Jab’s Builds! (Whomp 'Em! Plumbers Don't Wear Ties! ToeJam & Earl!)

[M4C8]

I miss the X-Mansion and I liked Krakoa being part of the school grounds.

I have absolutely no love for Krakoa at all and am currently evading all X titles like the plague. It’s the Inhumans issue in reverse: first Marvel editorial was trying to shove Inhumans in our faces as “Mutants 2.0”, and now it is shoving mutants in our faces as “Inhumans 2.0”.

I don't particularly like the original Krakoa and actively dislike most of what the current X-Men are (mutant cult living on an island) but as I said I did like the Krakoa that was part of the school grounds.

[Jabroniville]

ZANTETSU
First Appearance: The Last Blade (1997)
Game Appearances: The Last Blade 1-2
Home Country: Japan
Weapon: Twin Knives
Role: The Ninja (Who actually LOOKS DIFFERENT), Death Seeker
PL 8 (152), PL 9 (152) Undulating
STRENGTH 2 STAMINA 3 AGILITY 5
FIGHTING 12 DEXTERITY 4
INTELLIGENCE 2 AWARENESS 3 PRESENCE 2

Skills:
Acrobatics 8 (+13)
Athletics 10 (+12)
Close Combat (Knives) 1 (+12)
Deception 7 (+9)
Expertise (Ninja) 9 (+11)
Insight 4 (+7)
Intimidation 5 (+7)
Investigation 5 (+8)
Perception 6 (+9)
Ranged Combat (Knives) 2 (+12)
Stealth 7 (+12)

Advantages:
Equipment 1 (Twin Knives), Improved Critical (Flowing Shadow Fury), Improved Critical (Devil Drop), Improved Critical (Tenma Kyaku), Improved Initiative, Ranged Attack 6

Last Blade Fighting Style: Accurate Attack (Speed Mode), All-Out Attack, Defensive Roll, Extraordinary Effort (Super Move), Fast Grab (Grab), Improved Critical (Chosen Weapon), Improved Defense, Improved Disarm, Improved Hold, Improved Trip (Throw), Power Attack (Power Mode), Withstand Damage (Block)

Powers:
"Last Blade Fighter" Features 1: Adds Weapon Damage to Special Moves [1]

"Special Moves"
"Flowing Shadow Fury- Arcing Slash" Strength-Damage +2 (Feats: +2 to Hit Jumping Opponents) (Inaccurate -1) Linked to Deflect 8 (Extras: Reflect) (Flaws: Source- Knives) (10) -- [13]

• AE: "Devil Drop- Grab With Cape" Strength-Damage +2 (Feats: +2 to Hit if Opponent Parried Last Turn) (Inaccurate -1) Linked to Teleport 2 (Feats: Change Direction) (Extras: Attack & Self) (7)
• AE: "Spirit Drill- Chi Punch" Blast 4 (Flaws: Source- Sword) (Reduced Defenses -2, Diminished Range -2) (1)
• AE: "Tenma Kyaku- Kick Multiattack" Strength-Damage +1 (Extras: Multiattack 2) (Flaws: Distracting) Linked to Affliction 3 (Toughness; Dazed & Vulnerable/Stunned & Defenseless) (Extras: Extra Condition) (Flaws: Limited Degree) (5)

"Underwater Undulation"
Enhanced Fighting 1 (Flaws: Takes an Action/Disappears in 2-3 Rounds) [1]
Enhanced Ranged Attack 1 [1]
Enhanced Dodge 1 [1]
Concealment (Visuals) 4 (Flaws: Blending) [2]

Equipment:
"Knife Toss" Blast 2 (Multiattack) (6)
"Form & Shadow- Twin Knives" Strength-Damage +1 (Improved Critical, Split) (3)

Offense:
Unarmed +12 (+2 Damage, DC 17)
Knives +13 (+3 Damage, DC 18)
Special Moves +11 (+5 Damage, DC 20)
Tenma Kyaku +12 (+3 Damage & Affliction, DC 18 & 13)
Kinves +12 (+2 Ranged Damage, DC 17)
Spirit Drill +10 (+4 Ranged Damage, DC 19)
Initiative +9

Defenses:
Dodge +11 (DC 21), Parry +12 (DC 22), Toughness +3 (+4 D.Roll), Fortitude +5, Will +7

Complications:
Motivation (Proving Ninjas Are Strong)- People have forgotten about ninjas- Zantetsu is the only one left. He seeks to go out in a last blaze of glory in order to prove how strong they were.
Power Loss (Fighting Style)- These fighters must pick a style and stick with it for the duration of the fight- either Accurate Attack (Speed Mode) or Power Attack (Power Mode). They may not alternate without suffering heavy drawbacks to accuracy and defense as they shift forms.
Weakness (Predictability)- These fighters cannot simply "spam" out the same attack over and over again, as the opponent will expect the attacks, and be ready for them (and a counterattack). The third time they try the same technique (or same combo of techniques) in a short span, they will be at -2 to Accuracy, AND to their Active Defenses in that round. All will decrease by 2 every successive round the same move is done.

Total: Abilities: 66 / Skills: 64--32 / Advantages: 11 + 12 / Powers: 19 / Defenses: 12 (152)

-Zantetsu is a stern, serious ninja who...

