Part 18

Estel no longer calls police airstrikes but can now throw grenades. She will summon Commissioners when hit enough, who will team up on you. Use your Basic Combo (SOR1 Blaze) or Combo Chains (SOR2, 3, or 4 Blaze) for damage. SOR3 Blaze's running Blitzes can shut down Estel's attacks. Cherry Tapping is an option after beating the Commissioner(s).

Stage 8 - Art Gallery begins.

Stage 8-1 introduces Victoria, Elizabeth, and Margaret (Vial Queens) and Jonathan (Garcia) and Lou (Cop).

For SOR1 Blaze, use movement speed and punch reach against Vial Queens. Watch out for their vials, especially fire vials, which also hurt them. You can catch and throw vials back. A trick for Victorias: wait for a fire vial, use Grab-to-Neutral Throw, then back away as the vial lands on her.

SOR2 Blaze's Blitz is useful against Vial Queens due to its range and their lack of anti-air attacks. She can also use Grab-to-Neutral Throw safely.

SOR3 Blaze can run them down with her Blitz and use Grab-to-Neutral Throw without harm.

SOR4 Blaze can use her Blitz and Down Jump to Neutral aerial attack. She can also use Grab-to-Neutral Throw.

All Blazes can use Jump Kicks.

Upon entering the Gallery, you'll see a Golden Chicken that one-shots mooks and damages bosses. It's recommended to save it for the bosses.

Use Elizabeths' poison vials to your advantage, as the poison puddles hurt enemies.

Grab and throw Margarets' grenades back at them. You can also grab Lous and throw them at Margarets.

Stage 8-2 starts with an arcade machine. A taser is hidden by a crate in the lower left.

You will fight a series of mini-bosses: Galsia x2, Donovan x2, Shiva, Mr. X (Easy, Normal, Hard); Galsia x3, Donovan x3, Shiva, Mr. X (Hardest); Galsia x5, Donovan x3, Shiva, Mr. X (Mania); Galsia ~x7, Donovan ~x5, Shiva, Mr. X (Mania+).

Shiva has the Moon Kick, which has good reach and can knock you out of the air; stick to the ground.

To avoid Mr. X's gunfire: when he runs to an upper corner, move to the opposite lower corner. Being diagonal prevents his bullets from hitting you.

SOR1 Blaze strategy: use long punch reach against Shiva, combo him from afar, and wall juggle him if possible. After Shiva, punch Mr. X before he can bash you with his gun, or Cherry Tap him and wall juggle if possible.

SOR2 Blaze strategy: the Basic Combo worked against Shiva, though he kept his distance. The Basic Combo is also recommended against Mr. X.

SOR3 Blaze strategy: use Running Blitz-to-Defensive Special against Shiva and Mr. X.

SOR4 Blaze strategy: use Basic Combo-to-Blitz on Shiva, and Basic Combo-to-Blitz-to-Special on Mr. X. The Rekkaken is useful.