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|| Dynasty Warriors 4 - Bodyguard Combinations FAQ ||
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|| Version 1.70 (17Jun04) ||
|| Written by Loopy (loopyc(at)yahoo.nospam.com) ||
|| Copyright 2004 Loopy -- All rights reserved. ||
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Before I start, this guide was written by me, Loopy, specifically to post on
GameFAQs. This means you may not alter my guide without first getting my
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I might consent to let you posting this guide in its complete form and
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If I grant your request, I reserve the right to have you remove it at any time.
Use of this guide on any other web site or as a part of any public display
without my written permission is strictly prohibited, and a violation of
copyright. Private, personal use is of course allowed.
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|| 0. Contents (and Search Strings) ||
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|| 0.5 Two Weapon Builds ||
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|| 1. Bodyguard Basics ||
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|| 2. Bodyguard Theory ||
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|| 3. Bodyguard Breakdown and Best Of's ||
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|| 3a. Best of the 2,066 Lvl 20 Stalwarts - no Elemental attack ||
|| 3b. Best of the 4,111 Phoenixes - Max Defense with Ice ||
|| 3c. Best of the 1,497 Tigers - Max Attack with Blast ||
|| 3d. Best of the 420 Dragons - High stats with Vorpal ||
|| 3e. Best of the 111 Masters - Max HP with Flame ||
|| 3f. Best of the 65 Experts - Max HP with Lightning ||
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|| 4. Random Thoughts ||
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|| 5. Excel Combinations ||
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|| 6. FAQ ||
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|| 7. Version History ||
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|| 8. Thanks ||
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|| 0.5 Two Weapon Builds ||
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Just want to get the special bodyguards and don't care about the rest?
Use a TWB:
Phoenix - 7 Bow Levels (then change at Level 8 and finish with) 12 Swords.
Tiger - 7 Bow Levels (then change at Level 8 and finish with) 12 Pikes.
Dragon - 12 Bow Levels (then change at Level 13 and finish with) 7 Pikes.
Master - 3 Bow Levels (then change at Level 4 and finish with) 16 Swords.
Expert - 3 Bow Levels (then change at Level 4 and finish with) 16 Spears.
They may not be the best, but they work. Read on to find out how and why.
=============================================================================
|| 1. Bodyguard Basics ||
=============================================================================
RTFM or a bodyguard section of any DW4 FAQ. Page 15 of my DW4 manual describes
the basics of bodyguards and what this FAQ goes into detail about. Please read
a basic DW4 FAQ or the manual before diving into this one. The bodyguard
combinations will make a lot more sense that way.
If you have an aversion to reading words off shiny paper or don't have a
manual, here is a summary of what the manual says about bodyguard points and
levels. Total BodyGuard (BG) Points will increase bodyguard Title, Number,
Rank, and Class. This total maxes out at 9999 points. Bodyguard points in a
single stage will increase bodyguard Level. This single stage number maxes out
at 1,559 points. The basic information is in the box at the bottom of page 15
of my manual.
Title is (surprise, surprise) the title of the bodyguard units. Aside for
letting you know your bodyguards have achieved a special title when certain
requirements are met, this is relatively meaningless. Title increases every
2000 total BG Points, going from:
Novice to Fighter to Veteran to Stalwart.
Number is the number of bodyguard units you will have available to you.
Starting with two bodyguard units, their numbers will increase by one up until
a total of eight at the following point totals:
500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000, and 4000 total BG Points.
Rank determines the "sub-appearance" of your bodyguards. As rank increases,
their "sub-appearance" upgrades to look like a unit of that rank. Their
moveset may also change. This does not affect the appearance of female
bodyguards. Rank increases every 1500 total BG Points, going from:
Private to Sergeant to Major to Elite.
Class is the types of weapon your bodyguards can equip. They start with only
Swords and Bows available to them. Every 1000 total BG Points, they will gain
a class until they have all five classes. The order in which the classes are
gained are:
Spear at 1000, Pike at 2000, and Crossbow at 3000 total BG Points.
