The Mega(man) Battle Network LP!

That doesn’t mean he’s going to change though.




Megaman doesn’t think they need to either.




Before we go to sleep, there’s one more place to go.



You can actually access the shop at the very beginning of Bubbleman’s scenario (before you enter Mayl’s house). I just forgot to do it.




There’s a lot of nifty things (most notably the precursors to Salamander, Fountain, Bolt, and Gaia Blade), but it’s still pretty useless. White at least gets an Elec +30.






So yeah, Haruka apparently was out of town the whole scenario.

Next time: Douche takes his first step on the path of non-douchiness.

Current Folder

Cannon D x4
Air Shot 1 *
Air Shot 3 *
V-Gun D x2
Sword L
Wide Sword L
Long Sword L
Variable Sword F
Shock Wave D x4
Yo-Yo1 D
Guard * x3
Area Grab L
Area Grab * - REGULAR
Invisible * x3
Attack +10 * x2
Gaia Blade *
Flashman F
Flashman V3 F

Total codes (not counting * code): 3

Ground Style
Ground style is a new style, exclusive to the White version. Visually, Megaman gets sweet boots, similar to his glove in GutsStyle but more high-tech-looking. You probably won't get this style unless you're really trying, mind, because you have to use panel-changing chips for it.

It cracks panels with the chargeshot - on every panel it hits. This moves from an active hinderance (Wood), to mildly unhelpful (Elec), to a moderately useful panelchanger (Aqua) and into ridiculous row-destruction (Heat). Another feature of Groundstyle is the fact that it has five levels, instead of the usual four.

Ground uses Green programs, and gets you the following for leveling up: SetGreen, which turns all panels into Grass panels at the start of the fight; SetIce, which does the same for Ice; SetLava, which does the same for Lava; and finally SetHoly, which does the same for Holy panels (these halve damage on them).

This style, in itself, is very underwhelming. However, the programs it gives are amazing, with the mildly entertaining exception of SetHoly. Here are just a few ways to use those programs:

-SetGreen makes you practically invincible to nonfire attacks in any WoodStyle, and doubles fire damage on it allowing massive damage.
-SetIce breaks everything in the game wide open by virtue of doubling all Elec damage on it. I hope you got those Plasmas and Flashmans! It's even better if you're in an AquaStyle, since you won't slip.
-SetLava, when used in conjunction with any HeatStyle, means your opponents take damage while you don't.
-SetHoly isn't that good, since it applies to both sides of the field. is way too large.


Higsby's store in White:

Actually I'm pretty sure they didn't do the "Aqua does not slip on Ice" thing until BN4.

At least I think. BN2 Aqua Custom was still slipping on ice.

Oh, and Set Holy only affects Megaman's side. It's totally broken.

Set Lava is the only real weak link (unless you have Volcano) since bosses flinch if they stand on lava.

It doesn't! I checked. While getting Flashman v4.

That I didn't know. I blame the fact that the block is so damn large.

Huh. You learn something new everyday.

Also I am so annoyed I can't get Flashman V4 yet. I want my 120 damage screen nuke already.

Yeah. it's awesome but in the end totally impractical since the only thing Holy panels are good for in BN3 is stall. And, well, you can get Anubis right now but no Geddon 3.

Mind you, I'll be hacking in some poison chips to show off Bass' cutscene powers, as they're the only things that can damage him.

Well, if you don't mind a long search (or hacking in an encounter), a single VariableSword ElementalWaves kills him.

And so does a single Plantman V4, maybe even V3.

Hell, a fully boosted Wood Style charge shot probably kills him too. I wouldn't be surprised.

Thing is, I have to stick with Shield until I fully level it up normally.

For some reason, my emulator kept lagging every ten seconds or so. To say it was annoying would be a massive understatement.

So what do you do when you have a thoroughly unlikable character and need to get the audience to warm up to them?









You expand on their backstory!



Sorry, Lan’s the main character.







