KHHsubs
Ultimate Challenge
Overview
You can play the Ultimate Battles game mode by selecting it from the title screen after unlocking it (by completing the main story for the first time). There are 33 stages to complete, each with various completion conditions and fight situations. For example, Kiryu's level and stats are predetermined for each stage. In some stages, you may be very low level for a fight which, during the main story, you were at a much higher level. There are 4 different ranks you get for finishing a stage - S-A-B-C (S being the best) and this rank is shown on the stage in the ultimate battles screen. You must achieve S rank in every stage to complete this game mode and unlock the reward.
When you achieve the S rank in every stage, you will receive the True Brawler God Amulet item when you start a new game (Main Story or Kyoto Tour) at Kiryu's house.
| Section | Stage | What determines rank | Rank Conditions | Conditions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | A | B | C | ||||
| Melee Challenges | 1 | Remaining time | More than 2 minutes 30 seconds remaining | More than 2 minutes remaining | More than 1 minute 30 seconds remaining | Less than 1 minute 30 seconds remaining | Available from the start |
| 2 | Remaining time | More than 2 minutes 30 seconds remaining | More than 2 minutes remaining | More than 1 minute 30 seconds remaining | Less than 1 minute 30 seconds remaining | Available after completing Melee Challenges Stage 1 | |
| 3 | Remaining time | More than 2 minutes 30 seconds remaining | More than 2 minutes remaining | More than 1 minute 30 seconds remaining | Less than 1 minute 30 seconds remaining | Available after completing Melee Challenges Stage 2 | |
| 4 | Remaining time | More than 2 minutes 30 seconds remaining | More than 2 minutes remaining | More than 1 minute 30 seconds remaining | Less than 1 minute 30 seconds remaining | Available after completing Melee Challenges Stage 3 | |
| 5 | Remaining time | More than 16'05 seconds remaining | More than 12'05 seconds remaining | More than 8'03 seconds remaining | Less than 8'03 seconds remaining | Available after completing Melee Challenges Stage 4 | |
| 6 | Elapsed time | Completion time less than 6 minutes | Completion time less than 6 minutes 30 seconds | Completion time less than 7 minutes | Completion time more than 7 minutes | Available after completing Melee Challenges Stage 5 | |
| 7 | Elapsed time | Completion time less than 5 minutes 30 seconds | Completion time less than 6 minutes | Completion time less than 6 minutes 30 seconds | Completion time more than 6 minutes 30 seconds | Available after completing Melee Challenges Stage 6 | |
| 8 | Elapsed time | Completion time less than 2 minutes | Completion time less than 2 minutes 30 seconds | Completion time less than 3 minutes | Completion time more than 3 minutes | Available after completing Melee Challenges Stage 7 | |
| 9 | Remaining health | More than 90% health remaining | More than 80% health remaining | More than 70% health remaining | Less than 70% health remaining | Available after completing Melee Challenges Stage 8 | |
| 10 | Elapsed time | Completion time less than 1 minute | Completion time less than 1 minute 30 seconds | Completion time less than 2 minutes | Completion time more than 2 minutes | Available after completing Melee Challenges Stage 9 | |
| Showdown Challenges | 1 | Remaining health | More than 80% health remaining | More than 70% health remaining | More than 60% health remaining | Less than 60% health remaining | Available from the start |
| 2 | Remaining health | More than 80% health remaining | More than 70% health remaining | More than 60% health remaining | Less than 60% health remaining | Available after completing Showdown Challenges Stage 1 | |
| 3 | Remaining health | More than 80% health remaining | More than 70% health remaining | More than 60% health remaining | Less than 60% health remaining | Available after completing Showdown Challenges Stage 2 | |
| 4 | Remaining health | More than 30% health remaining | More than 20% health remaining | More than 10% health remaining | Less than 10% health remaining | Available after completing Showdown Challenges Stage 3 | |
| 5 | N/A | N/A - Complete the stage to receive the S rank | Available after completing Showdown Challenges Stage 4 | ||||
| Trial Challenges | 1 | Elapsed time | Completion time less than 7 seconds | Completion time less than 15 seconds | Completion time less than 25 seconds | Completion time more than 25 seconds | Available from the start |
