Ark 2

Alright, let's get you squared away with the basics of Ark 2. It's a bit different from the first one, but don't worry, I'll walk you through it. This section is all about getting comfortable with the controller and understanding how the game ticks.

First off, Ark the Lad 2 uses the DualShock controller, and those analog sticks? They pretty much do what the D-pad does, so you've got options for movement and cursor control in battles.

Controller Layout and Functions

Here’s a quick rundown of what each button does:

And a couple of neat tricks:

• Pressing L1 & R1 together in battle throws you into 'Free Cursor' mode. This is super handy for scouting out enemies or checking out the battlefield.
• If you hold down either L1 or R1 while using the D-pad, you can actually change which way an ally is facing without them moving from their spot. Useful for setting up certain strategies!

General Game Info

Just a few quick facts to get you oriented:

• Players: 1
• Discs: 1
• Memory Card: Needs 16kb (supports 2 slots)
• US Release Date: April 18, 2002

Also, if you got the Ark the Lad Collection, you'll have ATL1, ATL2, ATL3 (on 2 discs!), Arc Arena, and a 'Making Of' disc. Plus, there are some cool extras like character standees and a memory card case. Oh, and those little rubbery things that jump when you flip them? Yeah, those too!

Meet the Characters: Elc

This chapter kicks off with Elc. He's the last of the Pyrenians, a tribe that could control fire. His village was destroyed when he was just a kid by the Silver Noah, and he was taken for study. Luckily, a Hunter named Shu rescued him. Shu taught Elc a lot about fighting and surviving, but Elc still has nightmares about his time being studied. Now, he's about to take on a job that'll force him to face those memories.

Elc's Abilities

Elc starts off with some basic gear and learns new skills as he levels up, or sometimes from Mother Claire. Keep an eye on his MP cost and the level he learns them!

Meet the Characters: Lieza

Next up is Lieza. She comes from a tribe of Beasttalkers, meaning she can chat with monsters. She grew up pretty isolated with her grandpa, Joseph, who was worried about how people would react to her powers. He taught her that people often fear and hurt what they don't understand. Sadly, he was right, especially in Romalia, where her powers were used for something called the Chimera program.

This section details the skills and lore for several characters in Ark 2, including Paundit, Shu, and Shante. It also lists some starting items.

Starting Items

• Dagger+0
• Gauze Wrap
• Chaos Herb

Paundit

Paundit is Lieza's wolf companion, capable of talking to animals. He is friendly but cautious around strangers and protective of Lieza. They have been together for a long time.

Default Skill: Metal Fang

Skills:

• Ice Shield — Learns at -----; Ice protection; MP Cost: 03 -> 09 -> 28; Element: Ice
• Cold Breath — Learns at -----; Ability Down effect; MP Cost: 08 -> 16 -> 32; Element: -----
• Strike Power — Learns at LV 10; Attack Up effect; MP Cost: 03 -> 06 -> 12; Element: -----
• Charge — Learns at LV 16; Ups Attack on self; MP Cost: 02; Element: -----
• Destruction — Learns at CLAIR; Decrease foes' MAG; MP Cost: 03 -> 06 -> 12; Element: -----
• Counter Hang — Learns at CLAIR; Decrease foe Counter; MP Cost: 03 -> 06 -> 12; Element: -----
• Mind Buster — Learns at CLAIR; Reduces foes' MP; MP Cost: 08 -> 16 -> 32; Element: -----
• Diamond Dust — Learns at CLAIR; Ice damage; MP Cost: 08 -> 16 -> 32; Element: Ice
• Thunder Breath — Learns at CLAIR; Reduces foes' ATK; MP Cost: 08 -> 16 -> 32; Element: -----
• Blizzard — Learns at CLAIR; Ice damage; MP Cost: 10 -> 20 -> 40; Element: Ice

Shu

Shu is a ninja clad in a black bodysuit, whose true identity is a mystery. Rumors suggest he was born in Seirya and trained as an assassin, but he has not confirmed this. Shu's stern demeanor keeps allies at a distance, but he has a warm heart.