Douche Sr. walks off.



We cut to Lan, who has just received an e-mail.

Megaman decides to e-mail everyone.



And by e-mail, I mean jack in and talk to all the other navis.

Roll’s answer is that she can’t go because she has to go shopping with Mayl.

Glide’s answer is that because today is Yai’s study day, he and she are not allowed to leave the house by her father‘s rule.

Gutsman’s answer?











Lan then receives some mail from DNN that gives him a Cyber Beach Pass.

Anyways, while we’re in Yoka…

Those are the bubble mines I was talking about earlier. Turns out they only detonate in a cross shape, not a 3x3 area.

As a note, the bubbles spawn much faster now so ESW is useless unless you Area Grab twice.




The thing with Bubbleman is that the battle is essentially a stalemate until you get the chips you need, as you need to focus on popping the bubbles before your side is flooded in them.

That said, there’s actually two really, really easy ways to beat him, but I don’t really have access to them just yet.



To Beach 2, actually.



Bubbleman is one of the most broken Navi chips ever. The reason? It does a lot of hits. Each of these hits can be boosted by up to 120 damage.

Basically, with Flashman and the yet to be seen navi chips it’s a question of how soon you can set up a combo with them.

With Bubbleman, it’s a question of how fast can you get it boosted and line up with the enemy for what is essentially a guaranteed kill.

Even better, it’s B coded so it can be used along with the Double Hero PA.

Moving on, Beach Area is a fairly annoying area since there are “cleverly” placed one way panels that make you have to take longer routes to get to your destination.



Like so. This one is an especially odd case since



The longer path isn’t even that long. And all it leads to is a Sub Chip merchant. Why even bother?



There are also mandatory Press paths because who doesn’t like those?



This is the way to the Undernet. Incidentally, I’m pretty sure “Tally” is supposed to be “Talisman”, but someone messed up.

There are two ways to get to Beach 1 from Beach 2 (where we start). One is fairly close to the Metro but drops you at the beginning of a one way panel maze.



The other is blocked.



You’d be able to go straight to Beach Square if it weren’t for these stupid things.

Beach 2 had a Recover 50 G and a RegUp3.




Still remember Jennifer? Because I wouldn’t be surprised if she doesn’t remember Lan.




YESYESYESYES.

You have to buy Fish for storyline purposes. They never explicitly tell you this (okay they kind of do but only if you check the BBS).









The navi turns to Megaman and Gutsman and asks for their names and a comment.








The cameraman suddenly interrupts Gutsman.

As soon as we enter Beach 1



Lan then gets a phone call from Dex.





…Doesn’t Gutsman specialize in attacking a wide area? A group assault doesn’t seem like much of a problem.






Megaman wonders what’s going on, despite the fact that Dex just told us.

There are three roadblock navis on the way to the center of Beach 1, our destination.





That’s pretty much how all of the conversations go.



Our goal is right there, but we have to go through a one way panel maze first.

Beach 1 has a BMD with a pink Charge +1 program and a PMD we can’t reach yet that holds a Spin Pink.







This would be a really good threat if anyone ever remembered Megaman.






Dude, we took down three custom navis in a row last game. Repeatedly. This will be a piece of ca-




Someone’s finally on time. But how the hell did he get here without having to go through the one way panel maze?

I really have no idea what Protoman and Douche did to become so famous. Lan took down two cyber mafias and he gets nothing, while Protoman is pretty much a cutscene power addict policeman.

The navi jacks out. Megaman runs up to the others.



“No wonder you are they are all saying you will”



The navi asks for an interview.



Protoman jacks out. Gutsman comments on how rude it is to refuse an interview.




The female navi is still blissfully daydreaming about Protoman. Disgusted, Gutsman jacks out.

Megaman observes that everyone’s safe, and recommends that Lan jack out early to prepare for tomorrow.