-Wait, seriously? A ninja who ISN'T A GENERIC GUY IN PURPLE PYJAMAS? This is a THING? Zantetsu has a cone-shaped hat and a different sort of outfit, making him stand apart from the legions of generic ninjas in Fighting Games over the years. Kage from Virtua Fighter, Geki from Street Fighter, and a TON of guys from the first couple years of SF Clones whose names I forget... there's a horde of them. Zantetsu is a grim, serious character, leaving his grandson to go fight one last time- he knows the years and fighting have taken their toll on his body, and he's ready to meet his end opposing the Hell's Gate, desiring to prove that ninjas are a force to be reckoned with.

-Zantetsu's moves are actually highly unique and pricey for a Fighting Game character, mixing and matching effects- his "Flowing Shadow Fury" doubles as an Anti-Air swipe OR a Projectile Reflector, and his "Devil Drop" consists of grappling a guy and teleporting both of them to the top of the screen, where he slams them down. He also has a short-range Chi Punch, Knife Toss, and a Multiattack- a larger Blast has since turned into his Desperation Move. Oh, and there's also his "Undulation" power, which makes him flicker on-screen- kinda/sorta like Invisibility but Limited in a way. I decided to make it a temporary boost to accuracy & defenses, too- it's PL-breaking but highly limited (you have to waste an attack action just to reactivate it).

[marcoasalazarm]

I have absolutely no love for Krakoa at all and am currently evading all X titles like the plague. It’s the Inhumans issue in reverse: first Marvel editorial was trying to shove Inhumans in our faces as “Mutants 2.0”, and now it is shoving mutants in our faces as “Inhumans 2.0”.

That's an insightful observation.

Thank you.

[Jabroniville]

Okay, I'm detecting some Lupin III in his face, now that I think about it.

HYO AMANO
First Appearance: The Last Blade (1997)
Game Appearances: The Last Blade 1-2, Neo*Geo Battle Coliseum
Home Country: Japan
Weapon: Katana (Sheathed in Cane)
Role: Party Animal, Skirt-Chaser
PL 8 (133), PL 9 (133) with Unsheathed Blade
STRENGTH 3 STAMINA 4 AGILITY 4
FIGHTING 11 DEXTERITY 4
INTELLIGENCE -1 AWARENESS 0 PRESENCE 4

Skills:
Acrobatics 7 (+11)
Athletics 10 (+13)
Close Combat (Unarmed) 2 (+13)
Expertise (Womanizing Layabout) 8 (+7)
Intimidation 1 (+5)
Perception 3 (+3)
Persuasion 3 (+7)

Advantages:
Equipment 2 (Katana- Otokomae, Exploding Bomb), Improved Critical (Keima's Rage), Improved Critical (Badger Bash), Improved Critical (Piercing Sparrow), Improved Hold, Ranged Attack 6

Last Blade Fighting Style: Accurate Attack (Speed Mode), All-Out Attack, Defensive Roll, Extraordinary Effort (Super Move), Fast Grab (Grab), Improved Critical (Chosen Weapon), Improved Defense, Improved Disarm, Improved Hold, Improved Trip (Throw), Power Attack (Power Mode), Withstand Damage (Block)

Powers:
"Last Blade Fighter" Features 1: Adds Weapon Damage to Special Moves [1]

"Special Moves"
"Keima's Rage- Blazing Uppercut" Strength-Damage +2 (Feats: +2 to Hit Jumping Opponents) (Inaccurate -1) Linked to Deflect 8 (Extras: Reflect) (18) -- [22]

• AE: "Windmill- Sake Jug Spin" Damage 2 Linked to Affliction 5 (Toughness; Dazed/Stunned & Defenseless) (Extras: Extra Condition) (Flaws: Limited Degree, Source- Sake Jug) (5)
• AE: "Piercing Sparrow- Dashing Stick Jab" Strength-Damage +2 (Inaccurate -1) (1)
• AE: "Domino Toppler- Lure In & Headbutt" Strength-Damage +2 (Feats: +2 to Hit if Opponent Parried Last Turn) (Inaccurate -1) (2)
• AE: "Badger Bash- Wild Stick-Swinging" Strength-Damage +0 (Extras: Multiattack 5) (Flaws: Distracting) Linked to Affliction 5 (Toughness; Dazed & Vulnerable/Stunned & Defenseless) (Extras: Extra Condition) (Flaws: Limited Degree, Source- Cane) (Inaccurate -1) (5)

Equipment:
"Checkmate of the Queen- Exploding Ball" Blast 5 (Unreliable- Only 2-3 times per match)
"Katana" Strength-Damage +3 (Feats: Subtle- Hidden in Scabbard, Improved Critical) (5)
* Note: Used as +2 bludgeoning weapon with no Improved Critical in the scabbard to avoid damage

Offense:
Unarmed +13 (+3 Damage, DC 18)
Sheathed Katana +11 (+5 Damage, DC 20)
Katana +11 (+6 Damage, DC 21)
Keima's Rage/Domino Toppler +11 (+5 Damage, DC 20)
Piercing Sparrow +9 (+7 Damage, DC 22)
Windmill +11 (+2 Damage & +5 Affliction, DC 17 & 15)
Badger Bash +11 (+5 Damage & Affliction, DC 20 & 15)
Checkmate of the Queen +10 (+5 Ranged Damage, DC 20)
Initiative +4

Defenses:
Dodge +11 (DC 21), Parry +11 (DC 21), Toughness +4 (+5 D.Roll), Fortitude +6, Will +6

Complications:
Motivation (Women, Sake & The Thrill of the Fight)
Power Loss (Damaged Sword)- Amano does not use his sword unsheathed, fearing it getting damaged further.
Power Loss (Fighting Style)- These fighters must pick a style and stick with it for the duration of the fight- either Accurate Attack (Speed Mode) or Power Attack (Power Mode). They may not alternate without suffering heavy drawbacks to accuracy and defense as they shift forms.
Weakness (Predictability)- These fighters cannot simply "spam" out the same attack over and over again, as the opponent will expect the attacks, and be ready for them (and a counterattack). The third time they try the same technique (or same combo of techniques) in a short span, they will be at -2 to Accuracy, AND to their Active Defenses in that round. All will decrease by 2 every successive round the same move is done.

