____ _ _____ _ ____ _ _ | __ )| | | ____| / \ / ___| | | |_ | _ \| | | _| / _ \| | | |_| (_) | |_) | |___| |___ / ___ | |___| _ |_ |____/|_____|_____/_/ \_\____|_| |_(_) ____ ___ _ _ _ / ___| / _ \| | | | | \___ \| | | | | | | | ___) | |_| | |_| | |___ |____/ \___/ \___/|_____| ____ _____ ____ _ _ ____ ____ _____ ____ ____ ___ __ _ _ | _ \| ____/ ___|| | | | _ \| _ \| ____/ ___/ ___|_ _|/_/ | \ | | | |_) | _| \___ \| | | | |_) | |_) | _|| | | | | |/ _ \| \| | | _ <| |___ ___) | |_| | _ <| _ <| |__| |__| |___ | | |_| | |\ | |_| \_|_____|____/ \___/|_| \_|_| \_|_____\____\____|___\___/|_| \_| +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Author: multiCHROME | | Created: January 5th, 2013 | | E-mail: multichrome[at]live[dot]be | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Welcome to the Bleach: Soul Resurrección Leveling Guide! +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+-----+ | TABLE OF CONTENTS | 0.0 | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+-----+ - Table of contents.................0.0 - How to use the guide..............1.0 - Introduction......................2.0 - Preparations......................3.0 - The level up grid.................4.0 - Nodes.........................4.1 - Layout........................4.2 - Leveling strategies...............5.0 - Getting more Soul Points......5.1 - Grinding levels...............5.2 - Unlocking the right nodes.....5.3 - Questions and answers.............6.0 - Version history...................7.0 - Copyright.........................8.0 - Credits...........................9.0 +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+-----+ | HOW TO USE THE GUIDE | 1.0 | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+-----+ This guide can easily be navigated by using your browser's search function (Ctrl + F). Copy the code from the table of contents which corresponds to the section you want to read. For example, if you wanted to read the section about the level up grid's layout, you would search for '4.2' (without quotes). +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+-----+ | INTRODUCTION | 2.0 | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+-----+ This guide is intended for players who wish to level up their characters in Bleach: Soul Resurrección. I myself am a fanatical 'Playstation Trophy Hunter' and wanted nothing more than to add Bleach: Soul Resurrección's platinum trophy to my collection. While searching for a way to quickly level up my characters, I noticed that there weren't a lot of guides (actually, I found only one, and frankly, it wasn't that helpful). That's when I decided to make this guide. Anyway, I still haven't got the platinum trophy, but I'm well on my way. Leveling in Bleach: Soul Resurrección is done by spending Soul Points to unlock nodes in the level up grid. I will make a distinction between the large grid, henceforth called 'grid', and 'subgrids', the smaller grid of which the large grid consists. From this point forward, I will name each subgrid after the characters whose nodes are located in them. For example, the subgrid in which Barragan's and Halibel's nodes are located, will now be referred to as the Barragan and Halibel subgrid. The level of your character equals the number of unlocked nodes on his or her grid (all subgrids together), meaning that when you unlock one node, your character's level is raised by one. Soul Points are obtained by defeating enemies and breaking objects in the Story, Mission and Soul Attack modes. Successfully clearing a Story episode, Mission or Soul Attack stage will net you more Soul Points. Strategies for obtaining more Soul Points are discussed in the 'Leveling strategies' section (5.0). On a side note, this guide will not discuss how to unlock all characters. This information can be found in the 'Cheats' section on this site. +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+-----+ | PREPARATIONS | 3.0 | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+-----+ You might have already noticed that some nodes on the grid cannot