BG Points in a single stage can increase bodyguard Levels. These Level
increases are the focus of this FAQ. You need to get nineteen of these Levels
to reach Level 20 and get the special bodyguard Title. Since BG Points can be
hard to control, these exact point values are not all confirmed. It is
possible the points required might be a little lower or a little higher than
listed. This list is just to give you a rough idea of the points needed and is
probably accurate to within fifty points either way. Having actually paid
attention three or four times through and seen different results, it's
definately variable. Getting KOs might help beyond the points per KO.
To increase to Level 2 or 3 requires around 300 single stage BG Points.
To increase to Level 4 or 5 requires around 350 single stage BG Points.
To increase to Level 6 or 7 requires around 400 single stage BG Points.
To increase to Level 8 or 9 requires around 450 single stage BG Points.
To increase to Level 10 or 11 requires around 500 single stage BG Points.
To increase to Level 12 or 13 requires around 550 single stage BG Points.
To increase to Level 14 or 15 requires around 600 single stage BG Points.
To increase to Level 16 or 17 requires around 650 single stage BG Points.
To increase to Level 18 or 19 requires around 700 single stage BG Points.
To increase to Level 20 requires around 750 single stage BG Points.
BG Points are earned by bodyguard KOs, bodyguards alive at the end of the
stage, and a bonus. Each KO is worth 10 points. Each bodyguard member alive
at the end of the stage is worth 40 points. The bonus comes from each
bodyguard you enable at the start of the stage and is worth 30 points for each
one enabled. Those last two mean that each bodyguard alive at the end of the
stage is worth 70 points. A full set of eight bodyguards at the end will earn
a minimum 560 BG Points before any points from KOs.
The "theory" floating around that you need 1 more kill than Levels to gain a
Level is only partially true because those 560 BG points for a full set. The
higher Levels need the additional points from a few KOs before the next Level
point requirement can be statisfied. Getting 20 KOs and then losing all eight
of your bodyguards would only get you 440 points -- not even enough points get
to Level 10. Morale of this story? Use as many bodyguards as you can and keep
them alive if you want you want them to gain Levels. To get those higher
Levels go to an easy stage and let your bodyguards get some KOs.
Different bodyguard colors can be selected for each kingdom available/unlocked.
There are five different bodyguard "skins". They are Normal Male, Normal
Female, Nanman Male, Nanman Female, and Yellow Turban Male. Like colors, some
are available immediately and others have to be unlocked.
=============================================================================
|| 2. Bodyguard Theory ||
=============================================================================
On the GameFAQs DW4 message board, Bmania posted a reference to a Chinese SSM3
site at
http://tori.24cc.com. Listed there are the stat gains upon level ups,
max stats, and requirements for Yellow Dragon bodyguards. The stat gain for a
level up for each weapon class is as follows:
Bows gain 3 HP, 3 Musou, 2 Attack, 3 Defense (for a mean gain of 2.75).
Swords gain 4 HP, 3 Musou, 2 Attack, 1 Defense (for a mean gain of 2.50).
Spears gain 3 HP, 4 Musou, 2 Attack, 1 Defense (for a mean gain of 2.50).
Pikes gain 3 HP, 2 Musou, 4 Attack, 0 Defense (for a mean gain of 2.25).
Crossbows gain 2 HP, 2 Musou, 3 Attack, 2 Defense (for a mean gain of 2.25).
A more general way of saying this would be that Bows increase Defense, Swords
increase HP, Spears increase Musou, Pikes increase Defense, and Crossbows
increase Attack and Defense (though to a lesser degree than Bows and Pikes).
Those stat gains are realized when bodyguards gain Levels. I suspect the gain
algorithm just checks the weapon Class used at a Level gain and it doesn't
matter if a different weapon was used to gain some of those experience points.
But to be safe, just use the weapon Class until your bodyguards gain the Level.