Total: Abilities: 54 / Skills: 34--17 / Advantages: 12 + 12 / Powers: 23 / Defenses: 15 (133)

-AMANO!!!! The jovial, laid-back Amano is my only lasting memory of The Last Blade. The only time I played it or observed it was at that Lazer Tag place in Red Deer, Alberta, and Amano was the big stand-out. Just this guy with wild "Shonen Hero Hair", a PINK BATHROBE, and the most casual-ass flamboyant stance in history. Now THAT's a good funny character design. He's modeled after Kumo from Haguregumo (whatever the hell that is), and is a lover of sake and women primarily, but when he notices the leaves falling from the cherry trees, he panics and decides to kill the people responsible. But it turns out this is the result of the changing of the seasons. So he's not the brightest lantern in the temple.

-In The Last Blade 2, Amano returns, noticing that his blade has dulled- he seeks out a swordsmith to sharpen it, but finds that he's passed away- he goes in search of the man's daughter, Hibiki, out of concern for his sword and for her. All of his Endings involve the player having to make a choice- he asks if the player is a man or a woman and the ending changes depending.

-Amano is considered to be very difficult to play- his attacks have a long recovery time (aka All-Out Attack), so you must be sure that a hit is certain before striking, or he will be punished. He fights using a self-taught one-handed Kenjutsu style, "Garyū Kenka Yagura", with a sword mounted in a cane fitting, thus concealing the blade like it's a cane or stick. He wields it almost exclusively in this manner, striking using the scabbard so hits are non-lethal. His dashing uppercut move can reflect projectiles AND has good Anti-Air capabilities, making him one of the pricier fighters, and he also has a Grab, Multiattack, regular Special Moves, and the ability to power up his Special Meter faster than other fighters.

[Skavenger]

Let's see, a fighter in a surprisingly open robe, with one arm unavailable to use in combat, long hair, lots of pink...



Does Japan have a type or something?

[Jabroniville]

HIBIKI TAKANE
First Appearance: The Last Blade 2 (1998)
Game Appearances: The Last Blade 2, Capcom vs. SNK 2, Samurai Shodown (2019)
Home Country: Japan
Weapon: Katana
Role: Breakout Character, Tiny Girl, Iaido Fighter
PL 9 (137)
STRENGTH 1 STAMINA 2 AGILITY 5
FIGHTING 13 DEXTERITY 4
INTELLIGENCE 2 AWARENESS 2 PRESENCE 2

Skills:
Acrobatics 9 (+14)
Athletics 11 (+13)
Close Combat (Sword) 1 (+14)
Expertise (Swordsmithing) 6 (+8)
Insight 3 (+5)
Perception 4 (+6)
Persuasion 3 (+5)
Stealth 1 (+6)

Advantages:
Defensive Attack (Dodge Move), Equipment 1 (Katana), Evasion (Dodge Move), Improved Critical (Beckoning Slash), Improved Critical (Piercing Moon Pounce), Improved Initiative 2

Last Blade Fighting Style: Accurate Attack (Speed Mode), All-Out Attack, Defensive Roll, Extraordinary Effort (Super Move), Fast Grab (Grab), Improved Critical (Chosen Weapon) 2, Improved Defense, Improved Disarm, Improved Hold, Improved Trip (Throw), Power Attack (Power Mode), Withstand Damage (Block)

Powers:
"Last Blade Fighter" Features 1: Adds Weapon Damage to Special Moves [1]
"Heavenly Being Blade- Variable Move Set-Ups" Enhanced Advantages: Benefits (Uses Fighting Skill Instead of Deception to Bluff) [1]

"Special Moves"
"Piercing Moon Pounce- Stunning Stab" Strength-Damage +0 Linked to Affliction 4 (Toughness; Dazed/Stunned/Defenseless) (Reduced Parry -1) (3) -- [5]

• AE: "Beckoning Slash- Dashing Slice" Strength-Damage +2 (Inaccurate -1) (1)
• AE: "Being Blade- Unpredictable Attacks" Strength-Damage +2 (Feats: +2 to Hit if Successfully Feinted Foe) (Inaccurate -1) (2)

Equipment:
"Katana" Strength-Damage +3 (Improved Critical) (4)

Offense:
Unarmed +13 (+1 Damage, DC 16)
Katana +14 (+4 Damage, DC 19)
Special Moves +12 (+6 Damage, DC 22)
Piercing Moon Pounce +14 (+4 Damage & Affliction, DC 19 & 14)
Initiative +9

Defenses:
Dodge +14 (DC 24), Parry +15 (DC 25), Toughness +2 (+3 D.Roll), Fortitude +5, Will +8

Complications:
Motivation (Finding Setsuna)- Hibiki's father died creating a master sword for the Demon- Hibiki wants revenge.
Power Loss (Fighting Style)- These fighters must pick a style and stick with it for the duration of the fight- either Accurate Attack (Speed Mode) or Power Attack (Power Mode). They may not alternate without suffering heavy drawbacks to accuracy and defense as they shift forms.
Weakness (Predictability)- These fighters cannot simply "spam" out the same attack over and over again, as the opponent will expect the attacks, and be ready for them (and a counterattack). The third time they try the same technique (or same combo of techniques) in a short span, they will be at -2 to Accuracy, AND to their Active Defenses in that round. All will decrease by 2 every successive round the same move is done.