be unlocked by spending Soul Points. These nodes are unlocked by leveling up specific characters. Before focusing on leveling up one character, these nodes should be cleared first. This is also a good opportunity to experiment with every character. The level requirements are: - level 9 for Barragan to unlock the node between the Barragan and Halibel subgrid and the Gin Ichimaru subgrid; - level 9 for Byakuya Kuchiki to unlock the node between the Byakuya Kuchiki and Yoruichi Shihoin subgrid and the Kenpachi Zaraki subgrid; - level 18 for Gin Ichimaru to unlock the node between the Ulquiorra subgrid and the Gin Ichimaru subgrid; - level 6 for Grimmjow to unlock the node between the Nnoitora subgrid and the Grimmjow subgrid; - level 9 for Halibel to unlock the node between the Stark subgrid and the Barragan and Halibel subgrid; - level 6 for Hollowfied Ichigo to unlock the node between the Ichigo Kurosaki subgrid and the Hollowfied Ichigo subgrid; - level 60 for Ichigo Kurosaki to unlock the node between the Hollowfied Ichigo subgrid and the Ulquiorra subgrid; - level 9 for Kenpachi Zaraki to unlock the node between the Kenpachi Zaraki subgrid and the Ichigo Kurosaki subgrid; - level 3 for Kokuto to unlock the node between the Ichigo Kurosaki subgrid and the Kokuto subgrid; - level 6 for Nnoitora to unlock the node between the Kenpachi Zaraki subgrid and the Nnoitora subgrid; - level 6 for Rukia Kuchiki to unlock the node between the Rukia Kuchiki subgrid and the Ichigo Kurosaki subgrid; - level 6 for Shunsui Kyoraku to unlock the node between the Rukia Kuchiki subgrid and the Shunsui Kyoraku subgrid; - level 6 for Soi Fon to unlock the node between the Soi Fon subgrid and the Toshiro Hitsugaya subgrid; - level 6 for Sosuke Aizen to unlock the node between the Gin Ichimaru and the Sosuke Aizen subgrid; - level 12 for Stark to unlock the node between the Nnoitora subgrid and the Stark subgrid; - level 12 for Toshiro Hitsugaya to unlock the node between the Toshiro Hitsugaya subgrid and the Rukia Kuchiki subgrid; - level 6 for Ulquiorra to unlock the node between the Grimmjow subgrid and the Ulquiorra subgrid; - level 6 for Uryu Ishida to unlock the node between the Ichigo Kurosaki subgrid and the Uryu Ishida subgrid; - level 9 for Yoruichi Shihoin to unlock the node between the Soi Fon subgrid and the Byakuya Kuchiki and Yoruichi Shihoin subgrid; Unlocking these nodes is important. Take Stark for example. His subgrid is locked in between the Nnoitora subgrid and the Barragan and Halibel subgrid. To unlock the node to the Nnoitora subgrid, Stark needs to be level 12. However, Stark's subgrid consists of only nine nodes. To continue leveling Stark (and in order to clear the way to the Nnoitora subgrid) the node to the Barragan and Halibel subgrid needs to be unlocked, and that is done by training Halibel to level 9. +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+-----+ | THE LEVEL UP GRID | 4.0 | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+-----+ The level up grid consists of seventeen subgrids and a total of 175 nodes. The layout of the grid is the same for all characters; however, every character will start on a different node, in their own subgrid. _____ | 4.1 \________________________________ NODES _________________________________ In total, there are 175 nodes: 30 Attack nodes, 18 Attack+ nodes, 20 Defense nodes, 6 Defense+ nodes, 30 Vitality nodes, 11 Vitality+ nodes, 9 Spiritual Pressure nodes and 51 character nodes. Listed below are all nodes with the abbreviations I use to refer to them in this guide, their Soul Point cost, and their effect. +----------------------+------+----------------------------------------+ | ABILITY | COST | EFFECT | +------+----------------------+------+----------------------------------------+ | Atk | Attack UP | 200 | Increases attack power. | | Atk+ | Attack UP+ | 500 | Greatly increases attack power. | | Ch** | Character | **** | Grants specific ability (see below). | | Def | Defense UP | 300 | Increases defensive power. | | Def+ | Defense UP+ | 