Touhou Gameplay Help Thread #7 - Not just for spell card help after all

[I have no name]

I'm assuming you mean 10-9.

And yes, there is.  Gap umbrella is OP man   :V

[Reiko]

Quick question for the PoDD experts here :
Is throwing level 2 spells a good idea for survival ?

I would have said "no" myself, but looking at one of Zil's replays (in which he does this in a no-miss run), it seems that more bullets means more fireballs, which means you have an easier time quickly summonning boss attacks with spellpoints.
Then again, it's Zil, so I don't know if this strategy is standard or "don't try-this-at-home" ?

(I'm using Kotohime most of the time, Lunatic difficulty)

[Sakurei]

No. It's purely scoring. If you want to just live, save you charge for level 4 reversals. You will never want to use a level 2 for survival. There is literally no benefit to it.

[Reiko]

That makes sense.
Thanks Saku !

[Star King]

Does anybody have SpoilerAL SSG that has SA codes?

I want to be able to set my power at the start of a practice stage (for scoring practice). That's basically all I need. This thread only goes up to MoF.

There was this:

Alternative files (covering more/different games than the ones linked by the OP) available here:

http://www.geocities.jp/dana13sai/ssg/ssg.htm
http://touhou.nu/wp/touhou/tools/

Out of curiosity, is it possible to, for example, remove the Ten Desires PIV cap using this tool?

but this set is kinda worse and as far as I can tell you can't set your power, you can only lock it at max.

[Oh]

I use cheat engine, with http://www.mediafire.com/download/zf4u7wcr5ickr45/thtables.rar

[Karisa]

Cheat Engine won't auto-set your power when restarting the stage, though, if that's what you're looking for.
(Edit: Hotkeys? I'll have to look into that.)

Anyway, those are Chirpy13's th10-th13 tables, aren't they? If anyone's interested, I've created a set of cheat tables that expands on Chirpy's a bit and includes files for th14, th06, and th128.

[Oh]

You can set up a hot-key that changes the value. I don't think pressing it once every time you start a stage would be much of a hassle.

[jonny11890]

Alright, so I just got Ten Desires and I've been playing it for about a week now. I'm playing on normal and getting better as I play, to the point where I'm consistently capturing spell cards that I couldn't capture before. Non-spells can be a bit of a problem from time to time, but overall I'm finding patterns and learning new and interesting things. However, I'm running into a huge problem with the stage 3 boss, Miyako. Her first non-spell is pretty intense, but I can usually make my way through with no real issues. Then comes her first spell: Recovery - Heal By Desire. I have no end of problems with this card. It hates me.
Here's my big issue with it: inconsistency. It's up to the RNG to determine where those blue shots are going to go. If you get a good pattern that's easy to dodge, streaming the red bullets when they show up is a breeze. But if those blue bullets make you have to move around too much, the red ones become an absolute nightmare to get past.
To add to the truly painful nature of the card, destroying the familiars causes Miyako to heal, and if you try to fight unfocused as Reimu, the amulets will go for the familiars. I've captured the spell a few times in-game, so I was able to play with it in spell practice and I've tried it a lot. I've practiced that one spell something like 150 times (the counter stops at 99+) and I've only captured it 20% of the time. All the other spells I've practiced, I was able to find some kind of trick to completing, but that one spell is pretty much the bane of my existence. I wouldn't mind having to stream like a mad person and get shots in wherever I could if it weren't for the stupid 30 second time limit for the spell.
All in all, I hate this spell and would love it if someone could give me some kind of advice on how I can capture the stupid thing with any sort of consistency.
Thank you in advance!

[Mero]

Well, the general strategy for that card is to start in the center close to Yoshika (not too close or she will shoot her Hard/Lunatic jellybean bullets), stream down, dash to the bottom to make a space, go to one side without shooting and stream horizontally. Also, unless you're Youmu, you don't want too shoot unfocused, ever.

[jonny11890]

Yeah I guess it just takes lots of practice. I've had the most luck just sitting below her until the red bullets start and just streaming straight down. I can usually take her out before I even hit the bottom of the screen. Once again, my biggest complaint with that spell is the RNG.

[I have no name]

It's somewhat random, sure, but not the kind of random that can't be reacted to-it always leaves an easy way out in this card, some other heavily random cards don't always give you that luxury.

[Koog]

I have decided on playing a bit of the Extra of DDC, and reach Raiko at 5th try, which isn't bad for me, I still find hard to beat the whole stage and Tsukumo sisters, I could capture Raiko's 1st spell, and lost my last life at the 2nd one.
Can someone help me?

[Szayelaporro Granz]

I have decided on playing a bit of the Extra of DDC, and reach Raiko at 5th try, which isn't bad for me, I still find hard to beat the whole stage and Tsukumo sisters, I could capture Raiko's 1st spell, and lost my last life at the 2nd one.
Can someone help me?

