Guide to A Rankings (Updated 08/01/06)

Kameo™: Elements of Power™

Guide to A Rankings (Updated 08/01/06)

Draekon 02-15-2006, 8:37 PM
Authored by: Draekon & B SMO0TH

WARNING: The following may contain spoilers depending on your view of a spoiler.

Table of Contents

To quickly get to a specific part of the guide, use quick find (Ctrl + F) and enter one of the right corresponding letters and numbers, along with the asterisk symbols.

Introduction & Updates	KG01
Warrior Focus & Doom Trolls	KG02
Basics	KG03
In Depth: Elemental Warriors	KG04
In Depth: Enemies & Allies	KG05
In Depth: Levels	KG06
Frequently Asked Questions	KG07
Credits & Sources	KG08
Disclaimer	KG09

*KG01* Introduction & Updates

This guide is dedicated to achieving A rankings in Kameo, an XBox 360 action game. Initially, A rankings seem quite overwhelming. Even more so when you have had a crack at co-op or tried a ranking run before. No need to worry though, this thread should hopefully give a good idea of what is required to achieve A rankings in the various levels.

Yeah, I know what you are thinking by now, "Just shut the heck up and give me the information." So I guess we ought to begin to get into detail. So good luck with getting A rankings and we hope you find this guide as useful as we would like it to be!

Update 1 Guide v2 - Some things have changed, the guide has been altered to show the changes. Forgotten Forest is the most effected change in the A-Ranking Guide and the fact that there are no Doom Trolls in Live co-op. The appropriate changes have been made to the guide to reflect these changes.

*KG02* Warrior Focus & Doom Trolls

What is Warrior Focus?
- Warrior Focus is something that can be best described as a slowdown in time where you are able to move at normal speed but enemies are slowed down. It is achieved by attacking enemies in ways that fills your focus bar completely full, which is located in the top center of your screen right under carnage multipliers.

How long does Warrior Focus last?
- Focus lasts as long as you are able to make it last. Just like going into focus, the same moves will help prolong you from exiting focus.

What are Doom Trolls?
- They are special trolls that you can only find in Warrior Focus. They are small, quick trolls that are very aggressive and will not hesitate to try and strike at you. These little guys are a very big key in obtaining scores high enough for A rankings.

What determines how many Doom Trolls appear?
- The amount of Doom Trolls that appear when you enter focus is solely based on your amount of carnage multipliers. The minimum amount required for them to appear is 10.

Are there an infinite amount of Doom Trolls?
- No, there are only an finite amount of Doom Trolls that appear and the amount of times they can appear. If you go into focus enough, you will eventually stop seeing them appear.

*KG03* Basics

The first thing that is recommended before starting your ranking runs is to upgrade all of your Elemental Warriors, find the twelve Elixirs of Life, and the four Mystic Eyes. They are not required, but it is highly recommended to make things easier on you.

After you have gotten that or decided against doing that, there are really only three basics to getting rankings. Those are gaining multipliers, not losing multipliers, and figuring out when to start using focus. They, however, branch out and are larger than they originally would seem.

First, let us begin with gaining multipliers. As you have probably already figured out, you gain multipliers by killing enemies and that threre are three types of multipliers listed at the top center of your screen. Each one has different requirements to get from a kill, but it is possible to get all three:

Carnage
- These are the easiest of the three multipliers. So long as an enemy dies, you should obtain a carnage multiplier.
Brutal
- The second most difficult to obtain, though still somewhat easy. Brutals are obtained by killing enemies in one hit.
Frenzy
- Most difficult of the three and two ways to go about getting them. The first is to kill enemies in rapid succession within 5 seconds of each other. Then the second way is to go into Warrior Focus and after the first kill, all other kills will produce a frenzy.

Though that is very basic ideas of each multiplier, it should give you a fair understanding. Further down we are going more in depth for each Elemental Warrior that should help support the basics of gaining multipliers.

Next we have 'losing multipliers', which many people have a problem with. You can lose multipliers in a lot of ways and some are far worse than others. Here are a few ways you are able to lose multipliers:

Getting hit
- You lose one of each multiplier. Note that if you get hit three times consecutively, you are thrown back and vulnerable.
Falling off of the level
- You lose one of each multiplier and begin in a specific part of the area you were in that could possibly be surrounded by trolls.
Catching on fire
- You lose one of each multiplier every tick. There are a total of five ticks but can be interrupted by switching to a rock type Elemental Warrior.
Dieing/Falling into lava
- This will make you lose all your multipliers and be forced to start the level over from scratch.

All of those should be fairly obvious and more in depth when we talk about enemies specifically further down. Just be sure to keep in mind that even though you may think a particular move is invincible, you can still get get hit and lose multipliers without noticing it.

Last but not least, we have Warrior Focus. Now you are probably wondering why this deserves its own part in this guide as Warrior Focus is easy to get in to. However, what you may not notice is that going in to early or to late in a level can drastically effect your score. Anyways, in this last part of the basics, Doom Trolls come into play and I will try to categorize it as best as possible.

Doom Trolls if you do not realize already are determined by the amount of carnages you currently have. The first amount of Doom Trolls will appear when you enter focus with at least ten carnages. Then as you build up more carnages you will begin to notice more and more trolls to appear. Maximizing the amount of carnages before going into focus is critical. By doing this, you will be able to pull off more Doom Troll spawns since there are a limited amount of times each score run they can appear.

So lets say you have ten carnages the every time you go into focus. You will only get an approximation of 10 or so extra kills from Doom Trolls. Now lets say you have 100 carnages. You may get upwards of 100 extra kills or so, bolstering your score by a lot. It is up to you to figure out where and when to go into focus to make the most of your score.

*KG04* In Depth: Elemental Warriors

Knowing what each elemental warrior is capable of is important for achieving an A rank. Below I have linked videos and writen a description of how each elemental warrior can achieve a brutal multiplier and enter warrior focus. I have not included frenzies because there are too many and earlier in this guide has already stated how to achieve them.

Be sure to be creative and mix and match attacks. Not all warriors can get brutal kills or enter focus mode but you can always mix and match. For example, you can enter focus with one warrior but kill the doom trolls with another warrior.

All the attacks were tested on normal Trolls or Armored Trolls. When dealing with Doom Trolls take into consideration they are weaker and since some attacks require time to get a brutal out of them you may need to equip the eye of spirit or unequip all eyes. Most attacks will work the same way on Doom Trolls but not all of them.

Here are videos on how each elemental warrior can achieve brutal kills and enter warrior focus. There are some missing from the videos as they were added late, but otherwise it is mostly in order of the following:

40 Below

Brutal Kill:
- Snow Blower: Pull and hold LT while moveing normally. Eye of strength is required.
- Frostbite/Ice Quake: First freeze an enemy with Frostbite hold RT, then use Icequake hit LT+RT to make a snowball then hit LT+RT a second time to perform Ice Quake.
Focus Mode:
- Snow Blower: Pull and hold LT, need three or more enemies and does not always work.
- Icequake: Hit LT+RT to make a snowball then hit LT+RT a second time. Requires two or more enemies.

Ash

Brutal Kill:
- Inferno: Hold LT. Recommended to use the eye of spirit and stop using it once the troll goes below 100 health.
- Incinerator: Hit LT+RT to set the trap then when trolls are near hit LT+RT a second time.
Focus Mode:
- Inferno: Can be done, but a minimum of six trolls is needed.

Chilla

Brutal Kill:
- Ice Spike: When you have a troll on your back enter aiming mode LT then hit RT one for each troll on your back. You may hold up to 3 trolls on you back and throwing all 3 trolls will result in 3 brutals, 3 carnages, and 2 frenzies.
- Slam Hammer: With a troll on your back hit LT+RT to use the troll as a club then hit LT+RT to slam the troll into the ground.
- Spike Storm: Hold the LT+RT buttons when you have no trolls on you back. Ice spikes will fall from the sky and first stun the enemy then freeze him. Once frozen switch to the aiming mode and throw a Ice Spike at the frozen troll.
Focus Mode:
- Ice Spike: Enter aiming mode LT then continually hit RT, it will take 3-5 consecutive hits to enter focus mode.

Deep Blue

Brutal Kill:
- Dragpool: Pull and hold LT+RT
- Slick Jet: This technique also requires the use of Ash for easiest usage. First start with as and with no enemies around use ash's Inferno LT then quickly switch to Deep Blue use the Slick Jet, hold LT. The oil should then be on fire.
- Spray: Knocking trolls back into walls, water, etc.
Focus Mode:
- Splash Down: Grab two trolls and attack other trolls with them.

Flex

Brutal Kill:
- None (Flex may not have a Brutal kill but just for fun try holding LT+RT and once a troll is targeted, release then hold LT+RT to shock the troll to death.)
Focus Mode:
- Storm: Hold LT then use the left thumb stick to move around.

Major Ruin

Brutal Kill:
- None
Focus Mode:
- Hyper Cyclone: Hold LT+RT

Pummel Weed

Brutal Kill:
- Weedkill: Hold LT+RT to enter creeper and then hold LT until you glow green. Finally let go near an enemy.
Focus Mode:
- Jab: Hit LT -> RT -> LT -> RT to start a jab combo that ends with an uppercut. You must do this 2 times to enter focus, but space them apart a couple seconds so you are not so vulnerable when spawning Doom Trolls. Also make sure you start with the LT it does not work if you start with the RT.

Rubble

Brutal Kill:
- None
Focus Mode:
- Stone Storm: Gather about half a dozen trolls and you should go in to focus.

Snare

Brutal Kill:
- Lockjaw: First bite an enemy with RT and then hit LT.
Focus Mode:
- Toxic Bile: Root yourself with LT+RT and then hold RT. Works best with the eye of spirit and two or more enemies are required.

Thermite

Brutal Kill:
- Lava Bomb: First enter mortar mode using LT, then hit RT. This will only give a brutal if the troll catches on fire rather than die by the bomb.
- Backblast: First enter mortar mode LT then hold LT+RT untill a troll is sucked into the cannon. Finally, hit LT or RT to launch the troll.
Focus Mode:
- Lava Bomb: Use the same technique to get brutals using the lava bomb (see above), but this will require a lot of enemies and a fully upgraded lava bomb.

*KG04* In Depth: Enemies & Allies

Airship

Airships are only found in the final level, Thorn's Airship. At first glance they are all the same, but later ones come equipped with archery turrets and cannons manned by trolls. They can be delt with in the same way as the rest since their ships take time to shoot out of the sky by using Chilla's Ice Spear or Thermites Mortar. Keep in mind however, some of these ships spawn enemies and it is not recommended to kill them until they stop generating enemies. You may also just kill the troll who is manning the turret in the side of the airship.

Boat

Floating on top of the water in the Water Temple dropping depth charges at you can be pretty annoying and there is no concrete way to be fully safe. Just be warned that if you get to close to the surface of the water or closely follow them, the troll cannoneer on the deck will begin shooting at you with some fairly good accuracy. Taking them out can be done with Deep Blue or using the exploding mines that are chained to the ground underwater. Just shoot the chain and it will float up to the surface.

Bugs

The most annoying enemies in this game in my opinion. They have infinite spawns in most places you come across them until you destroy their spawn point. Luckily, they are easy enough to kill in one hit from anything or if they run into you, but of course you lose multipliers when they run into you. So just try to keep your distance if possible or react quickly to killing them.

Doom Troll

An enemy you will encounter the most in the game and will probably become your most hated. They are small white trolls that are very quick and can come in groups of varying sizes. The most difficult to obtain multipliers from out of all the enemies in the game simply because of their numbers, speed, and low health points.

The most common and easiest ways to kill them are with Major Ruin's Cyclone and 40 Below's Ice Quake. Just be careful when attempting to use moves as you can get hit while performing them, easily. Even if the moves seem invincible.

Elven Soldier

Your only assisting allies you have in the game. Though they have good qualities, they also have bad. Their good qualities is pretty much just keeping enemies off of you that will cause the trolls to be easy targets. The bad part is that if you use Chilla to carry trolls, they will attack the trolls on your back and cause you to lose multipliers. Another bad part is getting in between of them and the enemy they are attacking as you can easily get hit.

