============================================================================= +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ============================================================================= ___ _ _ ___ _____ __ _ _ ____ ____ ____ _ _ ___ / __|| | | | / __||__ _| / \ | \/ | |_ _| |_ / |_ _| | \| | / __| ( (__ | |_| | \__ \ | | | | | | | _||_ / /_ _||_ | | ( |_ \ \___| \____/ |___/ |_| \__/ |_||_| |____| |____/ |____| |_|\_| \___/ ___ _ _ ____ __ ____ / __| | | | | |_ _| | \ | ___\ for ( |_ \ | |_| | _||_ | || | ___\ STAR OCEAN: Ver. 1.0 \___/ \____/ |____| |__/ |____\ THE SECOND STORY (Customization guide) Written by Krustster (Dan Grobar), December 2000. Email: krustster@yahoo.com COPYRIGHT, FOOL!! ============================================================================= +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ============================================================================= ***CONTENTS*** I. Random Disclaimers II. Intro III. Getting Started IV. Principles to Live by V. Mineral List VI. Tha COMPLETE Customization List!!! VII. Option VIII. Things Missing IX. Revision History X. Credits/Acknowledgements ========================= I. Random Disclaimers ========================= *The title would have been "Customization" guide, but I ran out of space for my lovely ASCII art. **This is currently about 96% complete...I still have yet to try some combinations, for example with weapons that are only available in one place which I sold for some reason, others that I haven't gotten any of yet (radio box), or whatnot. Of course it will be 100% finished eventually. ***DO NOT STEAL!! I will know that you did, because I am omniscient. Not to mention my underground operatives. However, if you want to copy something from it to put into your FAQ (or put this guide on your site), email me and I will no doubt allow it as long as I get due credit. But if you rip it off...random organs shall be forcibly removed from your twitching corpse (if I decide to let you die first, that is) and served to my guests with a port- wine-and-almond cheese log. ================= II. Introduction ================= So, you just bought Star Ocean the Second Story (SO2), and you seem to have heard about something called "customizing" but you have no idea what it's all about. Well, here you go. Customizing is an item creation process, in which you take a weapon and then somehow add a mineral of some kind to it. After the process is done, both the weapon and the mineral will be gone, leaving a new weapon which may or may not be a "failure". Almost all of the most powerful weapons in the game must be acquired through this method (except those found in the Cave of Trials), so you can't afford to do without it. Weapons can only be customized by the characters who can equip them. ...everyone does their own customization. It's an exciting thing, to be sure, but if you have no clue as to what you're doing or how do it then you can be in for a lot of boredom and confusion. Fortunately you have this guide, so that shouldn't be a problem. ==================== III. Getting Started ==================== But how do you get it? First you must buy the skills "Craft", "Metal Casting" and "Functionality." I forgot where you get these, so I'll try to remember to check. Anyway, once you have those, the talents that will assist you greatly are "Dexterity" and "Originality." If you don't have them, they can be acquired fairly easily by doing Metalworking, Machinery etc. What do you need in the way of materials? Well, uh, weapons and random minerals will do... if you find yourself short of minerals, some can be bought in stores while others you will probably have to rely on Alchemy to create. As far as alchemy is concerned, as long as you have a Lezard Flask and someone with level 10 in that specialty you should be able to make all of them. You can't get the Flask until disc two of the game, but you can't get Orchestra until then anyway. Also, most of the weapons available on the first disc won't require the rarer minerals to customize in the first place. Orchestra you say? Using the super specialty "Orchestra" while doing any kind of item creation will basically increase the odds of success to about 