Total: Abilities: 62 / Skills: 36--18 / Advantages: 7 + 13 / Powers: 7 / Defenses: 20 (137)

-For some reason, the tiny, serious Hibiki has proven to be the "Breakout Character" of the Last Blade series. Appearing only in the second game, she was a big hit, and was the sole representative of her series in Capcom vs. SNK 2! While Haohmaru (from Samurai Shodown), Morrigan (DarkStalkers) and Kensuke (Rival Schools) were perhaps obvious choices and major characters, Hibiki was a bit more of an obscure pick, and it was kind of neat. And this only furthered her popularity, to the point where she is selectable in Samurai Shodown's 2019 remake.

-Hibiki is a tiny girl fighting using the Iaido style popularized by Samurai Shodown's Ukyo- consisting of giving up the back and hiding the blade within its scabbard until the precise moment of striking, the style was quite unpredictable, but of course very risky. And her origin story is tragic- she is the sole daughter of Genzou Takane, the legendary swordsmith. He had happily retired to an isolated village with Hibiki until one day, an evil silver-haired man arrived, bewitching Genzou to fashion him a great sword- "The Blade of Eighty Days"- named for the amount of time it took to fashion it. The act left Genzou bedridden, and he confessed to his daughter what had happened before he died. She now seeks out Kouryo, demanding he pay for this.

-Hibiki's moves are highly technical and take some time to master- her Iaido style often leaves her wide open, taking a lot of time to recover. In short... All-Out Attack, pretty much. The ideal way to use her is to use speed. She uses a dashing slash, standard slash, a strange sword-poke that renders her opponent stunned if it hits (a Stunning Affliction tied to damage- I made it -1 to her Parry otherwise there's little reason not to do it constantly), and one of those "Versatile Stance with Multiple Options" attacks that can make it tough for opponents to guess what she's doing.

[Davies]

-Hibiki is a tiny girl fighting using the Iaido style popularized by Samurai Shodown's Ukyo- consisting of giving up the back and hiding the blade within its scabbard until the precise moment of striking, the style was quite unpredictable, but of course very risky. And her origin story is tragic- she is the sole daughter of Genzou Takane, the legendary swordsmith. He had happily retired to an isolated village with Hibiki until one day, an evil silver-haired man arrived, bewitching Genzou to fashion him a great sword- "The Blade of Eighty Days"- named for the amount of time it took to fashion it. The act left Genzou bedridden, and he confessed to his daughter what had happened before he died. She now seeks out Kouryo, demanding he pay for this.

... just tell me Kouryo doesn't have six fingers on his right hand.

[Jabroniville]

SANADA KOJIROH
First Appearance: The Last Blade (1997)
Game Appearances: The Last Blade 1 only (see below)
Home Country: Japan
Weapon: Katana
Role: Samurai Cop
PL 8 (127)
STRENGTH 2 STAMINA 3 AGILITY 5
FIGHTING 10 DEXTERITY 4
INTELLIGENCE 2 AWARENESS 3 PRESENCE 2

Skills:
Acrobatics 6 (+11)
Athletics 10 (+12)
Close Combat (Sword) 1 (+11)
Deception 3 (+5)
Expertise (Samurai Cop) 6 (+8)
Insight 4 (+7)
Intimidation 2 (+4)
Investigation 5 (+8)
Perception 4 (+7)
Persuasion 3 (+5)
Ranged Combat (Energy Blast) 4 (+10)

Advantages:
Equipment 1 (Katana), Improved Critical (Blast of Plague Demise), Improved Critical (Flashing Flight), Improved Critical (Black Hole Blade), Improved Initiative, Ranged Attack 2

Last Blade Fighting Style: Accurate Attack (Speed Mode), All-Out Attack, Defensive Roll, Extraordinary Effort (Super Move), Fast Grab (Grab), Improved Critical (Chosen Weapon), Improved Defense, Improved Disarm, Improved Hold, Improved Trip (Throw), Power Attack (Power Mode), Withstand Damage (Block)

Powers:
"Last Blade Fighter" Features 1: Adds Weapon Damage to Special Moves [1]

"Special Moves"
"Black Hole Blade- Multi-Slash" Strength-Damage +0 (Extras: Multiattack 5) (Flaws: Distracting) Linked to Affliction 5 (Toughness; Dazed & Vulnerable/Stunned & Defenseless) (Extras: Extra Condition) (Flaws: Limited Degree, Source- Katana) (5) -- [8]

• AE: "Blast of Plague Demise" Blast 4 (Reduced Defenses -2, Diminished Range -1) (3)
• AE: "Empty Death- Sword Uppercut" Strength-Damage +2 (Feats: +2 to Hit Jumping Opponents) (Inaccurate -1) (2)
• AE: "Flashing Flight- Sliding Slice" Strength-Damage +2 (Feats: Accurate) (3)

Equipment:
"Katana" Strength-Damage +3 (Improved Critical) (4)

Offense:
Unarmed +10 (+2 Damage, DC 17)
Katana +11 (+5 Damage, DC 20)
Special Moves +9 (+7 Damage, DC 22)
Black Hole Blade +11 (+5 Damage & Affliction, DC 20 & 15)
Blast of Plague Demise +12 (+4 Ranged Damage, DC 19)
Initiative +9

Defenses:
Dodge +11 (DC 21), Parry +12 (DC 22), Toughness +3 (+4 D.Roll), Fortitude +5, Will +7

Complications:
Motivation (Duty, Justice)- Kojiroh is single-minded in pursuit of duty and justice, being an elite agent.
Relationship (Younger Sister)- Kojiroh is apparently very close to his younger sister Kaori.
Power Loss (Fighting Style)- These fighters must pick a style and stick with it for the duration of the fight- either Accurate Attack (Speed Mode) or Power Attack (Power Mode). They may not alternate without suffering heavy drawbacks to accuracy and defense as they shift forms.
Weakness (Predictability)- These fighters cannot simply "spam" out the same attack over and over again, as the opponent will expect the attacks, and be ready for them (and a counterattack). The third time they try the same technique (or same combo of techniques) in a short span, they will be at -2 to Accuracy, AND to their Active Defenses in that round. All will decrease by 2 every successive round the same move is done.