The maximum possible total gain for each stat are 70 HP, 70 Musou, 55 Attack,
and 25 Defense. The high stats required for Yellow Dragons are HP, Musou, and
Attack of at least 50 and max defense.
Disclaimer: The entire premise of this FAQ is that the above information
is correct. If proven wrong, then this FAQ would need to be
seriously rewritten or abandoned. (It's probably right though.)
I included a mean gain because I thought it was somewhat revealing. Using Bows
increases your overall stats the most. Because of that, it might be best to
get most of your Bow Class Levels in first. Those first Levels are also easier
to gain since they can be had without any KOs. Pikes and Crossbows increase
your overall stats the least and most of the "best" builds don't use any
Crossbows at all. Even though Pikes have lower mean gain, they are used
because they increase attack the most. Swords and Spears are very similar,
offering higher HP or Musou builds, respectively.
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|| 3. Bodyguard Breakdown and Best Of's ||
=============================================================================
Since there are a finite number of levels, it's possible to enumerate all of
them. You could do so by hand, but since that'd be time that could be spent
playing, I did so in a quick-n-dirty SAS program.
There are 8,855 different ways to get level 20 bodyguards.
There are 5,084 different ways to get level 20 Phoenix builds (max Defense).
There are 1,997 different ways to get level 20 Tigers builds (max Attack).
There are 420 different ways to get level 20 Dragons builds (high stats).
There are 130 different ways to get level 20 Master builds (max HP).
There are 80 different ways to get level 20 Expert builds (max Musou).
The majority of final states are as bodyguards with a special title and attack.
There is considerable overlap in titles and I'm not positive which title wins
out in every case. For example, all Dragons also qualify as Phoenixes. Aside
for Dragons, it appears as if the first title requirement satisfied will be the
final title. If I were Koei, I would have made the "rarer" titles win out in
case of a tie. Since it's not possible to get a Dragon with max HP or max
Musou, this makes sense to me. But then again, this is just speculation on my
part.
Since not all weapon types are available from the start, some builds counted
above are unlikely (i.e. 19 Crossbows). Since most of the builds described
below rely heavily on the initial types, they should be possible for those
trying for these builds.
To sort out bodyguards, I totaled the four known stats up to their maximum. If
any stat exceeded the stat maximum, I took away the amount by which it exceeded
the maximum. I've included the number exceeding the max in parenthesis. Those
with the highest totals ended up being the "best". To choose the "best" of a
given title, I first list those builds that guarantee the title by not
fulfilling any other title requirements. This first set are those that didn't
fulfill any requirements at all and don't have a special title at all.
=============================================================================
|| 3a. Best of the 2,066 Lvl 20 Stalwarts - no Elemental attack ||
=============================================================================
Without a special attack, you weren't paying attention, got unlucky, and ended
up with blah bodyguards. The "best" totals are at a combined 192, of which
there are 19 ways.
The first ways are with:
8) 2 Bows, 0 Crossbows, 0 Pikes, 5-12 Spears, and 12-5 Swords
for 69-62 HP, 62-69 Musou, 38 Attack, and 23 Defense.
The other ways are with:
11) 3 Bow, 0 Crossbow, 1 Pike, 3-13 Spear, and 12-2 Swords
for 69-59 HP, 59-69 Musou, 40 Attack, and 24 Defense.
So, what do I mean by these numbers? For the first case (of 8 ways), the
"2 Bows" means that your bodyguards need to gain 2 levels when equipped with
the Bow class.
The "5-12 Spears" goes hand-in-hand with the "12-5 Swords". To get that
particular build, you can gain anywhere from 5 to 12 levels when equipped with
Spears. Since you only have a total of 19 levels to gain, after the "2 Bows"
and Spears bit, that only leaves you with 12 to 5 levels -- hence the
"12-5 Swords". Depending on the combination, you will end up with slightly
different stats. Using 5 Spears and 12 Swords for that build would give you
69 HP and 62 Musou. 12 Spears and 5 Swords would give you 62 HP and 69 Musou.
So to build a 2 Bow, 5 Spear, 12 Sword bodyguard set you would go from Level
1 to Level 3 with Bows (the 2 Bow Levels), then from Level 3 to Level 8 with
Spears (the 5 Spear Levels), and finally from Level 8 to Level 20 with Swords
(the 12 Sword Levels).
