Suggestions on which Sword style to improve?

[Guest]

Having played through all of Episodes 1,2, and 3, I keep looking at the different levels of sword techniques, and wondering if I've made the proper choices with regards to which techniques to level up. I tend to stick to ones that I like the concept of (Slasher versus Piercer for example), letting one not level at all and maxing out the other.

So, my question is, for those of you who have played through to Episode 5, what sword techniques would you level, and why?

[War]

Keep all talk about the way in Estrana.

[BustermanZero]

I leveled Slasher and Piercer, Slasher first, Piercer in Ep. 3. Then I did Fire Edge, because Air Edge was more of a defensive combat weapon. I still had some time to level it up a bit, however. Then when I got the four new ones, I just went with Illuminati.

[Excell]

Air Edge is awesome once you build it up enough. It's basically Illuminati. I do Air Edge for one level, Fire Edge the next, Air Edge, Fire Edge.....so on and so forth. Final Ep I just did Illuminati mostly. No real pattern.

[War]

I use the Atom one in E5. I think its a bit better then the Illuminati one.

[Berserker]

in ep3 the most useful is fire edge, but when you get hurricane cut 3 xl for turn are really useful. In ep5, I think illuminati and atomic are the best.

[BustermanZero]

Yeah, you have to remember a couple of those auras eat up the XL you gain.

[SpaceBoy2000]

Wait, where do you find the second gold stone for hurricane cut? I could only find the one that you get when you enter Jopaga's lab.

Actually, when you hit epidoe 5, almost all the sword auras are good depending on your style. The Cosmic sword (the one that sucks up XL) is alright at the end where you get 3 XL per turn. That equals to 2 XL available for your attacks, though you have the heaviest attack of all swords. Also, you can hardly miss with 100% hit chance right when you get to level 5.

The Illuminati gives a whooping 4 XL when you max it, and, you also learn to the "Draw (XL +3)" ability. My suggestion is to max this sword (in the next episode mind you, it isn't possible in episode 5 unless you cheat) and then switch to a stronger sword. Using the Illuminati sword alone give you the weakest attack, but if you got all the Gold and Silver stones (which if I might have missed one of the gold stones that gives me hurrican cut after line charge) you should have no real big problems.

The atoma sword is quite nice too, and I'm leveling up at the same rate as my Illuminati. Let's see, pretty good balanced stats, and hell, the highest hit percent (115% when maxed), critical hit percent (15% when maxed) and Will (120 when maxed). Plus, it can inflict all kinds of interesting effects on you enemy. It give you 3 XL per turn when you max it, which isn't as good as the Illuminati, but hey, the extra 25 attack and other stat increases should more than compensate.

Now, for the shadow sword (the aura mind you), it isn't that bad. Highest defense and poise, and second in will (the atoma sword beats it by 60). You are guaranteed to hit no matter what after the first level, and it has a decent attack. However, good luck on getting critical hits.

In terms of special abilities, the Illuminati give you abilities for extra XL,

[BustermanZero]

There is no second Gold Stone. In episode 3 there's a special area in the Pits that has Line Charge in a chest. Be sure to check the notch and skill guide for more information.

[SpaceBoy2000]

Okay, I found it, though that means I have to replay 4 and 5. No problem except for the Blood Lyn minigame (which takes about ten tries everytime). By the way, it isn't in the notch walkthrough guide. Somebody should add it.

[BustermanZero]

Hmm...that's odd. It was in my old one for the first 4...

[Berserker]

the problem of the cosmic sword is surviving until it gives you 3XL.
the others are very good, anyway.

[celticshiva]

I personaly like Air Edge, because it's XL gain is higher (+3/turn) However I do level up fire as well due to the fact that fire has good skills, which you can also use when you have the Air Edge.

In EP #5 I chose Illuminati because of it's XL gain and because I like 'light' powers over 'dark'. I havn't been dissapointed .

[Berserker]

the new cosmic animation is soo cool!
Too bad I'll never use a weapon who doesn't give me any XL...
Now my favourite is the atomic one.

[Grand Admiral Thrawn]

I leveled up all sword arts equally. The first 4 are all at max level, except for *maybe* the Fire Edge. In #5, I started with the Pandamaare, then used the Illuminati. They're both at level 2 or 3. I finished by using the Atoma. ATOMA RULES!!!!