Total: Abilities: 62 / Skills: 46--23 / Advantages: 7 + 12 / Powers: 9 / Defenses: 14 (127)

---

SANADA KOJIROH (Kaori Sanada)
First Appearance: The Last Blade 2 (1998)
Game Appearances: The Last Blade 2
Home Country: Japan
Weapon: Katana
Role: Samurai Cop, Crossdressing Hero
PL 8 (130)
STRENGTH 2 STAMINA 3 AGILITY 5
FIGHTING 10 DEXTERITY 4
INTELLIGENCE 2 AWARENESS 3 PRESENCE 2

Skills:
Acrobatics 6 (+11)
Athletics 10 (+12)
Close Combat (Sword) 1 (+11)
Deception 7 (+9)
Expertise (Samurai Cop) 6 (+8)
Insight 4 (+7)
Intimidation 2 (+4)
Investigation 5 (+8)
Perception 4 (+7)
Persuasion 3 (+5)
Ranged Combat (Energy Blast) 4 (+10)

Advantages:
Equipment 1 (Katana), Improved Critical (Blast of Plague Demise), Improved Critical (Flashing Flight), Improved Critical (Black Hole Blade), Improved Initiative, Ranged Attack 2

Last Blade Fighting Style: Accurate Attack (Speed Mode), All-Out Attack, Defensive Roll, Extraordinary Effort (Super Move), Fast Grab (Grab), Improved Critical (Chosen Weapon), Improved Defense, Improved Disarm, Improved Hold, Improved Trip (Throw), Power Attack (Power Mode), Withstand Damage (Block)

Powers:
"Last Blade Fighter" Features 1: Adds Weapon Damage to Special Moves [1]

"Special Moves"
"Black Hole Blade- Multi-Slash" Strength-Damage +0 (Extras: Multiattack 5) (Flaws: Distracting) Linked to Affliction 5 (Toughness; Dazed & Vulnerable/Stunned & Defenseless) (Extras: Extra Condition) (Flaws: Limited Degree, Source- Katana) (5) -- [8]

• AE: "Blast of Plague Demise" Blast 4 (Reduced Defenses -2, Diminished Range -1) (3)
• AE: "Empty Death- Sword Uppercut" Strength-Damage +2 (Feats: +2 to Hit Jumping Opponents) (Inaccurate -1) (2)
• AE: "Flashing Flight- Sliding Slice" Strength-Damage +2 (Feats: Accurate) (3)

Equipment:
"Katana" Strength-Damage +3 (Improved Critical) (4)

Offense:
Unarmed +10 (+2 Damage, DC 17)
Katana +11 (+5 Damage, DC 20)
Special Moves +9 (+7 Damage, DC 22)
Black Hole Blade +11 (+5 Damage & Affliction, DC 20 & 15)
Blast of Plague Demise +12 (+4 Ranged Damage, DC 19)
Initiative +9

Defenses:
Dodge +11 (DC 21), Parry +12 (DC 22), Toughness +3 (+4 D.Roll), Fortitude +5, Will +7

Complications:
Motivation (Duty, Justice)- Kojiroh is single-minded in pursuit of duty and justice, being an elite agent.
Relationship (Older Brother)- Kaori respected and loved her older brother very much.
Secret (Female)- Kojiroh is actually named Kaori, and has taken up the mission of her older brother, who died- "you have avenged your brother well" her father tells her after the death of Kouryu.
Power Loss (Fighting Style)- These fighters must pick a style and stick with it for the duration of the fight- either Accurate Attack (Speed Mode) or Power Attack (Power Mode). They may not alternate without suffering heavy drawbacks to accuracy and defense as they shift forms.
Weakness (Predictability)- These fighters cannot simply "spam" out the same attack over and over again, as the opponent will expect the attacks, and be ready for them (and a counterattack). The third time they try the same technique (or same combo of techniques) in a short span, they will be at -2 to Accuracy, AND to their Active Defenses in that round. All will decrease by 2 every successive round the same move is done.

Total: Abilities: 62 / Skills: 52--26 / Advantages: 7 + 12 / Powers: 9 / Defenses: 14 (130)

-Kojiroh is the captain of the Shinsengumi (a real military organization) Unit Zero, ordered to stop the Hell's Gate and capture Shikyoh, the crazed outlaw. Most of his unit has died, but Kojiroh fights on. He's got a really cool, if predictable, "Samurai" design, with the striking blue-on-white color scheme and the triangles and all. Kojiroh is claimed by some to be female, and that a character ending reveals this.. and yup, there it is- Kojiroh is revealed as Kaori in her ending, with the statement that she has "avenged" her brother well for killing Kouryu. This actually makes me wonder if the original Kojiroh is supposed to be in The Last Blade and the sequel one is supposed to be Kaori. aaaaaaaaand then I check a playthrough of the original Last Blade and finding the Kojiroh there to have a VERY gravelly, mature, manly voice, contrasting the "could maybe be a woman playing a teen male" voice in the original.

