Ninja Gaiden Black Essence FAQ
by Yebyosh ( yebyosh_at_hotmail_._com )
Version 1.1 ( 23 March 2006 )
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( Please view with courier fonts )

History
-------

v1.0      18 Mar 2006      Created this document
v1.1      23 Mar 2006      Reorganised Essence Spawn, added in Eternal Legend,
                          added new findings on combos
v1.2      29 Mar 2006      Added in more findings.
v1.3      06 Jun 2006      Reorganised list, added more findings and
                          corrections.

Contents
--------

1. List of Essence Spawn
  a. Animals
  b. Ninjas
  c. Samurais
  d. Special Assault Team ( SAT )
  e. Mechanised Special Assault Team ( MSAT )
  f. Vigoorian Infantry
  g. Mechanised Vigoorian Infantry
  h. Humanoid Fiends
  i. Undead Fiends
  j. Insectoid Fiends
  k. Reptillian Fiends
  l. Fish Fiends
  m. Worms
  n. Fiend Ryus
  o. Eternal Legend Bosses
2. Combo Multiplier
3. Q&A
4. Credits
5. Need to Do's

1. List of Essence Spawn
------------------------

First figure is without Armlet of Benediction, second figure is with Armlet of
Benediction.  An ET ( 1 charge ) kill multiplies the base essence by 3.0.  An
UT kill ( 2 charges ) kill multiplies it by 7.0.

a. Animals

  Bat
  Normal Kill        5 / 6
  ET Kill           15 / 18
  UT Kill           35 / 42

  Bat ( Eternal Legend )
  Normal Kill       20 / 24
  ET Kill           60 / 72
  UT Kill          140 / 169

  Explosive Bat
  Normal Kill       20 / 24
  ET Kill           60 / 72
  UT Kill          140 / 169

  Horse
  Normal Kill      100 / 120

b. Ninjas

  Brown Ninja ( Lesser )
  Normal Kill       50 / 60
  ET Kill          150 / 181
  UT Kill          350 / 423

  White Ninja ( Greater/shadow )
  Normal Kill       50 / 60
  ET Kill          150 / 181
  UT Kill          350 / 423

  White Ninja ( Greater/shadow, Eternal Legend )
  Normal Kill      150 / 181
  ET Kill          450 / 544
  UT Kill         1050 / 1270

  Black Ninja ( Spider )
  Normal Kill      100 / 120
  ET Kill          300 / 362
  UT Kill          700 / 846

  Black Ninja ( Spider, Eternal Legend )
  Normal Kill      200 / 241
  ET Kill          600 / 725
  UT Kill         1400 / 1693

  Purple Ninja ( Vigoorian )
  Normal Kill       70 / 84
  ET Kill          210 / 254
  UT Kill          490 / 592

  Purple Ninja ( Vigoorian, Eternal Legend )
  Normal Kill      200 / 241
  ET Kill          600 / 725
  UT Kill         1400 / 1693

  Red Ninja ( Flame )
  Normal Kill      150 / 181
  ET Kill          450 / 544
  UT Kill         1050 / 1270

  Demonic Ninja ( Mage )
  Normal Kill       90 / 108
  ET Kill          270 / 326
  UT Kill          630 / 762

c. Samurais

  Samurai
  Normal Kill       50 / 60
  ET Kill          150 / 181
  UT Kill          350 / 423

  Samurai ( Eternal Legend )
  Normal Kill      80  / 96
  ET Kill          240 / 290
  UT Kill          560 / 677

  Silver Samurai ( Mission Mode )
  Normal Kill      550 / 665
  ET Kill         1650 / 1996
  UT Kill         3850 / 4658

  Silver Samurai ( Story Mode )
  Normal Kill      150 / 181
  ET Kill          450 / 544
  UT Kill         1050 / 1270

d. Special Assault Team ( SAT )

  White SAT ( foot soldier)
  Normal Kill      100 / 120
  ET Kill          300 / 362
  UT Kill          700 / 846

  White SAT ( foot soldier, Eternal Legend )
  Normal Kill      200 / 241
  ET Kill          600 / 725
  UT Kill         1400 / 1693

  Black SAT ( commander )
  Normal Kill      100 / 120
  ET Kill          300 / 362
  UT Kill          700 / 846