Still too confused? If the list below doesn't clear things up, I give up.
Level 1 - Start here and pick Bow (1 of 2 levels) until you get to -> Level 2
Level 2 - And pick Bow (2 of 2 levels) until you level up and get -> Level 3
Level 3 - Where you'll switch to Spear (1 of 5 levels) until. . . -> Level 4
Level 4 - And continue to use Spear (2 of 5 levels) until. . . -> Level 5
Level 5 - And continue to use Spear (3 of 5 levels) until. . . -> Level 6
Level 6 - And continue to use Spear (4 of 5 levels) until. . . -> Level 7
Level 7 - For your last Spear Level (5 of 5 levels) until. . . -> Level 8
Level 8 - Where you switch to Sword (1 of 12 levels) until. . . -> Level 9
Level 9 - And continue to use Sword (2 of 12 levels) until. . . -> Level 10
Level 10 - And continue to use Sword (3 of 12 levels) until. . . -> Level 11
Level 11 - And continue to use Sword (4 of 12 levels) until. . . -> Level 12
Level 12 - And continue to use Sword (5 of 12 levels) until. . . -> Level 13
Level 13 - And continue to use Sword (6 of 12 levels) until. . . -> Level 14
Level 14 - And continue to use Sword (7 of 12 levels) until. . . -> Level 15
Level 15 - And continue to use Sword (8 of 12 levels) until. . . -> Level 16
Level 16 - And continue to use Sword (9 of 12 levels) until. . . -> Level 17
Level 17 - And continue to use Sword (10 of 12 levels) until. . . -> Level 18
Level 18 - And continue to use Sword (11 of 12 levels) until. . . -> Level 19
Level 19 - And continue to use Sword (12 of 12 levels) until. . . -> Level 20
Level 20 - Finished. You can't gain any more levels and can pick whatever.
Again, that long list is for 2 Bows, 5 Spears, and 12 Swords to build a
Stalwart bodyguard set.
=============================================================================
|| 3b. Best of the 4,111 Phoenixes - Max Defense with Ice ||
=============================================================================
That there's a big drop off in numbers here from the 5,084 I listed before.
It's because with the 4,111 I'm subsetting to only Phoenix builds that do not
meet any other title requirements. The title for this bodyguard build in the
Japanese version is "Black Turtles".
There are 9 guaranteed ways to get the "best" total of 193 for Phoenix builds:
9) 3 Bows, 0 Crossbow, 0 Pikes, 4-12 Spears, and 12-4 Swords
for 69-61 HP, 61-69 Musou, 38 Attack, and 25 Defense.
If bodyguard elemental attacks are triggered only when their Musou bars are
filled, then to get more elemental attacks, you should have lower Musou. This
would change the way of choosing the "best" build, so here's that alternate
build. This is a big "if" and though I've suggested it, I don't know of any
proof. If people want it, I might sort through the builds eventually to figure
out a good test comparison.
The Phoenix build with a "low" Musou and high Attack and HP is one of the above
nine:
1) 3 Bows, 0 Crossbows, 0 Pikes, 4 Spears, and 12 Swords
for 69 HP, 61 Musou, 38 Attack, and 25 Defense.
=============================================================================
|| 3c. Best of the 1,497 Tigers - Max Attack with Blast ||
=============================================================================
Again, there's a big drop off in numbers here. These numbers are subset to
those Tigers that do not meet any other title requirements. The title for this
bodyguard build in the Japanese version is "White Tigers".
There are 9 guaranteed ways to get the "best" total of 187 for Tigers builds.