| 2 | Elapsed time | Completion time less than 2 minutes 30 seconds | Completion time less than 3 minutes 20 seconds | Completion time less than 4 minutes 10 seconds | Completion time more than 4 minutes 10 seconds | Available after completing Trial Challenges Stage 1 | |
| 3 | Collected money | Collect at least 1000 Ryo | Collect at least 800 Ryo | Collect at least 600 Ryo | Collect between 400 and 600 Ryo | Available after completing Trial Challenges Stage 2 | |
| 4 | Remaining time | More than 3 minutes 30 seconds remaining | More than 2 minutes 30 seconds remaining | More than 1 minute 30 seconds remaining | Less than 1 minute 30 seconds remaining | Available after completing Trial Challenges Stage 3 | |
| 5 | Elapsed time | Completion time less than 45 seconds | Completion time less than 1 minute | Completion time less than 1 minute 30 seconds | Completion time more than 1 minute 30 seconds | Available after completing Trial Challenges Stage 4 | |
| 6 | Elapsed time | Completion time less than 5 minutes | Completion time less than 5 minutes 30 seconds | Completion time less than 6 minutes | Completion time more than 6 minutes | Available after completing Trial Challenges Stage 5 | |
| 7 | Elapsed time | Completion time less than 1 minute | Completion time less than 1 minute 10 seconds | Completion time less than 1 minute 20 seconds | Completion time more than 1 minute 20 seconds | Available after completing Trial Challenges Stage 6 | |
| 8 | Total damage | Total damage at least 10500 | Total damage at least 10000 | Total damage at least 9500 | Total damage less than 9500 | Available after completing Trial Challenges Stage 7 | |
| 9 | Elapsed time | Completion time less than 35 seconds | Completion time less than 40 seconds | Completion time less than 50 seconds | Completion time more than 50 seconds | Available after completing Trial Challenges Stage 8 | |
| 10 | Remaining time | More than 5 minutes remaining | More than 4 minutes remaining | More than 3 minutes remaining | Less than 3 minutes remaining | Available after completing Trial Challenges Stage 9 | |
| Reincarnation Challenges | 1 | Elapsed time | Completion time less than 3 minutes | Completion time less than 15 seconds | Completion time less than 25 seconds | Completion time more than 25 seconds | Available after completing Melee Challenges Stage 10 |
| 2 | Elapsed time | Completion time less than 2 minutes 30 seconds | Completion time less than 3 minutes | Completion time less than 3 minutes 30 seconds | Completion time more than 3 minutes 30 seconds | Available after completing Showdown Challenges Stage 5 | |
| 3 | Elapsed time | Completion time less than 6 minutes | Completion time less than 6 minutes 30 seconds | Completion time less than 7 minutes | Completion time more than 7 minutes | Available after completing Trial Challenges Stage 10 | |
| 4 | N/A | N/A - Complete the stage to receive the S rank | Available after completing Ultimate Challenges Stage 4 | ||||
| Ultimate Challenges | 1 | Elapsed time | Completion time less than 6 minutes | Completion time less than 6 minutes 30 seconds | Completion time less than 7 minutes | Completion time more than 7 minutes | Available after completing all stages in Melee Challenges, Showdown Challenges, and Trial Challenges |
| 2 | Elapsed time | Completion time less than 6 minutes | Completion time less than 6 minutes 30 seconds | Completion time less than 7 minutes | Completion time more than 7 minutes | Available after completing Ultimate Challenges Stage 1 | |
| 3 | Elapsed time | Completion time less than 6 minutes | Completion time less than 6 minutes 30 seconds | Completion time less than 7 minutes | Completion time more than 7 minutes | Available after completing Ultimate Challenges Stage 2 | |
| 4 | N/A | N/A - Complete the stage to receive the S rank | Available after completing Ultimate Challenges Stage 3 | ||||
Tips
Carefully check the S rank conditions on the table (on the "Overview" tab) and develop a strategy to maximise your chance of meeting the S rank condition. It may take a few attempts while you experiment with different strategies. For example, in stages that must be completed quickly, you may need to experiment with different approaches to find the fastest way of beating the stage. In such stages, don't worry too much about being careful since taking damage won't make any difference to your rank (unless you get down to 0 health, of course). On the other hand, for stages which reward ranks based on remaining health, you should take your time and adopt a defensive approach to avoid as much damage as possible.
Most of the stages are relatively straightforward - as mentioned, it might take a few attempts but on the whole it shouldn't be too much of a problem. However, there are a few particularly challenging stages. Below you will find tips for these stages to help improve your chance of getting the S rank.
In stages where you can freely change your fighting style, it is wise to prioritise the two sword style as much as possible. This style is fast and can allow you to attack many enemies quickly. It also allows you to defend from all directions.
Melee Challenge Stage 5
This stage is exactly the same as 9-7 in the main story, where you have to escape from Rendai Field. You get a 30 second timer and you must have at least 16'05 remaining when you reach the destination to get the S rank. There is very little room for error here. You must memorise the path you need to take to get to the destination (check the maps on the main story page to help you). Do not fight any enemies because there is not enough time to deal with them. As mentioned, you need to know exactly where you are going - hold down the analogue stick in the correct direction at all times (including while the next location is loading) so you are not wasting any time. This may take a few attempts even when you do know where you are going. If you briefly stop for even a fraction of a second (e.g. to adjust the camera and work out where you're going) you'll probably miss out on the S rank.
Showdown Challenge Stages 1 ~ 4
These stages reward ranks based on remaining health. Because of this, you don't need to worry about how fast you defeat these bosses. In these stages, you fight a boss from the main story. In Stage 1, you fight Shishido Baiken from Chapter 5, however you must fight him while using a hoe (your swords are not available). In Stage 2, you fight Hozoin Inshun from Chapter 8, but you must use the two sword style against him (not single sword as in the main story). In Stage 3, you fight Majima Gorohachi from Chapter 1. This one actually is just like the main story since you are both using wooden swords again. In Stage 4, you fight Yoshioka Seijuro from Chapter 9, but you are forced to use an umbrella (you are dressed in the kabuki outfit you wear in the Star Actor mini-game). This is definitely the most challenging of these 4 stages. Thankfully, even though you are using an umbrella, you are able to defend against his attacks, so focus on defence. Your best opportunity to deal some damage is to kick him while he is in his counter-attack stance (he doesn't counter kicks, only regular attacks).
Showdown Challenge Stage 5
This is one of the most challenging stages in this game mode. You are at the lowest level, so all your stats are low (e.g. lowest health bar, low speed). That would be bad enough no matter what enemy you are fighting, but you are going up against Sasaki Kojiro from the final chapter of the main story - a boss who is challenging even when you are fully upgraded. If that's not bad enough, you also are forced to use the brawler style. You do not have access to your swords. The only consolation here is that he has less health in this stage than he does in the main story. Take a safe approach and try to dodge behind Kojiro to get some attacks in. It's not a good idea to go in head-first. Also, make use of the oar on the beach - this works like a greatsword weapon and can do a lot of damage to Kojiro when you use the attack. Use this weapon first to lower his health and much as possible, then finish him off with unarmed attacks.
The oar does not have much endurance, so it probably won't last long enough to defeat Kojiro using this weapon alone.
Trial Challenge Stage 1
In this stage, you fight in the arena with no barriers around the battlefield (so it's like the Cliff Edge tournament). You have to knock 3 Rikishi (sumo wrestlers) off the edge. You cannot do any damage to them with regular attacks, so you have to knock them off the edge to win. To get the S rank, you must knock them all off within 7 seconds. You have barely any room for error here. As soon as the fight starts, switch to your greatsword (up directional button), then immediately use the combo on them. If you do not knock them all off with a single combo, exit the stage and try again because you won't have enough time to get the S rank. There is a lot of luck involved in this (you need to hope the Rikishi group together nicely and don't spread out too much when the stage starts), so be prepared to restart this stage multiple times until they line up in a way which allows you to knock them all off with one greatsword combo.