700 | Greatly increases defensive power. | | SpPr | Spirital Pressure UP | 900 | Gain 1 extra bar of Spiritual | | | | | Pressure. | | Vit | Vitality UP | 200 | Increases attack Life Gauge. | | Vit+ | Vitality UP+ | 500 | Greatly increases Life Gauge. | +------+----------------------+------+----------------------------------------+ The following is an alphabetical list of all the character nodes and the abilities they unlock. +---------------------+-------+----------------------------------------+ | CHARACTER | COST | ABILITY | +------+---------------------+-------+----------------------------------------+ | Ch01 | Aaroniero | 300 | Extra damage against Hollows. | | Ch02 | Barragan | 400 | Added knockback resistance. | | Ch03 | Byakuya Kuchiki | 300 | Extra damage against Hollows. | | Ch04 | Genryusai Yamamoto | 500 | Greatly increases damage dealt when | | | | | Life Gauge is low. | | Ch05 | Gin Ichimaru | 300 | Extra damage against Soul Reapers. | | Ch06 | Grimmjow | 300 | Extra damage against Soul Reapers. | | Ch07 | Hachigen Ushoda | 3,000 | Revive once even after Life Gauge is | | | | | depleted. | | Ch08 | Halibel | 300 | Extra damage against Soul Reapers. | | Ch09 | Hiyori Sarugaki | 300 | Extra damage against Soul Reapers. | | Ch10 | Hollowfied Ichigo | 600 | Quicker Ignition Gauge increase rate. | | Ch11 | Ichigo Kurosaki | 300 | Extra damage against Arrancars. | | Ch12 | Ikkaku Madarame | 300 | Extra damage against Hollows. | | Ch13 | Isshin Kurosaki | 400 | Added knockback resistance. | | Ch14 | Izuru Kira | 900 | Slight life regeneration. | | Ch15 | Jushiro Ukitake | 300 | Extended combo time. | | Ch16 | Kaname Tosen | 500 | Increased knockback when hitting enemy | | | | | with a dash. | | Ch17 | Kenpachi Zaraki | 400 | Added knockback resistance. | | Ch18 | Kensei Muguruma | 300 | Extra damage against Arrancars. | | Ch19 | Kisuke Urahara | 800 | Ability to counter by guarding attacks | | | | | and pressing the square button to | | | | | counter. | | Ch20 | Kokuto | 3,000 | Revive once even after Life Gauge is | | | | | depleted. | | Ch21 | Lisa Yadomaru | 600 | Increased Spirit Gauge regeneration | | | | | rate. | | Ch22 | Love | 300 | Extended combo time. | | Ch23 | Marechiyo Oomaeda | 900 | Ability to jump up to 2 times in air. | | Ch24 | Mashiro | 800 | Chance of additional Soul Points in | | | | | battle. | | Ch25 | Mayuri Kurotsuchi | 300 | Extra damage against Arrancars. | | Ch26 | Momo Hinamori | 600 | Increased Spirit Gauge regeneration | | | | | rate. | | Ch27 | Nel Tu | 900 | Slight life regeneration. | | Ch28 | Nnoitora | 400 | Added knockback resistance. | | Ch29 | Orihime Inoue | 3,000 | Revive once even after Life Gauge is | | | | | depleted. | | Ch30 | Rangiku Matsumoto | 600 | Increased Spirit Gauge regeneration | | | | | rate. | | Ch31 | Renji Abarai | 500 | Increased knockback when hitting enemy | | | | | with a dash. | | Ch32 | Retsu Unohana | 900 | Slight life regeneration. | | Ch33 | Rose | 300 | Extended combo time. | | Ch34 | Rukia Kuchiki | 300 | Extra damage against Hollows. | | Ch35 | Sajin Komamura | 400 | Added knockback resistance. | | Ch36 | Shinji Hirako | 3,000 | Ability to cancel Spirit attacks with | | | | | Basic attacks. | | Ch37 | Shuhei Hisagi | 500 | Increased knockback when hitting enemy | | | | | with a dash. | | Ch38 | Shunsui Kyoraku | 300 | Extra damage against Arrancars. | | Ch39 | Soi Fon | 300 | Extended combo time. | | Ch40 | Sosuke Aizen | 900 | Absorbs life with Basic attacks. | | Ch41 | Stark | 300 | Extra damage against Soul Reapers. | | Ch42 | Syazelaporro | 400 | Added knockback resistance. | | Ch43 | Toshiro Hitsugaya | 300 | Extra damage against Arrancars. | | Ch44 | Ulquiorra | 600 | Quicker Ignition Gauge increase rate. | | Ch45 | Uryu Ishida | 300 | Extra damage against Hollows. | | Ch46 | Yachiru Kusajishi | 700 | Ability to cancel Basic/Spirit attacks | | | | | with a dash even when not in Power Up | | | | | Mode. | | Ch47 | Yammy | 900 | Absorbs life with Super Moves. | | Ch48 | Yasutora Chad | 700 | Ability to cancel