Akira Howard Enlists into Battle! (Astral Chain)

[fogbadge]

Unfortunately, I kind of am having my doubts now. I don't think Nintendo will add another anime style human character. We've gotten so many now. I'd love to be wrong. Officer Howard has become my most wanted for Ultimate.

well half the video game industry is in that style

 

[Idon]

Sounds exciting for a sequel though I still haven't beaten Astral Chain yet. How do you think we could use Legion along with Akira? Maybe Legion can appear like Joker's Arsene. But I think it would be cooler to summon the legion whenever you want and it can have a power bar under the profile picture, and it slowly depletes or regains while unsummoned.

If you're interested check out this moveset I made a while back.

Aight, so I found myself super bored and thus made a moveset for my most wanted first party character.
Enjoy I guess, and don't worry, I spoilered it. Took me a long time to make this, so would appreciate your eyes on it.

View attachment 271479​

"The protagonist of Astral Chain, the hot new Nintendo-owned Platinum action game, arrives on the scene! With their X-baton in hand and a little help from their loyal sword legion, they'll be more than a match for anyone! Along with their crushingly powerful kicks and baton strikes, their power is amplified with the combination attacks they can do with their legion. No matter how strong their opponent is, nothing is stronger than the power of justice!"

Spoiler: The Entire Moveset: Warning, gifs,

Spoiler: Miscellaneous Features

Introduction: Exit Gate
A portal from the astral plain opens up and the sword legion flies in from it. It then yanks the astral chain, pulling out Ofc. Howard, who readies to fight while putting away the sword legion.

Stance: Police Training
Does his default battle stance from the game.

Down Taunt: Legionis
Calls Legion and spirals the chain around himself in a stylish pose yelling "LEGION!"

Up Taunt: Respect
Salutes the enemy yelling before resuming battle stance.

16 Taunt 3
holds his Legatus up to his face, activating it briefly and making his eyes and hair go blue, exclaiming "YOU'RE UNDER ARREST"

1st Victory: Awakening
Leaps into frame with the Sword Legion and slashes downward in an X shape

2nd Victory: Legion Capture
Sends out Legion who who is flung around in a circle by their astral chain before settling behind Officer Howard.

3rd Victory: Case Accepted
Turns around and walks to the camera swiping by a "CASE ACCEPTED" hologram.

Victory Fanfare: Savior
Plays the first few notes of "Savior"

Spoiler: Defensive Moves

Shield: Axe Defense
Holds their legatus up.
N/A
With Legion active, the Sword Legion crosses its arms as the shield becomes a permanent full shield similar to Yoshi's egg and can only be broken and not shield poked.

Parry: Interception
Does a stylish pose that shows off the legatus

Sleeping: Vacation Day
Sits on the floor leaning on his knee while mumbling "5 more minutes..." During this time, a hologram will pop up saying that someone is calling them. If they manage to wake up in time, they'll act shocked, deny the call, and resume fighting.

Backroll: Backflip
Does a backflip backwards

Forward Roll: Cartwheel
Does a side roll forwards

Spot Dodge: Lean back
Does a little lean back

08 Dodge Air: Air Spin
Twists his body to dodge out of the way of attacks:

Get-up attack: AED defibrillator
Unleashes a shockwave from the AED, shocking Ofc. Howard back to life and pushing away any enemy close.

Tech: Legion Assist
Unique to Ofc. Howard, when they have their legion out, they are not only capable of teching in back, forward, and neutral, they can also tech upwards by launching themselves off their Sword legion

Spoiler: Specials

Neutral Special: Call Legion
Ofc. Howard holds up his Legatus and calls the Legion forth, modifying his entire moveset temporarily. It'll only last ~10 seconds before disippating and having to recharge for another 30 seconds. However, it can be turned on and off at will with almost zero lag. However, any turn off will burn the entire gauge and always force a recharge. A new spin on the "power boost" modes of Cloud and Joker. Moments of power must be chosen carefully and deliberately instead of just being hit and given the power.

