Ninja Gaiden Black - Helpful hints on defeating Alma?

flashbacck

Golden Member
Aug 3, 2001
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Does anyone have any effective methods on defeating Alma? Even cheesy methods. At this point I'll take anything. She's too ridiculously powerful. At my save spot I only have 80% health and no health potions. I'm pissed that I might have to go back several hours just so I can be sure to stock up on potions.
 

duragezic

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
11,234
4
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If she's the same as the regular Ninja Gaiden, my best advice is to keep your distance. I was having trouble with her in the original on Normal mode... basically get my ass kicked each time (the save point isn't very far if you get the underwater one IIRC) many times. Then a buddy happen to stop by and said "uh try staying away from her" cause I was toe-to-toe with her most of my tries. So he says that and 2 minutes later I fvcked her up, first try with his new advice. However, I'm guessing I had a lot more potions than zero, so yeah I found in NG that you can beat most anything if you go back, farm essence, buy supplies. I don't think you'd need to load an old save, just go to a point where you are easily able to rack up essence (use the essence ring, and bats generally respawn every time and you can do UT to get a load of essence each time).

edit: The pink demon sucks hard and you only get like milliseconds of animation before you know she will do it. So you just can't stick in close to her... mostly attack her with flying swallow move then maybe one swing, then jump the fvck away. Sometimes she like takes a break on the ground for quite a few seconds so you can dish out some damage there. The pillars are a PITA but best avoived with a circular, roll-jump manuever. You can interrupt your roll (left trigger + analog direction) with a jump at any time I believe, so this comes in handy for avoiding boss attack. This probably works for the fireballs too. In fact, if you haven't gotten to the tank and helicopter yet, the roll-jump or something like roll-roll-jump-jump is the only way to survive on hard mode or worst!!
 

Fingolfin269

Lifer
Feb 28, 2003
17,948
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Is the camera truly improved in Black? I played through the original but would love to see what the game is like with a functional camera.
 

clarkkent333

Golden Member
Nov 23, 2003
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I just used the dragon sword move where he jumps up and flys at an angle (I can't remember the name) over and over again. Took a few tries though.
 

flashbacck

Golden Member
Aug 3, 2001
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thanks duragezic. I'll try that...

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
Is the camera truly improved in Black? I played through the original but would love to see what the game is like with a functional camera.

not sure how it was in the original, but in black, I find that in many cases the camera is too close to me. It's a PITA sometimes because you can't see who you're fighting. You can move the camera w/ the right analog or center with the right trigger, but that's sorta inconvenient in the middle of combat.
 

flashbacck

Golden Member
Aug 3, 2001
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Originally posted by: clarkkent333
I just used the dragon sword move where he jumps up and flys at an angle (I can't remember the name) over and over again. Took a few tries though.

yea, I think I know what you're talking about. I used that strategy to beat the big blobby boss w/ tentacles...
 

flashbacck

Golden Member
Aug 3, 2001
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I went back after I read these tips and the second time I tried, I beat her. I ended up using a combination of inferno nippo to knock her down, and the flying dragon sword to do quick slashes an hit her while she was down. Now I'm just annoyed it took me so long in the first place! :p
 

raystorm

Diamond Member
Apr 24, 2001
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Originally posted by: clarkkent333
I just used the dragon sword move where he jumps up and flys at an angle (I can't remember the name) over and over again. Took a few tries though.

Flying Sparrow I think is that move. The one where you jump forward and sort of flying stright into the boss with your sword. If you time that move correctly it's all you need for EVERY boss. Alma is by far the hardest boss in the game..what a pain in the ass!

Doing the flying sparrow and immediately do the fire ninpo is a great combo for bosses.