This is not easy. In particular, the Doppelganger can be a tricky opponent to defeat without losing once. Olcadan can also be a pain to defeat, depending on whose moves he uses. To help you on your way, I have included a guide below...


Battle One - vs. Talim

A straightforward match, this. Talim is not a particularly hard opponent, so you should be able to defeat her with pretty much any level of skill. Watch for Ring Outs, though - this is one of those stages that you can be quite easily knocked off of, so watch your step! Of course, this also gives you your own opportunity to ring her out.

Once you've defeated her, you'll be presented with two options. Choose to follow Talim; Maxi will lose sight of her, though, and stay another night in the ruins. Which leads to...

Battle Two - vs. Male Thief, Female Thief

You now have to take out the two thieves, who both use the 'Dagger' style. The biggest pain with this style is the explosives they utilise - make sure you avoid any attack utilising explosives! Apart from this, though, you should have no problems here. Just watch for Ring Outs, as before!

Battle Three - vs. Zasalamel

You'll now head over to the clock tower. Before the battle, there will be a scene where Zasalamel, erm... somehow chucks a cog at you. Make sure to hammer the right direction on the D-Pad, else you'll end up with less energy when the battle starts. You'll then have to fight Zasalamel. Zasalamel is a strong character who is a lot quicker than you'd expect. Try and avoid getting too close to the edge - there are no barriers on this stage and Zasalamel is perfectly capable of scoring a Ring Out on you. The reverse is also true, of course. When you defeat him, you'll get two options - choose to 'search for Astaroth alone.' Shortly after this you'll get another option. Select 'question the man as to how he knows this.'

Battle Four - vs. Cassandra

Maxi will stay in the mansion for a little while. Unfortunately, it will get burned down! You now have to battle Cassandra. This is a relatively simple task, and while you can get Ringed Out here it doesn't seem to happen often. Basic attacks and throws will serve you fine. When you complete this task, you'll be informed that Maxi feels like he's being watched. Select 'stop' and you'll be faced with your first major challenge...

Extra Battle - vs. Doppelganger

To put it simply, I hate this battle. Maybe it's just a personal thing, but I find this more challenging than Olcadan AND Night Terror. The Doppelganger is, basically, you. Or in this case, Maxi. Doppelganger Maxi will be wearing the same costume as your Maxi and will also wield the same weapon. The AI skill level for the Doppelganger happens to be set ridiculously high, and to make things worse he blocks everything, throws rarely work on him and you'll be losing life throughout the battle. Thanks, Namco.

If you chose Vajra at the start of TOS as Maxi's weapon, you'll gain a slight advantage in that its healing effects will counteract the life-drain effect. Unfortunately, this also means Doppelganger will get an added healing effect too. I do use Vajra whenever I go for the True Path, but if you're not quite as experienced with Maxi then use either Chained Kozuka or Soryuju. Use quick strikes, side-steps and avoid throws 'cause they will rarely ever work. The thing you need the most here is patience; you will probably lose this battle the first couple of times and have to start Tales of Souls over a few times before you can manage it.

Battle Five - vs. Raphael

The next battle will be against our favourite Frenchman, Raphael. There will be a short scene before the battle in which you will need to tap left and block when he approaches you; get the wrong timing and you will be poisoned in the fight. Fortunately Raphael won't prove much of an opponent for you, especially after overcoming Doppelganger. I, personally, like to force him against the barrier around the edge of the stage and knock him against it, breaking it down. You can then knock him back again and score a Ring Out!

Battle Six - vs. Kilik and Xianghua

Time to battle Maxi's old friends, Kilik and Xianghua! Kilik won't be too much of a challenge - just make sure you close in on him and don't let him drive you away from the short-range battle Maxi needs. Xianghua seems to be set at a higher level than Kilik and can prove a bit tricky, but not enough to defeat you! Use your best moves and take her down.

After the battle you will get two options. Choose to pursue Astaroth directly rather than getting sidetracked. This will take you to your next challenge...

Battle Seven - vs. Unknown Soul (Li Long)

The next set of battle are going to be rather difficult, so get ready! Upon entering the Labyrinth your first battle will will be against Li Long. He will prove quite the challenge - he is as quick as you are and set at a very high level. Furthermore, the level is dark so you can't see the edges. Watch your step and be careful not to get Ringed Out. Pound Li Long into the ground with your best techniques and try not to move from your starting position too much.

You'll be asked if you want to keep going or not. Keep going.

Battle Eight - vs. Astaroth

Time to kill the Black Giant once and for all! Yes, yet again the opponent is set a a very high skill level. You can score a Ring Out on this level, which I usually go for. If not, just pull out all your best moves and go in for the skill. DON'T LET HIM GRAB YOU! His throws are VERY powerful.

You'll now get the choice to either approach 'the presence' or avoid it. Approach it and get ready for yet another difficult battle!

Battle Nine - vs. Olcadan

This will be hard, but how hard it is depends on what character's moves Olcadan chooses. Hope he doesn't choose Astaroth especially! His attack power is high as is his defense, so get ready for a drawn-out battle. Play all your most powerful attacks but avoid those with a long delay, block when you have to and have patience! You don't want to lose at this stage. Defeating Olcadan will earn you 'The Ancient' if you haven't unlocked it already by completing the training mode.

Battle Ten - vs. Zasalamel

A bit of a break now. Zasalamel is harder than before but easy compared to the long stretch of hard battles you've just undergone. Defeat him using all of your hardcore skills. :) Now you'll get to the part you've been working so hard for! Watch the cool scene and get ready for the big challenge...

Final Battle - vs. Night Terror

Yes. This is going to be very, very hard. Night Terror is the hardest battle in the entire game! You'll need to be at your best to win. Furthermore, you can't win via a Ring Out. There is nothing more I can tell you here - just use everything you know to beat him. Go for it, and good luck!



Done it?



Really?



Well then, CONGRATULATIONS! Consider yourself a great Soul Calibur player. :)