Reimu A (almost) trivializes stage portion even in higher difficulties. Marisa B's OP bomb allows you to get TONS of lives especially during Raiko's non-spells (useless during spells). If you're not used to gimmicky characters like her though, I recommend you to watch Karisa's DDC perfect Extra with Reimu A since it's apparently possible to get max lives without Marisa B before facing Raiko, though capturing both of Tsukumo sisters' spell cards seem to be almost mandatory - whom 2nd spell card actually requires good reflex. For their non-spell, kill Benben first before Yatsuhashi since the former's pattern is more difficult. Their first spell card is IMO pure bullet reading and making small movements. As for Raiko's 2nd, gunshot Raiko until she fires the third wave of bullets (I find it easier if you stay at the bottom for that part). Practice, practice all  the spells in spell card practice mode until you become consistent with them.

[Karisa]

Finishing off both Tsukumo sisters at the same time in their nonspell is needed for one of the 2.0s actually (you won't get enough items if you PoC one at a time). Though I wouldn't recommend it for survival-- if you feel like getting it, just stay between them and bomb. You'll lose the two bomb parts from capturing the nonspell, but it'll also defeat them faster, meaning you'll encounter more post-midboss enemies to PoC to partly make up for it.

[Sandwich!!]

I've been trying to beat PCB's Extra Stage, and I normally do very well until I get to Princess Tenko, which always happens to destroy most of my lives. It's not that I want to, but the one time I got past it I timed it out. Dodging isn't my biggest concern, but actually shooting Ran is. What are some tips to follow for this spell card?

[Sakurei]

I don't know how you're luring her, but all you're supposed to do is stay in midscreen and lure her from the left to the right and vice versa. Make sure she shoots the blob on balls downwards and not to the side. Watching a replay of someone do it properly would trivialize it for the most part.

[Ghost]

^that
It's really difficult for a while, then you learn the pattern moving back and forwards after a few tries, then it's pretty easy.

Remember Ran doesn't have a hitbox during the spellcard, so don't be afraid of touching her.

[Mero]

Remember Ran doesn't have a hitbox during the spellcard, so don't be afraid of touching her.

Tough she recovers it instantly after the spell ends, so look out for where you finish her.

[Yookie]

Is there a reliable way to tell where the green bullets in "Midnight Chorus Master" go?
They're not aimed directly at you from what I can tell and the only indicator as to how they are going to approach seems to be Mystia's position but that doesn't help all that much.

[Star King]

There is no way (as far as I know). But if you are having difficulty reacting to them, try starting higher up on the screen, and moving down with them for a bit until you feel comfortable going into the gap. This method will keep the green bullets in your (literal in-game) field of vision earlier, giving you more time to react (compared to hugging the bottom).

[Failure McFailFace]

Can anyone tell me their strategy for Satori's Ceiling of Kananuji card?

Also, what about strategies for the DS Extra scenes?

[I have no name]

Can anyone tell me their strategy for Satori's Ceiling of Kananuji card?

Also, what about strategies for the DS Extra scenes?

You dodge and take pictures.  That's the only trick.  Once your reading ability gets good enough you can recover from missed shots, but for now, you're probably going to need to grind attempts until you get lucky.

EX-1: Go around the first huge talisman and take a picture of it and Reimu.  Lure the second talisman towards one edge of the screen, charge next to it, run around the third and take a picture of the third.  Repeat the process.
EX-2: Try to cancel as many familiars as possible with each shot, and charge close to Marisa.
EX-3: Dodge the bullets in charge, take pictures.
EX-4: I find it easiest to stay about 3 "circles" down, and stay in focused speed and just move with the flow, stopping only to dash back across under.  Take pictures outside the "circles" though.
EX-5: Cancel 4 familiars with the first shot of each wave.  Spiral around Marisa and try to dodge.  Probably the hardest EX stage.
EX-6: Take a photo as soon as the explosion is about to hit you from Sanae's side, and then just charge and shoot 3 more.  It's a bit tricky, but this is the most consistent way I've found.
EX-7: Dodge Reimu, cancel the rings.  She always orbits clockwise.
EX-8: Kind of hard to explain in words, so here's a replay. Note that I tap shift before taking a shot-this auto-aligns the camera towards Marisa.
EX-9: Dodge left, dodge right, cancel the 8th wave with a photo.  Not too bad, just long.

[Yookie]

There is no way (as far as I know). But if you are having difficulty reacting to them, try starting higher up on the screen, and moving down with them for a bit until you feel comfortable going into the gap. This method will keep the green bullets in your (literal in-game) field of vision earlier, giving you more time to react (compared to hugging the bottom).

I've tried that now and can only really stay up there for the first wave before it forces me to move down.
But they ares lower higher up there, so it did bring me something at least.
In the end I've already captured this spell in Spell Practice a long time ago and for playing through the story it doesn't really bother me all that much to not capture it.
I was just wondering about this after seeing this spell for so often.