While in this form, tendrils of blue will streak across Ofc. Howard's face, their eyes will glow blue, and so does their hair. On top of that, their X-baton gains a blocky digital appearance. He'll have blue light trails instead of white ones and any hit with the baton will have an "electric" effect which is purely superflous. Using the Raven costumes will instead make the effects red colored.

Also it has a single frame of invulnerability, which when activated, calls the legion out to immediately counter

Side Special: Send Legion
A multi-part special move that begins with Ofc. Howard sending out their legion a set distance along the same vein of Luma. However, instead of mimicking attacks, it will simply do a followup attack depending on which input is done next, similar to Marth's Dancing Blade.

Side Special; Up followup: Upperslash
Pressing Up and B will make the sword legion do an uppercut with his 2 blade arms, launching the enemy into the air.

Side Special; forward followup: Chain Jump
Pressing forward will have the sword legion yank the chain, pulling Howard forward while he does a flying knee. This also serves well as a recovery option and strikes anyone between the legion and Howard.

Side Special; backward followup: Triple Sword
Pressing back has the legion summon 3 swords that travel the length of the chain

Side Special; downward followup: Round Swords
Pressing down will summon a set of flying blades that hover around the legion which then dissipate when the legion does a spinning attack launching enemies up and away.

Regardless of the action, the Legion then returns to Howard.

Down Special: Slash Stance
A risky maneuver that instantly uses all of the legion gauge. Using it enters into a special stance wherein an additional attack button will make a vertical slice downwards. It doesn't do much damage or knockback, however if the opponent is doing any kind of attack while getting hit, they will automatically get shield broken. This attack is canceleable with shield, but it takes a while to deactivate, making it a risky all-or-nothing attack either way. pressing left or right will do a little repositional hop, but it has no invincibility, making it purely for spacing.

Up Special: Chain Recover
Throws legion into the air who flies up and then yanks Ofc. Howard towards themselves. As this move is vital in general smash gameplay, it is usable without any legion meter, however doing so, will cause 15% damage, punishing desperate recoveries and said feature is also accurate to the games.

Spoiler: Normals

Jab Combo: Baton Rush
Does a 4 hit combo consisting of a left jab, an inwards baton swing, an outwards baton swing, and then a stab upwards.

With Legion active, an additional jab finisher is added wherein the legion does an uppercut slash that launches the opponent upwards.

Forward Tilt: Assault Attack
Launches themselves in a flying kick at the enemy.

With Legion active, it will do a kick side by side with Ofc. Howard.
N/A

Down Tilt: Disarming Sweep
Does a low sweep which sets the enemy up for a combo.
With legion active, a second input throws out the legion who spins across the floor in the z-axis, elongating the range of the sweep.

Up Tilt: Evasive Anti-air Combination
Does a high kick while balancing themselves with their hand before following up with an aerial dropkick. A bit of a difficult angle, but does a ton of damage and knockback.

With Legion active, the sword legion does a drop kick back-to-back with Ofc. Howard increasing its power.
N/A
Dash Attack: Sliding Rush
Football slides into the enemy, going so fast as to create sparks across the ground.

With Legion active, the legion flies above and flies forward along spinning with its blades outstretched, increasing the vertical hitbox of the move as to not just hit the feet.

Spoiler: Smashes

Forward Smash: Charge Attack
Throws the X-baton up and catches it backhanded before rushing forward and doing a horizontal slash forwards.
Howard rushes towards the opponent at lightning speed so while the startup is high, the range and speed of the attack is unparalleled.
Due to how fast he rushes forward, he is completely invulnerable mid-slash and has little endlag after so punishes must be made before he catches the X-baton.

With legion active, the first part of the attack only stuns, while a new second part has been to the smash which involves him holding the baton normally and stabbing forward with Legion stabbing simultaneously. This version is much more powerful, combos from the first part, and launches at a lower angle making recoveries hard and kills early.

Down Smash: Gladiator Kick
Does a spinning axe kick that causes a shock wave on the ground, spiking opponenets hanging on ledge.
N/A
With Legion, the legion stabs the ground, causing an explosion and giving the move some AOE damage and hitting behind

Up Smash: Shine Kick
Does a flip kick. If hit with the front side of the attack, it will launch the opponent straight up. If hit at the apex, it will instead launch the enemy behind.