  Black SAT ( commander, Eternal Legend )
  Normal Kill      150 / 181
  ET Kill          450 / 544
  UT Kill         1050 / 1270

  Purple SAT ( grenadier )
  Normal Kill      100 / 120
  ET Kill          300 / 362
  UT Kill          700 / 846

  Purple SAT ( grenadier, Eternal Legend )
  Normal Kill      200 / 241
  ET Kill          600 / 725
  UT Kill         1400 / 1693

e. Mechanised Special Assault Team ( MSAT )

  Blue MSAT ( foot soldier )
  Normal Kill      100 / 120
  ET Kill          300 / 362
  UT Kill          700 / 846

  Black MSAT ( commander )
  Normal Kill      100 / 120
  ET Kill          300 / 362
  UT Kill          700 / 846

  Black MSAT ( commander, Eternal Legend )
  Normal Kill      150 / 181
  ET Kill          450 / 544
  UT Kill         1050 / 1270

  Gold MSAT ( grenadier )
  Normal Kill      200 / 241
  ET Kill          600 / 725
  UT Kill         1400 / 1693

f. Vigoorian Infantry

  Rocket Vigoorian Infantry ( Heavy )
  Normal Kill      100 / 120
  ET Kill          300 / 362
  UT Kill          700 / 846

  Rocket Vigoorian Infantry ( Heavy, Eternal Legend )
  Normal Kill      300 / 362
  ET Kill          900 / 1088
  UT Kill         2100 / 2540

  Rifle Vigoorian Infantry
  Normal Kill      100 / 120
  ET Kill          300 / 362
  UT Kill          700 / 846

  Rifle Vigoorian Infantry ( Eternal Legend )
  Normal Kill      200 / 241
  ET Kill          600 / 725
  UT Kill         1400 / 1693

g. Mechanised Vigoorian Infantry

  Mechanised Rocket Vigoorian Infantry ( Heavy )
  Normal Kill      250 / 302
  ET Kill          750 / 907
  UT Kill         1750 / 2117

  Mechanised Rocket Vigoorian Infantry ( Heavy, Eternal Legend )
  Normal Kill      300 / 362
  ET Kill          900 / 1088
  UT Kill         2100 / 2540

  Mechanised Rifle Vigoorian Infantry
  Normal Kill      250 / 302
  ET Kill          750 / 907
  UT Kill         1750 / 2117

h. Humanoid Fiends

  Brown Imp ( Lesser )
  Normal Kill       50 / 60
  ET Kill          150 / 181
  UT Kill          350 / 423

  Pink Imp ( Greater )
  Normal Kill      100 / 120
  ET Kill          300 / 362
  UT Kill          700 / 846

  Armored Imp ( Slider/shadow )
  Normal Kill      200 / 241
  ET Kill          600 / 725
  UT Kill         1400 / 1693

  Black Imp ( One-eyed/crab, Mission Mode )
  Normal Kill      200 / 241
  ET Kill          600 / 725
  UT Kill         1400 / 1693

  Black Imp ( One-eyed/crab, Story Mode )
  Normal Kill      300 / 362
  ET Kill          900 / 1088
  UT Kill         2100 / 2540

  Bast Fiend
  Normal Kill      200 / 241
  ET Kill          600 / 725
  UT Kill         1400 / 1693

  Greater Bast Fiend
  Normal Kill      400 / 483
  ET Kill         1200 / 1451
  UT Kill         2800 / 3387

  Temple Knight ( Monk/scarlet/scythe/reapers )
  Normal Kill      100 / 120
  ET Kill          300 / 362
  UT Kill          700 / 846

  Temple Knight ( Monk/scarlet/scythe/reapers, Eternal Legend )
  Normal Kill      150 / 181
  ET Kill          450 / 544
  UT Kill         1050 / 1270

  Soldier Fiend ( Fiend SAT )
  Normal Kill      150 / 181
  ET Kill          450 / 544
  UT Kill         1050 / 1270

  Soldier Fiend ( Fiend SAT, Eternal Legend )
  Normal Kill      200 / 241
  ET Kill          600 / 725
  UT Kill         1400 / 1693

  Ogre
  Normal Kill      500 / 604
  ET Kill         1500 / 1814
  UT Kill         3500 / 4234

i. Undead Fiends

  Archer Ghul
  Normal Kill      100 / 120
  ET Kill          300 / 362
  UT Kill          700 / 846

