Forum - (Magic Castle DS) Discussion: Regarding Sofu

Posted by gabikun on Apr 29 2009, 8:08 AM EDT.

» Ow, I said "he's more cute" lol. Well... what are your opinions about party members? «

DonJonker on Apr 29 2009, 9:29 AM EDT

I tend to agree with your assessment: Sofu is far and away my favorite, though I haven't unlocked the Mamel Cave yet.

I do prefer Pekeji over Oryu, though - the blinding attack doesn't work all that often (maybe more often when you level her up): I like a punch that nearly always works better than a blinding that only sometimes works (similar to your only having a few abilities for Sofu). And I find that Pekeji tends to live longer - though this may be prejudice from Shiren1.

Zoso might be great if I could be patient enough to level him up. A single death taking him back to Zenmaiger is a pretty hefty penalty. And it's not like he can do anything that Sofu can't.

And poor, poor Chesty... ;)

I really need to unlock more dungeons that you can bring companions into. I'm stuck on the Trap Dungeon right now - will ask advice on another thread.

gabikun on Apr 29 2009, 11:51 AM EDT

Chesty is an interesting idea that results into impractical. I used it once and I had to kill it by myself because it was annoying me a lot.

One thing you will like about party members: Those monsters that attack from afar (but not in a straight line) like the Piggos and the Sky dragons, will do their special attacks to you instead that your party members. Which is a plus, as the latests floors of the Blacksmith dungeon were easier than I expected (I went with sofu, of course).

But when I went with "fragile" party members (zoso and the Borg Mamel), I used invisibility staves (avoiding the Insta-death of the Rice Changer family, per example).

gabikun on May 4 2009, 10:52 PM EDT | Post edited: May 4 2009, 11:01 PM EDT

I have to mention something about Sofu. When I read "he has 100% monster ability chance" I wanted to try by myself. And yes: he has 100% chance of doing monster abilities if he has 10 meats in his "inventory" and he can use them at that moment. But, per example, if he has the Fluffy Bunny ability, that makes him lose 10% chance of using those abilities if you are at maximum HP.

So, this is what I've thrown to Sofu, to make him a near unstoppable killing machine:

- Level 1~4 Slumber Wizard meats: 40% chance of putting an enemy to sleep (Gather inmune)
- Level 3 and 4 dragons: 20% chance of breathing fire to any monster within 10 square-radius, to 50 and 60 fixed damage (gather inmune).
- Level 4 Rice Master: 30% chance of obtaining a Giant Riceball if this is the last blow (10% chance to use this ability). Gather is NOT inmune.
- Level 4 Gitan Mamel: Attacks 2 times in a turn (Gather is NOT inmune) 10% chance to use this ability.
- Level 3 and 4 Skull Wizard and Skull Demon (20% chance to use this ability). Level -1, Level -3, Sleep, Confuse, convert into meat, Paralyze, put monster into "Blind" Status, Seal it... Those meats proved to be very useful (gather inmune).

And that makes 10 abilities in total. In front of monsters, he always does one of them (verified). The only weakness are... gathers (and the 1 hit KO of some monsters like the Rice Changer and the Skull Mage families). But as Shiren is there, he can slay them....

I'm thinking in erasing the "Rice Master" meat and put a level 4 master chicken meat instead (attacks 2 times in a turn). But in Tonfan dungeon, obtaining a Giant Riceball is very useful (there are no riceballs, rice changers appear in floor 18, and with your little pet spamming fire to monsters, obtaining meats is nearly impossible in the first floors)

DonJonker on May 5 2009, 4:02 AM EDT

So are we thinking that if he only has 9 abilities, he will have 90% chance? I'll try to verify, since you have a pretty solid lineup.

I see you've replaced Fluffy Bunny.. I'm thinking of doing the same - maybe after I've gotten some of the higher level dragon meat. I finally got sky dragon, but outside Tonfan dungeon - at Jahanamu Gate. The Stone Head gave me a bufu staff early on. At one of those open levels (not a monster house), Sofu was taking damage left and right, and finally a dragon killed him, but not in vain! One hit from a bufu staff, and voila! Sky Dragon meat. In serious business now.

So now I've got:

-Sleeping wizard: (a different one than you've got, I think. The one that doesn't talk, and shoots a laser for melee. I'm fairly sure this one always succeeds, so you might one to switch).
-Dragon & Sky Dragon
-Piggo
-Fluffy Bunny
-Insect that tosses you like Tiger Uho.. need to get rid of that one.
-Death reaper (only grants double move, not double attack, so I think I'll get rid of it)
-Gaze

I think that's all of them. I've got an open slot or two. He's getting pretty powerful... Eventually I'll get him ready for a serious attempt at the Forge Furnace - although that's a scary place. Is that the only other post-game dungeon to bring him to besides the Tonfan?

gabikun on May 5 2009, 8:34 AM EDT | Post edited: May 5 2009, 8:41 AM EDT

Your sleeping wizard and my Slumber wizard are the same (they are magic/one-eyed monsters). Gaze's meat are useful too, but monsters can attack other monsters if they are in the opposite side, so they can level up. I prefer to put them to sleep :P. Fluffy bunnies abilities in Sofu sucks (level 1 heals 10 HP, and level 2, 20 HP.. pretty useless when you have more that 200 HP)

Party members can enter in the 4 main dungeons, the Forge Furnace, and the Deep Ruins (available when you finish the Edge of the Abyss). Sofu can optionally enter in the Tonfan Dungeon (after you finish the plot) and the Borg Mamel will always enter with you in the Mamel Cave (even after you finish the plot).

If you are planning to get into the Forge Furnace, I suggest you enter at first with an escape scroll, 2 or 3 herbs of revival (better blessed) and all the money you can (like 50.000). Strengthening Jars can be found in shops from the very beggining (26.000~30.000 G), as well as やまびこの盾 - 9.000G (Yamabiko Shield, a shield that reflects all magic attacks back to the user, even Gaze abilities!) and the 見切りの盾 - 11.000G (evasive Shield). Specially the Yamabiko Shield is useful, get it meld into your main shield before you do a serious attempt.

Once you have the strengthening Jar, level your weapon/shield to the maximum, as well as the Bufu staff and a Happiness staff (so you can collect level 4 meats easily). The happiness staff can be found in the Mamel Cave (shops), Tonfan Dungeon (from the 21st floor) and the Edge of the Abyss, but if you don't find any, I can send one to you.