99%, regardless of that character's talents or level in that specialty (except Alchemy and Reproduction, which are more difficult). And since talents are gotten through successful use of item creation, the odds of getting a new talent from item creating increases drastically with Orchestra. One can see how this could reduce frustration with customizing. This doesn't help you much if you're still stuck on disc one, but that's what other guides are for isn't it? ========================== IV. Principles to live by (Don't dare skip this section!) ========================== This next section is divided into a couple of parts for your viewing pleasure. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "INVALID" COMBINATIONS AND DEFAULT WEAPONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Now as you most likely know, there are a number of weapons that can be made through customizing. What you may not know is that for a given character, only around 5% of the combinations possible will actually give you something. For example, everyone knows that if Ashton combines a Scyther with a Damascus, he will get a Melufa. However, if he combines, say, a Both Shaver with a Green Beryl, he will not actually make something new per se. The same applies with all the other "non-combinations," like Smaller + Gold, Pair Nuts + Sapphire, etc. Let me explain: If you are making a "real" combination (like Scyther + Damascus), you will either end up with the true result of that combination or a failure. HOWEVER! If you do an "invalid combination," you will wind up with one of a predetermined set of weapons for that character. Here is an example: Dias tries to customize an Ignite Sword with a Sapphire. He ends up with a Murasame Sword. He tries it again. This results in an Oriental Blade. Dias, upset by these lackluster results, tries the exact same thing again but this time, he gets a Pleiad Sword. Dias is now a happy camper. Of course, Dias left his food in his tent so he will be eaten by a bear at some point, but for now he's happy. Do you see? Had he customized the Ignite Sword with a Star Ruby (a "real" combination) instead, he would have had one of two results: A Soul Slayer (success), or a Dull Sword (failure). But since he did an invalid combination, he got random drawings from the "Invalid Combination" pile instead. The "pile" for each character (we'll call it the Invalid Pile) consists of a set of five or so weapons, one of which will be chosen randomly to be the result when an invalid combination is attempted. Or you could just fail outright. This sort of comes in handy early in the game, for if you are crafty you can lay hands on some fairly nice equipment at a minimal cost as far as minerals are concerned. I hope all that isn't too confusing--if it is, mention it to me at and I'll simplify a bit if I can. Bear with me though, because now we come to the part about Orchestra and default weapons. Orchestra...an invaluable tool for item creation, as mentioned before. It brings something entirely new to the field of customization, namely in the Invalid Combination department. With "real" combinations, using Orchestra will generally allow you to get the successful result on the first try. But with an invalid combination, something different happens. Instead of getting a random drawing from the Invalid Pile, you will get the default weapon for that character (actually there's a .001% chance you won't, but it's only happened to me once, ever, so who cares). The default weapon is still a member of the Invalid Pile, but it is generally more powerful than the others, quite rare, and difficult to get without Orchestra. But turn on the orchestra, and a Long Sword + Iron can become a Pleiad Sword like that (I snapped my fingers, you just couldn't hear it)! So what it amounts to is that if you use orchestra with a combo that doesn't really do anything, you will get the default weapon instead of a selection from the Invalid Pile. Now what about the magical rasp you say? Oddly enough, the Rasp has little effect as far as customizing goes, except for one thing. If you don't have it, and you do an invalid combo with orchestra, you now have "only" about an 85% chance of getting the default weapon. I would have given this