Shinobi 101: How to Turn Your Umbrella into a One-Man wrecking Crew (Because Apparently Katanas are So Last Season)
Let's face it, deflecting with that katana is all well and good, but what happens when you're caught in a downpour of arrows, or a giant ape decides to breathe fire at you? That's where your trusty umbrella comes in, my fellow shinobi. Forget the fancy footwork and the whole "dance of death" routine – with a little know-how, you can transform Mary Poppins into Miyamoto Musashi.
Step 1: Embrace the Inner Turtle (Without the Slowness)
First things first, blocking. Those little wooden sticks you call swords just can't handle everything life (and death) throws your way. That's where your umbrella shines (literally, if you deflect a flaming projectile). Hold that R2 button down and create a nice, cozy little shield. You'll be able to block most anything coming your way, from arrows to sword swings. Just remember, unlike a real turtle, you can actually move around with your shell up – gotta stay agile, my friend.
Pro-Tip: Blocking with the umbrella actually builds your enemy's posture way faster than a regular deflect. So, block away, then unleash some serious pain when they're all wobbly-legged!
Step 2: Projecting Force – You're Basically a Wizard Now
Now, things get interesting. Once you have the Projected Force skill, you can turn deflecting into a full-blown counterattack. Here's the gist:
- Block something nasty with your umbrella (arrows work great here).
- Your umbrella will start to smoke (because deflecting fire is apparently a workout).
- While it's smoking, press the attack button and unleash a mighty cross slash. This thing deals a ton of damage and knocks your opponent back further than a strong cup of sake.
Bonus Fun: If you're rocking the Suzaku's Lotus Umbrella, your cross slash gets infused with divine confetti, making it super effective against those pesky spirit enemies. Think of yourself as a one-man ghost-busting team!
Step 3: Advanced Umbrella-Fu (Because Why Not?)
Now that you've mastered the basics, here are some fancy moves to impress your shinobi buddies:
- The Spin Doctor: The Loaded Umbrella (the base version) lets you spin the umbrella with L1. This deflects anything that touches it, but takes some practice to get the timing right. Think of it as a fancy way to say "nope" to a flurry of attacks.
- The Projectile Party: If you deflect enough stuff with the Shinobi Umbrella (the upgraded version), it'll store a projectile. Then, you can launch it back at your enemy with Projected Force for some serious payback. Just imagine the look on their face when you return their arrow with interest!
So there you have it! With a little practice, you'll be deflecting, countering, and generally becoming a one-man storm with your trusty umbrella. Remember, shinobi skills are all about being adaptable. And hey, if a katana can't handle it, who says an umbrella can't? Now go forth and show those enemies the true power of rain protection!