MANIAC MODE
cigs - No problem, I can answer your questions despite not having the PS2 port yet -
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when I'm just flying around chaining, what button should I be firing with?
= This is not as straighforward as it sounds, I offered to provide a stage by stage 'button-switching' guide on click stick, because each stage requires switching even when you're not banking (for best results that is).
Ideally you need to be flying around chaining with a well-set A+. The C button is reasonable for this also. However you should also be using the powerful C and A+ combo in certain parts of all maniac mode stages except Stage 3.
I could list the whole button switching rundown, but that may spoil your learning enjoyment.
So here’s a basic rundown of Stage 1 only:-
ST1 – Start with ‘C and A+’, switch to ‘C only’ just before the 2nd large yellow bug, switch back to ‘C and A+’ for the rest of the stage including the End Boss. (Look to be chaining 9,000+ by the time you reach the ST1 Boss and scoring more than 4.5mil for the stage).
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are there any opportunities for counter banking in stage 1? How about the boss?-
- = Not to my knowledge, no. Plus the end Bosses can’t be banked, you can make the counter flicker red, but no banking effect seems to happen. Hence, end Bosses should be dispatched rapidly with ‘C and A+’ power shot.
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When should I use A+?
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- = If your A+ is at the best setting (we assume ~2 for now) /or if you’re playing on a cab with synchronized on/off 10 or 12Hz autofire, then you should be using it for large parts of Stages 3,4 and 5.
- Its my opinion that the Japanese players are using A+ for the 1st quartile of the Stage 4 and 5 Midbosses. For example, my non-syncronized A+ in Casino arcade only builds up 20,000 chain in the 1st quartile of the Stage 4 Midboss, whereas player Sinmoon builds up 80,000 chain 'just by firing'
before he banks in the 2nd quartile. This means that the firing rate he's using is 4X more effective than non-syncronized autofire

. I'm assuming that he's using his syncronized A+?!? - The big question arising from this is:-
Do the PS2 A+ settings produce the same effect?
I won't know the answer until I get my copy

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Where can I skyrocket first in stage 3?
= The only true skyrocketing point in ST3 is the 1up head. Hint: Don't trigger the C+ until you see the bottom childcounter read 700+

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Sinmoon triggers the first mini C+ jump on the rear of the giant stage bug. (my autofire circuit won't allow this to happen - maybe the PS2's settings will

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There's quite a lot of button switching to be done on ST3, including slow Tap A banking on the two large sacks.
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Other Notes:-
- The 'C and A+' power combo is fastest for chaining the ST2 Trees (as confirmed by RAM).
- If you're having trouble with ST5, then use the 'C and A+' combo for most of the stage.
More on the Two Types of Child Banking
Slow Tap A Banking is easier to trigger. The A banking jumps are smaller than C+ banking and can be said to jump at an arithmetic rate. Like with C+ banking, the child counters need to reach a certain level before the jumps are triggered.
C+ Banking is generally trickier to trigger. For instance, RAM stated that the ST2 Midboss child counters have to reach 2,000 plus in total before you should attempt to C+ bank them.
C+ banking is what you should aim for if possible. Once triggered, its like an opening of the chain floodgates, with the chain increasing at what seems like a geometric rate.
I'll add more and correct my mistakes when I get hold of the port. If the port's A+ and C+ settings produce a similar effect to the autofires rigged to the Japanese cabs, I'll be looking to put up some Japanese-type scores.....If not, then its back to the 250mil range

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Regs, DEL