With legion active, the legion does a flip kick along with Ofc. Howard increasing the power of the attack.
N/A

Spoiler: Aerials

Neutral Aerial: Circular Kick
Does a spinning horizontal kick that hits front and then backwards. Slower than the average nair, but more powerful for it.

With Legion active, the legion stands upside down back to back with Ofc. Howard, completing the circle and making the attack hit both sides at once, twice.
N/A

Forward Aerial: Baton Barrage
Three part forward air which starts with a diagonal right to left down swing, diagonal left to right down swing, finished with a horizontal right to left swing, knocking opponents away.

With Legion active, he fills in the gaps between the attacks with his own attacks, making it truly a 6 hit aerial attack

Back Aerial: Hammer Kick
Ofc. Howard raises his foot over his head in a circular manner and slams his heel over the enemy, spiking them. It's quite a slow move, but that's where the legion comes in

With legion active, the legion does a vertical spin hitting the opponent twice locking them into position for the kick.

Down Aerial: Skull Smasher
Ofc. Howard raises the baton up and then rushes to the ground slamming it to the floor.
N/A
With Legion, the legion mirrors the action increasing its damage.

Up Aerial: Baton uppercut
Ofc. Howard backhands the X-Baton and does a short range upper slash with decent killing power.
N/A
With legion active, he repeats the action from the opposite direction increasing the power even further.

Spoiler: Throws

Grab: Judge
Reaches out with his off-baton hand.
N/A
With Legion active, the grab is enhanced into a tether where the Sword Legion rushes out and grabs the enemy, pulling them in, and binding them to the floor with the astral chains.

Pummel: Jury
Hits the opponent with the back of the baton like Link and the Master Sword
N/A
With Legion active, they are full baton swings mixed with the legion doing swings as well.

Up Throw: Executioner
Howard does a diagonal flip kick, knocking the opponent into the air.

With Legion active, the kick launches a set distance into the Legion who then does a bicycle kick, launching the opponent at an aggressive angle downwards horizontally, making it extremely difficult for most characters to recover, while also killing earlier if facing the right direction.

Forward Throw: Convict
Howard slashes away while jumping back.

With legion active, he will followup by throwing the legion forward via the chain which stabs the target.

Back Throw: Pardon
Leaps past and does a circular horizontal kick to the back of the enemy's head.

With legion active, the legion ducks under the kick and does a horizontal slash in the opposite direction.

Down Throw: Retrial
Ofc. Howard slams the opponent with the X-baton downwards, bouncing them up.

If Legion is active, the legion leaps over and slams the opponent again, bouncing them a second time.

Spoiler: Final Smash; WARNING SPOILERS

When Close: Prime Execution
The Sword Legion lets out a loud roar shockwave. Anyone hit is transported to the Astral Plain wherein Ofc. Howard does a complex combination attack featuring all the Legions that were not included. First Howard rides on the Beast Legion, impaling them on the Gladius X-Baton. Then he flips them up and calls forth the ARMS Legion which juggles the opponent in a flurry of punches. Afterwards, while the opponent is still in the air, Howard summons the Arrow Legion wherein they simultaneously shoot a light arrow at them. Then, the Axe Legion is summoned who slams the opponent back on the floor. Finally, he summons the original Sword legion who wraps the opponent up in the astral chain, finishing with a simultaneous stab, which inexplicably causes a giant explosion knocking them away

When Far: Legionic Fusion
If no one is near, Ofc. Howard instead rips out the legion core of the legatus and slams it into his chest, the core dissolving into his heart. This activates his fusion with the legion and transforms him into a giant beast that rushes forward in a flash of light slamming the first person or people with an uppercut claw slash that knocks them to the center of the stage wherein they are assaulted by a barrage of claw slashes, kicks, and energy blasts. When finished, the fusion claws them downwards, bouncing them off the floor of the stage, and into the sky above.