-Functionally, Kojiroh fights like a PL 8 version of Kaede- same build, same weapon, even the same attack types- Sword Uppercut, Multiattack, Forward-Moving Slash, etc.- even a Blast! The Skills are the only real difference, as Kojiroh is a cop with a hell of a Deception score. The original Kojiroh presumably might not be QUITE as good at that particular aspect.

[Jabroniville]

SHIKYOH
First Appearance: The Last Blade (1997)
Game Appearances: The Last Blade 1 only
Home Country: Japan
Weapon: Kyoudachi Hagewashi- Misfortune Blade of the Bald Eagle (double-bladed weapon- separates into two)
Role: The Freak, Psycho Killer
PL 8 (106)
STRENGTH 2 STAMINA 3 AGILITY 5
FIGHTING 12 DEXTERITY 4
INTELLIGENCE -2 AWARENESS -2 PRESENCE -2

Skills:
Acrobatics 8 (+13)
Athletics 12 (+14)
Close Combat (Sword) 1 (+13)
Insight 2 (+4)
Intimidation 2 (+5)
Perception 4 (+6)
Persuasion 3 (+6)
Ranged Combat (Blade) 6 (+12)

Advantages:
Equipment 1 (Weapon), Improved Critical (Rotation Evisceration), Improved Critical (Bald Eagle Swoop), Improved Critical (Weasel's Slash), Improved Initiative, Ranged Attack 2

Last Blade Fighting Style: Accurate Attack (Speed Mode), All-Out Attack, Defensive Roll, Extraordinary Effort (Super Move), Fast Grab (Grab), Improved Critical (Chosen Weapon), Improved Defense, Improved Disarm, Improved Hold, Improved Trip (Throw), Power Attack (Power Mode), Withstand Damage (Block)

Powers:
"Last Blade Fighter" Features 1: Adds Weapon Damage to Special Moves [1]
"Zombie" Immunity 6 (Aging, Disease, Suffocation 2, Starvation & Thirst) [6]

"Special Moves"
"Rotation Evisceration" Strength-Damage +0 (Extras: Multiattack 4) (Flaws: Distracting) Linked to Affliction 4 (Toughness; Dazed & Vulnerable/Stunned & Defenseless) (Extras: Extra Condition) (Flaws: Limited Degree, Source- Blade) (4) -- [6]

• AE: "Bald Eagle Swoop" Blast 4 (Flaws: Source- Blade) (Reduced Defenses -2, Diminished Range -1) (1)
• AE: "Weasel's Slash- Crawl & Jumping Stab" Strength-Damage +2 (Feats: Accurate) (3)

Equipment:
"Kyoudachi Hagewashi" Strength-Damage +2 (Split, Improved Critical) (4)

Offense:
Unarmed +12 (+2 Damage, DC 17)
Blade +12 (+4 Damage, DC 19)
Special Moves +10 (+6 Damage, DC 21)
Rotation EviscerationBlast +12 (+4 Damage & Affliction, DC 19 & 14)
Bald Eagle Swoop +12 (+4 Ranged Damage, DC 19)
Initiative +9

Defenses:
Dodge +11 (DC 21), Parry +12 (DC 22), Toughness +3 (+4 D.Roll), Fortitude +6, Will +4

Complications:
Motivation (Killing)- Shikyoh LOVES killing.
Power Loss (Weapon)- If Shikyoh is struck while trying any ranged attack with his weapon, he will be disarmed.
Enemy (Kojiroh)- Shikyoh is hunted by the government agent.
Power Loss (Fighting Style)- These fighters must pick a style and stick with it for the duration of the fight- either Accurate Attack (Speed Mode) or Power Attack (Power Mode). They may not alternate without suffering heavy drawbacks to accuracy and defense as they shift forms.
Weakness (Predictability)- These fighters cannot simply "spam" out the same attack over and over again, as the opponent will expect the attacks, and be ready for them (and a counterattack). The third time they try the same technique (or same combo of techniques) in a short span, they will be at -2 to Accuracy, AND to their Active Defenses in that round. All will decrease by 2 every successive round the same move is done.

Total: Abilities: 40 / Skills: 38--19 / Advantages: 7 + 12 / Powers: 13 / Defenses: 15 (106)

-YUP- another Fighting Game, another "Freak" design. These characters became extraordinarily common around this time, as you had Chaos from Toshinden, Basara from Samurai Shodown, Voldo from Soul Calibre, etc. Game designers just LOVE "Freak" designs. These wild, manic, drooling weirdos create some truly fun, bizarre animations and exchanges. And so the slobbering Shikyoh is our "Freak". He was a member of the Shinsengumi, but joined only to go on killing sprees- he was found out, but escaped. Fellow member Kojiroh thus hunts him down. Shikyoh's fate is to kill Kojiroh, but he himself is killed by Kojiroh's sister Kaori. He rises in the second game as a Head-Swap character- a zombie named "Mukuro" driven only by his lust for killing.

-Shikyoh is pretty typical for the game, but would presumably use All-Out Attack more to represent his playstyle. His double-bladed weapon can split apart, and can be thrown at range, spinning and returning to him.