more discussion, but basically by the time you get Orchestra you can get the Rasp as well. In addition, the Rasp seems to increase probability for any combination's success, but once again, you should already have Orchestra by then so the benefits are kind of nullified. So it doesn't matter a whole lot. Blacksmithing, on the other hand, is another story...but that's not what this guide is for. In summary: If you do an invalid combination, regardless of the quality of the items included, you'll get a random weapon from the Invalid Pile. So you can add another Mithril to that Eternal Sphere of yours, and still end up with a Long Edge. Certain weapons can only be acquired this way; unfortunately there's no way to affect the outcome in this situation so a number of these can be hard to get. If you do an invalid combo while using the Orchestra super specialty, you will get a set (default) weapon for that character, which is available from the Invalid Pile but only rarely. Further note: Trying to combine a Default weapon in anything other than a listed Real combination will always result in failure. Simply put, there is no higher weapon in the Invalid Pile, so your greed is punished with total failure. Not to mention, it would be really weird if you combined something and ended up with the same thing. ++++++++++++++++ GENERAL CONCEPTS ++++++++++++++++ These are concepts that apply not only to Customizing, but to item creation in general. They are by no means essential knowledge, but who cares. Read it anyway; you might learn something mildly interesting. First off, how to determine the result of your item creation. This is a simple one. You know how during the little morphing animation, the appearance of your creation switches around a few times? Well, basically the first thing that the "consumed item" turns into is the thing that you will end up with. If you're using alchemy, and the picture of the element stays the same for awhile, rotating, then you will get that element. If it immediately turns into a rock and switches back and forth, you will get a rock. If something turns into a "?" bag right away, you'll definitely get a "?" bag. Simple enough. This isn't particularly useful as such, but at least when you're making something you don't have to hang in suspense til it's finished. And--hum, I thought I had something else to say, but I guess not! Maybe there'll be more at a later date. Now, on to the tender, juicy meat and creamy, buttery potatoes of this FAQ. Kind of. =========== V. Minerals =========== All right, so maybe this section isn't really part of the succulent meat & taters of the FAQ. Sorry to get you worked up. This is a list of the minerals in the game and their descriptions, including their defensive/other properties. I'm not sure why I put it in here, but what the hey--it seemed like an okay idea. Iron: Iron ore. Can be refined by reducing the iron oxide contained therein. (Hit +1) Gold: Gold ore. However, it is low in purity and of little value without being refined. (Avd +1) Silver: Silver ore. However, it is low in purity and of little value without being refined. (AC +1) Sapphire: This is the name for gemstones of corundum that are not red. The right amount of titanium impurities makes it look blue. (+ Water) Ruby: Red corundum owes it's [sic] appearance to chromium impurities. (+ Fire) Green Beryl: This gem is called an aquamarine if it contains iron as an impurity, or an emerald if it contains chromium. (+ Wind) Crystal: Quartz crystals. (+ Thunder) Diamond: The hardest stone known to nature. Its structure is of pure carbon atoms aligned in rows of perfect squares. (+ Thunder) Star Ruby: When polished and held to the light a small star-like pattern can be seen in this ruby. (+ Fire, + Dark) Damascus: An odd, black metal possessed of elasticity and durability. (+ Dark) Rune Metal: Said to be a magic crystal, but no one has verified this yet. (+ Thunder) Orichalcum: A legendary flying metal said to have been produced in Atlantis. (+ Dark, + Void) Rainbow Diamond: A rare diamond that gives off seven colors when it shines. (+ Star, + Light) Moonite: A magical stone with mysterious powers. Said to be a piece of the moon. (+ Vacuum) Sage's Stone: An alchemist would spend a lifetime trying to create this mineral. (+ Light, + Dark, + Void) Meteorite: A piece of a meteor that possesses a mysterious shimmer and magical power. (+ Dark) Mithril: A magical metal thought only to exist in legend. (+ Light) ============================= VI. Combination Lists for All! ============================= At last! The part you may or may not have been waiting for!! The actual customizing lists for everyone. I guess in effect, this will end up being a complete weapon list. They are in alphabetical order by character and will follow this format: Person's Name Inv: (List of weapons in person's Invalid Pile) Def: (Default Weapon) Fail: (Weapon created if customization fails) Fun: (Weapon won by this person by beating Fun City Duel Battle Rank A) Other: (List of weapons that can't be bought or customized, along with where to get them) <> (List of all "real" combinations, with their results) ###Note--If the names of the weapons to combine looks like this- Weapon/weapon/weapon/weapon + Mineral = **New weapon** ...then that means any of those weapons can be customized with that mineral to get that result. It should all make sense when you see the real thing. Also, the attack strengths (and magic, if applicable) of the result items are listed in brackets next to their names. If you want to know all the attributes, you can check them in the game or look at someone else's FAQ. Or I SUPPOSE you can ask me, but you can really just find out yourself since I tell you how to get everything. So here they are. -------------- Ashton Anchors -------------- Inv: Twin-Edge[340] Twin Picks [500] Double Masher [799] Scyther [820] Lotus Eater [1150] Def: Holy Cross [1240] Fail: Wobbly Sword [3] Fun: Doubledemon Sword [700] Other: Funny Slayer [1]-COT Holy Sword Farwell [1900]-COT Levantine Sword [3000]-COT <> Smaller + Moonite = **Pair Nuts [380]** Lotus Eater/Pair Nuts + Meteorite = **Gemini [1200]** Scyther + Damascus = **Melufa [1320]** ----------- Bowman Jean ----------- Inv: Bagh Nakh [165] Giant Fists[470] Braised Knuckles [599, MAG 70] Titan's Fists[1000] Def: Kaiser Knuckles [1100, MAG 200] Fail: Worn Knuckles [1] Fun: Flare Burst [1300] Other: Funny Slayer [1]-COT Weird Slayer [1000]-COT <> Bagh Nakh + Meteorite = **Braised Knuckles [599, MAG 70]** Giant Fists + Rainbow Diamond = **Titan's Fists [1000]** Hecatoncheire + Iron = **Titan's Fists [1000]** Bagh Nakh + Rune Metal = **Metal Fangs [400, MAG 50]** Asura + Diamond = **Hecatoncheire [630]** Titan's Fists + Crystal = **Asura [750]** Rune Full Moon + Diamond = **Moon Fists [1200]** ------------ Celine Jules ------------ Inv: Magical Rod [150] Clap Rod [280, MAG 30] Crest Rod [100, MAG 25] Tongue Twister [300, MAG 25] Def: Rod of Snakes [700, MAG 50] Fail: Bent Rod [5, MAG 1] Fun: Prime Prayer [1000, MAG 80] Other: Million Staff [800, MAG 800]-COT Funny Slayer [1]-COT <> Rod/Crest Rod/Ruby Wand + Mithril = **Silver Rod [350, MAG 250]** Silver Rod + Moonite = **Silvermoon [1000, MAG 300]** Clap Rod/Dragon's Tusk/Prime Prayer/Rod of Snakes/Ruby Rod/Silvermoon/ Tongue Twister + Orichalcum = **Holy Rod [520, MAG 240]** Clap Rod/Dragon's Tusk/Magical Rod/Prime Prayer/Rod of Snakes/Silver Rod/ Silvermoon/Tongue Twister + Star Ruby = **Ruby Rod [680, MAG 300]** Ruby Rod + Star Ruby = **Dragon's Tusk [990, MAG 360]** Clap Rod/Dragon's Tusk/Holy Rod/Magical Rod/Prime Prayer/Rod of Snakes/ Ruby Rod/Silver Rod/Silvermoon/Tongue Twister + Ruby = **Ruby Wand [70, MAG 20]** --------------- Chisato Madison --------------- Inv: Lightning Gun [650] Voltage [460] Electro Gun [410] Spark [750] Def: Electron [830] Fail: 10 Volt Stun Gun [10] Fun: Aero Gun [800] Other: Weird Slayer [1000]-COT Funny Slayer [1]-COT <> Spark + Sapphire = **Lightning Gun [650]** Electro Gun + Rainbow Diamond = **Lightning Gun [650]** Lightning Gun + Sapphire = **Electro Gun [410]** Voltage + Rainbow Diamond = **Electro Gun [410]** Electron + Sapphire = **Spark [750]** Lightning Gun + Rainbow Diamond = **Spark [750]** Electric + Rainbow Diamond = **Voltage [460]** Electro Gun + Sapphire = **Voltage [460]** Voltage + Sapphire = **Electric [280]** Stun Gun + Rainbow Diamond = **Electric [280]** Electric + Sapphire = **Stun Gun [200]** Cracker + Sage's Stone = **Psychic Gun [980]** Electron/Flame