[KirisameMar_113]

Sorry if this has been asked before, I'm new to this forum. Can anyone give some tips to at least beat Divine Virtue of Wind God (hard)? It seems like normal for first couple seconds, but after 30-45 seconds, the pattern become hard and I can't seem to find a way to dodge, like they are coming that form intersection that almost impossible to dodge.

Thanks

[Mr Jovial]

Each colour of amulets is a static pattern that's aimed randomly. Because you have multiple static patterns aimed differently you can't memorise it like most static patterns. If you're desperate to capture it, you need to practice it a lot and eventually you'll start seeing the same patterns and you'll get better at dodging through the lines of amulets rather than going around them.

I personally never bothered learning it for 1ccs though. For 1ccs, my tactic was to learn enough of Kanako such that you make it to VoWG at maximum power (Source of Rains gives you 2 power so if you finish that attack with at least 2 power you'll be at full damage for VoWG, you may want to suicide just before ending Source of Rains) then dodge for the first 20 seconds or so since the attack is easier for roughly that long.Try not to bomb during this since the attack will continue to become harder but you won''t be able to deal damage since Kanako becomes invincible during a bomb. After that, it becomes bombspam and you need to avoid wasting bombs. I'd bomb if it looked like going through a line of amulets was the only option. Also, try to stay under Kanako to maximise damage; full power Reimu B can get through about half of the lifebar in those first ~20 seconds if you don't bomb.

[KirisameMar_113]

I personally never bothered learning it for 1ccs though. For 1ccs, my tactic was to learn enough of Kanako such that you make it to VoWG at maximum power (Source of Rains gives you 2 power so if you finish that attack with at least 2 power you'll be at full damage for VoWG, you may want to suicide just before ending Source of Rains) then dodge for the first 20 seconds or so since the attack is easier for roughly that long.Try not to bomb during this since the attack will continue to become harder but you won''t be able to deal damage since Kanako becomes invincible during a bomb. After that, it becomes bombspam and you need to avoid wasting bombs. I'd bomb if it looked like going through a line of amulets was the only option. Also, try to stay under Kanako to maximise damage; full power Reimu B can get through about half of the lifebar in those first ~20 seconds if you don't bomb.

Just tried your tips and died 5 times on that spellcard (with Reimu B). I need to learn this spell because I often reach this spellcard with only one life or none when doing an attempt of 1cc, this spellcard always kills me. That's why I asked tips to at least beat this spell with one or no deaths. When Kanako's health goes down by half, everything is getting hard and it forces me to dodge 4 parallel amulets, even there is a gap to dodge, it's really hard, bomb spam also seems doesn't really helps. And also getting right under Kanako is really not possible because I always dodged everything to the sides. Oh and I like to play with Reimu A more than Reimu B (I'm not going for score, or anything, just a 1cc). Thanks for your advice by the way.

[Mr Jovial]

Like I said, not much else you can do except practice it a ton and get better at it. 5 deaths is worrying though, I don't think I ever did that badly. My only other advice would be to practice using the VoWG + PWG patch (not sure if it works on hard difficulty) or learn other attacks in the game. IMO, MoF is a very easy game that becomes moderately difficult because of VoWG. Most 1ccers will spend 2 lives and 7+ bombs on it; it's easy to reach VoWG, I used to have about 4 replays of failed 1ccs that ended on it, but getting through it is tricky. Its also the only reason I started using Reimu B over Reimu A. You should be reaching VoWG with at least 1 extend (preferably more). I'd suggest playing through VoWG until you can do it with 2 or fewer deaths then practice the rest of the game until you can reach VoWG with a couple of lives. Most people who capture VoWG (or even clear it without dying) are either doing scoreruns, no bomb runs or NMNB runs. Personally, I consider this a typical VoWG attempt on a 1cc (4:40 for VoWG, time thing in the URL isn't working for me).

The only other thing that might help you is posting a replay or two of VoWG attempts somewhere (eg gensokyo.org) so that I (and anyone else who wants to help) can see how you're doing it.

[KirisameMar_113]

Done 10 attempts on VoWG (9 Hard, 1 Lunatic) using the VoWG+PWG Practice:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/v6cf2kkybncp26h/VoWG.zip

I still have problems passing through the 4 parallel amulets (blue or light blue ones). And also I don't think that I could do this in the real run, because I always reach VoWG with around 3.00 power, and its actually 0.6 times weaker than what I did in that replays, and mostly on my last life (3.00 power and last life).

[I have no name]

5 power does nothing but give you a free bomb-no damage increase from 4 to 5.  The actual power boost with ReimuA is also pretty minimal-4/5 power is noticeable, but 0-3 pwoer is about the same damage, just harder to hit with- at 6/7s of full power damage.  VoWG is one of those cards-you just have to learn when to go for a macrododge around the cards, and when to go for a micrododge through the cards.  It's a perfect final challenge for the game, though-just keep at it and you'll get the clear eventually!