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Combo FAQ

by PeTeRL90

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  ___/ / / / / /_/ / /_/ / /_/ / |/ |/ /  / __  /  __/ /_/ / /  / /_(__  ) 
 /____/_/ /_/\__,_/\__,_/\____/|__/|__/  /_/ /_/\___/\__,_/_/   \__/____/
                ______                                  __ 
               / ____/___ _   _____  ____  ____ _____  / /_
              / /   / __ \ | / / _ \/ __ \/ __ `/ __ \/ __/
             / /___/ /_/ / |/ /  __/ / / / /_/ / / / / /_  
             \____/\____/|___/\___/_/ /_/\__,_/_/ /_/\__/  
                                                
                                                                          
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               VERSION Karin
                                 Combo FAQ
                               By: PeTeRL90
                             Copyright: 2005-2007
                  E-mail: thebestskylight[at]gmail[dot]com
                      Date Started: January 2, 2005
                      Date Finished: January 21, 2005
                      Latest Update: October 25, 2005
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Make sure to replace [at] with @, and [dot] with .  Also, if you're e-mailing
me, make sure to put SH:C or something like that in the subject box so I know
that it's not an advertisement.



==============
VERSION HISTORY
==============

Version 1.0- January 2, 2005- Got all the basics down.  If anyone sends me any
combos that they use, I'll stick them in here and give them credit for it, so
start sending.

Version 1.1 - January 21, 2005 - Added in Combo Magic and Characters.

Version 1.2 - May 11, 2005 - Added in a site on the allowed list.

Version 1.3 - October 25, 2005 - Re-did the header.






==============
TABLE OF CONTENTS
==============

1.) Introduction
2.) Legal Stuff
3.) Intro To Combos
4.) Characters
5.) Battle Combos
6.) Combo Magic
7.) Combo Tips
8.) Credits/Thanks






==============
1.) Introduction
==============

As the title says, this FAQ is mainly based on combos in Shadow Hearts:
Covenant.  It'll talk about what combos are, how to perform combos, how to
set-up combos, and other goodies.  Besides, I felt that there should be at
least one Combo FAQ that solely talks about Comboing.

Also take note that this FAQ contains minor spoilers {mainly Character names}.
So if you're not very far in the game yet, and you're reading this, and don't
want any characters spoiled, don't say I didn't warn you.

Also another note.  I'm not sure if using a crest magic during a combo will
break it (I know any healing/stat boosting crest magic will), but I'm
assuming they won't.  If they do, tell me and I'll put it in here.






==============
2.) Legal Stuff
==============

The latest version of this guide will always be posted at GameFAQs first.

This FAQ is copyrighted by me, and may be used for personal use.  This FAQ may
NOT be used for any kind of profit, or be put in any kind of magazine.  I
write these on my spare time for free, and you shouldn't be able to get money
from ripping this, claiming it as your own, and selling it off.  You may NOT
use this on your website.  You may NOT copy and paste part of any part of my
work, as that is still plagiarising.

I am no longer allowing any more sites to use any of my present or future
FAQs any longer.  The only sites that are allowed to use my present and future
FAQs are the sites listed below.

ALLOWED SITES TO USE THIS FAQ AND FUTURE FAQS:

http://www.neoseeker.com
http://faqs.ign.com
http://www.supercheats.com
http://www.gamerhelp.com
http://www.honestgamers.com






==============
3.) Intro to Combos
==============

You'll be able to use Combos very early into the game.  Combos are when you
perform chain attacks with your other partners.  You can use either a 2-man,
3-man, or 4-man combo.

Whenever you go to start a combo, all characters get an extra turn to perform
their attacks.  For instance, let's say you're doing a 4-man combo.  You
choose 3 characters to combo with the 4th.  After the 4th person is done with
his attack, you get to choose who gets to attack next, meaning they get an
extra turn.  The same goes for the rest of the characters.

From time to time, your characters will be knocked into combo formation.  Like
for instance, an enemy knocks one of your characters back a few spaces.  If
another characters is back there, that character that got hit might line up
next to the other character, forming blue circles underneath them, meaning
they're set up for a combo.  It's usually formed a 2-man combo most of the
time this way, unless you get surrounded, then you have a better chance for a
3-man combo to form automatically.

Combos require you to hit the Judgment Ring hit or strike areas.  If you miss
at all, the combo is broken, and all the characters that lined up for a combo
that didn't get a chance to attack lose their turns until the next turn.  A
combo also breaks if you don't push the button indicated after hitting all the
hit or strike areas ont he ring in time.  So you need good reflexes in order
to pull off combos.