They can be looked at as two different sets.
The first guaranteed ways are with:
5) 6 Bows, 1 Crossbow, 8 Pikes, 0-4 Spears, and 4-0 Swords
for 60-56 HP, 48-52 Musou, 55 Attack, and 24 Defense.
The other ways are with:
4) 7 Bows, 0 Crossbows, 9 Pikes, 0-3 Spears, and 3-0 Swords
for 60-57 HP, 48-51 Musou, 55(56) Attack, and 24 Defense.
A Tiger with a "low" Musou and high Defense and HP would be either of the
"60 HP / 48 Musou" builds listed above. Those builds use swords instead of
spears.
This title overrides that of Phoenix if Attack is maxed before Defense. When
this happens there are an additional 4 builds. To get this title, be sure not
to hit 25 Defense until after you've hit 55 Attack. You can do this by saving
a Bow Level as the last Level -- that'll max both out at the same time.
Two of the alternate ways are with:
2) 8 Bows, 0 Crossbows, 9 Pikes, 0-1 Spears, and 2-1 Swords
for 59-58 HP, 48-49 Musou, 55(56) Attack, and 25(26) Defense.
The other two ways are with:
2) 7 Bows, 1 Crossbow, 8 Pikes, 0-1 Spears, and 3-2 Swords
for 59-58 HP, 48-49 Musou, 55 Attack, and 25(26) Defense.
Again, a Tiger with a "low" Musou and high Defense and HP would be either of
the "59 HP / 48 Musou" builds listed above.
=============================================================================
|| 3d. Best of the 420 Dragons - High stats with Vorpal ||
=============================================================================
I'm listing a lot of the ways to get this special bodyguard title. All Dragon
builds meet the Phoenix requirement and since that title doesn't override, I'm
going to guess that the Tiger title doesn't override either. It's not possible
to max out HP or Musou and fulfil the Dragon requirements. Even though they
may gain the Phoenix title prior to Level 20, they should end up as Dragons at
Level 20. The title for this bodyguard build in the Japanese version is
"Yellow Dragons".
Since this is probably the build of most interest, instead of listing the eight
ways to get the "best" total of 190, I'm going to list "best" of the highest
HP, highest Musou, and highest Attack builds.
The highest HP Dragon build has:
0) 6 Bow, 0 Crossbows, 6 Pikes, 0 Spears, and 7 Swords
for 64 HP, 51 Musou, 50 Attack, and 25 Defense.
The highest Musou Dragon build has:
0) 6 Bows, 0 Crossbows, 6 Pikes, 7 Spears, and 0 Swords
for 57 HP, 58 Musou, 50 Attack, and 25 Defense.
There are three ways to max out Attack and get the "best" total of 187.
1) 8 Bows, 0 Crossbows, 9 Pikes, 2 Spears, and 0 Swords
for 57 HP, 50 Musou, 55(56) Attack, and 25(26) Defense.
2) 7 Bows, 1 Crossbow, 8 Pikes, 3 Spears, and 0 Swords
for 55 HP, 51 Musou, 55 Attack, and 25 Defense.
3) 7 Bows, 1 Crossbow, 8 Pikes, 2 Spears, and 1 Sword
for 56 HP, 50 Musou, 55 Attack, and 25 Defense.
A Dragon build with a "low" Musou and high Attack, Defense, and HP is:
1) 7 Bows, 0 Crossbows, 8 Pikes, 1 Spear, and 3 Swords
for 60 HP, 50 Musou, 54 Attack, and 25 Defense.
=============================================================================
|| 3e. Best of the 111 Masters - Max HP with Flame ||
=============================================================================
I'm going back to subsetting to those Master builds that do not meet any other
title requirements. The title for this bodyguard build in the Japanese version
is "Red Sparrows".
There are two guaranteed ways to max out HP and get the "best" total of 192:
1) 2 Bows, 0 Crossbows, 0 Pikes, 4 Spears, and 13 Swords
for 70 HP, 61 Musou, 38 Attack, and 23 Defense.