[Jabroniville]

MUKURO
First Appearance: The Last Blade 2 (1998)
Game Appearances: The Last Blade 2
Home Country: Japan
Weapon: Kyoudachi Hagewashi- Misfortune Blade of the Bald Eagle (double-bladed weapon- separates into two)
Role: The Freak, Killer Zombie
PL 8 (106)
STRENGTH 2 STAMINA 3 AGILITY 5
FIGHTING 12 DEXTERITY 4
INTELLIGENCE -2 AWARENESS -2 PRESENCE -2

Skills:
Acrobatics 8 (+13)
Athletics 12 (+14)
Close Combat (Sword) 1 (+13)
Insight 2 (+4)
Intimidation 2 (+5)
Perception 4 (+6)
Persuasion 3 (+6)
Ranged Combat (Blade) 6 (+12)

Advantages:
Equipment 1 (Weapon), Improved Critical (Rotation Evisceration), Improved Critical (Bald Eagle Swoop), Improved Critical (Weasel's Slash), Improved Initiative, Ranged Attack 2

Last Blade Fighting Style: Accurate Attack (Speed Mode), All-Out Attack, Defensive Roll, Extraordinary Effort (Super Move), Fast Grab (Grab), Improved Critical (Chosen Weapon), Improved Defense, Improved Disarm, Improved Hold, Improved Trip (Throw), Power Attack (Power Mode), Withstand Damage (Block)

Powers:
"Last Blade Fighter" Features 1: Adds Weapon Damage to Special Moves [1]
"Zombie" Immunity 6 (Aging, Disease, Suffocation 2, Starvation & Thirst) [6]

"Special Moves"
"Rotation Evisceration" Strength-Damage +0 (Extras: Multiattack 4) (Flaws: Distracting) Linked to Affliction 4 (Toughness; Dazed & Vulnerable/Stunned & Defenseless) (Extras: Extra Condition) (Flaws: Limited Degree, Source- Blade) (4) -- [6]

• AE: "Bald Eagle Swoop" Blast 4 (Flaws: Source- Blade) (Reduced Defenses -2, Diminished Range -1) (1)
• AE: "Weasel's Slash- Crawl & Jumping Stab" Strength-Damage +2 (Feats: Accurate) (3)

Equipment:
"Kyoudachi Hagewashi" Strength-Damage +2 (Split, Improved Critical) (4)

Offense:
Unarmed +12 (+2 Damage, DC 17)
Blade +12 (+4 Damage, DC 19)
Special Moves +10 (+6 Damage, DC 21)
Rotation EviscerationBlast +12 (+4 Damage & Affliction, DC 19 & 14)
Bald Eagle Swoop +12 (+4 Ranged Damage, DC 19)
Initiative +9

Defenses:
Dodge +11 (DC 21), Parry +12 (DC 22), Toughness +3 (+4 D.Roll), Fortitude +6, Will +4

Complications:
Motivation (Killing)- Mukuro remembers only his love of killing from his previous life.
Disabled (Fading Skills & Memories)- Mukuro's skills are rapidly fading the longer his life is in rearview- he is beyond caring about this, but he will lose ability with time.
Enemy (Kojiroh, Kaori)- Mukuro killed Kojiroh in a past life, but was himself slain by Kaori.
Power Loss (Weapon)- If Mukuro is struck while trying any ranged attack with his weapon, he will be disarmed.
Power Loss (Fighting Style)- These fighters must pick a style and stick with it for the duration of the fight- either Accurate Attack (Speed Mode) or Power Attack (Power Mode). They may not alternate without suffering heavy drawbacks to accuracy and defense as they shift forms.
Weakness (Predictability)- These fighters cannot simply "spam" out the same attack over and over again, as the opponent will expect the attacks, and be ready for them (and a counterattack). The third time they try the same technique (or same combo of techniques) in a short span, they will be at -2 to Accuracy, AND to their Active Defenses in that round. All will decrease by 2 every successive round the same move is done.

Total: Abilities: 40 / Skills: 38--19 / Advantages: 7 + 12 / Powers: 13 / Defenses: 15 (106)

-Mukuro here is unique in that he's an undead version of a prior character- Shikyoh is back from the first game, but as a bandage-wrapped zombie! His love of killing still fresh in his mind, he roams the countryside killing innocents. In the game's canon, he is apparently killed by Kaori over the murder of her brother, Kojiroh, at his hands.

-A GameFaqs page asserts that Mukuro is possibly the most powerful character in The Last Blade 2, far superior to Shikyoh. His double-bladed weapon can split apart, and can be thrown at range, spinning and returning to him- identical moves to Shikyoh.

[drkrash]

I can't help but wonder if the dearth of comments here confirms my thought that these characters are sound designs in a good game, but are fairly soulless compared to many others.

[Jabroniville]

I can't help but wonder if the dearth of comments here confirms my thought that these characters are sound designs in a good game, but are fairly soulless compared to many others.

It suffers, to me, from having some pretty generic characters as the base "important ones"- Rock Howard with a Sword, Blonde-Haired Female Protagonist, etc. Plus many of the better designs are just "guy in samurai clothes". Most of them would end up as 3rd-tier Samurai Shodown characters, as good as some of the designs are visually.