Basic/Spirit attacks | | | | | with Guard even when not in Power Up | | | | | Mode. | | Ch49 | Yoruichi Shihoin | 300 | Extended combo time. | | Ch50 | Yumichika Ayasegawa | 900 | Absorbs life with Spirit attacks. | | Ch51 | Zommari | 300 | Extended combo time. | +------+---------------------+-------+----------------------------------------+ _____ | 4.2 \________________________________ LAYOUT ________________________________ Below is an overview of the level up grid. For an actual screenshot of the grid, visit http://i54.tinypic.com/a5b3if.png (picture taken from PS3Trophies.org, courtesy of Setsuna). As I have mentioned before, the grid consists of seventeen subgrids, separated by locked nodes (X). +-------------+ +-------+ +-------+ | | +-------+ | | | | | BYAKUYA | | | +-------+ | STARK | |SOI FON|-X-| |-X-|KENPACH| | |-X-| | | | | YORUICHI | | |-X-|NNOITOR| +-------+ +-------+ | | +-------+ | | | | +-------------+ | +-------+ X X | X | | | X | X +-------------+ +-------+ | +-------------+ | | | | | +-------+ | | +-------+ | BARRAGAN | |TOSHIRO|-X-| | | | | |-X-| | | | | RUKIA |-X-| ICHIGO |-X-|GRIMMJO| | HALIBEL | +-------+ | | | | | | | | +-------+ | | +-------+ +-------------+ / X-------------X | / X / / / X X / / X / | / +-------++---+ / +---+ +-------+ +-------+ +-------+ | ||KOK| +-------+ |HOL|-X-| | | | | | |SHUNSUI|+---+ | | +---+ |ULQUIOR|-X-| GIN |-X-|SOSUKE | | | | URYU | | | | | | | +-------+ | | +-------+ +-------+ +-------+ +-------+ As you can see, there are three types of subgrids: small, medium and large ones. The two small subgrids (2x2) consist of 4 nodes each and the twelve medium subgrids (3x3) contain 9 nodes each. Two of three large subgrids have 19 nodes each and the other one holds 21. ====================================== SMALL SUBGRIDS ====================================== HOLLOWFIED ICHIGO KOKUTO +----+----+ +----+----+ |Def |Ch29| |Atk+|Vit+| +----+----+ +----+----+ |Ch10|Atk+| |Atk+|Ch20| +----+----+ +----+----+ ======================================= MEDIUM SUBGRIDS ======================================= GIN ICHIMARU GRIMMJOW KENPACHI ZARAKI +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ |Atk+|Ch30|Vit | |Vit+|Atk+|Atk | |Atk+|Ch17|Atk+| +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ |Vit |Ch05|Def | |Vit |Ch06|Ch51| |Def |Atk |Ch46| +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ |Atk+|Ch14|Atk | |Ch01|Atk |Def | |Atk |Ch50|Atk | +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ NNOITORA RUKIA KUCHIKI SHUNSUI KYORAKU +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ |Ch42|Vit |Def | |Ch18|Atk |Atk+| |SpPr|Atk+|Vit | +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ |Def+|Ch27|Ch28| |Vit |Ch34|Vit | |Atk |Vit+|Ch32| +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ |SpPr|Def |Def+| |Atk+|Ch15|Def | |Def |Ch38|Vit | +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ SOI FON SOSUKE AIZEN STARK +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ |Ch23|Vit |SpPr| |Vit |Def+|Atk+| |Ch33|Vit+|Ch41| +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ |Def |Ch39|Atk | |Ch04|Ch40|Ch36| |Vit |Atk+|Atk | +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ |Ch07|Atk |Vit+| |Atk |Vit+|SpPr| |Atk |Def |Ch22| +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ TOSHIRO HITSUGAYA ULQUIORRA URYU ISHIDA +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ |Vit |Def+|Atk+| |SpPr|Vit |Vit | |Vit+|Atk |Vit | +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ |Ch43|Atk |Ch24| |Vit+|Ch44|Def | |SpPr|Vit |Ch48| +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ |Vit |Ch26|Def | |Atk |Ch47|Atk+| |Atk |Ch45|Def | +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ +----+----+----+ ====================================== LARGE SUBGRIDS ====================================== BARRAGAN and HALIBEL BYAKUYA KUCHIKI and YORUICHI SHIHOIN +----+----+----+----+----+ +----+----+----+----+----+ |Def+|Vit |Atk | | | | | |SpPr|Atk |Ch25| +----+----+----+----+----+ +----+----+----+----+----+ |Atk |Ch08|Ch21|Vit | | | |Def |Vit |Ch03|Vit | +----+----+----+----+----+ +----+----+----+----+----+ |Atk |Def |SpPr|Atk+|Def | |Atk+|Vit |Ch13|Def |Atk | +----+----+----+----+----+ +----+----+----+----+----+ | |Vit+|Atk |Ch02|Vit | |Atk |Ch49|Vit+|Ch35| | +----+----+----+----+----+ +----+----+----+----+----+ | | |Ch16|Vit |Ch37| |Def+|Vit |Atk | | | +----+----+----+----+----+ +----+----+----+----+----+ ICHIGO KUROSAKI +----+----+----+----+----+ | |Atk |Ch12|Vit | | +----+----+----+----+----+ |Atk |Vit |Def |SpPr|Vit | +----+----+----+----+----+ |Ch31|Vit+|Ch11|Atk |Atk+| +----+----+----+----+----+ |Def |Atk |Vit |Ch19|Vit | +----+----+----+----+----+ | |Ch09|Atk |Def | | +----+----+----+----+----+ +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+-----+ | LEVELING STRATEGIES | 5.0 | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+-----+ Unlocking all 175 nodes for one character would require a total of 79,800 Soul Points. However, you only need to unlock 174 nodes with every character because their own node is already unlocked from the start. There are 21 playable characters, but only 19 need to be leveled up (as Bankai, Final, and Skullclad Ichigo Kurosaki share the same grid). Maxing out all of the nineteen playable characters requires 1,506,300 Soul Points. By defeating enemies and breaking objects during a battle, you gain Soul Points. You will receive these Soul Points even if you are defeated and the game is over. However, after successfully clearing a Story Episode, Mission, or Soul Attack stage, more Soul Points will be added to the total you gained in battle. The amount of extra Soul Points depends on the following factors: a) Difficulty b) Clear Time c) Enemies Defeated d) Ignition Attacks Used _____ | 5.1 \_______________________ GETTING MORE SOUL POINTS _______________________ There are several ways to acquire more Soul Points, during battle as well as after. ===================================== DURING BATTLE ===================================== To obtain more Soul Points you need to build up your Slash Combo. The Slash Combo will increase by one for every blow you deal to an enemy or breakable object. The Soul Points you obtain, can be multiplied up to four times, if your Slash Combo is high enough: Slash Combo = 100 -> Soul Points x 2 Slash Combo = 300 -> Soul Points x 3 Slash Combo = 1000 -> Soul Points x 4 (Note: Only the Soul Points you acquire AFTER attaining a multiplier, will be multiplied.) However, keeping up the combo can be a difficult task. Therefore, it is recommended to unlock the following character nodes as soon as possible (300 Soul Points each to unlock; see 4.2 for exact location on the subgrid): Jushiro Ukitake (in the Rukia Kuchiki subgrid) Love (in the Stark subgrid) Rose (in the Stark subgrid) Soi Fon (in the Soi Fon subgrid) Yoruichi Shihoin (in the Byakuya Kuchiki and Yoruichi Shihoin subgrid) Zommari (in the Grimmjow subgrid) When all these nodes are unlocked, the Slash Combo time is greatly extended and it will be considerably easier to build up a combo. Nevertheless, rarely will you attain a Slash Combo of 1000 (unless playing with the appropriate characters). Try holding a double, if not triple, multiplier always. When you find yourself in a large area and there are no enemies around, hit a breakable object. Use a long-range attack (usually a Spirit attack) when an enemy or breakable object is out of reach. Also, try juggling enemies you already defeated; the hits you land on them still count. There is also one character node which nets extra Soul Points in battle (800 Soul Points to unlock; see 4.2 for exact location on the subgrid): Mashiro (in the Toshiro Hitsugaya subgrid) ====================================== AFTER BATTLE ====================================== The amount of extra Soul Points received after clearing a Story Episode, Mission or Soul Attack stage will be higher if you have played on a higher difficulty. Clearing a Mission on Very Hard, for example, will net you more Soul Points than clearing it on Normal. Finishing a Mission quickly will also net you more Soul