Thankfully, you are able to kill them fairly easily with moves like Weedkiller. Just be careful when doing it as enemies all around will instantly target you.

Fire Troll (Large)

Like their smaller counterparts, these guys are very annoying. However, since there are only three of them in the Water Temple and nowhere else, it is not so bad. They come out after you kill all of the small fire trolls in the room this enemy spawns them in. Then once they spawn, you should already be looking towards the center of the room with Deep Blue. After that, you should use Spray and then finish them off with someone such as Major Ruin or Rubble. Also be careful of the bombs they drop down on you when they appear.

Fire Troll (Small)

One of the biggest pains out of all the enemies, much like Doom Trolls and can be considered the absolute worst. The small fire trolls throw bombs that can catch you on fire, which is very troublesome. It is usually the best ways to deal with them is to use Deep Blue's Spray and push them into the wall for a brutal. In levels where there are not very many, it is viable to use Chilla's Grab and then throw them into a wall or off of a cliff. You will only catch on fire using this tactic if their health is blinking (just spawned), you run into them, or you get hit by the bomb they throw.

Giant Troll

There is only one of these enemies through the entire game and that is in the Forgotten Forest. Sadly, there is no way to kill them easily for a brutal. Using Rubble's Stone Storm or just spinning in the ground with Weedkiller can kill it pretty easily. Using the Weedkiller technique by just spinning in the ground can actually bring you in to focus.

Glass-Jaw Troll

This enemy is different than most and not possible to get a brutal, except for the first one you encounter. The first one can be killed by using Chilla's Aim -> Spike to knock down a chandellier. Otherwise your best bet is to go into focus and use Creeper -> Uprooter to stun him and make his neck vulnerable. Then use Chilla's Spike to shoot him in the neck. An alternative to doing it in focus would be using Thermite's Mortar to stun him instead of Pummel Weed's Uprooter, which will stun him longer.

Ice Troll (Shield)

An enemy that is different than most you have come across up until this point. Invulnerable with the shield out, you are forced to remove it using Flex. After that there is not much of a clear cut way to produce a brutal easily. Just be careful that when you use melee on them, you will freeze and become vulnerable for some time.

Ice Troll (Sword)

Most people have a passionate hate for this enemy because of the second walrus you come across in the Snow Temple. They have a pretty decent offense and can fly through the air while attacking, making them difficult to deal with. I find that using Ash's Incinerator a good way of dealing with them and producing brutals at the same time. Be careful not to place is to close to the walrus and not to talk into it with a non-fire elemental warrior.

Red Dragon

An easy enemy early on that is harmless that later shoots fireballs at you. Throwing one of Chilla's Spikes at them will poduce an easy brutal, but if you throw an enemy troll at them it can produce a frenzy. Just be careful not to get hit with their fireballs in later levels or let them fall on you.

Roll Troll

One of the simplest enemies, but most annoying to achieve frenzy multipliers with. Grouping them together to hit them in quick succession is no easy task. All I can say is good luck against them, Major Ruin is difficult to use against them skillfully.

Stone Troll

Often mistaken as a golem, these are trolls of stone found in Thorn's Pass. They are harmless for the most part and due to their solid defense and they can be difficult to produce brutals from.

Submarine

At first when you encounter a submarine you may think it as defenseless, but it is not. They spawn trolls in scuba gear out of their bottom hatch and fire two missles at you that will explode after a set amount of time or if they reach you, their target. For people who have difficulties killing the trolls they spawn, take them out as soon as possible to prevent multiplier loss.

Troll

Your most common troll that you will come across time and time again, often seen holding an axe or a sword. Easily dispatched using Chilla, Pummel Weed, and Ash for brutal multipliers. There is not much to say about them really except to be careful when you get swarmed or when they begin to look like they are going to leap at you by throwing their arms into the air and yelling.

Troll (Archer)

Frustrating trolls with bows that can rapidly fire arrows at you and hurt you with ease. Due to their arrows being difficult to see, your best bet is to try to try to hit them from a distance. That, however, will not produce you a brutal but will at least keep you from losing multipliers. If you think you are good enough, feel free to get in close range, but know that they will run and it will be more difficult.

Troll (Armored)

Trolls that cannot be delt with by normal means as melee attacks are quite ineffective against them. However, they are very good for going into focus mode because of that. The easiest ways to go about killing them are with Snare's Lockjaw, Thermites Mortar, or by simply pushing them off the edge while in focus.

Troll (Bomb)

Another form of troll that uses two small bucklers on his hands and throws bombs. These guys can be thrown onto Chilla's back when they are throwing a bomb, but it is risky to do it this way. To remove their shield you can use Pummel Weed's Jab into a combo. You can also use Pummel Weed's Weedkiller on them to just down right kill them if you wish, but if a bomb hits you while doing this you will be caught on fire. (Chilla can actually knock the bomb away when trying to throw them onto his back, but then you need to back off quick since the bomb is near him)

Troll (Scuba)

Trolls that seem to really frustrate players due to the nature of Deep Blue's control scheme. If you are not good using Deep Blue, then it is recommended that you ignore them and try to bypass them as quickly as possible. Otherwise they are ok to kill, but be careful of their spears they throw as they are difficult to see.

Troll Cannoneer

Cannoneers tend to be quite annoying and put in many levels through the game. Your best bet is usually to use Chilla's Ice Spear to kill them. However, later in the game they tend to be on wooden towers. You can take out the towers to kill the trolls quickly using Thermites Mortar.

Troll Cannoneer (Bomb)

I believe there is only one of these enemies in the game, Thorn's Castle. You can actually get a brutal off of this enemy by using Weedkiller on it without having Pummel Weeds leaf blades hitting him. Just be careful not to let the rolling bombs hit you as they can catch you on fire.

Walrus

Your other ally in the game, but only helps you progress through the Snow Temple while you guard him. The first one is fairly easy but the second one can have multiple waves of Archer Trolls and Cannoneers. Laying an incinerater near his back (but not close enough to hit him) can deal with the Ice Troll Swordsmen fairly effectively.