Gun/Lightning Gun/Psychic Gun/Spark + Damascus = **Cracker [660]** Cracker/Electron/Lightning Gun/Psychic Gun/Spark + Star Ruby = **Flame Gun [550]** Shock Gun + Sapphire = **Freeze [600]** Electric/Stun Gun + Mithril = **Shock Gun [380]** ------------ Claude Kenni ------------ Inv: Gusguine [250] Veil Piercer [480] Sawed [990] Long Edge [285] Sinclair Sabre [100] Force Sword [908] Def: Aura Blade [1200] Fail: Dull Sword [2] Fun: Windsley Sword [1400] Other: Funny Slayer [1]-COT Levantine Sword [3000]-COT Holy Sword Farwell [1900]-COT Marvel Sword [1100]-Field of Power Sharp Edge [222]-Get after winning 2nd in Lacour (Claude's quest) Sacred Tear [1250]-Dr. Mirage gives it to Claude <> All-Purpose Knife/Broad Sword/Long Sword/Sinclair Sabre + Silver = **Silver Fangs [12]** All-Purpose Knife/Broad Sword/Long Sword/Sinclair Sabre + Gold = **Golden Fangs [10]** All-Purpose Knife/Broad Sword/Long Sword/Sinclair Sabre + Ruby = **Flame Blade [160]** Veil Piercer + Diamond = **Heart Breaker [550]** Aura Blade/Force Sword/Heart Breaker/Ignite Sword/Marvel Sword/Sawed/ Windsley Sword + Orichalcum = **Silvance [1220]** Aura Blade/Force Sword/Grand Stinger/Heart Breaker/Long Edge/ Marvel Sword/Sawed/Silvance/Veil Piercer/Windsley Sword + Star Ruby = **Ignite Sword [720]** Sharp Edge + Damascus = **Grand Stinger[620]** Sharp Edge + Mithril = **Minus Sword [599]** Minus Sword + Mithril = **Eternal Sphere [1600]** --------- Dias Flac --------- Inv: Baselard [180] Oriental Blade [448] Murasame Sword [552] Grand Stinger [620] The Hope of Breeze [770] Ruin's Fate [1000] Def: Pleiad Sword [1200] Fail: Dull Sword [2] Fun: Cromlea Sword [1399] Other: Holy Sword Farwell [1900]-COT Levantine Sword [3000]-COT Marvel Sword [1100]-Field of Power Funny Slayer [1]-COT Sharpness [500]-Has before Lacour tournament (Rena's quest) <> Crimson Diablos/Cromlea Sword/Hard Cleaver/Pleiad Sword/Ruin's Fate/ Soul Slayer/The Hope of Breeze + Meteorite = **Whirlwind [780]** Crimson Diablos/Cromlea Sword/Hard Cleaver/Ignite Sword/Marvel Sword/Pleiad Sword/Ruin's Fate/The Hope of Breeze + Star Ruby = **Soul Slayer [982]** The Hope of Breeze + Rainbow Diamond = **Hard Cleaver [1100]** Hard Cleaver + Damascus = **Crimson Diablos [1100]** Soul Slayer + Sage's Stone = **Crimson Diablos [1100]** Grand Stinger + Damascus = **Ruin's Fate [1000]** -------------- Ernest Raveide -------------- Inv: Hard Whip [550] Rose Whip [600] Splinter [460] Light Whip [820] Molecule Wire [799] Def: Invisible Whip [950] Fail: Limp Whip [2] Fun: Cat o' Nine Tails [1280] Other: Funny Slayer [1]-COT <> Molecule Wire + Damascus = **Dark Whip [1100]** Hard Whip + Crystal = **Light Whip [820]** Rose Whip + Silver = **Twin-Tail [860]** Dark Whip/Freeze Whip/Invisible Whip/Light Whip/Molecule Wire/Rose Whip/ Spark Whip + Star Ruby = **Flare Whip [800]** Dark Whip/Flare Whip/Invisible Whip/Light Whip/Molecule Wire/Rose Whip/ Spark Whip + Sage's Stone = **Freeze Whip [800]** Dark Whip/Flare Whip/Freeze Whip/Invisible Whip/Light Whip/Molecule Wire/ Rose Whip + Rainbow Diamond = **Spark Whip [1080]** ----------- Leon Geeste ----------- Inv: All About ESP [780, MAG 70] Mental Revolution [680, MAG 60] Encyclopedia [500, MAG 100] Dictionary [340, MAG 50] Illustrated Book [320, MAG 22] Def: Brain Structure [890, MAG 80] Fail: Crumpled Paper [Can't equip] Fun: Other: Funny Slayer [1]-COT Million Staff [800, MAG 800]-COT <> Brain Structure/Heraldry Book + Rune Metal = **Heraldry [290, MAG 100]** Book of Awakening/Brain Structure/Encyclopedia/Heraldry/Heraldry Book + Damascus = **Book of Darkness [700, MAG 80]** Book of Darkness + Damascus = **Book of Chaos [950, MAG 400]** Reference Book + Iron = **Thick Book [180, MAG 15]** Book of Chaos + Damascus = **Ancient Wisdom [800, MAG 380]** Book of Darkness + Mithril = **Holy Scriptures [920, MAG 199]** Heraldry + Moonite = **Heraldry Book [500, MAG 100]** ------------- Noel Chandler ------------- Inv: Tiger's Fangs [600, MAG 100] Metal Fangs [400, MAG 50] Cat's Fangs [120] Dragon's Claws [450, MAG 100] Hard Knuckles [40, MAG 10] Def: Kaiser Knuckles [1100, MAG 200] Fail: Worn Knuckles [1] Fun: Death Fangs Other: Funny Slayer [1]-COT Million Staff [800, MAG 800]-COT <> Eagle's Claws + Green Beryl = **Dragon's Claws [450, MAG 100]** Cat's Fangs/Hard Knuckles/Knuckles + Moonite = **Dragon's Claws [450, MAG 100]** Hard Knuckles + Mithril = **Eagle's Claws [760, MAG 110]** Dragon's Claws + Iron = **Grizzly Claps [840, MAG 200]** Cat's Fangs/Hard Knuckles/Knuckles/Tiger's Fangs + Rune Metal = **Metal Fangs [400, MAG 50]** Tiger's Fangs + Mithril = **Platinum Nails [850, MAG 100]** Eagle's Claws + Sapphire = **Serpent's Tooth [900, MAG 150]** ------------ Opera Vectra ------------ Inv: Alpha Box [690] Beta Box [690] X Box [500] Light Box [490] Def: Gamma Box [750] Fail: Scrap Iron [can't equip] Fun: Psycho Box [1050] Other: Funny Slayer [1]-COT <> Magic Box + Sage's Stone = **Burst Box [780]** Black Box + Crystal = **Light Box* [490]* Light Box + Rainbow Diamond = **Seventh Ray [280]** Booster Box + Damascus = **Black Box [200]** Light Box + Rune Metal = **Magic Box [650]** Beta Box/Gamma Box + Orichalcum = **Pulse Box [1000]** -------------- Precis Neumann -------------- Inv: One-two Punch [280] Atomic Punch [1120] Ultra Punch [650] Great Punch [850] Def: SD Punch [1150] Fail: Scrap Iron [Can't equip] Fun: Hyper Punch [1250] Other: Funny Slayer [1]-COT Weird Slayer [1000]-COT <> SD Punch + Damascus = **UGA Punch [1300]** UGA Punch + Rainbow Diamond = **SDUGA Punch [1600]** Atomic Punch/Great Punch/SD Punch/Spark Hand + Star Ruby = **Burning Hand [600]** Atomic Punch/Burning Hand/Fire Punch/Great Punch/One-two Punch/SD Punch/ Spark Hand/Straight Punch/Thunder Punch/UGA Punch/Ultra Punch + Sapphire = **Ice Punch [380]** Atomic Punch/Burning Hand/Great Punch/Ice Punch/One-two Punch/SD Punch/ Spark Hand/Straight Punch/Thunder Punch/UGA Punch/Ultra Punch + Ruby = **Fire Punch [699]** Atomic Punch/Burning Hand/Fire Punch/Great Punch/Ice Punch/One-two Punch/SD Punch/Spark Hand/Straight Punch/UGA Punch/Ultra Punch + Diamond = **Thunder Punch [420]** Atomic Punch/Burning Hand/Great Punch/Hyper Punch/SD Punch + Rainbow Diamond = **Spark Hand [650]** ------------ Rena Lanford ------------ Inv: Magical Gloves [688, MAG 60] Cestus [140, MAG 20] Pain Cestus [580, MAG 80] Metal Fangs [400, MAG 50] Def: Kaiser Knuckles [1100, MAG 200] Fail: Worn Knuckles [1] Fun: Fellper Nails [1200, MAG 30] Other: Funny Slayer [1]-COT Weird Slayer [1000]-COT Fallen Hope [1000, MAG 300]-Dr. Mirage gives it to Rena <> Rune Full Moon + Sage's Stone = **Sorceress Knuckles [1000, MAG 180]** Magical Gloves + Rune Metal = **Sorceress Knuckles [1000, MAG 180]** Cestus + Rune Metal = **Metal Fangs [400, MAG 50]** Cestus + Damascus = **Pain Cestus [580, MAG 80]** Kaiser Knuckles + Moonite = **Empresia [1220, MAG 300]** Magical Gloves + Moonite = **Rune Full Moon [900, MAG 150]** Cestus + Moonite = **Dragon's Claws [450, MAG 100]** =========== VII. Option =========== If you've played Gradius, you probably know that "option" is really just a Japanism for "extra dealies". So this section is just some random stuff I've noticed and other things that wouldn't go anywhere else. > If your character has an Atlas Ring equipped, they will freeze momentarily if their attack is blocked by an enemy. It seems that the Berserk Ring does this as well. > Dias's weapon, the Crimson Diablos, doubles his strength like an Atlas Ring. For some reason this is not reflected on the stat screen. > The Bloody Armor makes its wearer invincible to attack but it drains their HP like mad. The Bloody Helm gives you a few stat increases but it saps your MP in the same way. > We all know that Chisato's Psychic Gun costs her 2 MP for every hit, but what no one seems to have noticed is that Claude's Force Sword does the same thing. So THAT'S what they meant by "converts the reason of the user into light." > Descriptions for the weapons in this game seem to be more than a little overzealous. For example, the Hard Cleaver claims to "cause molecular breakdown in anything it touches," the Pleiad Sword "instantly slices anything in two," the Soul Slayer "completely destroys the halves of an enemy's body after being split," and the Force Sword also claims to "split the enemy." But my favorite has to be the Heart Breaker: It "finds the enemy's weakness and instantly robs him of his life." The thing's got 550 attack power, for crying out loud! There's no instant death! Well, maybe against Funny