[Jabroniville]

WASHIZUKA KEIICHI
First Appearance: The Last Blade (1997)
Game Appearances: The Last Blade 1-2, Neo*Geo Battle Coliseum
Home Country: Japan
Weapon: Katana
Role: Samurai Cop
PL 8 (124)
STRENGTH 2 STAMINA 3 AGILITY 5
FIGHTING 10 DEXTERITY 4
INTELLIGENCE 2 AWARENESS 3 PRESENCE 2

Skills:
Acrobatics 6 (+11)
Athletics 10 (+12)
Close Combat (Sword) 1 (+11)
Deception 3 (+5)
Expertise (Samurai Cop) 6 (+8)
Insight 4 (+7)
Intimidation 2 (+4)
Investigation 5 (+8)
Perception 4 (+7)
Persuasion 3 (+5)
Ranged Combat (Energy Blast) 4 (+10)

Advantages:
Equipment 1 (Katana), Improved Critical (Fatal Flurry), Improved Critical (Foolish Flurry), Improved Critical (Wolf Fang), Improved Initiative, Ranged Attack 2

Last Blade Fighting Style: Accurate Attack (Speed Mode), All-Out Attack, Defensive Roll, Extraordinary Effort (Super Move), Fast Grab (Grab), Improved Critical (Chosen Weapon), Improved Defense, Improved Disarm, Improved Hold, Improved Trip (Throw), Power Attack (Power Mode), Withstand Damage (Block)

Powers:
"Last Blade Fighter" Features 1: Adds Weapon Damage to Special Moves [1]
"Wolf Fang/A Glorious Death- Variable Move Set-Ups" Enhanced Advantages: Benefits (Uses Fighting Skill Instead of Deception to Bluff) [1]

"Special Moves"

• AE: "Fatal Flurry- Slashing at the Air" Blast 4 (Flaws: Source- Sword) (Reduced Defenses -2, Diminished Range -1) (2) -- [4]
• AE: "Foolish Flurry- Sword Uppercut" Strength-Damage +2 (Feats: +2 to Hit Jumping Opponents) (Inaccurate -1) (2)
• AE: "Wolf Fang/A Glorious Death- Unpredictable Attacks" Strength-Damage +2 (Feats: +2 to Hit if Successfully Feinted Foe) (Inaccurate -1) (2)

Equipment:
"Katana" Strength-Damage +3 (Improved Critical) (4)

Offense:
Unarmed +10 (+2 Damage, DC 17)
Katana +11 (+5 Damage, DC 20)
Special Moves +9 (+7 Damage, DC 22)
Black Hole Blade +11 (+5 Damage & Affliction, DC 20 & 15)
Fatal Flurry +12 (+4 Ranged Damage, DC 19)
Initiative +9

Defenses:
Dodge +11 (DC 21), Parry +12 (DC 22), Toughness +3 (+4 D.Roll), Fortitude +5, Will +7

Complications:
Motivation (Duty, Justice)- Washizuka is single-minded in pursuit of duty and justice, being an elite agent.
Power Loss (Fighting Style)- These fighters must pick a style and stick with it for the duration of the fight- either Accurate Attack (Speed Mode) or Power Attack (Power Mode). They may not alternate without suffering heavy drawbacks to accuracy and defense as they shift forms.
Weakness (Predictability)- These fighters cannot simply "spam" out the same attack over and over again, as the opponent will expect the attacks, and be ready for them (and a counterattack). The third time they try the same technique (or same combo of techniques) in a short span, they will be at -2 to Accuracy, AND to their Active Defenses in that round. All will decrease by 2 every successive round the same move is done.

Total: Abilities: 62 / Skills: 46--23 / Advantages: 7 + 12 / Powers: 6 / Defenses: 14 (124)

-Washizuka, the "Sword Wolf", almost looks like a swap of Kojiroh, but they have different stances- they're both members of the Shinsengumi, charged with stopping the Hell's Gate. His design is somewhat based off of Hajime Saitō from Rorouni Kenshin, and he shares Kenshin's X-shaped scar. This character proved rather popular, appearing in both Last Blade games, as well as Neo*Geo Battle Coliseum as a "Dark Horse" candidate. His stance is truly badass, and he fits the "Generic Samurai" role very well.

-GameFaqs says Washizuka is hard to defend against, and you have to find aggressively to stop him. He uses a Blast, Anti-Air, and two Unpredictable Multi-Step Moves (a running one and a stabbing one). For Skills & Abilities, he's largely the same as Kojiroh.

[Skavenger]

I actually had a book at one point in my youth called "Japanese Sword Drawing." ...and yes, I fully bought it expecting it to be an art book. So sue me.

But it wound up being something I read cover to cover a few times, because up until then I knew about different martial art styles and stances, but I had no idea there were a wide variety of sword techniques beyond "fencing" and "a technique based on the size of the sword you had" (my time playing D&D had failed me when it came to swordsman techniques). Though I guess I also knew about "aggressively" and "defensively." The idea that the sword should only be drawn when you're going to actually kill somebody, and even then you draw it, finish the job, and then put the sword away as quickly as possible, fascinated it. It was also my first introduction to the idea that "swords going clang clang clang clang" against each other for extended periods is strictly a Hollywood thing, not a real technique.

I'm going to have to see if I still have that book somewhere in my collection of boxed up items.

[Jabroniville]

One thing I find somewhat interesting about The Last Blade in terms of build is while they're usually pretty standard (a lot of Blast/Anti-Air/Regular Move stuff), with the standard 3-4 Special Moves per character, there's a LOT of them that sport this "Variable Opening Move Set-Up" technique, as if the designers wanted it to be a major function of the series. So you've got Hibiki, Washizuka and others all having moves that start with one stance, then end in different attacks based off of which button you press after the set-up.

This is effectively "Feinting" in M&M terms (improved accuracy because the opponent doesn't know WHICH attack is coming out- could be diagonal, upwards, across, low, etc.), and is thus harder to defend against, though that's usually tricky in-game as you waste an attack doing it (um, I think- it's been a while). So I included the "+2 to Hit if Successfully Feinted" to make it a more attractive option.