Bayonetta 2 Guide Chapter IV: Know Your Potential - Combat Primer: Advanced
The Quest for Pure Platinum
The rank of Pure Platinum signifies total mastery of any battle scenario Bayonetta 2 has to offer. Much of the game’s replay value lies in attaining this rank for every Verse and every Chapter. The following section covers how to prepare for the ultimate challenge, and what to do when you finally decide you’re ready to undertake it!
Suggested Play/Replay Order
Only Bayonetta 2 veterans—those who have already greatly familiarized themselves with the game and its underlying mechanics—should undertake the quest for full Pure Platinums. This will take multiple playthroughs. Fortunately, as with all Platinum games, there’s a pretty solid path of playthroughs and actions to take to get the experience you need.
Keep in mind that the below aren’t hard-and-fast rules. Figure out which way of learning works best for you.
Difficulty Breakdown | |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Attributes |
| 1st Climax | • The easiest of all difficulty settings.• Bayonetta takes reduced damage from hits and has eight extra orbs of magic.• Enemies attack less often. |
| 2nd Climax | • The standard difficulty setting.• Bayonetta takes the standard amount of damage and has the standard magic gauge.• Enemies attack at the standard rate. |
| 3rd Climax | • Harder than 2nd Climax.• Bayonetta takes extra damage from hits.• Enemies attack more often than normal and can dodge more of Bayonetta’s attacks outside of Witch Time.• The timing required for gaining Witch Time via dodges is tighter. |
| ∞ Climax | • The hardest difficulty setting.• Bayonetta takes large amount of damage per hit.• Enemies move faster, attack more often than normal, and can dodge many more of Bayonetta’s attacks outside of Witch Time.• The timing required for gaining Witch Time via dodges is much tighter. |
Playthrough Order | |
|---|---|
| Playthrough # | Personal Objectives |
| 1st PlaythroughDifficulty: 2nd Climax (or 1st Climax if new to action games) | • Get acclimated to the game systems – how attacks, dodges and Witch Time work and are beneficial to the player.• Don’t worry too much about ranks. Instead focus on getting through the story and building your arsenal through LPs , Broken Witch Hearts, Broken Moon Pearls and The Gates of Hell.• Optionally, one can play through 1st Climax if they’re completely new to the genre. Equip the Immortal Marionette accessory until you are comfortable with the flow of the game, then remove it as you would training wheels. Once 1st Climax playthrough is complete, move on to 2nd Climax. |
| 2nd PlaythroughDifficulty: 2nd Climax | • Enjoy 2nd Climax with newfound power from your new weapons, your increased statistics, and your heightened skills brought about by personal experience.• Do your best to gain high ranks in every fight. If possible, aim for Pure Platinum—it will be within your grasp for quite a bit of the game now that you’ve seen every enemy firsthand. |
| 3rd PlaythoughDifficulty: 3rd Climax | • Begin your quest for mastery of Bayonetta 2 in earnest. • Internalize enemy attacks and tells. Learn how to dodge as many attacks as possible and/or to parry all of them with the Moon of Mahaa-Kalaa. • Experiment with accessories and weapons to see which ones aid you the most in tough fights. Several suggestions are given in this section.• Wherever applicable, go for Platinum and Pure Platinum ranks. |
| 4th PlaythroughDifficulty: ∞ Climax | • Attempt ∞ Climax once you are comfortable with 3rd Climax. • Follow the same objectives as in the previous playthrough, keeping in mind that every mistake costs more than it used to. |
| 5th Playthrough & Beyond | • Finish attaining all collectibles, and achieve any remaining Bewitchments. This includes challenging Rodin, who you should by now stand a chance against.• Continue to practice until you are able to achieve Pure Platinum rank for every chapter in every difficulty. |
The Ranking System
There are five levels of grading in Bayonetta 2, from lowest to highest: Stone, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. These grades—given out via medals—determine your overall rank in Verses and Chapters.
By Verse
Verse Ranks are calculated by the average of three factors: Score, Time, and Damage. If you manage Platinum medals in all three fields, you’re awarded a Pure Platinum medal for the Verse.
For a high Score ranking, attain a high score through high combo counts and high combo multipliers.
For a high Time ranking, finish the Verse as quickly as possible.
For a high Damage ranking, take as little damage as possible. Taking 0 damage for the Verse always results in a Platinum Damage ranking for the Verse.
By Chapter
Chapter Ranks are the average of all medals in all Verses, minus one rank for each time a Continue is used.
To earn Pure Platinum for a chapter, you need to get Pure Platinum for every Verse within. Even a single Platinum for a Verse will bump your Chapter Rank down to a Platinum.