Thieves... > Weapons that look the same: Heart Breaker, Sinclair Sabre, Broad Sword, Baselard Braised Knuckles, Magic Gloves, Rune Full Moon, Sorceress Knuckles, Weird Slayer, Flare Burst Knuckles, Hard Knuckles, Worn Knuckles Titan's Fists, Giant Fists, Hecatoncheire, Platinum Nails, Asura Dragon's Claws, Tiger's Fangs, Cat's Fangs, Death Fangs, Fellper Nails, Eagle's Claws, Grizzly Claps, Serpent's Tooth Cestus, Pain Cestus, Metal Fangs, Kaiser Knuckles All of Leon's books, except the books of Chaos and Darkness, but they look the same as each other anyway. Etc. > In the game, some people pronounce Rena's name as "Reena" and the others say "Renna". Make up your minds! >Fun City team battle prizes: Rank A-Star Guard B-Right Cross C-Dream Crown D-Magic Cross E-Zephyr Earring F-Purple Mist >"Noel" is "Leon" spelled backwards, and they both have kitty ears. Leon's parents do not have kitty ears. Noel wears mittens. ================== VIII. Things Missing ================== Mainly I'm missing a few combinations for people whose weapons I've lost, sold, etc, or stuff I didn't want to bother with (like customizing the Eternal Sphere). Kind of irritating that some stuff is available only once in the game (like the Leather Whip). Also, Dias apparently has a "Bastard Sword" which you must steal near the beginning of the game, so eventually I'll try to get one of those. And so far, I haven't gotten any Radio Boxes for Opera but I know they exist. I'm also planning to include some random silly comments about people and stuff. Combinations not finished: Ashton: Doubledemon Sword, Guard Sword, Twin Swords Bowman: Hard Knuckles, Flare Burst Celine: Done Chisato: Aero Gun Claude: Sharp Edge, Minus Sword, Eternal Sphere Dias: Bastard Sword Ernest: Cat o' Nine Tails, Leather Whip Leon: All About ESP, Book of Awakenings, Book of Chaos, Holy Scriptures, Illustrated Book, Mental Revolution, Treatise (I know that list is shamefully long, but these things are REAL hard to come by and they almost all look the same, so it's real boring trying to get them) Noel: Done Opera: Psycho Box, Radio Box Precis: Hyper Punch, Magic Hand, SDUGA Punch, Straight Punch Rena: Hard Knuckles, Knuckles Also, as you may have noted, I seem to have forgotten the item that Leon gets from Fun City Rank A duel. I don't want to start a new game to find it out just yet, so if someone wants to refresh my memory...you know what to do. ==================== IX. Revision History ==================== 12/14/000: First, "rudimentary" version completed. Copies were sent out to the eager, greedy unwashed masses who were interested enough to ask for one. That version wasn't submitted to GameFAQs because, after all, it wasn't complete. 12/27/000: At last! I filled out the sections that were blank, corrected some errors, altered the format a teeny bit, and deleted a section (don't worry, you won't miss it). It is submitted to GameFAQs...let's see if it gets posted. ============================================ X. Credits, Acknowledgements & Contributions ============================================ All content was written by ME!! And no one else!!! BUT, there were a couple FAQs that I looked at now and then to make easier the writing of stats and listing of a few items, and also to double-check a couple of my numbers. Also there are a few normal people to thank. But all of this is my work as far as customizing is concerned. I can email you my spreadsheets if you doubt me (don't ask). Anyway, here they are. "Star Ocean Weapons Guide" by Vercingetorix (richardk@prtc.net) Pretty good weapon list, and largely complete for the most part. "Star Ocean 2 Item List/Item Creation FAQ" by Matt Hobbs (yelseyking@aol.com) and Sir Aronar (sir_aronar@msn.com) Good format and whatnot, and excellent sections on metalworking etc. Unfortunately, it seems that it has never been updated. Maybe they died. BristalC from the message board (BristalC@aol.com), for instantly jumping down my throat and abusing me when I was a newbie. But in doing so, he inadvertently inspired me to prove my merits by finishing this guide which I'd shelved a few months previously. Heh heh! My aunt & uncle in California, for giving me the free laptop computer that I wrote this on. And that's all.