb window
L2 button- Relic window
Start button- Start menu
Select menu- Map
Tips:
-Take full advantage of Leon's combo attacks. Experiment with different attacks
and even sub-weapons to create good combos. (Note: you can only do simple combos
in the beginning but as you gain more abilities you can do more)
Here's a favorite of mine from later in the game as an example:
Weak, Weak, Weak, Strong, Weak and Red Orb/Holy Water.
-Guard often, but not too often. Guarding is very important in boss battles. It
could save your neck in the end. Remember not to just hold down the Guard button
for if you block too many hits in tandem you will falter leaving you open for a
second or two.
-The quick step ability is you friend so use it! One of the coolest abilities in
the game, the quick step is invaluable. Using it not only avoids an attack with
ease, but you create a very nice opening for a counter attack as well. (Note: the
quick step ability is not available right off the bat so you need to train until
you get it.)
-Heal often and always carry a sacrificial doll in your accessory slot. Try to max
out on potions and other healing items before heading into a boss battle. Also
carry a sacrificial doll with you (when equipped, if your HP reaches 0, the doll
is destroyed and you are left with about half your max HP. This item can be bought
at Rinaldo's shop for 2,000 gold). In a battle if the doll is destroyed try to
find a safe spot to open your action window and equip another accessory to help
you out.
V. On to the first battle! Lone Armor!
Golden Knight HP: 60
Description- Guardian of the last chamber of the tutorial rooms. Only special
attacks are effective.
Strategy: Not much of a fight, just a battle to test your newfound skills. Guard
when he attacks and just pound away at him with different whip combos. Not much to
him really....
VI. Next, a parasitic infestation....
Undead Parasite HP: 1,200
Description- Giant worm that guards the Blue Orb at the end of the House of Sacred
Remains.
Strategy: For your first real boss battle you are basically playing a game of
whack a mole except replace the word "whack" with "whip" and "mole" with
"throbbing core". The arena consists of five holes on the ground and some on the
walls. The worm's head will consistently travel from wall hole to wall hole trying
to ram you. Your job is to find the core (maybe tail?) that pops up from one of
the holes in the ground and pound it. Remember
that this is the target, not the head for the head doesn't take damage! The worm
will summon minions called soulless to attack you but they go down pretty quickly
or you can avoid them all together. On occasion the head will breath fire on you
so be careful when it comes out of the hole. Just keep focusing on the core/tail
and victory is yours.
Treasure: Blue Orb and warp to Rinaldo's shop
VII. 3rd battle! Rise and emeth rocky!
Golem HP: 1,500
Description- Earth monster that guards the Red Orb at the end of the Anti-Soul
Mysteries Lab.
Strategy: You will first need the "e" stone to complete the inscription in the
stone to fight the golem. Find the stone in the Garden area and place it in the
hole in the golem's arena. The golem will pull himself together and begin the
fight. He attacks you with punches that go right through your guard so don't
bother unless you want to get hurt. Dodge often and hit him from behind if you can.
When he's in front of you jump up and hit his head so the low punches don't get
you. Use your shiny new Orb with your sub-weapons to take him out. When he finally
falls to you.......he gets back up. Yeah, he has a second bar of health and now
he's pissed! The battle escalates as he now can fire his hand like a spring loaded
rocket at you to deal serious damage. He also cannot be hurt anywhere except the
red circle on his head which is now exposed. You will see him prepare to shoot his
hand at you when he holds it. Take this time to prepare to dodge. After he fires,
dodge as quickly as you can. He now tries to recoil it back to his arm, slowly.
While he's doing this run up, jump and smack that circle! Follow this pattern
until he's gone for good.
Treasure: Red Orb and warp to Rinaldo's shop
VIII. Number 4! You will make a fine statue.....Hsssssss
Medusa HP: 2,000
Description- Legendary snake monster that guards the Green Orb at the end of
Garden, Forgotten by Time.
Strategy- A brief cut scene preludes the battle with Medusa. Leon sees the statues
of men that fought and failed to kill the legendary monster. Medusa and Leon have
a little chat and then begin to fight. One dangerous power Medusa possesses is the
power to turn things to stone so be extra careful here. Medusa has a variety of
attacks that could really ruin your day. First and most frequent are her snakes on
her head. They will snap at you so respond by either jumping or guarding. After
you hit her a bunch of times with your whip she will bleed and drop damaging blood
on the floor as she moves away so be sure to avoid those. Next is her stone stare
which will, you guessed it, turn you to stone. Don't jump for you probably will
land in the path of the gaze. Instead, dodge and attack while she's still gazing.
Should you be turned to stone quickly rotate your left analog stick and push your
four primary buttons to de-stone yourself. After you are frozen stiff, Medusa will
curl into a ball and roll around the arena trying to hit you. If you use your
controller like crazy then you will break out and her attack won't hit you. Use
different whip combos and sub-weapon attacks. I used the Red Orb/Holy Water combo
a lot but other combinations work well too. After you get her down to her yellow
life bar she will use two new attacks. She will float high up in the air and
release a river of snakes at you. Guard once or twice or roll out of their path.
Also added is an attack where Medusa will levitate petrified stones that circle
her and then are thrown at you. Guard and dodge left or right until they are all
gone. Just follow her pattern of attack carefully, heal often and keep whipping
away. After you defeat her, Medusa will utter something about the whip not being
complete yet and then turn to stone herself.
Treasure: Green Orb and warp to Rinaldo's shop
IX. Battle 5! Phenomenal Vampire powers....Itty bitty living space...
Joachim HP: 1,500
Description- Vampire that guards the Purple Orb in the Dark Palace of the
Waterfalls.
Strategy: Before you can fight Joachim, you have to activate the two switches in
the dungeon: one to extend the bridge and the other to stop the water flow. When
Leon steps inside he'll meet Joachim. Joachim mentions a powerful relic known as
the Ebony Stone and tells Leon that if he defeats him in battle, he will tell him
what it does. So, of course, the fight begins. You will notice that Joachim seems
immune to your whip at first but run to any corner of the (small) room and you
will see a floating blue sphere. These things have to be taken out first before
you can hurt Joachim. He will attack you with the swords rotating around him both
as a projectile and from underground. Simply run away from them and go for the
spheres. On occasion a jet of flames will erupt from the ground to protect the
sphere so watch out. The spheres only stand about two hits each. After taking all
three out your ready for Joachim. Mix a good amount of offensive and defensive
attacks for this battle. He will eventually regenerate the spheres and continue to
attack so repeat the process. After beating him, the truth behind the Ebony stone
will be revealed and another stone, the Crimson stone will be mentioned. Joachim
dies before explaining though so take the warp back to Rinaldo's (P.S.-be sure to
examine this cut-scene closely at the end...).
Treasure: Purple Orb and warp to Rinaldo's shop
X. Numero 6! Sexy and Deadly!
Succubus HP: 1,000
Description- Evil temptress who guards the Yellow Orb at the end of the Ghostly
Theater area.
Strategy: Before you can enter the Succubus' lair you must find the bell item in
the area first. Once you have it, stand in front of the stage and ring it 3 times.
A cut-scene will now emerge with Leon looking towards the stage to see Sara
standing there. He runs to her and tells her to follow him out. She suddenly
attacks with his back turned and he evades. Sara turns into the form of the
Succubus and Leon says he knew it was too easy. After a brief exchange, the fight
begins. The Succubus' speed is much better then your own so as she dashes you need
to stay one step ahead by whipping where she is headed next. She will try to get
close enough to kiss you which proves deadly for Leon so keep you distance. She
also shoots a stream of....stuff at you so guard against that. She will summon
plants to rise from the ground to harm you as well as vines that travel along the
floor to hit you. Dodge or jump around these. In terms of damaging her, well timed
combos are your best bet. Attacking in the air works too so your not being hit by
those vines. Heal often and whip away until she's down. After the battle she will
mention Rinaldo and his daughter right before she dies. Take the Yellow Orb and
warp to head back and hear the whole story.
XI. Battle 7! Copycat, Copycat!
Doppelganger HP: 1,500
Description- Dark impersonation of Leon who guards the top floor in the main
castle area.
Strategy: This battle shouldn't be too tough. For one thing, you now have the
legendary Vampire Killer at your side and your clone doesn't. Also, since he is
the dark you and uses the same sub-weapon attacks you do, you know how to get
around them by now. Make him feel the pain of the whip by smashing him up with
combos. He won't be a problem, just an inconvenience.
Treasure: None
XII. Battle 8! The King of the Castle!
Walter HP: 1,500
Description- Dark Lord of the Night who started this whole mess.
Strategy: Well you made it to the top floor, now let's kill this guy already! A
cut-scene emerges with Walter congratulating Leon on making up alive. After some
chit-chat, the fight starts. You run up to him and whack him with the whip.
Another cut-scene. They go on about how the whip actually affects him (a previous
cut scene explains why anything else wouldn't). So now we go back into the battle
again. If you've ever played any of the previous Castlevanias, you may recognize
Walter's attacks. He fires either one or three red fireballs around him which
explode after a short time. Just stay away from him to avoid these. He also
teleports often to different places but the camera will keep up with him so just
follow suit. Good whip combos work wonders and be sure to use all your hearts up!
(I'll explain why later) He has one super attack you should be careful of though.
He charges up a great amount of energy that converts into a giant ball. It will
hit the ground and create a massive fire shockwave. Though it looks and sounds
threatening a simple guard prevents any damage. The reason its dangerous though is
that if it connects it does a LOT of damage. Slay the vampire and victory is
yours...
Or is it....
Cut-scene. I won't say what happens, just that you got one more boss before you
complete this epic journey.
XIII. Final battle. Logically, can you really "kill" this guy.....?
Death HP: 4,444
Description- Lord of the dead and the underworld
Strategy: You look death straight in the face....and laugh. Well not laugh but you
have to beat him anyway. Death transports you to a circular arena surrounded by
the flames of Hell. He is always on the border of the arena and summons all his
attacks from there as well. One important thing about Death is that Sub-weapons
don't affect him (hope all your hearts were used on Walter...) so all your attacks
should be whip-based. He starts off with 2 basic attacks. First he uses his
infamous sickle against you. He either winds it up and throws it or does a simple
slash. Dodge the throwing sickle and just back up from the slash. His second
attack consists of summoning flaming skulls to suicide bomb Leon. While he's
summoning whack him. When the skulls come at you, start dodging left and right as
they come toward you. As they get close they start to turn red, this signals the
self-destruct so keep moving. Death will teleport to another part of the border
after every successful combo attack so keep up with him. After he goes down to the
yellow health bar, he adds another attack to the mix. He sends bolts of fire down
onto the arena and they radiate outward. Run to avoid the first strike and jump
over the shock wave. He may do this twice in a row so stay on your toes here. Heal
and attack, attack, attack. Eventually he'll fall.
Congratulations! You beat Castlevania: Lament of Innocence for the PS2. Yay!
And now the extras you may have missed....
XIV. Extra Boss battle #1: The Fires of Hell manifested...
Flame Elemental HP: 1500
Description- Incarnation of Fire found in the Anti-Soul Mysteries Lab
Strategy: For the first of the three secret elemental battles you face the Flame
Elemental. It carries a long sword weapon that it will rush at you with. Guard and
dodge as necessary. The Elemental will swing its sword from a distance to release
fireballs that will follow a straight path. Just run or roll away from this. Its
biggest attack is a large fire sphere that is created when it slams on the ground.
Somersault backwards to avoid this as a guard won't help much. If you fought the
Ice Elemental before this fight be sure to equip the Ice whip as it will double
all damage even the Vampire killer would deal. Even if you don't have it this
battle will not take very long. Heal accordingly as you go. Your primary attacks
should be your longest combos for if you have the Ice whip equipped you can easily
take care of this guy in fewer than 30 secs if done correctly.
Treasure: Whip of Flames
XV. Extra Boss battle #2: Feel the Arctic chill...
Ice Elemental HP: 1500
Description- Incarnation of Ice found in the Dark Palace of Waterfalls
Strategy: For the second of the three secret elemental battles you will face the
Ice Elemental. This battle is similar to the previous battle in the Ice Elemental
will rush at you with a long lance/sword weapon so follow the same idea: Guard and
avoid. It will occasionally use a spinning attack but just guard against it.
Another attack consists of ice balls that are thrown at you much like the Flame
Elemental's attack so follow the same strategy of running or dodging. Also, the
Elemental with fire a beam of concentrated cold air at you. Just dodge this one.