Points. This factor is irrelevant when doing a Beat Attack in the Soul Attack mode, as these stages end after a set amount of time has passed. The most important of the factors determining the amount of extra Soul Points after a battle is the amount of enemies you defeated. The more enemies slain, the more Soul Points. Lastly, using your character's Ignition Attack will also net extra Soul Points. There are two character nodes which boost the Ignition Gauge's increase rate (600 Soul Points each to unlock; see 4.2 for exact location on the subgrid): Hollowfied Ichigo (in the Hollowfied Ichigo subgrid) Ulquiorra (in the Ulquiorra subgrid) I myself found it better playing on the Hard difficulty. Playing on Very Hard may increase enemy health (and consequently the number of hits needed to defeat them), but you may find yourself overwhelmed at times, resulting in losing your Slash Combo. Clearing, for example, a Mission on Very Hard may also be more time-consuming. Eliminate as many enemies as possible, and use your Ignition Attack immediately after charging the Ignition Gauge. So, in brief: play on Hard, defeat as many enemies as possible in as little time as possible, using as many Ignition Attacks as possible! _____ | 5.2 \___________________________ GRINDING LEVELS ____________________________ Even though there are multiple levels which can net you a lot of Soul Points, clearing them with a level 1 character may prove difficult. In my opinion, there are two levels which are perfect for both low-level and already high- level characters. These levels are Mission 7 and Beat Attack - Beginner. ====================================== MISSION 7 Defeat 100 enemies. Soul Points per run: up to 3,500 ====================================== In this Mission you will need to defeat 99 Soul Reapers and Kenpachi Zaraki. The latter won't appear until you have defeated the last Security Officer (the big Soul Reapers wielding hammers). The area is not that big and enemies will spawn all around you, so it shouldn't be that hard to keep up your Slash Combo. Deal with all of the Soul Reapers first before attacking Kenpachi; try not to defeat the last Security Officer as this will make him appear. When Kenpachi appears, use your Ignition Attack to finish him off quickly. However, take a look at your Slash Combo first: if you have, let's say, a Slash Combo of 80, increase it to 100 by hitting Kenpachi to get a double multiplier. Should your Slash Combo be, for example, 280, increase it to 300 to get a triple multiplier. And if by any luck (or skill) you have a Slash Combo of about 980, increase it to 1,000 for a quadruple multiplier. The reason for quickly finishing off Kenpachi is because he tends to guard a lot, making you unable to hit him and lose your Slash Combo. However, if you think you can score some more hits on him to increase your multiplier, do it. Defeating Kenpachi will net more Soul Points than defeating regular Soul Reapers, and having a triple instead of a double multiplier will significantly increase that amount. ===================================== BEAT ATTACK - BEGINNER Fight to reach the highest total body count in 3 minutes. Soul Points per run: up to 4,500 ===================================== In this level enemies will constantly spawn all around you. You will have three minutes to defeat as many enemies as possible. Focus on one group of enemies and dash toward them. Take them out and focus on the next group. Keeping your Slash Combo up should be extremely easy here. After two minutes Kenpachi Zaraki will appear. It is important to stay focused on the regular enemies as they are easier to defeat, however, Kenpachi will constantly attack you. Using Ignition Attacks, try taking him out as quickly as possible, so you can continue focusing on the regular Soul Reapers. _____ | 5.3 \______________________ UNLOCKING THE RIGHT NODES _______________________ Use your precious Soul Points wisely. For some characters you may consider unlocking other nodes first than with the other characters. Always go for