Water Troll

A form of etheral troll that is not found in any of the levels but is found in between them while you are playing the game or collecting items. Since brutals are not important when you face them, just use Deep Blue's Spray on them to make them vulnerable and have at them.

White Troll

Unable to figure out a good name for them, I have been reduced to calling them this. They are the white trolls that are quite skinny and jump under shells with retractable spikes to attack you when you get close. Using Weedkiller is a fairly easy way to get brutals from them. Also keep in mind that if you knock their shells into the walls they will usually explode, rendering the trolls quite vulnerable.

*KG06* In Depth: Levels

Patch Update: Since the co-op patch, it's changed a few minor things. Most of them you don't need to worry about but one stage in particular changed a lot if you go by the guide to achieve A-Ranking. That level is Forgotten Forest. There's now a new video up courtesy of Dumbledore for that stage, so be sure to thank him for that and not me.

Another thing that they have updated, well, added was Live co-op. This is different than your local splitscreen co-op as there are no Doom Trolls in it. Yes, that's right, no Doom Trolls. Do not worry though as the score required to achieve A-Rank over Live is significantly lower in all cases. If you're having trouble with Live co-op, just have the other player be the "bait" while you rack up points and finish the game. Though if you do that, be sure to do it for the other player too if he or she needs it.

Thorn's Castle

Required Solo Points: 15,000,000

Required Live Points: 6,000,000
Videos: Rapidshare or Filefront

The first level of the game but could be considered the easiest as there are no easy ways to die, unlike Thorn's Pass and Airship. Here you do not have access to the Wotnot Book and are limited to only three warriors who are Chilla, Pummel Weed, and Major Ruin.

As you begin there are enemies below you shooting cannons at you, which are killable. Next you go up the ice path on the wall and there is a cutscene. After the cutscene you are faced with two trolls and three optional red dragons that are easily delt with. Now that you have killed the two trolls, you are faced against another troll after a small cutscene. Finally once they are all dead you can stick around for three more trolls to climb up the side of the tower and then you are done with this area and can head through the pipes to the next area with enemies.

This next area the first troll is found after a cutscene and the troll runs under a saucer before you are able to attack him. Kill him and then it is followed by a quick cutscene and a troll who throws bombs. Shortly after that cutscene three more trolls enter the area wether you kill the bomb troll or not. After those four enemies are deal with, hop over the ramp and you will meet two trolls and a small fire troll. Quickly finish them and continue on. For your last enemy in the area after you cross the pipe is a small fire troll hiding in a wooden box. Deal with him and continue on.

Your next area brings you to an open area with a lava pit in the center. After you enter you are confronted with a single roll troll. Deal with him and shortly after you are confronted with three more. Take your time if needed, frenzies are hard to produce with these guys. After dealing with them, go under the gate and cross the bridge and a troll will jump out. Grab the troll and deal with the two red dragons as they fly by and then continue through the next gate.

Before or after you enter, you have probably noticed the bugs skittering around on the spiral staircase. Deal with them and every other window a troll will jump out, beginning with the first. Once you are done with that, head through the next gate but do not go to far from the gate and kill the enemies standing on the bridge with Chilla. Then continue on but do not enter the next tower yet. Stop in front and shoot down the left and center chandelliers with Chilla quickly. Proceed through there and go up the spiral staircase to a bomb troll cannoner. Kill him and go through the last gate to the next area.

Now you are in the area before last and probably the longest of them all. After you enter there is a cutscene and you have some trolls running at you. Deal with them as you see fit and when you get close to the center of the area,a small fire troll breaks out of a wooden create. Finish him off and then knock the shells off of the tower for the next part coming up. Finishing that up you can finish all the final trolls who are running around and hiding behind objects for a cutscene. Kill the three white trolls that come out of the tower and you are visited by another cutscene. Finally after the cutscene you can wait a bit for a lot of trolls to come out of the tower. Finish up there and head towards the tower from the cutscene.

Kill the troll cannoneer before you climb up the water tower and then climb up the next ice wall after it. Kill the two or three trolls there and head up the final ice wall. Once you drop down and get off the ledge you fell on you will have a final cutscene with a Glass-Jaw Troll. Kill him by knocking a chandellier on his head and deal with the two trolls in wooden created along the left wall. Congrats, you have completed the level now, so feel free to exit through the door that opened up.

Forgotten Forest *Updated*

Required Solo Points: 15,000,000

Required Live Points: 1,000,000
New Video: Filefront
Old Videos: Rapidshare or Filefront

One of the toughest levels aside from the snow temple. The concept to completing this level is easy but pulling it off will require skillful use of Pummel Weed and obtaining brutals. Due to the heightened difficulty, we will make this level a little more in depth.

When you start, head off into the first room and the gate will close behind you. Kill the troll with a shield and free the kid, then break the gate with the bomb shell he summons. After breaking the first gate turn around and trolls will start showing up. You can do this one of two ways:

Wait untill you have four trolls then get to the outside of them and preferable find one that is alone. Start the Quick-Jab combo (LT->RT->LT) to enter focus. Once you have entered focus quickly use weedkiller to get a brutal then jab combo to stay in focus. Be sure to watch the health of the trolls so you only kill them with the weedkill manuver. Keep doing this until they're all dead, but don't let yourself get more than 10 brutals and go into focus or it will make it much more difficult to achieve A-Rank. It's probably now prefered that you use the second choice due to the patch.
Wait until all four enter the screen and try to stay as close as possible towards the center of the room. Equip the Eye of Regeneration and make sure you're using Pummel Weed. Start off by going into the ground and then using Weedkiller. The trick of this is to use it as quickly as possible and chain-weedkill as quick as possible so it also produces frenzies. Keep doing it until they're all dead. Please note that this does take time to use this strategy well.

Next up you will work your way to the second troll spawn. You will first have two white trolls under shells. Line up their path with the fire and they will come out of their shells then you can easily use weedkiller to get two more brutals. Now switch to the eye of strength and move down the hill. Use Rubbles blast to kill the trolls from a distance and make your way back up the hill after setting the kid free. Head out and use Pummel Weed's creeper to kill the bugs then take out the troll and break the gate. Then chuck 3-5 rocks over the next 3 trolls and use Rubble's blast and you can get 2 frenzies if done right. Do the same thing for the next three and use weedkiller on the two trolls that pop out of wooden boxes next to the spike pit.