2) 3 Bows, 0 Crossbows, 1 Pike, 2 Spears, and 13 Swords
for 70 HP, 58 Musou, 40 Attack, and 24 Defense.
A guaranteed Master build with a "low" Musou and high Attack and Defense is:
1) 3 Bows, 0 Crossbows, 3 Pikes, 0 Spear, and 13 Swords
for 70 HP, 54 Musou, 44 Attack, and 22 Defense.
This title has been confirmed to overrule the Phoenix title when HP is maxed at
the same time as Defense. This can be done by saving the Bow levels as the
last levels. The better overall build when doing this is:
1) 3 Bows, 0 Crossbows, 0 Pikes, 3 Spears, and 13 Swords
for 70 HP, 60 Musou, 38 Attack, and 25 Defense.
The low Musou build is:
1) 4 Bows, 0 Crossbows, 2 Pikes, 0 Spears, and 13 Swords
for 70 HP, 55 Musou, 42 Attack, and 25 Defense.
=============================================================================
|| 3f. Best of the 65 Experts - Max HP with Lightning ||
=============================================================================
These first Expert builds also do not meet any other title requirements.
Since their Musou is always maxed, there is no alternate build listed here. The
title for this bodyguard build in the Japanese version is "Green Dragons".
There are two guaranteed ways to max out Musou and get the "best" total of 192.
1) 2 Bows, 0 Crossbows, 0 Pikes, 13 Spears, and 4 Swords
for 61 HP, 70 Musou, 38 Attack, and 23 Defense.
2) 3 Bows, 0 Crossbows, 1 Pike, 14 Spears, and 1 Sword
for 58 HP, 70 Musou, 40 Attack, and 24 Defense.
This title has been confirmed to overrule the Phoenix when Musou is maxed
before Defense. This better build is:
1) 3 Bows, 0 Crossbows, 0 Pikes, 13 Spears, and 3 Swords
for 60 HP, 70 Musou, 38 Attack, and 25 Defense.
=============================================================================
|| 4. Random Thoughts ||
=============================================================================
Nothing too drastic here. I considered attaching a dataset containing some of
these groupings, but it seemed like overkill.
I'd include the SAS code but few people use SAS. In short, I created five
datasets for each weapon type with possible levels. I then merged them all
(with a Cartesian join) with a SQL statement. That resulting dataset was then
subset to the various requirements and sorted in different ways.
Also, I don't think I've done anything too innovative in finding "the best".
The "best" combinations were already there and have probably already been used
by players. All I've done is permute them all, sort them out, and put it in
writing. The person who "found" the best is the person who first found out
the number assignments (probably leaked from Koei / Omega-Force).
If you thought explaining how to use the builds four times was three times too
many, I agree with you. But since earlier explanations weren't enough, and if
that fourth explanation stops one more kid from saying "it's too confusing,
can you explain. . .", it's worth it. Of course now the whiners will be start
to say "it's too long to read, can you explain". . .
I lost the Japanese names in an earlier version due to a sloppy cut and paste
incident. They're back.
On a side note, I've decided the best name for every bodyguard unit is ".". I
like to play with health bars showing and having long bodyguard names just
blocks my view.
Elemental attacks only activate during a charge attack. Since Bows and
Crossbows units no longer use charge attacks, as bodyguards they won't use
their elemental attack. They will be less likely to steal your kills though.
Speaking of elemental attacks, let me say again that the speculation that low
Musou builds is better for elemental attacks is just that -- speculation. It's
just as possible that high Musou increases the frequency of Musou attacks. Or
that Musou is linked to the frequency at which bodyguards use their Musou
attack. Or that Musou affects the strength / frequency of success of elemental
attacks. It's all speculation -- anyone that claims it as fact is full of it.
Regardless of how Musou affects bodyguards, since it's an unknown and the
effects of the other stats are relatively known, I still think the "low Musou"
builds make sense. It's not like the Musou is really all that low for them
anyways -- it's just a little lower than the other builds.