the important nodes which are nearest to you (obviously) and if you need to clear a path, unlock the cheapest nodes (Atk, Vit and Def nodes) leading to them. There aren't really any useless nodes (except for maybe Marechiyo Oomaeda's node which grants you the ability to jump up to two times in the air... there, I said it). Nevertheless, some nodes are more useful than others. The next is a list of nodes I personally find very useful and I recommend unlocking them as soon as possible (see 4.2 for exact location on the subgrid): ====================================== EXTENDED COMBO TIME Soul Point cost: 300 ====================================== +------+------------------+--------------------------------------+ | NODE | CHARACTER | SUBGRID | +------+------------------+--------------------------------------+ | Ch15 | Jushiro Ukitake | Rukia Kuchiki | | Ch22 | Love | Stark | | Ch33 | Rose | Stark | | Ch39 | Soi Fon | Soi Fon | | Ch49 | Yoruichi Shihoin | Byakuya Kuchiki and Yoruichi Shihoin | | Ch51 | Zommari | Grimmjow | +------+------------------+--------------------------------------+ These nodes are invaluable; unlock them first, no matter which character you are leveling. ====================================== CHANCE OF ADDITIONAL SOUL POINTS IN BATTLE Soul Point cost: 800 ====================================== +------+-----------+-------------------+ | NODE | CHARACTER | SUBGRID | +------+-----------+-------------------+ | Ch24 | Mashiro | Toshiro Hitsugaya | +------+-----------+-------------------+ This is another useful node. Since you should have already unlocked Soi Fon's and Jushiro Ukitake's nodes, go for this one as well as they're not far apart. ======================================= ABSORBS LIFE WITH BASIC ATTACKS Soul Point cost: 900 ======================================= +------+--------------+--------------+ | NODE | CHARACTER | SUBGRID | +------+--------------+--------------+ | Ch40 | Sosuke Aizen | Sosuke Aizen | +------+--------------+--------------+ ====================================== ABSORBS LIFE WITH SPIRIT ATTACKS Soul Point cost: 900 ====================================== +------+---------------------+-----------------+ | NODE | CHARACTER | SUBGRID | +------+---------------------+-----------------+ | Ch50 | Yumichika Ayasegawa | Kenpachi Zaraki | +------+---------------------+-----------------+ ======================================= ABSORBS LIFE WITH SUPER MOVES Soul Point cost: 900 ======================================= +------+-----------+-----------+ | NODE | CHARACTER | SUBGRID | +------+-----------+-----------+ | Ch47 | Yammy | Ulquiorra | +------+-----------+-----------+ ====================================== SLIGHT LIFE REGENERATION Soul Point cost: 900 ====================================== +------+---------------+-----------------+ | NODE | CHARACTER | SUBGRID | +------+---------------+-----------------+ | Ch14 | Izuru Kira | Gin Ichimaru | | Ch27 | Nel Tu | Nnoitora | | Ch32 | Retsu Unohana | Shunsui Kyoraku | +------+---------------+-----------------+ Although they are pretty expensive, these nodes are great if you're having trouble keeping your health up. If your character is a melee fighter and primarily uses basic attacks, go for the Sosuke Aizen node first. Long-range fighters (e.g. Uryu Ishida) had better unlock the Yumichika Ayasegawa first. ====================================== GAIN 1 EXTRA BAR OF SPIRITUAL PRESSURE Soul Point cost: 900 ====================================== +------+----------------------+--------------------------------------+ | NODE | ABILITY | SUBGRIDS | +------+----------------------+--------------------------------------+ | SpPr | Spirital Pressure UP | Barragan and Halibel | | | | Byakuya Kuchiki and Yoruichi Shihoin | | | | Ichigo Kurosaki | | | | Nnoitora | | | | Shunsui Kyoraku | | | | Soi Fon | | | | Sosuke Aizen | | | | Ulquiorra | | | | Uryu Ishida | +------+----------------------+--------------------------------------+ ====================================== INCREASED SPIRIT GAUGE REGENERATION RATE Soul Point cost: 600 ====================================== +------+-------------------+----------------------+ | NODE | CHARACTER | SUBGRID | +------+-------------------+----------------------+ | Ch21 | Lisa Yadomaru | Barragan and Halibel | | Ch26 | Momo Hinamori | Toshiro Hitsugaya | | Ch30 | Rangiku Matsumoto | Gin Ichimaru | +------+-------------------+----------------------+ If your character is a long-range fighter and primarily uses Spirit attacks, these are invaluable. Of course, these nodes are great for all characters. ====================================== QUICKER IGNITION GAUGE INCREASE RATE Soul Point cost: 600 ====================================== +------+-------------------+-------------------+ | NODE | CHARACTER | SUBGRID | +------+-------------------+-------------------+ | Ch10 | Hollowfied Ichigo | Hollowfied Ichigo | | Ch44 | Ulquiorra | Ulquiorra | +------+-------------------+-------------------+ As I have said before, these will boost the Ignition Gauge increase rate. As a consequence, you will be able to use more Ignition Attacks and rack up more Soul Points. ======================================= REVIVE ONCE EVEN AFTER LIFE GAUGE IS DEPLETED Soul Point cost: 3,000 ======================================= +------+-----------------+-------------------+ | NODE | CHARACTER | SUBGRID | +------+-----------------+-------------------+ | Ch07 | Hachigen Ushoda | Soi Fon | | Ch20 | Kokuto | Kokuto | | Ch29 | Orihime Inoue | Hollowfied Ichigo | +------+-----------------+-------------------+ These nodes grant you extra lives. Should your health reach zero, this will resurrect you fully. If you have all three of these, you have four lives. These nodes are very expensive, however. I do not recommend you unlock them until you decide to take on the last couple of Missions. +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+-----+ | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 6.0 | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+-----+ Do not hesitate to e-mail me at multichrome[at]live[dot]be! I will personally reply and if your question was relevant to this guide, I will place both your question (and GameFAQs username, if given) and my answer here. Q. About the life absorbing upgrades (Absorbs life with Basic attacks/Super Moves/Spirit attacks), does the character regain health when they make contact with an enemy, or does this only work if they knock out the enemy? (Michael Hole) A. Life is restored with every hit you land on the enemy. In other words, hitting the enemy will slightly restore your health; it does not have to be defeated. +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+-----+ | VERSION HISTORY | 7.0 | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+-----+ Version 1.01 [July 14th, 2013]: - A question was added to the Questions and Answers section (6.0). - An error was corrected in the Unlocking the Right Nodes section (5.3). Thanks to Michael Hole for notifying me. Version 1.00 [January 9th, 2013]: The guide is completed. Version 0.80 [January 5th, 2013]: All but the 'Leveling strategies' section is completed. +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+-----+ | COPYRIGHT | 8.0 | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+-----+ This may be not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal, private use. It may not be placed on any web site other than GameFAQs.com or otherwise distributed publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide on any other web site or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a violation of copyright. +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+-----+ | CREDITS | 9.0 | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+-----+ Well, me being the sole author of this guide, there aren't many people to thank. However, I would like to thank Tite Kubo, of course, for creating the Bleach series. Thanks to everyone who has read my guide, I hope it has been helpful and you didn't find any grammatical or spelling errors (English is my second language), but please, let me know if you do!