Make your way through the tree tunnel and a troll that throws bombs will appear. Kill him and the others with Weedkiller while attempting to get frenzies at the same time. After killing all four trolls get rid of the four green shells by getting under them and throwing them up the tree tunnel or uppercut them into the walls to force them to explode. Now a cutscene will ensue showing the third statue, but before even going down the slope use Rubble's blast to kill the archer. Then you can go down and get brutals on the remaining trolls. Work your way up the hill and kill the four white trolls that normally hide under the shells. This is where the second troll spawn is, ignore it and move on.

Use the two trolls near the huge troll to enter focus with Pummel Weeds Jab Combo, immediatly switch to Rubble and use his non directional blast to kill the doom trolls then use it again while focused on the big troll. Four to six more trolls with show up in the same area, kill them without entering focus.

Now is the point where you start earning some points. You should have at least 25 brutals, but it's possible to have much more. Switch to the eye of spirit or at least unequip the eye of strength so you have no eye equiped and go back to area you just left. At the end of the tree tunnel there is an invisible point the trolls cannot pass. Lure two or more trolls to this point and use Pummel Weeds Jab combo to enter focus. If you are behind the invisable wall all the doom trolls will be lined up nicely so long as you are not to far back. Quickly switch to Rubble and use his blast to kill all the doom trolls. Switch to Pummel Weed to kill the last few doom trolls with Weedkiller or Quick-Jab. Be patient and repeat this till you have no more doom trolls. You should already have more than enough for A rank by now.

Head back to where the big troll was and break the gate and continue onAt the end of the tunnel two bomb trolls will pop up, kill one as soon as he pops up then stay close to the other so he wont throw a bomb, but don't get to close to the archers. Then switch to Rubble and quickly move to the center pillar. Peek out and shoot the archer on the left and be very patient as this may take several attempts of peaking out to kill him. Finally after taking out the one on the left do the same for the one on the right till he backs up then walk around the pillar and do the same thing. Go up the path and finish off the rest and exit the stage.

Water Temple

Required Solo Points: 17,000,000

Required Live Points: 2,500,000
Videos: Rapidshare or Filefront

This can be considered one of the easier levels once you learn how to deal with the fire trolls. It was realized that the old video for this level was really bad so B SMO0TH recaptured it. The recaptured video still does not show how I get the high scores but it still shows how to get A rank with ease.

The only hard part about this level may be Deep Blue's controlls while under water. Honestly though they are not that bad, just different then what you are use to. The key to controlling him is first of all, you never really need to use the right thumb stick like it seems you should but not using it helps many people. Also keep in mind you do not need to shoot scuba trolls but we are including it anyways.

You will start under water, follow the submarine and shoot the trolls it drops before they get to shoot at you. About 10 or so will drop then you can take out the sub. Go through the opening that appears after you shoot the last archer. There are two trolls in the path to get to the circular room. Use the **eye of spirit** and kill the two sets of small fire trolls that appear. Then a large fire troll will appear and bombs will drop around you. Spray the troll with water as you move away from the bombs then switch to Rubble and you can kill the troll with one blast or even Major Ruin if you wish. Now spray the wheel on the wall, stick around after the cut sceen for the first troll spawn.

Once you get back out to where you first started shoot the submarines then go up the ramp. Blast up the ramp with Major Ruin then tap the RT to stop at the top. To get across the next part use the LT to jump over the gap then at the peek of your jump blast with the RT. You have one more slope to get up, be very careful here and go up the right side so you don't get hit. Once up top push the ball trolls off the ledge, then jump through the pipe in the mountain with Major Ruin.

You now have 3 archers to take care of, so be very carefull here. Next you are in the big room and lots of small fire trolls will appear. Use Deep Blue's Spray with the eye of spirit equipped. Two more large fire trolls will appear, use the same method you did earlier. Try to stay in the center because if you don't these plant guys will break out of the vases and they only die by fire, you can take care of them after you take the fire trolls but before you spin the wheel on the wall. (They can also be taken out first thing by circling around the room with Ash quickly)

After spinning the wheel, trolls will start jumping through the windows. Use Major ruin to enter focus and take care of the doom trolls. DO NOT use Pummel Weed because any of the vents or the big vent in the middle will catch you on fire. Also beware of breaking the objects hanging off of the ceiling as they can reduce multipliers unless you are using Pummel Weed.

Now that you have finished off all the trolls you will have a few more in the halway on your way out. Once out in the water again there will be 2 submarines and a ship. First follow the two submarines with the eye of strength equiped. To kill the ship do not follow it from the back, but instead shoot it from the sides to be safe. Now three trolls will come from the tower, shoot them as they come out then enter the room. The easy method is to ignore the three archers outside and the 3 or 4 inside and just work your way up the slope. Push the first troll into the water and use Weedkiller on the top troll. Finally now that you are now at the top of the tower, there are several trolls fighting with your allies. Take them out and finish the level.

Snow Temple

Required Solo Points: 30,000,000

Required Live Points: 8,000,000
Videos: Rapidshare or Filefront

Possibly the second hardest level but for two simple reasons. One is that you can't pass the level if the one of the warlus die and the second is that there are several difficult jumps that will quickly drop your multipliers.

When you start, you are on a ledge with an icewall on the far side. As you begin to climb you will have a short cutscene of two cannoneer trolls. Continue to the first ledge sticking out from the cliff wall and shoot them in quick succession. Then continue on until you reach the first walrus.

First thing to do is to free the troll then use deep blue to kill the small fire trolls while ignoring the other trolls. Then switch to Chilla and kill the remaining trolls. Next, quickly move up the ramp and use Ash, Major Ruin's Cyclone, or Chilla to kill the three archers. After that is done, go back down and don't stop moving or you will get hit by the spikes that fall. The troll will break through the wall soon enough.