I love how Wily’s statement implies that earlier WWW didn’t even give a damn about Protoman. Which actually makes some sense, since in BN1 Protoman was pretty much completely ineffectual.

Wily notes he’s counting on Mystery Guy.







Haruka tells Lan to just get down already.






Megaman notes Lan is oddly happy.



Megaman wonders if Yuichiro will be surprised. Meanwhile, Lan and Haruka exchange farewells.

Outside the house, we get some mail. It’s from Mayl, telling us that she’s opened a shortcut to Yoka area.

Before I head to SciLab, there’s something I need to do inside Lan’s dog house.



Ah, finally get to show one of these.

In many of the offline areas, there are some really rare encounters of viruses from much further in the game that only appear if you use Sneak Run. For example, the entire Spikey family can be found in Lan’s Dog House. So theoretically, if you have a lot of time to burn and some crazy luck, you could assemble a Heat Spread folder at the very beginning of the game.

You may want to note that since they’re probably at a higher level than you, you usually can’t run away until the third attempt.

Ah, finally found him.



The funny thing about Beastman is that the Shield programs completely neuter all of his attacks but his desperation one.

The funny thing about lag is that it can make you mess up your timing.

To say there were a lot of resets would be an understatement.



Okay, one more.



After many, many resets, many, many “Nice job sucking just enough to get a Busting Level of 9 but screw you have some Zenny instead”, and many “Oh, you got a Busting Level of 10. Guess we‘ll flip a coin and see what you get… Oh! V3!”, this asshole finally forked over his V2.

I need some stress relief.




One of the many funny things about Flashman is that the Wood Style charge shot rips through his health, even at base power.



Ah… that felt so goo- wait, I need this sap’s V2 as well. Gah.



Only took one reset and I’m actually going to use this. How nice.

I guess I could face Bubbleman Beta right now but I’ve kept Yuichiro waiting long enough.



But not long enough for me to do some jobs! This one had me go to Yai’s telephone to get some “free rare chips”. Instead we find a thief who’s disappointed he only gets to rob a kid.

Anyways, he sends two Twinners at you. These guys are notable in the fact they must be killed at the same time or the destroyed one will regenerate. They attack by moving little cursor things throughout your area.








Lan asks why Douche is here.

Lan gets a PET Case.



Yuichiro turns to Douche and asks if he’s in the N1 as well. Douche confirms.



This is so hilariously ironic.

Yuichiro sighs that he should probably get back to work and rushes back to the Virus Lab.



Yeah, what’s our track record right now? 20 for 20? How many times did I beat up Protoman V3 in BN1 anyways?





Because the guy who has repeatedly defeated you in the past is clearly no match for you now.

Douche rushes away.




Megaman tells Lan to calm down and guesses that Douche is on edge because of how important tomorrow will be.



Now there’s only one thing left to do.



In Beach 1, if your HP is at critical, you can face Bubbleman Beta. While you'd think the low HP would be a problem...



Far more annoying is that hole in the center of the field, which has left me in a basically unwinnable position in this shot.



This is a fight where Shield Style’s heal can come in handy. Well, kind of. In any fight your goal is not to get hit in the first place.

This was the fight that made me curse at my emulator the most because my game would not stop lagging. It’s hard enough to get the timing right, I don’t need to deal with the game slowing down!



Hey, you know what’s really annoying about these bubbles? You can’t move into their panels. This can happen if you’re Invisible.



Thankfully, if you’ve got great timing you can do this.



In one massive screw you, the game did not give me the chip I needed to win until the very freaking end. Meanwhile, White version players are laughing since they have more than one Area Grab * at this point.

Screw you too game.

Next time: Mod Tools and the beginning of the N1!

Current Folder

Cannon D x4
Hi Cannon *
Air Shot 1 *
Air Shot 3 *
V-Gun D
Sword L
Wide Sword L
Long Sword L
Variable Sword D
Shock Wave D x4
Yo-Yo1 D
Guard * x3
Area Grab *
Invisible * x3 - REGULAR
Attack +10 * x2
Gaia Blade *
Flashman F
Flashman V2 F
Flashman V3 F

Total codes (not counting * code): 3

Not pictured: Myself, laughing.