Now for the 2-man, 3-man, and 4-man combo; a 2-man combo would be set up like
this;

-----------
Karin {Turn}
Nicolai
-----------

On Karin's turn, you'd keep pressing down until you saw Combo.  Choose that,
and then choose Nicolai.  Then choose either Do Nothing, or Resist Defense.
After you choose, Karin will run back towards Nicolai.  Then it will be
Nicolai's chance to attack.

-----------
Karin
Nicolai {Turn}
-----------

Attack with Nicolai, then;

-----------
Karin {Turn}
Nicolai
-----------

It'll go back to Karin's turn, then you'll be able to chain attacks.  It may
sound complicated in text form, but once you get the formation right, it's
easy to understand.


To perform a 3-man combo; you'd have to do this;

-----------
Karin {Turn}
Blanca
Yuri
-----------

On Karin's turn, go down to the Combo option, and choose to combo with Yuri.
Then choose either Do Nothing or Resist Defense.  Karin will then run to Yuri,
then;

-----------
Karin
Blanca {Turn}
Yuri
-----------

It's now Blanca's turn.  Go down to the Combo option, choose to Combo with
Yuri, and choose Do Nothing or Resist Defense.  Blanca will run to Yuri, then;

-----------
Karin
Blanca
Yuri {Turn}
-----------

Now it'll be Yuri's turn to attack.  Choose to attack, and after he's done
attacking;

-----------
Karin {*Turn}
Blanca {*Turn}
Yuri
-----------

Either Karin or Blanca will have the next attack, whoever you decide should go
next.  Then the third character gets a chance to finish the combo.


A 4-man combo is pratically the same as a 3-man combo, only you stick the
first three characters with the fourth character.  Since it's very similiar to
a 3-man combo, I don't think you need an illustration of a 4-man combo.

Using healing magic while in the midst of comboing also breaks the combo, so
if you need to heal, make sure to do it before going for a combo.  If the
right attacks and skills are used, you can get some high damage combos going.
Combos are very useful against bosses, and can be devastating if your
characters can hit up to 4 or 5 times normally, adding up more damage.
Practice combos early in the game to get the feel of it.






==============
4.) Characters
==============

The characters of the game are listed here, and I'll tell you if they're good
for combos or not.  Take note, these are just my opinions on whether they're
good or not.  You can use whoever you want, but I'm letting you know who I
think is good or who is bad.

---------------------
Character name: Karin
---------------------

-Karin is a good physical attacker, as well as a good magic caster.  She can
hit up to 4 times, and can deal high damage with magic.  She's good to use
for combos, both physical and magical wise.


---------------------
Character name: Yuri
---------------------

-Yuri is a really good person to have in your main party.  He has good
physical attack which can become even stronger with the right fusions, and he
can hit up to 5 times.  He can deal good damage if in fusion form during a
combo.


---------------------
Character name: Blanca
---------------------

-Much like Karin, Blanca is also a good physical attacker and magic caster.
He's also fairly quick.  Blanca can hit up to 4 times, like Karin, and is good
for using Combo Magic, and also good for physical attacks during a combo.  I'd
use him for combos.


---------------------
Character name: Gepetto
---------------------

-Not a very good physical attacker, but his magic is pretty good.  However,
due to his low HP, he might get knocked out a lot during the later stages of
the game.  He can hit up to 3 times, and is only good with using magic in a
combo.  I'd keep him out of combos, though.


---------------------
Character name: Joachim
---------------------

-A great physical attacker, but his magic can be low at times.  He can hit up
to 5 times, and can deal a lot of damage once you first get him.  He should
be in your main combo party until about Disc 2.


---------------------
Character name: Lucia
---------------------

-Like Gepetto, she's not a very good physical attacker, and her magic is
mediocre.  She can hit up to 4 times, but her real magic comes from her Tarot
Cards that supports the party.  I wouldn't use her for combos.


---------------------
Character name: Anastasia
---------------------

-She can deal medicore physical damage and has good magic.  Just like Gepetto
and Lucia, she can hit up to 3 times.  Even though she has a tad better
physical attack than Gepetto and Lucia, I still wouldn't stick her in your
main combo party.


---------------------
Character name: Kurando
---------------------

-A GREAT physical attacker.  Just like Yuri, he can't use crest magic, but he
can however fuse as well, but he just doesn't have as many fusions as Yuri.
But regardless, he can hit up to 5 times, and can deal up to 400 damage,
possibly 500 with Rage later on in the game.  He's a must-have for a combo
party.


My recommendations: 
For the first disc; Yuri, Blanca, Karin, and Joachim.
For the second disc; Yuri, Blanca, Karin, and Kurando.

Even though you'll have to use other characters at some point in the game,
whenever you gather these characters, use them for good until you have to use
the other characters.