  Archer Ghul ( Eternal Legend )
  Normal Kill      200 / 241
  ET Kill          600 / 725
  UT Kill         1400 / 1693

  Melee Ghul
  Normal Kill      100 / 120
  ET Kill          300 / 362
  UT Kill          700 / 846

  Axe Ghul ( Eternal Legend )
  Normal Kill      100 / 120
  ET Kill          300 / 362
  UT Kill          700 / 846

  Mace Ghul ( Eternal Legend )
  Normal Kill      200 / 241
  ET Kill          600 / 725
  UT Kill         1400 / 1693

  Soldier Ghul ( Zombie SAT )
  Normal Kill     1000 / 1209
  ET Kill         3000 / 3629
  UT Kill         7000 / 8469

j. Reptillian Fiends

  Galla
  Normal Kill      200 / 241
  ET Kill          600 / 725
  UT Kill         1400 / 1693

  Gobdekk ( Thorn Gallas, PotMN2 & DotF2 only )
  Normal Kill     1000 / 1209
  ET Kill         3000 / 3629
  UT Kill         7000 / 8469

k. Insectoid Fiends

  Bee Fly ( Wasp/cyclops wasps )
  Normal Kill       50 / 60
  ET Kill          150 / 181
  UT Kill          350 / 423

  Pill Bug
  Normal Kill      100 / 120
  ET Kill          300 / 362
  UT Kill          700 / 846

l. Fish Fiends

  Ghost Fish
  Normal Kill       80 / 96
  ET Kill          240 / 290
  UT Kill          560 / 677

  Greater Ghost Fish
  Normal Kill      160 / 193
  ET Kill          480 / 580
  UT Kill         1120 / 1355

  Armored Shagerus ( Armored Moat Fish )
  Normal Kill     2000 / 2419

  Shagerus ( Moat Fish )
  Normal Kill     1000 / 1209

m. Worms

  Thunderbolt Worm
  Normal Kill      500 / 604
  ET Kill         1500 / 1814
  UT Kill         3500 / 4234

  Fire Worm
  Normal Kill      700 / 846
  ET Kill         2100 / 2540
  UT Kill         4900 / 5928

n. Fiend Ryus

  Fiend Ryu ( BotA5 )
  Normal Kill    20000 / 24199
  ET Kill        60000 / *7061
  UT Kill        *8928 / 10802

  Fiend Ryu ( Story Mode Dragon Sword )
  Normal Kill     5000 / 6049
  ET Kill        15000 / 18149
  UT Kill        35000 / 42348

  Fiend Ryu ( Story Mode Dabilahro )
  Normal Kill     8000 / 9679
  ET Kill        24000 / 29038
  UT Kill        56000 / *2221

  Fiend Ryu ( Story Mode Kitetsu )
  Normal Kill    10000 / 12099
  ET Kill        30000 / 36298
  UT Kill        *4464 / 5401

  Fiend Ryu ( Story Mode Vigoorian Flails)
  Normal Kill    12000 / 14519
  ET Kill        36000 / 43558
  UT Kill       *18464 / 22340

  Fiend Ryu ( Story Mode Unlabored Flawlessness )
  Normal Kill    20000 / 24199
  ET Kill        60000 / *7061
  UT Kill        *8928 / 10802

o. Eternal Legend Bosses

  Masakado ( Eternal Legend )
  Normal Kill     1500 / 1814
  ET Kill         4500 / 5444
  UT Kill        10500 / 12704

  Dynamo ( Eternal Legend )
  Normal Kill     2000 / 2419
  ET Kill         6000 / 7259
  UT Kill        14000 / 16939

  Hydracubus ( Eternal Legend )
  Normal Kill     1000 / 1814

  Yotunfrau ( Eternal Legend )
  Normal Kill     1000 / 1209
  ET Kill         3000 / 3629
  UT Kill         7000 / 8469

  Doku ( Eternal Legend )
  Normal Kill     1000 / 1209
  ET Kill         3000 / 3629
  UT Kill         7000 / 8469

  Marbus ( Eternal Legend )
  Normal Kill     3000 / 3629
  ET Kill         9000 / 10889
  UT Kill        21000 / 25408

  Nicchae ( Eternal Legend )
  Normal Kill     1000 / 1209
  ET Kill         3000 / 3629
  UT Kill         7000 / 8469


* The essence calculation process uses a 16-bit container ( which means a
 value of 65535 max ).  During calculation of the essences, the intermediate
 floating figure is stored into this container, and truncates the resultant
 figure down to the 2 least significant bytes.  If wearing an Armlet of
 Benediction, this figure is then multiplied with 1.20995, and suffers the
 same fate.