Bonus Content:

Spoiler: Music Tracks (No Links)

01 Savior
02 Emergency
03 Awakening
04 Central City (Combat Phase)
05 Invaders from Another World
06 Astral Plane (Combat Phase)
07 Maison Forest (Combat Phase)
08 Ark Mall (Combat Phase)
09 Homonculus A
10 Harmony Square Station (Combat Phase)
11 Legion Assault
12 Zone 09 Daytime (Combat Phase)
13 Suspense
14 Holy Order of the Digital Hermit
15 Hermit training
16 Chimera Takedown
17 Homonculus B
18 Homonculus Y
19 Jena Anderson
20 Jena (Rebellion and Salvation)
21 Jena (Catastrophe)
22 Grand Avenue (Combat Phase)
23 Rush!!
24 Zone 09 Night (Combat Phase)
25 Ark Sewer Mangement (Combat Phase)
26 Madness
27 Sector V Night (Combat Phase)
28 Case Trial
29 Dark Hero (Male)
30 Dark Hero (Female)
31 Aegis Research Institute (Combat Phase)
32 The Only One
33 Yoseph Calvert
34 Noah Core
35 Noah Prime
36 The Answer

Spoiler: Alternate Costumes:

View attachment 271480
View attachment 271481

Spoiler: Stage

The Ark and Astral Plane
A shifting stage that starts on the neon blue city rooftops of the Ark which then transitions to the somber red tones of the Astral Plane:
View attachment 271482
View attachment 271483

 

[Munomario777]

just finished this, figured you guys might enjoy

(if you’re curious how the legion works etc, there’s a longer showcase here, too)

 

[fogbadge]

just finished this, figured you guys might enjoy

(if you’re curious how the legion works etc, there’s a longer showcase here, too)

whyd you go with the twin as opposed to the player character?

 

[Munomario777]

whyd you go with the twin as opposed to the player character?

so that the character would have a name

 

[fogbadge]

so that the character would have a name

Why not Howard? Or perhaps one of the default names

 

[Isaac: Venus Adept]

just finished this, figured you guys might enjoy

(if you’re curious how the legion works etc, there’s a longer showcase here, too)

This is so cool man, kudos!

 

[fogbadge]

anyone else wondering if they traded wonderful 101 for astral chain?

 

[ZealousGamer]

That only uses the Sword Legion and no other configurations to the X-Baton. Officer Howard should use all Legions and X-Baton configurations.

 

[Janx_uwu]

I don't think Officer Howard/Akira should have to use all Legions, just like Joker only has Arsene, I wouldn't mind them only having Sword Legions.

 

[SharkLord]

I think there should be a balance. They could freely switch between the Legions like Byleth and the Relics, but given how complex they would be from the bare minimum alone, I'd settle for only two or three Legions if that's what we got.

 

[ZealousGamer]

I think it'd depends on how they'd be implemented. Maybe each Legion could be a special?

 

[Idon]

3 weapon types and 5 legions spread across 25 moves would be incredibly shallow in order to include all of them. I prefer we represent 1 to the fullest extent rather than Byleth it up and add in moves just to say they exist.

 

[SharkLord]

It's also worth noting that different Legions could fill different niches. Sword Legion would be the bulk of the normals, Arm and Axe could pitch in for some stronger hits, as well as the grabs and shield, respectively, Arrow is a projectile special, and Beast is the dash.

 

[KiyoXDragon]

just finished this, figured you guys might enjoy

(if you’re curious how the legion works etc, there’s a longer showcase here, too)

Amazing, you made that?

 

[ZealousGamer]

What would you guys want to see if/when we see Astral Chain 2? Bring back the Howard Twins?

 

[SharkLord]

What would you guys want to see if/when we see Astral Chain 2? Bring back the Howard Twins?

An idea I had is a game that builds off NEURON exploring the Astral Plane at the end. It would focus on a new recruit, with Akira and the previous MC appearing throughout the game.
In general, I'd like more Legions, more Chimeras, and more places within the Astral Plane.

 

[KiyoXDragon]

An idea I had is a game that builds off NEURON exploring the Astral Plane at the end. It would focus on a new recruit, with Akira and the previous MC appearing throughout the game.
In general, I'd like more Legions, more Chimeras, and more places within the Astral Plane.

