Note: *Everyone feel free to post any strategies, quetions or advise in this topic. Post tonnes of em if possible.*

So you've played in normal mode and finished it by driving your enemies to the ground using the speed of your fast moving eyes and the reflexes of your fingers to make Ryu Hayabusa a Head Ninja. Well, grasshopper be ready for the challenges in Hard mode. If u think the game was tough to beat in normal mode, trust me the game will smack u down in Hard mode and send u laughing hysterically in a padded room for several months.

Sure GameFaqs.com offers u a number of useful ways in dealing with 'crowd control', but remember its only on normal mode, so i think its high time we came up with our own strategies exclusively in this forum to get that Head Ninja ranking.

Things to expect from hard mode. (bosses included)
-Enemies will appear in larger waves
-They tend to block more often and are more aggressive.
-Enemies have more health.
-They have more combos or additional attacks which u have never seen, added to their current ones.
-Their attacks do more damage

Bosses
- Human type bosses block more often and will quickly execute grapple moves if your guard is down.
-they(again human bosses) can also execute grapple moves mid-way while blocking your attack.
-difference of attack pattern (most bosses in the game) then in normal mode.
-certain human bosses(Murai, Doku) who parry with u will be much harder to out-clash.
-their(all bosses) attacks are brutal and do more damage(especially their grapple attacks.)

This the low down of what is in store for hard mode. I will begin posting strategies when i get the time. Those of u who have strategies questions or advise, please feel free to post them. Your contributions are much appreciated.

Arigatto gozaimasu :china:

Nah..... hard and vhard were easy-pickings for me after i finished the normal.... cuz in normal..... you will be drilled about the ins and outs of the game..... so in the harder modes its much easier since you will know what to do.....

the only thing that made me scream liked an OLD LADY is the Level 2 with the HORSES..... before the HORSE boss...that battle consumes me at least 3~5 Potions..... untill now, i really dont have any effective strategy on them other than doing the "Rurouni Kenshin Slash" the hold Y and release..... but those horseriding archers are making me break the hold..... so if you have an effective strat feel free to post it here.....

Hmm.....for these guys using the bow and arrow strategy still remains the same as they have no added attacks or abilities. To effectively take them out, let them charge at u. At the point of impact, use the evasive roll to avoid their spear. Since the horseman needs to pause and turn his horse to face u, quickly turn around and using your bow and arrow, knock him of his horse using 1 or 2 well placed arrow shots. (i think u can instantly knock them of their horses with one shot, if u aim for the horseman's head.)

I don't really have a strategy, I just find the enemies weakness and exploit it

Well.....anyone else with good strategies for any chapter at all? Dosen't have to be a request, just post your ways of getting through the enemies fast or a post quicker way to complete the a chapter with alot points and a good ranking. I'm sure not all of us found the higher difficulties such a breeze right? :)

Oops, I was talking about normal.

Very hard is crazy, I have to have a tactic for most bosses. Since anything you get hit with in Very Hard hurts like crazy, I always have to be careful on how I approach enemies.

The hardest boss for me on Very Hard was probably Alma. She has a pattern, but her moves take off so much damage.

...........alot of damage? I'd say too much damage......Yeaowch!!!!

If she catches you with her columns, you can die in one wave, sucks

*Yeowch* I know the feeling.....same with her grapple.

[Now on with my first post on Chapter 1 in Hard Mode]

Chapter 1:Way of the Ninja

Changes in enemy tactics
Brown Ninjas: They start throwing shurikens(WTF?!)
White ninjas: They have one additional move added to their combo and have slightly more health

Boss:Murai
His moves are still the same, though he tends to block more often, grapples u alot and parrying with him is slightly difficult. Too successfully win the parry, press X and Y simutaneously, with great speed mind u. Do not exceed more than 3 combo strings when attacking him as he will suddenly lash out of his block to grapple u. The bird flip tactic won't be as useful as it was in Normal mode cause he will frequently block the attack. Instead do the running speed slash to catch him of guard and then, strike him to a pulp.

One thing to make sure you always do is keep moving, I've found that the more I move around the more chances I have at taking out an enemy without suffering a lot of health loss.

Also, learn the enemies pattern, it's very helpful in very hard to know what they usually do.

in VH lvl 1 or 2 since you dont have Blade of Nirriti (is this correct) im using the semi/custom blade of nirriti.... X, Y, X, B, Y, .... that last button will do splash damage which will affect any jabronis camping below..... it made the VH mode a lil easier than just doing plain slashing.... then for murai... i wait for him in the corner then if he do the charge thing.... i do the bird flip slash..... it takes time but gets the job done.... but i wouldnt recommend this tactic if your playing for time....

Chapter 2: Hayabusa Village

Changes in enemy tactics
Samurais: More health and block often.

Boss: Samurai Horseman

Deal with his hechmen first and take the oppurtunity to absorb their blue ninpo for your ultimate tecniques and unleash it AS the boss appraoches. Timing is key, here. If u manage to do this u can finish this battle in 3 minutes. Do the evasive roll to avoid the bosses side attacks and all should be well.

*This is an effective combo to take out the Sorcerrer samurai. Press X,Y,X,Y. This should kill him instantly at this mode. It works a 100% of the time*