Is it just me, or is the reply box a block of gray for everyone?






Lan quickly gets up.



Megaman groans that Lan could have at least woken himself up on such an important day.







Megaman and Lan decide to head over to the TV Station where the N1 is being held as fast as possible.

We then get some mail from Dex, who tells use he’s in Block A and that he’s going ahead of us.








The real world Beach has no real direct jack-in point to Beach Area.

Wasn’t the Navi Customizer just made? Whoever made these must work really fast.





The man tells us that it can be used to correct program errors, and that Lan should tell no one where he got it from.

The Mod Tools are amazing.




By pressing Select after Run has finished, we enter a password input screen.

Here we can either enter Extra codes, or Error codes.



Extra Codes can either give Megaman more HP (up to 1000 more),



Increase the amount of Mega chips you can hold (up to 5 more),



Or give you a program’s effect without actually having to install it (though it won’t show up on the program screen). This one grants Super Armor.

What’s the drawback? Most of the really good codes (like the HP +900 or the Mega Folder +5 I used in the first two examples) either make Megaman create Poison Panels with every step, or lower how many chips he can select at the Custom screen.



This can be fixed via Bug Stop. But really, the one you’ll really want to use the most is the Super Armor code, and that one doesn’t give you any bugs.





On the other hand, Error Codes allow the Navi Customizer to bypass errors.

And while Extra Codes have to be inputted every time you use the Navi Customizer, Error Codes will be there until you either remove the offending program or input a new code.

Unfortunately, Error Codes can only be used if there is only one problem program. Having two wrong color programs, even if they’re the same color, will give you an unfixable error.

The DNN van is back, but it no longer links to the Net. You can still jack in to get a HP +100 program.





Yup, Jennifer forgot us.




If this is Johnson, he’s forgotten us too. Still, the personality’s completely different…




I think we’ve found the villain of this scenario.



Meet Tora. He’s filling in for Douche this scenario as the insufferable prick you want to punch in the face.

He gets better though.





Lan points out Tora isn’t much older than he is.





We then get the “option” (you have to do this to advance the story) to battle Tora.

For some reason, a lot of people find Kingman hard. He’s not. He’s just time consuming.



His main attacker is that Knight piece, who will constantly jump around the field, creating shockwaves and preventing Megaman from moving for a bit every time he lands. It will pierce through Guards and Barriers.



Those pawns will also try to line up with you and slash you. They can not be destroyed by anything that isn’t Breaking, and as such will interfere with many of your attacks.



If you decide to wuss out and stay in the back row to avoid the pawns, Kingman will trigger Plan B.



He will use Area Grab and move his pieces forward. If he’s at low health, if you destroy the Pawns too many times, or if you just push a Pawn back a panel, he’ll use an alternate Plan B that will form two Knights to jump around your side and a Rook to defend Kingman.

The most effective way to beat Kingman is to stay in the front column, dodging everything (it gets easier after you get into a rhythm) and sniping Kingman between the Pawns.

While you could try using Shockwave chips, the animation takes so long the Knight will just land on you.

Using Area Grab can work, but you have to use it when neither of the Pawns are moving at all, or else it’ll fail. And all it will give you is a single panel the Knight will just land on. And if your attack doesn’t defeat Kingman, you’ll have to deal with the fact the Pawns can no longer effectively move, ruining your dodge rhythm.



This is a battle where having a strong and fast Megabuster is nigh required if you don’t want the battle to take forever.




Even if you do it right though, it still takes a while.





Actually, that’s pretty much it. Later forms of Kingman are pretty much the same, just with more HP. Though I think he gets a new move (Checkmate) in his Beta form.

Lan marvels at the competition.



Tora rushes off and Sunayama rushes in.