The Keys to Victory!
The quest for Pure Platinum is just as much a game of preparation as it is execution. The following items will give you the best chance of completing your mission.
Weapons
Salamandra
The Salamandra is the overall best weapon in your Pure Platinum quest, for one large reason: the ability to hold the Punch or Kick button during each attack. By doing so, you ensure extra damage and a huge score boost, as well as a longer-lasting attack that allows you to get your bearings for precious seconds. If you want your attacks to take less time, then tap the buttons instead of holding them, but nine times out of ten, holding the buttons is the best course of action.
Make these weapons your default on your arms and legs. Leg attacks usually sweep horizontally, allowing you to hit multiple enemies at once, especially when powered up by Umbran Climax.
Rakshasa
This is the fastest melee weapon in the game, and your best friend against bosses and Sloths on ∞ Climax difficulty. Equipping them on your arms is essential for several key scenarios.
Kafka
The poison attribute of the Kafka’s arrows makes this weapon invaluable for shaving down battle times. Its Stiletto attack is also deceptively powerful, able to send enemies flying on impact. Go for the wall bounce!
Alruna
The Alruna is a deceptively powerful striking weapon on its own, but holding the Attack buttons allows it to whip and slam weaker enemies to the ground, and larger enemies during Witch Time or Umbran Climax.
Accessories
Pulley’s Butterfly
Apart from your dodge, this is your first line of defense when going for Platinum Damage medals. Pulley’s Butterfly absorbs one or more hits (depending on the strength of attack absorbed), and none of the hits absorbed count against your vitality. Keep this shield on you whenever you need it.
Moon of Mahaa-Kalaa
This is your second line of defense, allowing you to parry any attack in the game by pressing the Left Analog Stick against it, and gain the advantage to counterattack while the enemy is stunned. It’s simple, but incredibly effective.
Eternal Testimony
Unlocking the Eternal Testimony can make life a whole lot easier by reducing the time it takes to activate Pulley’s Butterfly by half, and Umbran Climax by a fourth. Get it when you can.
Gaze of Despair
As explained earlier, enraged enemies count for many more points than normal. Just be sure you’re up to the inevitable challenge that comes from wearing it.
Costumes
Hero of Hyrule
If you’re cool with cosplay, then the Hero of Hyrule costume is utterly invaluable. The parrying abilities of the Moon of Mahaa-Kalaa are built into the Hylian Shield, thus freeing up an accessory slot that would otherwise be taken up by one of the game’s most valuable accessories.
Overall Play Tips
In the midst of battle, keep in mind the following general rules of thumb as you fight for the coveted Platinum medals. Many of these have already been covered above, but we’ve compiled some of the best here in a nice handy list.
Memorize Enemy Patterns
Having trouble against a certain enemy? Put your Pure Platinum quest to the side for a little while, and study all of their movements and techniques. All enemies in Bayonetta 2 move in specific patterns, and perform specific moves with properties all their own. Keep your finger on that Evade button, and do your best to dodge (or parry) absolutely everything they can do.
Don’t worry about getting hit in the process—concentrate on getting the timing down so that you can dodge anything the enemy throws at you! When you get back into the fight for real, they won’t know what hit them.
Use the Cues!
Similar to watching for enemy patterns, look for the visual and audio cues associated with enemy movements and attacks. Internalize them so that you can fight more efficiently.
Use (and Abuse) Dodge Offset
Bayonetta 2 gives you more reasons and opportunities to use Dodge Offset compared to its predecessor. If you’re in a tight spot and know the enemy’s about to get the upper hand, use it to get out of the way and continue your assault, and hopefully enter Witch Time! Speaking of which...
Witch Time, Witch Time, Witch Time!
Witch Time is your best friend, period. It gives you precious breathing room with which to dispatch enemies, even on ∞ Climax difficulty. Look for opportunities to use it at every turn.
Mare Tranquillitatis
Sometimes known as “fishing for parries” in fighting game jargon, repeatedly pushing the Left Analog Stick toward an enemy in anticipation of one or multiple attacks while having the Moon of Mahaa-Kalaa equipped goes a suprisingly long way. It’s not a foolproof trick, however, so use it sparingly—if you’re unsure of yourself, use extra protection such as Pulley’s Butterfly.
Attack Multiple Enemies at Once
The more enemies you attack (and thus prevent from attacking) in a single stroke, the better your time score will be, and the safer you’ll be in general, allowing you to get that all-important Platinum Damage medal. Weapons like the Rakshasa and Salamandra excel at this.