Trial Challenge Stage 4
You must rescue all the yujo from Tsuruya while it's burning down. This is the same as the main story section in 7-10 ~ 7-15. Use the maps on the text walkthrough page as a reference to find all the yujo (the exception is that, on the starting floor, there are 3 yujo to rescue whereas there are no yujo in the main story on this floor - just check every room on the starting floor, except the one at the bottom-right of the map, and you'll find them). Avoid fighting enemies as much as possible to save time (e.g. you don't have to defeat anyone in the first area - just save the yujo then go down the stairs to proceed). Note that the game does not allow you to proceed to the next area until you've saved all the yujo in the current area (e.g. in the first area if you try to go downstairs right away, Kiryu will comment that there are still yujo to save), so you can't accidentally miss anyone.
Trial Challenge Stage 5
In this stage, you have to defeat a group of enemies while using a hoe weapon. However, you cannot use any regular attacks with the hoe. The only way to damage the enemies is through the equipping/unequipping animation. You'll have to get close to enemies, then unequip the weapon (down directional button). If the hoe hits an enemy during this animation, it will cause damage. Same applies to the equipping animation. It will take a bit of practice to get the positioning right, so be prepared to restart a few times. The animation can hit more than one enemy at once, so try to group enemies together and then equip/unequip.
Trial Challenge Stage 8
In this stage, you are in Musashi's dojo and have to attack a training dummy. You must deal at least 10500 damage to this dummy within the time limit to get the S rank. You can freely change between the different styles. Best way to build up damage is to use the two sword style and use the x5 -> combo. This allows you to do a lot of damage without using up too much time, so you can repeat this combo many times and build up lots of damage.
Reincarnation Challenge Stage 1
You play as Shishido Baiken in this stage. Just using the combo will be enough to deal with the enemies. The other attacks don't have much range and it can be difficult to hit enemies with then, so you may as well just stick to the regular combo. See the table for the full list of attacks available while playing as Baiken.
| Attack | Damage |
|---|---|
| - - | 33 - 43 - 53 |
| - (while holding ) | 43 - 53 |
| 33 | |
| 43 - 53 | |
| (while moving) | 83 |
Reincarnation Challenge Stage 2
You play as Ito Ittosai in this stage. Using either the - or - - (while holding ) combos will be enough to defeat the enemies. However, they are less useful when you find yourself surrounded by enemies. In these situations, use the or (while holding ) attacks, both of which can knock down enemies.
| Attack | Damage |
|---|---|
| - | 55 - 55 |
| - - (while holding ) | 35 - 35 - 35 |
| 55 | |
| (while holding ) | 75 |
Reincarnation Challenge Stage 3
You play as Gion Toji in this stage. Using just the - - - (while holding ) combo will be enough to deal with the enemies. Watch out for the two swordmaster type enemies. Using the (while holding ) can be useful against these guys.
| Attack | Damage |
|---|---|
| - | 35 - 35 |
| - - - (while holding ) | 35 - 35 - 35 - 45 |
| 26 | |
| (while holding ) | 35 |
| - | 5 - 35 |
Reincarnation Challenge Stage 4
You play as Sasaki Kojiro in this stage and fight Miyamoto Musashi one-on-one. Musashi uses the two sword style in this fight. Focus on defending against his attacks, then launch your counter attack. Kojiro has a variety of attacks you can use and there is no time limit in this fight, so take your time and experiment with the different attacks. In addition to the attacks listed in the table, you can counter by pressing while blocking Musashi's attacks.
| Attack | Damage |
|---|---|
| - - | 35 - 45 - 55 |
| 35 - 35 | |
| (while holding ) | 35 |
| 50 | |
| [Squat] | 0 |
| [While Squatting] - | 65 - 85 |
Ultimate Challenge Stages 1 ~ 4
The ultimate challenge stages are basically boss rushes. You fight bosses one after another and when you beat the last boss, you get a rank. For stages 1-4 you have to defeat the bosses quickly enough to get the S rank, but there is no time limit for stage 5, so you should take your time with that one. In stages 1~3, there are 3 rounds. For stage 4, there are 12 rounds. This is why it's particularly important to avoid taking damage in this stage, since you have to get through 12 bosses in a row. For most of the bosses, it should be quite straightforward since they fight exactly like they do in the main story. You can use your experience fighting them in the story to your advantage here.
Besides the main story bosses, you will also fight the trainers (Shibusawa, Komaki, Tengu Mask) in these stages.