It may also use an ice shockwave which may paralyze you. Try to equip an accessory
with resistance to this effect or hit the buttons like crazy to get out. If you
beat the Flame Elemental first use the Fire whip to make short work of this one.
Like the one before it, long and powerful whip combos with the Fire whip in toe
will spell a sweet victory.
Treasure: Whip of Ice
XVI. Extra Boss battle #3: Storms a brewin'....
Lightning Elemental HP: 1500
Description- Incarnation of Electricity found in the Garden, Forgotten by Time
Strategy: First off there are two things that make this battle different from the
first two. Number 1: The storm atmosphere on the way to the battle is really nice
and number 2: there is no whip that will deal extra damage to this guy. Just the
Vampire Killer is fine (unless you want the ice or fire effect to flash every time
you perform a combo. It's up to you...). Same thing again with that stick so we
all know what to do: guard and avoid. The Lightning Elemental will call down bolts
of (hmm) lightning to hit you but you have enough time to run or roll away. Also
the Elemental will use an Electricity sphere attack similar to the Flame's attack.
Somersault to avoid this. Use a varied pattern of attacking such as short, quick
and slow, powerful whip combos. Heal when necessary and keep attacking until the
last crack of thunder sounds.
Treasure: Whip of Lightning
XVII. Extra Boss battle #4: Locked away for eternity, never to be found...
The Forgotten One HP: 4800
Description- Enormous monster of darkness found in the Prison of Eternal Torture
Strategy: Okay, get ready for the longest and most difficult boss battle of the
game! There is a reason this monster was locked away in the basement of the castle,
I doubt even Walter could control this monster. But enough about that lets get to
defeating him! This battle is divided into three parts: Abdomen, Chest with Hands
and the Head. You start with the Abdomen. You will see 6 or 7 pieces protecting
the inner organ which resembles a heart (though I doubt it has one.) Simply jump
up and do the five hit whip combo to deal damage. Use the fire kick (triangle) at
the end to do a bit more damage. After a bit of time you will see small worms as
well as a few large ones fall to the platform you're on. If these worms hit you it
will result in a cursed status and therefore disable your air combos so use a
uncurse potion immediately. This or an accessory with protection from curse is
good to use. To get rid of the worms quickly use the whip twirl attack (360 degree
turn on the analog stick plus the triangle button) to knock all the worms out as
well as hit the Abdomen in the process. Once the worms are gone go for the Abdomen
again. After a certain amount of damage is dealt, a piece will fall off revealing
a small part of the abdomen itself. After all the pieces are removed the core will
be your only target. Be careful that when you deal damage to it on occasion blood
will spill onto the ground and result in poison if touched. Bring serums and
accessory resistance. After the final blow the abdomen will shrivel up and the
platform will rise to the second area of the battle. Now you are dealing with the
Chest and Hands of the beast. There are two points of attack here, the ribs and
the hands themselves, however the ribs are distanced from the platform and are
resistant to your attacks somewhat so only focus on the hands here. The hands have
2 primary and 1 special attack(s). The hand will usually hover over you and then
slam onto the platform in attempt to crush you. Simply wait for the hand to stop
hovering and just before it moves somersault or roll out of the way. When the hand
is on the platform start attacking. Whip attacks and sub-weapons are a good way to
go here. You can also attack the hand while it's hovering in the air but there is
the risk of getting hit so don't do it unless you feel cocky. The hand's second
attack consists of it plating itself on one side of the platform and swing across
to sweep you. Timing is key here, just prepare for the swipe and double jump right
over the hand. Don't even bother trying to attack while it does this. After you
bring it down to the yellow bar it will introduce its most dangerous attack. When
the hand is hovering it may drop blood onto the arena which will damage you as
well as poison. Again, carry serums and accessories with prevention. Watch your
footing as this will reduce your space in area to move around. Simply follow these
patterns of attack until the hands fall and the chest tips over in pain. Now we
move to the final and most dangerous form of the Forgotten One: it's Head. The
head itself only has two attacks but even 3 or 4 good hits could mean an instant
game over. It will start off by yelling out and shaking the room. At some points
during the battle when you try to attack the head it may seem invincible; its not
but it is charging for an attack. First the head will call down 3 big rocks to hit
you. Truth is these rocks help you. They usually fall in the same three spots: far
left, center and far right so avoid these spots when they fall. After they fall
you have a small time to attack the head to put in some damage. As soon as the
head starts to go backward to charge up run behind one of the rocks. Now the head
will release a devastating fire attack that can deal you a lot of damage. However,
if you are behind a rock, it will absorb all the damage. The fire will sweep the
area twice and leave the rocks weakened (you will see many cracks in the rocks
that can only stand one more attack). After the fire stops unload on the head with
all the attacks you got. Use your strongest whip combos and sub weapon attacks
available. You only have a few seconds so get ready to run again. Once the head
charges up again run to a rock that does not have any cracks in it. Any rock that
does will be destroyed on the first fire attack and you will be hit by it. Follow
the above strategy over and over. After 2 or more of the rocks are destroyed the
head will summon more so adjust accordingly. It will be tough but it is possible
to beat this guy so don't give up! After you deal the final blow the Forgotten One
will fall and you may be out of breath. Congrats!