Default Equipment:

• Cloth Shoes (4/12, 4/7)
• Gauze Wrap (1/10, 3/6)

Skills:

• Steal — Learns at -----; Steal enemy items; MP Cost: 04 -> 08 -> 16; Element: -----
• Plasma Shock — Learns at -----; Defense Down effect; MP Cost: 04 -> 08 -> 16; Element: -----
• Scapegoat — Learns at -----; Swap w/ damaged ally; MP Cost: 02 -> 04 -> 08; Element: -----
• Speed Up — Learns at LV ??; Speed Up effect; MP Cost: 02 -> 04 -> 08; Element: -----
• Wind Shield — Learns at LV 23; Wind protection; MP Cost: 03 -> 09 -> 28; Element: Wind
• Time Bomb — Learns at LV 28; Dmg foe after 3 trns; MP Cost: 08 -> 16 -> 32; Element: -----
• Random Attack — Learns at LV 31; Damage foes around; MP Cost: 08 -> 16 -> 32; Element: -----
• Wind Slash — Learns at LV 36; Wind damage; MP Cost: 08 -> 16 -> 32; Element: Wind
• Jump High — Learns at CLAIR; Raise allies' Jump; MP Cost: 05 -> 10 -> 20; Element: -----
• Power Loss — Learns at CLAIR; Decrease foes' ATK; MP Cost: 03 -> 06 -> 12; Element: -----
• Charge — Learns at CLAIR; Raise own ATK; MP Cost: 02; Element: -----
• Thunder Storm — Learns at CLAIR; Thunder damage; MP Cost: 08 -> 16 -> 32; Element: Wind
• Tornado — Learns at CLAIR; Wind damage; MP Cost: 10 -> 20 -> 40; Element: Wind
• Extract — Learns at CLAIR; Damage enemy; MP Cost: 08 -> 16 -> 32; Element: -----

Shante

Abandoned as a child, Shante raised herself and her brother. They wandered Aldia before settling in Indigos. Shante performs in bars but prefers to stay near Indigos, working to provide her brother a better life. She has developed a strong fighting spirit.

Default Equipment:

• Cloth Shoes
• Gauze Wrap+1
• Strengthen Apple

Skills:

• Cure — Learns at -----; Refills target(s) HP; MP Cost: 07 -> 14 -> 28; Element: -----
• Silent — Learns at -----; Gives Silence effect; MP Cost: 04 -> 08 -> 16; Element: -----
• Resurrection — Learns at -----; Revives KO'd ally; MP Cost: 16 -> 31 -> 96; Element: -----
• Refresh — Learns at LV 25; Cures bad statuses; MP Cost: 04 -> 08 -> 16; Element: -----
• Ice Shield — Learns at LV 29; Gives Ice Protection; MP Cost: 03 -> 06 -> 12; Element: Water
• Dispel — Learns at CLAIR; Put souls to rest; MP Cost: 18 -> 36 -> 72; Element: -----

This section details the skills, lore, and default equipment for the characters Gruga, Gogen, and Poco in Ark 2.

Gruga

Gruga was 23 years old when he assumed leadership of Brakia, a colony of Niedel. Brakia declared a war of independence against Niedel, and as the battle raged on for years, Gruga became increasingly depressed at the mounting casualties on both sides of the conflict. The depression eventually drove Gruga to abandon his position. He now lives with his adopted daughter Elena, whose parents were killed in the war.

Default Weapon: Warpick [LV 6/12, ATK 9/14]

Skills:

Gogen

Over 3,000 years ago, Gogen fought as one of the original seven heroes in an attempt to save the world. The confrontation climaxed at the Ancient Monolith near the small town of Touvil. As the battle dragged on, it became apparent to Gogen that the only way for good to emerge victorious was to seal himself and the enemy in the Illusion World. Due to the length of time he has spent away from humanity, Gogen's brain is a little foggy, but he remains a powerful wizard nonetheless.

Default Equipment: Rod [LV 1/8, ATK 6/11], Prayer Beads [Lv 0/0, DEF 6/6], Gauze Wrap [LV 1/10, DEF 3/6]

Skills:

Poco

Poco was part of the Palencia Military Corps' marching band in the first game, and now travels at Arc's side as a companion. His instruments cause a wide array of damage and he's a great supportive player (and has one of the best healing abilities in the game, if not the most).

Default Equipment: Panic Wave [LV 4/10, ATK 13/21; Add: Confuse], Chaos Cloth Wrap [LV 8/10, DEF 11/12], Herb [LV 1/1, DEF 1/1]

Skills: