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BASIC TECHNIQUES FOR CARRYING OUT MISSIONS UNDETECTED

THE CROUCH BUTTON IS YOUR FRIEND

In well-lit areas, standing or drawing your blade will raise your stealth gauge to dangerous levels that can threaten the success of your mission. Make use of the crouch button to avoid detection, and somersault forward while crouching to move. Of course, when dispatching foes, you should also make certain to execute stealth kills making as little noise as possible to avoid drawing the attention of those around you.

AVOIDING ENEMY DETECTION

Actions in the shadows are harder for enemies to detect than actions in lit areas. Occasionally, even when hiding in the shadows of a wall, you can be spotted by an enemy. This can happen if you protrude ever so slightly from the shadows of a wall. For this reason, it is critical that you make certain that your entire body is concealed within the shadows. You should also stay crouched while on rooftops, and always take appropriate actions to avoid being spotted.

Noises will alert the enemy, causing the “Sense” on your Ki Meter to change to “Sound.” Primary noise-making actions include drawing your blade, running, breaking something, fighting, and getting caught in traps. Jumping into water and swimming can also cause dangerous, splashing noises. To carry out a mission, you must be careful at all times not to make unnecessary noise.

Staying low to the ground is one of the basics. Moving with somersaults is another.

Protruding out from the shadows will draw the enemy's attention

If you get caught in a “Clapper” or other noisemaking trap, the enemy will be alerted, be very careful.

If you fall into a cesspool, wash yourself off immediately or the enemy will smell you coming.

SHADOWS

NOISE SCENTIf the enemy reacts to a scent, the “Sense” on

your Ki Meter will change to “Smell.” Be certain to wash off any blood that may splash on you when dispatching a foe. If you touch something smelly, wash with water, or spend enough time for the smell to dissipate to avoid detection by the enemy.

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In well-lit areas, standing or drawing your blade will raise

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BASIC TECHNIQUES FOR CARRYING OUT MISSIONS UNDETECTED

THERE IS MORE THAN ONE POSSIBLE ROUTE

There is always more than one route you can utilize to carry out your mission. Charging in through the front, and using a grappling hook to sneak over a perimeter wall are just two of many different route choices you can take. Of course, there are many different methods for dispatching enemies as well, you can grab an enemy and drag him to a designated spot for a stealth kill. Choose your own style of play. Try different approaches and fi nd the one that suits you best.

EFFECTIVE USE OF ITEMS AND TECHNIQUES

Being able to use items and techniques can make missions easier to carry out. They can be purchased with rewards or obtained during missions. There are many of types of items and techniques designed for both combat and stealth purposes. You can use items to great effect to divert an enemy's attention. Obtain items, learn techniques, and put both to good use in specifi c situations and locations.

DEALING WITH BEING DETECTED

Should you get spotted, there are two ways to handle it: One way is to flee the scene and hide someplace safe until the confusion dies down. You can use “Caltrops” or “Smoke Bombs” to stall enemies and buy yourself time to run. The other way is to dispatch the enemy on the spot, before he can alert others. The higher your “Strength” rating, the faster you can eliminate your foes.

DISPOSING OF ENEMY CORPSES

If you leave enemy corpses out in the open, they can be spotted by patrols and cause an uproar. Be sure to hide corpses in the weeds, or drop them into the water. Just remember that throwing a corpse will make noise. You can also perform a corpse stealth kill by throwing a corpse at an enemy.

You can also grab and drag enemies to completely different locations.

The “Tengu Concealment” technique allows you to stay against a wall and let an enemy pass right by you.

When you’re stuck in a bad situation, throw a “Dazzle Bomb” to blind your foes, allowing you to safely fl ee.

You can toss corpses into not only the weeds and rivers, but also into cesspools.

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Action Key Input

Draw / Sheath

Step Forward (Backward) RT + Up (Down) +

Step Left (Right) RT + Left (Right) +

Somersault Forward (Backward) RB + Up (Down) +

Somersault Left (Right) RB + Left (Right) +

Water Evasion RB (In Water)

Crouch RB (Requires you to hold it)

Cling to Wall Press Down on Left Stick

Jump

High Jump LT +

Moonsault RT +

Crawl RB + Left Stick (in areas where it can be done)

Open / Close Doors (near a door)

Door Slide RB + (Requires you to hold it)

Peer on Roof RB + Left Stick Up (Requires you to hold it) + Right Stick (to look around)

Select Item Left and Right on the D-Pad

Use Item LB

Pick Up Item near an item, with sword sheathed

Stealth Kill near an enemy, with sword drawn (Techniques may vary with the direction you face when using them)

Normal Attack with sword drawn

Fierce Attack RT + Down +

Rush Attack while stepping forward

Spin Attack Rotate Left Stick +

Finishing Stab near a fallen enemy

Defend RT +

Grab near an enemy, with sword sheathed

Grab Release during grab

Grab KO during grab

Grab Stealth Kil during grab

Grab Wall Press when your back is touching the wall during grab

Grab Ground Press RB during grab

Pick Up Corpse RB + near a corpse with sword sheathed

Carry Corpse Left Stick while holding corpse

Put Down Corpse while holding corpse

Throw Corpse LB while holding corpse

Gesture – Go LT + Up on D-Pad

Gesture – Stop LT + Down on D-Pad

Gesture – Yes LT + Left on D-Pad

Gesture – No LT + Right on D-Pad

PRIMARY ACTION LIST

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BASIC NINJUTSU TECHNIQUES FOR REACHING GRAND MASTER

A normal stealth kill is executed when you perform a kill while the "Seal of 9 Characters" is displayed. When you perform a kill while the "Seal of 9 Characters" is orange, it becomes a normal stealth kill. Since stealth killing reduces the chances of your being detected by the enemy, it allows you to carry out your mission without getting thrown into a melee. Normal stealth kills are also worth more points than regular kills. Stealth kill techniques can vary based on the direction the enemy is facing, or their relative position, so you should play around and experiment.

The "Seal of 9 Characters" will shift colors from orange to red. When a stealth kill is executed, at that moment, it becomes a perfect stealth kill. Perfect stealth kills are easier to perform on a non-moving opponent than on a moving one. If you want to perform a perfect stealth kill, you can make it easier by restraining your opponent. Perfect stealth kills require more precise timing than normal ones, so they’ re worth slightly more points.

When you draw near an enemy while your sword is sheathed, if the special symbol appears, that means you can grab the enemy. You can move while keeping the enemy restrained, even if you’re near another foe, you can drag your victim elsewhere to stealth kill them. You can also pin them to the ground, or against walls, assuming you’re near one. Just be careful where you go when holding someone, if you move over uneven ground, they can break free.

You can also perform stealth kills while keeping the enemy in a restraint hold.

When grabbing

a foe, dragging

them to the

weeds or the

shadows of

a building is

essential.

Close in on foes quickly, and grab them before they notice you.

When there is another enemy nearby, one possible approach is to simply continue holding your foe and watch them.

Time your button-press to match when the symbol turns red to execute a perfect stealth kill.

When you pull off a perfect stealth kill, a special sound confi rms it.

NORMAL STEALTH KILLS

PERFECT STEALTH KILLS

RESTRAINT

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BASIC NINJUTSU TECHNIQUES FOR REACHING GRAND MASTER

Situational stealth kills are ones where you execute a stealth kill based upon a certain circumstances. You can lurk in the shadows of walls or doors to exploit an enemy’s blind spot then drag them in or use items to lure out enemies. Dragging in a moving foe places you in danger of being detected and is harder to accomplish than seizing them from behind, so this is worth slightly more points than a normal stealth kill. When dragging in a foe, make sure your sword is drawn fi rst.

The ultimate in stealth kills is sending every enemy in a fixed area to hell in one fell swoop. These require you to avoid the notice of multiple enemies and to perform stealth kills on all of them, so the first thing you should do is study the enemies’ movements carefully. Enemies patrol in a set pattern, so it should be a cinch to draw near and stealth kill them.

STEALTH KILLS NOT USED IN STAGE 1

There are some stealth kills you can perform further along in the game, that you can’t perform right at the start. There are a large variety of these, such as dragging an enemy down from a high place to dispatch them, or pulling an enemy up towards you with a grappling hook while you’re on the ceiling, then dispatching them. Throwing a corpse at an enemy to dispatch them also counts as a stealth kill. Every type of stealth kill you perform counts towards “All Stealth Kills,” so try experimenting some.

Cling to the ceiling and use a grappling hook to drag a foe up and stealth kill them.

You can grab an enemy from underfoot and drag them down as one type of stealth kill.

Consider the set route that the enemy takes, and wait for your best chance to strike.

Stick to the shadows of buildings or walls, then grab your foe and perform a stealth kill.

Wait in ambush inside, when the enemy opens the door, drag him in and kill him.

SITUATIONAL STEALTH KILLS

CHAIN STEALTH KILLS

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RANKING & TITLE

When a mission is completed, points are

calculated based on your performance in the mission (see below). Stealth kills, normal kills, special bonuses, innocents killed, number of times detected, and total amount of time spent detected are all included in the calculations, with bonuses granted based on the type of stealth kill, and any special circumstances. Perfect stealth kills are worth more points than regular stealth kills, so try to aim for those whenever possible. Of course, you should also be aware that you will be penalized when innocents are killed or when you are spotted by an enemy. Also, to get all perfect stealth kills score, you must defeat every enemy in the stage with a perfect stealth kill. Titles are assigned by rank according to the total number of points acquired, with Grand Master requiring 900 or more points total.

Mission Performance Points

Stealth

Kills

Regular Stealth Kill # x 100

Perfect Stealth Kill # x 120

StealthKillsChain Stealth Kill* # x 120 + (max combo at once x 80)

Restraint Hold

Stealth Kill# x 80

Situational Stealth Kill # x 110

Normal Kills # x 70

Special

Undetected 150

No Items Used 100

Uninjured 100

All Stealth Kills 400

All Perfect Stealth Kills 800

All Normal Kills 3500

No Kills 100

Boss Normal Kill 500 - 1000

Boss Stealth Kill 300

Innocents Killed # x - 300

Times Detected # x - 80

Amount of Time Spent Detected - 5 for every 3 seconds

Rank Points

Grand Master 900 or more

Expert Ninja 700 - 899

Ninja 500 - 699

Rookie 300 - 499

Novice 0 - 299

When a mission is completed, you can see a breakdown of your total points, and your title.

Techniques and items can be purchased between stages, in the Ninja Village.

Point Calculation Table Rank Table

* Chain kills begin counting with the second person killed in a continuous chain. For example, when two people are killed back-to-back, the fi rst counts as a normal kill.