Once I beat the game I can comment on it. But I would like to see Akira again!

 

[Phoenixio]

The last direct was good news for Astral Chain, especially in term of Smash. Astral Chain is only slightly below Xenoblade Chronicles in term of sales, so in that regard it's the next most popular Switch game out there that isn't represented in Smash. So if they decided to keep expanding the universes, and go again for a Nintendo pick, I'd say the Akiras have a good chance. Ownership or not, Platinum was a great collaborator with Nintendo, so I'd say it's likely, just like how Bayonetta made it as well under similar circumstances. Of course the chances would be higher if we knew about content developed beyond the second Fighter Pass, but time will tell. There was a recent report that DLC for Smash were a big part of the yearly income for Nintendo last year, so it wouldn't be surprising if they kept going.

 

[KiyoXDragon]

The last direct was good news for Astral Chain, especially in term of Smash. Astral Chain is only slightly below Xenoblade Chronicles in term of sales, so in that regard it's the next most popular Switch game out there that isn't represented in Smash. So if they decided to keep expanding the universes, and go again for a Nintendo pick, I'd say the Akiras have a good chance. Ownership or not, Platinum was a great collaborator with Nintendo, so I'd say it's likely, just like how Bayonetta made it as well under similar circumstances. Of course the chances would be higher if we knew about content developed beyond the second Fighter Pass, but time will tell. There was a recent report that DLC for Smash were a big part of the yearly income for Nintendo last year, so it wouldn't be surprising if they kept going.

Yess and Akira would be the 2nd Platinum rep! I have hope!

 

[fogbadge]

Yess and Akira would be the 2nd Platinum rep! I have hope!

well only in spirit

 

[JOJONumber691]

Just saw that this Thread just got a Post. Muno's Rendition of this Character is Perfect! It fits Astral Chain to a T, and even counters a Spriting Issue by making Akira Female, but in an Outfit more reminiscent of the Male Akira. It's soooooo goooooood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[fogbadge]

Just saw that this Thread just got a Post. Muno's Rendition of this Character is Perfect! It fits Astral Chain to a T, and even counters a Spriting Issue by making Akira Female, but in an Outfit more reminiscent of the Male Akira. It's soooooo goooooood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There’s a spirit for the female as well

 

[JOJONumber691]

There’s a spirit for the female as well

I’m talking about the Rivals Workshop version after Pyra I’m not actually expecting them to make it in! Would be nice though.

 

[fogbadge]

I’m talking about the Rivals Workshop version after Pyra I’m not actually expecting them to make it in! Would be nice though.

ah i get ya, the spiriting thing threw me

 

[KiyoXDragon]

I’m talking about the Rivals Workshop version after Pyra I’m not actually expecting them to make it in! Would be nice though.

What's Rival's Workshop?

 

[SharkLord]

What's Rival's Workshop?

The place where people put all their crazy Rivals of Aether mods

 

[Idon]

What's Rival's Workshop?

Workshops are what Steam calls the place people upload their mods.

 

[fogbadge]

The place where people put all their crazy Rivals of Aether mods

that was my guess.

well not exactly that but close enough

 

[Pakky]

Honestly, if there's no Mii Costume on 3/4 for Astral Chain, I think there's a definite shot.

Has anyone thought of them being like the Ice Climbers or Rosalina and Luma but you can switch between Akria and presumably the Sword Legion?

 

[ZealousGamer]

I'm not really a fan of Mii costumes honestly. Unless it is the "deluxe" style Mii Costume. Which I don't think Astral Chain would get.

 

[Pakky]

I'm not really a fan of Mii costumes honestly. Unless it is the "deluxe" style Mii Costume. Which I don't think Astral Chain would get.

I'm not either but I like to be a realist.

There is some overlap between XBC2 and Astral Chain.

So if there's no Mii Costume I think they're in.

 

[ZealousGamer]

Well, that depends on how popular Astral Chain is.

 

[Phoenixio]

Well, that depends on how popular Astral Chain is.

It's now the only non-indie game new IP that sold more than 1 million copies on the Switch. It was a sleeper hit, they're talking about making a second, and it's a rare thing for a brand new IP...