Note : In some boss encounters, its minions beside it are considered killed
      when it ( the boss ) is killed.  The minions in this case are considered
      to have been normally killed for purposes of essence spawning.

2. Combo multiplier
-------------------
If your combo counter is at the number of hits as below when you killed
someone, a combo multiplier is added in as follows.

The modifier is capped at +5.0 which means any combo above 50 hits is
practically for show.

Number of Hits / Additional Multiplier
    20 - 24   / +2.0
    25 - 29   / +2.5
    30 - 34   / +3.0
    35 - 39   / +3.5
    40 - 34   / +4.0
    45 - 39   / +4.5
     >= 50    / +5.0

This multiplier affects the essence from an essence technique kill as well.
For example, assuming we kill a temple knight with different techniques and
various combos.  The non benedicted essences collected would be like the table
below.

                                        Number of Hits
Type of Kill               16       |          33        |        50
  Normal         x ( 1 + 0 ) = 100 | x ( 1 + 3 ) = 400  | x ( 1 + 5 ) = 600
    ET           x ( 3 + 0 ) = 300 | x ( 3 + 3 ) = 600  | x ( 3 + 5 ) = 800
    UT           x ( 7 + 0 ) = 700 | x ( 7 + 3 ) = 1000 | x ( 7 + 5 ) = 1200


3. Q & A
--------
Q. How much karma is essence worth in Mission Mode?
A. The essence you have at the end on mission completion is multiplied by 2,
  then multiplied by the mission difficulty.
  In other words,
  - Normal  : x2 x1.0 = x2
  - Hard    : x2 x1.5 = x3
  - V.Hard  : x2 x2.0 = x4
  - M.Ninja : x2 x2.5 = x5

Q. Is it worth doing 999 hit combos in Mission Mode to exploit essence and
  combo score?
A. With Fatman67's confirmation of the maximum combo essence modifier, it
  becomes pointless to execute combos for the aim of score.  You can also get
  better essences through UTs.  Furthermore you get higher bonuses from UTs
  per second than combos.  Overall, unless you are going for flair, combos are
  near worthless in the game.

Q. How does the Armlet of Benediction work?
A. The Armlet of Benediction increases the essence taken in by 20.995%.  This
  is calculated only when the essence has been taken into Ryu's body.  So kill
  the fiends, put on the Armlet to increase the essence as they come in, then
  replace it with other Armlets and go back to kill.

  Note that if you actively absorb yellow essences for UTs ( by holding Y ),
  the absorbed essences are calculated at 1/5 of their spawned values.  The
  effect of the Armlet is ignored for this method of absorbtion.

Q. How is the end of chapter essence score in Story Mode calculated?
A. For every chapter's completion ( except chapter 16 ), the essence you have
  at the beginning of the chapter ( Essence_start_chp ) is subtracted from the
  essence you have at the end of the chapter ( Essence_end_chp ).  This
  results in the essence for that chapter ( Essence_chp ).

  i.e. Essence_chp = Essence_end_chp - Essence_start_chp

  Essence_chp is then simply multiplied by 5 to derive your end of chapter
  essence bonus.  It is capped at 10,000, meaning all you need to get the full
  full bonus is to get a surplus of 2,000 essence.  What this also means is
  that if you start off a chapter with 98,000 essence or more, you will never
  receive the full bonus for that chapter.  For chapter 16, the calculation is
  simply based on how much essence you have at the end of game.  Again the
  points for it is capped at 10,000.

4. Credits
----------
- Thank you, Team Ninja for creating the best action game I have played so far.

- Thank you, IberianWarrior for hosting many great videos of many great
 players, as well as the forum for discussion ( http://iberiansninjagaiden.com
 ).

- Thank you, Edge AoM and Captain Tuttle for the karma spawned by Story Mode
 Fiend Ryus.

- Thank you, GameFAQs for hosting this FAQ.

- Thank you, Fatman67 for confirming the modifiers for the combos.

If you find any mistakes or wish to clarify some data, please contact me over
email.  Thank you.