Treasure: Black Orb (The most powerful in the game!) and some dignity
Here's another strategy for the Forgotten One I received via email from
jagstang 99
For the forgotten one-
First form - the belly of the beast
He drops maggots and squirts blood at you. Offset the
chance of poisoning (doesn't always work) with a
poison ring. The second artifact should either be a
sacrificial doll (if the player's timing isn't so hot)
or the one that increases attack rating (which I
used). To crush the first form, just get right in front
of the boss and double jump...whip combo. Repeat. If
your timing is right, you destroy the first form
without ever getting poisoned or cursed by the blood
or maggots. Okay, second form -
The chest of evil...there is no hope.
Actually, this form is a push-over too.
He can slam a fist down on you, sweep his arm over the
whole platform, or squeeze out more poison blood.
To defeat this form isn't much harder then the first.
You have to watch for where his fist will come down,
and avoid getting trapped on the ends of the platform.
That aside, I only attacked him when his fist was on
the platform. And, it seemed that if a whip strike hit
both his body and his hand the damage counted up twice
as fast.
Basically, time your combos so you can be moving when
he is about to drop a fist on you. If he chambers his
arm to sweep over the platform (very obvious) learn
the timing and jump up. As the arm is just about to
collide with you, double jump over it. This really
pulls the teeth out of this part of the fight once you
can dodge that attack.
Finally, when he squeezes out the blood. Do not let
him pin you against the edge of the platform unless
you like getting crushed. Ring or no ring, I seemed to
get poisoned more often then not crossing the blood,
but once you get the timing down, you CAN get by him
if you stay moving. Also, I attacked his hand with
air/ground combos every chance I got.
That form down, we meet him face to face.
I think Danzig should have got some royalties for that
demon skull face, personally.
The main thing about this fight it knowing when to
piss him off, and when not to, also I recommend taking
the axe with you as your sub weapon with the fast edge
orb enhancement, or one of the ones that lets you
throw it.
Hang back and do not hit him, avoid him until there
are at least three standing stones knocked down from
the ceiling. You have to use these to avoid his hell
fire breath (what HAVE they been feeding him. jeeze).
Now that you have some places to hide, it is time to
start whittling away at the boss.
When he's howling to bring down more rocks, pop him
with axes or whip combos, just make sure not to get
hit by falling rock. A guard will save you most times,
but not against double hits.
When he starts the fire mouth....RUN. Also watch the
stones you hide behind, they do get whittled away. It
isn't really safe to hide behind one if it is cracked,
because the next burst of hellfire and you'll take the
damage. Also, sometimes he does a double sweep...so
wait an extra beat after the flame passes before
charging in to attack him to make sure it isn't a
double pass.
If you are down to one or two stones, stay away from
him until he howls down some more. I am not 100%
certain, but he seems less likely to do the fire
breath if you stay away from him/stay behind the
rocks.
All in all, if you watch his pattern, easy to crush.
XVIII. Credits
Thanks to Konami for all the Castlevanias they've made and Sony for letting this
great game grace their system! Also thanks to
[email protected] for his
strategies.
XIX. Legal stuff
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.
Copyright 2003 Peter McEntee a.k.a. thetimetraveler