The list has changed a bit since we last brought it up, mostly because of the pandemic so first party games sold a ton, and it's looking like Astral Chain's numbers haven't been updated in over a year. I wonder how difficult it is to find the game as well, it hasn't been in stock too much in a bunch of my local stores. But at the time it was the 30th most popular Switch game, and now sits at 38th with those non-updated numbers

 

[fogbadge]

It's now the only non-indie game new IP that sold more than 1 million copies on the Switch. It was a sleeper hit, they're talking about making a second, and it's a rare thing for a brand new IP...

im fairly certain ring fit sold more

 

[Phoenixio]

im fairly certain ring fit sold more

Could you hold it for once and not dive into freaking semantics everytime someone says something? We're here to support Astral Chain, not put doubt on Nintendo's sales or whether or not Ring Fit is in the same franchise as Wii Fit... Or do you want me to add 15 more adjectives to my message to make absolutely sure you understand precisely what I'm talking about? It's getting tedious to be put in doubt every freaking time for no good reason; can't you read from the context what is meant and intended? Get in line with the general idea? It's a support thread for Astral Chain, not a goddamn celebration of who's right on every detail...

 

[fogbadge]

Could you hold it for once and not dive into freaking semantics everytime someone says something? We're here to support Astral Chain, not put doubt on Nintendo's sales or whether or not Ring Fit is in the same franchise as Wii Fit... Or do you want me to add 15 more adjectives to my message to make absolutely sure you understand precisely what I'm talking about? It's getting tedious to be put in doubt every freaking time for no good reason; can't you read from the context what is meant and intended? Get in line with the general idea? It's a support thread for Astral Chain, not a goddamn celebration of who's right on every detail...

Actually I can’t meaning or intention most of the time due to difficulties with communication.

 

[SharkLord]

Could you hold it for once and not dive into freaking semantics everytime someone says something? We're here to support Astral Chain, not put doubt on Nintendo's sales or whether or not Ring Fit is in the same franchise as Wii Fit... Or do you want me to add 15 more adjectives to my message to make absolutely sure you understand precisely what I'm talking about? It's getting tedious to be put in doubt every freaking time for no good reason; can't you read from the context what is meant and intended? Get in line with the general idea? It's a support thread for Astral Chain, not a goddamn celebration of who's right on every detail...

If we're supporting Astral Chain, we can't give out wrong info or that damages credibility. Ring Fit, also a new IP, sold more than Astral Chain, so we can't go around touting it as the best-selling new IP of the Switch. I can't say for other instances, but this was just a correction to make sure you don't get the facts wrong. If he had a problem with this before, you can settle that, but this time around it was harmless.

 

[Phoenixio]

If we're supporting Astral Chain, we can't give out wrong info or that damages credibility. Ring Fit, also a new IP, sold more than Astral Chain, so we can't go around touting it as the best-selling new IP of the Switch.

Sure, but "wrong info" is what we have for now, since as I mentioned previously, Astral Chain's numbers were never updated since the inception of the list, while Ring Fit Adventure's have. I'm quite curious to see if the games are mentioned explicitly in Nintendo's upcoming financial overview of the 2021 fiscal year. Needless to say, Astral Chain sold more than a million unit in less than 6 months, and that was pre-widespread pandemic, so nobody can deny its popularity as a third-party game. RFA in comparison is first party, and as the rest of the list shows, that helps quite a bit in raw numbers due to the market pressure exerted by Nintendo themselves.

 

[fogbadge]

Sure, but "wrong info" is what we have for now, since as I mentioned previously, Astral Chain's numbers were never updated since the inception of the list, while Ring Fit Adventure's have. I'm quite curious to see if the games are mentioned explicitly in Nintendo's upcoming financial overview of the 2021 fiscal year. Needless to say, Astral Chain sold more than a million unit in less than 6 months, and that was pre-widespread pandemic, so nobody can deny its popularity as a third-party game. RFA in comparison is first party, and as the rest of the list shows, that helps quite a bit in raw numbers due to the market pressure exerted by Nintendo themselves.

Astral chain is first party as well