After mentioning that an audience is waiting for us, Sunayama runs back to wherever he came from.

Megaman asks if Lan is nervous.




Lan turns to look at the competition.



Now, while we should go start off the N1, there’s some things we have to get first.



Swordy2s appear in Beach 2 as a fairly rare random encounter. Figure out some way to S-Rank them (I used Flashman).










Ice Stage * can easily be set as your default chip and makes Flashman do double damage. The only “problem” is that you’ll slip too (unless you‘re in Aqua Style), but you don’t really need to aim to use Flashman.

Speaking of Flashman, I decided that if I was going to spend the necessary time to get a Fire Sword P…



I may as well hack in a Team Style and go get Flashman V4.



Huh, seems you only need to get an S rank.

There’s another, much better reason I came here. If you S rank an Eleball (not hard with Ice Stage + Flashman) you’ll get



Excuse me while I grind for a bit.



Alright, done.

Now, there’s one last thing to do to.



This Extra Code grants me Float Shoes, and there’s no bug attached. Float Shoes allows me to ignore the effects of all panels but Poison (I think) and Holy. So I can walk on Ice without slipping.

Having said that, I’m not going to be using this Extra Code just yet. You’ll see why soon.

Oh wow, someone from Raoul’s gang is here.





The audience starts to cheer. Sunayama thanks them all for coming and introduces himself. He then notes that he’s filling in for the sponsor, the leader of IPC Inc, who‘s observing events from the editing room.



Seems Douche Sr. came after all.






Gospel? The Zero Virus? What are those?




The crowd cheers.

Anyways, this is one of the weirder parts of the game. If we just assume that everybody except for WWW has simply forgotten about Lan’s heroic exploits, it’s maddening but reasonable, as if Lan did have the fame he deserves, his enemies wouldn’t constantly underestimate him and it wouldn‘t be half as satisfying to see their disbelief at getting completely destroyed.

And yet according to this scene, everyone knows he saved the world from WWW. This is in direct contrast to the attitude the Officials and the members of Gospel have towards Lan in BN2, as well as the interviews Lan and Megaman have had (Lan with Ribitta, Megaman with that female reporter last update), where neither of the two reporters bring up the whole world saving thing.




…Is it even possible to get the opponent into a check in one move? I mean, I’ve actually been checkmated after just three moves (IIRC, opponent moves pawn diagonal to queen, I move pawn diagonal to king, opponent moves queen to line up with the king, we both stare at the board for a minute and burst out laughing.) I suck at chess, but I don’t think a one move check is possible.

Anyways, Tora puts his arm in the air, crowd cheers again.





Wait, so he’s not a member of Raoul’s gang? Then why did he call Lan “Samurai“?

Jennifer blows a kiss.






Oh hey, it is Johnson.







Koetsu shows up throughout the series on the BBSs, explaining game mechanics.

…Is that seriously his name?






Q doesn’t pose.





Bonzu asks Sunayama how many contestants there are total.








Sunayama explains that only the top four will actually battle in the studio.

Sunayama asks Tora to be patient.





Sunayama explains that to get to the arena, we’ll have to take a ferry in front of the TV Station.




Sunayama declares the time for battle has come.










Next time: The N1 Grand Prix!

Current Folder

Cannon D x4
Hi Cannon *
Air Shot 1 *
Air Shot 3 *
V-Gun D
Variable Sword D
Shock Wave D x4
Yo-Yo1 D
Plasma1 D x4
Area Grab *
Invisible * x3
Ice Stage * - REGULAR
Attack +10 * x2
Gaia Blade *
Flashman F
Flashman V2 F
Flashman V3 F
Flashman V4 F

Total codes (not counting * code): 2

Near as I know, it's possible to get checked, but not checkmated, within three moves. In the situation you described, you should have been able to block off his queen with your own queen or a bishop (or even a knight).

It is possible to get checkmated in two turns, one move for each side, however.