Proceeding across, Queen Thyra will start spawning bugs behind you. Use who you like to kill the annoying ice bugs, Ash or 40 Below is probably the safest and easiest to use. Once you have killed the first wave then use Chilla to kill the cannoneer troll on the left and quickly switch back to kill the second wave of ice bugs. After you have successfully defendended the first troll, stick around and trolls will show up.

You now have your first set of tough jumps, but falling is not as bad as Thorn's Pass as you do not die when you fall here. This jump requires two dashes with Major Ruin, so be careful. Once you finish enter the above room this is where you probably want to enter focus. Kill the trolls that are there and then kill the three ice trolls with swords and the two ice trolls with shields. Now, trolls will start climbing into the room. Use these trolls to enter focus but try not to kill them all until doom trolls stop spawning. Finally after you have no more trolls, use Deep Blue to get through the next part until you reach the next walrus.

Now for the difficult part of defending the second walrus. Before freeing the troll kill all trolls around and remember you always want to kill in a way to get brutal and frenzies if possible. After all the trolls are dead look up behind the big troll and use Chilla to kill the two cannoneer trolls. Equip the eye of strength and move to the left of the troll, facing where the archers are going to appear. Then free the walrus and kill all the archers and switch to ash to kill the ice trolls with swords that appear. Be careful not to hit the warlus at all as it can and will kill him. Once the walrus begins moving, use Chilla to kill the troll on the tower to the left. Continue to set the incinerator traps and use Ash's fire or 40 below to kill the ice bugs. When you get to the end use Ash to destroy the tower on the right as quickly as possible. Basically every thing is happining all at once and you have act quickly and know what you are going to do. If you try and think about it, it is likely too late. One wave of the ice bugs getting by you will really bring down the trolls health and may even kill it.

Now that you have past the most difficult part of the level, kill all the trolls that climb up onto the center platform where the bridge is up. After finishing them off, go and dispose of the small fire trolls that spawn in sets on each side of the door. After finishing them off, head up the icewall on the left side to enter the last room. Finish cleaning up like you have in the previous room and enter through the doors to finish the level.

Thorn's Pass

Required Solo Points: 30,000,000

Required Live Points: 15,000,000
Videos: Rapidshare or Filefront

This is an easy level to receive the 30 million required for A ranking but the tough part are the jumps. There are 4-5 jumps that if you miss them you will die and one of them is at the very end of the level.

To begin, it is recommended that you have Chilla, Thermite, and another character of your choice hotkeyed. Immediatly use thermite to take out the towers on the left and right and to stun the big troll. Use Chilla to finish off the troll. This area is the first troll spawn. Use a method you like to start racking up the multipliers.

Next there will be a short cutscene. Take a step back then snipe the 2 red dragons and take out all the trolls that spawn. Once no more trolls show up shoot the chains on the gate. Before passing through the gate there are archers to be taken out on the left and the right inside the room. Use Deep Blue with the eye of spirit to take out the small fire trolls that appear, their are about 10-15 of them. Use Thermite and hold LT+RT and roll down into the lava and onto the small platform with a ramp. This is the first jump but an easy one, just use Major Ruin and Chilla. Once over the fence use Thermite to take out the scorpion spawns and the scorpions, also shoot the gate off the pipe you must enter.

This is the first of the lethal jumps, so be careful. This next room has lots of small fire trolls and scorpions, so using Deep Blue and Thermite is probably best. Once outside again, use Thermite to take out the trolls and the three towers. You will still be shot at by another tower which you can not kill yet, so keep on the move. You now have another lethal jump ahead of you but an easy one. Once you are up to the drop top, move to the corner in the left and look up to kill the troll up on the ledge then take out the tower. Next, move on up the ice to the really tricky part.

You are now at the part that really sucks. Their are two jumps to make with lava below. Obviously use Major Ruin, get right up to the ramp and angle to the right a little. Charge your blast up and use it then tap the RT when just get to the landing point. If you fully charge a second time it will be tough to stay on the ledge. Next turn to your right to go up the second ramp. Charge up and release then as soon as you are at the top tap the RT to easily landon the ledge. Turn to the ledge with the big metal boxes with all the bomber trolls. Aim for the metal box on the right then quickly switch to Thermite and start dancing.

After taking out all the trolls, enter to pipe with Major Ruin. Inside are three huge rock trolls. In the video focus was entered once or twice here, but it is suggested that you do not do that. After the three rock trolls are dead there will be five boxes with small fire trolls in them.

Now you are at a good point to enter focus, again it is suggested using Major Ruin or 40 Below with the eye of strength as it is easy. After all the trolls are dead you have the last hard set of jumps. Angle to the left and only blast once then hold it at the ice to switch to Chilla. Take out the airship and then complete the last two jumps and each one only takes one blast with Major Ruin.

You should have your points by now so we will leave you with this. Their are several more trolls to take out but becarefull because about half of the floor on the right side will fall out. Don't finish the level untill you their are no more enemies and you are done.

Thorn's Airship

Required Solo Points: 30,000,000

Required Live Points: 20,000,000
Videos: Rapidshare or Filefront

As you start off, you will find yourself on a platform suspended in air with two airships flying very close by. They will begin dropping enemies and it is your priority to dispose of them so they can drop more. After they stop dropping them, feel free to kill the airships as well as two more airships that are further away and do not drop any enemies. After you have done that, head down the tube and use the ramp to enter your next area.

In this next area you are confronted with a bunch of roll trolls that you need to hit into the airships rutters. After the rutter is knocked out, some normal trolls and bomb trolls will begin heading in. Kill them without catching on fire. Then head to the near area towards the left.

The second airship rutter is your objective. There will be armored trolls dropping from the ceiling and a airship with a cannon shooting at you. Keep in mind you can shoot the troll manning the cannon on the side of the airship but be careful of the armored trolls, and vice versa. Once the trolls are all dead and you have disposed of the airship, head back and be careful not to be caught under the malfunctioning door. Then head across and into the next area.

Much like the previous area, you need to take out the rutter. The only difference between this area and the last one is that instead of a cannon, you have a rapid fire archer turret on the side of the airship. This can also be taken out without taking out the airship if wanted. Finish up with the trolls and head back to the center area to drop down the hole and continue on.

