Welp, I guess I'm back to doing this. I figured since I was using Nicole Malice Knight and Persenachia (link) and I didn't see any guides for them here, that I'd write some up myself.
Nicole Malice Knight, unlike previous Nicole Malice variants, is meant for close-quarters combat. She even comes with her own sword and knight-themed Wonder Bit known as Dead Phalanx.
- Specifications:
Class: SUP
Size: S
Base Stats:
HP: 280
STR: 12
TEC: 12
WLK: 10
FLY: 16
TGH: 12
COST/CAPA: 625/695
Cartridges:
Level 1
-Capacity x6 - Capa +70 and HP +15 (25 Cost)
-Shell Guard (20 Cost)
-Beam Guard (30 Cost)
-Blast Guard (30 Cost)
-Sword Guard (30 Cost)
-Tough Wonder Bit (10 Cost)
-Soul Eater (40 Cost)
Level 6
-Sway (20 Cost)
-Boost Run (20 Cost)
-Short Boost (20 Cost)
-Float Dash (20 Cost)
-Quick Land (25 Cost)
Level 9
-Broad Radar (30 Cost)
-Sniper Sight (20 Cost)
- Abilities:
Soul Shot (BD4 Main): A large and slow projectile that homes in on the enemy you've locked onto and inflicts Waste Booster on hit, and also has a decent splash damage AOE. However with its pitiful force of 1 it isn't meant to be used as a combat weapon, but rather as a ranged alternative for when Dead Phalanx is active; unlike previous versions of Nicole, a successful hit on an enemy will replenish the Wonder Bit gauge even while the Wonder Bit is active.
Mode Change (BD4 Sub): Simply put, using this subweapon will summon Nicole's new Soul Sword, and also put it away when used with it out. Note that unlike typical Mode Changes, this one can be interrupted by enemy attacks.
Necromancy (HD4 Sub): Like any other Nicole Malice, this is her modus operandi. Rather than summon her Wonder Bit with the traditional button press, it is instead done through this subweapon. The Wonder Bit gauge doesn't need to be full in order to do this, but it does cost a small sliver of the gauge to summon the bits. Can be used again even if Dead Phalanx is already active to recover any bits that were lost.
Soul Shot (AM4 Main): Not to be confused with the BD4's Soul Shot, and can only be used when the Soul Sword is out. Shoots three bullets at once in a manner akin to the Triple Shooter, but with a wider spread, and has a long firing duration. Successful hits will inflict Waste Booster, however only attacks to enemies will fill the Wonder Bit gauge.
Soul Sword (AM4 Sub): A speedy, three-hit combo that (naturally) can only be used when the Soul Sword is out. The speed is on par with Ivis' sword combo and has a 360 degree spin attack as the third swing to hit enemies around you. Successful hits will inflict Waste Booster, however only hits on enemies will fill the Wonder Bit gauge. Like the BD4's Soul Shot, the melee combo will replenish the gauge even while Dead Phalanx is active.
Dead Phalanx (Wonder Bit): Nicole's new Wonder Bit summoned using the HD4 will bring out a small vanguard of undead warriors.
-Three small "Knightlings" will orbit around Nicole. Each is equipped with a Spear and a Buckler, though the Bucklers can be destroyed and seem to be weaker than the equipable version. They will rush at enemies when in range and shoot purple bullets from their eyes when not, both of which inflict Waste Booster. Upon destruction, their explosion deals damage to any enemies caught in it.
-Two mid-sized "Shieldlings" hover at either side of Nicole. They are much more durable than the Knightlings. When in range they will bash into enemies, and shoot purple bullets from their hidden eyes when not, both of which inflict Waste Booster.
-The giant "General" hovers behind Nicole and protects her back. It has the most HP of the bits, however its only form of offense is to shoot orange bullets, which contrary to the rest do not inflict Waste Booster, but Burning instead.
Tips and tricks for using Nicole Malice Knight:-As per usual for any Nicole Malice, be ready to summon your Wonder Bits at a moment's notice as they are her main method of offense/self-defense.
-Take advantage of her new ability to refill the Wonder Bit gauge while Dead Phalanx is still out. Rush whatever enemies you can with the Soul Sword, otherwise stick to the BD4's Soul Shot and let the Dead Phalanx do the hard work.
-Remember that you can re-summon Dead Phalanx even while it's active! This will restore every bit you'd lost beforehand and keep you in the fray. The best time to do this is when all of the Knightlings have kamikaze'd.
-Don't forget that the AM4 has a ranged attack. If you can't get in melee range safely, then have at them with the AM4's Soul Shot until your Wonder Bit gauge is filled up enough.
-Don't forget that you don't need a full Wonder Bit gauge to bring out Dead Phalanx. Even with half a gauge and the small chunk of that it costs to summon them, they still make for a wonderful panic button.
-Don't make the mistake of thinking Nicole can fill up her Wonder Bit gauge by attacking trees; it
must be an actual enemy. Wonder Drugs, however, will work and it is recommended that you stock up on them to keep Dead Phalanx going. Don't hesitate to ask your teammates for some.
-You have to be facing the enemy in order for the Dead Phalanx to attack them.
Tips and tricks for combating Nicole Malice Knight:-Alphaging is the cleanest way to deal with the Dead Phalanx. The Knightlings don't have a lot of HP, and they'll be hitting you more than anything else she throws at you.
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Don't melee the Knightlings if you can help it! Their suicide-bombs
hurt and pack some decent stun too.
-The threat of the Dead Phalanx will only end when you destroy
all of her bits. If even one remains she can just re-summon them, but if you successfully destroy
all of them, her Wonder Bit gauge will automatically deplete.
-Be especially careful of a Nicole Malice Knight that has Crimson Veil. They'll be able to swing at you and re-summon Dead Phalanx with impunity if it procs.
-If you're using an AIR that isn't an alphag, try not to get too close to her. While Nicole Malice Knight isn't as anti-AIR as her previous incarnations, if she gets you with Waste Booster, she'll likely proceed to tear a massive strip of HP off of you if not outright kill you.