==============
5.) Battle Combos
==============

There are several types of combo possibilites that can be used in battle.
You can mix magic with physical attacks, or use all physical attacks, or use
all magic/skills.  Using different mixes of combos can lead up to doing high
damage without you even knowing it.

Most high damage combos are usually all physical attack combos.

Some good combo moves come with having at least two people with 4-hit physical
attacks, one with a 3-hit physical attack, and maybe one more with 3-hits or
another with 2-hits.

Crest Magic can also be used for comboing.

Some good crest magic to use for comboing are Gale Spin, Evil Ray, Evil Born,
Gale Spark, Bright Crime, and any other kind of Crest Magic that can
multi-hit.

As I mentioned earlier in this guide, you have to hit the hit/strike areas
on the Judgment Ring or else the combo will break, and any character that
didn't get to attack will miss the rest of the turn.  This can be very
frustrating if you're not good at hitting any of the hit/strike areas.
Practice makes perfect, however, so if you want to practice some, go to a
place where weaker enemies are to practice using combos and timing with the
Judgment Ring.  Once you master comboing, you'll be able to take down bosses
much quicker.






==============
6.) Combo Magic
==============

Whenever you do a 4-man combo, the last character in the combo gets an option
called Combo Magic.  What Combo Magic is, is it's just like any other kind of
Crest Magic, but are stronger.  They all cost 64 MP to use, and only a magic
caster can use it.  So using either Karin or Blanca last will trigger this
option.  Combo Magic is an automatic chain, so it's safer to use than crest
magic.  The kind of combo magic you can use depends on the element of your
characters.  So to unlock them all, you'll have to do a little experimenting.
Also, all of the Combo Magics are listed as "????" if you've never used them
before.

Here's a list of the available combo magic;

-------------------
COMBO MAGIC
-------------------

\----------------------------/
/        Strong Earth        \
\        Earth Element       /      Good for a power combo.
/      Circular, medium      \      Not good for a multi-hit combo.
\       1 hit/knockdown      /      Good for taking out clustered enemies.
/----------------------------\

\----------------------------/
/          Shock Max         \
\        Water Element       /      Good for a power combo.
/      Circular, medium      \      Not good for a multi-hit combo.
\       1 hit/knockback      /      Good for taking out clustered enemies.
/----------------------------\

\----------------------------/
/         Flame Mine         \
\         Fire Element       /      Good for a power combo.
/      Circular, medium      \      Not good for a multi-hit combo.
\       1 hit/knockback      /      Good for taking out clustered enemies.
/----------------------------\

\----------------------------/
/          Air Shot          \
\        Wind Element        /      Can be good for a power combo.
/        Linear, medium      \      Excellent for a multi-hit combo.
\        15 hit/knockup      /      Good for taking out enemies in a line.
/----------------------------\

\----------------------------/
/         Holy Pulse         \
\        Light Element       /      Good for a power combo.
/        Linear, medium      \      Not good for a multi-hit combo.
\       1 hit/knockdown      /      Good for taking out enemies in a line.
/----------------------------\

\----------------------------/
/        Meteor Burst        \
\        Dark Element        /      Good for a power combo.
/       Circular, large      \      Not good for a multi-hit combo.
\       1 hit/knockdown      /      Good for taking out clustered enemies.
/----------------------------\

\----------------------------/
/           Tempest          \
\        Non-Elemental       /      Good for a power combo.
/       Circular, large      \      Not good for a multi-hit combo.
\       1 hit/knockdown      /      Good for taking out clustered enemies.
/----------------------------\






==============
7.) Combo Tips
==============

Comboing can be very frustrating if you're not good at timing the Judgment
Ring.  Take these into consideration and maybe it might help.  You don't have
to use these, but they're here just for little hints.

-If you're having a lot of trouble with the Judgment Ring, buy Coral Pendants.
They cost over 5000, but they slow the ring by 50%, making it easier to hit
the strike/hit areas.

-Try mixing physical attacks with crest magic attacks and see what results you
get.  You never know, you might get some high damage combos.

-Equipping at least two people with a 4-hit ring, and maybe one with a 5-hit
ring is a huge help.  Even though the strike areas will be smaller, they add
more damage.  It's well worth it.

-Using Karin's Sword Art skills are pretty good, especially using Geuschbenst.
That one is great for multi-hit and power combos.

-If you need to heal HP, MP, or SP, do so first before starting a combo.
Staying alive/not going berserk is your first priority in battles.

-Try to knock enemies closer to each other, and then during a combo, unleash
a multi-area/multi-hit crest magic that'll damage other enemies as well.






==============
8.) Credits/Thanks
==============

-Midway: For picking up such an addictive and fun game.

-GameFAQs and the other sites in this: for hosting this FAQ.

-http://www.rootsecure.net/?p=ascii_generator: For the ASCII.