After falling down the hole, you are assaulted by airships with cannons on each side. These can be taken out but are quite difficult to do so safely. Once you finish that and head into the next part, you will encounter a glass-jaw troll with a bunch of armored trolls. Take out the glass-jaw troll and normal trolls with drop from above into the room, along with elven soldiers. Finish them and head into the next room.

This room is really deadly for your multipliers. It is filled with small fire trolls and white trolls that take cover under the shells and assault you as soon as you go down. Be careful down there but feel free to avoid them if you wish. After you have finished that or decided not to, free the airship hanging in the center of the room with Chilla and head to the next area that opens up.

Once you head out to the wing of the airship, your objective here is to blow up the two airships to continue on. However, these airships will drop normal trolls down for some easy kills. Both of these airships come equipped with dual cannon turrets though, so take out the trolls manning them as soon as possible. Then just kill trolls as they pour out. Finish up with killing the two airships after you finish off the troll spawn and continue on to the other wing of the airship.

Like the previous area you were at, this area is not much different. This time you will be dealing with a archery turret on an airship, so take out the troll manning it quickly. Then when enemies begin to drop they will be roll trolls, so it is best to just knock them off the ledge in groups. Finally once that is done, blow up the airships and leave the area to finish the level.

*KG07* Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the Doom Trolls?

There can only be two possibilities to this. The first one is that you don't have ten or more carnages to have them appear. Next would be that you're playing Xbox Live co-op and they do not appear there. Live co-op has a lower required score for A-Ranking because of the lack of Doom Trolls.

What is the difference between Score Attack and the Magic Mirror?

Score attack is accessable without actually going in and game, but will leave whatever Mystic Eye you had equipped when you were last in the game and saved with (If any at all). It will also save whenever you finish the level without worry and if you die, finish the level, or quit, you will be taken back to the main menu.

The magic mirror removes any Mystic Eye you have equipped when you enter and sometimes may not save your score after you leave the mirror. So it is highly recommended you try and force an auto-save if you use this method.

One thing to keep in mind when deciding to use one or the other, that in Thorn's Castle you do not have the Wotnot Book yet. Due to this you cannot remove or switch Mystic Eyes that are equipped and thus can very easily effect the outcome of your score.

Ok, I got an A ranking. Now where do I view/use that of which I have unlocked?

There are two places that you can access unlockables but neither have the same thing. The first would be skins of Kameo and cheat sets, which can be found in your Wotnot Book under Bonus. You can scroll right and left through all 15 or so cheats with RT and LT. Now all the other unlockables, such as movies and art can be found at the magic mirror after selecting a level.

Keep in mind that the cheat sets will prevent you from being able to gain points in a level. There are some of the more harmless ones, like Big Head Kameo and such that do not have that impact though.

My unlockables are gone? Why? I already unlocked them!

Sorry, this is a fairly uncommon glitch that occurs and the game does not save after you use the magic mirror to make a score run. You will have to replay the level to unlock them again and try to force a save by switching elemental warriors and/or mystic eyes. It would be safer to use score attack after going in the game and switching Mystic Eyes and getting the game to save. Though, score attack does not garuntee it either but it's much rarer to happen with that mode in particular.

It says I got over XX million in score but did not recieve the achievement?

This actually is not a glitch of any sort, you are just most likely misinterpreting the ranking screen that you get after you finish a level. When you finish there are four numbers on the screen that looks sort of like this:

Actual Score Recieved: ###,###
Difference of the two: ###,### (Will be 0 if you did not score higher than your previous high)
Previous High Score: ###,###

Total Overall Score: ###,### (Sum of all levels + the badlands)

When looking at this, you are likely reading the 'Total Overall Score', which is actually the incorrect one. You want to read the very top number on the ranking screen. This is a fairly common misconception as many people do not know that there is a score added up from all the levels at first.

Draekon why do you not write back, accept my game invite, or chat invitation?

Things have changed a bit since I last worked on the guide. I just don't have the time to help people as I once did, even though I was quite limited before. This means my chances of playing Live co-op with people is extremely limited, if I get a chance to at all. Most of the time I'm on my 360, I'm playing with friends and can't really break away to help people.

Anyways, I still answer every message I get. However, it really needs to be a text message now and not a voice message or a Halo 2 message. If you don't have a USB keyboard to send me a message, please signup on the xbox website and link your gamertag to a passport account. Then click the link at the top of this guide to my gamertag and send me a message from there. Although you may get a quicker reply making a post on the Kameo sub-forums here as there are some very helpful people who visit here.

Where is B SMO0TH? I haven't been able to contact him.

It seems he may have sold his Xbox 360. I assume it was true, however, he's been spotted on Xbox Live from time to time so he may still answer your questions. However, it's most likely best to ask the question here by creating a thread or searching this forum.

*KG08* Credits & Sources

Rare for making such an addicing and fun game.

EV1L 360 for his threads on ranking scores and unlockables/achievements and helping review the guide.

The Annoying people for bothering Draekon enough to make a more in depth guide.

B SMO0TH for going along with Draekon when he asked for help on the guide.

Dmbledore for helping review the guide and create the new Forgotten Forest video.

DarkestMoBsTeR for helping review the guide and contributing some.

FouFromage for answering some questions concerning Live co-op.

??? for figuring out the Live A-Ranking score requirements. (I honestly don't know who did, but they're not from me for sure.)

Original Threads: B SMO0TH's and Draekon's.

*KG09* Disclaimer

This guide is ©2006 to Draekon and B SMO0TH from X-Box Live. You may not reproduce, sell, change, or claim this guide as your own. It is not authorized to be on any site except for Xbox dot com, Gamefaq dot com, or kameo dot draekon dot com without prior consent. Linking directly to this guide is however, permitted. The latest and most up to date disclaimer can be found at Draekon's website, posted earlier in the disclaimer.

Playing - DDR SuperNOVA 2 (JP), Mana Khemia, & Ikaruga

Re: Guide to A Rankings

AwfullyGood 02-15-2006, 8:39 PM
That's an awesome guide. When I re-rent Kameo from Gamefly, I'll try it out.