I might eventually sort through the builds and find out a nice comparison set to
try to work out the true effect of Musou in bodyguards. Don't hold your breath
waiting for that though -- it's not very high on my to do list. I haven't even
gotten any requests for this so it's safe to say it's near the bottom of my to
do list.
I was wrong about the left hand path on the Yellow Turban Rebellion being
around 1 second faster than the right hand path when riding Shadow Runner.
It's more like 4 seconds faster. I also think that with a decent character
it's a faster stage than the Yellow Turban Menance. The Fairy Wine is on the
ride up and the Dim Sum is right at the end. Both can be picked up without
dismounting. There's also a clear path to Zhang Jiao. Those things make it my
bodyguard leveling stage of choice.
AFAIK, only rolling boulders and windmills can knock you off the Shadow Horse.
I think a taunt would knock you off too, but that's hard to figure out. Taunts
while mounted knock people off elephants because the taunt forces people to go
into that overpowered / guard break animation. Since that state doesn't exist
while mounted, taunts dismount riders. If true, I guess that'd mean characters
with an SST that does the same thing (like Zhuge Liang) would also dismount
someone from the Shadow Horse.
GameFAQs says to take ratings with a pilar of salt, and I have. The first two
votes I received were "not useful" votes. The rest have been "useful" votes.
To those that voted useful I'd like to say thank you. To those that voted
not useful I'd like to say pttthhhhbbbbbt. :p If haven't voted yet, and are
thinking of voting "useful", please vote. If haven't voted yet, and are
thinking of voting "not useful, please drop me a line before you vote.
If you're a FAQ writer or just an aspiring writer, be sure to read the fine
print. The Terms Of Use for GameFAQs is quite good for writers -- they make
no attempt at claiming the rights to your work. Other sites, despite what they
may say on their front pages, bury some insidious language in their User
Agreements and/or Terms. Read the fine print before you submit or allow the
use of your work. It doesn't hurt to read the fine print on anything you sign
either. Take "Test Drive Agreement" paperwork -- the salesman will tell you
it's just for insurance reasons. In many cases though, the fine print for
those also give the dealership the right to run a credit check on you. Sneaky
of 'em, no?
While I'm on credit, let me tell you to be careful with your credit. Having
good credit makes your life a lot easier, sorta like a lvl 20 Tiger Amulet
helps a fresh character run through those early stages like a hot knife through
butter.
I've been wrong in the past and I'll be wrong in the future, but I think I'm
right now. If you think I'm wrong about being right, please write me so I can
right my wrong.
I don't mind receiving constructive criticism. Reasonable requests are okay
too, but are at the whim of my schedule. If I've forgotten to mention anyone
anywhere, feel free to drop me a line and I'll try to add it to my next
revision.
Also, when writing me about this FAQ, please put "FAQ" in the subject heading of
your e-mail. There's a better chance of it getting past my SPAM filter that way.
=============================================================================
|| 5. Excel Combinations ||
=============================================================================
If you have MS Excel, here's a quick and dirty way to calculate stats for
various combinations. These five steps were written for MS Excel 2000. Other
versions should work in a similar fashion.
1) Cut and paste the below block of text into the first cell (A1) of a blank
worksheet. The first line should be the "Weapon" line and the last line
should be the "Total" line. Some of these lines are more than 80 characters
so make sure you get all of them, especially the "Total" line.
Weapon Levels HP Musou Attack Defense
Bow 1 =B2*3 =B2*3 =B2*2 =B2*3
C-Bow 1 =B3*2 =B3*2 =B3*3 =B3*2
Pike 1 =B4*3 =B4*2 =B4*4 =B4*0
Spear 1 =B5*3 =B5*4 =B5*2 =B5*1
Sword 1 =B6*4 =B6*3 =B6*2 =B6*1
Total =SUM(B2:B6) =MIN(SUM(C2:C6),70) =MIN(SUM(D2:D6),70) =MIN(SUM(E2:E6),55) =MIN(SUM(F2:F6),25)
2) Highlight the entire column of text (from A1 to A7).
