Dawn of Sorrow Weaponry

Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow is the series' sixth adventure-RPG. As he did in Aria, Soma Cruz begins with weak defensive abilities and two offensive options--his fists and a weak knife. In order to become more powerful, he must in part collect weapons and armor to increase his strength, defense and other statistics. He can also retain his HP and MP stats by collecting items like food and potions. Soma will rely mostly on one of the game's fascinating elements: The Tactical Souls system, which supplies him over one hundred and ten different powers in four different categories. This system will be discussed on the first two pages with covered on the proceeding two the following: Equippable weapons/armor, items, "Library" entries, and Soul Synthesis.

 

Tactical Souls

We learned in Aria of Sorrow that Soma Cruz possessed dark powers that were "one in the same" with Count Dracula's. While these powers are not classified as "evil," Soma Cruz has in him the potential to become a true Dark Lord successor should things go awry. In the meantime, he'll have some fun with a potentially dire trait by using his natural ability to steal enemy souls and use their powers as his own. The souls fit into four separate categories: (1) Bullet Souls: These allow Soma to use projectile attacks as sub-weapons, most similarly to how the Belmonts use mystic weapons. (2) Guardian Souls: With a push of the "R" button, these will supply to him spirit helpers and special shields. (3) Enchanted Souls: By in his inventory selecting these, Soma's attributes will increase in unexpected ways. And (4) Ability Souls: Essences that allow Soma to use typical special moves--double jumps, dashes, slides, etc. Some souls from the four categories can be powered up by simply collecting more than one of a given soul; by collecting a certain number of extra souls, you can increase the effectiveness of that soul power.

The system allows Soma to combine single souls/essences from the Bullet, Guardian and Enchanted categories to become a more potent fighter. The fourth category, Ability, exists on its own, its powers always available if you have them switched "on." I'll provide for the four separate categories basic information, images and descriptions. (In the case of Bullet and Guardian souls, "Usage" signifies how effectively or frequently an item can be used.)

 

Bullet Soulsss
These are sub-weapons and projectile attacks that can be activated by pushing "Up" plus "B." Some are controlled, but others can be used continuously.

Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Zombie
12MP
Two at a time
Level
Rarity
/9
*
Description
Image
Soma will summon a zombie, which will rise up from the ground and march a half-screen's length, damaging any enemy it passes.


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Skeleton
8MP
One after another
Level
Rarity
/3
**
Description
Image
Soma erratically arcs through the air bones, to damage enemies high and low alike.


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Axe Armor
25MP
One after another
Level
Rarity
/3
*
Description
Image
Soma erratically arcs through the air powerful axes, to damage enemies high and low alike.



Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Warg
25MP
One after another
Level
Rarity
/9
*
Description
Image
Soma tosses forward at a short distance the illusion of a wolf head, which viciously tears at enemies with its teeth.


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Student Witch
12MP
Two at a time
Level
Rarity
/9
**
Description
Image
Soma releases a lethal cat that runs the length of any room, damaging/destroying any enemy along the way.


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Slaughterer
15MP
One at a time
Level
Rarity
/1
**
Description
Image
Soma smacks enemies with quick straight punches.


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Bomber Armor
48MP
Two at a time
Level
Rarity
/3
**
Description
Image
Soma tosses onto the ground a large bomb; it explodes after two seconds no matter its position.



Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Slime
12MP
One after another
Level
Rarity
/9
*
Description
Image
Soma summons a bouncy slime that tosses itself about the room and damages enemies in its path.


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Une
18MP
One after another
Level
Rarity
/9
**
Description
Image
Soma tosses onto the ground a seed that sprouts an une, which temporarily remains and damages enemies that walk onto it.



Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Mollusca
10MP
Two at a time
Level
Rarity
/3
**
Description
Image
Soma summons a mollusca, which quickly slithers across a platform and damages any enemy it passes.



Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Rycuda
35MP
One at a time
Level
Rarity
/9
**
Description
Image
Soma fires directly toward enemies bolts of lighting.


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Yorick
20HP
One at a time
Level
Rarity
/1
**
Description
Image
Soma arcs through the air a damaging skull head.


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Amalaric Sniper
25MP
Two at a time
Level
Rarity
/9
**
Description
Image
An archer appears behind Soma and fires forward an arrow.


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Waiter Skeleton
10MP
One at a time
Level
Rarity
/3
**
Description
Image
Soma tosses a dish of curry, which damages enemies on its flight; when on the ground, it will damage foes that pass over it.



Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Witch
20MP
One after another
Level
Rarity
/3
**
Description
Image
Soma releases magic shots that track down targets.


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Killer Clown
21MP
One after another
Level
Rarity
/9
**
Description
Image
Soma tosses straight ahead sharp-edged cards that slice at enemies (one enemy per toss).



Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Fleaman
8MP
Two at a time
Level
Rarity
/9
**
Description
Image
Soma summons a fleaman that for three seconds erratically runs and jumps about the room, damaging enemies.



Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Guillotiner
24MP
One at a time
Level
Rarity
/3
*
Description
Image
Soma summons a guillotine from hell; it appears relatively close to Soma and damages foes with a sandwiching slice.



Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Hell Boar
15MP
One at a time
Level
Rarity
/1
**
Description
Image
From a standing position, Soma will attack enemies with a powerful uppercut.



Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Imp
50MP
One at a time
Level
Rarity
/1
**
Description
Image
It creates a space that inflicts spiritual damage; that is, it for about six seconds weakens certain enemies to where they have lower maximum HPs.



Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Malachi
44MP
One at a time
Level
Rarity
/3
**
Description
Image
Soma releases forward a dark enery sphere that passes through enemies and all the while repeatedly damages them.


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Cave Troll
8MP
One at a time
Level
Rarity
/9
*
Description
Image
By using this short-range attack, Soma will damage enemies by lashing out at them with his tongue.



Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Larva
25MP
One at a time
Level
Rarity
/3
**
Description
Image
Soma summons a Larva to wavily fly forward and damage/destroy any enemies in its path.


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Merman
10MP
One at a time
Level
Rarity
/3
*
Description
Image
Soma shoots forward a damaging stream of water.


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Ukoback
10MP
Five at a time
Level
Rarity
/9
**
Description
Image
Soma sets small five-second fires from whatever position he's in when he activates the soul power.



Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Fish Head
15MP
Two at a time
Level
Rarity
/3
**
Description
Image
Soma arcs through the air fish heads.


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Killer Fish
10MP
One after another
Level
Rarity
/3
**
Description
Image
While in water, Soma can fire at its habitants heat-seeking torpedos; on land, they simply crash and burn.


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Frozen Shade
25MP
One at a time
Level
Rarity
/3
**
Description
Image
Soma creates a blade of ice that scurries along the ground, a half-screen length, and causes freezing damage.


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Homunculus
8MP
Two at a time
Level
Rarity
/9
*
Description
Image
Soma summons an Homunculus, which for a short period treks forward and damages enemies in its path.


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Disc Armor
35MP
One at a time
Level
Rarity
/2
**
Description
Image
Soma will at close range swing forward and around a large bladed disc.


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Decarabia
20MP
Two at a time
Level
Rarity
/9
*
Description
Image
Soma hurls a Decarabia, which rolls along surfaces (it has trouble with up-slopes) and damages enemies in its path.



Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Dead Mate
12MP
One after another
Level
Rarity
/9
*
Description
Image
Soma will summon a vicious dog to run across the room and damage/destroy any enemy in its path.


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Great Axe Armor
60MP
One at a time
Level
Rarity
/9
***
Description
Image
Soma commands a powerful, gigantic axe to appear (and remain in the position activated) and rotate around twice.


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Erinys
45MP
One at a time
Level
Rarity
/1
***
Description
Image
Soma unleashes divine energy, in the symbol of an angel, that causes widespread damge.


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Succubus
25MP
One at a time
Level
Rarity
/1
**
Description
Image
Soma lunges toward enemies with a clinging attack and like a vampire uses their blood to restore his own HPs.



Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Ripper
5MP
One at a time
Level
Rarity
/3
**
Description
Image
As could a Ripper, Soma will toss quick-moving but fairly weak daggers.


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Flame Demon
25MP
One at a time
Level
Rarity
/1
**
Description
Image
Soma fires foward a devasting fireball.


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Slogra
20MP
One after another
Level
Rarity
/9
*
Description
Image
Soma arcs through the air Slogra's lengthy spears.


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Malacoda
15MP
One at a time
Level
Rarity
/1
**
Description
Image
While remaining in place, Soma will grow a tail and viciously lash it forward (enemies behind him, too, will be damaged by the initiation).


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Puppet Master
5MP
One at a time
Level
Rarity
/1
Only one available
Description
Image
Soma will throw forward (possibly through gaps) a puppet with which he'll magically switch places.


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Zephyr
80MP
One at a time
Level
Rarity
/1
Only one available
Description
Image
Soma will for five seconds stop time. (Note: Not all enemies will be affected by this stoppage.)


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Paranoia
10MP
One at a time
Level
Rarity
/1
Only one available
Description
Image
Soma gains the ability to enter into and out of mirrors and thus the mirror world and back.
        

Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Aguni
24MP
One at a time
Level
Rarity
/1
Only one available
Description
Image
Soma creates a damaging pillar of flame that races across the ground at a three-quarter screen length.


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Abaddon
40MP
One at a time
Level
Rarity
/1
Only one available
Description
Image
Soma summons a swarm of locusts to crowd and repeatedly damage foes. (You can use the stylus to direct the locusts.)


Soul Name
Magic Points Used
Usage
Hellfire
-
One at a time
Level
Rarity
/1
Only one available
Description
Image
Soma will unleash Dracula's classic three-directional fireball attack.

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