Re: Guide to A Rankings

Draekon 02-15-2006, 8:40 PM

Ok, this should be the thread to get stickied and hopefully everything will go well this time. I also hope nobody tries to quite the entire post again. :P

Also, anyone who has any comments on the videos it is high recommended to leave the comments at the filefront links or in this thread. Thanks!

Playing - DDR SuperNOVA 2 (JP), Mana Khemia, & Ikaruga

Re: Guide to A Rankings

Niceguy876 02-15-2006, 8:59 PM
Awesome! I was wondering where this thread went :) Thanks Draekon and B SMO0TH :D

Re: Guide to A Rankings

MC20 02-15-2006, 9:16 PM
Nice guide! Maybe I'll finally try for some A rankings...

Re: Guide to A Rankings

B SMO0TH 02-16-2006, 3:38 PM

I have been really busy lately so i have not got to play for a while...

how have the score boards changed for thorns castle since the new video? if it has at all... its been downloaded 68times.

Re: Guide to A Rankings

Morda 02-16-2006, 3:43 PM
I have to say, this is probably one of the BEST guides I've ever read on these forums. You really break everything down and it's well organized and to the point. Now I just have to finish up my Thorn's Pass and Airship rankings. I've just been lazy and Thorn's Pass frustrated me because of the death jumps. And I'm utterly obsessed with Ridge Racer right now anyway.

good luck to everyone who is on a quest for "A" Rankings.

gaming ladders, without the kids
www.AdultGamingEnthusiasts.com

Re: Guide to A Rankings

Thermight 02-16-2006, 3:51 PM

B SMO0TH wrote:

I have been really busy lately so i have not got to play for a while...

how have the score boards changed for thorns castle since the new video? if it has at all... its been downloaded 68times.

the top 5 are the same I believe I got on a few days ago

-DM

Re: Guide to A Rankings

NYC 3L1T3 02-16-2006, 11:39 PM
Thanks for posting this. Very helpful guide. Finally a way to get those darn A rankings without retrying 50 billion times.

KindSir33 wrote:
Since when does intelligent discussion ever take place here?

Re: Guide to A Rankings

Hartt91 02-17-2006, 2:54 AM

So is this post gonna stay stickied this time?

Anyways, thanks so much for the tips and videos. I just got an 'A' on Water Temple yeterday after watching the new video. You and B Smooth are awesome.

Re: Guide to A Rankings

Lennon7 02-17-2006, 4:25 AM

B SMO0TH wrote:

I have been really busy lately so i have not got to play for a while...

how have the score boards changed for thorns castle since the new video? if it has at all... its been downloaded 68times.

68 times is not that many, seeing that filefront is a laggy piece of dung, i have yet to see it.

Re: Guide to A Rankings

Draekon 02-17-2006, 3:16 PM

Lennon7 wrote:
B SMO0TH wrote:

I have been really busy lately so i have not got to play for a while...

how have the score boards changed for thorns castle since the new video? if it has at all... its been downloaded 68times.

68 times is not that many, seeing that filefront is a laggy piece of dung, i have yet to see it.

Well, people asked for another host since many can't get rapidshare to work properly. Find more free mirrors for the hosting and I'll upload them there. ;o

Playing - DDR SuperNOVA 2 (JP), Mana Khemia, & Ikaruga

Re: Guide to A Rankings

Wowl 02-17-2006, 4:47 PM
Thanks for all the really useful info. One thing though - is using Score Attack exactly the same as Magic Mirror in terms of unlocking achievements and unlockables tthat are accessed through the magic mirror?

Re: Guide to A Rankings

Night Raider 02-17-2006, 5:35 PM

Really just Taging this for future reference, but very nicely done on this by the way. If i ever get back to the game it should be very helpful.

Re: Guide to A Rankings

Draekon 02-17-2006, 5:54 PM

Wowl wrote:
Thanks for all the really useful info. One thing though - is using Score Attack exactly the same as Magic Mirror in terms of unlocking achievements and unlockables tthat are accessed through the magic mirror?

Yes.

Playing - DDR SuperNOVA 2 (JP), Mana Khemia, & Ikaruga

Re: Guide to A Rankings

Lennon7 02-17-2006, 9:40 PM

Draekon wrote:
Lennon7 wrote:
B SMO0TH wrote:

I have been really busy lately so i have not got to play for a while...

how have the score boards changed for thorns castle since the new video? if it has at all... its been downloaded 68times.

68 times is not that many, seeing that filefront is a laggy piece of dung, i have yet to see it.

Well, people asked for another host since many can't get rapidshare to work properly. Find more free mirrors for the hosting and I'll upload them there. ;o

Let me put it this way, i started downloading the file before i went to bed, in about 5 minutes it got up to 28% complete, not bad. I go to sleep, wake up 7 hours later...47% done, D/Ling at 2.04 k/bs a sec. Jesus christ.

Re: Guide to A Rankings

B SMO0TH 02-18-2006, 12:40 AM

I did not realize it was that way. If anyone knows of somewhere else i will upload them. But im not getting paid for making any of the the videos so im not paying to upload them.

Re: Guide to A Rankings

Draekon 02-18-2006, 1:20 AM

B SMO0TH wrote:

I did not realize it was that way. If anyone knows of somewhere else i will upload them. But im not getting paid for making any of the the videos so im not paying to upload them.

Re: Guide to A Rankings

Wow! Where do you guys find the time to do somehting this in depth? Oh the days without a 40+ hour work week, wife, kid on the way and a mortgage Wink [;)]

Anyway...great job guys!! I'm just starting Kameo so I'm more interested in finding fruits, elixers and elemental sprites right now but will come back here when I'm ready for the "A" ranking challenge.

Re: Guide to A Rankings

I also work 40 hours a week (sometimes even go in on saturdays) and pay bills. :P

Took a while to get the guide put together. A few weeks to say the least due to our schedules.

Re: Guide to A Rankings

I teach, have wife and two kids. basically their was not much to do after we got all the A ranks... no really good games come out for another month and I had pretty much beat what i did have. I will say though that Full Auto is good. hopfully march gets here soon and their will be no more game delays but im not counting on it.