3) Under the "Data" menu, select "Text to Columns..." option.
4) Click on "Finish".
5) Change the Levels so they total to 19.
=============================================================================
|| 6. FAQ ||
=============================================================================
Q: "Why are there only 19 levels and not 20?"
A: Bodyguards start at level 1 and can reach level 20. That's 19 levels.
Every build in this FAQ should total 19. If you think you followed the FAQ
and find yourself with one Level remaining, you didn't follow the FAQ.
There's a tiny chance I have a typo and the build doesn't total 19, but it's
much more likely that you misconfigured a level.
Q: "What about xx Swords, xx Spears, xx Pikes, xx Bows, and xx Crossbows?"
A: My program computes all possible builds. That build may work for you but I
prefer the one I listed. The exception is if your initials are DW, in
honor of having the same initials as Dynasty Warriors, I'll allow for the
possibility that I goofed and you're right.
Q: "Your build didn't work! I followed your FAQ and only got xxxx title!"
A: That's not a question, but I'll answer it anyway. Bodyguards might not
get their final title until level 20. If they're at level 20, you used a
guaranteed build, and they don't have the "right" title, you messed up
somewhere and might have used the default swords for a level when you
shouldn't have. If you ended up with Phoenix at level 20 and were
expecting else, you may have maxed out Defense too soon.
Q: "How do I get those other bodyguard skins?"
A: Like colors, you can get additional skins by unlocking characters/kingdoms.
Unlock Meng Hou / Zhu Rong, and Zhang Jiao to get additional skins. Check
out other DW4 FAQs on GameFAQs for those character unlock requirements.
Q: "I don't understand what you wrote. Its (sic) too complicated!"
A: Again, that's not a question. Reread section 1, "Bodyguard Basics", and
follow the instructions there. Section 3a was also put in front of the
more exciting builds for a reason -- there's an explanation there too. If
doing none of those help, print out a copy and ask an adult to explain it
to you. Or if worse comes to, you can e-mail me and I might answer.
You don't need to understand this FAQ to enjoy the game. Just play and
save your worring about more important things -- education, jobs, the
opposite sex (or whichever interests you more), affordable housing, world
peace, when Dynasty Warriors 5 is coming out, the source of dark matter,
why FOX canceled the Family Guy and Futurama but kept King of the Hill. . .
=============================================================================
|| 7. Version History ||
=============================================================================
0.90 - Initial version. (08Apr03)
0.91 - Added alternate builds. (10Apr03)
0.92 - Typoes. Terminology. Text tweaking too. (10Apr03)
1.00 - Added speculative better builds dependent on overrides. (11Apr03)
1.05 - Clarified basic information. (15Apr03)
1.10 - Made up FAQ section and added Excel Combinations. (18Apr03)
1.50 - Added a lot to basics. Clarified "over-riding" titles. (19Apr03)
1.51 - Minor editing plus one build. (21Apr03)
1.52 - More minor editing. (22Apr03)
1.55 - DW correction, Excel adjustment, Spoonfed explanation. (24Apr03)
1.56 - Clarified bonus and legal. Rambled on some random thoughts. (28Apr03)
1.60 - Some reformatting and minor rewrites. (05May03)
1.61 - Reinsert Japanese names. (06May03)
1.62 - Minor additions and reformating per FCB thread suggestions. (27May03)
1.70 - Added two weapon builds. (17Jun04)
=============================================================================
|| 8. Thanks ||
=============================================================================
Thanks of course goes out to Omega Force for the design and Koei for
publishing. GameFAQs for the site, quick updating, and message board, and all
the other FAQ writers for the inspiration. Thanks to Donald Wong for alerting
me to a mistake I made in my SAS code and the Excel suggestion.
